planning . . .

"Sometimes the best surprises in life are the unplanned ones". 


I am a planner. I like to know who, what, when and where. I also love surprises. But so many times I ruin surprises by trying to figure everything out. I like to be in control, but I'm learning in this season of life that sometimes there are things beyond our control - and that's where trusting in God is HUGE. 


I guess the cat is mostly out of the bag anyway so I'll just free it completely . . . Durrell and I are putting our house on the market sometime this spring. We are taking steps towards moving to Texas. M O V I N G!!! Oh wow. We are excited! So excited. And yes, a little nervous at the unknown (again, the planner in me!). But we are walking in trust. Though our exact steps may be a little foggy now, we are just putting one foot in front of the other and launching into this new season.


The above quote was said to me by a co-worker when I was telling her about Texas. I mentioned to her how I like to know what's next. Her words have stuck with me and re-assured me that even though I may not know exactly what's next, God does. And I think we're going to be very surprised at what is to come! Can't wait to see what's next!!

I'm on a posting roll :)

Since I am not working as much, I have gotten into an organize everything mode! And with that comes some crafty-ness as I try to find homes for un-organized things . . . like CHRISTMAS CARDS!

I love getting Christmas card photos from friends! It's fun getting the mail around the holidays, knowing that there will most likely be a photo card from a friend. But what to do with all those photos AFTER Christmas?? I've heard of friends that throw them away. I couldn't bring myself to do that, so up until today, they have been stashed in envelopes in closets.

Thanks to this fun idea on Pinterest, I now found a fun way to keep, organize and display Christmas greeting card photos. 

Front - I just printed on card stock! 

punched holes in all the photos . . . 

and used ribbon to tie them together . . . the back is a blank piece of cardstock . . .

while I was at it, I did 2009 and 2010!

Guess it's time to go clean now. I'm sure I'll find more organizing along the way :)

In the New Year . . .

I love the beginning of a new year. There's something fresh, new and exciting about it. I'm not really one to make "resolutions". Instead, I like to write out goals. I have to admit that last year, not many of my goals were accomplished . . . But I feel like last year things were set in motion to make some of those goals happen this new year. 

My word for 2012 is TRANSITION.

tran·si·tion

   [tran-zish-uhn, -sish-]  Show IPA

noun

1.

movement, passage, or change from one position, state,stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change:

I am excited and a bit nervous for this new year. I feel there will be a lot of transition and changes taking place, but the end result of those changes will be above and beyond what we can imagine. Durrell and I want more of God and have come to the conclusion we will do whatever (and go wherever) it takes to get more of Him and His presence. One of my personal goals this year is to reach out to others more and love unconditionally. That sounds easy enough, right? For me, it is quite difficult. Not really the loving unconditionally part so much as the reaching out part! I love people, and yet, I love my personal time. I'm good at saying hello and being friendly, but when it comes down to giving up MY time to invest in someone else's life, that is difficult for me. I will work on this! :)

And so begins a new year. Let the good times roll :)

just thoughts . . .

I've totally neglected my blog. Not sure how many people actually read and follow it, but here is a long awaited post, if only awaited by myself.

I have thought about blogging so many times since my last post. Each time I get overwhelmed with all the thoughts I have floating in my head. I can't seem to think of just 1 topic to write about. And so I finally buckled down and decided to just write. About whatever may come to my mind. So forgive me if this post is a little everywhere.

Life is a collection of seasons. My wise father has told me this many times. He has also told me on numerous occasions - "seasons change; let them".  The idea that life is made up of seasons appeals to me . . . the idea that seasons change unnerves me. I've been realizing something about myself - I love the idea of change, but when the change actually comes, I often buck it until I get re-adjusted. And once I'm adjusted again, I generally love the change that took place! Oh dear!

A recent season that has changed for me is my work situation. I am no longer nannying. I feel like a failure in admitting that watching 2 kids under the age of 2 was more than I could handle. I would get stressed out just thinking about going to work. The money was great but it wasn't worth the anxiety. I loved the job for a season, but the season had ended. And so now I am only working 2 scheduled days at the deli, picking up occasional days when I can. This is my first week having 3 days off and already I can feel the need to be kept busy. I've gone through the attic, getting rid of stuff and organizing. Tomorrow it's the closets. I cannot sit still.

And of course the big decision looming over our heads is whether or not to move to Texas. We are still prayerfully considering the possibility. We have set a deadline for ourselves to decide one way or another. And honestly, as hard as the idea of the change is for me, I want to go. I know God has bigger plans for Durrell and I then what we can see - it just takes us stepping out. And that is harder than I care to admit. 

So here's my long awaited blog post. I'm sorry to disappoint you with my thoughts. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed time with family like we did. Happy New Year! 

-A

I had a big long post typed out and then deleted it all to say:

I'm still alive! :)

where have I been?

I know it seems like I've gone MIA. I hate the word busy because it often sounds like an excuse to me. You only make yourself as busy as you want, right? Well I am very b u s y lately, and yes, it's by choice. This week for example has something planned every night and me working every day but Wednesday. But so far, I'm enjoying it. I may need a large does of quality time with hubby by the end of the week though. I don't do well with little time with him :)

I am organizing 2 open houses coming up in December (info below). Plus there will be a Christmas Market day in New Holland that my products will be a part of. That means I've got A LOT of things to make! I enjoy it, for sure. It does take the fun out of creating at times when there's a big demand and I just have to do a whole bunch at one time. 

Miss Lyss Designs has joined up with Kate's Creations and Essence to bring you a fun and creative Christmas open house. Come enjoy some yummy Christmas treats while you shop for those on your list!

*Miss Lyss Designs will be selling an array of hair accessories and jewelry. (www.facebook.com/misslyssdesigns)
*Kate's Creations will have beautiful Christmas decor such as wreaths and other flower arrangements to make your house look bright for the season. (FB search: Kates Creations)

*Essence's display will be made up of wonderful, all natural, made-from-scratch lotions.

Open House:

2 dates / 2 locations!

Tuesday, December 6

Drop in 6-9 PM

26 S. Fulton Street

Strasburg PA 17579

Saturday, December 10

Drop in 3-6pm

34 Diller Ave.

New Holland, PA 17557

Everything will be cash and carry. Cash and checks only.

Call Alyssa 717-669-1263 or Kate 717-598-2009 for more info or directions.

Besides all of that, Durrell and I have been doing a lot of processing. As I mentioned in an earlier post, we are contemplating a big move. I am a planner; a detailed and organized person who goes crazy with disorder. At times the unknown drives me nuts to the point of tears. But Durrell and I are resting in God's peace, knowing that He directs our steps. We are trusting him to show us which path to take.

 

Book Cover Tutorial

I have a small Bible that I keep in my purse most of the time. It has also become my main Bible that I use. The poor little cover has seen it's better days . . .

I kept wanting to sew a book cover for it and never seemed to get around to it. Today was the day! I finally buckled down and made one after finding this tutorial. It was very easy except my first go I made it too small. So I opened up the seams and re - stitched it, this time sewing closer to the edge of the fabric. Also, don't round your corners. I thought I needed to for some reason but as you can see, my book has square corners! 

Finished product! (not a HUGE fan of the pink, but I have an excessive amount of pink fabric from a shower and am trying to get rid of it.)

I hot glued the buttons on but if you want to ensure they REALLY stay, you could sew them.

I added a little lace elastic loop on the back cover. I hot glued it. I may stitch over it to ensure it stays! 

So there you have it :)