I am hoping to habitually increase my posting and using this place as a journal of my creative persuits. I have been knitting hats and blankets, and some crochet as well. I need to put up some photos as well.

Here is a crochet baby blanket I made for Tristyn. These are his father's favorite colors and it was a custom gift. I was looking at a box of baby something and noticed that this colorway was used on several items, like diaper wipes and formula and such. Since I have noticed these same colors and another of burgandy or fuchia as well. Wonder what next years colors will be?
This green and gold scarf has been a favorite of mine for a while. It is so large I could use it (I am plus sized and it is a good proportion for me. I then was playing with some Ideas for breastfeeding moms, and came up with this version of a cover up. It has 2 suspender clips top keep it on even when baby is wiggly, and is pretty enough to wear between feeds.Light weight and pretty. I hope to sell some of these as well.
 

Hey Moms!

Hello there, it has been a while but when there is nothing going on there is’nt anything to say. Today I was skimming the RSS feeds and saw an idea that is useful to pregnant and new moms. Jille at One good thing wrote on the additional uses for baby wipes. While she elaborated well, the one that struck me as very useful is to use wipes with Witch hazel added. She advised the aloe type and to add a bottle of witch hazel to the container. Use on hemorrhoids and also stitches! This would also be useful for any open or post-op site in the peri-anal area. There is already a good product on the market for this however it comes in tiny pads and you get stuff on your hands! This is Plus- Plus sized and can be used at home or when traveling by simply using a plastic wipes container (the small diaper bag sized ones). You can also line your panties with one to keep the witch hazel on the site. With hazel is an astringent that also has analgesic properties. That is it helps relieve pain topically. Come to think about it they would be useful for bites and scrapes on any part of the body. I am going to get some set up for the grandbabies who often encounter ants and mosquitoes. I bet they will go over well.

refashion!

Have you heard of refashioning? It is the practice of taking one old item and giving it a new life. You can use it as it is for a new purpose- a tote bag for a diaper bag. What I like is to change it at its most basic and totally change it's shape and use. I have cut off Levi shorts and made it into a book bag. All of the pockets are available plus the new ones inside. Cute,Useful and for sale lol.

One of my favorites is a old dress that came out great. I especially like the coral satin lining with pockets.

The outside is cotton and the inside is satin polyester. It went together so well ,I really might keep it for myself, but I feel that way about every thing I make! The question is what to make next. I like the idea of totes but I think I want to make some ipad and reader covers also.I have a lot of hand me down fabric and I don't want it to have to find a new home when I'm gone. I need to sew!

My first linky party!

Well I was hoping to do it, but I was unwilling to try it without help. When no rescuer showed I finally bit the bullet and finally I got the focus to follow the instructions. It was frustrating because some information is assumed and I am unexperienced in linking. Susan at Afford your Passions opened a linky party for stitching of all kinds and I submitted Nathan's Blanket. It is a shale pattern in burgundy and cream acrylic and is over sized approx 50 inches by 66. His Mom wanted an oversized blanket so they could wrap him up thru childhood. I don't know how to link to my own stuff within the site yet, so if you can teach me I would be grateful! So go to  http://www.livingbytheshore.com/ and check out my first linky!

Daniel Fast

January is the time my family devotes to a Daniel fast. It is a simplified eating plan that is supposed to allow more time to pray. I do it out of respect for my pastor who calls it and my husband who follows it each year. It is a good idea but it doesn't fit me very well. I am a diabetic and all the carbs is hard on my body. It thinks I am starving and my appetite and weight  increase. After 2 weeks of the 3 involved I started to have cramps and muscle pain; my dear spouse released me and I started eating turkey.Within hours I was relieved of the cramps and the pain has diminished as well. I have a sensitivity to rice so rice and beans raise my blood sugar alot,like over 500 on my medicine. The diet is just not good for me. Lots of fruit juice and fresh raw veggies and fruit are too high in sugars for me. I need grains and protein to keep balanced. I like salads and veggies but I need protein also. I pray regardless of my food intake, however I feel fasting is a good tool to keep the flesh at bay. So did I fail? Maybe but I know that God is working in my life and body and forgives me. I also believe that He will continue with me and that what I eat is not important to my spiritual; life only this flesh. I will continue to believe for health and to discipline my body to accommodate health in my body, I will not beat myself up for not being like everyone else.

Year recap

2011 has been over all a wonderful year for me and my family. God has provided and we are all together. We have a vibrant family life and meet at my house at least once a week. I see and am involved in my granchildrens lives. My husband is as loving and attentive as he ever was after 32 years together. Our church life is booming and we have deep friendships with many.I graduated with honors from Bible College. These are the positive recollections, I refuse to consider the negative ones.

On the crafting side I have opened a handmade shop at Meylah/kathyscrafts.com. and have made a myriad of items as gifts and shop items. I estimate that I made 12-15 hats for soilders, 2 baby/diaper bags, 8 crochet baby blankets, worked on a twin sized quilt, finished a top into a coverlet for a friend, 5 purses, a laptop bag,20 or so hats in assorted styles and sizes,10 wraps/scarves. 10 or so cowls, 5-6 headbands, some potatoe people, and several pair of booties. I also made a minky backed baby quilt. I also mended and fitted several baskets of clothing for family and friends. I am overwelmed looking back on all I actually got done. As I write this I am reminded of legwarmers and hat,Pillows and custom bags for car rides. Oh and the bean bags, wow I think I will list my projects this year on Ravelry or even in a notebook. I didn't even get pics of the Christmas gifts;(. Wow I did a lot. I can only hope to do as much or more this year! Happy 2012!!

Christmas Week

For various reasons the holidays haven’t been my favorite time. Grief, bitterness and pain have been my excuse but are not a reason for terrible past Christmas’. You see it is a choice to be happy or not. If your happiness is dependent on circumstances we could all work up a good cry. Many people are entering this week with loss, loved ones too far away, or unable to have the circumstances they desire.  Christmas comes and goes and sometimes we don’t have that miracle or wish fulfilled. But should that make you miserable? When I was a teen in Miami I had friends who bought and wrapped presents for family who were restrained by Cuba. They could not visit there either. I asked why in March the gifts were still in the living room. My friend answered that they would be coming and they were ready for that day. Since then I have applied that idea to many things in my life, the hardest was losing a child. 25 years later I can still choose to cry or laugh; cry for missing him or delight myself in the antics of my grandkids. When I choose to make my desire the least important one and strive to help another, I experience joy. My gifts are unimportant and I would be very uncomfortable with extravagant gifting. I also do not stress with reaching the finish line of Christmas morning. If I find the best gift for someone I give it right away. I do not wait for December. And yes, I don’t have a lot of gifts ready on the 25^th. Yet I enjoy giving all year round and I will not be restricted by a once a year holiday to love on my friends and family. Christmas may come but once a year, but the spirit of Christmas lives in my heart year round.