As promised, here's another baby elephant, sans bonnet and rattle. I love this pattern. So cute!
Another Baby Elephant
Friday, May 31, 2013
I made this adorable project for my Etsy shop. I even placed a plastic Easter egg filled with pony beads in the middle to make it a rattle! Oooh...impressed, aren't you? Well, evidently my friend Tashia was, because she snatched him up the same night I listed it. I think that may have been the quickest Etsy sale I've ever made. Ha!
I'm currently making another one, but sans the bonnet. So cute!
Pattern: Baby's Elephant by Red Heart Yarn
Currently For Sale On Etsy
New to my shop - printable cards and envelopes! I've had a blast designing these and I hope one catches your eye as well. It's a simple as pay, print, and personalize! Check them out!
I'm also working on some more critters, so check my shop often!
I'm also working on some more critters, so check my shop often!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
We spent our Memorial Day with my grandma and aunt (my grandfather is currently in a short-term care center, recovering from knee surgery). Here are some highlights.
My grandma cut some of her irises for my uncle's grave. Drew was napping, so we took Rob with us to the cemetery. It was a bit for him to take in, but he was very grown-up about it and tried to understand the best he could.
The land renter's horses were grazing by Cher's house when we pulled up. The mare was more than willing to allow the boys to feed her grass and pet her.
The boys (all three) decided to go explore the old barn, until some barn swallows chased us all off.
Grub was had and it was good! Burgers, beans, and polish dogs. Mmm.
Robby reading to my grandma. "If You Give A Moose A Muffin" is a favorite of ours.
We stayed through nap time, but we had the boys lay down and rest when they started to fall apart a bit. Rob passed out right away, but Drew didn't want to have anything to do with it. Until a very tired daddy, fresh from mowing my grandparents' lawn, came and cuddled up next to him for a rest, too. Both were out like a light.
Thank you to those who have served or are currently serving our country. While I have not lost a solider or am waiting for one to come home in my circle, I pray for those who have/are. For us, it was a quiet day to remember lost loved ones and enjoy the ones still with us.
Thank you to those who have served or are currently serving our country. While I have not lost a solider or am waiting for one to come home in my circle, I pray for those who have/are. For us, it was a quiet day to remember lost loved ones and enjoy the ones still with us.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Someone figured it was her turn to partake in the fruits of my labor...
Between her and the kids, my afghans don't stay folded for very long in this house. But that's what they're made for, right?
Vintage Stripe Afghan
According to Ravelry, I started this project on November 2nd of last year. I just not finished it today. Yikes. But in all fairness, there were many commissions and gifts that back-burnered it and it's huge. 80" X 70" makes it only slightly smaller than my Ripple Afghan. I love, love, LOVE the colors!
Obviously, someone else is rather fond of it, too. Little punk.
Monday, May 20, 2013
I love it when my dad and step-mom are here. They're such laid-back, loving, and genuine people; our time is always incredibly sweet, but always too short. Such was the case this time, too, even though they were here for a full week. My heart aches when I have to hug them good-bye, but thankfully their visits have become a yearly occurrence. Can't wait for next year already!
Grandma Kathy hanging out with her boys on the porch. The weather was decent, so we did a lot of porch sittin'. And napping. Naps are good.
Both boys sitting on Grandma. Poor Grandma.
Smooches for Drew. I have a picture very similar to this when Drew was a baby. So sweet.
My dad makes these really neat walking sticks and brought us each one to keep.
Not the best family photo. The boys were being difficult.
Dad jokingly said that this picture was "deceiving". They looked too sweet and quiet. =)
I probably say it every time, but I really wish we lived closer. I miss them sooooo much. =(
One last one of Grandma and the boys. Aww.
More Baby Gifts
We seem to be having another baby boom in our church lately. Two more shower gifts down; there will be at least two more to do before the year is over. I can barely keep up with these gals!
First up, for a motorcycle-lovin', first-time mama and her brand new baby boy, we have Marlon, the Motorcycle Mutt. I really had a blast making this, although it was a bit challenging. It was a pretty big hit at the shower. I love all the new and interesting things I get to make!
Pattern: Motorbike & Dog by MysteriousCats
Second, we have yet another first-timer and baby boy combo. Mama's mama is the one who commissioned my first Stripey Giraffe, so I settled for making this Round Ripple Baby Afghan in lieu of another critter. I love the colors and so did Mama!
What will I make next? Nobody knows. =)
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
The Basics
Bible Stories that End with a Hug! by Stephen Elkins is a beautiful, 160-page book filled with 75 easy-to-understand stories from the Bible. At first glance, you immediately notice the sweet illustrations of adorable, almost "Precious Moments-ish", children dressed as various Bible characters acting out their stories. Each page contains a Bible story, a simplified memory verse, application, and, as the title implies, a "hug prompt".
What I Loved About It
Simon Taylor-Kielty did a marvelous job illustrating this book. I found the children to be charming and wonderfully sweet. But it was the content, more importantly, that I had to be super critical about. Sound doctrine, whether it be in a children's book or hermeneutics text, is key. Both my husband and I scoured this book cover to cover and were pleased to find it, for the most part, theologically sound. I was pleased to see the words "repent" and "sin", as most Christian authors are too cowardice to talk about either. The gospel portion of this book is, for the most part, there; we're sinners, Jesus died for those sins, we need to repent and trust (they say "accept Him"...eh...) in Him in order to receive His gift of salvation. The "vitals" are mostly present.
I also liked the interaction. During each lesson, questions are asked (i.e. "What lesson was Jesus teaching?") to help children grasp the concepts and jumpstart deeper conversations. The included Bible verses are a great introduction to memorization; although I don't care for the liberal translation that they chose, but I can understand why, considering the age group that the book is geared towards.
When I read a story from the book to my boys (age 3 and 5), they enjoyed the pictures, the story, and the hug at the end (both of them had a huge smile on their face when it came time for the hug). I do feel, however, this was a little "young" for my 5-year-old, but he is not a typical 5-year-old, so your results may vary.
What I Didn't Love About It
I did not care for the fact that while they did include the Last Supper and the Resurrection, they failed to include the most important part: the Cross. What is our faith without the cross? Nothing! This deeply bothered me for awhile (might have been my unconscious reasoning behind delaying this review), but when I dove into the book once more, I realized that it, as I said, is geared towards YOUNG children; the crucifixion of Christ is not an easy, nor "sanitized" thing to try to explain to our little ones without being a little graphic. It's gruesome and sad, but oh-so vital to the gospel. It IS the gospel! So, I suppose I still have mixed feelings. Sound doctrine vs. audience.
I also did not like the "canned" prayer at the end. Again, I understand the audience and the intention behind it. It's merely and introduction to prayer. But, I do not agree with the ever-popular assumption that our kids are saved. It does nothing but create false converts. Our boys know that they are sinners (gasp!) that need a savior and someday, if God calls them to faith and repentance, they will then be saved. It is not assumed or taken for granted. I think that is crucial to understand and explain to our children in order to promote true faith.
To Sum It Up
This book is incredibly sweet and well put together. The author did a great job in simplifying the stories in order for them to be easily understood by the young audience. And I can't rave more about the illustrations; they're just too adorable! However, it was not a book that I would have personally chosen and purchased. Besides that it's a little young for my crew, there were just too many "holes" for my liking. However, I feel it would make a fantastic baby shower gift, which is exactly where these books are going.
*I was given no compensation for my review. All views and opinions are solely my own. It was a pleasure writing this review, but I assume it will be my last, as I don't share the same views as mainstream Christianity (darn my reformed, fundamentalist self). A huge thank you to Tyndale for allowing me this opportunity.
Monday, April 22, 2013
No, we didn't get another animal. Drew LOVES kitties, so I decided to use this pattern (had to run it through Google Translate in order to read it first, though) and make him one. Can't wait to give it to him after naptime!
Update: I think he likes it. =) Made my day!
Saturday, April 20, 2013
I made this for a long-time friend, who welcomed their fourth child (finally a girl!) last week. Unfortunately, I did not get it to them before she was born, which was my plan, but life, as it does, got hectic. Better late than never, right? That's become my life motto, it seems.
Congratulations to the Bateman family on their beautiful baby girl!
Be ready for a flood of baby gifts in the coming weeks. Lots of babies being born as of late!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Now that the...er...giraffe is out of the bag, I can post about him!
This was the first version of the stripy giraffe as a commission from a friend, who is expecting her very first grandbaby at the end of the month. It's meant to match (more like compliment) a quilt the new grandma is making for baby.
I realized during my second giraffe that somehow I made the ears too big on this one, but I think it adds to his character.
Stripy Giraffe
Is he adorable?! I just love him! Designer Emma Dent of I Love Buttons was kind enough to sketch out her pattern for me, despite battling morning sickness (her, not me!). I whipped up this little guy and now he's going to live on my shelf in my craft room. Why not, right? I see all these cute things I can make, but have no reason to make them or I can't sell them, so why not make my own little collection of favorites? It might help put a dent in my ever-growing stash, which makes Blue Knight happy.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
These are blurry because I was laughing so hard.
It Is Finished
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
- John 19:30
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Monday, April 1, 2013
After a great week of visiting with Matt's folks and doing my sister-in-law's senior photos, we said good-bye to them on Saturday morning and proceeded to celebrate Drew's birthday. I can't believe this little guy is THREE!
To start things off, we received a package from Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Roger. It was a brand new tricycle! (We had wanted to get it for him, but couldn't afford it.) So, we took off for Walmart to pick out a helmet; Drew picked out a Hot Wheels one, of course. Then we loaded up the truck (Charlotte included) and headed down to the school down the way and let the boys ride their bikes. This was Drew's first time on a bike, so teaching him how to pedal was an interesting experience. But he's slowly getting it. Just needs to work those muscles!
More after the jump...
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