tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67030822812963594112024-03-13T19:26:04.184-07:00StasaLynnStasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-76593097202696693792021-05-07T14:52:00.000-07:002021-05-07T14:52:03.919-07:00"Plans"<p>Oh my goodness! Just noticed that it has been more than two years since I have blogged. SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN! Of course there is the obvious but we won't go down that rabbit hole. </p><p>Since my last blog post, we have continued to simplify our lives and have conquered some big goals. (I will use that as my "excuse" for being a bad blogger.) I cannot emphasize how much simplifying and de-cluttering our life has been the best thing we could have done. It was overwhelming and scary at first but we had a "Plan."</p><p>We used a very simplified version of debt reduction - something along the lines of Dave Ramsey's program. We budgeted, moved to smaller digs, shared one vehicle, and used all extra funds to pay on that debt. It took nearly 8 years but WE DID IT! All of our credit card debt is paid off! That was the biggest stress in our hectic lives! </p><p>Our oldest daughter suggested a great plan to our little family to simplify the Holidays: draw names, set a cost limit, Amazon wish lists... It was and still is a perfect solution to our desire to de-commercialize Christmas and make it about spending time with our family during the season. Instead of shopping, we bake, make and create other memories. It is a tradition that we love! </p><p>Our "plan" had three prongs: (1) Pay off all credit card and vehicle debt; (2) Purchase a home and second vehicle; and (3) Pay off home loan in time for retirement. </p><p>While we were in the first phase - the universe had other plans for us. </p><p>The perfect house came on the market and it had everything we wanted. It was located in the right community, small, renovated, all one level, a music room for the hubster and a sewing room for me. Even faces north south - which is important in the southwest desert. </p><p>However, we still had about a year to go before all of our debt would be paid off. We were not ready for the second phase yet....But we just could not let that house go. </p><p>On April 3, 2020, we moved into our new little house. We could not be happier!!! And it has been a great investment - it has already gone up in value more than we could ever imagine. </p><p>So a little deviation from the "plan" was a good thing. </p><p>In March 2021 we could check off the first part of our "plan".... all of the previous debt was paid! We were ready to finish out the second part of the "plan" so it was time to look for a second car. </p><p>The hubster researched for nearly a year for a vehicle that would be best for us. I wanted a Ford. I came from a Ford family. His was a Chevy family. So during our whole 36 year marriage we never owned a Ford. It was almost blasphemous if the "F" word was spoken. </p><p>Until. . . . . . He began to research and boy do we do a lot of researching nowadays! He found that a Ford Edge would be the best thing for us - even over a Chevy! I love that he was willing to do that research and be willing to share that with me. </p><p>Guess what??!! We are the proud owners of a 2019 Ford. Our son-in-law helped us steer away from a new vehicle. Love that guy! </p><p>It feels good to be in the third phase of our "plan." </p><p>But I cannot help to wonder what the universe will have in store for us.... </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-86825525977142672392018-06-09T17:19:00.000-07:002018-06-09T17:30:07.626-07:00Enlightened life....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such a long time since my last blog post. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why gone so long? There are many reasons, but the biggest is that we have been working toward simplifying our life. And does it ever feel great! Since we have downsized, purged and simplified, we have been spending more time with our kids, our friends, ourselves, and doing more of the things we love. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">SO WORTH IT! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many articles, blog entries, YouTube videos, just to name a few, about the benefits of living simply and with intention. Believe me I have read and watched ALOT of them. It was an obsession.... and the whole Tiny House movement.... wow! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How did we do it? What have we gained and lost so far? How did we become enlightened... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we were first married, my husband was working as a musician and landscaper and I cleaned houses and worked in retail. We always lived with intention..... So, when we needed to get some health insurance for our little family, he became the stay at home dad by day and a working musician by night..... I found a better job. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have taken care of aging family members, raised our little family, worked, volunteered countless hours..... with very few vacations, little downtime. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We would not change a thing.... okay maybe bad food choices, exercising more and taking more vacations.... We have always tried to live our life with as few regrets as we could, but we do have some. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We love our life. We were able to raise our little family without daycare, teach our children by example to be loving and generous adults.... We have life-long friends. However, we are not perfect. Our life was not always easy, in fact there were times when it was downright unbearable, but we made it. Our little family is very close, very supportive of each other, very loving to one another and our growing little family. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During that time of our life, not only did we gather memories and friends, we also accumulated a lot of stuff. In fact we had filled a 2500 square foot house with stuff. As our children grew and moved into their own places, they took a lot of their things with them. That really helped to lighten the load.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, with my husband being a musician, he had quite the collection of gear and guitars. We won't even discuss my collection of yarn, fabric, paint, canvases, paper, beads, wire, tools..... yes, let's not discuss that. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It took us quite a bit of time to learn that we did not need all of the material items we had built up over the years. With intention, we would clean out one closet, one cabinet, one drawer at a time. We would put back what we felt we really needed, move to the garage the stuff we thought we might need and donate (or trash) anything we knew we did not need at all. It took time, effort, thoughtfulness, even tears. Once we got going, it became easier and easier. We would then go through the items that were moved to the garage, asking ourselves did we really use or need those items in the last few months. If not (and most of the time we didn't), it was donated. We would go back through each closet, cabinet and drawer a second, third and sometimes even a fourth time. You would be surprised at the things we thought we needed would eventually be donated! This process took a couple of years until finally we were only using our bedroom, one bathroom (of four), the kitchen, the family and dining rooms. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the time we were purging all of our stuff, we were letting go of areas of our lives that were filling up so much of our time. We volunteered so much that we did not have any time to ourselves. There were people in our lives that brought a lot of drama and drained our energy. Even a job change... again, this took time, effort, thoughtfulness and tears.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What amazed me was that once we had started letting go of things, people and activities.... we became more enlightened. We became more intentional, more productive. Best of all, we started to have joy back in our lives. Some people did not understand what we were doing, even acted like we were nuts! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We moved to a small, one level condo. No more yard work, very little house chores, very little drama. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead more fun, a lot more time with our friends, a lot more time with our little growing family and a lot more doing what we love to do. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ENLIGHTENED life.... </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-26958825713258944242017-03-15T11:42:00.000-07:002017-03-15T11:42:00.963-07:00Full of Holes? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Memory...... <br />
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Is yours strong.... detailed..... like an elephant? Or is it spotty..... scattered.... full of holes? </div>
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Lately my memory, or rather lack thereof, has been something of a concern for me. (Or maybe stress and worry are a better description!) </div>
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I worked in the same job for nearly 30 years, but last year started a new position at a new office.... same field - but very different from the previous position. Well, let me just tell you that has been a crazy ride this past year and one of the reasons I have not been writing much lately. But as crazy and hard as it has been - I would most certainly, do it all over over again. (This is a whole article all on its own....) </div>
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Struggles with memory has definitely been one of the issues over this past year.... and it especially arose in a conversation with a co-worker this week. We were talking about how some items are easier to write than others... I shared with him that 12 years ago I had written a piece for a Lent service. I explained that during the editing, I was not happy with the feel of it. So much so, that three-four days before the Service - I scrapped the whole thing and started over. The point in sharing this little story was the second piece flowed and required very little editing. </div>
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Then he asked me for the crib note version of the speech.... Crickets...... Yes, crickets were heard at that very moment. Well, at least in my head... </div>
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Luckily for me, he was called away to another matter and the conversation ended. However, the effects of that conversation did not end for me. I mulled it over... racked my brain... even did a little internet research on the subject to see if that would help. A few snippets came back.... </div>
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Then the crazy self-doubting voice said, "Does my co-worker think I was telling a fib?" Maybe...<br />
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Yet, if I had been asked what I was feeling at the time of writing it, or of giving it.... well.... I could have given such detail that it may have taken until the office closed for me to finish... Yes, that is stretching it... a little. </div>
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If having a good or great memory is based on details, which details are considered acceptable? </div>
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Going back to the speech..... </div>
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I would have been able to talk about how nervous the idea of getting up in front of a group people was for me. How that nervousness went away when the group laughed, sighed, and nodded their heads at the right times.... How I felt after the meeting was over and a favorite friend told me she was moving to Wisconsin.... How I noticed her nervousness in telling me. </div>
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However, there is not one little detail of the actual speech itself. Shoot, I cannot even remember the title! </div>
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In sharing that moment with my co-worker.... along with the racking of the brain and crazy self-doubting voice... a new realization came to light.... ding, ding, ding... . </div>
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I remember the details of feelings, emotions, reactions, moments.... For me the speech was the vehicle to bring all those emotions and feelings to the surface for others and for me. I can recall the dry mouth, the smiles from the darkened church, the elation when the talk was over, the great shock and sadness of my friend telling me of her impeding move. </div>
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Over the past year I have worried so much about not being able to remember a password, or the procedure for something I had done a billion times, having to write all the new procedures down.... I will not go further and bore you..... </div>
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I did not need to worry. I did not need to stress. I did not need to fill my head with crazy self-doubt..... My memory works differently from others. </div>
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My details are the smiles, the smell of the meal, the song playing in the background, the temperature of the room..... those are as relevant as what consecutive numbers and letters created a password. </div>
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If memory issues are a struggle for you..... If you scratch your head when you walk into a room because you cannot remember why you are there....</div>
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Do not worry - do not stress - do not be hard on yourself.... our memory works differently. </div>
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Do not try to fill up those holes. </div>
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-26120042677101763672016-12-12T20:51:00.000-07:002016-12-12T20:51:12.329-07:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, my goodness.... Christmas is here and 2017 is right around the bend.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was time for me to take a break.... a short break... from blogging so I could continue to purge, downsize and simplify. I hated to take this break because there has been so much to talk about. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We moved during 2016. We went from a 2500 square foot, four bedroom and 4 bath house with a yard to a 1100 square foot, 2 bed, 2 bath apartment with a small patio. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The crazy thing is my sewing/craft room is the largest one I have ever had in my life! Isn't that awesome? I am pretty pleased! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We love the smaller place. We loved giving our "clutter" to those who had a need. We have more to give away, but that can wait until the first of the year. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have watched countless YouTube videos about tiny houses, minimalist lifestyles, and simple living. It has been inspiring, to say the least. We have borrowed a lot from those that have gone before us into the world of living with less. Great resources! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, during this past year, I have finally gotten a better hold of my new job. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions, terrifying drops, and exciting turns. I have battled a big case of insecurity.... but it is coming back. While I have a long way to go.... I am happy that I made this big change. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So it was the right time to simplify my personal life and space. It has helped me with the empty nest emotions because this new nest cannot be empty! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some pictures of the new sewing/craft room - still a work in progress. It may not look like it but I gave away a lot of sewing, craft and hobby items! Oh, a little confession.... my yarn is in the antique pie safe in the family room ;) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-89306399337228883902016-06-26T12:36:00.000-07:002016-06-26T12:37:52.667-07:00Heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMKRxSX5kHMkjIBAYEyCa0ng5Z2sAxdZ8t3W0VYnAixw4oRUt9-D7HGDG_JmSxv491MOinaiVo5Y8ydG9w4glEMlcVjlFXDISgt_AGxiIL_lRClAKSM8MEX0MPwAjaeki6Ug0HgxOsOc/s1600/social_ig.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMKRxSX5kHMkjIBAYEyCa0ng5Z2sAxdZ8t3W0VYnAixw4oRUt9-D7HGDG_JmSxv491MOinaiVo5Y8ydG9w4glEMlcVjlFXDISgt_AGxiIL_lRClAKSM8MEX0MPwAjaeki6Ug0HgxOsOc/s1600/social_ig.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/quiltsforpulse-charity-drive-with-the-orlando-mqg/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Quilt Drive</span></a></div>
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-12949505976024113222016-05-24T23:09:00.002-07:002016-05-24T23:09:29.720-07:00May? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year is just flying right by..... zooming actually.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the beginning of 2016, I left my old job of nearly 30 years and started at a new office. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While it has been hard, scary, and overwhelming.... it has been equally uplifting, eye-opening and one of the best things that has happened in my work life in a long, long, long time. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And it has been tiring. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Meeting new people, unlearning old procedures and creating new ones, trying to get comfortable with new software and trying very hard to not kick yourself because you have not "mastered" it, having new co-workers encourage and lift you up, realizing you have lots of experience but not in the area of expertise you now live..... most importantly knowing in time you will get it. You will contribute and it will be fine. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That has been the most valuable lesson learned in this experience. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will contribute and it will be fine. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh I could sit here and say that I was so confident, so sure of it all.... Ha.... what a crock. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have never felt so unsure and so worried. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But that is ok. It is ok to learn new things, meet new people, become a member of a team.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and to be a little tired at the end of the day. </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-48932653388694608412016-02-25T23:21:00.000-07:002016-02-25T23:21:02.921-07:00Crochet in Pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Spending lots of time watching documentaries, tutorials and crocheting.... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkMuREaLUCX_sNMKTIQOiOgKEYb_Ha7w95JfEa4WW2ipBwrCqEsRcIdVmlpWtErHosqK3UuZHzT41FfytgWAxgHykTZb1a1k9XTBhLoJmHw6320CT3y89AWFd5Dkp_Pe8-AbNQIfcvy4/s1600/IMG_3251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkMuREaLUCX_sNMKTIQOiOgKEYb_Ha7w95JfEa4WW2ipBwrCqEsRcIdVmlpWtErHosqK3UuZHzT41FfytgWAxgHykTZb1a1k9XTBhLoJmHw6320CT3y89AWFd5Dkp_Pe8-AbNQIfcvy4/s320/IMG_3251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cooled off for two days but will be back to gold tomorrow. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrWmuRunnGU0aJtjMuk8v9F2xtai6rtJAiPeYsjEx_47B2N0X2OBc0Uq828n9xJLOpRyohj6-uG5mIXld2Z0lhM63OvmgapzPYQdegbSij9-2GlHVBkP2qEqvCGkLJZOFrvFmsKDwh4Q/s1600/IMG_3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrWmuRunnGU0aJtjMuk8v9F2xtai6rtJAiPeYsjEx_47B2N0X2OBc0Uq828n9xJLOpRyohj6-uG5mIXld2Z0lhM63OvmgapzPYQdegbSij9-2GlHVBkP2qEqvCGkLJZOFrvFmsKDwh4Q/s320/IMG_3234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ripple is coming along.... will not be done in time for blanket bee on Saturday though. I do love working this one up. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because I was so inspired by Lucy at Attic 24 with the Ripple... decided to give some of her birdies and bauble decorations a go....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-frfPLFqwtBu95QCSNzO-KrJsfFwinH3W1HQScR88hdpyZXvFmjYjoH50YZjB4Uni97ijPtur7ptkodGFAj5i5npJrp_p2Wv84c7kh_OL-eC5LiymAk155KjIwo3k2Gc0yQyt-w7h8o0/s1600/Birdie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-frfPLFqwtBu95QCSNzO-KrJsfFwinH3W1HQScR88hdpyZXvFmjYjoH50YZjB4Uni97ijPtur7ptkodGFAj5i5npJrp_p2Wv84c7kh_OL-eC5LiymAk155KjIwo3k2Gc0yQyt-w7h8o0/s320/Birdie.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q7C5QrGXhQVulxwryKx5-8FMKKNS-8U3iKst20J-beX4IAL9nAxZtucnKJ-KpSGlofiA0T3FTGNhryjBA3E-6hm7kf0j3RguaYCi3RJd96YeAujnNeKxbRiz3cnoP-wm5BmihxvHZCE/s1600/IMG_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q7C5QrGXhQVulxwryKx5-8FMKKNS-8U3iKst20J-beX4IAL9nAxZtucnKJ-KpSGlofiA0T3FTGNhryjBA3E-6hm7kf0j3RguaYCi3RJd96YeAujnNeKxbRiz3cnoP-wm5BmihxvHZCE/s320/IMG_3232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6Vhl96N8kfNMQv9iguEtMEpCU7fzYUh-86Mm0Ppf2IVxP4_sbZoUx5AS6KmW0Aan7Wyg_dqxPK6BuSFmSlxfz3IEDgqvcIlHb_FjUl5bdLxsUWipypsrVrfHyxGc1q263u9vdCTXhbA/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6Vhl96N8kfNMQv9iguEtMEpCU7fzYUh-86Mm0Ppf2IVxP4_sbZoUx5AS6KmW0Aan7Wyg_dqxPK6BuSFmSlxfz3IEDgqvcIlHb_FjUl5bdLxsUWipypsrVrfHyxGc1q263u9vdCTXhbA/s320/IMG_3229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The little crochet balls are awesome! </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-23221834200380093882016-02-05T00:04:00.006-07:002016-02-26T09:17:25.665-07:00Winter Blues/Desert Beauty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living in the Southwest Desert.... the winter blues are not a part of our vocabulary. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">My sister lives in a very wintery part of the United States. She gets the winter blues. She is a misplaced desert rat who loves the sun and heat. </span></span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I, however, am not a fan of the heat. Not a fan of dirt. Not a fan of brown. It seems we are both misplaced. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">But..... I realize the desert has beauty. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Creosote Bush - the branches and leaves smell like rain. Seriously, they really do<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">! </span> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">And a prickly cactus can give some gorgeous blooms.... all colors of the rainbow. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do not get me started on the sunsets. They just cannot be matched. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yes, we do not have to shovel snow. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">But there is something about the stillness of a snowy winter. The grey skys. The stark contrast of the dark branches of the naked trees against the moonlight glow of the landscape. Almost allows you to step back.... slow down. Snow falling is slow and steady. This is all so appealing to me. It seems to be right along the lines of my desire to continue to simplify, reduce and downsize. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will admit right here, right now, that I have not lived in wintery climate since college. So as an adult, I have not had to deal with all the unpleasant aspects of snowplows, icy roads, bitter cold, frozen pipes.... yes, I have heard all about the yuckiness of living in a snowy climate. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would like to believe and (maybe naively) that </span></span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would still love it all the same. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love to make blankets. I crochet afghans and sew quilts. (I even tie fleece for my grandpuppies.) But I cannot remember the last time I really needed to get under one of these creations to keep warm. Yet, I continue to create, crochet and sew. Oogle over patterns, yarn and fabric. </span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When <a href="http://thecrochetcrowd.com/crochet-temperature-afghans/" target="_blank">The Crochet Crowd</a> posted on Facebook about Temperature Afghans..... I was, at first intrigued, and then completely hooked (yes, this pun was very much intended).</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course, I had to change the colors and temperatures. The pattern showed yarn color that was for 22 degrees below 0! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Posted my my first color/temperature key on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/170958369723357/photos/a.171020203050507.1073741830.170958369723357/562505127235344/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">facebook</a> page. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love the greens for the lower temperatures then going into the gold, carrot and burgundy for the warmer days. It seems to incoporate all of the desert beauty described above, the </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creosote</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and cacti are represented in the greens and the sunsets in the gold, orange and red. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And since it is the desert, 54 seemed like a nice, good low temperature... right? </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lo and behold, on January 7th we were 50 degrees! Well, I just had to celebrate with a trip to Hobby Lobby, of course. Picked up a very pale green (instead of the original cream I intended to purchase). </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Know what is super crazy? The color is called Artic Ice! Was not even aware of it until a few days later! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLij2KTi6Jtl7w09S_IZ7-Nx6_imjjTtOZxPTdX2IlGjZQc5bm2BP6kBT1fyIDTKDlw_bZ32G2Pac3zkxC-ZNqJTdSLPg1MieIJvfIUnlrNEpxb6Qn019tjP-En819TUsv2LfiKTQ1E0/s1600/Temp+Afghan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLij2KTi6Jtl7w09S_IZ7-Nx6_imjjTtOZxPTdX2IlGjZQc5bm2BP6kBT1fyIDTKDlw_bZ32G2Pac3zkxC-ZNqJTdSLPg1MieIJvfIUnlrNEpxb6Qn019tjP-En819TUsv2LfiKTQ1E0/s320/Temp+Afghan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Was able to work a COUPLE rows with that beautiful Artic Ice color! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pattern is called Spectrum and it is just half double crochets. The foundation is 196 chains. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There will be 365 rows and I have all that time to decide on a border. It is soothing, slow and steady. Really lovely to work on each night... just the right amount of time to work the day out in your mind. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And it looks like I might get to add a few rows of that gorgeous gold yarn next week....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i4Yo4IrRxwExlk_Xe51IfRzBlaXmrO3XrRD8RpZE2cA8qKWYnoArfOKPr4VpZmgR75SZr_3sw0sFXNzNbvAkURQyBc7THncri2kBcsHr6JuJ_e7oL-YiVrAWdUiWngDwMsged2mH2fI/s1600/Weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i4Yo4IrRxwExlk_Xe51IfRzBlaXmrO3XrRD8RpZE2cA8qKWYnoArfOKPr4VpZmgR75SZr_3sw0sFXNzNbvAkURQyBc7THncri2kBcsHr6JuJ_e7oL-YiVrAWdUiWngDwMsged2mH2fI/s320/Weather.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sure hope that does not mean it is the start of our warm weather. Just not ready yet! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I can remember, I will post an update every month of the Temperature Afghan. (Also, need to come up with a new and clever name!)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course, we cannot just have one project going. After a long period of oogling, I started a ripple afghan for <a href="http://www.prjlinus-phxwestvalley.org/" target="_blank">Project Linus</a>. It is another one of Lucy's at <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat-ripple-pattern.html" target="_blank">Attic 24</a> patterns. Was super excited to get this started because I had been debating whether this pattern was too hard and complicated for me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Boy, was I ever wrong. Not because I am some great crochet guru.... nope - not at all. It is all Lucy's fantastic tutorials! She could teach a knat to crochet...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04fPx9EU0Uik6dznIwprdbm6PkoLqQjatm4Qu8ZQtjc7xGLNYkq4vf4Ltj-cs2cbGqqOSJf3mDLdtHtTrjgD3fDTKJrrb7SVzOxIXy1KgkICZcSEA6n6wLRoFhgTBDxMT95Lylx_DIHs/s1600/Ripple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04fPx9EU0Uik6dznIwprdbm6PkoLqQjatm4Qu8ZQtjc7xGLNYkq4vf4Ltj-cs2cbGqqOSJf3mDLdtHtTrjgD3fDTKJrrb7SVzOxIXy1KgkICZcSEA6n6wLRoFhgTBDxMT95Lylx_DIHs/s320/Ripple.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My step mother donated three bags of her leftover yarn at Christmas.... and some of that is getting all rippled!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, no...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do not have the winter blues. My temperature afghan does not have any winter blues.... </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZR7O_b8s-RPGvyP7PDSxNYcGW0wWVjBuZRsPNmF_4q7_QRY_pZ78ttWgb_m02E5A7Urlewz1D8FxqNm8lYu3MdVI4VSRafM6uRMmT0WYS6rM9aKyTIhLqAcrJOXh40wQ_r9Qgz09KNI/s1600/DecJan+Temp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZR7O_b8s-RPGvyP7PDSxNYcGW0wWVjBuZRsPNmF_4q7_QRY_pZ78ttWgb_m02E5A7Urlewz1D8FxqNm8lYu3MdVI4VSRafM6uRMmT0WYS6rM9aKyTIhLqAcrJOXh40wQ_r9Qgz09KNI/s320/DecJan+Temp.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> J</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ust desert beauty. </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-12939189460039947162015-12-28T21:05:00.003-07:002015-12-28T21:05:46.699-07:00In with the New...... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">....out with the Old. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never grow tired of that phrase. Seriously, never, ever grow tired of saying that.... believing that.... doing that. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is that time of year when all the television commercials, store fronts, magazine ads.... tell us we need to ring in the new year better, smaller, healthier, younger, richer.... you get the idea. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So glad that television watching and shopping are not high on my list.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love "out with the old." We have been purging, unloading, recycling, and generally letting go, of many things and areas of our lives that have been cluttering and distracting. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love "in with the new." </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are learning to live without, which in turn gives us more. We are learning to let go, which lets us give more. We are learning that holding on for dear life was actually killing us. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We still have plenty more to do..... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So out with the old </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and in the with new! </span></div>
StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-43106399446638481502015-09-17T20:16:00.001-07:002015-09-17T20:16:58.081-07:00Finished and Delivered<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More time.....more finished and delivered quilts. </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj76xoqmUd_FRcuFBKM5TKe6DjZJVZ_PyZUbaKpJFOfTVXiahnA2wqMUM5dksv0DH_sbWQhwAAKgluqSc3qVLcyqLDjP8eUlUiUHgOVMvY2brnVRnvU-2LF8XC3NDRZl6LcSzWNVltKvA/s1600/for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj76xoqmUd_FRcuFBKM5TKe6DjZJVZ_PyZUbaKpJFOfTVXiahnA2wqMUM5dksv0DH_sbWQhwAAKgluqSc3qVLcyqLDjP8eUlUiUHgOVMvY2brnVRnvU-2LF8XC3NDRZl6LcSzWNVltKvA/s320/for+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is Lucy's Star Quilt. Made this for a friend's new daughter. The blocks are Friendship Stars and the quilt design is from <a href="http://store.alexandersonquilts.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1823" target="_blank">Start Quilting with Alex Anderson</a>. My first two quilting classes were taught from this book. I have made five quilts from this book now! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It has taken awhile to find the right quilt block to make my oldest daughter's quilt. Found one on <a href="http://www.quiltinaday.com/freepattern/" target="_blank">Quilt in a Day's Free block patterns</a>.... "Leah's Star" Which was just perfect because my daughter's name is Leah! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This block is gorgeous (almost as much as my daughter) and super easy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started her quilt last year before Christmas and finally just finished it.... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlUSPyLEnVzjqx-kVC03E2LK24gGWyrAeCU_kPnj1RPFtTzkODWgU5xTcUIVhxEMoTQJoX-kTgGVJ3vxE3Vy3m-cHB3PejMxK2l-MpQ0tJNz2ycs_RndW8OwHIXWAfctFY7qIbGVLRx0/s1600/Before+binding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlUSPyLEnVzjqx-kVC03E2LK24gGWyrAeCU_kPnj1RPFtTzkODWgU5xTcUIVhxEMoTQJoX-kTgGVJ3vxE3Vy3m-cHB3PejMxK2l-MpQ0tJNz2ycs_RndW8OwHIXWAfctFY7qIbGVLRx0/s320/Before+binding.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a picture of it before the binding was turned to the back to be sewn down. Just love the fabrics! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUl6j7PSX38SmhAGwuX_X4fufJ4mcMhekEavVIuwyQw2g7BaCN-I8yUzLkAefNxR_HNFx5FkCwIwuTCSojsN0vzsQA8_Ku7CF6pLk5I5Sxo_O_oI0wFDX6VnmniDXvfMwGL1k62JlGn0/s1600/Leah+Star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUl6j7PSX38SmhAGwuX_X4fufJ4mcMhekEavVIuwyQw2g7BaCN-I8yUzLkAefNxR_HNFx5FkCwIwuTCSojsN0vzsQA8_Ku7CF6pLk5I5Sxo_O_oI0wFDX6VnmniDXvfMwGL1k62JlGn0/s320/Leah+Star.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhMJlQv65dJc0urIiriB9ro4ttCfGF4LWJ7GJnQQDmViitrhtY1iawe2BiEErnZAvn8d2IMnOJ5M-i3gIttRjNcV2XRYtp9mM4AacDC-D4TF8tU1DrjCt-bkzhcHmHGIwtcllT9T1ObI/s1600/Folded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhMJlQv65dJc0urIiriB9ro4ttCfGF4LWJ7GJnQQDmViitrhtY1iawe2BiEErnZAvn8d2IMnOJ5M-i3gIttRjNcV2XRYtp9mM4AacDC-D4TF8tU1DrjCt-bkzhcHmHGIwtcllT9T1ObI/s320/Folded.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The backing fabric is fantastic! I am happy that Leah was very pleased and I hope it was worth the wait! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Almost done with her husband's camping quilt... Rows are almost sewn together, then just a thin border of the same orange fabric used in the sashing... then it will be ready to be quilted. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-hTPfz5Pi98kGiV_tr2pz5L3kVe-NjkDB0ee8D9xzsSq1uAuAyLoXxVQbMR-NV16w6W7XFDMos-cU20QQeiTvcbVn9os9v7lXocLu9oXJr51DXVDNNb8zOJWKvdokOx8YUAOywsQJ44/s1600/Son+In+Law.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-hTPfz5Pi98kGiV_tr2pz5L3kVe-NjkDB0ee8D9xzsSq1uAuAyLoXxVQbMR-NV16w6W7XFDMos-cU20QQeiTvcbVn9os9v7lXocLu9oXJr51DXVDNNb8zOJWKvdokOx8YUAOywsQJ44/s320/Son+In+Law.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It has a t-shirt quilt feel to it! I just cut up a panel of outdoor camping, fishing and hunting scenes for this top. Hope to get it done in the next couple of weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our house has always been full of kids, family and lots of pets. As the older family members passed away and our children grew up, moved out and got married... their pets stayed with us. And for that I have been so grateful. It made it easier to cope with the whole empty nest phase. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But over the years, as our pets have left our family, we have not been replacing them. It is just too hard emotionally. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We lost our Gordon a few years ago. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this week.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We lost our dear Michael. Leah found him nearly 14 years ago during a storm and he has been with us ever since. The sweetest cat ever..... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Hlh4wJU9JPjmLA6yZb98uchS95SYwa137a-PDObVLqaSfQ5cfQsLzP2Uzg-ETb5Rw-tEEEPY16LXSp7cY81RotoKvqpLQeFzH9sf4LROds4hpn1_6egpM0wqZQU5Tl7hGnWxaOsG-YI/s1600/Michael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Hlh4wJU9JPjmLA6yZb98uchS95SYwa137a-PDObVLqaSfQ5cfQsLzP2Uzg-ETb5Rw-tEEEPY16LXSp7cY81RotoKvqpLQeFzH9sf4LROds4hpn1_6egpM0wqZQU5Tl7hGnWxaOsG-YI/s320/Michael.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good Night, my little crafty kitty and sewing buddy! </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-79656434975515509432015-08-25T22:56:00.000-07:002015-08-25T22:56:15.576-07:00Breaking rules.... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I finally made the decision to step back from church, it was suggested by a friend to read about the Desert Fathers. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still had no idea why the need to step back was so great.... it was one of those things that just had to be done. </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">desire was s<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">o strong that it felt <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">like if I </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">did not get out of the water - I was going to drown.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It took a month of being away from church to finally start reading "The Desert Fathers; Sayings of the Early Christian Monks," Translated and with an Introduction by Benedicta Ward. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Several sentences from Sister Ward's introduction really stood out. When describing one of the driving forces behind the early Christian Monks, she wrote, "Instead of dealing with the manifestations of evil in daily life, they were concerned with the source of sin in the human heart." She further wrote, "The desert fathers see themselves as poor men, as sinners in need of mercy, as those who were not strong enough to endure the friction of worldly life." </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Drowning in worldly life. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my depressed state of mind...."not strong enough to endure the friction of wordly life" summed it up perfectly. I can identify with the desert fathers.... especially wanting to get away from it all.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then after the </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">introduction, I got lost. The excitement fizzled out. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Their writings came across to me as rules... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let me clarify - I am not saying they were rules, b</span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">ut in my state of mind... I was reading rules. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">You see..... m</span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">y whole life I have tried (and failed miserably) to live up to other people's expectations... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Okay - let me re-word that. My whole life I have tried (and failed miserably) to live up to what I (only me) thought were other people's expectations. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You know.....do not want to disappoint anyone, d</span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">o and say all the right things. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I follow all the rules I will be the best wife, mom, daughter, sister, employee, friend. Just follow all my rules and there will be acceptance, love.... perfection. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">All I got was just a bunch of self-esteem issues. </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Inner voices confirming I had it all wrong... all wrong. More mental beatings. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is where the depression came in... the need to step back. Everything was too overwhelming! Exhausting. Broken. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thankfully, this is the exact opposite of what the Holy Spirit guided me to teach in Sunday School and to my own children... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">No - this was all in my head... all inside of me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tonight, I listened to an interview of Anne Lamott and Father Tom Weston. </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/IgnatianNewsNetwork/videos/969393779773278/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Watch and listen here</a><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did not hear rules.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am paraphrasing Anne Lamott: When we are young, we know more than we will ever know. But when we get a little older and life smacks you around - you know less and less. </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know less and less... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So instead of Desert Fathers.... I am going to re-read Spirituality of Imperfection. It has been a few years.... but definitely need to read it again. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then I am going to forgive myself and begin to l</span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">earn to: </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">give up perceived expectations,</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">let go of the concept of perfection, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">setting up healthy boundaries, and</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">say that one word sentence: "No"</span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have the desert fathers' weakness which is not a bad thing - not a bad thing at all.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But rules are not for me right now... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I want to break some rules.... my own rules....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and get back to Grace. </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-32573325666241143562015-06-12T22:47:00.003-07:002015-06-12T22:59:34.693-07:00Perfect Moments.......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So many times in our lifetime, we will look back fondly at perfect moments. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhKQXyrOphf020QRLK0hxhpqs85_SMHuzTdnknJWfVgOTOplfOZrbhJvluOvdlAnC0PRFRnXMK3Qfx37IemNyFW8KNqVZ3Uyvps-UwIcHCHVCf-TIt_2iPfZdR-YJ2WGjL4hSGiqGHpQ/s1600/401288_2139216738590_1234605083_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhKQXyrOphf020QRLK0hxhpqs85_SMHuzTdnknJWfVgOTOplfOZrbhJvluOvdlAnC0PRFRnXMK3Qfx37IemNyFW8KNqVZ3Uyvps-UwIcHCHVCf-TIt_2iPfZdR-YJ2WGjL4hSGiqGHpQ/s320/401288_2139216738590_1234605083_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Photography By My Youngest Daughter</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our best childhood friend, our wedding, a special birthday, when our children are born, a promotion at work, a perfect seam.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lots of events in our lives can and will be a perfect moment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I live in the southwest desert. We are in June now, so the heat is coming at us with full force... will be 109 in a few days. I dread this time of year.... I did not always live in the desert. For the first twelve years of my life, I lived in Virginia. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My family and friends know that I have always wanted to leave the desert. Move to the mountains, to a small town, with seasons, trees, gardens.... with rain, cool weather nearly year round... snow. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though I am not certain that this dream will come true in my lifetime, I do dream.... dream always. I talk about it. I think about it. Almost eat and sleep this dream! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last week, we had what I would consider a pretty darn perfect day. It rained.....the entire day. (When I was younger - a neighbor and I would meet in our front yards when it rained, with our lawn chairs and a pitcher of margaritas.... yes, this is how much I love rain!) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On this beautiful, rainy day last week, I left work early and stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. As I was putting the grocery cart away after unloading my bags into my car...... the rain was lightly coming down, it was overcast and slightly breezy, a nearby restaurant had their fire pit going, the green trees were swaying and I could hear a couple of birds.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The smell of the fire and clean rain, the misty cool breeze, the vibrant green trees set against the grey sky, the birds chirping... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I stopped..... Literally stopped..... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perfection.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was realized at that moment, in that very moment. No looking back.... </span><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Full awareness. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">A perfect moment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, goosebumps. </span></div>
StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-72721798797043385282015-05-21T09:31:00.003-07:002015-05-21T09:32:34.155-07:00Headlines, Headlines, Head Lies? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have you noticed the trend? You know, the one where the headline does not match the story.... It seems to be a crazy trend. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is surprising. Seriously, surprising. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Or is it? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do we limit ourselves to a one-liner? The best one? The one that puts us in the perfect light....but fails to capture the truth? </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have not seen this in the blogger community of the internet...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think this comes from a desire to express ourselves - warts and all. We love to share our talents, our encouragement and even our faults.... all to help one another. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So this crazy trend in other parts of social media - they can have it. I like our Blog posts and titles... I like our loving community. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I like truth. </span></span></span></div>
StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-17947845169578832222015-04-24T13:14:00.003-07:002015-04-24T14:05:20.593-07:00A Season of Finishes and New Beginnings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So much has happened over the last couple of months.... Lots of work done in the craft/sewing room. Lots of work on myself. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finished the 2015 Mystery Afghan! </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD2JI63qmr6mgoRJgjaL1N5UrDOGQiakqDhAQlfszsyXWF3pWEpoIPn0yRG1GgB2obBfiJjhPXXJcwxu3ecZH7IL-8ZBabosvyMNbE-D-Bw_b9LrhdSeelRv7q5kzh3vN9k7kvvKFrO4/s1600/2015+Myster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnD2JI63qmr6mgoRJgjaL1N5UrDOGQiakqDhAQlfszsyXWF3pWEpoIPn0yRG1GgB2obBfiJjhPXXJcwxu3ecZH7IL-8ZBabosvyMNbE-D-Bw_b9LrhdSeelRv7q5kzh3vN9k7kvvKFrO4/s1600/2015+Myster.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkg6fkyOx2eb-6Q7kUQHiVe0HoZ-bCePQJpCSvy1z7K_GXGgtxXJBs-IW9dNe_2zq6OrnzDss5L1ENzV_RHR7_Im9FZ2zxEBnnvtgVQNqFxxRDgwLz4MDH0TEvBGKxa5E-uoJVAvdz_k/s1600/2015+Mystery+Folded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkg6fkyOx2eb-6Q7kUQHiVe0HoZ-bCePQJpCSvy1z7K_GXGgtxXJBs-IW9dNe_2zq6OrnzDss5L1ENzV_RHR7_Im9FZ2zxEBnnvtgVQNqFxxRDgwLz4MDH0TEvBGKxa5E-uoJVAvdz_k/s1600/2015+Mystery+Folded.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mikey over at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeyssmail" target="_blank">The Crochet Crowd</a> is such a great teacher. His video tutorials are really easy to follow and he is a lot of fun too. Seriously, I would have never, ever, in a million years, tried most of the stitches we learned in this afghan. While usually you can call me a minimalist when it comes to my creations - I really enjoyed the process and am super happy with the beautiful afghan! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Finished the Colorburst Granny Square Afghan!</span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTVsXy8Z0fOy43M0lEwaJN93KxJeYV9t1gEFfiH6ENrnknRoIITQGtTeYve2gKZPVntTKSBHL26gurC5Z7melhYkZBOgR79idCXsCg_9LgjSAAhQrcRQmn_TXEOA3E-xowkcTobFmg9o/s1600/Colorburst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTVsXy8Z0fOy43M0lEwaJN93KxJeYV9t1gEFfiH6ENrnknRoIITQGtTeYve2gKZPVntTKSBHL26gurC5Z7melhYkZBOgR79idCXsCg_9LgjSAAhQrcRQmn_TXEOA3E-xowkcTobFmg9o/s1600/Colorburst.jpg" height="320" width="301" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQNp2QtgiJs_1qX4x5OU9AUTk5yNsunPjrQf4VPt_6t2_acrDgnLvnmSMY2FYGuW0QQh6mKHSkDDyFH0rq1gqrDOJ1fhkm9_ld6P5swxMVdkLHu-JFosh0GGojBose3kLGFQy_8Z4gw8/s1600/Colorburst+Folded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQNp2QtgiJs_1qX4x5OU9AUTk5yNsunPjrQf4VPt_6t2_acrDgnLvnmSMY2FYGuW0QQh6mKHSkDDyFH0rq1gqrDOJ1fhkm9_ld6P5swxMVdkLHu-JFosh0GGojBose3kLGFQy_8Z4gw8/s1600/Colorburst+Folded.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Absolutely love this afghan. There will be more in the future! The bright, bold colors! Sarah at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/sa8rah56" target="_blank">Bella Coco</a></span></span></span> <span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">is also a fantastic teacher. She has several tutorials that I go to quite a bit.... the basic granny square, the colorburst granny square, African Flower, the solid granny square. She also has a great tutorial on how to join granny squares. Huge fan of the join as you go method right here! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Also learned some stuff about the edging - but that will be another post! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finished the "Happy" and "Merry" Everything Quilt for my friend.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She is my crochet guru and has been super supportive of my venture into quilting. She gave me tons of paper piecing pattern books.... so I decided to make her this paper pieced flying geese quilt based on Judy Niemeyer's <a href="http://www.quiltworx.com/patterns/which-ways-north/" target="_blank">Which Ways North</a> Pattern. This is the second quilt I have made using this pattern. It is a really great introduction to paper piecing.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I named it The "Happy" and "Merry" Everything Quilt because during the time I was thinking about the design, looking for fabric and finally working on it - two Christmases and her birthday flew right by! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Super happy with my finishes these past few months. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This Season of Finishes granted me much prayer and quiet time. This is good. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For a long time, I have been struggling with volunteer commitments, the time it had been taking from my family, the time it had taken away from dealing with my own issues, the time it has taken from rest. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So while it was very hard in my heart to let go of the commitments, it has been good. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good to continue with prayer. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good to rest and be quiet. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good to clear my brain and mind. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good to start New Beginnings..... </span></span></span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-15588475343050241092015-03-04T14:21:00.002-07:002015-03-04T14:24:25.465-07:00Crochet Along Update.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having so much fun with <a href="http://www.yarnspirations.com/" target="_blank">Yarnspirations and The Crochet Crowd's</a></span></span></span> <span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2015 Mystery Afghan Crochet Along. This is really out of my comfort zone but so glad I joined. (And you still can too!) Have met lots of new crochet friends on Instagram! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://stasalynn.blogspot.com/2015/02/crochet-love.html" target="_blank">Crochet Love</a> post shows the color choice and first clue....</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Second clue was nice and easy.... Especially when you have Mikey at The Crochet Crowd walking you through each stitch. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The third clue was so different. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Those chains in the corner.... such a mystery! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week is the fourth clue and it is awesome.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It really is so pretty... Still not sure where we are going with those corner chains. But will not worry too much about it because I have a LONG way to go! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Spending all of my free time - which is not very much - on this Crochet Along. So much so that quilts, sewing and the other afghan are getting a bit neglected..... </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One more row on this lovely and then it will be time for edging and weaving in my ends.... and let me tell you - there are A LOT of ends to weave in.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Still in Crochet Love though..... </span></span></span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-56574343468237257772015-02-18T13:22:00.001-07:002015-02-18T13:29:09.590-07:00Ash Wednesday.... I am a Rebel. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">At this time of the year, we see and hear so much about what everyone is "giving up for Lent." It runs the gamut from foods to video games. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Easter Sunday is awesome... lots of food, lots of celebration and giving praises for our Risen Lord. So getting to eat or do something that was missing for 40 days.... well, that just makes the celebration all the more awesome! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, I am a Rebel. I do not give any thing up for Lent. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I understand that when we give up something that takes our time and focus away from God..... it is a good thing. In fact, a very, very, very good thing. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rub for me..... if the idea is to give something up that draws your attention, focus and life away from God.... then maybe it should be given up not just for Lent - but for.......</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">forever. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In my devotions today, a reading jumped out at me: </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.</span></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">Psalm 51:16-17</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">The sacrifice of a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.... </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Look to God for healing.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">Look to God for Love. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">I want to heal. I want to love. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">I am not going to give anything up. I am going to add something..... love. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;">I am a Rebel. </span> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"></span><br /></span></span></i></div>
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-54889711161611970892015-02-15T21:49:00.000-07:002015-02-15T21:49:37.482-07:00Crochet Love <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh my..... so much crocheting going on at my place these days. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is funny. One minute it is all about fabric and quilting.... then the next minute it is cooking and baking... and then it is all about yarn and crocheting. My brain just does not want to stop. Do you ever get the notion that there is just so much out there that your hands need to be in the middle of? Oh my.... my brain works that way. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Progress on the Super Bowl Sunday Color Afghan is going along just great... this picture is actually from last week and more squares have been added, but the light tonight is not my friend. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG83RDoBWiPd0DLtmdQa6CrG3rWPZuGjYW90gYtqFPYqT0LP0-vSmWLjrzZfwQcFeH_-tMX6kB8sWsuXb8sVfpixzxgtEk5BUfvqjN2kejW5OTABClZt0hGQYxlluY1Z6w2d192CW9iYY/s1600/Progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG83RDoBWiPd0DLtmdQa6CrG3rWPZuGjYW90gYtqFPYqT0LP0-vSmWLjrzZfwQcFeH_-tMX6kB8sWsuXb8sVfpixzxgtEk5BUfvqjN2kejW5OTABClZt0hGQYxlluY1Z6w2d192CW9iYY/s1600/Progress.jpg" height="320" width="233" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday was Prayer Shawl Fellowship.... I just love those ladies - they tirelessly crochet and knit afghans and prayer shawls! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And one of our group has told us about another ministry that wants all kinds of 12 inch Granny Squares that they will put together into afghans for Charity! So she will be spearheading that new adventure for us and we will be devoting next month to learning new Granny Squares. See why I just love those ladies!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have also been a YouTube junkie.... learned many techniques for quilting and cooking and lately crocheting. In my last post I told you all about Bella Coco and that started the Crochet binge! So in that need to fuel my addiction - I have been watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeyssmail" target="_blank">Mikey at The Crochet Crowd</a> and of course, just had to join the <a href="http://www.yarnspirations.com/kal-cal" target="_blank">2015 Yarnspirations Mystery Afghan Crochet Along</a>! Like I need to start one more darn project! And if you need just one more project - it is never too late to join the Crochet Along!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Signed up and got the requirements and went to the store. My inspiration for the color choice was from the plate that sits on my kitchen desk. Miss Susie loves to have her picture taken, so I had this from a few months ago..... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXOXWHD2VV6zvlYI_zMCkcElktPanXIZgzyoP0ohTxbc5asSr-fS4PVpFiuAeiAmwMkAJOlY8x6hYkjd38V7td-n3ziXd7cJs2MT8icoDkRtyZvOCrX3iCKeJRda9Un2Kh8LAWtCyQlw/s1600/Miss+Susie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXOXWHD2VV6zvlYI_zMCkcElktPanXIZgzyoP0ohTxbc5asSr-fS4PVpFiuAeiAmwMkAJOlY8x6hYkjd38V7td-n3ziXd7cJs2MT8icoDkRtyZvOCrX3iCKeJRda9Un2Kh8LAWtCyQlw/s1600/Miss+Susie.jpg" height="320" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aren't the colors in the plate so pretty! And yes, Miss Susie is very very very pretty. Even with that look on her face :) </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So these are the colors... LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Got the first clue, watched Mikey's tutorial and off to make 20 Granny Squares.... (yes more Grannies!) </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only need to make three more and then will be ready for the next clue.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICJyNvkYdQ7CW5VfoqPXfiHM1ZSrg7dkctwPJjCbtLuiBCYhEcSTxFMqH9TDq16XB-wRDRemgdD4LCrbRo6u3C2TkFf8NdmfqXzxb-VpBqiBb_3Ly7Yr_9bZZuDX5CMBEd6fQPU6H5Xo/s1600/Michael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICJyNvkYdQ7CW5VfoqPXfiHM1ZSrg7dkctwPJjCbtLuiBCYhEcSTxFMqH9TDq16XB-wRDRemgdD4LCrbRo6u3C2TkFf8NdmfqXzxb-VpBqiBb_3Ly7Yr_9bZZuDX5CMBEd6fQPU6H5Xo/s1600/Michael.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Michael is such a patient and good little helper! </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even my little furry family members have some crochet love! </span><br />
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-21733454041546888962015-02-02T21:26:00.000-07:002015-02-02T21:26:08.989-07:00Grey to colorful.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Super Bowl Sunday started out so grey.... We were fogged in for a few hours!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lMMmWHWVaqynlcDOLsKduDhq1RA36kuNXKvm1mNjdVPjAWXiZ2-PJYVOOXgzm6oWJN6hiv2XSFVuKK-qQrmLu6r-zg5_PJlS6rA1AQZpUjtJK_Vb9df-splIW0Vjz3-aYkAqtn8Nr5I/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lMMmWHWVaqynlcDOLsKduDhq1RA36kuNXKvm1mNjdVPjAWXiZ2-PJYVOOXgzm6oWJN6hiv2XSFVuKK-qQrmLu6r-zg5_PJlS6rA1AQZpUjtJK_Vb9df-splIW0Vjz3-aYkAqtn8Nr5I/s1600/IMG_1639.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was the view out my sewing room window. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPBmQ9LnJtPKuM5-pL_VcGyHtDf80VlZtyoBUEt_e28oQBCMyT2ABL8j2aUzeFkSPkPL81FCv-6Li-tctySSHHzKjnlN5w0Ypfk2HbAE96Df9Q9SMlgg9AasnWH601gEOFm0VkXCcBKA/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPBmQ9LnJtPKuM5-pL_VcGyHtDf80VlZtyoBUEt_e28oQBCMyT2ABL8j2aUzeFkSPkPL81FCv-6Li-tctySSHHzKjnlN5w0Ypfk2HbAE96Df9Q9SMlgg9AasnWH601gEOFm0VkXCcBKA/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this was what we found on our drive to church.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is actually quite funny because my last post was all about living in the Southwest Desert and how I have been spending my whole life trying to get away. It was almost like God was giving me a gift... a glorious, grey morning gift! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once church let out, the sun had finally burned all the fog off.... but it sure was magical while it lasted. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found a wonderful YouTube Channel called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/sa8rah56" target="_blank">Bella Coco</a> through a Facebook page called Starting Chain. The tutorial was for Sunburst Granny Squares. (I have found other patterns called Colorburst Granny Squares.) </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I thought I would give it a try..... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYu_ECKFiVvtAUCPY_GfEoscbWgL76DayZ3-dm_1P7g6V5GZSetq71HMvsbobOj-pWdh-25MQQJA3NzSPSDwhyphenhyphen0sB3V_-_K8aQxR2mNoMpADBBZonVBLRO-TPUNyMAETnQW34lh1MmTM/s1600/New+Block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYu_ECKFiVvtAUCPY_GfEoscbWgL76DayZ3-dm_1P7g6V5GZSetq71HMvsbobOj-pWdh-25MQQJA3NzSPSDwhyphenhyphen0sB3V_-_K8aQxR2mNoMpADBBZonVBLRO-TPUNyMAETnQW34lh1MmTM/s1600/New+Block.jpg" height="277" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So pleased with the ease of her tutorial (and her lovely accent). If you like YouTube, I highly recommend that you subscribe to her Channel! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">These could become so addicting in no time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So before the game started..... went yarn shopping with my bestie...</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">During the game made a few squares.... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnul0xRR5f_hbInWLLmW4e_JaqrKhLokPvNhtCDjR9Ic34fSMqRpmtL9e88WnvejfTT76kObxZ0GnT8XEiuBjXUQfsOYOz8kqP7Llm9N99iB0HX5bIzFmrC9DyZudgKUbIlMq64WTtlQ/s1600/New+Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnul0xRR5f_hbInWLLmW4e_JaqrKhLokPvNhtCDjR9Ic34fSMqRpmtL9e88WnvejfTT76kObxZ0GnT8XEiuBjXUQfsOYOz8kqP7Llm9N99iB0HX5bIzFmrC9DyZudgKUbIlMq64WTtlQ/s1600/New+Colors.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Colorful! </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sarah at Bella Coco also has a great tutorial on how to join your granny squares.... I opted for the "Join as you go" method.... </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love it! (I took this photo late last night so the poor lighting makes it seem like there are ridges on the seams.... but there really are not any ridges and it flat on both sides.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So Super Bowl Sunday started out grey and ended very colorful. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, these are addicting! </span></div>
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-39344138219296294362015-01-28T09:13:00.001-07:002015-01-28T09:42:32.295-07:00January.... almost gone. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Living in the southwest desert..... well, there are no snow days, no bundling up with lots of quilts and cats, not a lot of hot chocolate going around.... </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have been trying to embrace living in the desert most of my adult life and it is just getting harder and harder.... </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know it is bad when you spend over an hour watching a live stream of snow falling in Queens, New York on Youtube.... Yep, that's right. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">It also seems silly to me that I create blankets and shawls. I quilt, sew and crochet..... but I hardly ever get to use them. It just does not get cold enough. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">I used to make jewelry..... I do not wear jewlery...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Am I just crazy? Ask my hubby and he will give you a big fat YES! ha. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">So with January almost gone.... I get a little sad. It means that we are on a warming trend. Okay.... I will get real.... for me it is SUPER sad..... it just did not get cold enough and now it is going to start warming up....Oh boy! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">But I will not give up the good fight... I will continue to make and create quilts, afghans and prayer shawls.... </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just can't stop... </span></span></span></div>
StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-77731770318318195272014-12-29T20:39:00.003-07:002014-12-29T20:39:20.945-07:00Reflections......<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Actually pretty excited to get 2015 started.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Last year I posted some <a href="http://stasalynn.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-2014.html" target="_blank">"goals."</a> Even though others might say they were not completed... they were attempted, still being attempted and the big one.... putting down the club... that was the one that was the most successful!! So I am super happy! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Got several quilt tops out of the closet and in use, made several more, walked more and lost some weight (granted I put a few pounds over the holidays - but those will be off before long), and did not blog as much but did start a Facebook page though! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I think the plan will be to continue the goals from 2014 and let them carry over...... keep working at them..... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Love getting that fresh start.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Additional goal for 2015.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">REDUCE and DOWNSIZE</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Have yard sales, continue to use up fabric stash, give away stuff.... </span></div>
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-42237540820294321742014-12-28T17:00:00.000-07:002014-12-28T17:00:17.233-07:00Whew.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">..... on to 2015! Merry Christmas everyone! </span></div>
StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-21082298042736662352014-12-13T20:55:00.001-07:002014-12-13T20:55:06.337-07:00Tree finished..... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this little sweet plant sitter showed up from wintery Wisconsin.... </span></div>
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StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-41330107894683711682014-12-11T21:38:00.000-07:002014-12-12T09:41:57.798-07:00Christmas preparations...... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ahhhh... love working on Christmas presents and decorating the tree.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First ever button hole! I do not know what was so frightening to me! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All these decorations must get from the coffee table up to that tree.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Such a taskmaster! Cute one though.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2014 Handmade Christmas cards. I love simple. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEugoYPAGpuKnW9JQ6MVA5CfM1FvOUyBYhlGzcwCc9jNe9_c2wBvcR7lDD3bah3ehYLnfA1rCu5WOSLCpGmCpjx89ip2so45Dgq3KKIfZsParL5zxK7_CPWlSA7svT8vmLhajGPTJtq0/s1600/Urban.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEugoYPAGpuKnW9JQ6MVA5CfM1FvOUyBYhlGzcwCc9jNe9_c2wBvcR7lDD3bah3ehYLnfA1rCu5WOSLCpGmCpjx89ip2so45Dgq3KKIfZsParL5zxK7_CPWlSA7svT8vmLhajGPTJtq0/s1600/Urban.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally quilting the Urban Cowgirl. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And the tree is finally decorated.... None of the pictured ornaments are ones that I have made. They are all store or craft fair bought over the years. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love these little mini Amish baby dolls. I found them in some of my grandmother's craft boxes after she passed away..... I love to put them on my tree. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now.... back to Christmas preparations.... </span></div>
StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-14052062984967826112014-11-30T17:34:00.000-07:002014-11-30T20:08:08.174-07:00Where has the time gone.....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So amazed that half of October and all of November slipped by without one little blog post! Luckily..... productivity has been rampant! </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two corner to corner afghans were completed. I must admit this is a record for me! Usually, it will take me a couple of months to complete one. Okay - actually it will take me more than a couple of months... hahahaha... </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Started on my oldest daughter's quilt. So exciting. We had talked about the </span><a href="http://store.atkinsondesigns.com/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details_ws.asp?Shopper_id=137742975311377&Store_id=913&page_id=23&Item_ID=1105" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Terry Atkinson's Stash Stars Pattern</a><span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Purchased the pattern... but finding fabric for my daughter proved to be a little bit of a challenge. So I tabled the quilt.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">While browsing the internet for star patterns, I went to </span><a href="http://www.quiltinaday.com/freepattern/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Quilt in a Day's free pattern site</a><span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and found "Leah's Star." </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh..... I was excited and scared all at once.... excited because my oldest daughter's name is Leah and scared because it looks like a very complicated pattern. So using scraps left over from the </span><a href="http://stasalynn.blogspot.com/2014/09/beige-blues-all-gone.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">"No More Beige Blues" table runner</a><span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I made a test block.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let me tell you! So easy. So awesome. So happy! Then the hunt for fabric started. </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My bestie and I went fabric shopping. We welcome any excuse to go fabric shopping! </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leah likes muted colors and an antique style fabric.... but not too old fashioned. This can be difficult but we found the perfect fabrics. However, I was a little concerned that it might look too Christmassy.... (is that even a word?) Mind you, Leah has not seen the fabric, nor the pattern yet!</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So the cutting started.... my idea was to use the same fabric for the background of each block, use the focus fabric as star part one and the other two fabrics as the star part two in each of the blocks. However, in all the excitement it got away from me and I made a cutting error. Oh boy! I get so discouraged..... and this would have been horrible except that the youngest daughter (who really should be a quilt designer!) said to make it scrappy and then none of the cutting error is wasted! Wooo Hoo.... I made a couple of blocks, posted the picture on Instagram and Leah commented that she loved the fabrics!!! WOOO HOOOO! </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So on Thanksgiving I showed her the blocks, the pattern and she is so excited! </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And she did not think it was too Christmassy. Yes, it was used twice so it must be a word now! </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seriously..... if you are looking for a great pattern... this is definitely it. I LOVE it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finished piecing another quilt top.....</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This one is based on <a href="http://www.quiltworx.com/patterns/which-ways-north/" target="_blank">Which Ways North</a> pattern.... </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Started Christmas package toppers...... </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tutorial from <a href="http://littlegoldennook.blogspot.com/2012/11/crochet-star-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Little Golden Nook</a> (Love Pinterest!) </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Michael helping me this morning..... </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And now back to the cutting board (literally) so I can get Leah's Star Quilt pieced! </span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If time has to slip away.... so glad it was full of busy fun! </span></div>
StasaLynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14608426178011241300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6703082281296359411.post-22180497780125019172014-10-11T19:46:00.001-07:002014-10-11T19:46:18.579-07:00Busy, Busy..... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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