Scripture {Challenges} and Glory {Art} Studies

Hello wonderful blog subscribers. I cannot believe it is almost Christmas. Where has the year gone? I wanted to take a moment and thank each of you for participating with me for the past 11 years during the Scripture and Glory {Art} Studies. It has been wonderful. At this time, God has not called me to continue with these studies. I hope that you will go back and work on the years you did not complete or join in where you have missed in the past. Here are the links to each year's studies so you can easily find them. You might want to bookmark this page so that you can easily find these links.

2018: Glory {Art} Rewind Study
2017: Glory {Art} Scripture Study
2016: Glory {Art} Scripture Study
2015: Glory {Art} Scripture Study
2014: Scripture Lessons and Lyrics Challenge
2013: Hymn and Scripture Challenge
2012: Hymn and Scripture Challenge
2011: ABC Scripture Challenge
2010: Scripture Challenge
2009: His Holy Name Challenge
2008: Scripture Challenge

God has called me to new things in my local church--one of which is a class He put on my heart called "Holy Leisure." My bestie and I taught it together at our church this past summer testing out the curriculum. It was amazing and received so well. I will be teaching it again in the Spring, and I am also leading another class God also put on my heart called "Craft 'n Connect." I hope to bring bits and pieces of these classes to you here on my blog as God leads me.

In 2019, I plan on crocheting, sewing, doing mixed media art, embroidery, scripture writing, pocket and traditional scrapbooking, etc. I will share these things as I create, and hopefully there is a bit here for everyone to enjoy! I hope you will join me with these fun adventures! Here are just a few things I am working on right now. Be sure to stay tuned for the progress on each of these!

Also, feel free to follow me on Instagram where all of my arts and crafts are always posted. You can find me by clicking here. I pray that you each have a blessed and Merry Christmas! Thank you for stopping by! In Him,

Beginning a New {Crochet} Blanket

Now that I finished the blanket I was working on, I decided to do something for fun using yarn I have in my stash. Here are the colors I am going to use:

I am going to use the same Cosy Blanket pattern I used for my last afghan. Click here for the pattern. Also, something else I did was create yarn pegs of my colors. I am going to start doing this so I have a collection of my yarn colors. I love the idea. To learn more about yarn pegs, click here. Here are my yarn pegs for this afghan. 

The color number is written on one side, and the color name is written on the opposite side. SC stands for 'Stylecraft'. When I create pegs for my other yarns, I will do the same. My favorite yarn (Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn) will have an abbreviation of HL. I also took a photo of them in the color order I want to use, printed the photo, and stuck it in my yarn bag. That way I have a quick and easy reference. 

Today I will get started on this bit of fun. Can't wait to see how the colors turn out! Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below, and I will answer there. I always appreciate your comments and you stopping by. Thank you, and have a blessed weekend!

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A Bit of {Crochet}

Well, I do not remember when I started this afghan. I only did about one section of each color, and then I set it aside for a bit because life got really busy, and of course, it has been too hot. Well, it was time to give it to the person I made it for this week so I had to get busy. Last week I decided it was the perfect thing to take along on my trip. So, I packed it up, and I was able to finish it on Wednesday of this week.

The Stats 
Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn
Hook Size: 5.0 mm (H)
Starting Chain: Forgot to note.
Number of Colors Used: 4 different colors (antique teal, brown, sea blue, and sungold)
Amount of Yarn Used: Not even one skein of each color.
Pattern: Click here.
Finished Size: Darn. I forgot to measure before putting it in the box to mail.
Date Started: Spring 2016
Date Finished: July 20, 2016

Edging

I made up the edging as I couldn't find my favorite edging pattern. Here is what I did:

• Two sc in each space around the afghan. Do not turn.
• At beginning of round of sc, *sc, dc, sc in next space. Skip next sc, sl st in next st, skip next sc*.
• Repeat * around afghan then finish off.

I hope you have enjoyed this bit of crochet today. I also pray that the person receiving it will love it too. As always, thanks for joining me!

Ready for Some New {Crochet}?

I haven't shared any crochet in a while. Since getting our puppies in February and May of 2015, I really have not been able to crochet. They love to eat my yarn, my yarn basket, etc. Well, this past weekend, my precious aunt brought a baby chest to me that my great grandmother used for all 9 of her children back in the early 1900s. Well, this amazing piece is now allowing me to crochet again. How you ask? Well, let's look.

The Chest

At first, I was going to put this chest in one of my daughter's bedrooms because she also has Great Grandmother's furniture in her room. Well, one night I woke up with the idea to put the chest in the living room between the sofa and love seat. Guess what? It fits beautifully! 

The drawers are empty right now except the top drawer. It has turned out to be the best "crochet basket." The dogs can't get into it, and when I crochet, I just open the drawer. Then I leave the skein in the drawer and pull my yarn from there while I work. I am SO excited. See the new afghan I just started? It's on the left in the drawer.

The New Pattern

So, why was I looking for a new pattern? Most of you know I love crocheting afghans using my favorite shell pattern. If you have missed those posts, look here and you will see it in many different afghans and a couple of scarves. Anyway, I wanted to find a pattern that is super easy, that I can memorize and work on while my daughter has her open heart surgery. The shell pattern fits what I was looking for but I also wanted something new. I found something, and I have been playing with it the past few days. I think I am going to love it. It definitely looks better in person that what you see in the drawer above. :) And this pattern is even easier than the shell pattern (which I didn't think possible). This would make a great beginner afghan for someone new to crochet.

The pattern is called the "No Holes Baby Blanket." You can find the pattern and details by clicking here.

Colors I am Using

I am using my favorite Hobby Lobby yarn "I Love This Yarn." I did not want to use many colors because I don't want to have to carry too much to the hospital. So, I am limiting this particular afghan to 4 colors. I am using:

Glacier

Hot Rose

Soft Blue

Linen

So, if you are looking for mindless, easy crochet, this might be the pattern for you. Or if you have furry family members that bother your yarn, look around your home for a cabinet that you could possibly move close to your chair. Thanks for joining me today!

Another {Crochet} Lap Blanket

If you remember the quick crochet lap blanket I made for my daughter, well this one is just like it other than it's pink instead of blue. To see my daughter's blue lap blanket, please click here. I am not sure what I will be doing with this blanket. I contacted our prayer shawl ministry at church yesterday, and unfortunately that ministry has been dissolved. I am praying about what God would have me do with this one, and I want to do more to share with those in need so I am praying about that too. Anyway, here is my latest lap blanket.

The Stats

Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket in Little Roses, Bernat Blanket Yarn in Vanilla (edging)

Hook Size: 9 mm (M)

Starting Chain: 74 chains

Number of Colors Used: 2 different colors

Amount of Yarn Used: Three 10.5 oz. skeins of Little Roses and a bit of one 3.5 skein of Vanilla

Pattern: Click here.

Finished Size: 36" x 40"

Date Started: End of 2014

Date Finished: February 10, 2015

I hope you have enjoyed today's lap blanket. I am sure I will begin another one tonight as it's what I love to do at the end of the day. Happy crocheting!

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Quick {Crochet} Lap Blanket

If you remember the quick crochet scarf I shared last week, well today's creation is made with the same pattern and the same yarn (just a different color). If you missed that post, click here. So for today's creation I chose to make a lap blanket for one of my daughters. This yarn is so heavy that I don't think it would make a good full afghan because of the weight but for a lap blanket, it is amazing.

The Stats

Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket in Little Royales, Bernat Blanket Yarn in Taupe (edging)

Hook Size: 9 mm (M)

Starting Chain: 74 chains

Number of Colors Used: 2 different colors

Amount of Yarn Used: Three 10.5 oz. skeins of Little Royales and a bit of one 10.5 skein of Taupe

Pattern: Click here.

Finished Size: 36" x 40"

Date Started: November 23, 2014

Date Finished: November 29, 2014

Time to Complete: 6 days

I hope you have enjoyed today's lap blanket. I am now working on one in pink for one of my other daughters. I will share it soon. Happy crocheting!

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Quick {Crochet} Scarf

Do you need some quick Christmas gifts? Do you love to crochet and want a really easy pattern? Well, this is it. I use this pattern for everything because I can do it in the car, waiting at a doctor's office, etc. I have it memorized because it is so easy. I guess that's why I love it because it's mindless. I need that in my life. LOL! Anyway, I whipped up this scarf for one of my daughter's in just a few hours. I think it probably took about 4 hours total. I was able to complete the scarf while watching the Gamecock football game on Saturday, and then I did the edging a bit on Sunday and finished this morning.

It is super soft and warm. I am going to make several more, and I will probably make some lap blankets too. This yarn will make amazing lap blankets. It definitely will keep you very warm!

The Stats

Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket in Little Sand Castles, Bernat Blanket Yarn in Taupe (edging)

Hook Size: 9 mm (M)

Starting Chain: 14 chains

Number of Colors Used: 2 different colors

Amount of Yarn Used: One 10.5 oz. skein of Little Sand Castles and a bit of one 10.5 skein of Taupe

Pattern: Click here.

Date Started: November 15, 2014

Date Finished: November 17, 2014

Time to Complete: 2 days (really just about 4 hours though)

I hope you have enjoyed today's creation. Happy crocheting!

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Crochet {Scarf} Just in Time for Christmas

Last week, I found some gorgeous yarn on clearance at AC Moore called Bernat Satin Maitai. It's my favorite color of pink. I decided to make a scarf using the same shell pattern as the afghans I have been making all year. There are only 3 shells across, and I think that made the scarf the perfect width.

For the edging, I tried something a little different. I didn't want to use the shell edging that I have been using for the afghans. I think it would have made the scarf too "chunky." So, I modified an edging I saw and kind of made up a little something. I will share those details below but first, here is the finished scarf:

And here I am wearing it just after I finished it yesterday:

I didn't want to take the scarf off because it was keeping me so nice and warm. LOL! I think the color of the yarn is more accurate in the above photo. Taking the scarf outside did something funny to the color in the photos. Anyway . . . I didn't spend much time on this really. I was busy with Thanksgiving and enjoying the kids being home from college. This is certainly something you would whip up as a Christmas gift. Here are some details that may help you:

Stats
Size: 6 1/2" x 62" (can be made longer)
Starting Chain: 20 chains
Pattern Used: Click here (modified to use 3 shells per row for scarf)
Date Started: November 21, 2013
Date Finished: December 1, 2013

And here is what I did for the edging:

Row 1: sc evenly around the entire scarf using 2 sc in each corner.

Row 2: In first st, *hdc, ch2, hdc (all in same stitch), sl st in next st.* Repeat from * around entire scarf.

Finish: Fasten off and weave in end to finish.

This edging could certainly be done on an afghan too. I think it looks a little bit like lace. What do you think? Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have enjoyed my latest "crochet creation." Blessings,

{Another Afghan} Today is the Day

Do you remember when I started this afghan back in August? You can see my very small start here:

Well, I finished it on September 8th but today is the day I will give it to the family at the baby shower. This is for the little boy they are expecting in December. We are praying that this baby's daddy will make it home from Afghanistan in time for the delivery!

I used Canon Simply Soft yarn as recommended by my sweet college friend, Nancy. She uses this for a lot of her creations, and she was right—it is the perfect softness for a baby afghan! I had never used this yarn before but I will definitely be using it again! Thanks Nancy! Now for the stats.

Stats

Size: 25" x 35" (great baby blank size)
Starting Chain: 121 chains
Number of Colors Used: 6 different colors
Number of Rows: 50 (2 rows of each color before changing color)
Pattern Used: Click here
Date Started: August ?, 2013
Date Finished: September 8, 2013

I hope this inspires you to pick up some yarn and start a little something. It's definitely cold enough now to snuggle underneath your afghan as you work on it! Have a blessed Saturday!

{More} Afghans

Do any of you remember the bobble afghan I posted about in March of 2012? Well, if you missed that post, look here. That post also has the pattern I wrote. Anyway, I set it aside when we moved, and I haven't picked it back up. Well, as I was cleaning and organizing more this week, I was determined to just finish it. So, I did! Here is how it turned out:

After finishing it, I washed it in Woolite last night, and it is so soft and nice. I am not sure what I will do with this one yet. I have asked our pastors if there is anyone in need but nothing yet. I am sure God will lead me to the person that He wants this afghan to go to.

Next Up

I have been working on my afghan after finishing the baby gift afghan I posted about two weeks ago (click here). Here is how mine is coming along:

I think I am really going to love this color scheme. And as I have been working on this, the family that received the baby afghan is also expecting again. Dad called in via "face time" from Afghanistan and watched the ultrasound on Wednesday. They are having a boy! I am SO excited for them. So, I dropped my afghan for now, and started this:

I will have about 6-8 different colors in this one. I need to finish it by next Tuesday as Mom and daughter are coming over again for dinner. I want them to have this when they come.

So, if you need a little relaxing or evening project, pick up some yarn and join me! I am finding this to be so fun as I work on them each night. The bigger blessing is praying as I crochet for the person that will receive each piece. Thanks for stopping by, and I pray you have a blessed Sunday!

2 More Afghans {Complete}

Well, I have been busy crocheting away. I find this pattern is so easy to do as I don't have to think about it. I just crochet during family time each night, and I am still able to concentrate on other things. It's also very easy to take with me everywhere I go. I can see myself doing this pattern and making many afghans for people. So fun! Anyway, let's look at what I finished.

Afghan #1

If you remember, I was making an afghan for daughter #3. She picked colors from a Vera Bradley pattern. Well, it's finished, and I surprised her with this in her room:

I heard her scream as she saw it. She had not idea that I had purchased the matching bag. She is going to use it for BSF this Fall as she joins the adult women's class with me. Yeah! And here are some close-up photos:

The Stats
Size: 53" x 40" (perfect for us short people)
Starting Chain: 121 chains
Number of Colors Used: 6 different colors
Number of Rows: 98 (2 rows of each color before changing color)
Date Started: May 24, 2013
Date Finished: July 9, 2013
Time to Complete: 1 1/2 months

Afghan #2

I was then going to do an afghan for myself with very bright colors. I shared those colors in this post here. Well, as I started crocheting, I thought it might be a little too bright. I have waffled back and forth as to whether or not I want a bright afghan or something more subdued for myself. I continued to crochet away, and I decided that this would make a perfect baby blanket for the 14 month old that my daughter takes care of each day. You may remember seeing some of the scrapbook pages I made for their family while her dad is serving in Afghanistan. 

I started praying over this afghan, and I am indeed giving it to the baby. Mom and baby are coming for dinner on Sunday night, and I will present it to them then. I am SO excited to give it to her. It only took me 9 days to make. Here is how it turned out:

The more I look at it, the more I think I would like the bright colors especially with the white trim. I have picked other colors for now (see below). If I don't like it, I can give it away too. :)

The Stats
Size: 26 1/2" x 40" (perfect baby size)
Starting Chain: 121 chains
Number of Colors Used: 9 different colors
Number of Rows: 48 (2 rows of each color before changing color)
Date Started: July 10, 2013
Date Finished: July 19, 2013
Time to Complete: 9 days

My Afghan

I think for now that I have decided to use this color scheme for my afghan:

Isn't it pretty? If you want the instructions for these gorgeous flower circles, click here to see Annie's tutorial.

As far as the pattern I am using. I linked you to it in this post here previously. However, I have tweaked it a bit as I have found some things that work better for me. I am in the process of writing the pattern I am using, and I will post it soon. :)

Oh, and if you noticed above, I have put "time to complete" under the stats of each afghan. The reason I am doing that is for my own reference. I have never in my life completed an afghan in a year let alone 3 in 3 months. It is a record for me, and my family is shocked! So, I am having fun keeping my own stats here, and I know where to find them.

Thanks for stopping by. Off to get my colors ready to start my afghan today! Blessings,