Cassie's Cuddles

Today is a holiday for the AFL. Can you believe that you get a holiday for football? I’m not one to follow the football, so unAustralian of me. What did we do today? We went to Ikea and then pottered around. I have started making some fabric gingerbread for Christmas. I have also made some necklaces. I really like them. I did muck up 4 of them, but I think I can redo them. I popped them up on Facebook and K have an order! Yay! These ones are for a table to make money for overseas mission. Umm, what else can I make?

I thought I should also show you that Cassandra has done a bit of sewing herself. She sewed a little dress for her little neice, Grace. She did a great job with only a bit of help from me. When Grace came to visit with her mummy and daddy, we pretty much grabbed her and put it in. Grace is tall, just like her daddy, so it is a top. Next time we will make it longer.Grace is a real sweetie. We are so blessed to have her as part of our family.

I saw a really snazzy top in Best and Lest and I just HAD to buy it. The sequins, when stroked in the opposite direction change colour. A top like this would be great for someone who has dementia…or me. 

By popular demand ( not really), I will show you some of what I have made. I’m so computer illiterate, I now have to figure out how to upload the photos from my phone to here…

I have done quite a bit of sewing in the last month. Who knows why I suddenly get the urge to sew and then go full speed ahead. I actually made my first completed quilt. Ok, so it was only baby size, but it was still an achievement for me. It was a quilt as you go. I found the tutorial on Youtube. Youtube is my favourite place for someone like me who needs to see things about 30 times before it goes into my head, and even then I will do things wrong every step of the way. Perseverance comes in handy. The tutorial was by MadeByMarzipan.

I have also discovered The Crafty Gemini, I understand her tutorials, so I have made a few items, but you can’t see those because they are for a swap ( sorry Jo).  I have made a few pouches which I love, but once again, I sewed everything back to front, unpicked and did it again. I am not a great sewer, and I am not patient, but I can do it now, because I force myself.

I sewed about 10 or so items and then discovered that my favourite fabric store had a sale on. Jo annes on Canterbury rd ( located in the Keith Fagg tile place) had lovely cotton fabric for $5 a meter, when normally it is about $15-$20. Alycia who is 16 told me that my breathing changed when I walked in. Excited much. I made an apron for a friend.  I also made a book cover. It was suppose to be for a swap, but a friend came over and said that she liked it, so I gave it to her.And the  I did what every crafty person does, bought it, had a rush, packed into a draw and haven’t sewn since. Oh dear. Maybe now Dayspring is over for another year.

The next lot of pictures are of things I have made in the past. I have been looking for photos so I can prove that I do make things. I often sew for a purpose, and in bulk. I have sewn for Days for Girls ( menstrual pads). I think that I made about 30 complete packs ( I enjoyed doing that, but haven’t made any for about a year), and Softies for Mirabel for a couple of years ( although last year I didn’t). I’ve made 100 chef hats for Dayspring one year, 100 fabric swords for another…they all go.Pencil cases.Felt crowns ( these were for Dayspring too), every baby recieved one. These were the leftovers and I sold them as a set for $10 on the swap and sell site on Facebook. I was pretty chuffed that someone was actually willing to buy them.These bunny hand bags. One was given to a little girl who was baptized. I popped in a Bible for her too. The other one was for a little girl fighting a battle with cancer. As I said, I enjoy making toys, especially this little monkey.I think I have made over a hundred of these tissue holders. I get the tissue packets from Daiso and then whip up a few to give as party favours etc. you can always find one that suits someone.

2016, wow, how times goes. I still am thankful for the blessings of God. I am still a bit stuck, I cry less often, time ticks on.

Today, I achieved my greatest goal. I decided in October to try and read the whole Bible in three months, and I did. The is the first time I have read it so quickly. I try to read it once a year, but I seriously have only done that about 7 times in order.  I am always reading my favorite bits ( I don’t think I am suppose to admit that), well, I will continue on this new reading plan, it suits me. If I didn’t have the reading, I was excited to get back to it. Yes, the Word is refreshing. It is always encouraging to read of God’s mercy to His people, of whom I am one. I hope that you are too. Btw the picture below shows that my cool nails match my Bible cover. Haha

My family has grown. My grand daughter Grace is gorgeous, and yet stubborn, with her own personality. I am so glad that she was born. My oldest daughter, Stephanie has finished her Bachelor of Arts, and she did very well. Her husband is still studying, and learning life skills along the way. Lachlan has finished  his first year of a bachelor  of arts science. Alycia will be doing year 11 this year, Camden year 9 and Cassie grade 5. Here is a picture of Camden and Cassandra going to the Boys Brigade dinner. 

Well, you can see that this has been sitting in my drafts for nearly a year. I ended up reading the Bible through two and a bit times. I was aiming for three  times in the year, but alas, I got slack. Still I enjoyed it, and will need to keep up the good habit. Once again I made a yearly Bible chart for the kiddies for Dayspring Day ( more on that later), so I am set to go. I was very happy to have Cassandra who is 10 receive her medal for reading through the entire Bible this year. It is only 4 chapters a day, but so many people neglect to read…..sad.