Grateful and Blessed!

As we approach Thanksgiving day on Thursday, I am so saddened by the state of our world. Fortunately the election is over and we will have a new president come January, but in Israel and Ukraine things are looking grim. I want to take this time to just say that no matter what God is still in control. When I focus my thoughts on that, there is hope for tomorrow. I do hope this post finds you all well and getting ready for the big turkey day. I know I am, God willing my family and my friend will be joining me on Thursday to say "thank you" Lord for all your wonderful blessings you have bestowed upon us during the year. A lot has happened this past year that I have not shared on my posts, some good, some bad. But through it all Jesus has been with me, lifting me, encouraging me and giving me strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. So for now, I just want to wish you a very blessed Thanksgiving, may you be surrounded by your loved ones and may Jesus be at your table. God Bless!

Announcing the "Tour and Tea" event!

Hello everyone. I do hope you are all enjoying the nicer weather here on Whidbey Island. It's finally beginning to feel like summer. Which reminds me about an event I will be participating in tomorrow.The"Tour and Tea" on Saturday June 29th from 10-4 location is 4909 Jones Rd.,Oak Harbor. It is sponsored by the Oak Harbor Garden Club and is sure to be fun. Here is a glimpse of one of my "mini acrylic paintings", "Beach Buddies" which will be freatured for sale. "Beach Buddies" is truly a splash of delight, brining a playful blend of vibrant hues and whimsical subjects that I am sure will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. "Beach Buddies" captures a charming scene—two penguins standing side by side on a beach, their eyes set on a horizon where the ocean meets the sky. These adorable friends are facing to the right, with their reflections beautifully mirrored on the wet sand beneath them. It's a moment frozen in time, yet filled with so much life and energy from the dynamic setting around them. Imagine the sky with a rich gradient of deep blue, softening as it approaches the horizon. You can almost feel the breeze and hear the gentle crashing of the waves behind our penguin pals. I've used vivid and bright colors to encapsulate the serene yet lively essence of a coastal environment, making sure this piece brings the comfort and tranquility of the beach into any space. The inspiration behind "Beach Buddies" comes from personal reflections on friendship and life's simple joys. There’s something incredibly heartwarming about the unspoken bond these penguins share. Much like human friendships, their togetherness amidst the vast ocean backdrop reflects resilience, companionship, and the beauty of life’s shared moments. So, whether you’re a beach lover, a penguin fan, or someone who simply finds joy in colorful, dynamic artwork, I hope "Beach Buddies" brings a dose of joy and serenity into your day. Stay tuned for more artistic adventures! Hope to see you at the event! God Bless you all. Mary

Introducing my newest acrylic painting!

Guess what, art lovers? I'm thrilled to unveil my latest creation: "Golden Dawn at Deception Pass"! Imagine crossing a stunning iron bridge at dawn, where the sky melts from golden hues into a dreamy blue — all while lush greenery frames the scene. 🙌 This 7x13 acrylic on canvas piece really captures that perfect harmony between nature and human ingenuity. I had so much fun playing with the vibrant acrylic colors to bring out the bridge's structural details and the serene surroundings. 🌅 Inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Deception Pass Bridge that connects Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, this artwork is a love letter to one of my favorite places. Dive into this tranquil moment and let it transport you to a place of peace and natural splendor! Please do check out my Pixels website where you can order prints on canvas, metal, wood or anything else that strikes your fancy. Blessings to you!

Getting past Covid and closer to Jesus

It has been a long time since I have shared my life with you, it's been a long time coming and I am so excited to be writing again. Life has been very hectic the last few years but I would like to share a few of the highlights. I've experienced a few birthdays, cried a few tears and have been on some very fun trips with my friend Sharon. But the most exciting thing I have to share with you is the fact that during Christmas I contacted Covid. Exciting you say, getting Covid during Christmas? What is wrong with this person. I know it does sound a bit ridiculous I admit. But hear me out. It was a time when I experienced Jesus in ways I never did before. In December, 2023 I did contact Covid, mind you I had every vaccine and booster that was required of me. Still I contacted it, I don't get it. Anyway, I belong to a group in our church called the "Joy" group. It's a bunch of women that get together and just share life, prayers, and praises that sort of thing every Thursday afternoon. We even take field trips to different places during the summer warmer months. Right now we are helping the Childrens minister do some craft projects for the upcoming Vocational Bible School in July. So, before Christmas we had a potluck and we all gathered and shared a meal together. After this very fun and enjoyable event nine of us contacted Covid. Oh what a sad time it was. Not getting to see my family during this very special holiday. I was devastated, but tried to keep my chin up. I personally have never been this sick in my life. The fever was aweful and lack of appetite, smell, taste you name it I had it. I was down for about three weeks. My other symptoms were cough cold and as mentioned a fever. I never get a fever so it really wore me out. I could take the sickness, I just had the hardest time not seeing my family, my son and his wife and grandchildren. That was the saddest time for me. So during this time alone, I really wasn't. I spent more time with Jesus every morning. I read, prayed and just felt his love and comfort during the whole time. I experienced His peace like never before. I had more time to read and found a book on how to get closer to God, that was really enlightening. So during my bad situation I was experiencing, I also experienced God's amazing love and comfort. He turned the bad into good. I am so grateful for this, I now feel His presence surrounding me especially during the tough days. He lifts and encourages me to keep on keepin' on. 2023 ended with sickness, but 2024 began with God's glory. Jesus gets all the Praise because through this sickness Jesus healed me in so many ways. I now feel more loved, annointed, blessed, redeemed because I am the daughter of the King of King and Lord of Lords. Every day I wake up knowing no matter what comes my way, Jesus will be with me. His Holy Spirit will guide me and everything is going to be alright. I had to share my Christmas story with you in hopes that if you are not sure about Jesus or our Heavenly Father, you will BELIEVE! He is real, and he loves you so much enough to give His son Jesus for you. So if you will give your life to him and BELIEVE in Him and repent of your sins, you will be saved and have eternal life. That my friend is the good news. I hope it will spread like wildfire! God Bless you and keep you in God's amazing grace everyday! Blessings - Mary

Hello there, art lovers! I am thrilled to introduce you to my latest creation, "Serenity Through Wood". This artwork is a captivating photo that captures the essence of a serene sunset at the beach.

As you gaze upon the image, you will be transported to a vibrant sunset scene, where the sun is a blazing orb dipping into the horizon. The sky above is a stunning gradient of fiery oranges and mellow yellows, reflecting on the wet sand and rippled waters. In the foreground, a piece of driftwood with a distinctive hole frames the sunset, adding a unique and artistic touch to the overall composition.

What inspired me to create this artwork, you may wonder? Well, it was a walk along the beach in Ocean Shores during the setting sunlight that sparked the idea for this piece. The beauty of nature never fails to inspire me, and I wanted to capture that feeling of serenity and drama in one picture.

One of the unique aspects of creating this artwork was the process itself. To capture the perfect shot, I had to lay down on the beach and carefully position myself to frame the sunset through the hole in the log. It was a challenging yet rewarding experience that allowed me to truly appreciate the beauty of the moment.

I hope that "Serenity Through Wood" resonates with you as much as it does with me. It is a reminder to pause, take a deep breath, and appreciate the natural wonders that surround us. Let this artwork bring a sense of peace and tranquility into your space.

Thank you for joining me on this artistic journey. Stay tuned for more creations that celebrate the beauty of the world around us. Until next time, stay inspired! If you would like to purchase the photo, click on the photograph, this will take you to my pixels website. Blessings!🌅🖼️
 

Happy Fall Y'all!

 Isn't it wonderful, the trees are changing color and the crisp clean air feels cool and refreshing. I love summer but give me fall all year long and I'd be a happy camper.  

My post today will be to share some insight from a book I am presently reading by Joyce Meyer titled "Living a Life You Love".  Now the title caught my attention, because don't we all want to live that kind of life? At least I do.  In this book she clearly encourages us to live out God's promises in our lives.  Instead of living in the past and being stuck there, like we often do, God's hope for a bright future is waiting for us for the taking, but all we have to do is look forward and not backwards.  I have started to do some of the things that she suggests in this book and I am seeing God's amazing role play out in my daily everyday life. I find myself not thinking of my past hurts, or even what others have done or said about me, which I used to do frequently.  I am more focused on today and the present and the amazing things God is doing thru me.

She goes on to say, that when we focus on the good things God has done for us, instead of the trouble or trials we maybe facing, nothing on this earth can steal our joy.  This book is a reminder to all of us to be thankful, and not to complain, even though the flesh will want to.  Also to focus on the positive things not the negative events of the day, and there will be times when there will be more negative then positive, do not be weary and faint not, but hold steadfast, God always gives us a way out. 

I would like God to use me more to bless others, and as long as I am stuck in the past and having pity parties, I am useless.  So, my future is bright, and I am looking forward to what He has in store for me.  This book is a wonderful refresher course and reminder of spiritual basics for us all.

Check out her book at any library, I use the Libby app on my phone, it's great.  I can check out books from my local library without physically doing so.  Then you have about 3 weeks in which to read the book then return it to the shelf.  I love it.  

Now, to the crafty part of my blog.  I am going to share my crochet "Fingerless Gloves" pattern with you. So grab some coffee or tea and lets get started.  

 

 

My Crochet Fingerless Gloves Pattern

Materials: 1 skein 100% acrylic sports yarn or yarn of choice ( I used Caron Party Yarn)

Size "I" or 5.5 mm crochet hook

Plastic sewing needle

Half Pearl or white buttons (2)

Single crochet = sc

Slip stitch = slst

Half Double Crochet = hdc

Double Crochet = dc

Treble Crochet = trc

Woman's size:

• Chain 30 - leaving a long tail for sewing together the gloves
• Row 1: Sc to end, chain 1 turn - 28 sc made
• Continue row 1 until piece measures 6-1/2" or 13 single crochet rows.  This will be the width of the gloves.  Sew the sides together leaving a 1-1/2" opening for the thumb.  Be sure to weave yarn securely through each stitch, then tie and cut off yarn.
• Make 2 - Crochet flower (see instructions below)

Teen's size:

• Chain 28 leaving a tail
• Row 1: Sc to end, chain 1 turn - 26 sc made
• Continue row 1 until piece measures 5-1/2". 
• Sew up sides leaving 1" opening
• Make 2

Child's size:

• Chain 26 leaving a tail
• Row 1: Sc to end, chain 1 turn - 24 sc made
• Continue row 1 until piece measures 5"
• Sew up sides leaving 3/4" opening
• Make 2

Crochet Flower:  Chain 3, slp st to 1st sc.  Make 10 sc in center.  Slst to first sc. (Chain 3, skip sc then slst into next chain, chain 3) do this until you have completed 5 loops, these are the petals. Slst in 1st loop, then hdc, dc, trc, dc,hdc,slst. Continue this in each loop until you have completed the 5 loops, then tie off.  Sew onto gloves at the location of your choice.  Place the pearl button in the center of the flower.  Your done! Easy and fast to crochet.  These make wonderful gifts for family or friends during our chilly winter months. If you want the pattern in PDF format, just click below the picture to my Etsy Shop. 

Well, until next time, be safe and keep God first place in your life and you cannot go wrong - ever!

Blessings

Mary

 

 
   






























































   

     





Pray for the firefighters!

 Today I received a very scary alert on my phone, it took me back a bit.  It was a fire emergency evacuation alert for the Bolt Creek Fire near Skykomish.  This is a few hours away from where I live and it brought the fires even closer to home for me.  I am asking for a special prayer today for all the fire fighters out there that are risking their lives to put out these fires.  I guess this particular fire has already burned 2500 acres as of Saturday Sept. 10th.  It is probably much larger by now.  We are surrounded by fires here in the Pacific Northwest it seems with Oregon, Idaho and California there are so many it's no wonder we are having very bad air quality and even bad haze in the sky.  We are all in need of God's helping hands.

Dear Heavenly Father, we place everyone that is helping in fighting the fires in your hands.  Protect them and give them the courage and strength to do the job before them.  Keep all the families in hams way safe and comforted in these trying and dangerous times.  We ask these things in Jesus name - Amen. 

Well, today I want to introduce to you my "Cozy Girls Knitted Fingerless Gloves" pattern, so easy and you can whip these up in no time.  Hope you get to make tons of these before Christmas, they make very nice gifts for the gals in your family.

Materials:  1 skein 100% acrylic sports yarn (Caron Simply Soft) works great

Size 6.5 US or 4mm knitting needles

Plastic sewing needle - and pearls (optional)

Woman's Size:

Cast on 36 stitches onto needle

Knit each row until piece measures approximately 6.5'

Sew up sides leaving about 1-1/2' hole for thumb. Ties off and weave in ends.  Make 2

Teen's Size:

Cast on 32 stitches

Knit each row until piece measures approx. 6"

Sew up sides leaving 1" hole for thumb.  Tie off and weave in ends.  Make 2

Child's Size:

Cast on 28 stitches

Knit each row until piece measures approx. 5.5"

Sew up sides leaving a 1" hole for thumb.  Tie off and weave in ends.  Make 2

 If you would like to have this in a printed PDF please go to my Etsy Shop.  I am offering 50% off my "knit and crochet" patterns all this month.  Do pass this along to others, I would love the company!

May God's face shine upon you and keep you and your family safe always.

Blessings

Mary