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

 

Good bye August - Hello September!

Fall is in the air here in Washington. Happy Labor day to everyone out there, hope you get to enjoy time with family and friends and have a fun day off. I love warm weather but the cool days we have been experiencing have been a God send. So very blessed to live on Whidbey Island, is a bit cooler most of the year, but it's beautiful and I would not change that for anything in the world. 

Now, as promised in my last post, I am going to share a "free" crochet pattern, of my "Cowboys colors crochet kindle cozy". It's also available on my Etsy Shop as well, if you prefer to have one to print out in PDF format.  But for everyone else - hear is the pattern:

"Cowboys colors crochet Kindle Cozy"

• Materials: Crochet hook H 
  
• Plastic or wooden button and Star applique (optional)
  
• Large plastic sewing needle 
• Dark Blue 4 ply yarn (about a 1/4 skein for each color) 
• White 4 ply yarn
  
• Gray 4 ply yarn 
• Sc - single crochet
• Slp st - slip stitch
  

SC—Single crochet throughout every row including foundation row Slp st with the dark blue color chain 20, this is your foundation row, then sc in second chain from hook and crochet to end, making 2 sc in last stitch of that row, then continue on to the other side sc in each chain to end and finish with 2 sc in last one. From here on in you will be crocheting in the round and sc in both loops of stitch. You should have 30 stitches at this point and throughout. Make sure to use a stitch marker if you need to.

• Rows 1-8: Using dark blue sc for 8 rows in the round then change to gray color 
• Rows 9-12: Using gray yarn sc for 4 rows, then change to white color 
• Rows 13-16: With white yarn sc 4 rows, change to dark blue 
• Rows 17-20: With drk blue yarn sc 4 rows, then change to gray 
• Rows 21-22: With gray - sc 2 rows, then change to white 
• Rows 23-24: With white sc 2 rows, then change to dark blue 
• Rows 25-28: With drk blue sc 3 rows, then when you are on the backside of the 4th row, stop at the 8th stitch, then chain 13 (this is the button holder). Then slp st back into the very first chain, and continue sc across to the last stitch and end at the left hand side before the curve of the kindle edge fold. 
• Sew your button accordingly making sure the kindle will be snug in place. Try it out first before applying the button. Be sure to weave in all the different yarns and tie them off nicely. Depending on how you change colors, I keep my colors connected as I crochet this saves on yarn and there is less waste. 
• Finally, if you have a star applique it’s time to place that on where ever you would like. I used a star with some gems so it really sparkles. You can even use the actual Cowboys Star applique if you like. I don’t iron it on I use all purpose glue. Be sure to let it dry over night before using your kindle cozy. I also place a heavy object on the applique so that it will not move while drying. There you have it. A really fun and easy project, if you are a Cowboys fan you are going to love showing it off and telling everyone that your team is it! Remember you can use any colors or even change the number of rows for each color—the sky is the limit, just have fun!

I do hope you will try crocheting one for yourself and show off those true blue colors of the Dallas Cowboys. If you need any help whatsoever with the pattern please email me at (gainesmary@hotmail.com) and I will do my best to answer any questions or concerns you may have. 

Have a blessed day!