Mamas*Little*Treasures

"So He went to her, took her hand and helped her up."   

Mark 1:31a

This week's quote is from the Gospels, and reminds us of the compassion and grace of the heart of Jesus.  I am always amazed at how Jesus dealt with people . . . . so different from the way we often treat others.  When we have been broken, pushed aside, neglected, or abused (usually by those who should be the "safe" people in our lives), we must remember that we are all just ordinary, sinful, hurting people.  We all make mistakes, hurt those we love, unintentionally say unkind words, neglect those who need us . . . but Jesus never forgets us!

At our darkest moments, when we have fallen and perhaps our hearts and dreams are shattered, that is when Jesus will come to us, take our hand and help us up.  I worked for several years as a teacher in an education program for our county court system.  Since I got to create the program, I was allowed the freedom to work with my students in ways that I felt were most helpful to them in their individual situations.  My students were incarcerated when they first came to my program, and then they could continue in my community-based program upon release.  Many of my students then went on to vocational training or to a local residential Gospel mission where they could get the kind of support and guidance that helped them to find a job, a place to live, and generally stabilize their lives.

Our goal for the students was to provide them with options in life that they had never realized were available to them, with education being the foundation upon which to build their other choices.  As I worked with my students in this situation, I encountered so many people who were not "criminals," but simply people who had made some very bad choices in their lives . . . . often times because they were unaware of other options.  I encountered so many broken, abused people as I worked in this program, and I saw the consequences of living a life without the grace and redemption of Christ.  If they only knew that He would reach out His hand and help them up, out of the despair and destruction of sin.

Fortunately, I worked in an environment where I was allowed great freedom to share with my students my own life story.  And many of them asked.  So I was able to tell them that Jesus could, and would, change their lives.  Of course, for some there were the "jail house conversions."  Nothing really changed after they returned to the "real world."  But the ones who accepted the truth of Jesus' words of forgiveness and grace, took hold of His outstretched hand and He did help them up.  I've seen it in action!  For my students, and in my own life.  In times when my heart was breaking and I could not lift my head, He took my hand and helped me up.  I am so grateful for His work in my life!

Thank you Christelle at BelovedMama for sharing this quote with us this week for "In Other Words." 

A love letter from my daughter

25 Reasons I Owe My Mother:

1.  My mother taught me to appreciate a job well done -  "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.  I just finished cleaning the house."

2.  My mother taught me religion -  "You better pray that this will come out of the carpet!"

3.  My mother taught me about time travel - "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!

4.  My mother taught me logic - "Because I said so, that's why."

5.  My mother taught me MORE logic - "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6.  My mother taught me about foresight - "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7.  My mother taught me irony - "Keep crying and I'll give you something to cry about."

8.  My mother taught me about the science of osmosis - "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9.  My mother taught me about contortionism - "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10.  My mother taught me about stamina - "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11.  My  mother taught me about weather - "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it!"

12.  My mother taught me about hypocrisy - "If I told you once, I've told you a million times . . . . don't exagerate!"

13.  My mother taught me about the circle of life - "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!"

14.  My mother taught me about behavior modification - "Stop acting like your father!"

15.  My mother taught me about envy - "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16.  My mother taught me about anticipation - "Just wait until we get home!"

17.  My mother taught me about receiving - "You are going to get it when we get home!"

18.  My mother taught me about medical science - "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."

19.  My mother taught me ESP - "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20.  My mother taught me humor - "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21.  My mother taught me how to become an adult - "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22.  My mother taught me genetics - "You're just like your father!"

23.  My mother taught me about my roots - "Shut that door behind you!  You weren't born in a barn!"

24.  My mother taught me wisdom - "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25.  And my favorite:  My mother taught me about justice - "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Thank you for remembering, Honey!  Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Get Ready for MommyFest!

Here's a fun event where you can meet other moms!  Over at MommyFest they are having a blog party, and there are lots of great give-aways, as well as lots of the other moms are hosting give-aways on their individual blogs.  What a great way to meet other blogging mommies and have all the fun and excitement of a contest!  One of the things you can enter to win over at MommyFest is one of my eBooks.  The winner can choose any one of my eBooks and download it immediately!  Or, here's another possibility . . . this little vintage basket pincushion. 

And if you post right here at mamas*little*treasures, you could be the winner of this Mommy Journal that has a hand-crafted patchwork cover.   These blog parties are one of the best ways to get out and meet other bloggers who share your interests.  I've met so many other moms and artists through my blogging, and I have learned so much!  Come on in and join the fun at MommyFest 2008 Blog Party - looking forward to meeting you!  Have a wonderful Friday,  Nina

Thoughts on a Thursday

Do you ever feel like your life is scattered in tiny pieces all over the universe?  I'm kind of feeling that way this morning . . . . we are in the process of moving our family from the mountains of Colorado back to the midwest.  Farm country.  That's where we're originally from, and I guess that is just where our "comfort zone" will always be.  I think that, as much as we have enjoyed parts of living here in the gorgeous Rocky Mountains, there were a number of things that just didn't work for us.  One aspect  of living at this elevation of 7,540 ft is obviously the altitude issues.  Seems like I've had a headache for the past three years!

We're from an area where there is a church on every corner, and in general, it's OK to be a church-going family, with two small  children.  One of the things that has been a huge culture adjustment for us living out here in the wild west, is that it seems that there are so many people who simply don't want to have children.  We're not used to that!  Where we come from, having children and being a family is held in high esteem.  I've actually had people out here tell me that they never wanted to have children because they were just too selfish!  I was surprised not only that they would think that way, but that they would say those words out loud. 

I guess I'm just feeling a little bit pulled in my emotions about leaving here.  We've made some friends, we were involved in a small community theater group that I was asked to start, we love our house.  But there is so much that we want for our children that just is not available to us here.  And we certainly feel like true outsiders when people discover that we go to church, and especially when they know that we already each raised four children before we adopted Gracie and Annie.  They think we're nuts!  Well, maybe we are . . . . but I don't appreciate being reminded of how "different" we are every time we go out in public, including to church.  My life feels like these little dishes of buttons.  Everything all tumbled together, intertwined somehow and yet each piece is a fragment.  But I'm reminding myself today when I look at my pretty button dishes, that even though all of the individual buttons are kind of jumbled up in a pile, the whole thing looks pretty good!  That's my life right now, and I know that all of the scattered pieces are coming together in God's little "button dish" of my world, and all those pieces will make a beautiful pattern soon.  Thinking good thoughts this Thursday for you!  Nina

Wordless Wednesday: Afraid of the dark

Here are my little darlin's who always tell me they are afraid of the dark! 

Wednesday: What Is It!

So what is it?  Well, that's the question that I hope we can all answer together, every week, right here at mamas*little*treasures.  I would like to start a Wednesday:  What Is It? challenge, and hope that some of you will share with us what you are working on every week.  I know that one of the things that I need to do is to get this blog connected with some other feed thingies (that's the problem, I can't quite figure out how all of that "feed" stuff works!).  So many of you have stopped by and commented in the past, but I know how easy it is to get lost in the blogosphere.  But I'm working on it.

So this is going to be my next focus . . . . working on getting my blog out where other artists and crafters can find this fun weekly challenge.  I realize that many "artists" do not want to be considered "crafters," and that's OK.  My goal is to reach all creative souls who love to just MAKE SOMETHING and share it with the world.  So, whether you consider yourself an "artist" or a "crafter," please join us as we create together and share our progress every Wednesday here at mamas*little*treasures.   

I think I'll spend some time today working on this little project so I can show you pictures later in the week, or at least by next Wednesday, and then while it is quiet around here this afternoon, I'll look for ways to link up with other artsy blogs and try to entice some of you to join me for Wednesday:  What Is It? 

Happy creating!  Nina

The Hound of Heaven, Revisited

Therefore I am now going to allure her;
I will lead her into the desert
and speak tenderly to her.
Hosea 2:14

Heather has chosen this Scripture from Hosea for this week's theme . . . . and her thoughts on this passage are so touching and inspiring.  As I re-read these verses and the rest of Hosea's story, I was reminded of how intensely God's love seeks us, even those of us who have taken a detour in our journey through life.  Through the experience of Hosea, God reveals the true depth of deception and depravity that Israel had fallen into.  The unfaithfulness of Hosea's wife, used as an analogy for the idolatry of Israel, is heartbreaking.  But we see ourselves in many of the sordid details of the "affair."  All too often we turn away, run away, are tempted to try out the things that are hidden in the darkness.  We ignore God, even if we don't outright defy Him.  We walk too close to the edge. 

I remember when my older children were small, we were taking a boat tour through the locks at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan.  I still have pictures of me, standing by the railing of the boat, peeking over the edge . . . . and on either side of me were my two oldest (probably about 4 and 6 years old), and I am holding on for dear life to the backs of their jackets!  Now, they weren't even really very close to the railing, but I was terrified of having them "too close to the edge."  I wonder if that is how God feels about us when we walk "too close to the edge" of sin and danger.  But the good news is that, even when we do walk that pathway that leads to destruction, at any moment we can turn around and go the other way.

And all the time, God is calling us back to Himself.  He is patient, He is gentle, He is persistent.  I am reminded of the poem "Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson: 

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; 

I fled Him, down the arches of the years;   

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways   

Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears 

I hid from him, and under running laughter.

                                     Up vistaed hopes I sped;    And shot, precipitated,

Adown titanic glooms of chasmed fears, 

                                     From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

But with unhurrying chase,   And unperturbed pace,       

        Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, They beat -- and a voice beat 

More instant than the Feet -- All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

These are just the first few lines of this 182 line poem, but I am so haunted by the vision of fleeing from the loving arms of our Heavenly Father, who pursues us even in our defiance.  I love the ending . . . . of course, I would!  And the words that bring me such comfort and encouragement are in the next to the last sentence - is it possible that the shadows that sometimes seem to surround me, actually the shade of His hand, reaching out to bring me home? 

"Whom wilt thou find to love ignoble thee,   Save Me, save only Me?   

All which I took from thee I did but take, Not for thy harms,

                    But just that thou might'st seek it in my arms.   

All which thy child's mistake,    

Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home: 

Rise, clasp My hand, and come! 

Halts by me that footfall: 

Is my gloom, after all, Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?    

"Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest, I am He Whom though seekest! 

Thou dravest love from thee, who dravest Me."

Thank you Heather for sharing this verse as this week's challenge to remember that He is ever seeking us . . . .no matter how far away we have wander or fled.  And He will not rest until He has pursued us and brought us back into his loving arms. 

Another pincushion tutorial!

Here ya go!  I've received a few requests for a tutorial on making this darling patchwork pincushion, and I finally got it finished up.  All you have to do is click on the image on my left sidebar, and you will get the PDF file all ready for you to download and print off.  Quick!  Make one for mom or grandma for Mother's Day.  This is one of those fun projects that you can make up in an hour or two. 

I know, some of us like to make those HUGE, time-consuming projects that take weeks to finish . . . . . . . right?   Mostly NOT!  Although I don't mind taking on a pretty big project (like my raggy patch jacket or the Twirly Bibs that take me a few afternoons to work on and finish) - we all LOVE to do a quick craft project that we can finish up before bedtime. And with these sweet little pincushions, you could make up a whole bunch of them to give as gifts, not just for Mother's Day but for birthdays or Christmas or Valentine's Day, or just because.  But be careful!  Making these pincushions can become rather addictive!  Once I found I could purchase little vintage containers at our local thrift shop, I suddenly discovered that I could make a pincushion out of just about anything!   

So, I'm working on several more tutorials for crafts (but it's a secret just what I'll come up with next!) because I know that you just love to do crafts and make things for your home and family.  Don't forget about my new eBook pattern for the Twirly Bibs . . . . . great fun for a spring and summer outfit for your little one.  Take a peek at the pincushion tutorial, and let me know what you think!  Happy Friday, Nina

In the land of Narnia

I feel like we are living in the land of Narnia . . . . always winter and never Christmas!  Well, and who would be thinking about Christmas today???   It is the first of May for goodness sakes!  I guess that goes with springtime in the mountains, but if you have been following this blog at all over the past few weeks, you know that recently we've been feeling like we live in the Twilight Zone.  Things have gone from bad to worse, as we have discovered that local law enforcement here in the wild, wild west is truly a "good ol' boys club," and we just don't belong.  Even though we've had crimes committed against our family, the "good ol' boys" who allegedly are the perpetrators, are "best friends" with lots of other "good ol' boys" at the county sheriff's department . . . .and the local police . . . . and even the judge seems to be in their pocket. 

So, not only are we terrified of local law enforcement as well as our neighbors, to add insult to injury, we woke up to SNOW on May 1st!  It is definitely time to move on to a place where we feel safe, and at least there is some kind of moral consciousness.  I guess we were naive, because it never occurred to us that you could go anywhere in the United States and still have this outlaw mentality, and we just don't have the biggest gun!  So, we lose.  This is the view out of my sewing room window this morning . . . . . I want to go where there are trees with real leaves, and grass, and flowers.  I'm weary of the dirt, dust, wind, and corruption.  There, I've whined enough for one day, let's move on to other things   ;-)

Here's one of the projects that I started before all of this craziness began.  Can you guess what it is?  I'm sure you recognize the traditional patches for a rag-patch quilt . . . but I've been inspired by some of the other designers who are making tote bags using this technique, and I decided to try something besides a quilt, too.  I hope that this will eventually be a little jacket for Gracie.  I'm going to make the front and back of the jacket from the rag patches, and then I think I will do the sleeves from a single fabric, but do a double thickness, like the patches, and do some stippling around the flowers, or the stripes, or whatever design is on the fabric that I end up using for the sleeves.  With the raggy patches, I could even make it reversible!  I'll show you when I get it finished, and you can let me know if I made a huge mess or if it just might be something fun and funky for a spring jacket!  I absolutely LOVE this Ginger Blossom fabric (have I mentioned that before???) and this combination is so fresh and just feels like spring!  Since I can't go anywhere in this May blizzard anyway, I guess I'll work on it a bit this afternoon, and I might even have a picture of it tomorrow. 

This is our house in the mountains . . . . isn't it beautiful?  I LOVE my house, but today there is more than the four inches of snow that is falling fast and furiously all around my house.  There is now a FOR SALE sign posted in my front yard.  So long, sweet house . . . . I can't live with this kind of uncertainty, fear, and corruption.  I'm going where there are laws, and people are actually expected to abide by them!

Anyone for sewing lessons?

So, I've been thinking . . . . I get lots of questions from moms who are just discovering the joys of sewing.  I've been sewing for a LONG time   ;o)  and I've written numerous eBook patterns (with more in the works!), but what about the possibility of offering online sewing classes?  I don't know for sure how that would work - perhaps weekly lessons with online accessibility to guidance, explanations, instructions - just as if we were in a class all together in my kitchen!  One lesson that I'm working on right now for either a class, eBook, or tutorial, is how to use a ruffler foot.  The problem with that project is that there are so many different types of ruffler foot(s) . . . . feet?   ;o)  Anyway, I'm doing some research on ruffler feet and when I have a good variety of types, then I can put together some instructions.  Now, I know that most of the time there are instructions that go with these things, but good grief!  They can be so tricky!  And since I've been doing this for almost my whole entire life, I've figured out a few things through trial and error, and if I can help someone else get the hang of it a little quicker than I did, well why not?  You see, it's not that I'm any better at this stuff than the next person, it's just that I've been doing it for so long, I've had lots of time to make mistakes and figure things out the hard way!  So why should you go through all that frustration? 

I'm thinking about the possibilities . . . . I'll keep you posted, and if you are interested, just drop me an email and tell me what you think about the idea, and we just might put together some online classes that will walk you, step-by-step, through some fun and simple projects to help you gain your confidence as you discover the joys of sewing!  Happy Thursday and hope to chat soon, Nina