Well it's finally here

Well, I went to the art show not really expecting to see my work, as I thought they were rotating them, but I saw them both! and took photos next to both of them... hee hee.

Wow... there were some amazing pieces of art, and I feel in the mood to get painting again now I have something to aspire to...

Palm Trees, 21st birthday

Just finished these. Not up to a proffessional standard, but they're just freebees for a friend.

The first pic are the trees without the outline, and the second one is one of the finished trees (there were 3), completed. It's amazing the difference an outline can make!

Whipped them up...

Well, here are some ponchos I will be putting on Felt... and here is the "nightie with pj pants" Catherine requested I make out the Winsiette I've had for over a year now.

I have made myself a pair of trousers... and they look really good... but they are tight by about 3 cm and hurt my tummy like anything... which is a pity. Good thing I have enough material for one more pair. Let's hope it's lucky third!

Just lying in bed and I had to get up and write this...
I've read Anthony Robberts book, I've read Dr. Phils book, I've read "7 habbits of highly effective people", I've been to physca-drama sessions and spent 3 months in councilling. They all say pretty much the same thing, and I've realised... all I needed was the word of God!
They all basically teach that we have core-beliefs. Things we believe and say to ourselves over and over, or are subconcious. So they teach we need to challenge those beliefs and come up with new ones, because if we say something to ourself long enough it becomes a self-fullfilling prophecy. Like "I'm useless, I can't do it"... the more you say it , the more it comes true!
I was told to come up with a new one. The closest I could come to something I could believe was "I'm not useless, I'm just out of practice"!!...
Now the bible teaches the same thing. "Renew your mind daily"... and now I want to say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

Crochet Clutches

Here is the link to the crocheted clutches I put up on the FELT website today. They are $20 - $25 each.

I will also be putting up soon pictures of some trousers I have made myself... there is a cool clearance outlet shop for fabric here in South Auckland, and I bought enough fabric for two pairs of pants for $12! I love that.....

BACKSLIDING

Here is a study on scripture on backsliding... the verses that stick out to me anyhow.

The books of the prophets are before and during the exile of Israel into captivity. Basically, God has had enough!! Ignoring God's warnings, God send them to a terrible fate, 70 years of captivity - for the purposes of bringing them back to himself.

I love the books of the prophets. They are full of God expressing Himself to us. Some of it will probably be offensive to some people and maybe embarrassing to people who like to think God as a loving (ineffective) God. We try to hide the harshness of God, when God himself expresses this freely in the scriptures. But intermingled with expressions of anger, are deep expressions of love. God is a passsionate God! Here is a short study I have done, and things I have learnt about God.

THE HARSHNESS OF GOD:
"I will make them eat the flesh of thier sons and daughters, and they willl eat one another's flesh during the stress of the siege imposed on them by the enemies who seek their lives" Jeremiah 19.9

BUT REMEMBER:
"Why will you die, O house of Israel? for I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereing Lord. Repent and Live!" Ezekiel 18. 32

GOD HAD WARNED THEM FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS!!!
"All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations - a people who provoke me to my very face"

AND STILL AT THE LAST MOMENT, GOD WAS TRYING TO WARN THEM
" Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, each of them will turn from his wicked way; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin"

THE PAIN OF GOD AT THE MEASURES HE HAD TO TAKE:
"Turn away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people" Isaiah 22 4

GOD'S LOVE FOR US, AND THE OUTCOME OF IT ALL:
"The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant"
" I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be thier God and they will be my people"
"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember thier sins no more"
Jeremiah 31.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for peace and not disaster. Plans to give you a future filled with hope" Jeremiah 29.11

some thoughts

I told a friend I had gone through a really hard time, and she said to me..."well, God only gives what He knows you can handle". My reply was, "well, if not killing yourself is handling it then I guess I did!". My reply now would be, that's totally not biblical!! In the bible it says that God sometimes uses the thing we are scared of the most to discipline us. (sorry I don't have the verses on hand). That would make sense, because I remember making deals with God on my bed, that he was allowed to chop off my legs, let me go blind, let me go deaf, but sorry... He was not allowed to take my sanity... and that's the very thing He took! And allowing things we can "handle" is not biblical either. He brings us to the point where we can't handle it, so we have no choice but to rely on Him..... I'll have to get those verses, coz it's an interesting study... which I've NEVER heard preached in church, but I know I found it out in my own bible studies.... maybe that's my job for today... we'll see.

I've found the verses! here they are:
"I will hand you over to those who seek your life, those you fear..." Jeremiah 22.25
"... so I also will choose harsh tratment for them and will bring on them what htey dread" Isaiah 66.4

Poo Bum!

I thought I'd be productive and use the time to sew up a hat before Catherine's bed time. It was an untested pattern I had in my pattern folder. Mushroom head anyone?

Craft Revolution...

Well, I had a nice morning at my first ever craft fair: Craft Revolution. I had on display my wall decals, which I found out actually needed a bit of explaining, and also my sewing (bags) and crocheted clutches. I had a friend, Myra, who gave me a bit of moral support, my daughter, and met a nice seller "nobue kinoshita" who sells beautiful hand crafted jewellery.

I think I will open a felt shop soon. (It's the New Zealand version of etsy.)

The organisers gave us each a little thank you gift, and I'm booked for the next market in August.