Two Unrealized Aspirations of 2025

2025 is long gone. However, I started this blog post in November of last year. 🤣 At the beginning of 2025, I made a list of three things I wanted to accomplish. Not resolutions, just three simple sounding things that I thought would challenge me beyond my comfort zone  be fun during the year. The first thing I wanted to do was learn how to make Sourdough Bread. 

                                           

                                                       Image: Jennifer Burke, Unsplash

All the videos and books on breadmaking (I bought this amazingly beautiful Bread Dough book) made it sound relatively simple and something that would be an outlet for destressing. Hmph. That might be true but it is not something I have achieved this year. I didn't even make a new starter after killing my old one. Now you say, but Anne, you made a starter! I did. Then life became even more incredibly busy, and I forgot about it. Our newest grand son arrived in February 2025 and they live extremely close to us, so daily life became all about babies/toddlers...again. They're sweet and cuddly and lots of fun, but they're also exhausting for this 'old' lady. LOL

Image: Laura Adai, Unsplash

I also had on my list two non-fiction books that I wanted to read, plus I planned on reading through the Bible on audio. One book has been on our shelf for years. One I bought just for the purpose of reading it in 2025. Did I get either one read? Nope. I started the one I purchased at the end of last year and hope to actually carve out some time to finish it. It's relevant for today's culture, especially after the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, which happened on my birthday. I'm behind on my read through the Bible in 6 month plan, however I don't plan on stopping. I'm determined to finish it even if I go into 2026, which I probably will. I have to say I've really enjoyed listening to it. The narrator for the ESV version in the YouVersion app has a soothing deep voice. :) 

And now it is...May 2026!!! 

I don't know where the time has gone. Life is busy on the homestead, and I decided to teach myself to quilt near the end of Summer 2025. As of today, I've made 9 quilts!!! So maybe that's where the time has gone...into my sewing room. I've given away all but two of them. I have several more already planned and fabric already collected or purchased. 

Most of the stuff I was whining about not getting done in 2025 hasn't been done now either. LOL

Oh well.

Life goes on. And I'd rather be sewing anyway. 

The above quilt is a large throw I made using the Partial Seam Block pattern. It's the second one I've made using that pattern. Super easy for a beginner! I gifted this one to a friends daughter who reminds me of our sweet Amy who passed away on Mothers Day 2012. 

I've listened to a few really good books on audio while quilting and I plan on sharing those at some point. I'll mention this one now...The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. I know lots of folks don't like any P&P variations but this one is fabulous! I wasn't sure about it either, and it is kind of tedious to get through part one as it's a retelling of P&P through Mary's eyes, but the story is oh, so good. I highly recommend the book!!!

What's Summer 2026 looking like for y'all? Anything exciting planned? 

Just a Little Crochet Project...

It's been over 30 years since I picked up a crochet hook. I've never worked with bulky yarn either but it is so soft and lovely that I couldn't resist it. I've taken so many rows out and re-done them, it's ridiculous. I'm determined to make this scarf with even rows though. I'm getting close to the length I want it to be, then it's on to making tassels. I know, it's a hot project for summer. I actually started back in late winter, but life became busy and I didn't finish it. My plan is to get it done before September so I can start on a couple of other crochet projects that I want to make for Christmas gifts. I got a spectacular deal on yarn at newly opened thrift store in our little town!! 

How's your summer going? Are you working on any special projects? Leave me a comment and let's chat!

An Unintentional Blogging Break

I really didn't mean to take a blogging break but summer became one big crazy thing!! So much has happened but hopefully all is on the UP side now. 

Praying it is so!

I've been reading a few good books over the summer that I plan on reviewing here. I'm on the launch team and just finished my review copy of a new book coming out in October, The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright. If you've read any of Jaime Jo's novels you know they are epic suspense bordering on thriller, which I love!!! 

As for craftiness, Slow Stitch is my medium nowadays although my husband did buy me a new sewing machine a couple of months ago!! I'm excited to get to where I can use it regular. Taking it in and out of a case is such a hassle. Or I'm super lazy ;) This is a piece I made for my oldest granddaughters 10th birthday this month. It's a combo of applique, beading, and slow stitch. The butterfly was a beast to bead but I think it came out pretty. 

If you're on Facebook, I'm in an awesome group called Roxy's Journal of Stitchery. Soooo many uber-talented stitchers in there. Come on over and check it out! You don't have to post your work (I haven't yet) but you can still enjoy and be encouraged by the other stitchers. It's a project oriented group that two sisters lead with video etc. You can find them on YouTube and check it out first!

Well, lovelies, I'm off to do stuff and get stuff done!

Anne's 2021 Top Reads

While I wasn't any kind of marathon reader in 2021, I did read some really good books! I had set a goal on Goodreads to read 20 books. I managed to exceed that and read 36. Now mind you, they weren’t all fiction. I actually read and reviewed several non-fiction titles that consisted of devotionals and journals, an Amish cookbook, and a lovely photography book. I only read 28 fiction books in 2021, of which three or four were audio books.

I have found that as much as I love to immerse myself in a good book, when my creative side suffers, I suffer, so I put aside my desire to read many of the popular CF books available to learn the art of slow stitching and beading. My sister is a master craftswoman in anything to do with a needle so through many texts, images, and video chats she helped me along the way to learning a new craft that I absolutely love!! I have a lot to learn but I was pretty pleased with how my first piece turned out and my granddaughter loves it so that’s all that matters, right?!

My husband and I officially moved back to NC just before Christmas after six years in VA. We just couldn't let our little "hobby farm" go over the years so we're back in the same place we fell in love with almost 23 years ago. There is a lot to do to get rid of extraneous items we don’t need so we can start back a couple of the things we enjoyed so much the first 18 years we lived here, like raising chickens and starting our greenhouse back up.

Oh yeah, back to books, right? In no particular order, I’ve listed seven books that I would highly recommend to my friends. One author made the list twice!!! Each book title is a hyperlink to my review on Goodreads, in case you want to see what I thought. J

When Forever Fades (Spencer Family 2) by Andrea Boyd

 

Sword of Trust (Winds of Change 2) by Debbie Lynne Costello

 

Hours to Kill (Homeland Heroes 3) by Susan Sleeman

 

Let It Be Me (A Misty River Romance 2) by Becky Wade

 

Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

Hope Between the Pages by Pepper D. Basham

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper D. Basham

Thanks for hanging in here! If you’ve read any of these books, let me know in the comments. If not, share what you read this year and enjoyed. Do you have any recommendations for me?

Have a blessed New Year!!

WINNER!!!!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice 

won the bookmark from my 

Guest Post ~ Teresa Tysinger, multi-published author + Bookmark Giveaway post.

Tomorrow is the LAST day to enter the Kindle book giveaway for Something Borrowed Christmas Weddings Collection. It's open internationally as long as you can retrieve the book. 

~Have a blessed Sabbath~

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*Top Frame image: https://pixabay.com/users/annimousey-953628/

Fun Christmas Craft Ideas

I realize Thanksgiving isn't even here yet but I signed up to participate in an ornament exchange. The ornament has to be mailed out by Dec 1 so I am on the hunt for something quick and easy yet still pretty. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment and let me know.

As I was perusing YouTube, I came across a couple of super fun looking crafts and messy is always better, right? :-)

This one uses paper and glue (lots of glue!), food coloring and sea salt. 

I'm pretty sure you could do the same thing with clear plastic ornaments and it would be safe for the kiddos to make some too!

I am a fan of rustic and shabby so this next ornament might be my favorite!
I think I will definitely be trying this one out.

What do you think? Any of these ideas you might want to try?

I'll be sure and share my finished Christmas ornaments!

~Happy Crafting~

Getting My Crafting On -- DIY Tea Cup Bird Feeder

I have wanted a Tea Cup Bird Feeder for years. I've seen different ones for sale online but they are rather pricey. Since I collect tea cups and have plenty of extras, I decided to Google it and found numerous tutorials and style feeders to choose from. Knowing my sister was coming for a short visit this past Sunday, I let her choose a tea cup to have her bird feeder made from.

This is not a tutorial but I did follow this one -- Hanging Tea Cup Bird Feeder -- posted by Busted Button. It really is easy peasy! 

Two things I will do different next time are use less E6000 glue (it doesn't take much) and heavier chain. I bought a pretty good weight chain in the jewelry making department at ACMoore but I think it could use a heavier chain. I will try the hardware store for the next one. 

I left the lobster claw hook on one end of the chain so I could attach a cubic zirconia Cross from an old necklace because my sister and I share a love for tea cups, birds, and Jesus! Plus it gives it a little pizazz! Kind of pretty, huh?

The china pattern isn't marked on the bottom of the cup or plate but it is a solo set that I found at a thrift store years ago. It makes a pretty feeder for the birds. They have a little place to set their delicate feet and a pretty tea cup to feast out of to their hearts content.

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ~Psalm 23:5

 Ignore the yucky brick. We are in the process of getting a new roof and then it is on to pressure washing everything. Until then, the red brick still makes a nice backdrop for this Tea Cup Bird Feeder that is soon to be on its way to south Florida!

I have already chosen another tea cup and started making it a bit different from this one. The cup is tilted sideways and will be hung with twine instead of chain. I'll be sure and post pictures when it is finished. One of these days I am going to get really crafty and make a wooden birdhouse! :-)

Have you made your own bird feeder or birdhouse?

~Have a blessed day in the Lord~

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ~Matthew 6:26

Faith-based Art Journaling

With two major moves in a year, I've been a little stressed out. My art supplies have been pretty much packed away because there was no place to unpack and set them up. I stuck to coloring most of the time. It's a great stress reliever and doesn't take up much space. 

But lately, I've had the 'itch' to do more. While digging through a box a week ago, I found my 5x7 Strathmore mixed media book. That led me to open more boxes and pretty soon I had accumulated a few supplies to help me with my 'need' to illustrate my thoughts on paper. I created this art journal page using Gesso, liquid inks, a Prismacolor marker and paper flowers w/ stick on centers. Since my handwriting is not anything to praise, I printed out the lettering using a design I made with Picmonkey.

taken with phone camera so quality is not good

These words resonate with me because ofcircumstances that have arisen in my life recently. They are based on numerous Scriptures I've read but mostly Proverbs 16:24 where it says ~

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, 

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Father, make my words pleasant.

Amen.

: : : 

Do you ever feel the need to illustrate your feelings/thoughts on paper? If so, what's your favorite way to express them? Please share, as I am always looking for new ideas. :)

Patriotic Wreath Project {USAF}

Here's my Patriotic Wreath! 

For the most part, I'm pleased with how it turned out. I probably could have sprayed a little more paint on it for better coverage but I'm impatient and didn't want to wait. In other words, I procrastinated and made it at the last minute. ;-)

I found the idea for the light wash of color on the 'palette' from Pinterest too. Adding silver glitter to the white letters gives it a sparkle! They were rather dull and flat looking otherwise.

Our front door is teal colored and it looked ridiculous hanging up there, so I decided to hang it on one of my repurposed shutters and sit it out on our deck. We spend a lot of time out there and it's perfect for this USAF family living near an AF base. 

I think this wreath is versatile for any of our holidays that celebrate America and our Military.

I'm going on a short blogging break (as mentioned in my previous post) so I can spend time with our very own Airman who is coming for a visit, along with his brother.

See y'all in a couple of weeks!

May the Lord bless you!!!

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Patriotic Wreath Inspiration

My fingers have been itching to get back in the craft room and make a Military themed wreath. I saw this project on Michael's Pinterest board this morning and knew it's just the inspiration I need!

Michael's

Since I already had a Grapevine Wreath I found at Goodwill for $2.00, I thought this would be an easy and economical project. I have to modify my 'sign' since the one at Michael's is a whopping $25.00! That, my friends, is not in my budget. Not even with a 40% off coupon. I combed through their clearance area and found an alternative 'board', alphabet letters and glitter, along with the prerequisite red bandana. I also found some cute clear stick-on stars that will work for a flag I am painting as my sign. Hopefully, it will look good and not need to go in the trash when I am finished. It's been a while since I made a wreath!  I'm looking forward to working on my project this evening. I'll post finished wreath pictures later.

Have you made any decorations for Military holidays? Where do you go for ideas/inspiration?

~Happy Crafting~

Jazzing up a Napkin Holder

I love searching for items I can use in our home to make it feel more welcoming! Several months ago I came across this wooden fish shaped napkin holder in the thrift store. Even though it's pretty as is (it's made out of beautiful Koa Wood from Hawaii with detailed engraving for the fins and eyes), I wanted to give it a little pizazz for my table decor.

Keeping the project simple, I gathered up supplies of Liquitex, Mod Podge, crumpled Tissue Paper, Sand Paper, Paint Brushes and White Spray Paint.

I started out by roughing up the finish using *extra fine sand paper so that my spray paint would adhere better. After wiping off the powdery residue, I spray painted all of the napkin holder except the bottom. Gotta be able to sit it down to dry ;-)

Once dry, I applied Liquitex using my sponge brush, one side at a time and then carefully pressed each piece of tissue paper onto the surface, leaving a little bit hanging over the edges. This was kind of tricky as it wanted to keep sticking to my fingers and pull away from the surface of the holder, but I was victorious! I let it dry for about 10 minutes then applied the Mod Podge to completely seal it. I trimmed the edges when fully dry.

I'm quite pleased that the detailed etchings of the fins and eyes are still visible. The 'new' napkin holder adds a nice splash of color.

What have you re-purposed or recycled lately? 

Please feel free to share in the comments below. I am always looking for new ideas!

~Happy Crafting~

*I used extra fine sand paper so it would not scratch the wood

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'Vintage' Baby Girl Mini Album

It's been a while since I posted any craft projects. This is a mini album I made for my first granddaughter,
who is getting ready to turn 3!

Yes, I know. 

But I really did make the album almost two years ago so I'm only behind in posting the photos. :)

And speaking of photos, my daughter took these as I didn't have a very good camera at the time. I totally forgot about them and found them on a shared drive the other day. That's what really prompted me to post them. Otherwise, I would have happily gone through life thinking I didn't have any pictures of it to share. *snort*

I purchased a canvas mini album from the craft store. I don't remember which one as it has been so long but if I find another one I am buying it too. I really enjoyed working with the canvas!

The pearls are Prima, and most of the flower embellishments are probably Prima, but I handmade a few flowers from the scrapbook paper, too.

I'm famous for finding odd craft supplies for a discount and then trying to piece them all together.
 Another great place to buy supplies is Mighty Dollar.

Seriously.

They are cheap but name brands!

I made plenty of little pockets to slip things into, along with tags.

I love tags!

Okay, this picture looks a little green. I don't remember using green ink. 
My go-to ink is Soft Suede by Stampin'Up!

Embroidery floss is magic. Really. It makes such a pretty addition to any page!

There's that nasty green tint again. Hmmm...could have been my editing but I'm not claiming it. :)

There's a homemade flower up there^^^. Those are fun to make. Just cut out a circle (doesn't have to be perfect), dampen it with water and wad it up, let dry, unfold and layer with another one, adding a pearl or button. Voilà, you are done!

More handmade flowers!

Of course it's vintage themed because that's what I like best!

Lots of tags for journaling! Prima pearls and stamping, oh yeah!

See, it really is Soft Suede around the edges. Looks way better than green. :)

I love the side view!!!

Mini albums are my favorite craft to make. I now have several more that need putting together, so I think part of my summer will be busy. 

Oh, not for my daughter! Only one more for her baby who just turned one. 

But I have a new grand nephew, and two new grand nieces!

Have you been creating anything fun lately? Do share!

~Happy Crafting~

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