Change Brings More Change

Change Brings More Change

Change as in planning, prepping, priming, painting, purchasing new furniture, and assembly, of course!

Plastic drop clothes ... for the win!

Deciding on the perfect color ... Bit of Sugar by Behr Flat Interior paint

Gathering all the needed tools of the trade.

First up ... prep and priming ... KILZ primer to cover the dark heavy gray color on the walls.

My new sewing room furniture ordered and delivered.

Now for the assembly ...

I promise to post the big reveal of my new space once everything is in place.

 

Granny Squares Project

 Granny Squares Project

I started a new crochet project ... Granny Squares. It may be a pillow, a tote bag, or a blanket. At the moment I'm just making the squares. I've made granny squares before. I made a pillow with the few granny squares I had made. Granny squares are fun to make and after search YouTube for tutorials I've found there are many granny squares variations. 

 

More Crochet - Pretty Pink Balloon Animal

 More Crochet

Pretty Pink Balloon Animal

With the winter storm predicted ... and didn't arrive, I spent my weekend crocheting the new pattern I had purchased the week prior.

I purchased the pattern on Etsy from @KnotMonster

The pattern is well written and was fun to crochet.

I won't lie ... it took me over an hour to figure out how to twist it into the actual balloon animal. HAHAHA!!!!

In the end if finally figured it out and I'm very happy with how it turned out.

More Crochet

 More Crochet

Several years ago I purchased a crochet book on Amazon (see below) but not until recently did I feel as though I had the skills to try any of the patterns.

Recently I challenged myself to try one of the patterns from the book. This cute little baby bumble bee. Then I moved on to begin another pattern from the book.

This cute little troll, I still need to complete his arms, ears, and face.

This book is very well written and the patterns are so cute and easy to understand and follow. 

I'm enjoying the process so much!

2026 - Here We Go!

 2026 - Here We Go!!!

The past few years I have completed a yearly BINGO card of goals. I love a list!

I won't lie ... a blank BINGO card is pretty intimidating!

But, pretty exciting too!

The possibilities are endless!

2026 ... Here We Go!!!

Success!

 Success!

There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing a goal you have set for yourself ... except for watching your child achieve one of their goals.

My youngest son is now a Pilot.

My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

 My Favorite Yearly Birthday Gift

The Advent Calendar by Stitch Supple Co.

Happy Birthday to me!

#62

Festival of Tables

 Festival of Tables

What a blessing, I spent a wonderful evening with friends in fellowship at East Maryville Baptist Church.

Me and the ladies

The tables were decorated differently by members of the church and they were all so beautiful and thoughtfully decorated. We were asked to vote on our favorite tablescape and it was so fun walking around looking at all of the tables and talking with everyone.

The gentlemen of the church served us an amazing and delicious dinner ... and I chose carrot cake for dessert. It did not disappoint.

It was a wonderful evening from beginning to end. Sherree Bowen the guest speaker was so uplifting and encouraging. And, I enjoyed seeing and spending time with sweet friends.

It was a powerful evening.

Inspiration and a Super Moon

 Inspiration and a Super Moon

Fall gloriousness continues, thank goodness, it's time to finish up some homemade gifts for the holidays.

I made a few candles earlier in the year and I really enjoyed it. Which has inspired me to make a few for the holidays.

I saw this cute little mug rug on instagram and I'm considering making a few of these.

They are so cute!

Earlier in the month we were blessed with an amazing and truly beautiful Super Moon and somehow this was also very inspiring for me.

Gardening Goals

 Garden Goals

For several years I have been wanting to build my backyard into a gardening haven of vegetables, herbs, and fruits ...

and year after year I fail miserably.

In the coming year, I have decided that I am going to focus on a small doable area. My inspiration comes for this book.

I've been complying the types of vegetables, herbs, and fruits I would like to grow. Along with some garden elements I would like to implement. Then this coming spring it is my thought to establish one garden element at a time. 

Once that garden element is fully established, I will add another ... and so on

Maybe 2026 will be my backyard gardening year!

Community

Community

I love things that bring us together as a community. Family, church, talents and games are just a few of those examples.

Last week these lovely like minded ladies came over for pizza and yarn fun. Over the years my daughter has been learning to knit and crochet, a few months ago our friend from our social bowling league asked me if I would teach her how to knit.

And just like our community of makers is growing.

😃😃😃

This beautiful hat was made by a young lady who didn't know how to knit 5 months ago! Amazing talent in just a few short months.

Community, friendship, and sharing of time and talents.

IDEAS

 IDEAS

Social media does have it's usefulness ... so many creative people out there with amazing ideas! Here are a few of the ideas that I have found inspiring

This quilt was at the Smoky Mountain Quilters Quilt Show I recently attended.

It is a pattern by Lori Holt and is called Millie's Dresses

I 💖 this!

So clever and beautiful

As a height challenged person who hates to hem ... what a creative fun alternative to just hemming

I love this pillow 💖

I love the simplicity of this beautiful Red/White quilt.

I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

The cuteness ... the colors ... the blocks 💗💗💗

Lots of Thrifting Lately

 Lots of Thrifting Lately

No ... I'm not really a thrifter, I only say that because I'm not really a shopper. Shopping is not my idea of fun. I am an online shopper but as of late I have become a brick and mortar shopper. For several reasons but mostly because I am working toward handmade and/or thrifted Christmas gift giving this year.

Note ... I don't know how it is in other places but in my area thrifting is NOT always cheaper. Goodwill and KARM in my local area are pricing items OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH, in my opinion.

That being said, I have still found some good deals. I can't show you all of the items I have purchased as ... they will be Christmas gifts and/or part of Christmas gifts.

Goodwill

$1.99 - Santa mug - this will be part of a Christmas gift.

KARM 

$3.99 - 6 brass switch plates purchased for my daughter. Not a Christmas gift, I'm always on the lookout for decorative switch plates and such for her to upgrade details in her home.

Local Thrifting Event

 Local Thrifting Event

Social media does have it's usefulness ... I enjoy the EVENT Suggestions of upcoming happenings in my area.

That being said, yesterday I spent a nice afternoon browsing all of the booths at the Bargain Hunters Antique & Flea Market. I also went to Nostalgia's 2nd location which is in the same center as the Antique & Flea Market.

Anything and everything could be found here!

As you know, it is my mission this year to have a handmade Christmas. Handmade and thrifted. What I mean by thrifted, is that I need a few unique containers, vessels, and/or box type items to contain the handmade gifts.

Smoky Mountain Quilter's 44th Annual Quilt Show

 Smoky Mountain Quilter's 44th Annual Quilt Show

Week before last I took a couple of days of vacation and over that weekend the Expo Center hosted the Smoky Mountain Quilter's 44th Annual Quilt Show. 

This quilt show is near and dear to my heart, in years past I have entered quilts in the show and won a couple of ribbons. The Smoky Mountain Quilter's Quilt Guild do a wonderful job putting on this annual quilt show with quilts on display and quilty vendors with amazing fabrics, patterns, kits, machines and notions of all sorts. This year's show was no different.

Mountain Top Fabrics and More

A friend from my hometown and her husband have a quilt shop that had a wonderful booth at this year's quilt show. It was great to see her and browse their booth.

I purchased a quilt pattern by Lori Holt called Millie's Dresses and a beautiful stack of blue fabrics.

I think I am entering my "Blue" Phase.

Van Gogh

Van Gogh

I spent a wonderful day with my daughter enjoying and learning about Van Gogh and his art. Everything about the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is visually pleasing. EVERYTHING!