Tote Bags

Another sewing project.  For my college roommates Christmas gifts, I made tote bags.  They turned out good, if I do say so myself.  I ordered the fabric online, and intended to have thicker fabric, but when it came in thin, I didn't have time to send it back.  Here's the tutorial I used to make them and a few pictures!

 

 

Party Time!

Let the Christmas updates begin!  I finally got all of my pictures uploaded, so I'm going to slowly start updating on all of my December/Christmas happenings.  First up is the student ministries leader Christmas party.  Every year the staff puts on a great party for all the leaders.  We had dinner, some assorted entertainment, and fun with friends.  I absolutely love the people I get to serve with, so it was a fun night to hang out with friends!

Katie and her wonderful made-by-Sarah snuggie!

Lisa!!

Fun friends!  Jen, Sarah, & Laura.

Mel!

Sweet Maddie!  She was one of the servers!

Our wonderful entertainment! They were a bit creepy.

Kyla & Lisa - love those girls!

Community Group minus Karla.  Jen, me, Katie, Sarah & Caryn.

Today

Today.  I am back at work after a week off.  I've been skiing with the high school kids from church. 

I've been to my grandparent's house for Christmas.  I've been to College Station for Christmas with Mama's side of the family. There's plenty of pictures and blog posts of all of these things to come.  But today, I'm sitting at my desk sifting through what came in this. 

The papers that will make me an official Certified Public Accountant.  That's right.  It's old news to most, but I passed the last part of my exam.  I am done forever with studying!  Done forever with balancing full-time job, student ministries, friends, AND studying for that gosh awful test!  I'm not sure I ever thought it would be done, but it is.  Praise the Lord!  Literally.  Months ago, while I was studying, my mom sent me these verses.  I've had them taped to my computer monitor ever since. 

May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed. 
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will life up our banners in the name of our God. 
May the LORD grant all your requests. 
Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand. 
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.   
                                       Psalm 20: 4-7

I love reading these verses now.  I did shout for joy the morning I got my scores.  I was on ski trip.  It was 5am.  I woke up and pulled the website with the scores up on my iPhone.  When I saw that I had passed, that I was done forever, the tears fell.  Tears of joy, tears of accomplishment, tears of praise to the Lord.  Glory to God - He is good!

You Hold Me Now

We sang this newish to me song at Shoreline on Sunday night.  I absolutely love the words and it was extremely powerful to hear a room full of high school students singing these words. I always love listening to our students worship; it just doesn't get much better than that.  If you have a minute, read the words, and listen (I put a link there at the bottom where you can listen). The words do a great job of putting into perspective what heaven will be and why it's something we should long for.

You Hold Me Now, Hillsong United

On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see you face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain, no suffering
You hold me now, You hold me now
No darkness, no sick or lame, no hiding
You hold me now, You hold me now

In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I'm believing for the day

Where the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

No weeping, no hurt or pain, no suffering
You hold me now, You hold me now
No darkness, no sick or lame, no hiding
You hold me now, You hold me now

For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your Name

• You Hold Me Now by Hillsong United

More Hillsong United music on iLike

Why oh why...

...must everything so beautiful cost so much money. Exhibit A - Smart Wool tights. I happened upon them when I was out at lunch finishing up my family Christmas shopping. I mean, first of all, I love tights. I like being able to wear skirts and dresses in the winter. Second, I love smart wool. I wear their socks to run in a lot. Everything is so soft, these tights included. But these tights are $44. Yes, I said $44...for tights!!! They are beautiful, soft, and oh so nice. And they are purple. I love them. But I definitely don't think they are worth $44. Sad day...so for now, I'll just dream.

Shame of the organzational variety...

Okay...so we all know I'm a nerd.  I think that has been well established.  I'm sure that most of you also know that I love excel and lists.  The list of reasons I'm nerdy has sadly grown by massive proportions this week. I found myself getting a little stressed with everything that needed to be done before I leave for ski trip next Friday.  Yes, a week and a half. And right when I get back I head to Granbury for Christmas with my family.  So all the Christmas shopping and wrapping and sewing has to be done in a week and a half.  SO, amidst the craziness of Christmas parties and everything else going on, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed.  So, what did I do?  I created an excel spreadsheet.  With a tab for every day between now and when I leave.  Every day has an events section and a "to do" section.  I also have a master To Do list tab so that I can cross things off when they are done.  And a Gifts tab, so that I make sure I get everyone's gift passed out that I need to before I leave.  And a ski trip packing list tab.  I know - it's sad.  But it makes me feel less stressed.  And I feel better now that I have that off my chest!

Sewing project time

I'm going to start sharing my sewing projects on the blog as I give them to people.  Just because I spent so much time on them.  And I like them.  This first one was actually Laura's birthday present.  I found the tutorial here. It's a really small purse...I kind of wish it was just a bit bigger, but it turned out well. I was a little proud of myself, seeing that it involved pleats, lining, a pocket, and even a magnetic fastener.  Overall it was pretty easy though, and the tutorial was pretty easy to follow.  And because I just took a photography class last night, and I took these pictures a few days ago, I'm being hyper critical of them, but it's okay.  You'll get the picture.

 

 

Buried...in fabric

I have very much been enjoying the month of December.  I have spent the bulk of it behind my sewing machine.  Or hanging out with friends.  And it has been delightful.  I have pictures, but they will have to wait until after people have received their gifts.  I'm almost done with all of my handmade gifts.  The ones you have to buy at the store, I still need to take care of.  I love Christmas, but I hate the mall in December.  It's awful. 

Yesterday I had my sewing machine set up at our dining room table.  My fabric was everywhere, the iron was plugged in, and there were piles all over the floor.  I notice a couple of cars pull up that I don't recognize.  Turns out, it's a realtor that didn't read that we require a couple of hours notice before the house is shown.  She came to the door pleading with us to let her show the house because the people were driving from "the other side of town" to see the house.  So Julie and I quickly tried to clean up and ran out of the house for the 45 minutes they were there.  I mean, hopefully they are really interested and want to buy it, but just funny that the first time the house has shown in a month came with such drama.  Just have to love it.

There are so many things I want to make right now that I've found as I've been looking for Christmas gift ideas.  I have a growing list of "after Christmas" projects.  Such as...

Jersey Skirt from Ruffles and Stuff

Freezer Paper Stenciling from MADE.  Not necessarily goldfish pants, but something cute!

Scrap Pillow from Cluck Cluck Sew

Anthropologie inspired scarf from Pretty Ditty

And that's just to name a few...I have a problem.  So, hopefully I'll be sewing year round instead of only in December as has been the case the last couple of years!