My Plea

As I was reading this morning this verse touched my heart. I have read this verse many times before, but this morning it truly is my plea. May I truly try to find those things in my heart that displease the Lord and work to change them. It seems that I sometimes let anxious thoughts take control and this shouldn't be.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Point out anything in me that offends you.

More Summer Sewing

I just finished two new tanks from the free Colette Sorbeto pattern. You can find the pattern here. It is so cute and really easy. No facings. You use bias binding to finish the neck and armholes. The tanks are short but will be perfect under cardigans for work. You can easily add length to them. I will wear them this summer alone with shorts and capris. The armholes are not too big, I don't wear many sleeveless tops but these are modest.

Here is a close-up of the facings.

I used a dritz bias tape maker to make the bias tape. It is so easy and the little tool only costs around $5.00. I love this finishing technique and may never make a facing again. I hate facings. Here is a picture of the tool and the bias tape.

I have found a new author that I am enjoying this summer. Through a friend, I heard about Mary Kay Andrews books and I have really been plowing through them. I have read Savannah Breeze, Deep Dish, Fixer Upper, and have Summer Rental on hold at the library to pick up tomorrow. So far, Fixer Upper has been my favorite, but all of them are really good.

Hope everyone is having a great summer! It will soon be over and back to work I go. I am looking forward to the new school year.

"Simply" Scrappy

Since David and I seem to be eating all our meals in the living room lately, I decided I needed coasters. With some coordinated cotton scraps in hand, I decided to make some quilted coasters. A "simple" project....right? Each of the coasters is 5" square, so each little block is 1". I love how they turned out, but these pieces are much to small and this project was much too tedious to be deemed fun. Below is a picture of the solid backs. Note to self: these are perfectly fine as solids!

Summer Projects

I had many projects around the house planned for my summer off from school. Since the summer has reached the half way mark, I have completed a good many of the projects that were planned. My first priority was to do some cleaning around the house. So the first two weeks were spent doing those jobs that didn't get much attention during the school year. I had many sewing projects planned and most of those have been completed. I also wanted to refinish some furniture pieces that are in the attic and could be cleaned up and used. I have been reading several blogs with some amazing "rags to riches" furniture painting projects that have motivated me. I started with a small dresser that has been in both the kids' rooms at one time or another, painted in shades from white to a hammered gunmetal grey. It is a piece that I picked up free when the kids were little. It is not good wood, just a mix of wood and pressboard, so I thought if I just hated it I wouldn't have lost much. I started with a good sanding. Here is a picture during the sanding process.

I then applied two coats of primer and sanded in between each coat.

I then used an eggshell latex paint in Rain Mist. I love this color. The color really looks washed out in the pictures, but it really is a pretty, watery blue. After two coats of paint and sanding I used a brown antiquing wash followed by a paste wax finish and new hardware. I love it! Now I am ready to paint anything that is not moving.

Here is a better picture of the finish.

Summertime!

We are deep into summer here in South Georgia. My garden is beginning to fade with the heat, but there are some plants that just seem to thrive in the hot, dry, Georgia summer. My zinnias, dahlias, daylilies, and lantana are perking up the backyard now. I have one more month before school begins again and several projects to finish before then. I have been sewing quite a bit lately and have a couple of pieces of old furniture yet to paint. David and I ran off to the beach last weekend and had a great time. It is amazing what a little sand, sun, and surf will do for the soul.

We really need to do this more often. We are looking forward to visiting with family during the remainder of the month of July. I hope you all are having a great, relaxing summer. See you soon!

Spring is Coming!

After a long gray winter, signs of Spring are popping up. I know it is really too early to start planting, but my fingers are itching to get started. Easter is really late this year (April 24), so I know I need to wait. Now is a good time to plan. I have been looking at garden catalogs and I want everything. I must pare it down to a few additions this year. I am looking forward to visiting Bethany in Raleigh during Spring Break. We are planning a visit to a farmer's market and large flea market. I wonder what I can stash in my carry-on bags? Hope everyone is doing well. Love to hear from you.....

Long Winter

It's been a long, gray winter with not much to blog about. Hopefully Spring is on its way and we will all be out in the fresh air soon. Not having much to blog about is not necessarily bad. David and I have both been busy at work and all of our family is well. I have some neat students at school and we are very busy. I am sooooo! looking forward to getting outside in my little flower garden and enjoying Spring. I am also looking forward to some sewing projects that I have been planning. Hopefully pictures to come..... I hope all is well in your life. God is so good! I am thankful for his many blessings. I would love to hear how all of you have been doing this winter.