Verse of the day...

~ “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10



Friday, April 29, 2011

A lovely RAOK...........

•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸Good Morning¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
Wanted to stop in and show off this lovely gift I got in the mail this week.
What a wonderfully simple item to bring a smile to ones face! hehehehe... Literally!
I got this beautiful Facecloth with a handful of really neat soap samples from a really super lady I met on the 'ville.... and had the pleasure of meeting on our trip to Florida a couple Christmas's ago.

Thank you Jana!!!! This sure was a sweet little gift that brought me happiness!




hugs... love.... & blessings
.::Tam::.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

In design mode.............

I've been spending some time designing tote bags/purses lately.
Here are a couple I have crocheted.
This one I'm calling "Granny's Bag" I have it hand written... need to type it up!




This one I call "Gathered Tortoise Shells"

I have this one typed and has been tested by two lovely ladies! I need to clean up the pattern before I make it available.








hugs... love & blessings

.::Tam::.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

A little swapping.............

Over on the 'ville they were having a super simple little Swap! You get paired up with a partner and you make each other a Dishcloth!

Well............. this is the one I sent my partner!

And this is the lovely one I received back. Neat huh?




hugs... love... & blessing

.::Tam::.


Sunday, April 24, 2011

HaPpY eAsTeR..............





░░░░(¯`´¯)░░░░░░░(¯`´¯)░░░░░░♥
..(\(\..../)/) Happy Easter to all my Family & Friends...
..( '.').. ..('.' ) Have fun and Stay Safe
o(_")").(“(“_)o. ♥ ♥ May God Bless you beyond your wants or needs!!
”˜˜”*°•. ˜”*°••° ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
...............░░░░(¯`´¯)░░░░░░░(¯`´¯)░░░

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Too Tired..........

Have you ever been in the midst of an ongoing challenge of life whose sting never ceased? As one day faded into the next, you wondered how you would have the energy to make it through. You looked for direction asking, “What can I do that will make my situation different?”

I have been there, done that, and bought the t-shirt. I am a survivor of some tough challenges. Challenges that stole my energy, zest for life, and belief that things could change. In fact, I am currently living such a challenge.

During difficult days my godly friends offer wise counsel. They point me to scripture with aspirations of encouraging me and bringing hope to what I deem hopeless. My friends hold me up in prayer. They remind me to pray. However, there are times when the weight of my circumstances are so heavy, when I bow my head to pray I find I am just too tired.

I am tired of moving forward one day, only to run into another obstacle that prohibits progress the next day. I am tired of expelling my energies trying to make a difference, only to find myself right back where I was before. Because this situation robs me of spiritual, mental and physical energy, I feel too tired to pray.

I am too tired to pray until I remember a man in the Bible. This man found himself in a challenge that had the potential to rob him of spiritual, mental, and physical strength. He ran into one obstacle after another and worked hard each day trying to make a difference. Unlike me, this man was not too tired to pray.

The man is Nehemiah. He wept and mourned over the condition of Jerusalem after the exiles returned from Babylon. He was motivated to help his people rebuild. Having the favor of the king and the presence of God on his side, one would assume the assignment would not be a challenge. However, government officials Sanballat and Tobiah, made it their personal business to undermine the rebuilding progress. Nehemiah responded to each insult and obstacle the same way: he prayed.

Nehemiah and the Israelites found praying was the needed prescription to revive them, restore their energy and continue building! Through the power of prayer their enemies were defeated and the wall was rebuilt. What a wonderful lesson for anyone struggling through life’s challenges, too tired to pray.

Do you find yourself facing a challenge? Have you felt just too tired to pray? Join me today as I stop and pray. Let’s allow the power of prayer to revive our spirit and restore our physical and mental vigor. By following Nehemiah’s example we will have the energy needed to defeat the enemy and thrive in the midst of our challenges.

Dear Lord, through the power of prayer, today’s challenge can be tomorrow’s victory. Forgive me when I make prayer my last resort instead of my first choice. Help me remember the truths You have taught me today. Help me stop and pray when adversity comes my way. Thank You for prayer and the power I receive when I turn to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.




hugs... love... & Blessings
~*~*~Tam~*~*~

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tested yet another tote...........

Sue is at it again..................
She designed this lovely new tote and I got the wonderful opportunity to test it for her.
This is called Checked Granny Go Round Tote




Its quite roomy.......
The pattern can be found here Ravelry and here Etsy





Hugs... Love... & Blessings

.::Tam::.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

WIP and practicing............

Thought I'd pop in and show off a couple things I'm playin' with. Here is the first of the pair of socks I'm making for my mom for Easter. She's been through a bit recently.... so thought a little basket with the socks... some lotion.... bubble bath.. and some packets of herbal teas might be a nice "Pamper Me" gift. This is just a practice swatch of a stitch called the "Crocodile Stitch" I have some ideas of things I would like to make with this stitch! :)

Thanks for stoppin' in....

hugs... love... & blessings

.::Tam::.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Freebie Friday.......

Round Granny Dishcloth


Yarn: Sugar n’ Cream – Cotton

Hook: Size I

Skill level: Easy

Stitches used: chain (ch) – slip stitch (sl st) – double crochet (dc) – rev sc (reverse single crochet)

- ch 5 – join to form ring with sl st.

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc) 2dc, ch1 – *3dc, ch1* - *repeat 4 more times* sl st in top of ch3 – sl st to ch1 sp(6 dc granny clusters 6 ch1 sp)

Rnd 2: ch3, 2dc, ch1, 3dc (all in same sp) *ch1– 3dc, ch1, 3dc in next ch1 sp* - *repeat 4 more times* ch1- sl st in top of ch3. – sl st to ch1 sp (12 dc granny clusters 12 ch1 sp)

Rnd 3: ch3, 2dc, ch1 – 3dc, ch1 in next ch1 sp and in each ch1 sp around – sl st to top of ch3. - sl st to ch1 sp. (12 dc granny clusters 12 ch1 sp)

Rnd 4: ch3, 2dc, ch1, 3dc (all in same sp.) *ch1 – 3dc, ch1, 3dc in next ch1 sp* *repeat 10 more times* - sl st in top of ch3 – sl st to ch1 sp. (24dc granny clusters 24ch1 sp)

Rnd 5: ch3, 2dc, ch1 – 3dc, ch1 in next ch1 sp and in each ch1 sp around – sl st to top of ch3. – sl st to ch1 sp. (24 granny clusters 24 ch1 sp)

Rnd 6 & 7: Repeat Rnd 5 … finish off.

Border: continue with main color or change to contrast color and rev sc all around.


Notes:__________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________


Reverse sc: Working from left to right, insert crochet hook in an edge stitch and pull up loop, yarn over and draw this loop through the first one to join, *insert hook in next stitch to right (Figure 1), pull up a loop, yarn over (Figure 2), and draw through both loops on hook (Figure 3); repeat from *.





Created & written by: ©Tammy Carlton - March 2011

Do not sell pattern. Do not post pattern without link back to original.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Are you truely Saved?

Have you ever wondered whether you are truly saved? Many people struggle with this question, but my goal is for you to experience assurance.


Salvation describes what happens when God rescues us from the guilt and penalty of sin and brings us into a relationship with Himself. Jesus said that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6); we deserved eternal separation from God because of our sin, but Christ took our penalty by dying in our place. When we trust Him as Savior and commit our lives to follow Him, we are saved.


Questions arise when believers sin and wonder if they could still be in good standing with God. Others wonder whether they ever truly surrendered their lives and believed or just went through the motions.


Let me assure you: the Bible is clear that salvation is not dependent upon any work we do (Eph. 2:8-9). In fact, it is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our need in the first place (John 16:8). Our redemption is a free gift that God gives to anyone who acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Savior.


Once we are saved, there is nothing that can eternally separate us from Him. Our heavenly Father adopts us, and though we can choose to sin and be out of fellowship with Him, our salvation is always secure.


Do you struggle with doubt regarding your salvation? You are not alone. God wants His children to experience confidence in this regard. Through the Holy Spirit, we gain the desire and understanding that enable our redemption. Then God Himself saves. We are simply to accept and follow Him.
hugs... .Love & Blessings ~*~*~*~*~*~Tam~*~*~*~*~*~

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A day for gifts in the mail..........

One package had these adorable Flower Fridgies! They are so pretty... so full of 'Spring' Thank you Katie!!!

This lovely square came from a sweet lady from the 'ville for my Friendship'ghan!

Thank you Kim!!!




hugs...love... & blessings...

·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸Tam¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Baseball Season.............

is really getting close!!!! I love baseball.. and I love watching my boys play baseball even more!!!! This is Patrick gettin' that pitch right in there! Wow!
This is Michael warmin' up with the team! Oh.. .he looks so good in that uniform!!!
Davids team hasnt been outdoors yet! They are still practicing indoors... gettin' the dust knocked off their gloves and workin' mechanics! :)



hugs...love... & blessings

·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸Tam¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸

Monday, April 11, 2011

Another Tote tested...........

Yep... Another great tote designed by Sue (aka:TurtleLvr) I was given the honor to test! :) This is called "Diamond Bands" Its a lovely tote.... easy to make as long as you have pretty good knowledge of the spike stitch. I have colors already picked out to make another one! :)
Thanks so much Sue for letting me test this!

Pattern can be found here on Ravelry or here on Etsy.


hugs... love & blessings

·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸Tam¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸

Sunday, April 10, 2011

God is on Your Side

"The Lord will fight for you." Exodus 14:14

I read these words and draw in a deep breath. I need them right now. Don't we all? Oh, we may not go to war.

But we fight...for relationshipsfor dreams

We battle...against illness and against discouragement. I think of you staring at the screen, perhaps feeling your strength is small. Oh, yes, I know what that's like.

But victory isn't up to us. And those words you sometimes hear? "You're not worth fighting for." They're a lie. Nothing more.

This is the truth from the heart of One who calls you His own:

You are loved.

You are worth fighting for.

You are even worth dying for.

So go into your day, strong friend, knowing that nothing can defeat you.

You've already won. ~*~ hg




hugs...love... & blessings

.::Tam::.

Friday, April 8, 2011

Freebie Friday.........

Popular Crochet Coupon Codes

Listed in the link below you'll find some of the best “crochet” coupon, discount and promotion codes as ranked by the users of RetailMeNot.com. To use a coupon simply click the coupon code then enter the code during the store's checkout process.





Enjoy!

hugs... love & blessings

·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸Tam¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Granny a Day back in March CAL...........

2 days worth the Granny Squares............ 4 days worth................

Day 6..........
Day 10..........
13 squares..... 13 days..........
Day 19 ................. and alot of yarn to play with..........
Woo Hoo........ gettin' close............. 30 squares............ one more day...........
Day 31............bordered........... and FINISHED!

hugs...love... & blessings

.::Tam::.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Just about done...........

Remember this tote a few posts back? Well.......... All I have left is to line it now. I have the little goodies done that I wanted to send with it. And here they are.......... a Hook holder and a Coin purse....... I think they came out nice... the zipper adds a nice touch to the coin purse and makes it more secure for not losing your money. :) hugs....love & blessings .::Tam::.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

First Baseball practice of the season........

for Patrick...................... yay!!!

He'll be playing for the Jr Legion this year! Big Boy time! I'm so excited for him! Of course I LOVE watching my boys play baseball... so I'm excited for all of them!


It was really windy and cool at practice... but boy was it awesome to see the gloves out and hear that sound of the ball hit the bat and get caught in the glove! I cant wait for nicer days of practice for Michael and David! I'm anxious to see those two out their dustin' off the ol' gloves and bats! :)

hugs.... love & blessings

.::Tam::.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Track Season has begun............

Wrestling is over and Track has started. Here is Patrick (far right - black shorts) with a couple of buddies as they were getting ready to warm up for their first Medley .... one mile Patrick on the far left coming in to pass the baton... in the Sprint Medley.

Patrick on the right taking the pass of the baton in the 1600 relay.



Brrrrrrrrrrr.... was very chilly!

hugs...love... & blessings

.::Tam::.