Sunday, November 24, 2013

Sunday Sermon - 24.11.2013

The readings for this morning sermon came from Luke 23:33-43

33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews.
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. ”
43J esus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

and Colossians 1:9-20

9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

In our current society kings and queens are mere figureheads with no real power.

We teach our kids that they can be anything they want to be, that they are rulers of their own destiny, but can we really be rulers of our own destiny with some many outside influences? Our adult lives are influenced by deadlines, bill, addictions and all sorts of other things.

Thousands of years ago the prophet Isaiah foretold of the coming of a king. A king that would do many things and have many names. Jesus is a king unlike any other. He is not a figurehead. He cannot be manipulated. He is a king eternally.

Jesus has come to connect the body (the church) with its head (God). He calls you to follow Him.

What rules your life? Who do you serve?


May God bless you richly this week.

Richard.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Saturday Shenanigans - 23.11.2013

And so we come to the end of another not so busy week with nothing particularly exciting to write about. If this keeps up then I'm going to have to give up this Saturday night post.

I think I spent a good deal of this week watching TV and crocheting, although the last couple of days I seem to have been neglecting the crochet.

Today was different though. Sue and I spent the day at the corps do the "Caring For Kids" training. This means that, once we have passed police checks, we will now be allowed to work with kids.

I hope you all had a good week.

Richard.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Friday FOs - 22.11.2013

Well, it's that time of the week again, time to show you what I've finished this week, and here they are.

Trauma Teddy #14
The latest Trauma Teddy ready to go to a waiting room somewhere in this area.

Choose Your Own Dragon Adventure by Fresh Stitches
I went to take photos of this one this afternoon and noticed he didn't have a tail so I had to find it and sew it on first.

As usual, check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.

Richard.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Wednesday WIPs - 20.11.2013

I'm feeling as though I've been a little slack this week as not all of my WIPs saw progress this week. Of the items that have progressed, these 7 are the one that remain WIPs.

Box Stitch Baby Blanket
I made some good progress on this one, moving through the green and onto the pink. I've decided that I will start reducing the other side when I start on the next yellow stripe.

Toddler's Jacket
I am fast running out of yarn for this and I'm not sure what I'm going to do about it. I don't know where I can get more of this.

Tunisian Spiral Blanket
I think I may need 2 rounds of black for this to get it to a decent size. I will measure it once I get back to the start.

Crochenit Cot Blanket
I bent the double ended hook I was using for this one and know it's quite unusable so I have switched to a cabled hook. It kinda makes it easier to do a row but I have to switch the hook from end to end each row.

AustralianaV2 - designed by me
I'm now about half way on this.

Large Santa Stocking
This is another that I'm going to run out of yarn on. I'm thinking of finishing this in white.

Christmas Tree
All the leaves are done and now it's time to make the base, stuff and stitch it.

I have a bonus for you this week. Just to show that Sue hasn't been idle and that she actually intends to do something with the yarn she bought the other day, here is what she has been working on.

Magic Square Blanket in Shades of Pink
Of the 2 remaining items that I haven't shown you this week, one is no longer a WIP. You will get to see which item that is on Friday.

As usual, just checkout the links in the sidebar to see what others have been making.

Richard.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Monday Mayhem - The Craft Stall

I just thought I would show you what my craft stall setup looks like. Here is a photo I took a week ago while in Myrtleford.

My Craft Stall
The tables seem to be getting more and more crowded and I'm trying to make as much use of the hanging space provided be the canopy.

Richard.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Saturday Shenanigans - 16.11.2013

Another week has gone by and I have been very busy in one area and very slack in another. While my crocheting moves forward the garage still looks like it did a couple of weeks ago. We will get around to it eventually as I'm sure Sue will complain about not being able to park the car in it at sometime in the future.

Everything else seems to be motoring along as normal. Crochet class was quiet yesterday although I did have one pupil for part of the time. It seem that the guy in the sewing class wants to learn how to crochet. Unfortunately, he has trouble holding the yarn in the opposite hand to his crochet hook as he is somewhat used to knitting ( not that he has been knitting for all that long). I did manage to teach him something (I think) as he hadn't learnt how to bind off his knitting and always got his sister to do that for him.

There would normally have been a market today but it seems that it has been cancelled until further notice due to a lack of interest. I don't know if they tried to contact any of the regular stall holders to let them know but they don't appear to have tried to contact me. I only found out last night when I managed to get hold of the president of the club that runs it.

It seems that I may have passed a milestone with this blog recently as it is showing that I now have 50 followers. Feedspot is also showing that I have 25 followers so I'm not sure if that means that I actually have 75 followers now or if those 25 Feedspot followers are part of the 50 followers that Blogspot is reporting. In any case, I hope that they don't find my blogs to be too boring and that I can find some other items of interest to fill the other days and maybe attract a few more.

Well, that's it from me for this week. I hope you all had a good one.

Richard.

Friday, November 15, 2013

Friday FOs - 15.11.2013

I don't have anything exciting finished this week, just the regular stuff. Here are my FOs for this week.

Christmas Towels
Two more Christmas towels to add to the collection.

Trauma Teddy # 13
And one more Trauma Teddy.

Once I finish the other Christmas projects there won't be any point in doing any more this year as I won't be able to attend any more markets. The one I thought was on tomorrow has been cancelled until further notice and I won't be able to attend the next one in Myrtleford because we will be otherwise engaged.

If you want to check out what others have been making just click on the links in the sidebar.

Richard.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Wednesday WIPs - 13.11.2013

I have been trying to spend a bit more time crocheting this week and I believe I have been quite successful. Here are the 9 unfinished projects that I have worked on this week.

Crocheknit Cot Blanket
I have now finished the second side so only the ends to finish off.

Chose Your Own Dragon Adventure - by Fresh Stitches
I'm still having trouble attaching the snout straight but I think this is close enough.

Large Santa Stocking
I've turned the heel and only have the foot to go.

Christmas Tree
I managed to get the first few rows of leaves done.

AustralianaV2 - designed by me
 I managed to do a few rows on this one.

Baby's Jacket, Pants and Hat set
The main part of the Jacket is complete. Just need to do the trim, so it up and then do the decorative edging.

Tunisian Spiral Blanket
I managed to find enough of the yarn I was using to get to the corner so now I'm doing a black frame.

Toddlers Jacket - Zoom by Ellen Gormley
Still working on the first sleeve and it looks like I may have to go hunting for more of this yarn or figure out some other way to finish it.

Box Stitch Baby Blanket
I managed to change colour and get more than half way through the next colour band. I think I did quite good on this one. I just need to decide how long in long enough.

That's all my WIPs for this week. Be sure to check back on Friday for my FOs and checkout the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been up to.

Richard.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Monday Mayhem - Our Yarn Stash

I have been promising to show off our yarn stash for a couple of weeks now so I thought I had better make good on that promise so here it is.

The Built in Wardrobe
The built ins here are a bit small so they don't really hold very much. This one holds the patterns (tub at top right) and an assortment of yarn in tubs and bags. There maybe a UFO or two in there also.

A free standing cupboard we brought with us
When we were thinking about where we were going to put things we weren't really sure where this cupboard would go until Sue decided it would be perfect for holding our main stash of 8 and 4 ply yarns as well as a couple of oddments.

Last week Spotlight gave out a few $10 vouchers, one for me for signing up on their web site and one each for just being VIP members, but the special ones were for a specific sale and had to be spent between 4pm and 8pm on Thursday night, so, even though we already had plenty of yarn, we went and bought some more, and here it is.

Yarn bought at Spotlight Thursday night that hasn't found
its way into the stash yet.
There is still about 3 garbage bags with more yarn and UFOs stacked away somewhere in the garage but that will get sorted eventually.

So, is it possible to have too much yarn? How much more do you think we need before we pass that mark?

Richard.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Sunday Sermon - 10.11.2013

One of the readings today came from Luke 18:15-17

15. People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

The other came from Psalm 139:7-10

7. Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8. If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9. If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10. even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

Today was our Sunday School Anniversary and we didn't actually have a sermon but the kids put on a really good play based on the story of Jonah which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

May God bless you richly this week.

Richard.


Saturday, November 9, 2013

Saturday Shenanigans - 09.11.2013

I don't have a lot to report this week. Everything is slowly getting back to some semblance of normality. I have managed to avoid doing any more unpacking in favour of watching TV and crocheting.

I managed to get to Myrtleford this morning for the monthly flea market although I didn't sell much. One of my regular customers bought a Christmas towel. Considering that my break-even amount for this market is $30, selling one $5 towel is a considerable loss.

There isn't much else to say about this week. I hope you all had a good one.

Richard.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Friday FOs - 08.11.2013

I'm starting to get back into my old routine so I should be able to finish something every week, even if it's only trauma teddies and hanging towels. Here are this weeks finished items.

Christmas Towel
I figured I should try and get a couple of these done as I only have a few markets between now and Christmas.

Trauma Teddy #12
Yes, I'm back into making Trauma Teddies.

That's my FOs for this week. Check out the links in the sidebar to see what everyone else has been making.

Richard.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Thursday Thoughts - How many is too many

If you look at yesterday's WIP post you will see that I currently have 9 unfinished projects, but they weren't the only projects I worked on this week as I also have 2 finished items that I will show tomorrow. On top of these there are at least 2 more projects that my wife has started and is handing over to me to finish so that will be at least 13 projects for me to work on. When you add the dozen or more projects that I would like to get started on that's a lot of projects.

So, how many projects is too many? How many do you have that you are actively working on?

Richard.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Wednesday WIPS - 06.11.2013

It has been another busy week here and lots of progress has been made, just in small bits here and there. Here are my WIPs for this week.

Crocheknit Cot Blanket
Just another couple of rows and the second side will be finished and I will be able to work on the ends.

Choose Your Own Dragon Adventure - design by Planetjune
The head is now ready for the attaching of the components. All I have to do is find my eyes.

Baby's Jacket, Pants and Hat set
Almost got the sleeve finished.

Box Stitch Baby Blanket
I've managed to add a couple of rows to this and will be changing colour soon. It's at its maximum width but I still have to work out how long it's going to be.

Toddler's Jacket - Zoom by Ellen Gormley
Making a little bit of progress on the first sleeve.

Tunisian Spiral Blanket
I'm not sure as this one counts as progress as I appear to have run out of yarn so I may have to rip this one back to the last corner and change colour for a border.

Large Santa Stocking
The top of the stocking is done, just need to turn the heel and do the foot.

AustralianaV2 Table Runner - designed by me
This is the stained one that I put on hold while I made a clean one for the show. I will have to wait until it's finished before I can see if it will clean up.

Christmas Tree
I almost forgot to get a photo of this one and it was only when I was searching for something else on the table that I saw it. I'm ready to add the leaves (needles?) to this.

That's my WIPs for this week. If you want to see more just check out the links in the sidebar.

Richard.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Tuesday Trauma - 05.11.2013

I don't know that "trauma" is the right word but it sounds good.

I found out on Saturday that November is the month where we're supposed to do a blog post every day and I just don't know if I can. I'm sure I can find something to say on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but I'm just not sure what to post about on the other days.

I could continue with my "Thursday Thoughts" theme that I started before going on holidays but I'm not sure that you want to hear about some of my thoughts, and "Monday Mayhem" seems to be a pretty good theme even if I'm not getting any comments on it, but I don't have tips or tutorials I can give on a Tuesday. Maybe if I had more time to prepare, but it's here now.

Not particularly traumatic but that's it.

Richard.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Monday Mayhem - Prize Winners

As I have already said previous, the local annual show was held this last weekend and I had 8 items entered and Sue had 1. Unfortunately, Sue didn't win any prizes for her first ever show entry.l I, on the other hand, won 6 prizes.

Here are the 8 items that I entered and the 6 prize cards,

8 Show Entries, 6 with prize tickets
I don't think I will be entering any more tartan rugs in this show, the judges just don't seem to appreciate them. The other item that didn't win a prize was the Alien Guy Doll. So, that's second place for Tommy Turtle, a pair of baby bootees, my hoodie and AustralianaV2, and first place to my 2 baby blankets. If you're wondering how both blankets can win first, one is wool and the other is acrylic so they get entered into different classes.

Now to plan my entries for next years show. I have another couple of baby blankets planned, another table runner, a doily (probably made from that big cone of cotton I brought back from the UK), a toy or 2 and something in tricot (always good for a prize since no one else seems to do it).

Richard.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Sunday Sermon - 03.11.2013

This mornings sermon was based on Luke 19:1-10.

1Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

The sermon today took the form of a story and I didn't take notes, I just listened. It was a very creative story, told as if written by Zacchaeus (not that anyone could truly know what he was thinking at the time).

The passage today tells me that Jesus can turn anybody's life around, no matter how bad they may be. He has been turning lives around for about 2000 years and He will continue to turn lives around until it is time for His return. Are you ready to have your life turned around?

May God bless you richly this week.

Richard.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Saturday Shenanigans - 02.11.2013

Another week has passed since we got back from our holidays and moved into our new abode and not much has happened in the way of unpacking. We did a bit of tidying up around the unit this week to make sure it was reasonably presentable for our first inspection but that was about it.

The last two afternoons have been spent in the Craft Hall at the showgrounds as we volunteered for security duty. We generally just sit there with a project or two doing a bit of knitting or crochet and chat with anyone that takes an interest in the crocheted or knitted items on display and do a bit of bragging at the same time. I don't really have to do much bragging when Sue is with me as she does it for me. Sitting in the Craft Hall has given me a bit of extra crochet time this week so there has been a bit of progress on a number of different projects.

I had a bit of a look at my to-do list this evening to see if there was anything that could be taken off and anything that needed to be added and found at least one item that I hadn't touched since coming home. Here is what my to-do list looks like at the moment.

Things to make to replace stock for my market stall:

Bottle Cosies in more team colours
2 String bags
Teapot Cosies
bag holders
Koala
Small Bunny
Robot
Wine Glass Socks

Current Work In Progress:

Crochenit Cot Blanket (trying a method for doing rows that are longer than the hook)
Toddlers Jacket
AustralianaV2
Trauma Teddies
Tunisian Spiral Blanket
Hanging Towels
Baby's Jacket, Pants and Hat Ensemble
Dragon
Santa Stockings
Christmas Trees
Box Stitch Baby Blanket – taken over from Sue

Things I'm itching to get started on:

Crochenit Knee Rug (same as Cot Blanket and will also use up some of my stash of 8ply)
Crocheted Slocks
Something in Tunisian Crochet Lace (I'm thinking of modifying Ellen's Jacket pattern by substituting a lace stitch in the main body of the pattern)
Something from Ellen's new book.
A doily from an old pattern book I bought.
Banner for Stall
Table Runners for each Australian state and territory (currently trying to design the ACT one).
Tunisian Crochet Intarsia Table Runner

Dinosaurs (bought the patterns from PlanetJune)

I haven't done any hanging towels since I got home and I have a market next week so I probably should get cracking. I might concentrate on Christmas Towels now since it's only a month and a half away. I also intend to start doing a Trauma Teddy each week until I'm told to stop. It seems there are only a couple of us making them which is a bit of a pity as I'm sure there are others in our church that could help.

I think that's enough for this week. I hope you all had a good one.

Richard.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Friday FOs - 01.11.2013

At the beginning of this week I had one project that was very close to being finished, so I figured, before I get to work on any of the WIPs, I had better finish this one.

Medium Santa Stocking
I only needed to stitch this one up and crochet around the top so there was no point in waiting.

On another note, I have had another successful show with 6 of the 8 items entered scoring 1st or 2nd. It seems that the judges at Albury still don't like tartan rugs and they also don't like aliens. I will try to show you a picture of my entries with their red and blue cards on Monday (yes, I know I promised to show my yarn storage, but that can wait another week).

Something else that is going to happen on Monday is the re-opening of my Madeit shop. I think it has been closed for long enough and now that my show entries have been judged most are ready to be sold.

If you want to check out what others have been making then just click on the links in the sidebar.

Richard.