Dusting Off My Ebay Shingle....

I have decided to dust off my Ebay shingle and go back to selling some items. So I am getting ready to offer Miss Ida Mae. I really love this doll...she is from a You Are Special pattern... It is funny, I have made several of these, but they all have their own "personality".
Her herb bag is filled with Sweet Annie...there is just something about that scent that I really like. I have had bundles of it upstairs in my workroom..and I love the fragrance as it greets me going up the stairs!!!
Well...I just thought I would share her with you....
Hope you have had a great week.....I am taking a few days off. Lots of Spring Cleaning and doll making are on the agenda.
Hugs,
Debbie

Circle Journal.....

Seems like I have an off and on relationship with paper arts. I LOVE decorative papers, pens, rubberstamps, etc...but lately there has been no time to play with them. So I am like some miserly old man from a Dickens novel, hoarding them away for "someday"....



BUT....a few months ago, I was browsing through some old paper arts magazines I had. I ran across Heidi Swapp articles (love her!!!)...and she talked about circle journals. Loved the ideas in the article and I did actually sit down and make one. It has started to make the rounds of my friends that I want to do a page in it.



The front of the journal says, " What are you to do with this, you say? le me know ho you feel about your life TODAY. Write it, art it or just have fun!! whatever you do...Do it Today!"

Well.....what would your response be????

Gracefully yours,
Debbie

In The Groove.....

Well, I know this will be hard to believe...but I am working at being more committed with this blogging thing. But I realized that I needed to work on seperating my personal blog from info that I wanted to do for the shop. Therefore, there is now a new blog for Folkheart.....

http://www.folkheart.blogspot.com/

As I am working to switch some things over there....I still have to admit that working there and making my handcrafts to sell in the shop takes up much of my time, so there is no way to get distance from the store totally. So with that in mind, I wanted to post several new pictures I have of the shop displays.....

Wishing you a wonderful week!!!

Hugs,

Debbie....

Btw...check out the guest book and leave me a note!!!

It's Been Awhile....

Sometimes I just get lost....in all the day to day "stuff" that we have to do. In all this busy-ness I forget to do things that I love. Then there come the time when I finally am worn out...and have a huge AHA moment that maybe, just maybe, I need to regroup and get back to some of the basics.

Reading, journaling, meditating.....just remembering to BREATHE on a regular basis would help!!! LOL It is not that anything is really wrong....it is just that I am a better person when I remember to do my gratitudes each day..those things help me get a clearer view of what is going on around me and that regardless of what is going on....I am truly and completely blessed.

So this is me...trying to get back to a positive routine. Yep, I will fall off the wagon, but I always know I can find my way home again when I need too.

Hugs to you all.....

Deb

Fall At Folkheart....

Just wanted to share some pictures from the store. To know where we started from and where we are today......and thinking of other fun adventures in the future...I am excited about this journey!!!

Hurry Fall....

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of Summer.....hot, muggy weather that makes me whiney and grouchy. Give me Fall, crisp, cool weather anytime..... Fall beckons me home...it makes me want to decorate in those warm, cosy colors of the leaves outside my window. I find myself in the kitchen more making breads or soups or great cocoas or coffees.

So I am thrilled with the new Fall items arriving in our store from the vendors. Problem is, I have to keep reminding myself that I really can't afford to take ALL of it home with me..but if I could..... And from the customers that have been coming in, apparently, I am not the ONLY one that has a bad case of "Autumn Decorating-itis". There seems to be quite the epidemic of it going around...and please, don't anyone offer a vaccine, this is one bug we want everyone catching!!! LOL

The top picture is a great clay "trick or treater" from Cindy's Clay Creations...her whole line is absolutely adorable!! One of the other shop owners told me about them...but they are definately something that you have to see to appreciate just how sweet they really are. Friday, she brought in turkeys....so darn cute....and yes, there will be one coming home with me!!!

The second picture is one that is a primitive room layout we have....the decorating was done by Stephanie Strader of Between the Vines...she did a wonderful job!!!

Just a few "notes from home"...and if you are in the area, stop by the shop...Folkheart at Northgate Mall in Chattanooga!!!

Hugs,

Debbie

Dolls....

This is the first doll I am listing here....
This one is Gracie Mae...made from a You Are Special pattern! She has a welcome light in the bucket she is holding...but her hands are not attached to it, so you could replace it with a welcome pillow or anything else that works with your decor! She is a sweetie!!! $32.00 and shipping.

What's New..... or Long Time, No See.....

Being computer illiterate...it took me awhile to figure out the new blogging set up for this blog..and so much has happened since the last time I wrote!

We have a new store in Chattanooga, Folkheart. It is a great mix of gift lines and wonderful handmade items from local artisans! We also have awesome customers/friends/students that come by not only to purchase...but to take classes from our talented teaching staff and share their ideas with us. Just a great "girlfriend" place to shop and share.

I am currently working on Prim Dolls!! It had been awhile since I had powered up the sewing machine and got to work on these. But in the last couple of months, I have pulled out the muslin, patterns....and got to work. I love creating these fun prim dolls for my own home and for others.

I am always asked why prim???

Maybe you are like I was as a child. I had the beautiful bride doll with the satiny white dress...she stayed in the box on a high shelf so she wouldn't get dirty. And was only brought down to be viewed on special occasions. Not so with my rag dolls...they are the ones that were dragged across the playground with me, they played dress up and any other game that I imagined. They were the ones that I held at night when I had a nightmare or when I was hurt.
So the dolls that I try to recreate are the ones I remember from childhood...and while others my look at them and think they are worn and torn....I just see them as "well loved".

Shortly I will begin to post some of these dolls as they are finished...they will be for orders or purchase through the store. So keep checking back for more finished items--dolls and other fun "needful" things.

Hugs,
Debbie

Girlfriend's Day Out!

A couple of weeks ago...we had a "Girlfriends Shopping Day" in our hometown.
Fifteen women showed up to have some fun, shop together, find treasure in our wonderful downtown shops.
This was such a fun thing to do..... And we have plans to do it again soon.

The End of One Journey.....

I have known for some time that this day was fast approaching. But it didn't really hit me till this weekend. My son is graduating from high school and making plans to step out into college life and the path that it will start him on.
To be honest, I am excited for him! College was something I was unable to do after high school, so I am thrilled that he is going. He wants to be in journalism and sports medicine and teaching.....there are so many opportunities ahead for him. And I know, whatever he choses to do, he will be amazing.

Last night, I attended the school's senior night...it is a talent night for the seniors to show their stuff. I am awed at the talent that I saw there...and even as I write this, I am listening to a CD that one of his friends made. These are the kids that have come and gone through our front door for several years....I have awoke to find them sleeping on the couch, the floor, wherever they could find space...and a snore free zone...LOL. I have woke in the middle of the night to their laughter....been blessed to hear them call me mom and be quick to share hugs...and even pretend to listen when they had done something that I KNEW they knew better than to do. I think the realization just hit too that many of them will be gone too.

By Fall, there will be a void in my home. There are so many things that I will miss about my son's school years and growing up years. There are things I would have done differently, and there are things that I would do again in a heart beat....regardless of how anyone else felt.

As I passed through the house this week..I have caught glimpses of that little red headed boy who stole my heart from the moment he was born...whose laughter filled the house and whose hurts broke my heart. The verse, "life is but a vapor and then it is gone" has resounded.....to quickly the hands of the clock fly by....it reminds us to make each of them count.....to not take those special moments for granted.

As I see my son stepping forward to get his diploma next weekend.....I know that wonderful little boy is still in there, even as the Man of such promise steps forward....

Now pass the kleenex.......

The Front Porch....

This is where I have been spending some of my time lately.

I had gotten away from having quiet time....I am working hard to make sure it is on the schedule.
That whole "Be Still" thing, well God knew what He was talking about.

It has been amazing to see what doors have opened since I pried my fingers off the "control" button. Once you get to where you can really "listen" it is really awesome to see the people that God brings into your life....

There are some "passions" that I have had on the back burner for awhile...not knowing how they fit, or if they were even things that God wanted me doing again.

I will share more soon. I just wanted to share with you...that even when we struggle...God loves us. He is the Shepard that goes back to look for us that wander off....get lost on the trail..... or try to find a shortcut home.

Hugs to you all!!!!
Deb

God Knows......

I am learning....slowly but surely....about obedience. And the fact that God truly does supply all of our needs. He has everything we need at His disposal....if we are willing and able to ask and accept His help.

As I wrote last night about needing balance and being out of wack in my life right now...I wrote my blog, and took some time to be still. After that I received an email about some info you will read below. Not only is the timing perfect for me...but it is at a church we have been talking about attending for our home church. We had not been there for awhile, so I was unaware of this conference....that's ok, God knew. It was like He took the time to design it just for me.
If you are in the Chattanooga area...check it out!!!!
For more info go to: www.abbashouse.com

God truly is good....all the time.


2006 Women's Conference at Abba's House
May 5-6, 2006
Keynote Speakers: Judy Jacobs and Marla Cilley "FlyLady"

A committed soul…a clean kitchen…focused family time…a heart for prayer…home-cooked meals…spiritual power…an organized budget…a healthy body…

Can a woman keep all these aspects of life in order?

We all find ourselves wondering how to manage the daily responsibilities of life while pursuing the heart of God with all our heart and mind and strength. Women need spiritual power-the awareness of God that inspires change, renewal and new beginnings. But it is difficult to open your heart to God's best when the practical and emotional side of you is struggling! Do these issues sound all too familiar? Then plan to join us on May 5-6 for the "Life in Balance" Women's Conference in the Abba's House Worship Center! Our Heavenly Father knows that the spiritual, emotional, physical, and practical facets of His children are inseparable…each part influences the other. Plan now to make this weekend of godly teaching and simple guidance a priority this spring, and come expecting a blessing!

When One of Those Days Becomes One of Those Weeks....

Do you just ever have days that you can't wait to end, because you know things will be better tomorrow? (Please insert several verses and chorus of "Tomorrow", you remember--"The sun will come out tomorrow, tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow...." Yeah, you remember)
But when that "really crummy day" begins to spread into an entire week....I really just want to turn off the phone, stay at home, and just hide away for awhile.
Now add in trying to explain, vent, share these feelings you are having to friends that are caught up in their own stuff and can't hear you.... Stir in friends that dismiss month long plans for a last minute decision of something else they want to do. And frankly, in hurt, the first thought becomes...clearing the slate and starting over in the friend department.
I know, I know...a bit extreme and truly unrealistic. But regardless of what the truth is about the situation...hurt is hurt. And it leaves you cautious, protective.....extremely guarded.
I hate this stuff...I hate feeling this way.
But if I take a long look at this stuff, I can see when this occurs. Any of these things happening seperately might be a bit annoying, but not enough to make me run for cover. But add in little sleep, over booked, little to no devotional time/quiet time, and wah-lah the perfect recipe for alienating yourself from the people that care about you and love you.
And isn't it funny that this is easy to see in someone else....but when you are in the middle of it--you are just so busy you don't even see it coming.
Just a few weeks ago, I was concerned about a friend that was going through marital problems and pulled away from everyone to stay at home. What I told her was that it is a favorite tool of Satan....to seperate us out from those that love us, that we can draw strength from, and that will hold us up in prayer.
Boy, this falls into the catagory of "Practice What You Preach"....
At least I am learning.....in the past I would have cut my losses everywhere....quit stuff, written people off....basically, punished myself and everyone else around me. I am not going there...but I do know enough that I need to take a couple of days and get balanced....take care of myself and be gentle with my words to those around me till I can step out of the funk.
But the biggest thing is to spend time with my Saviour. One that loves me when I am far from loveable......one that shows me grace.....and the One that teaches me what forgiveness truly is--forgiving myself and forgiving those I think have hurt me.
These are not fun journeys..... But I can honestly say, as much as I hate being here, I can see where I have grown, I have learned from past mistakes, and I at least know what I am doing....
Sometimes it comes down to hearing in your head something so child like....simple truth....
Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak,
But He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus love me...
the Bible tells me so.

A simple act of faith.....based on the truth that I am loved....propels me forward...one step at a time.

Prom Time????

It is so hard for me to watch this year fly by. All the things I thought I would have accomplished by this time....well, some haven't even gotten on the "to do" list yet!!!
But as I watched my son get ready for his Senior Prom this weekend, I didn't feel the "sadness" I thought I would at this being his Senior year and so many "last times" are coming and going. Instead, I am so excited for him. There are things that I am struggling to get throughI to him about the importance of his grades and such.....but there are other things that he has truly "gotten" to the core.
He has wonderful friends....I am so proud of the people he has surrounded himself with--having such a steady, "healthy" group of friends has allowed him to bypass many of the obstacles that he could have fallen for.
Now my friends...just be sure to remind me of all these things as I get ready to send him to college in the Fall. That is if I can get him to finish the applications and so forth!!!! AAARRRGG!