Time is Love

        Josh Turner is among my favorite singers. I enjoy a lot of country music but of all the songs my very favorites are his. One of those is the song "Time is Love." In today's society there is always something going on. We rush through life, working and running from event to event, barely taking time to rest for anything, not for ourselves, and not for our loved ones.
       It's a topic that's been on my mind a lot over the last year or so. In this day and age how does one balance work, events and just spending time relaxing at home, alone or with friends/family, without some big party plans? We talk so much about knowing who your true friends are by who was there when you needed them the most. But what about those other moments? Real relationships need to have both! Yes, for sure, be there for those bad times when she's in trouble. But don't forget about those other moments which, though they might seem trivial to you in the moment, make up the rest of life! And you never know when something that you might see as unimportant actually means the world to your loved one!

 Photo by Sonja Langford on Unsplash

       Relationships aren't just built on the big and exciting. They're built around small, mundane, everyday things, like going grocery shopping, cleaning house, looking at Christmas lights, curling up for a movie or a book, and just spending time together. Without that how do you expect to know when the person you love is having a hard time? Some of us have grown up feeling unable to show it when we're hurting, unless it's something major. What we want more than anything is for someone to know us well enough that we don't even have that option. Someone who can tell when we need them to come up and put an arm around us. When we're feeling more vulnerable and in need of a shoulder to lean on. And we need that person to laugh with, to discuss the events of the day with. Someone to listen to our rants without judgment, even when we're being ridiculous and most definitely over-reacting. Life is made up of the little moments and, in the end, those little moments and where you are then will matter most.
   We're relational beings and at some point I think we all need to know that we're the most important person in someone's life. That when it comes to working late or spending time with us that we won't always lose to the job. We need to know that we're the bright spot in that someone's day. That they can't wait to see us and, given the choice, that they'd choose us first any day!
    Time is love, but in our need to constantly be busy and work long, hard hours, we've forgotten that. We've forgotten that in the end it won't matter how much money we have in the bank. It will matter what we did with our relationships with those around us.

Introducing....

Hello Friends!
  It's been a while! The last half-year+ has been pretty full and crazy. Hopefully I can get you caught up soon but for now I want to share with you my new(ish) business: Magnabilties!
   For those of you who don't know, Magnabilities offers interchangeable, customizable jewelry that can transform any woman's jewelry collection! Even if you're not much of a jewelry wearer you'll love this! With just one necklace set (chain and pendant) and several inserts you can match any look! When I first heard about Magnabilities jewelry about 2 years ago I was enthralled! Angela and I were at a vendor event and stopped at a booth with all sorts of fun inserts and pendants. Being a fashion lover I naturally fell in love with it. Angela, however, tends to care more about comfort than style and jewelry isn't very high on her needs list. That being said she liked what she saw too and now wears Magnabilities frequently!
   The concept is simple: pick your pendant and then add our magnetic inserts!
   

  We carry 2 sizes: 1" and 1/2" with lovely 1" "halos" to convert a 1" pendant to fit our bittie inserts!

    I'll be posting several times over the next few days about my favorite things in Magnabilities so please, be sure to check back! You won't want to miss out! In the meantime, be sure to check out my site and explore to your heart's content! 

  What's your favorite pendant?

Period Films: Belle

      If you know me you might have discovered the fact that one of my very favorite parts of watching a movie is looking at the characters' wardrobes. I believe the costuming in a film does just as much (if not more) for the story as the quality of acting and the dialogue (I'm sure many would argue with me here but I still hold to my opinion). A good costumer tells a story with the clothing they put on their character. If you're paying attention you can see the character arc simply by looking at the details in his or her wardrobe, sometimes even without actually seeing the movie. And so yes, I often base my interest in a film on the costumes (this is not my only reason, let me assure you, but it plays a large part in whether or not I even look into watching a movie).
    I recently re-watched one of my favorite movies, "Belle," the story of a mulatto heiress in 18th century England. I go back and forth on my opinion of the fashions of that era but my interest has been piqued once again so I thought I'd share some shots of a few of my favorite dresses worn by the main character, Dido.

 I think my very favorite would have to be this light, springy frock Dido wears when we first see her as an adult and then several times throughout the movie.

 Not only is it simple and still youthful but it is elegant, feminine and is a picture of innocent grace

  Not quite as lovely (in my humble opinion) as the ivory flowered dress is this blue outfit she wears when she encounters Mr. Davinier.

  While it's not my favorite I absolutely love the details on the neckline and sleeves. That's one bit that I hope to incorporate in some future project.

   Perhaps the most stunning of her gowns is this pink one we first see after she has agreed to marry a man of good standing in society.

 It is also the dress she wears in what I consider one of the sadder scenes of the film, where Dido's cousin Elisabeth is forced to come face-to-face with her position... or lack thereof.

 And last but not least is the lavender purple dress Dido only wears a couple of times in the film so I couldn't get many good shots but I couldn't make a list of my favorites without including it. 

      Of course Dido isn't the only one with the beautiful outfits. Elisabeth sported a number of lovely pieces which will have to wait for another post but until then, let me share my favorite of her outfits, a simple, elegant blue gown which we see at the garden party and then again inside when she and Dido play piano together.

 So there are my choices for favorite costumes from Belle. Have you seen the movie? If you haven't, stop what you're doing right now and get your hands on a copy. Not only is it a beautiful movie in and of itself but it is also based on a true story which, in my book, pretty much always makes a film even better! So go watch it and let me know what you think! :)

The Lost Children

  "Be good." Words we've all heard at some point or other. The thing that is emphasized in the life of anyone, whether Christian or not. And it does good, right? Teaching your children to be morally upright people in society. But could there be another, not so favorable side of the coin?

        When you teach your child to "be good" and obey the Bible but they do it without understanding the relational aspects of being good (we cannot be good" without Jesus Christ. We can never be good enough. Christ's love and grace is what saves us, not being good), not only are you potentially  creating a pharisee of sorts, but you also risk putting a wedge in any relationship your child will have, whether with people or with God.  

     If your child feels that kind of pressure to meet a certain standard on his own, to not mar his reputation (or, heaven forbid, yours) then when the time comes that he is struggling with something, be it pornography, anxiety, anger, etc., he will be afraid to confide in anyone, to ask for help. If anyone finds out no one will look at him the same. Even those closest to him will be hurt and he will completely lose any hope of being seen the same again. He might even be labeled the black sheep of the family. The one who went astray. The one who turned out a failure. And so that child, be he young or old, will go on struggling alone, not even knowing how to confide in Jesus Christ as his sole help and comfort. Alone and helpless when he should be able to lean on God and those God has put around him.

photo credit: Norbert Eder Alone via photopin (license)

   There is a certain level of pride found in anyone where it comes to our reputation, and the reputation of our family. Everyone around us looks like they have it all together so we feel the need to keep up with them.So heaven forbid that we ever admit to struggling with sin, especially the really bad sins. We are all good Christians and the one who fails to live up to our standard is looked down on, albeit unintentionally in many cases.

    How has the Church and family become such places of condemnation and pride? Is it any wonder the young people of my generation are growing up and leaving the church? The two places in this world that should be safe, where forgiveness and love should reign, have become the worst places for vulnerability and repentance.  Trusting God completely can be hard but it's even harder when you don't have any experience trusting someone with your struggles. Imagine, always having to put your best foot forward, even with those you're safest with. It will affect any and all relationships, whether that be with parents, siblings, spouse, friends or, most importantly, with God himself. The wall is always there, you can never just relax and be vulnerable even when everything inside is screaming out in agony and helplessness.

      I'm not saying this as an excuse for not surrendering to God by any means. Thank God that he is so full of grace and love that he sees our struggles and is ready to help us up, to teach us how to trust in him and his protection, no matter the trust issues we might have. But there's not a single one of us that is called to walk the road alone. We are part of the Church for a reason. We are called to love one another, to bear one another's burdens. So please, don't put so much of an emphasis on being good. Christianity is not about being good because on our own we can't. It is about having a love-, faith-based relationship with Jesus Christ and allowing him to change us. And please, be there for your brothers and sisters around you. Let them know that you're there for them, to help them when they need help, to listen without judgement. Because you never know when that person who seems so happy and successful in all aspects of life may be hiding a shattered heart, barely able to stand under whatever battle they may be facing. And without any hope of a brother-in-arms having their back. 

photo credit: Daveography.ca Love in the Time of Fringe via photopin (license)

  

I'm Done

     Most of the last decade I've heard again and again that guys don't want to marry a girl who is sitting around at home waiting for him to come carry her off (ironically these same guys then asked "where are all the homemakers?" once we got up, got jobs and were actually doing something with our lives, but that's another topic for another day). So I didn't sit around and wait. Since finishing high school I've had two jobs, the second of which led to me being self-employed. I may not be rich but I support myself and live a good life.
    Now I feel led to make some changes in my life, changes that will drastically alter the course of my life. And yet I'm holding back. There are various reasons, fear of change being the most prominent. But as I've considered my options I came face to face with another reason that I hadn't really expected, one that, if I look at things honestly, I can see influencing most of the important decisions I've made in the last few years: my wish to be married.
     It's what I've always believed God wants me to do: get married and raise a family with my husband. I've envisioned a life working along side my husband, serving God in whatever area he has called us. A life out away from the hustle of city life, where our children can play and work in the great outdoors, where we can live relatively self-sufficiently (another dream: growing most if not all of the produce my family needs). And so I've made decisions that, I thought, would help prepare me for that life. Even my career is one that I chose because it is something I can do from home, allowing me to raise my children as I believe God would have me raise them, and yet still be able to contribute to the family monetarily. I still want that life and, Lord willing, someday that will be me. But in the meantime I'm done waiting.
   People talk about having the urge to spread their wings and go to new places, try new things. Somehow that is one thing I've always managed to quell inside me, whether because of lack of funds, time, or whatever. But this time I don't think I can. With certain changes in process I'm about to find myself in a completely different position. So maybe I will. Maybe I will spread my wings and fly. Be the adventurer I never thought I was. Find someplace inspiring and let my designing dreams blossom. I'm done being stuck in one place, working day in and day out at a job that isn't taking me any close to my goals in life.
   But more than that, I'm done making decisions based on that never-ending world of "what ifs" related to my love life. From now on I'm living life to the fullest. I'll serve God wherever and whenever he calls me, whether that be here in my hometown where I've always been or somewhere miles away. We as Christians are called to live fearlessly, to not worry. I think it's high time I see what it's like to do that completely. I would rather live the rest of my life alone and serving God than wait around doing nothing of lasting importance because I'm afraid if I change anything my future husband won't be able to find me (or will take one look and run because I'm not sitting at home waiting for him).

The Woman Who Helps Build the Raft

          I heard a story recently of a farmer many years ago who watched helplessly as a woman and her children climbed to the roof of their home in an attempt to escape the swollen flood waters of the river that swept through their valley. The farmer had no boat to reach her with, and even if he had it would have been nigh impossible to get the small group safely to shore. As he watched it was evident that the house was about to succumb to the raging river so the farmer shouted to the woman to get her children into a nearby tree. Hardly had she done so than the house collapsed and was swept away. Others joined this farmer as he shouted encouragements to the woman. Night fell and they built a bonfire on the shore, continuing to call out to keep her awake, there in the tree. As they kept up their vigil the first farmer searched for a way to reach this woman and her children. Gathering a few supplies he built a raft and, come morning, he was as ready as he could be. He turned to the other men who had stayed so faithfully through the night. "I can't do this alone," he said.  "Is there a man among who you who will volunteer to go with me? I don't know if we'll make it but I must try." One by one the farmers refused, many saying they'd promised their wives that they wouldn't go out on that river. They'd promised that they'd come home. That they wouldn't do anything dangerous. Finally one man, the smallest, weakest of them all, stepped forward. "I'll go. I didn't promise my wife that I wouldn't." And so the two men took the raft upriver and set out into the raging river. They did rescue the woman and her children, and returned safely to land, despite the dangers. Both were awarded for their bravery and their families remember it to this day.
        There are so many things that could be taken from this story but one stood out to me: all of those strong men wouldn't help because they'd promised their wives they wouldn't. The preacher who told this story simply said "Women, don't stand in the way of your husbands doing the work of God." But I wouldn't stop there. I'm not married yet but someday I want to be, and I don't want to be the kind of wife who just doesn't stand in the way of my husband doing what God calls him to do. I want to be a wife who is right there next to him. A wife who is helping build the raft, so to speak. And a wife who will stand in the way of her husband giving up and turning back when the way is hard.
         The marriage relationship is about working together to fulfill God's role for us. A husband and wife are supposed to be a team in whatever work God has for them.  A wife's job is to be at her husband's side playing her part in that work. Not holding him back, but also not holding back herself.
         Another man I heard recently spoke of William Booth when he wanted to start a ministry for the people on the streets of London. His church wasn't sold on his ideas but told him they would make a decision at their denomination's convention. The decision was a decided "No," and they pressured William to give it up, forget about it. He was beginning to waver when a voice from the balcony suddenly cried out "No, William! Never!" It was his wife. Because of her he regained his strength and went out and started the Salvation Army. That is the kind of wife I want to be: the wife who doesn't stand in the way of God's work but will be right there with her husband no matter what, and, when he begins to waver, will stand the way of him turning back.

Tulle, leaves and fall

There's just something about tulle and fall leaves that whispers woodland fairy.

Once the fall wedding season was over and I had time to breath again at work I dug into my file of ideas and set to work.

 When one spends all day, every day, altering clothes for other people when you finally get a chance to make something just for fun (for display) it's like a breath of fresh air. 

 

THIS is why I love sewing. Why I do what I do. There's just something thrilling about being able sit down with a vague idea of what you want and then to create something beautiful! 

 

With Christmas coming up I have several shop display ideas in the works so check back soon for more of my sewing projects! :)