100 joys - Part 5 - Sometimes it's hard

Sometimes it's hard to find joy, and this week just seems to be one of those weeks. There's probably a milllion reasons like I've been sick with the flu, I'm just plain sinful, and the list goes on. So I decided to do my part 5 of 100 joys and really think hard and find all the things I can be joyful for. So here goes....

26 - Reading "A Christmas Carol" as a family

27 - Decorations that proclaim joy!

28 - Successful markets stall second time around (another post to come)

29 - A little brother holding his arms out to be picked up (which he doesn't do normally)

30 - Advent Candles - especially the first purple one that reminds us of the hope we have in Jesus coming again.

31 - Our Jesse Tree as we slowly make our way to the culmination.

32 - My knitting - knitting is so relaxing!

33 - Christmas cards and letters in the mail

34 - New wool

35 - A bunch of lilies to brighten the house

100 joys - Part 4

21 - Flowers that I can enjoy arranging

22 - Tired, unmotivated days that remind me to be glad that not every day is like this.

23 -  "Life has a purpose and life has a destination" Louie Giglio.

24 - A good story

25 - Singing "In Christ Alone" at church

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

A Herd Of Horses

Look at my lovely herd of horses! I made all these lovelies apart from the first for the markets last weekend, and unfortuantely I was sadly disappointed in the markets and sold no hobbyhorses. I haven't blogged about it yet, as I'll wait until I give it a second try this weekend. Maybe I'll have a better report (one can only hope! :) ). But I decided to name all these horses. So I have listed them on etsy and madeit and decided to introduce them here and see what you think of the names. Which is your favourite?

Therefore come and meet

Confetti

Cosmo

Alfie

Darby

Audrey

I like Darby best in terms of materials, but I'm most happy with Cosmo and Confetti for names. What do you think?

100 joys - Part 3

Part 3 I've decided is all about people - I could go on forever here, but I've had to make a stop somewhere. (EDIT: I really did go on, and I didn't even get through all the people I thought of so don't feel obliged to see it through to the end.) No rhyme or reason to the order!

11 - My wonderful family as we face all our challenges and all our fun together!

12 - Two little people and all the laughs we would miss out on if they weren't around!

13 - Grace for her faithful correspondence and her godly friendship over so many years. And Abbie too as we can enjoy spending time together and have lots of good discussions.  

14. The Mc.L's and the friendship we can still enjoy even if it is afar off.



15. Our Bible study group and the robust discussions we often have. :)

16. Danielle and the lovely example she is. Even though the times we see each other are few and far between, we make the most of them when they come around!

17 - Morgan (and all the other H. girls too) what lovely, encouraging, fun-loving friends you are! May it continue for years to come!

18- Lachlan & Angus even though we sometime rub each other up the wrong way, I would never ever ever want anyone else to be my brothers!!! William & Sebastian too - I love you! Sean - the best brother-in-law in the world - what a sensible, thoughtful, caring man you are!

19 - All my sisters - the big, the middle-sized, and the little. I love each one of you. What fun it has been growing up with 8 sisters. Cassandra, Bethany, & Tegan - you are truly my best friends. Emily & Victoria - as you make the change from middle-sized girls to big girls :) always remember that even though I'm not the most patient sister, I do really appreciate you and the help you are. Olivia, Erin & Annaliese - I'm sure there aren't any little sisters that are as cute as you are. 

(NB. We obivously need to take a "sister" photo. I could only find some from ages ago.)

20. Last but definitely not least, Dad & Mum. I really, really mean this when I say it that I couldn't ask for better parents - you have been kind, patient, ready to listen, and most of all godly! Thanks so much!

(All photos taken by my sister or Grace & Abbie T. Credit goes to them.)

100 joys - Part 2

6 - The knowledge that "nothing can separate me from the love of Christ".

7 - Adorable nieces that only live 20 minutes away!

taken by a very talented photographer who also happens to be my sister

8 - My bookcase and the constant delights it affords

9 - My sewing machine and the fact that it's still working even

 though it has been used non-stop for days.

10 -  The sun coming out after the rain.

Part 3 on its way :)

100 joys - Part 1

I just found this idea on my friend's blog who apparently stole it from this blog. I thought it was a good idea, so I'm stealing it too! :) 100 joys - here I come!

1 - Going to the movies with my brother and sisters (a rare treat) and watching the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and being so clearly reminded that we can do nothing without Christ's help, that we are to be content with how we are made, and that Satan always attacks us at our weakest points, so be vigilant!

image here

2 - Cute purple dinosaur that is coming with me to the markets on Saturday.

3 - Chris Tomlin's Christmas CD - the best ever as far as I'm concerned!

4 - Excitement on little sisters' faces as they run looking for clues for a treasure hunt and then ask for another one once it is all over.

5. And as the photo below declares - Christmas is coming! A time where we can enjoy the delights of family and celebrate the absolutely amazing reality that Christ came to earth to save us!

Part 2 coming soon!

Old Bus Depot Markets

 

This Saturday (the 11th of December) and the Saturday after I shall be at the Old Bus Depot Markets. They are located  onWentworth Ave. Kinsgton ACT. There will be lots of signs around for where parking etc. is located. They are open from 10am to 4pm, so there's lots of time to come and browse.

I'd love to see lots of you there. I've been sewing up a storm of items such as brand-new hobby horses, new skirts and dresses, and new soft toys. Come along!

Project Complete

I realised I hadn't shown any pictures for a while of the Peter Rabbit quilts we were making. Well last Thursday, I finished not only the cross-stitches but the quilts too. Then I heard next morning that my friend's waters had broken on Thursday night - the exact night I finished. The babies were born at 35 weeks, so good thing we had them finished "early".

I made one of these for my oldest niece when she was born. That one I made in yellow and green. This time I decided to do two different shades of brown. In the end, I decided I liked the brown better.

I'm glad to be finished, though I did enjoy making them. Now I am directing all my attention to sewing for my upcoming markets on the 11th and 18th of December. More details in a couple of days. Hope you can come and visit me there. I'd love to see you.

So, what do you think??

Madeit Christmas Gifts #4

It's the first of December this Wednesday - time to start sending Christmas cards. I found some lovely handmade ones on Madeit

By gina.h.designs

By imaginart

By mimba

By createdbyjess

Enjoy!!

But Wait There's More....

I've listed a few more new items on etsy and madeit. Such as...

this quilt

Mike the Moose

Mortimer the Monkey

Plenty more to come!

I'm Turning Two!!!

Craftycrackpot is turning two today (well on etsy at least), and I'm celebrating by offering 10% off all stock on both etsy and madeit until the 30th of November. Also, if you spend over $30 (not including postage), I will send you a $5 gift voucher for your next purchase.

You can either buy and then I'll refund through paypal, or you can let me know what you would like to buy, and I'll change the price of the listings for you. 

I've had a lot of fun with craftycrackpot. The first year I felt like I was just becoming accustomed to it and learning lots about taking photos, tagging items, etc. Within the last 6 months though, I feel like I know what I'm doing, and hopefully I'll see sales picking up too. I'm still learning, but I can definitely see a difference from when I first started.

Birthdays are fun!! :)

Madeit Christmas Finds #3

For my Madeit finds this week, I decided to find some candles. I didn't actually find too many, but here are some that I thought were really pretty and would make a lovely Christmas gift or anything else gift really.

Trio of soy votives

Vintage Tea Cup Candles

Night torches tealight

Enjoy!!

Giveaway Winner!

And the winner of Henrietta is:

Challen Charms

Please email me your postal details to craftycrackpot(at)hotmail(dot)com. Congratulations!!



Madeit Christmas Gifts #2

This week I found lots of pretty hair clips. There is a large range on madeit, and they're all so cute! They would make a great stocking stuffer or even just a small present.

Flower Pot Hair Clips

Navy Polkadot Hair Clips

Pretty Hair Clips

Black Cats Hair Clips

Pastel Pink & Blue Bubbles Clips

Have fun looking!