The flowers in my garden tell me spring is here, but the temperature disagrees with that statement. As I sit here I am wearing not one but two sweaters. The grass is growing thanks to the rain, not the sunshine, so I needed to start mowing. I have to admit I love getting out on my riding mower and toodling around my yard. I find it very relaxing and I love how my grass looks when I am done. Admittedly it takes me more than one day to mow the lawn but that’s ok with me. I get plenty of fresh air and sunshine (usually) when I’m out there and I get lots of time to think and plan.
I took a peek at the strawberries I planted for my grandson and I. They are not phased by the cold weather we have been having.
I usually pray as I work my way around my yard. There’s no other noise or voice to distract me and I can tune in to what the Lord may be trying to say to me. I was stressing about not having the pattern ready that I wanted to post yesterday and the Lord reminded me I have another one all ready to go….
The third bellpull in my seasonal series. Pumpkins and sunflowers are some of my favorites to color! The pattern is available here in my shop.
I used different colors of gingham for the cording and binding of all four bell pulls. Along with the brown wool I think it gives them a very country feel. Since I live in the country this is most appropriate for me. If that isn’t quite your style you could use a solid or sweet, little, cotton print instead.
I have decided the reason I love to color pumpkins so much is because I really do love the color orange. Not ORANGE, but a pumpkin-y orange, a deep fall-inspired orange. Once I get started I can pull every orange pencil from collection and highlight and shade way more than absolutely necessary….
I use an artist tool called Stumps to blend my colors. They are simply tight rolls of white paper that look like pencils. You blend your colors by gently rubbing over the area you have colored with your pencils and the stump beautifully blends the colors together. When you switch to a different color you simply “sharpen” the stump by rubbing it on a piece of fine sandpaper. The old color is brushed away and you are left with a clean tip to blend the next area with.
This sunflower is also very fun to color and stitch. You can see the dark orange gingham I chose. I really like how this turned out and can’t wait for autumn to hang it up….actually yes I can. I’m ready to go outside with flip-flops and short sleeves and NOT be cold!
I know I truly appreciate something to do with my hands that offers a bit of relaxation and a distraction during stressful times. There is a lot going on in our house these days and with the quarantine there are six adults home almost all the time. Going from a less-full house and people working to more people and less working has been stressful for me. I have been making a conscious effort to praise the Lord and thank Him for His abundant blessings to me daily.
Oh, that man would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.
Psalm 107:8
It is my prayer that you too would praise the Lord for His goodness. His mercies are new every morning and for that I am very thankful. I need to spend some time with Him this evening thanking Him and praising Him and asking for His forgiveness for my murmuring heart this afternoon.
May you be blessed beyond measure today.
Michelle
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