Hello, My Friends, Hello

Hi blogging friends! It’s been a long time since I posted – a very long time – 19 months to be exact. During those 19 months I received much joy from reading blogs from some of my favorite bloggers. (Lorraine from Flower Ladys Musings, Matt from Boy and Bunting, Carol from Art and Sand, Susan Branch from Susan Branch – just to name a few.) I thought that one of the ways I can give back for the joy they have blessed upon me is to blog and perhaps bless joy upon others. That is my goal – to bless each of my readers with joy.

My blog is titled “Sharing Divine Inspiration” and that is exactly what I plan to do. I am soon to be on a new path in my life. All is well – no worries, at the end of this school year I am going to retire. I have been teaching for 29 years. I love my job, but I still have dreams to attain. So, I will be moving forward in the direction of my dreams.

I have been very blessed. Almost all of my dreams have come true. As a child I did not dream of being a teacher or a nurse or a secretary. (Those were pretty much the choices in those days. I also had the option of being a nun.) I dreamed of being a wife and a mother and creating a beautiful home. When I would go to my friends’ homes I would look around and pay attention to what I loved in their homes. I always loved anything handmade.

I am happily married to Gary for 36 years. I have four amazing children. All 29 years old – they are quadruplets. (The kids were part of the dream but the quadruplet part that’s another story.) We live in a home that Gary and I designed and built. We have filled our home with many handmade items. The teaching job was icing on the cake. Life is good!

I had another dream as a child. I dreamed of being an interior designer. However, I did not think of myself as being “artistic". I always loved to create, but back then I believed that you had to be able to draw in order to be an interior designer. So I pushed that dream down deep in my heart, but I never let it go. Now, that I have a better understanding of the field of interior design, I realize that is really not what I want. My dream is to work in the fiber arts world designing and creating handmade items for the home. Maybe even doing a little teaching.

As life goes on I continue to dream. I dream of traveling across the country with Gary. I dream of being a grandma – but that one isn’t exactly up to me. I dream of taking a ship across the ocean to England. I dream of taking classes in photography, knitting techniques, and yes, drawing and painting.

I know that I will continue to be blessed with Divine Inspiration in the direction of my dreams, and that is what I plan to share with you right here on this blog. I have already been led to a few step already. I was led to a class at Vogue Knitting Live NY in designing in knitting. I was led to a vision board workshop. My amazing neighbor at A Mindful Journey gives the most relaxing and inspirational vision board classes. I love my vision board! I have it hanging up right in front of where I drink my coffee every morning. I look at it each morning knowing that the dreams on my vision board are on their way to coming true.

I would love for you to come along with me on this journey as I follow Divine Inspiration to where dreams come true. Remember, “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 What are some of your dreams?

Joyfully,                                                                                                                Terry

Where Bloggers Create

Hello! Welcome!

I would like to begin by thanking Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage for hosting this wonderful gathering of creative souls sharing where they create. Karen generously hosts Where Bloggers Create each and every year blessing us all. Thank you, Karen! 

My creative space used to be our dining room. Although my husband and I enjoy entertaining we only used our dining room on Christmas Day. The rest of the year it was my room filled with my stuff because I could work in there with no need to put things away - not until Christmas Eve anyway. One day my kind and handsome husband said to me, "Would you like to make that room your studio?" and then this kind and handsome man helped me to do so. He always makes my dreams come true! 

So come on in, and let me show you around. 

I have two entrances to my room. One is from our foyer and the other from our kitchen. This is from the foyer entrance.

This is from the kitchen entrance. I never removed the chandelier because I like it and because I am short and I don't hit my head on it. My 6'3" husband, however, does every time.

I also have some outside areas I can work from when the weather is nice. This green chair is my favorite place to read. I will probably be visiting your blog while sitting right here.

This outdoor space is wonderful too! It is right outside the doors of my studio. For some reason no one ever looks for me out here, so when I need a little alone time this is where I go. 

Come on in the room, and I will show you some of my favorite things!

This is actually four metal peg boards hung side by side. I want to add some trim around it. It is great for holding so many items. I like to see what I have, because with me it is "out of sight, out of mind."  

This is just a simple wooden tray that I picked up at Target. I love it for my small projects. I can carry it outside or from room to room. 

I purchased this precious little girl's dress because I love the crocheted embellishment around the neckline. I don't have any grandchildren yet, but I am hoping someday I will embellish little girls’ dresses. This is my inspiration piece.

I purchased this precious little girl's dress because I love the crocheted embellishment around the neckline. I don't have any grandchildren yet, but I am hoping someday I will embellish little girls’ dresses. This is my inspiration piece. 

See that sweet little lamb. He is so very soft. I picked him up at Kings Supermarket. 

A work in progress. I am participating in Vicki's Kindness Quilt project.  Each of my knitted squares is 6" x 6" and that knitted lavender was supposed to fit on just one square. I am sure I will use that one somewhere. 

I realize that I didn't tell you what I create. You've probably figured it out by now. I am a knitter, crocheter and needle felter. 

This is just some of my stash. 

Some more stash.

I keep my roving and beads in jars because I think they look so pretty. I have been asked, "Oh, what are you canning?" "Wool!" 

Two more treasures and I will send you off to visit others. 

I have four children. They are 27 years old. Yep, all four of them. They are quadruplets - 3 girls and 1 boy. My birthday was in June and this is what they gave me as a gift. It's hard to read. It is a day in NYC visiting yarn shops and knitting in Bryant Park. We plan to go at the end of the summer when the weather is cooler. It will be a girl trip. My son is willing to pitch in some money, but he is not too interested in knitting.

Finally, this is a picture by Mary Engelbreit that I have hanging in my studio. I think it is good advice

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you come again.
With gratitude,
Terry

Where Bloggers Create - An Invitation

Hi!

Every year Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage does a wonderful thing! Karen host a party where bloggers can share where they CREATE. This can be anywhere, your kitchen, your front porch, your dining room table, your office, your studio ... Please consider joining this wonderful party chock full of fantastic ideas. Hope to see you there!

Terry 

Better Late Than Never

Better late than never ... I hope Flower Lady agrees.

Back in January I participated in Vicki's, from Two Bags Full,  Grow Your Blog Party.  Many participants offered a prize for visiting and leaving a comment. At my post I chose to do this also. I love the idea of creating a gift for someone I do not know. There's a peace in creating something for someone just out of love for your craft and the love of spreading joy.

 Lorraine from Flower Lady's Musings was my winner. I've been following Lorraine's blog for a while, and I was so happy she was my winner.

I won this adorable handmade pillow from Jessica from Blessings in the Country.

                      

I had already decided what I was going to make for Lorraine. I had joyfully browsed through books for inspiration. I had sketched my design. I had made the fabric for the front of the pillow. Then I got the flu. Ugh! Sitting at my worktable needle felting and sewing was something I did not have the strength to do. For now ...

BUT, after drinking lots of fluids and getting plenty of rest I got better, and I was able to return to creating my special project for Lorraine. I am always in awe of how God created our bodies with the ability to heal themselves.


This photo is of my sketch. Drawing is not one of my gifts so I use cookie cutters and stencils to help me with my sketching.

This is the fabric that I made. First, I knit it on my knitting machine, then I threw it in the washing machine to felt. I used Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool to create my fabric. This yarn creates a felt that is soft to the touch and so wonderful to work with.

Next, I needle felted my design onto the felt. I used cookie cutters to help me with my design. They also protect my fingers from the sharp felting needles.

I added some embellishments. This is my favorite part! I love to embellish things! 

I apologize for the poor photo. The sunlight streaming in the window makes the right side look a bit tan colored. The whole backing is ivory. Photography is a skill that I want to improve. 

                                

I then sewed on the fabric for the back of the pillow and stuffed the pillow with fiberfill.

                               

I hope Flower Lady likes it. 

The Winner and the Flu

Inspiration was searched for.

Sketches were made.

Embellishments were chosen.

Felted fabric was made.

AND

THEN

I

GOT

THE

FLU! 

I was feeling so awful I couldn't even pick up a pair of knitting needles. When I'm not well enough to knit my family knows I am really sick. 

So, sadly the prize for Vicki's Grow Your Blog party has not been completed. BUT IT WILL!

And the winner is Flower Lady Lorraine from http://flowerladysmusings.blogspot.com!

I promise, Lorraine, your felted pillow will be on its way to you shortly.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my blog post. 

With gratitude,

Terry

GROW YOUR BLOG

 Hi! I'm Terry. Welcome! 

First, I would like to thank Vicki from 2 Bags Full for hosting this annual "Grow Your Blog" party. Thank you, Vicki! 

I am most happily married to Gary. I am the very proud mother of Meredith, Rick, Shannon, and Tracy. My children are 26 years old. Yes, all four of them. They are quadruplets. Here's a picture when they were babies. 

 

I also have a furry baby named Dory. 

I am an elementary school special education teacher. I was blessed to be able to stay home with my children for the first 8 years, then I returned to work - part time at first, but full time since they were 14. I am looking forward to retiring. I dream of baking cookies and doing crafts with my grandchildren (none yet, but I'm dreaming) and having lots of time to devote to my other passions.

I love to teach, read, write (in the form of journaling and blogging), take long walks with my girl friend Denise, care for and decorate my home, spend time with my family and friends, craft, knit, crochet, and needle felt. 

I named my blog "Sharing Divine Inspiration" because every morning I have my first cup of coffee with God. I express my gratitude, read a devotional or two, and listen. I listen for Divine Guidance and Inspiration. I then go about my day following that Guidance and Inspiration. I blog to share with you what I am Divinely Inspired to do.

I choose not to blog about my job, however I may occasionally share a good child's book or website.  I sometimes blog about my home and family. I always blog about my creative passion.

My creative passion is hand making felt fabric, then needle felting a design on it, then making pictures, pillows, and handbags with it. Here are a few photos of my projects: 

Above is a pillow I made for my sister. I hand knit-felted, also known as fulling, the green fabric then needle felted the design. Green is her favorite color, and she has a granddaughter named Daisy. 

This was my give away for Vicki's first Grow Your Blog party. I made this using the same procedure as above, then matted and framed it. I used cookie cutters to help me with the house and the heart. The stars are buttons. 

To make the bag above I hand knit, holding two strands together, the bag in two pieces, front and back. Then I crocheted it together and felted it. The bumps on the sides were by accident - I think they were the result of crocheting. I needle felted the design, and attached the handles. I still need to line this bag, then it will be done. I've been making this for myself, so it keeps getting put on the back burner. I am planning to use this as my knitting bag. 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I am designing a prize for a visitor from this wonderful party. I don't know exactly what it will be yet, but I can tell you that it will be felted. Just leave a comment on this post, and you are automatically entered. I will announce the winner on February 15 as Vicki requested. 

I am looking forward to curling up in my favorite green chair, with a hot cup of coffee, my iPad, my cat Dory, and visiting your blog. 

With gratitude,

Terry