Visiting 2009

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas with extra days off, time with loved ones, good food, cards and letters catching up on the past year, etc., etc.  Approaching the new year I start to think over the past year and all that has happened.  Will next year be different, better, improved?  Or did much change over the past year?  At first glance I feel like my life's really not very extraordinary or exciting, but whose is really?  It's life.  The biggest thing in our year came soon after New Year's 2009 with the closing on our first house.  It just happened to fall on the Inauguration Day of President Obama, making it a memorable occasion.  We went to the City Hall to start up our utility bill at the very moment his swearing in was being broadcast on the television.

Since that day our spare time was spent tearing apart the backyard and getting the landscaping into shape; replacing old light fixtures, door knobs, electrical switches and face plates; then pulling off and replacing rotten fascia boards and trim, painting the exterior trim work and doors, new exterior lights. . . am I forgetting something?  Basically we gave our home a big facelift, with a backyard and patio where we can enjoy a sit by the fire with a mint julep in hand.  :-)  Next is a long list of interior work.  With windows, bathrooms and kitchen on the list, money looks to keep us from getting it done very quickly.

Summer brought traveling vacations then interior renovations to our church sanctuary.  This spring will start an exterior facelift to the church.  Oh, I can't wait to be finished with it all...

My blogging and Etsy store picked up in activity level after the birthday gift of a new desktop PC and office setup in the guest room.  What a loved and well used gift this was!  I finally had my computer, internet access, office supplies, sewing room, and photo shoot space all in one space.  Sooo much more convenient I must say.  I've been able to keep my shop & blog more active, once getting my large zippered tote featured on the front page of Etsy!  With the new year I hope to discipline my sewing time with goals on my production level so my time is less wasted... maybe limiting my internet time will help too! ;-)  Watch for a new line of book bags and satchels with scrumptious upholstery remnants.

My year closed up with a great opportunity to display my handbags and totes a local retail/coffee shop in our town square.  It's a beautiful, comfortable spot to relax with a latte, chat with friends and browse the handmade and vintage items of several vendors.  All very well displayed and pleasing to the eye, I think my bags are happy there.

I hope you all have a blessed and happy New Year.  Thank you to all readers and supporters.  I really love the handmade world and all creative crafters who put their heart into their work, so I love supporting handmade in all ways possible.  It's really such a great way to buy, receiving something loved and personal from a real person out there...please let me know if there's more I can do to interest you and keep your creative spirit alive!

Blessings on your Year,
Elisa :)

Of The Father's Love Begotten

Of the Father's Love Begotten
Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.

Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
 
O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
 
This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.

Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.

Preparing for Christmas

The week before Christmas. I'm having a difficult time feeling inspired to write something inspiring to you...whoever you are. So I'll just write and see what comes. I've been fairly busy sewing lately though you wouldn't know it by watching for new Etsy listings... My sewing has been for custom orders rather than Etsy. Custom aprons for Christmas gifts. I'm super happy to be getting all these orders, but why just the two weeks before Christmas and why not aprons that are already made and ready to take home?! But I don't want to complain too loudly and dissuade any future sales opportunities! Five custom aprons were ordered, yea! I delivered one over the weekend and two last night, now just two more to go. :-) Three afternoons days left to work on them, thankfully I have a little wiggle room for the deadline of these last two and don't necessarily need them done by Christmas day.

I've got new sewing projects lined up for next year including new knit bags and evening clutches, purses and a new line of messenger bag/book satchels sewn from some beautiful upholstery remnants! :) I'm hoping after the new year, I'll get organized and efficient to start whipping these projects out one after another!!

How is your year coming to a close? I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season and all that is important. I'm looking forward to our Christmas Eve and Day Worship services. Celebrating Christ's birth, the beginning of God's promise to save His loved children - you and me. Which is what I try to keep in the forefront of mind during all this other stuff going on. He is why there is a Christmas and all else should be kept as a reflection of His love. :)

Friday Favorites on Etsy - Green

Can you believe there's just one week till Christmas?!  If you need a few last minute gifts or have had trouble finding that special gift, think handmade.  When you buy handmade your gift is super special because it's like your giving double - once for the intended receiver of the gift and once for supporting the crafter who put their time and talent into making that gift!  So smiles all around!  :-)

I've come to really love the color green.  Seasonal or not it has so many varieties, hues and moods.  Life.  Nature.  Spring.  Sparkle.  Health.  Peace.  Notice the photography scripture art featured.  By photographer, friend and fellow pastor's wife, Jamie.  Beautiful photography and painting with scriptural inspirations at her new Etsy shop, Pure Joy Creative.  In her words, "It is so important to immerse ourselves in the Word of God."  This print included I especially like today during this busy time...."Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." -John 14:27

God's peace be with you,
Elisa

Remember that if you like what you see please support the artist by clicking the pictures below, viewing their shops, and fill up your shopping cart.  Thank you!

Visit me at efran.etsy.com

How to Make Paper Snowflakes

As is typical with Christmas day approaching, I have become busy and pulled away from my usual computer time.  Hey, I figure a break now and then from blogging allows for some rest and restoration from the pressure of trying to create a continuum of interesting blog posts.  I've enjoyed a nice visit from my family, celebrating an early Christmas and catching up.  Seeing mistletoe "in the wild" is a novelty to us northerners and it grows in abundance here so some friends were kind enough to give us all a tour of the ranch while snipping down mistletoe for my mom to take home.  Read more in my previous post if you want to see how it looks and learn how it grows.

I've been busy these last few days working on some custom apron orders as well as getting Christmas gifts ready and shipped.  I must get back to work, but thought you may be interested in these snowflake tutorials.  One is the video below from Instructables on the traditional papercut snowflakes.

Paper Snowflakes - More DIY How To Projects
I also found this pretty 3D Paper Snowflake tutorial if you're interested in trying something new and easier than it looks.  ;-)


If you've got more spare time than I, enjoy a little craft time.  These snowflakes would look so pretty hanging in your window.  :-)

Etsy Texas Crafters FIRST MONDAY SALE!

Only 18 more shopping days until Christmas! Now is the time to buy those holiday presents! So, join us for Etsy Texas Crafter’s December 1st Monday Sale! Get some good buys now, on some great handmade gifts, vintage items and supplies!

With 107 ETC shops participating this month, there's something for everyone! But don’t dawdle . . . these sales and special offers are only available from 12:01 am Monday, December 7th to 12:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 8th, Central Time (that's 1:01am Monday to 1:00am Tuesday, Etsy Time).

Please wait for revised invoices on purchases from the following sales list, unless listing specifies that items are already marked down (or gives other instructions). Discounts do not apply to shipping unless “Free shipping” is indicated.

Click "here" for a list of all participating December sales.

My etsy shop, E-Fran Designs, is offering 20% Off All Items as part of the above described First Monday Sale.  Please visit my shop to see all your unique gift items available.  Purses, reuseable shopping totes, vintage aprons, handmade aprons, christmas items and more! www.efran.etsy.com

Pyramid Pouch Tutorial

This cute little pouch is ready to hop right into your hand! Hang it on the tree with candy or stuff into a stocking.  After gift giving time, its usefulness may continue by happily carrying little necessities such as keys, extra cash, laundry quarters, lip balm etc.

I just love opening up bags and smiling to see a bright splash of color or a fun print inside!  This one and others are available at E-Fran Designs or you can follow my tutorial and learn how to make one of your own!


Materials:
two fabric choices
felt or thin batting
zipper
cord or ribbon

1.  Cut fabric and felt into rectangles with one side being twice the length of the other.  Mine are 4.25" x 8.5".  I recommend no smaller than this or it becomes difficult to work with.

2.  Layer fabric, felt, fabric with right sides out.  Pin or baste then quilt together.  I like varying my quilting pattern depending on the pattern of the print.  Quilt in squares, rectangles, diamonds...quilt freestyle if you're super ambitious! :-)

3.  Next is the zipper.  Lay the zipper face down on the front side, short end, with zipper stopper a seam allowance above end of fabric as pictured.  Sew in place with zipper foot.  Repeat on other side, then zig zag raw edges.

4.  Fold in half with inside out and zipper along the fold.  Stitch along open edge just below the zipper stop.  Zig zag raw edges.

5.  Making sure the zipper  is pulled open and inside the bag, cut off extra ends.  Position looped cord at center of open end and pin or hold in place.

6.  Bring zipper ends together to meet looped cord ends and stitch across.  Zig zag across raw ends as before.  Now turn the pouch inside right through the zipper opening.  You'll need to push and pull a bit to get good corners.  Now you are finished and have your very own pyramid pouch!

Hope the tutorial was clear.  Click below on "Comments" or "Post a Comment" to let me know if you ave any questions. :)