OTT-LITE + God's Calling

OTT-LITE Must have!! I love mine and  have 2!!

God's Calling

Let a woman learn in quietness, in entire submissiveness. I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to remain in quietness and keep silence [in religious assemblies].— 1 Timothy 2:11-12

In this controversial passage, it is evident that Paul was dealing with a specific situation for a specific time frame in history. As noted before, Priscilla along with her husband, Aquila, had been a founding leader in this same church. I am not enough of a theologian to debate this problem fully. All I know is that God has always used—and still does use—women as leaders and teachers, preachers, ministers, missionaries, authors, evangelists, prophets, and so on.

Just remember that God loves you and wants to use you in powerful ways to help other people. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that God cannot or will not use you, just because you are a woman. As a woman, you are creative, comforting, sensitive, and you’re able to be a tremendous blessing. You can bear a lot of good fruit in your life. You don’t have to merely pass through life unnoticed, always in the background. If God has called you to leadership, you should lead. If He has called you into ministry, you should minister. If He has called you to business or as a homemaker, you should boldly be all that He has called you to be.

Lord, I believe that You want to use me and that You have called and gifted me. Bless me to be a blessing. Amen.


From the book The Confident Woman: Devotions for Each Day of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

God Knows You Intimately

There is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.  — Psalm 139:4

Because we relate to God as individuals—and that’s the way He wants it—we also pray as individuals. Even when we pray corporately with others, we are still individuals; we simply join our hearts with others as one voice. During these corporate prayer times, I believe God wants our hearts to be in unity much more than He wants our methods to be the same.

When we say, “Lord, teach me to pray,” we are asking Him to teach us to pray in a distinctly personal way and to enable our prayers to be easy, natural expressions of who we are. We are not supposed to check our individuality at the door of the prayer closet. We need to go to God just the way we are and give Him the pleasure of enjoying the company of the “original” He has made each of us to be. We need to approach God with our strengths, weaknesses, uniqueness, and everything else that so wonderfully distinguishes us from all the other people in the world. God enjoys meeting us where we are, developing a personal relationship with us, and helping us grow to become everything He wants us to be. It is refreshing to realize that we can come to God just as we are and be relaxed in His presence.


God’s word for you today: There’s no need to “put on your makeup” before you approach God.

From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2010 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Dealing with Disappointment

Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.
— Isaiah 43:18

All of us must face and deal with disappointment at different times. No person alive has everything happen in life the way they want in the way they expect.

When things don't prosper or succeed according to our plan, the first thing we feel is disappointment. This is normal. There is nothing wrong with feeling disappointed. But we must know what to do with that feeling, or it will move into something more serious. In the world we cannot live without disappointment, but in Jesus we can always be given re-appointment!

In Philippians 3:13 the apostle Paul said, But one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. Paul stated that one thing of greatest importance to him was to let go of what lay behind and press toward the things that were ahead! When we get disappointed, then immediately get re-appointed, that's exactly what we're doing. We're letting go of the causes for the disappointment and pressing toward what God has for us. We get a new vision, plan, idea, a fresh outlook, a new mind-set, and we change our focus to that. We decide to go on!

From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Adjustable Waist W/ Buttonhole Elastic + Overcoming Passivity

Adjustable Waist W/ Buttonhole Elastic

This is the technique you can use to make skinny kids pants fit. It also allows you to make them a little big to last longer, but still fit now.

Start by adding a small piece of fusible interfacing to each side of the top of the back waist band before it is folded over. I centered it about 1 1/4" from each edge to allow room for the 5/8" seam allowance and enough space to finish the rest of the waist band.
Waist band with interfacing applied

Then sewed a 1" buttonhole on top of the interfacing (the waist band is 1 1/2" wide). This will allow the 3/4" elastic to move through easily. Make sure you cut the buttonholes open before the next step.
Buttonholes in waistband

Then fold the waist band over and sew close to each edge to form the casing as usual.
Waist band after it is folded over and sewn

Then sew the side seams as usual to the pattern. Do not yet add the elastic, since it will not be sewn in and it is easier to sew everything together without it.
After side seams are sewn

Then fold the front waist bands down and slip stitch them in place. Then sew a 1/2" or 5/8" button (usually a couple from the leftover button stash), to the edge of each front waist band piece.
Buttons on front waist band edges

Then cut a piece of 3/4" buttonhole elastic to the length specified by the pattern plus enough to fold over the ends and sew to form finished ends. Buttonhole elastic is available by the yard from Fabric.com and their shipping is crazy fast!
Elastic with finished ends

Then using a large safety pin, Thread the elastic into one buttonhole, securing the end on the button and out the other buttonhole, finally securing that end to the other button.
Final result!

That's it! Now you have an easily adjusted waist band that looks no different from the outside.

Overcoming Passivity

When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it roams through waterless places in search [of a place] of rest (release, refreshment, ease); and finding none it says, I will go back to my house from which I came. And when it arrives, it finds [the place] swept and put in order and furnished and decorated. And it goes and brings other spirits, seven [of them], more evil than itself, and they enter in, settle down, and dwell there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.
—Luke 11:24-26

This word from Jesus can be frightening. His purpose for the warning is not to cause us to cringe and worry about unclean spirits coming back. It’s a warning to tell us that it’s not enough to get rid of wrong thoughts—we must keep the door locked so our enemy can’t return. Not only does evil come back, but it comes back worse than before.

I once read an article about diets, and the author said that most people who diet actually lose weight—until they stop dieting. Then they regain the weight they lost and about 5 percent more. When they stop working at the problem, they not only stop losing, but they’re worse than before they started. The author went on to say that the only way to win the battle of being overweight is to make a lifestyle change—by becoming aware of the danger areas and guarding ourselves against making wrong choices.

It works that way spiritually, as well. One way to keep wrong thoughts out of your mind is to keep the mind active and alert and full of right things. You can cast out the devil, but then you must remain alert, always aware of his tricks.

As I point out in my book Battlefield of the Mind, there are aggressive sins (or sins of commission) and there are passive sins (sins of omission).4 That is, there are things we do that hurt a relationship, such as speaking careless words. But it is just as true that we hurt relationships by the omission of kind words, those thoughtful words that express appreciation, affection, or awareness of kind deeds others have done.

When confronted, passive individuals yell, “But I didn’t do anything!” That’s exactly the point. It’s what they don’t do. Their lack of action actually invites the devil back into their lives.

That’s a strong statement, so I will say it a different way. You can win any time you take action and push away the thoughts and desires that don’t come from God. You may do this on your own through prayer, reading the Bible, or even by resisting the passivity that may be natural for you. But once you’ve been set free, that’s only the beginning. It’s not just one victory that lasts forever. It’s an ongoing battle—it’s constantly rebuking the devil.

The best, easiest, and most effective way to rebuke the devil is to fill your mind and your heart with praises to God. When you worship and praise God, you’ve slammed the door in the enemy’s face and put up a “No Trespassing” sign.

I don’t want to make it sound as if you have to fight demons every second of your life. That’s a trick of the devil himself to make you think like that. But when you fill your life with praise and positive, healthy thoughts, you can live in victory.

Please read this verse again—aloud—and hear the message of the Holy Spirit: “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8 CEV).

Victory over passivity is just that simple: Focus your mind on the good and you will have no space left for the passive or the bad.   


Pray this... 
God, thank You for showing me the way to win over passivity and live in victory every day. In the name of Jesus, I ask You to remind me each day so that I can fill my mind and heart with only worthy thoughts.


From the book Battlefield of the Mind: 100 Insights That Will Change the Way You Think by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2005 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.  
              

Pinking Sheer Follies + The Delight of Sacrifice



Are you tired of have dull pinking sheers? Need a one time quickie sharpening so you can finish your project before having them professionally sharpened or tossed out? Well here we go, right to the kitchen and get out that ole aluminum foil! Make your self a few flat layers. Take your sheers and cut through them a few times, this should give your sheers one last breath before tossing them out or having them sharpened. Yea, finally can finish that project now!!

The Delight of Sacrifice

I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls . . .

2 Corinthians 12:15

Once “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” we deliberately begin to identify ourselves with Jesus Christ’s interests and purposes in others’ lives (Romans 5:5). And Jesus has an interest in every individual person. We have no right in Christian service to be guided by our own interests and desires. In fact, this is one of the greatest tests of our relationship with Jesus Christ. The delight of sacrifice is that I lay down my life for my Friend, Jesus (John 15:13).  I don’t throw my life away, but I willingly and deliberately lay it down for Him and His interests in other people. And I do this for no cause or purpose of my own. Paul spent his life for only one purpose— that he might win people to Jesus Christ. Paul always attracted people to his Lord, but never to himself. He said, “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

When someone thinks that to develop a holy life he must always be alone with God, he is no longer of any use to others. This is like putting himself on a pedestal and isolating himself from the rest of society. Paul was a holy person, but wherever he went Jesus Christ was always allowed to help Himself to his life. Many of us are interested only in our own goals, and Jesus cannot help Himself to our lives. But if we are totally surrendered to Him, we have no goals of our own to serve. Paul said that he knew how to be a “doormat” without resenting it, because the motivation of his life was devotion to Jesus. We tend to be devoted, not to Jesus Christ, but to the things which allow us more spiritual freedom than total surrender to Him would allow. Freedom was not Paul’s motive at all. In fact, he stated, “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren . . .” (Romans 9:3). Had Paul lost his ability to reason? Not at all! For someone who is in love, this is not an overstatement. And Paul was in love with Jesus Christ.

Daily Devotionals By Oswald Chambers

How to Read a Sewing Pattern + Enjoy Forgiveness

How to Read a Sewing Pattern

Enjoy Forgiveness

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit.— Psalm 32:2

 

If we aren’t living the way God has instructed us to live, we will be miserable until we confess our sins. Once we thoroughly get everything out in the open before the Lord, He gives us the power to be set free from our sins: “BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1).

The Word says that God desires truth in our inner being (See Psalm 51:6). So we need to be honest with ourselves and with God, if we want to enjoy the blessing of God’s forgiveness. Ask God to show you what needs to be changed in your life, and trust His forgiving power to continually bring about those changes in you.

From the book Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

Patriotic Tote Bag + A Spokesperson for God

In honor of the Police Officer in St Pete here is a Patriotic Tote Bag for your making!

A Spokesperson for God

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time. She sat under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment.— Judges 4:4-5

 

Whether we look at Miriam, Deborah, Esther, and Ruth in the Old Testament or Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, or Priscilla in the New Testament, we easily see that God has always used women in ministry. For instance, Deborah was a prophetess and a judge. As a prophetess, she was a spokesperson for God. As a judge, she made decisions on God’s behalf.

When God needed someone to save the Jews from the destruction that wicked Haman had planned for them, He called upon Esther (Esther 4:14). If God is against using women, why didn’t He call a man for this job? Esther sacrificed her plans as a young woman and allowed herself to be taken into the king’s harem in order to be in a position to speak on behalf of God’s people when the time came to do so. Because of her obedience, God gave her favor with the king, and she exposed a plot to kill all of the Jews. She saved her nation and became a queen who held a high position of leadership in the land and cared for the poor. 

Lord, help me to be a spokesperson for You today. Wherever You put me, I will do whatever it takes to represent Your great name. Amen.


From the book The Confident Woman: Devotions for Each Day of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Project Vote Smart

Very Cool Site!!

http://www.votesmart.org/

How to Sew Leather + God Cares About Every Detail

How to Sew Leather



God Cares About Every Detail

Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.
— Matthew 10:29-31

 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God wants to speak to you every day. He wants to lead you step-by-step away from trouble and into the good things He has in store for you. He cares about the tiniest details of your life. According to the verses for today, He even keeps track of how many hairs you have on your head. He cares about the desires of your heart, and He wants to reveal to you truth that will set you free from worry and fear.

God’s plan to share an intimate relationship with you existed before you were even born, as you can read in Psalm 139:16: “Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.” God knows all of our days and has a plan for each one. If we will ask Him what we are to do each day and believe that He is guiding us, we will find ourselves fulfilling His plan for our lives.

It seems incomprehensible that God could have a plan for every person on Earth, but it also brings great peace to know He can take chaos and turn it into something meaningful and worthwhile. Spend time getting to know God because His plan is unveiled through intimate relationship with Him.

*

God’s word for you today: Remember that God even keeps track of the sparrows—He is surely in control of whatever life brings you today.

From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2010 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

Your True Value

Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine.
— Exodus 19:5

In Exodus 19:5, the Lord tells His people that they are His own "peculiar possession and treasure." That word applies to us today as much as it did to the children of Israel. In John 3:18, Jesus told Nicodemus that no one who believes in Him will ever be condemned  (rejected). You may not feel treasured, or even acceptable, but you are. In Ephesians 1:6 (KJV), Paul says that all of us who believe in Christ have been "accepted in the beloved." That should give us a sense of personal value and worth.

I remember standing in a prayer line where I overheard a woman next to me telling the pastor who was ministering to her how much she hated and despised herself. The pastor became very firm with her and in a strong manner rebuked her, saying, "Who do you think you are? You have no right to hate yourself. God paid a high price for you and your freedom. He loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you, to suffer in your place. You have no right to hate or reject yourself. Your part is to receive what Jesus died to give you!"

The woman was shocked. I was shocked too, just listening. Yet sometimes it takes a strong word to get us to realize the trap that Satan has set for us. Do you lack appreciation for your own value and worth? Surely, you are valuable; otherwise your heavenly Father would not have paid such a heavy price for your redemption.

 

From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.  

Pet Clothing!!

Hew friends, I wanted to let you know that I have new clothing patterns for your pets!! Dog & Cat owners, Your pets want to dress up to don’t they? Well get them a nice new outfit for their enjoyment!! Prices are to follow Toy pets start at $10.00, Small Pets $12.00, Medium pets $16,00, Large $18.00, XL & XXL are $20.00. Soon, I will have pictures online of the cuteness!! Please check SewingForTheSaints.Com regularly for new and stylish items! Thank and have a blessed day!!

Preparing Leather for Sewing + Sanctification of the Soul

Preparing Leather for Sewing

Sanctification of the Soul

So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant
outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.
— James 1:21

Once you are born again, your spirit has been reborn and you will go to heaven when you die. But God is not finished—He is just beginning. You need to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). In other words, your soul needs to be saved. The soul is often defined as the mind, the will, and the emotions. Each of these areas needs salvation.

The Holy Spirit works relentlessly to transform the whole man into God’s perfect will. This process is called sanctification. When your soul is renewed with His Word, you think His thoughts and not your own. Submit yourself to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to change every thought and motive.


From the book Ending Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Evening of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

What is a Flounce? Do you know? Post before you peek!

Circular shaped ruffle

This is a new quiz thing I thought would be fun. Everyday I'm going to through a sewing word out there to see if you all know it. Post what you think it is before you click on the link to see if your right! Good Luck!!

Leather Sewing Tips + Receive God's Gifts

Sewing Machine Techniques : Leather Sewing Tips

Receive God's Gifts

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.— Isaiah 1:19

What good is it to have a glass of water, if we won’t drink it? Our thirst will not be quenched until we do. Jesus said, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!” (John 7:32). He said that if we have any kind of need, we are to ask Him for what we want, and then receive it. The good things of God are available to those who simply surrender themselves to Him and accept His blessings and mercy.

People beg God for forgiveness but forget to say, “I receive that forgiveness right now; I believe I am forgiven.” Mercy is a free gift. You can’t earn it, you can’t deserve it, and you can’t buy it. The only thing you can do is receive it. Just humble yourself, and accept God’s forgiveness.


From the book Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

What is a Armscye? Do you know?

Another word used for armhole.

Picture is from Threads Magazine

This is a new quiz thing I thought would be fun. Everyday I'm going to through a sewing word out there to see if you all know it. Post what you think it is before you click on the link to see if your right! Good Luck!!

Sewing For The Saints is Now Open 4 Business!

My store is finally up and running! Come check it out!

SewingForTheSaints.Com

Bead Embroidery + The Real Culprit

Bead Embroidery Basics By: Beads East

The Real Culprit

And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. . . . Then the woman fled into the wilderness.— Revelation 12:4-6 NKJV

It is time for the truth to be told and for people to realize the attack on women is actually from Satan himself. He works through people, but he is the source of the problem. And his handiwork litters our history. Women have been habitually discriminated against, contrary to God’s will. In Genesis, the Bible simply states, “So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth” (Genesis 1:27–28).

God spoke to the man and woman equally, giving them both rights and authority and telling both of them to live fruitful lives. Any message that diminishes a woman’s position and value as established in creation must be rejected as a satanic lie.

Lord, I bless You that You have given me dominion and authority to exercise in my life, and I reject every lie that says otherwise. I will be fruitful for Your glory. Amen.


From the book The Confident Woman: Devotions for Each Day of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

SewingForTheSaints.Com

My webpage will take a couple more days for it to be up and running!

Deb Nelson Shows How to Dye Fabric & Things + Be Steadfast

Deb Nelson Shows How to Dye Fabric & Things

Be Steadfast

Let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.                  — James 1:4

Today’s verse speaks of being steadfast. To be steadfast is to be stable; a steadfast person is steady, calm, and even-tempered, no matter what happens. A steadfast believer can give the devil a nervous breakdown! When we mature spiritually to the point that we can maintain a level of steadfastness, then we do not react to every little harassing thing the enemy sends against us. Regardless of what he hurls our way, we will not be impressed, we will not be afraid, we will not be easily upset, we will not give up, and we will not be moved—if we are steadfast.

In order to be steadfast and immovable, we must know God and know Him intimately. We must be able to hear His voice when the storms of life are swirling around us. We must also know the overcoming power that belongs to us in the name of Jesus and through the blood of Jesus. We will remember that “this, too, shall pass” and keep our sights set on the victory that is sure, rather than allow ourselves to be tossed and turned by everything the devil assaults us with. As we do, God’s power is released in our lives. Whatever you might be facing today, let patience do the work that God desires in you.

God’s word for you today: Be steadfast in God, and give the devil a nervous breakdown!

From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2010 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
 

SewingForTheSaints.Com

Here over the next few days, I will be transforming my website to a full blown store! I will be trying to add homemade items daily. Homemade by Meghan, Britney & I! On the site will be a mishmash of wonderful items from 18” doll dresses, custom sport dresses 4 children & purses. Knitted scarves to weaved potholders and last but not least, beaded necklaces, bracelets & key chains. So please check out my site regularly for new items! And if you could please spread the word for me so this site will take off! I am also in the process of making things, so I can start setting up at the local craft fairs! Keep a lookout for me there by the end of this year! Thank you all and God bless!!



Free Valentine Sewing Projects + God Has Plans for You

Free Valentine Sewing Projects

Handmade keepsakes are a special way to treasure memories forever, whether they are romantic or family related. Whatever your skill level or time limit, there is a project for you. If you are on a budget or simply want to show how much you care, send your valentine something homemade and straight from the heart.

Little Knitted Hearts

Fill a box with knitted, stuffed hearts and wrap in a ribbon for your valentine. Use the free pattern at MochiMochiLand.com, and embroider some words on each heart or just leave them plain for a cute, eclectic Valentine's Day sewing project.

Fabric Book

If you have a while to spend on making a gift, create a whimsical fabric book using a tutorial by Belle and Burger. Fabric books make use of bits of material hidden in your cupboard and allow your creativity to run wild. Using an ink stamp, you can write words that describe the person you are making it for, write a message to the one you love or write song lyrics that mean something to the two of you. Another way of personalizing the book is to sew in some photographs of happy times together.

Valentine Pillow

Make a heart pillow using a free tutorial from ThePolkaDotChair.com. This project doesn't require a great deal of sewing skill, just a basic knowledge of how to use a sewing machine. The heart pillow will not take up too much time, so it's a good one to choose if you have a quiet evening to spare. Arrange the pillow on the bed or couch and it will not look out of place for the rest of the year.

Valentine Piggy Pillow

If you have a reasonable amount of time to spend on making your gifts, then consider crafting several cute pigs, complete with little hearts stitched on their bottoms. Perfect for a funny valentine or for children, this project is quite versatile. Craft Passion suggests putting magnets in the snouts so the pair of pigs can kiss or sizing the pattern up and down to make big pigs and little pigs.

Heart of Hearts image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com

God Has Plans for You

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
— Ephesians 2:10
God has a good plan for each one of us, but not all of us experience it. Many times we live far below the standard that God intends for us to enjoy. For years I did not exercise my rights and privileges as a child of God. This occurred for two reasons. The first was, I did not even know I had any rights or privileges. Although I was a Christian and believed I would go to heaven when I died, I did not know that anything could be done about my past, present, or future.

The second reason I lived far below the level of life God intended for me was very simply the wrong way I perceived and felt about myself. I had a poor self-image and it affected my day-to-day living as well as my outlook for the future. GOD HAS PLANS FOR YOU! For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome (Jeremiah 29:11).

If you have a poor self-image as I did, I recommend that you read the story of Mephibosheth, which is found in the ninth chapter of 2 Samuel. It greatly affected my life and I believe it will do the same for you. It will help you see not only why you are living far below the level that God intends for you now, but also why you are in danger of missing out on what He has in mind for you in the future.


From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

No More Naked Zipper Tapes + Pleasant Words, Healing Words

No More Naked Zipper Tapes

If you'd like to add an upscale touch to your zip-up jackets, you could trim your zipper tapes with ribbon the way active wear companies like Nike and Patagonia do. But grosgrain ribbon is hard to work with, and it's difficult to get a perfect, consistent edge.

A great alternative is to bind the zipper's edge with Wright's pre-folded Double Fold Bias Tape. The 1/4" width of this inexpensive and widely available tape is the perfect size for outerwear zippers. And it's extremely to easy to get foolproof results when you stitch the tape to your zipper before you sew the zipper into your jacket.

Simply wrap the bias tape snugly around the edge of the zipper and sew your seam 1/8" in from the edge. You don't need to use a binder foot. The common stitch-in-the ditch foot (Bernina #10, the Viking edge joining foot, etc.) gives you the perfect edge. Just use your finger to ensure the tape is snuggly folded around the zipper's edge as your sewing machine completes the stitch.

I think this is a great way to add a special touch to active wear zip-up jackets. And best of all, it costs less than fifty cents to do.

Pleasant Words, Healing Words

—Proverbs 16:23-24

The mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.

Our thoughts can either get us into trouble or elevate us above our problems. Too often, however, we allow our minds to linger over and ponder the wrong kind of thoughts. In the verse above, it says the mind (or the heart) of the wise teaches his mouth. This proverb means that the thoughts on which we dwell will eventually come out in our words. If our words are good and uplifting, they encourage others and us.

Those thoughts aren’t just about others—they are also about how we reflect on ourselves, as well. One of the smartest friends I had in school confessed one day that she felt intellectually inferior. Her words shocked me, and I told her so. I learned that her father used to call her stupid when she didn’t grasp something the first time he explained it to her. Eventually, her own thoughts said to her, You aren’t intelligent enough to understand this.

That’s a good example of how our words can tear down others. But we can also uplift others with our words. When we focus on the good, we see in people and tell them, we may well be God’s messenger to them.

For example, I’ve stood in front of a crowd and spoken many times. Because I have victory, they assume I’m always in victory, and that I never have to struggle the way they do. Sometimes a person will come to me and say, “Joyce, God really used you tonight. I came here discouraged and kept asking God what I should do. Right in the middle of your teaching, I heard God speak through you.”

Those are pleasant words—as sweet as a honeycomb. Those people who speak to me are often unaware of how hard I’ve fought the enemy and struggled to free my mind from his influence. When they tell me what a blessing I’ve been to them, they often don’t sense how much their words mean to me.

Everyone needs to hear pleasant and healing words. It’s too easy to assume certain people don’t have the same struggles or severe battles that we experience. All of us struggle, and for some, it’s worse than for others. I believe that the more God wants to use us, the more forcefully Satan exerts his power against us.

We can help each other. When we sincerely speak pleasant words, healing words, we are not only diffusing our enemy’s power, but we are building up one another. We need to build up others as much as we need others to encourage us.

I can remember times when I’ve wanted to say a kind word to someone, and I would think, Oh, she knows that. She’s heard that before. Then I would say to myself, Yes, maybe she knows, and perhaps she’s heard it before, but she hasn’t heard it from me. It’s not that my words are better than anyone else’s, but it is the Holy Spirit who takes our words, anoints them, and brings healing and help to others.

What if each of us decided, I am God’s servant to bring healing words to wounded and hurting hearts? What if God chose us to strengthen and build up people by speaking soothing, kind, and thoughtful words to them? Not only do we put the devil to flight, but our friends’ joy soars, and ours does, too—because we’ve been used as God’s instruments of healing. I learned long ago that it takes so little to do so much good. Often it’s only a word of encouragement, a hug, or just saying the words, “I care.”


Pray this...
Holy Spirit of God, please remind me of the words that dwell inside me. Remind me to hold on to the good, the kind, and the uplifting thoughts, and empower me to push away those that can hurt and tear down others—and myself. I ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.


From the book Battlefield of the Mind: 100 Insights That Will Change the Way You Think by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2005 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Striped 18 “ Doll Dress

Here is another 18 inch doll dress made out of a pillow case that would not stay on my pillow, so decided to cut it up and make something more useful out of it! They are getting easer and easer to make every time I make one!! So pretty!!

How to Alter a Pair of Pants *Video* + Standing in Big Shoes

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.
— Joshua 1:5
Imagine how Joshua must have felt when God told him he was to take Moses’ place and lead the Israelites into the promised land. Moses was an amazing leader. Who would want to try to fill his shoes?

God told Joshua he would succeed not because of anything he had in the natural but because He was with him. Moses was successful only because God was with him. God told Joshua the same thing would hold true for him if he believed. God kept encouraging Joshua to be strong and confident, to take courage and not be afraid. In other words, He told him to believe!

Put your faith and trust in God. He will give you the strength to stand and accomplish whatever He asks you to do.


From the book Ending Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Evening of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Bulk Free Elastic Waistband Application + Enter His Gates By Joyce Meyer

Bulk Free Elastic Waistband Application

　

This is a preferred method of construction in an elastic waist pant or skirt. The credit for this goes to Sandra Betzina.


1. cut a length of non-roll elastic 4" less than your waist size


2. butt the ends together and place a piece of cotton fabric (or a piece of gross grain ribbon) on the ends and carefully zigzag over the ribbon or fabric catching both ends of the elastic. Do this on the other side also to secure the ends properly.


3. Now in your pants or skirt, serge, zigzag or fold under 1/4" ( I prefer zigzagging to turning under, it eliminates all bulk) and neaten the edge, then place your elastic and fold the fabric over the elastic, sandwiching elastic between two layers of fabric.


4. using a zipper foot or a regular foot, sew through both layers of fabric close to the elastic edge(be careful not to sew over the elastic). Keep stretching and pulling the elastic as you sew. This way you get a very 'snug' casing and there is very little bulk which is impossible to get with the conventional elastic casing method.


Try it and you will never go back to the conventional 'elastic casing' method.

Battlefield of the Mind ~ Enter His Gates

You shall [reverently] fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and by His name and presence you shall swear. He is your praise; He is your God, Who has done for you these great and terrible things which your eyes have seen.
— Deuteronomy 10:20-21

It is not good to feel grumpy when we wake up. Complaining won’t bring us into the presence of God. Psalm 100:4 says that we are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Without thanksgiving we won’t even get into the gate! If we want to enter into God’s presence, we must lay aside all murmuring and complaining.

An irritable attitude may be keeping you from enjoying God’s presence. Each morning look at all you have to thank God for and then enter into your day with praise for all He has done for you.


From the book Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2003 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

How to make a fitted top sheet + Joyce Meyer's Both Men and Women

February 10

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. . . . In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.— Joel 2:28-29 NLT
I believe that most women possess a sixth sense that God did not give to men. It’s often called women’s intuition, and it’s the real deal. Men are usually very logical, while women tend to be more “feeling” orientated. For example, a male manager might look at a job candidate’s résumé, job application, college GPA, and work history and be ready to hire him, based on the “facts.” However, this male manager’s female counterpart might evaluate the same candidate and intuitively pick up on personality quirks or subtle-but-destructive attitudes that don’t show up on paper. This does not mean that women are innately better leaders than men or that their instincts are based on a special God-to-woman frequency to which men aren’t attuned. In fact, a woman’s emotions can also get her in trouble, and she frequently needs the left-brain logic of a man to help her see things clearly.

The point is that women and men need one another; they can complement one another. Neither the man nor the woman saw the whole picture clearly or completely. That’s why men and women should work together, side by side in harmony, respecting one another as equals.

Lord, I thank You for making me the way You have. Help me to use my intuition and other gifts to be a blessing, and surround me with those who will help me see clearly. Amen.


From the book The Confident Woman: Devotions for Each Day of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2011 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved. 

How To Sew A Shirt Collar *Video* + Mark Cahill's One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven!

How To Sew A Shirt Collar



Mark Cahill

Sew a Sleeve **Video** + Give Yourself a Gift

Give Yourself a Gift

By: Joyce Meyer

Become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.                
— Ephesians 4:32

Unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, or offense of any kind can render us unable to hear from God. The Word of God is very clear on this subject. If we want God to forgive our sins and offenses against Him, we must forgive others their sins and offenses against us.

Ephesians 4:30–32, the passage that contains our verse for today, teaches that we grieve the Holy Spirit when we harbor negative emotions such as anger, resentment, and animosity in our hearts. When we hold unforgiveness against anyone for any reason, it hardens our hearts and prevents us from being sensitive to God’s leading in our lives.

I once heard someone say that holding unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping your enemy will die. Why spend your life being angry and bitter toward someone who is probably enjoying his or her life and does not even care that you are upset? Do yourself a favor—forgive those who hurt you! Give yourself the gift of forgiveness. It will bring peace to your heart and enable you to hear God’s voice and follow His leading in your life.


God’s word for you today: Give yourself the gift of forgiving others.
From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2010 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

Children's Valentines’ Sewing Heart Card **Video**

Different Serger Seam Types **Video** + Everyday Answers

Got Problems? Make a Trade with God

by Joyce Meyer

Did you know that God wants to make a trade with you? He has a standing offer every minute of every day, and it's amazing how few of us actually take Him up on it. He wants you to give Him all your cares, problems and failures. In return, He'll give you His peace and joy. On top of that, He promises to protect and take care of you.

Let Go of Your Worry...
God really does want to take care of us, but in order to let Him, we've got to stop trying to take care of ourselves and worrying about every little thing we can't control. Many people would like for God to take care of them, but they insist on worrying or trying to figure out an answer on their own instead of waiting for His direction. They wallow around in puddles of their own worry, wondering why God doesn’t give them peace. God will give us peace, but we must first give Him our worries.

We give God our worries by trusting that He can and will take care of us. By trusting God, we're able to rest in Him, knowing that He has the situation well under control. Worry, on the other hand, is the opposite of trust. Worry steals our peace, wears us out physically, and can even make us sick. If we're worrying, we're not fully trusting God, and we'll never be able to experience His peace.

...and Pick Up God’s Peace! What a great trade! We give God our worry, and He gives us His peace. We give Him all our cares and concerns, and He gives us His protection, stability and joy. That's the privilege of being cared for by Him.

Because He cares for us, He wants us to live in peace and not be all tied up in knots of worry. He has ways of guiding us toward peace if we're alert enough to sense His direction.

Read the Signs
Imagine that you're driving down a road. Along the way, there are signs that provide direction or give warning. If you pay attention to the signs and follow their instructions, you will safely reach your destination.

In the same way, on the road of life there are spiritual signs along the way. In order to stay under God's protection, you must obey these signs that tell you to trust Him and not worry. Don't be afraid; have courage. If you'll pay attention to these signs, you'll find it's easy to stay on course. You'll experience the protection, peace and joy that only God can provide.

However, if you fail to heed the signs, you may notice that the road seems a little bumpier than usual, and you aren't as confident in your ability as you once were. You may become anxious about the unknown things waiting around the corner, and even veer off the road.

Focus on Today
Anxiety is like putting on a heavy coat on a hot summer day. It weighs you down. It’s difficult to move and stifling to wear. According to Webster's Dictionary, anxiety is "a state of being uneasy, apprehensive or worried..." Sometimes this uneasiness is really vague—something we just can't put our finger on. All we know is that we're uneasy.

You and I don't need to be anxious about tomorrow when we have all we can handle today. Even if we manage to solve all our problems today, we'll just have more to deal with tomorrow...and more the next day.

Why waste time worrying when it's not going to solve anything? Why be anxious about yesterday, which is gone, or tomorrow, which hasn't arrived yet? Trade in your worries today for God's peace.

Joyce Meyer's Video Tidbit

I’ll have to say that this video really tickled my fancy because I find myself saying these things a lot and not even realizing it!! LOL!!

The Poison of Prejudice

by Joyce Meyer

Since time began we’ve had to live with the poisonous practice of prejudice. Most wars in history have been started because of prejudice and hatred. The Holocaust came from this same poison, and so did slavery. In Genesis, Cain hated Abel, and down through the ages, hatred has never stopped. Hating people is hard work, and it kills everything good in life. Even various religious sects that have long been committed to loving their fellow man have lashed out in hatred because of allowing pride to fill their hearts.

You and I may not agree with everything another person believes or does, but we have no right to hate them because of it, and we certainly shouldn’t mistreat them. God never told us we have to approve of everyone’s beliefs, choices and actions, but we are commanded to love everyone. God hates sin, but He loves every sinner. He hates stubbornness and rebellion; He loves the person who’s stubborn and rebellious.

It’s hard to believe how many denominations and independent churches there are today, yet there’s only one Bible, one message. It’s evident that God has one thing to say to all people—a single plan for our conduct and relationship with Him. But over the years, because of our pride and narrow-mindedness, we’ve felt the need to develop a myriad of churches and church groups—even different versions of the Bible—to suit our own strict interpretations of what we believe the Bible says.

I’ve come to realize that none of us are 100 percent correct. Most of the things we fight over are petty. In Matthew 23:24, Jesus told the Pharisees that they strained out a gnat but swallowed a camel. They had gotten so picky about the little things, it prevented them from dealing with the things that were truly important. As long as we allow prejudice, hatred and disharmony to continue to have a place in our lives, we’ll be powerless to stop it. Only agreement and unity will bring the power to defeat prejudice. We must not allow the evil in this world to win the war. We can defeat hatred by allowing love to overcome our divisive attitudes toward others.

As a woman, I could look back and decide to hate all men because my female ancestors were treated unfairly. In the same way, Jews could spend their lives hating Germans because of Adolf Hitler. Americans could hate the Japanese because of their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. African-Americans could spend their lives hating white people because of slavery. The list could be endless if we went back to the beginning of time. The problems we have in our society today are not new; they’re just compounded because they’ve been around so long.

None of us can go back and undo the past. No matter how much we’d like to, it’s impossible to correct the great wrongs of history. Only God can redeem the past. Only God can bring the healing and restoration we need.

In my own life, I had to stop taking inventory of all I had lost and start counting up what I had left. In the beginning it didn’t seem like very much, but I made the choice to give it to God. I was amazed at what God could do with a few fragments. He redeemed the hurt and pain in my past and gave me a wonderful life that’s bearing good fruit. How sad it would’ve been if I had spent my life holding on to all that bitterness and unforgiveness. To continue to hate all men because some had abused me or hate all my family members because some had rejected me or hate all church people because some had betrayed me would rob me of living a happy and satisfying life today. Life is too short to spend it hating other people.

Examine yourself in this area…and be honest. Are you prejudiced? Are there areas in your life where you’ve allowed hatred to rule? Pray sincerely and ask God to remove those feelings. We all need to realize that we’re no better than anyone else—we’re all equal in God’s eyes. Every person is created by God, and He said that everything He made was good.

Remember, our enemy isn’t other people. The enemies we face are hatred, prejudice and the evil that causes them. We can’t waste our time and energy hating and fighting each other. We need to be determined to walk in love, waging war against hatred. Love is always the best way to fight back.

Blue Jean Purse **Video**

This is a fun young video on how to make a blue jean purse! Please enjoy!

Conversion Chart for Yards to Meters

For all you who need a good chart to help convert yards to meters. Here is an easy one to follow! Much gratitude to RestorationFabricsAndTrims.Com for this wonderful easy to read picture! Please click on their site and check out their awesome products! Thanks and God Bless!!


 

Picture is copyrighted and used with permission by: Restoration Fabrics And Trims

Bobbin Keeper *Stretched Out of Shape*

Those of you who use the little pink bobbin keepers to keep your bobbins tidy. Often times the keepers are stretched from being stored on a full bobbin. This makes them useless for the not-so-full bobbin. The solution to this small but annoying problem is to boil them! Just stick them in a saucepan with an inch or so of water and boil for a few minutes. They will return to the original shape. Cool before using by running cold water over them or just letting them set. You may also do this in the microwave, using a microwave safe dish.

How to Attach a Snap