In His Grip

More Than Just a Hand Model

I have gone from being a hand model, to this.  How fun is that?  This is the post card that went out to all of the homes in Gardner and Edgerton this week promoting the upcoming launch of Indian Creek Community Church, Gardner Campus.  Anna's friend Alex does not even know that he is now an official representative of Indian Creek Community Church, no pressure.  My trainer, Kim from the YMCA who lives in Gardner, called me yesterday and asked me if I would autograph her postcard, ha, ha.  She said it was very fun to get this in the mail and actually know the people on it.  What a great opening to invite her and her family to our new campus.  Come out and celebrate the new Indian Creek Community Church, Gardner campus opening April 12th at 10:30 am.

Beginning a New Chapter

Yesterday was the close of one chapter and the beginning of a new chapter for our church.  We had our last service at Indian Creek Community Church as one church, one location.  Next Sunday will be the first Sunday we begin the new chapter of one church, multiple locations.  Our family is part of a group of Indian Creekers that will be launching a new Indian Creek Community Church campus in Gardner.  The service yesterday was a huge celebration of how God has blessed our church and how people are stepping up to new levels of service not only by going to Gardner, but also filling in at Olathe where help is needed.  We love the way Indian Creek has always challenged our family in new ways and this will be one great adventure.  I cannot wait to meet all of the new families that will call Indian Creek, Gardner their church home and watch the brand new church grow into a place where people will find community, purpose, and belonging.

8 to 12 Inches of Snow, Really?

I am really hoping that the weather guys are wrong this time.  Really wrong!  We are predicted to get between 8 to 12 inches of snow this weekend.  Are you kidding me, it is March 27th, Spring is supposed to be here.  Lindsey along with some friends plan to run in the Olathe 1/2 Marathon tomorrow, don't think that will be happening.  Although, I do like snow and the perfect white that it makes the landscape and especially when the sun shines on it to make it sparkle like millions of diamonds on the ground, I am ready for Spring.  My Hyacinths have bloomed, roses have started to bud out and my grass is green, we are not supposed to get snow!

Three Word Thursday

God's an oasis!

I Will Not Quit Until I Get It!

This BlackBerry thing has been quite a little lesson in patience for me.  But I can gladly say that, yes, I figured it out.  When I was loading the software the question kept saying that "if you do not know the answer to this question check with your system administrator."  Well, here at Stitches By Sturman, I am the system administrator, and I did not know the answers.  But after a great vacation this past week I was fresh and ready to give it another shot.  After a couple of errors, I did it!  My BlackBerry now syncs with my outlook and all is well with my world.  What do you think of my "fun" case for my phone that I found in California?  Like I say, if you have to work why not make your working tools fun.  

Blog Party

The blog world is having a party.  You know me I always like a party.  We have had a whole week of fun here is California and now we are heading back home.  But go on over and check out the party, click here. This is so fun I met a lot of blog friends last year at the party and hope to meet new ones this year.  You gotta love a good party!  If you are here from the party, look around and leave a comment and I will come by and visit you.  Have a great party!

Three Word Thursday

God's many colors

Desert Buggy Ridin'

Our day started out with a great adventure out in the desert with my Dad and a friend of his.  We took my Dad's Baja and his friend, Dave's Polaris side-by-side.  The girls and I road with my Dad and Jeff rode with Dave.  We went up BIG hills, climbed BIG rocks, and spun out on a lot of sand.  Dave took us to the bat caves, a burned out old home, and the oasis, all which are out in the middle of the desert.  We even came across a rattle snake at the oasis.  We had a great time and were back by noon just in time to lounge by the pool for the rest of the day.  What a great day of spring break fun.

Salvation Mountain

Salvation Mountain has got to be one of the most interesting works of art you will ever see.  You can find it out in the middle of nowhere near the Salton Sea.  Leonard Knight, the artist of this masterpiece, created this as a tribute to God.  He originally was going to stay in this spot for one week and that was 26 years ago.  During this time his creation has grown, to include the sinner's prayer and lots of scripture and is all made of adobe clay and donated paint.  He seems so genuine and his entire existence is from donations and his love for God.  This is the kind of thing you will only see if you are willing to go on a road trip. 

BlackBerry, ARRRRGH!

Today was the day the we needed to renew our cell phone contract.  This originally sounded like an exciting thing to start with.  You know, getting new phones, and just feeling a little bit more high tech and having an up to date connection with our world.  I decided to go with a BlackBerry.  Fun, right?  Your phone, and your handheld device all in one little piece of equipment is supposed to be a good thing right?  Well, it would be great if I could get the phone to sync up with my laptop.  This is not happening.  I don't know what I am doing wrong but this is not working.  So I guess, for now I will still carry around both my phone, BlackBerry, mind you, and my handheld PC.  I am so frustrated.  Just when I think I am pretty technologically "with it" a little phone can just put me back in my place.  That little phone will not stop me from going on vacation even if I have to take my handheld along too.

Three Word Thursday

Road trip, YEAH!!!!!!!  

And The Winner Is . . .

Brooke over at Smart + Strong = Sexy  won the giveaway for The Pink Porch grand opening.  She chose the Autumn Silk Table Runner for her prize.  Congrats, Brooke, I hope you enjoy this great table runner.  I want to thank everyone for stopping by with all of your encouragement and comments.  I know, I know, that you all commented so you could be a part of the giveaway but still.  I appreciate it and I like it when I get warm fuzzies. Thanks for the successful grand opening and now all I ask is that when you are in need of a gift or just a little something for yourself that you will keep The Pink Porch in mind.  I will be working on some great things for Mother's Day so check back often.  You might want to bookmark The Pink Porch, just a suggestion.

The Pink Porch Grand Opening Giveaway!!!!

It's finally here, yes, my Etsy shop, The Pink Porch is finally open for business.  As my logo states The Pink Porch is where you find unexpected treasures.  You will find anything from silk tablerunners to handcrafted soldered pendants and jewelry.  Today being such a BIG day for me I want to have a giveaway.  All you have to do is go to The Pick Porch and choose one item and come back here and tell me which is your favorite.  I will keep comments open until midnight on the 10th.  Then I will randomly draw a winner and they will win that item.  How cool is that? I will announce the winner on Wednesday.  Below are some of the items you will find over at The Pink Porch.  All items at The Pink Porch will be packaged ready for gift giving.  Go on over and shop and be sure to check back often as items will be added regularly.  There is also a huge giveaway day going on over at The Secret is in The Sauce you might want to jump on over and see if you might win!!

 

   

Looking For Affirmation?

Why do I always look for affirmation from those around me?  I do this all the time. I want people to like me, we all do.  By looking for the approval of those around me, gives them the power of telling me whether I am accepted or not.  Why would I ever give this control over to people?  And sometimes it is people I don't even like myself, but I want them to like me.  Today in my Bible study, Esther, It's Tough Being a Women, the author Beth Moore, reminds me that if I am affirmed, rejected, or celebrated, so be it.  I need to just do my job. I need to pursue a walk with God so close that the spotlight of this world -- be it for me or against me -- is eclipsed by His enormous shadow cast upon my path.  I will find my significance and satisfaction in the shelter of the Most High.

Three Word Thursday

Just feelin' groovy!!!!!!

Stitches By Sturman has a Sign

I purchased one of the large cardboard "S"s quite a while ago thinking I would do something really fun with it.  That was before my studio makeover.  Once I made all of the updates to my studio space I felt that it needed just one more touch.  So I purchased another "S" and a "B" so that I could make a sign of sorts at the bottom of my stairs.  In keeping with the red and white theme of my studio I found this great toile tissue paper and decided to use it on the "S".  I got the good old Mod Podge out and went to work.  First I tore the tissue into smaller pieces about 2" x 2".  Then you just paint the Mod Podge on the letter, place the piece of tissue paper on it and then cover it with the Mod Podge overlaping the paper as you go.  Once the "S"s were complete I knew that the "B" needed to be plain.  So I just painted it in a nice warn red with cream sides and then dry brushed the cream along the edge of the red to give it more of a vintage look.  I like the way it turned out and it was very cheap as well, I had coupons for the letters.  Now when anyone comes into my studio they will have no doubt that they have entered Stitches By Sturman.