Oma's Place

Machine Embroidery Designs

Faith and what I have been up to

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I am truly surprised that it has taken me this long to get back to blogging. Life sometimes puts a tenacious hold on one’s plans and dreams, doesn’t it? There are designs to be digitized, tested, written up and posted; there are family members who deserve to have special time devoted to them; health issues to attend to; and somehow blogging just did not make it to the top of my “to-do-list”.

Today I would like to share with you about a faith related issue. Do you ever feel that life gets so busy that you don’t find time for other people – outside of your immediate family circle? This has been really weighing on me lately. There is a basic desire there to help, but how does one reach above one’s everyday circumstances to assist those who are lonely and in need of friendship?

Our Pastor’s wife recently published a devotional book that I have found so very eye opening and helpful. Her writing style is straight forward and goes to the heart. She shares examples from her own life and the Lord has been really talking to me through her writings. The name of the small book is: Abigail’s Story – by Sarah Young. It was published by CrossBooks in June of this year. Sarah discusses the qualities of Abigail, as documented in the Bible in 1 Samuel 25. I got my copy from Amazon.com. It’s really helping me to work through some personal issues and has given me insight into my need to be available to others beyond my own home. Actually, as I am beginning to reach beyond my own familiar circle of loved ones, I am finding that I am blessed with a renewed sense of God’s peace.

I can only recommend Sarah’s book.

This summer so far has been unusually beautiful and cool for Ohio. Since I don’t tolerate heat very well, I have just loved taking care of my garden. But I have also been very busy with a new set for babies. I think you will love it. It comes complete with a small mini tote (done in the hoop!!) that will just be perfect for those times when you need to drop off baby with Grandma for a short while or for a visit to the church’s baby nursery.

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Marcia Hutchings tested the little tote for me. Isn’t it cute?? I just know you will love making these items. I am hoping to release the set sometime in the middle of August 2014.

 

Blankets, blankets, blankets

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I have been busy for a few days with making receiving blankets. Our church has a special tradition on Mother’s Day: new babies are dedicated to the Lord and prayed over by our Pastor and the church on Mother’s Day. As a symbol of God’s all encompassing love, the babies are gifted with a receiving blanket that has an applique foot with the church’s name on it. It also has attached to it a little tag that says “Wrapped from head to toe in God’s love; Covered with the prayers of His people.”

Here is a photo of what the final blanket looks like:

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Since there were a lot of baby boys born this past year, we had 10 blankets to make. I am saying “we” because even hubby got into the action. He serged some of the blanket hems for me while I did the embroidering. First time serging or doing any kind of sewing for him. He did great!! 🙂

The applique foot design is available for purchase on our site, together with all sorts of other little and bigger feet! 🙂

It stitches up quickly. Instead of the church’s name, you, of course, would place a child’s name.

When I make these receiving blankets, I make the length the same as the full width of the fabric, so you end up with a receiving blanket about 40×40″ – which is much bigger than the ones you usually purchase in a six pack at K-Mart or Wal-Mart. I cut off the selvage and then serge the edges. I fold over the serged edges 1/2″, press, and then topstitch the serged hems with a wide zigzag stitch. Then I place the applique foot design in one corner (center of design 6″ up from corner). These make nice gifts for baby showers, too.

Happy Stitching!

Beauty only God could create

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As I was in my garden today trying to get rid of Quack grass and invasive Goldenrod, I noticed our granddaughter, Eliana, kneeling next to some tulips. She cupped the beautiful flower petals in her hands and could not get over the size and brilliance of the flower. To my shame I must admit that I had just walked by these tulips – hadn’t even noticed them in all my worry about trying to rid the garden of weeds. I looked at her and then the flower and marvelled at the beauty in my granddaughter and the flower. God IS the author of such incredible beauty, if I only take the time to notice. There are always weeds in our lives, aren’t there? Things that distract us and make us feel overwhelmed at times. I hope I will take more time this Spring and Summer to notice the God created beauty around me.

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Tea Time Fun

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Many months ago a dear friend from “Down Under” suggested I make a tote to carry a mug in. I have been thinking about it a lot and finally decided to see if I couldn’t do it by sort of “challenging” the 6×10 hoop. I am so pleased that I have been able to do it. This is just the cutest little tote – fully lined (not a raw seam in sight) and it’s padded to make sure the mug/cup won’t get broken. It’s quite roomy, too. It easily holds a mug, a treat, a mug rug or two, napkins, and the back pocket can hold our new tea pocket. This so much fun to make. Wouldn’t these be great for Mom for Mother’s Day? But we have been thinking of lots of other uses, too. Change the wording on it to “get well soon”, or best wishes and then fill the little tote with favorite items and gift it. Have you started on a small needle craft like a small cross stitch pattern? Why not keep it in this little tote and take it with you while you wait in the doctor’s office. Depending on your choice of fabrics, you can also make this a little carrying tote for the Littlest Pet Shop “creatures”, or how about crayons and some smaller coloring books. I bet you could come up with some of your own uses for it. The handle is very sturdy and the little tote stands up quite nicely, without support.

Are you ready for some stitching fun? Check it out in our store. I think you will like making this project. Testers and I had a fun time stitching this. I hope you will give a try.

Oh, let you in on a secret…. there is a coffee tote coming, too. 🙂

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Garden Surprise!

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Well, look what we found in our garden this morning…. underneath our turned over wheelbarrow. I suppose we won’t be using our wheelbarrow for a while! 🙂

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