Joy and Pain!

I have been going through alot of different emotions during the last two (2) months. I have lost several relatives and close friends and celebrated life through award ceremonies, grad nites, baby showers and upcoming graduations. Im not sure exactly what to feel or what I feel.

On Mother's Day I was awaken by phone call which alerted me that my brother (Ronald Maurice Spears, 47yrs) died very unexpectedly. To this very day I feel the pain in my chest as if it happened yesterday. On May 28th my godmother/surrogate mother (

Georgia Loud, 54 yrs) died of stage four (4) brain cancer. On June 7th my grandmother (Eula B. Sheffield, 87yrs) and on Wednesday, June 8th my aunt (Greshon Baker, 78yrs) died. On each of these dates my middle daughter was either going to prom or having an award ceremony! So . . . I cried for a couple of minutes, sucked it up and put on a happy face.

This past Saturday my oldest daughter had a Baby Shower celebrating my upcoming granddaughter. That same day I attended the funeral of my godmother and missed the funeral (it was out of town) of my aunt. This coming Thursday will be the funeral of my grandmother, which I will miss because I must attend my daughters High School graduation the next day. Whew! Im tired just typing it!!

So. . . I have put my Etsy shop on vacation until I can get past all of the celebrating and grieving and get inspiration to create new and beautiful items for my shop. But, the best thing that I have experience through all of this is the meeting of two new friend on Etsy. I met one Tess @ www.bannerpaperscissors.etsy.com) because I added one of her items to my treasury. We started talking and bonded. She felt compassion for my grief and mailed me a free banner to bring my happy back and make me smile! (which I did). The second person saw my crocheted items and extended an invitation for me to participate in a craft fair. I told her that I was just thinking of giving up and she shared a sermon excerpt with me that spoke about gifts from God and being patient and not giving up. This inspired me because people dont usually share their faith with friends and family let alone a stranger! I have had a few friends throughout the years but these two ladies have encouraged me in ways they will NEVER know! I am sooo grateful.

So I say to you . . . There will always be a ray of sunshine in the midst of a storm. Look to the hills from whence cometh your help, your help comes from the Lord. He will always give you a rainbow at the end of the storm and you will experience JOY while going through PAIN. Be encouraged and look our for new items in my shop in the coming weeks. Also, dont forget to check out my friend Tess' shop on Etsy. (I have included a picture of one of the banners she sent me). If she was sweet enough to be a blessing to me . . . her gifts are heaven sent and she is gifted beyond measure. Share the Love!

God doesnt make mistakes!

Summer is rapidly approaching! With summer comes brightly colored, skimpy clothing. Towards the end of the year I was obsessed with making crocheted purses from granny squares. They are actually very cute and I made alot of sales.

Now my focus has been on halter tops and dresses. They are time consuming but the end result makes me smile. I am currently working on a design but have to purchase more yarn. I went this morning to purchase more and, of course, they didnt have the color I need. I am going to make another run to another store and see if they have it. Right now I have a couple of summer items posted on my etsy site. Ive had alot of views and a couple of hearts but not alot of fan fare. I am trying not to get discouraged. But, Ive been at this for a while with not alot of results.

I am currently making changes to a bikini for my daughter's friend. They actually dont take very long to make. But, I dont have the desire to make them. I have to envision the design and create things as they come to me. Otherwise, they dont turn out very good.

That made me think of God creating the world and each and every one of us. He numbered the very hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30). Once He completed it He looked at it and said "Good!". So, whenever we get discouraged and/or think we arent good enuf (2 Corinthians 12:9). . . remember that we were wonderfully and fearfully made (Psalm 139:13-14)! God doesnt make mistakes. We make the mistakes. We can also change them for the better when we "unravel" our thoughts and ways (kinda like how we unravel yarn to start a project all over again) and ask God to direct us in the correct manner we should approach our lives and thoughts. Ask God to forgive you and He will. He only wants the best for us. Just as we always want to present our best to others. God wants us to be our best so that He can get the glory.

As spring represents new life, and summer represents freedom. . . God also represents those same things. Give Him and chance. . . dont give up, stay committed keep the faith and watch things happen! Remember. . . . God doesn't amke mistakes.

EtsyMom Spotlight - Cobblestoned

I have been trying to post a new blog all week. I had lots of thoughts but no time to express them. I still dont have the time but I have committed myself to post at least once a week. Sooo. . . here goes! I have joined a couple of team on Etsy. For those of you who are not familiar with Etsy it is a site where alot of creative people who make handmade items have websites that you can browse and see their items and even purchase or make a special order if you desire. Today, I would like to spotlight the etsy site of one of my team members today. The shop has really nice jewelry. . . earrings, etc. . . I have seen a few items that I like and plan to purchase soon. My team friend is Kristina Pick and her site is Cobblestone, isnt that cute! :) I urge you to check it out. She has lots of avenues for you to do so. . . you can connect via . . . http://www.cobbledstone.com/, http://www.cobblestoned.etsy.com/, www.facebook.com/cobblestone, www.twitter.com/cobbledstone. I wouldnt suggest someone to you that I didnt think was talented or reputable. I also admire her entreprenural spirit and desire to be a great mom and design such beautiful items. Being a mom alone is hard work add a business and you are already over your head! LOL! So, while you are surfing the web, click on her site and check it out! In addition to my crocheted designs I also do balloons and vinyl, digital, handpainted signs and banners. I am working on a banner for a good friend of mine. Just found out that the store gave me the wrong version of a product I purchased for the banner. Im a little irritated because I have to make a 20-30 min drive to have it replaced. Gas is $4 and Im not smiling!!! So, Ill cut this short. Have a great day and remember to check out that site and share a smile today. Someone may really need it! God Bless.

FEELING SPRINGY!

I cut my grass yesterday and it looks absolutely beautiful, lush and green. I keep looking out of our sliding glass window at my garden. I have noticed that my Iris have grown, my rose bushes are budding new branches and also the weeds have come out in full force!

I thought that I would go out and start weeding today. But, I got lazy and I also got the design bug. Once I start designing a new item I cant stop until it is out of my system. I start creating something with a certain design in mind and then it takes a life of its own! For example. . . it might begin as a sweater and end as a skirt.

So.... currently the item started out as a long pastel striped dress and looks like it will end as a racer back pullover shirt. I will add a picture when it is completed. That may possibly be tomorrow since I am obsessed and am working on it every spare moment of the day! Lol!

As I was typing this and started talking about items beginning as one thing and changing into something else it made me think of humans on this daily walk of life. We start out as children dreaming to be doctors, lawyers, bakers, etc. . . then, as life takes its course our dreams and values change. During this time of recession I find that jobs are lost and adults are returning to school to learn a new trade or to complete their degree to become more competitive in the job market. Im thinking that another change should also be (if you are not currently doing this) is to spend more time praying, reading the Bible and meditating, preparing yourself for the next journey that the Lord is moving you to. The next level!

Change is scary, change is good, and change is inevitable! While spring washes out the old, while we are spring cleaning our homes, make sure we spring clean our lives (thoughts, dreams, actions, talk). Im sure you will be happy with what blooms when the rain dries! So. . . if you are feeling springy. . . make some changes for the better. Im sure you will be glad you did.

"Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God,

and I will be there to help you wherever you go"

Joshua 1:9 (CEV)

New Beginnings!

Yesterday my middle child, Aysia, received her cap and gown for her Senior graduation. I am excited for her! It is the beginning of the rest of her life. But, I am sad for myself. It is hard to let her go. I see her blossoming into this independent young woman (which is what I prepared her to become) but it is hard for me to let her go!

I will be down to one child, my son Myles, who will be graduating next school year. I have waited 18 years (anxiously I may add) for them to leave the nest. Im not so sure if Im ready. It seems it happened overnight. My job title as "Mom" will be demoted. I will no longer see them daily or be able to share physically in their day to day activities, joys or sorrows. I am in transition and I thought I was ready. I am realizing Im not!

Since my job description is changing, I have found myself reinventing myself. I am a certified sign painter, but find that I receive more joy creating crocheted garments and accessories. It seems to consume any empty moment I have. I love it!

I was prom shopping this past weekend and actually saw a crocheted dress in a very high end retail store. It was very costly. It motivated me to create and branch out with my items. I am now striving to have my items placed in boutiques and rent booths at craft fairs and trade shows.

This cute lil teal halter top is one of my new creations. I am designing items that will be great for the summer months. I think it will go great with jeans or a cute mini skirt. I love the frilly ruffle edging it just adds a little whimsy. I think Ill keep designing. Its in my blood, I cant stop.

So. . . while my children are preparing for new beginning, I have joined them. I dont know what the future holds, but I am very excited! I know the road I am traveling can only lead me to the best life that God has prepared for me. Stay tuned! The best is yet to come.

Im Back!!!

I have been gone for a while! Ive been making major changes in my life and lost the love of crocheting and crafting for a while. But, I am making a comeback. . . and this blog is my start! I am picking up some old habits (good ones of course) and letting go of some bad!

First of all, I am crocheting a special garment for someone. I have to be hush, hush about it. But, it will be revealed soon! And, I hope that you love it and more importantly that they love it also!

Second, my business (Tracy's Signs and Celebrations!) is celebrating my birthday by offering MARCH MADNESS!!! And we are selling individual balloons for .50 each and banners and/columns for 50% off from March 1st - 31st!!!! So, if you are interested please let me know and you can also check out my work on facebook. You can go to my page and then find my business page that way. If not, hit me back and I will double check it for you or send you a fan request!!

I have been having alot of trying times lately, as everyone has, and finally decided to come out swinging. Im not going out without a fight!!! "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14) The Answer is NO!! We have "imcomparably great power for us who believe" (Ephesians 1:19). So, there we go. I am praying for a breakthrough, I believe I will receive it, and I will continue to push through until I receive it!!! I believe it for you also. Trust God.

P.S. Don't forget to call me or send me a facebook message if you are interested in balloons, banners or columns. Love ya!

Out of your comfort zone!

I love to crochet! I love to design and create clothing. It brings me so much joy! I am currently working on a new halter top design. It is kinda frustrating me because I keep taking it apart because the vision changes as the design comes to life! It is going to be nice when it is completed. I will more than likely put it on my Etsy shop.

I don't know how I came to crochet clothing. I took a crochet class after school in elementary school. I stopped as I got older. I began crocheting again while recovering from a car accident. I never knew that it would become a way of life. It would calm me. It would make me move beyond my limits. . . out of my comfort zone.

I begin projects, get bored, start something new, and go back to the original piece I was working on. I have to feel what I am making. The yarn tells me what to create. If I begin a piece and it doesn't fall into place. . . I take it apart and begin again. It frustrates me sometimes. . . but, the items take on a life of their own. They are each an individual creation. I have to accept that. I guess like each one of us are different and we must accept eachother.

I was reading about the Samaritan Woman today in my devotional time. The Jewish people had contempt for Samaritans. It was so intense that they would NOT travel through Samaria, even thoug it was the shortest route from Jerusalem to Galilee. Jesus knew this, and to be in Samaria was a scandalous thing! Yet, Jesus went out of His way to prove a point. Everyone is important to Him. We are all different, we all sin, and He loves all of us enough to get "out of His comfort zone" and meet us where we are!

I was just thinking that I take the time to design crochet clothing, I hand design each stitch with love and determination. I have a vision of how I would like it to look once it is completed. I am sure that God feels the same way about us. He took His time creating us, numbering the very hairs on our heads, "And even the very hairs of your head are al numbered (Matt 10:30)" mapping out a plan for our lives "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jermiah 29:11). " He loves us!

So, how about trying to step out of your comfort zone. . . be a witness for Him. . . . help someone in need. . . . attend a Sunday worship service. . . . spend a little time reading and/or studying His word. . . . I am more than sure that He will honor it - "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well (Luke 12:31)".