God sized Dreams

Did you think I gave up on my God sized Dreams...I've been missing in action on the blog with these posts since January 29th....I can't beleive it!  But, I do have to report that so many activities have been going on with several of my dreams.  I have been working hard. 

These art tags I made up were so much fun, lots of creativity which I want to pursue this year and also they serve as bookmarks which I use for giving away to encourage others, this is one of my dreams to use my spiritual gift for God.  I have card club this Friday and am looking forward to growing it, so far I have tive coming this week.

Another dream for this year is to grow my long arm quilting business and the month of February has brought me some business from some of my previous customers. 

My "book", has not been forgotten either, I've been working digilently on the computer with photoediting and organizing and things are moving along nicely.  I also spend lots of time with family the month of February, both my children had birthdays, so lots of partying.  My girlfriend also had a birthday, so some nice time with a friend there too.

The biggest news is as I've been praying, this God sized Dream has started to happen, Lose Weight, Get Healthier.  It is truly from God, this one, because I think I probably would have just kept this goal in the "going to get to starting it" position for a long time.  As I've been praying for all my dreams, and me making them try to work, He just decided to show me what He wants to help me with.  My good friend, emailed me about a contest for weight loss with a company she works with and encouraged me AGAIN to get in the program and get FIT.  So, I read the rules, decided since I've not been feeling well, I HAVE to do this NOW, no more excuses, it really is NOW or NEVER. 

 On March 1st I've started the first week of detox and am half way thru it and it really is hard work, but this time I feel like I can do it thru HIM who gives me all strength, everything is POSSIBLE.  I even made three days into the "diet" wonderful deserts for Monday night bible study, I know, crazy temptation for me, addicted to sugar and carbs...guess what, I did not cheat one bit and have even a lick or bite, which is really saying something, Monday nite I took my piece of fruit while the others indulged and I did not even feel angry or sad that I couldn't indulge.  BELIEVE me when I say this is really a huge deal. 

The program is 12 weeks long and did I mention there is a possbility of me winning one of the three prizes of loot, of course the top prize would be wonderful, that's a GOAL for this year too, to get financially fit also.  I do admit that this is NOT EASY and it's like a small part time job to get special groceries, prepare food, journal everything, pariticpate in teleconverences, and start an exercise program, whew...on top of everything else....BUT I REALLY WANT THIS DREAM!

I'm linking up with Holly, today over here:  http://holleygerth.com/

So just to catch up on some of the week's I've missed that Holly challenged us to here we go:

What's one thing you can decrease so you can increase you Dream?
One of the struggles I have is to get away from the TV...it's so easy to sit down and rest and then you get sucked in...there's not much good on there anyway, so I'm trying to say NO and have more time to work on my dreams....that's one of the things I need to decrease.

 Take this “do what you can” step for your God-sized dream?
This really happend to me with the Weight Loss Contest and how it all came about from SOMEDAY to PROACTIVE IMPLEMENTATION.

God-sized dream story that inspires you?  Well this one I'm going to have to save for another post.

“A Letter to the God-sized Dreamers”
Dear God Dreaming Sisters,
This will be short and sweet.  I'm studing the book of Colossians in small ladies group bible study-- and as Paul has encouraged them I encourage you, {don't give up, don't quit, don't get discouraged}, we need to encourage each other {we can do ALL things thru Him, He is for us, He Loves us}.  That's how we each succeed and WIN the prize, how we stay on course.  Go get your bible and read Chapter 1, vs. 1-12 with empasis on 9-12.  Give me an AMEN, sister!

You’re Made for a God-sized Dream - You can get all the info about the book here.
I pre-ordered this one and will be downloading it to my noon, can't wait to get reading this from our amazing Holly!  It's a MUST.

Thank you for visitng, and sharing my life, blessings to you all, Hope, Faith, and Love, Michelle

Rose Cake

I've been want to try one of these cakes for sooooo long now, I finally went out and got the tip.  This is my first attempt and I have to say it wan't as hard as I thought it might be at all, the wilton tip does most of the work for you. 

This was for the family birthday party in February, both my kids have birthdays a week a part.  So this was one larger round pan and one smaller pan....three cake mixes and two patches of frosting.

Here's a close-up, you really need to enjoy "sweet" this is delicious.

For fun, I sprayed it "pink".  Came out pretty, everyone was raving.

If you'd like to check out the tutorial from where I followed to make this here's the link:

http://iambaker.net/rose-cake-tutorial/

Linking up with: Feather your nest and pink saturday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Blessings, have a great week,  Hugs....Michelle

Texture Tuesday

Texture Tuesdays

Today's theme from Kim is--she wanted the post involving love.  I used her new texture from downtown {edith} ... linking up with Kim over here  http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday go see lots of other inspiration. 

I love God, and all the many things he provides for enjoyment....two of them today are books/reading and flowers.  I took this image this summer when I grew these beautiful snaps from seed.

 

The delicate pink, soft yellow and peach were a breath taking color pallette.  Patiently waiting for spring and summer.  Blessings, Michelle

Texture Tuesdays

Today's theme from Kim is--she wanted to see some color that pop's.  I used her new texture Havana and linking up with Kim over here  http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday go see lots of other inspiration.  These blooms were from the amaryllis I grew over the last two months ad I can tell you they did not disappoint, I've enjoyed the blooms so much.  I think the color of  RED really pops out with just a little green pop too.

Greek origin, and the meaning of Amaryllis is "fresh, sparkling".

Have a wonderful day, blessings, Michelle

God Sized Dreams-snowman card

Holley's {http://holleygerth.com/} assignment for us  this week to:   think back to another time when you took positive action in your life.  What’s one thing that helped you move forward that you could apply again now and someone else could benefit from hearing too?

As I was pondering this, it's not so much what one thing I did, but it's what God has done, doing and will do.  He's given me HOPE.  Every time I have had an obstacle, was challenged it was hope that moved me forward, kept me going.   Praise God!  I me really Praise God, sometimes I feel like that is all I have is Hope and you know what I think that's all I need, because with hope I have faith and with faith I have trust in all His promises to me.

Those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength   They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and net be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Blessings, mercy and grace, Michelle

Texture Tuesdays

Friends, I'm linking up today with Kim for Texture Tuesday http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday

Her request today was to use the minus 43 texture, I like it for this photo, I think it enhances the vintage look of my lady head vases.  I grew these beautiful amaryllis before christmas and still getting blooms.  The lady with the pearl necklace and ear rings was a Christmas gift to me, found it at a local antique shop and just had to add her join the other two ladies.  For lots of creative inspiration stop over to Kim's today and check out all the other post.  For those visiting today, new to this blog, I've decided to not post TT at rosebudquilting blog but now here at Angel Rose Cottage will be where I link up for TT.  Have an awesome Tuesday.

Blessings Michelle

God Sized Dream Buddy

I'm choosing my friend Beth for my God Sized Dream Buddy.  She is such a sweetheart, she is always "up", smiling, positive, supportive, encouraging, has vision, overcome obstacles herself, and most of all she is a Christian Sister.  Plus we have know each other for a few years and she "knows" me, some of my obstacles and I know will make the time comittment and will be consistent.  She's also working on a dream God has given her and I hope I can offer being a God SIzed Dream Buddy for her too.

Celebrated my birthday and my youngest sister's birthday on Saturday, her's was actually Sunday, with my other sister and daughter.  Out to lunch and some pampering in the afternoon and then played some cards on Monday night.  So a wonderful weekend, with family time, the next two Saturday's I have two friends who want to take me to lunch...love going out and having some girlfriend time.  Especially valuable with everyone's busy schedule.  But, part of the dream is to carve out that time and balance.  I've actually been accomplishing quite a bit this whole month on steps to the dreams, I've had a great month and there's still a week or so left.

Grace and peace to you, Michelle

God Sized Dreams

God Sized Dreams....I have numerous dreams/hopes and goals for 2013. I'm linking up with Holly for this series of posts for the year, it will be exciting to look back in December at the journey this year will take. I want to work on so many dreams this coming year, not sure if I have just one huge dream but many loves in the making. So here goes a list, not in any particular order:

1. Creative-book-I want to get an idea I've had for 7 years created...not sure of the outcome, but creating it is the priority...whether it is published, an e-book or something printed just for me and my family, we will see. Photocards. Increase photoshop skills.

2. Financial-cut flower business-I know another side business...what can I say it's another one of my passions

3. Finanical-grow my card club-in reference to stamping and Stamping Up Business

4. Financial-change my quilting business-from quilting for others to renting time on my machine

5. Physical-get healthier-grow organic non modified seeds, preserve food, cook more, exercise

6. Spirtual-use my gifts/talents to glorify God

7. Social-Spend more time with family and friends.

There you have it, this is what is shaping up for me. It will be varying degrees of progress and I'm ok with that, I want to enjoy the journey.

Blessings, Michelle

New Year, New Blog, New Dreams

Welcome to Angel Rose Cottage! I'm so excited you are visiting and to create another blog.  I know many of you follow me over at Rosebudquilting and I'm happy to have you join me here along with new friends.  I'm going to keep my focus on Quilting at Rosebudquilting blog only.  At Angel Rose Cottage, I'm going to focus on my fiath, gardening, cooking, stamping, knitting, crochet, decorating, reading and all things I love.  Thank you for sharing my journey with me.

Please bear with me as I design this blog, which will be an ongoing process for a little bit.

Christmas Decorating

Merry Christmas, here's what I've been doing that's partly kept me from blogging.  Just a quick post with photos, not much text on my way to Xmas eve chruch service.  Wishing you all a wonderful  Christmas.  (He came to seek and save the lost, amen!)

Merry, Merry Christmas....I'm counting my blessings, the greatest gift of all John 3:16, thank you Father!
Michelle

Texture Tuesdays-Fabulous Fall

Fabulous Fall...love the color of this season, love the thanksfulness of the season, the food, and family.
Linking up today with Kim for Textures Tuesdays, I used Kim's textures kristen, and paperscript.
http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/

A beautiful fall day at the park, I only had a few minutes to snap some pics, but how can you go wrong with such scenery.

I find great comfort in these words, my friends {especially after listening to current world new events}. Praise God, for his loving kindness.  Blessings to you and be a blessing, Michelle

Granny Squares

Granny Squares crocheted afghan.  Finished this up a few weeks ago and went to the park for some nice fall outdoor photo shoot with blanket in hand {in the bright sunlight of the cold day}.  A multi-colored blanket, using wool yarn 4-ply worsted weight and a hook size F.  I added the same color border to each block red, then I also crocheted them together with red.  I think it makes it look almost like quilt blocks that way.  The I did the three color border which I think just really finishes the project off nicely.  This is a nice rectangle to use as a blanket to cuddle with. 

Linking up with:  Feather your nest and pink saturday
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/09/pink-saturday-september-8-2012.html

I know, lots of photos, but after you've hooked this many stitches...it felt justified.  I think the slide worked nice for a prop, the ground was a little wet.  Lots of hours in this, time to think and dream and a usefulness with my hands.  I thank God for giving me so many hobbies that I enjoy and that are useful too. 

Blessings, Michelle

Texture Tuesdays

DREAM---Linking up with Kim today for Texture Tuesdays.  The theme Kim asked us to use today is "dream".    I used the texture "kristen" on both of the photos.   Hope to get back into the swing of posting, moved two weeks ago and still unpacking.
http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/

I picked this fall photo of the slide because it reminded me of when I was a child and all the dreams you dream when you don't think about all the reasons why they can't or won't happen when you start the negative thinking that we sometimes are prone to.    I used luminosity on the Kristen texture.

I chose this photo of the last flower arrangement I made for the season, two dreams in one.  Dremaing of a cut flower business in my future and also the scripture is inspired by John's dream recorded in the book of Revelation.  Thank you for stopping by today, wishing you a week of blessings.  Michelle