A Knitting Post from Sunshine

I'm turning this post over to my knitting girl, Sunshine. She has been working as a test knitter for Katherine, testing out this adorable Blossom Tee pattern. It is beloved by her littlest sister and just about everyone else who sees it including costume designers for television shows (more about that later). There were many adults at a family party yesterday wanting one in their size! Katherine is offering a giveaway on her blog for the pattern if you are a knitter or know someone who is.

Now, I'm going to let 15 year old Sunshine tell you about her experience with the pattern…

 I had been knitting for a little over six years when Miss Katherine asked me to test knit the Blossom Tee pattern for her. I had knit one of her other patterns before, the Martinmas Sweater, and I was thrilled to test this one as well. I tested size 4 in Cascade Yarn's Ultra Pima Fine in Primrose for my little sister, Cupcake.

 The pattern itself is very clear and precise, perfect for a beginner knitter who is ready to move on from scarves and such to their first sweater. The yoke increases and the flower detail at the bottom of the sweater also introduce the knitter to very basic lacework. Very simple, yet at the same time, pleasingly challenging. 

 It did take longer than I would have guessed to knit this sweater, but only because of my gauge. I cannot stress enough how important it is that every knitter knows how to check their gauge before knitting on a project they want to turn out well. A friend of mine commented on gauge once, “Gauge: the bane of a knitter’s existence that miraculously saves sweaters from turning into tents,” and I whole-heartedly agree. It is crucial to check your gauge before, and even during, your project, because your tension might not stay consistent throughout your work. Checking your gauge will keep your tension in check and prevent you ending up with a garment that’s too big or too small. (Need I tell you about my first sweater that was much too wide in the middle with the sleeves hanging way past my wrists? I thought not.:) So, it took me longer to finish this project because I had to start over and pay closer attention to my gauge throughout, but it was worth it to get it right.

Announcing: A giveway over at Emily's place...

Just popping in to let everyone know about this sweet giveaway from a dear friend to celebrate the little life of her sweet baby Matthew. It's been 5 years since his life touched ours and Emily wants to celebrate by giving away a gift. Please help spread the word!

Giveaway Winner and second chances!

If your name is Corrine H. please check your email now because you are the winner of The Little Oratory Father's Day Bundle giveaway!

If you are not Corrine H., head over to Melanie's place. She's got the same giveaway going on and it's open until Tuesday!

Dwija's giveaway ends in 14 hours… you can try entering her's but being Miss Congeniality of the Internet and Most Popular Baby Mama right now, she's got a lot of competition going on over there. Even if you don't enter her giveaway, you MUST go ogle her tiny little cuteness!

UPDATED to add… Melanie's husband Dom is also doing a giveaway for The Little Oratory.

WWRW :: The Little Oratory :: Father's Day Giveaway

Auntie Leila, homeschooling sage and speaker of time tested family truths, asked me if I wanted to host a giveaway of her beautiful new book, The Little Oratory: A Beginners Guide to Praying in the Home, and I enthusiastically said, "Yes!!!" When someone like Leila writes a book about beauty and faith education in the heart of a home, I listen and so should you! That's my best advice… listen to someone who has been there and has the spit-up stripes on their shoulders and the transcript ink smudges on their fingertips to prove it before you get caught up in the latest untested homeschooling craze.

I have been reading Leila and David's book since it came out and I've been wanting to write a review of it but it's just not one of those books that I can sit down and read all in one sitting. It's so meaty and delicious; definitely the kind of book to be savored in small bites. I absolutely agree with so many others that this will become our go-to wedding gift along with a beautiful frame or an icon/religious picture. (I just hope we don't all get invited to the same weddings!)

My "working" oratory just above my kitchen sink: Our Lady of the Angels, The Irish Madonna of Hungary, a tiny Infant of Prague statue, some St. Joseph's oil and a rosary bracelet.

I guess I've always had a little oratory of sorts in our home without really knowing what that was. Something I've discovered, which I hope a more in depth study of this book will help me reconcile, is that some places in a home lend themselves to being a more decorative place for an oratory but maybe not the most useful. That is what I always struggle with; form vs. function, you know? Maybe you don't. I tend to think it's a problem that us visual people struggle with mostly.

For example, this space is perfect from a decorative standpoint. It's a blank wall space (with the exception of the outlets behind the Blessed Virgin) with a lovely wooden counter below it but it sits in an area of our house that is like an open hallway. It's a pass through area called a dry bar. Across from it is a dual height counter that we use for serving food whenever we host a function. We could put some bar stools opposite it in order to help direct the sitter's gaze towards this wall but bar stools just don't seem conducive to quiet prayer to me. There is no place for chairs or even a kneeler. I like the idea of a corner so much better but haven't been able to find one that I can make work in this house. That's where I'm hoping that The Little Oratory can guide me.

For right now, I personally prefer a working oratory like the one above my kitchen sink but I'd like to find something that's more of a space for our whole family to use. That will be my challenge. In the book, they talk about using the little oratory to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Yes, Auntie Leila… I admit… I quailed, I'm sorry!! I'm trying to leave my mind and heart open to the idea but I've never really embraced the "domestic monastery" view of the family but rather the "find a heaven amidst pots and broomsticks" view instead. Maybe it's because we attend Mass at a Cistercian Abbey and have heard the monks pray morning prayers before daily Mass that it seems like an aspect of our faith that is particularly well-suited to the religious life, something not really intended for a family with young children. I can see a couple in their retiring years embracing some of the aspects of monastic life, but I've never felt particularly called to the movement that imposes monastic like silence and seriousness on a day when babies are crying and toddlers need help wiping. I freely admit that this is more than likely my own personal challenge to conquer. Like I said, maybe I need to educate myself better about what the Liturgy of the Hours really are and do some more praying about it. I do want to find a way to help my children feel comfortable with moments of quiet meditation, contemplation or prayer throughout the day. And I look at Leila's advice on family and education as words from the wisest of wizards. She's been there and done that. so I'm hoping that as I delve further in TLO some of these questions will be answered. See what I mean… meaty!

Now for the giveaway part… (it ends this Sunday at 11:59pm so it's a fast one!)

Sophia Institute Press is offering a bundle for Father's Day. Not only will you get a copy of The Little Oratory, but you will also get a copy of Father of the Family by Clayton Barbeau. These would make a great Father's Day gift pack for your husband or your father! Or give the Father of the Family book to your favorite Dad in your life and keep The Little Oratory for yourself! (I won't tell!)

(Your giveaway copies will come from Sophia, not from me. I have not been compensated for this review in any way. The copy I reviewed above was a copy that I purchased for my own personal library.)

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Find more great reads over at Jessica's place!

FYI… Last day to enter the giveaway!

It's your last day to enter the giveaway below. The winner will be chosen at random by Rafflecopter tomorrow so be sure you've claimed your entries using the Rafflecopter widget. Have a good day!

A Pillow Doll Giveaway!

Apparently, I need better lighting when I embroider. Or glasses. Probably both now that I think about it. It wasn't until I was finishing this doll that I noticed I had accidentally grabbed the variegated red, not the solid color red. See how the left side of his cape is lighter than the right side? Don't worry if you can't. My color blind husband can't either, but I can. Since I don't feel like I can sell this one in the shop, I'm offering it here as a giveaway.

You can enter below using the Rafflecopter entry widget for a chance or multiple chances to win this little Blessed (soon to be Saint) John Paul II Pillow Doll. The giveaway closes Thursday night at 11:59pm so I can get the doll in the mail to the winner on Friday. 

If you don't want to wait until the giveaway closes, there is one JPII doll in the shop right now. I plan on putting the shop on vacation starting April 6th so, if you'd like to place an order for anything over there for Easter, please keep that deadline in mind. 

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The Final Countdown: Mercy Covers Giveaway

Today is the last day to get your entries in. In the spirit of St. Nick's generosity, won't you help the orphans and women of Costa Rica most at danger of human trafficking?

Donate via the Pure Charity Mercy Covers website or donate via Paypal directly to the St. Bryce Foundation by clicking the Donate button on their homepage. Spread the word via FB, Twitter, email, smoke signal... whatever!

Then send me an email. I will stop taking entries at 5pm Texas time. God bless and happy feast of St. Nicholas!!!

 

Day 4: Mercy Covers Giveaway Fundraiser

It's Day 4 of the Mercy Covers Giveaway Fundraiser! If you haven't gotten your entries in... let's go, Go, GO! I'm itching to get sewing and crafting especially after Colleen sent me these pictures of the necklaces she and her friends in Costa Rica have made. Remember, of the coins that don't get chosen for a Quiltie, I will choose two names to have their pick of these handmade necklaces straight from the mission field.

 Aren't they lovely?

 So cute!

 I love this blue!

 Adorable!

 I loooove this one!!!

Don't forget... you can enter to win a custom made Quiltie or one of these necklaces by either making a donation via the Mercy Covers Pure Charity website or via Paypal to the St. Bryce Foundation. Or simply help us spread the word via any social media you'd like. Then send me an email telling me how many chances you earned!
 

Day 3: Mercy Covers Giveaway & Fundraiser

Mercy Covers Giveaway and Fundraiser

Hi there! Are you looking for some December Saints coloring pages? Well, I'm glad you're here. I'll make them super easy to find by providing the links below.

Hey... you know all my coloring pages are free for anyone to use as long as it only profits your soul, not anyone's pocket book. That includes mine. I've never asked for donations or put up a virtual tin cup.  My pages are not sponsored by anyone but me. But today, I'd like to ask a favor, not for me, but for the orphans in Costa Rica and those for whom human trafficking is a real threat and danger. Some have lived through it and survived and now need help and comfort. Some are children who don't have anyone to offer them a chance to color and play in a loving home with a mom who thinks about coloring pages and snack time. Please consider making a donation. If you can't afford to, please help us spread the word about this fundraiser. You might not be able to donate, but you might know someone who can!

Here are the saints for December:

Dec. 8 Immaculate Conception 
Dec. 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec. 13 St. Lucy or Syracuse, Santa Lucia with star boy

You can listen to Colleen tell the story of Mercy Covers in her own words...

Don't forget to send me an email telling me how you helped today so I can enter you in the giveaway!
Thanks to all who have already helped and God bless!

Day 2 of the Mercy Covers Giveaway Fundraiser!

Hello and good morning! We are on Day 2 of the Mercy Covers Giveaway Fundraiser and we are chugging along like the Little Engine That Could. To enter into our giveaway for a custom designed Quiltie and two t-shirt necklaces from the women of the Mercy Covers initiative in Costa Rica, you can read the whole shebang at the post below of you can just do this:

1. Make a donation! Donate at the Pure Charity Mercy Covers website or donate via Paypal directly to the St. Bryce Foundation by clicking the Donate button on their homepage. $1-$9 gets you one chance but $10 gets you 2 and $20 gets you 3, and on and on and on!

AND...              OR...

2. Spread the word! Like & Share the Mercy Covers Facebook page, tell people about this giveaway, tweet it, blog it, G+ it, send an email to your friends, just get the word out!

Then send me an email (saluwhat @ gmail DOT com) telling me what you did.  It's that simple. God bless you for your generosity! Happy Advent!

 

A Mercy Cover Quiltie Fundraiser!

PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY TO THE END!!!
It is my privilege and honor to help my sweet sister in Christ, Colleen, with her missionary work by offering a giveaway for the purposes of supporting and spreading the word about her new initiative, Mercy Covers. Don't know about Mercy Covers, yet? It's a beautiful outreach of the St. Bryce Foundation that seeks to provide "meaningful work for women in rural Costa Rica while giving the gift of a warm handmade quilt to an orphan or survivor in a trafficking safe house through our partnerships with other local organizations."

So, to help get this project off the ground and get as many people wrapped up in fuzzy blanket warmness, we are doing a little fundraising!  Colleen needs to meet a goal in order to have her project fully funded via the Pure Charity website.  Let's see what we can do to help...

Today is the first day of Advent and St. Nicholas's feast day is fast approaching. In honor of this saint known for his charity to all and special patronage of children here is what we're gonna do. For every chance you earn, I will put your name on a gold coin and drop it in a stocking. On December 6, I will draw out a winner. Simple! (Don't worry. I'll stir them up good to make sure none get stuck in the toe!) So, how do you get a chance to win? Here's what you can do...

1. Make a donation. Increments of ten get you extra chances. So $1-$9 gets you one chance, but $10 gets you two chances, $20 gets you three, etc...  The Mercy Covers Pure Charity page can be found here. You can make donations there by signing up with a free account either with or without a Facebook account. We are trying to fund Colleen's project via Pure Charity so donations there are the best but if you'd rather donate via Paypal directly to The St. Bryce Foundation you can find their donate button here. If you have any problems making a donation, shoot me an email. Any and all donations are accepted in whatever way they come. And to keep everyone's donations private, I'm going to ask that everyone send me an email (subject GIVEAWAY!) with your donation amount and any other chances you've earned (see below). This way I have a contact address for everyone and is the reason comments are closed below.

2. Do you really want a chance to win but a donation just isn't in the budget? We understand. You can do your part by spreading the word. Earn as many chances to win by doing any of these things...

a) Like and share the Mercy Covers Facebook page then share a link to this fundraiser on your FB page!
b) Tweet a link to this fundraiser on The Twitter if you are a Twitterer. Tweeter? Twit? :)
c) If you don't have a FB page or do any tweeting, you can share a link to this blog post on your own blog or even in an email to a group of friends.

Just spread the word and then tell me how you did it. 

Sooooo, what exactly are we giving away to sweeten this already grace filled opportunity pot? How about a custom designed Quiltie? That's right! I will communicate with the winner to discuss colors of bandanas and coordinating fabric and the gender of child it is intended for. You will get a Quiltie made especially for your little one or for whichever little person you deem snuggliest. A niece, a grandchild, a friend of a friend... you decide. So that means, it's open to anyone.

The more you help spread the news, the better your chance of winning because depending on the response we get, I just might choose more than one winner!

All names not chosen will be entered in a secondary raffle for one of two T-shirt necklaces based on this design made by Colleen and her friends there in Costa Rica... straight from the mission field!

So, to recap...

If you donate $20, and you like/share the Mercy Covers FB page with a link to the fundraiser and you tweet a link as well, you will have earned 5 chances to win! (3 for the donation, 1 for the like/share and one for the tweety bird link)

DON'T FORGET!!! Send me an email (saluwhat AT gmail DOT com) telling me how many chances you've earned. Honor system, people! St. Nicholas is watching! 

You decide how many chances you get. Let's fill up St. Nick's stocking and get Mercy Covers well on it's way to being funded!

 

Winner, winner!

I hope Michele's beautiful planner helps ease your frustration! 

Send me an email so I can get your mailing address.

Thank you all for the great ideas about using various organizational tools. There is good food for thought there and I love getting a glimpse of how things run in your families. Makes me want to share some more of our organizational tools... maybe later.

 

A Winner and ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!

What? Another giveaway? Are you tired of them yet? I hope not. First things first! The winner of the charming little almost antique prayerbook is...

Katie, I accidentally included your last name and then thought you might not want that on the internet so I covered it up. Sorry. I'll be sending you an email about your prize!

Now, for the second giveaway for the month of August, the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I have an extra copy of one of Michele's lovely daily planners that I want to give away to someone. She mentioned recently that she's almost out of these Aug-July planners. If you want to be sure you get one then go order it now (FREE SHIPPING!). Michele only has a small amount of each size and won't be printing more of the Aug-July version. I only have one to give away. It's the half sized planner, just the perfect size to carry in your purse or diaper bag, and guaranteed to organize your life, keep you on schedule and never let you forget an appointment again! What? It doesn't do all that? Well... it tries, the rest is up to you. Leave me a comment telling me about your favorite organizational tool (filing cabinet, iCal, post it notes, whatever...) or tell me about the strangest organizational tool you've ever used and I will enter your name for the drawing... we do things the old fashioned way around here. No fancy-shmancy number generators, no sirree! I'll choose the lucky winner next week on the Feast of the Assumption, m'kay?

 

Last Days for the Giveaway!

I will stop taking names tomorrow, August 7th, at 5pm Texas time. Hope to let you know sometime after that who wins. Also, there are still a few books left. If you have already sent a payment, I probably mailed your books off to you this morning. There was one that I forgot to address so it had to come home. Sorry! It will go out with the next batch. If you requested books but haven't talked to me about shipping addresses or payment, shoot me an email. Those books are still being held for you.

GIVEAWAY/ BOOK SALE HERE!!

 

Remembering Matthew...

Emily, Matthew Karol's beautiful mama, is offering a giveaway to celebrate the day her precious little man was born into this world. Brief though his time here was, he touched many lives, ours included. Go read and be blessed by this lovely family's courage and strength, say hello, offer a prayer for them and then enter for a chance to receive their generosity.

St. Matthew Karol, pray for us!
 

Bandana Blanket Winners!

We decided to draw names from an actual hat. This hat belonged to my grandpa. I loved him so incredibly much! He was a farmer.

 This is BigBoy. He got to be my helper because today is the feast of one of his special friends in Heaven!

 Wow. That's a lot! They almost didn't fit inside the hat. Good thing Grandpa had a big head.

And the winner is....

But wait... Sarah knows that she's bringing home a sweet bundle of pink in a few weeks.  And this blanket just doesn't scream PINK. So I made her an offer...

I will make her a girlie girl blanket and she can choose someone else to receive this blanket.

So, the winners are Sarah from Amongst Lovely Things and... 

AMY CAROLINE!!!

Congratulations, ladies!!!

 

Don't miss this...

Jennifer is hosting a raffle over at her blog, As Cozy As Spring, in order to raise donations for the disaster stricken people of Japan. Comments close tomorrow at 8pm Texas time. Spread the word!