M.I.A.

Dear lovely friends and followers,

I regret to inform you that this blog will most likely not be updated until after Christmas.  I hate to have to abandon blogging for that long, but I'm just too busy this month to come up with any decent posts.  Christmas is rushing towards us faster and faster, and I had this idea that I would make all of my Christmas gifts.  Maybe that wasn't a good idea, because I have quite a large immediate family.  I'm also working around 40 hours a week for the first time in my life, and adjusting to that is hard.  I come home tired, and then have to remind myself to work on all those Christmas presents.  Needless to say, I'm starting to feel a little stressed out, which is horrible, because normally Christmas is my favorite time of year.  And unfortunately, I just don't have any spare time for blogging these days.  I really, really wish I did, because I have all these projects I want to make and share with you, but I don't even have time for making things except Christmas presents, and then I don't have time to post them.  My creativity is feeling a little stifled.  Not good when you're a person who really, really needs to do creative things frequently.  So anyway, sorry for the rant, and sorry that I will be absent for a while.  I will return as soon as possible. 

Enjoy the holiday season!
Niki

Lazy Days

 

 

 

Hey y'all!  I hope you all had a marvelous Thanksgiving.  Mine was nice.  My grandparents are up here from California, so we've had both sets of grandparents to celebrate with.  I've had more time off this week, so I've been really lazy, just hanging out with my family.  I'm in holiday mode I guess.  Hence the lack of blog posts.  Heh heh heh.  But I went to Fabric Depot today and got some cute stuff, so that may inspire some creativity for posts.  I'm planning on DIYing some Christmas décor for my room, so that may show up soon as well.  I'll have to do something creative soon or I'll go crazy.  ;)

 

What are some of your current projects?

 

Niki

Pattern Mixing like a Boss

This is what I wore to church and work today.  It was a fun new way to wear my plaid shirt.  I think the pattern mixing works because the dress is a neutral color that goes well with the plaid.  One of the girls at work told me that she really liked this outfit and that she didn't think many people could pull it off, but that I did.  That was nice to hear.  I was hoping the combo was a good kind of different.  :)

I think I'm getting better at this whole "pattern mixing" thing.  How about you?  Have you ever tried getting a little crazy with different patterns?

Niki

Dress: Old Navy.  Plaid shirt: thrifted.  Leggings: gift.  Silver flats (not shown): thrifted.

So, I went into Old Navy...

I have a quick outfit post for you today.   I bought this dress at Old Navy yesterday (in the clearance section!) and wanted to wear it right away.  It's super comfy, and it's striped, and you know I love stripes!  I love gray too.  Sometimes it's just fun to get something new.  It helps get you interested in your closet again.  I'm already thinking of ways to remix this dress into other outfits.

What's your latest closet addition?

Niki

Dress: $11.49 at Old Navy.  Belt: thrifted.  Leggings: gift.  Shoes: Thrifted.  Necklace: Claire's.

The Earth is a Sphere, and I Haven't Fallen Off...

Just a quick post to let you know that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I'm just really behind on sewing projects, ect.  I've had a lot of hours at work, and then when I get home, I just want to sit down and read a book or something.  So nothing's really been getting done...But I shall try to post something of substance soon!  In order for that to happen, I first need to get off the computer and actually do something worth posting.  Bye for now!

Niki

DIY Smashbook Tutorial

Have you heard of "smashbooking"?  The idea is you just "smash" whatever you like into a "Smashbook", which you can buy at a craft store/online, ect.  The official product/brand name is actually "Smashbook"  but it's sort of turned into an adjective.  "Smashbooking" is like scrapbooking, without all the fancy shmancy stuff.  It's an art journal/scrapbook/diary/ect.  I stumbled across the idea a few days ago (ok, it was yesterday) and it looked fun.  I wanted to start my own book, but being the cheap crafty person I am, I decided to make my own.

 

Here's what you'll need to follow my method:

• A spiral bound notebook
• Paper (more on that later)
• Scissors
• A single hole punch
• Your creativity

 

 

Remove the metal binding piece from the notebook. 

Use one of the notebook's original pages as a template to cut out a bunch of fun pages in the right size.  I used old sheet music, scrapbook paper, coloring sheets and some envelopes.  I just remembered that I was going to use old book pages too.  Use whatever you want to make your smashbook unique and fun for you!   Have fun with it!  That's the whole point.  For reals.  Just have fun.

By the way, his project is a great way to use up some of that pretty paper you've been hoarding saving.  I had a bunch of paper left in the notebook, so I only cut out paper for accent type pages.  If your notebook was all used up, you could replace all the pages with "pretty" ones.  :)

Now it's time to get out the hole puncher.  Put one of the original notebook pages on top of the pages you want to punch and use the holes as a guide.  This way your pages will line up right.  Keep in mind, if you have two pages you want to face each other, punch them accordingly.  It's kind of like sewing.  Put the right sides together and then punch them at the same time.  The holes will end up on opposite sides.  I don't know if that makes sense, but you're smart.  You'll figure it out.  ;)

Reassemble your notebook!  I spaced my "pretty" pages with the plain ones that came in the notebook, but I tried to keep it as random and unplanned as possible.  One of my quirks is that I have a hard time doing anything randomly, like laying out a quilt or a scrapbook page.  It may look random when it's done, but you can bet I made sure that two of the same colors weren't together, ect.  I almost use a formula when doing something "randomly."  Ha!

After I put everything back together, I went through and added a few little embellishments to some of the pages to act as journal prompts, ect.  Again, I tried to not think about where I was putting things too much.

Here's a shot of the finished notebook.  It's ready to be "smashed!"  I'm looking forward to filling it with all the little things that I have a hard time throwing away.  Tickets, cards, pretty magazine clippings, ect.  Hopefully it'll be a good way to get back into journaling as well. 

And can I just say, I love making things?  It was so therapeutic to cut and glue and make hole punch confetti this afternoon/evening.  I needed to do something like that after being crazy busy this weekend.  I think "smashbooking" will be a great way to unwind after work.

Do you "smashbook?"

Niki

P.S.  For more smashbook information/inspiration, try searching Google or Pinterest!

Operation Christmas Child

Are you familiar with Operation Christmas Child?  If not, let me tell you about it.  It's a wonderful organization that works to send shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts to impoverished children around the world.  These boxes are typically filled with things like toothbrushes, socks, candy, small toys, soap, pencils, ect.  While it may not seem like much to us, it means the world to the kids who recieve them.  I've read stories of how the specific needs or wants of a specific child have been met by one of these boxes.  And not only to the kids recieve a box full of much-needed items, but they also recieve the Gospel message, the greatest gift of all. 

Personally, I've packed a few of these gift boxes in my life, working with my youth group to send out a bunch of shoe boxes.  (One of the girls wrote a letter to put in her box, and recieved a reply back from the child who recieved it!)  It was a lot of fun working together to bless children with Christmas gifts.  Well, I can't go to my high school youth group anymore, but I still want to participate this year.  So I'll be going out and buying gifts to fill a box or two this next week.  And I had an idea!  I decided that I am going to handmake some of the things that I will fill my box with.  It's always special to recieve something that's been made just for you, so I want to do that for the child who will get my shoebox.



Warm hats (crochet pattern here) are pretty much always a good gift.  They're easy to crochet (or knit, if you knit) and can be customized for a girl or a boy of any age.



These fabric hair bows are adorable for little girls.  And big girls too!  They're super fast and easy.  I actually made a few of these this afternoon, but my method was a tiny bit different.  I may have a post for you about it sometime soon once I perfect my technique.  :)



I may even whip up a quick skirt or two. 

I hope I've inspired you to make a shoebox of your own.  Even if you only fill it with store-bought items, some child somewhere will appreciate it more than you know.  There are drop off locations all over the country that are open between the 12th and 19th of this month to collect the boxes.  Please visit the Operation Christmas Child Website for more information about filling your boxes, drop off locations and more.  Send Christmas to a child this year.  You'll be glad you did.   :)

Niki

P.S. I'm not affiliated with Operation Christmas Child, and am not being paid in any way.  This is purely me sharing something with you that's been on my heart.

The Modernizing Effect

(I really like this picture for some reason.)

Are you tired of seeing this denim jacket yet?  I think it's been in almost all of my outfit pictures this fall.  It's just so versatile!  I feel like it modernizes outfits really well.  For example, this outfit would have been really boring and mediocre on it's own.  Just a t-shirt and knit skirt.  It was a combo I only would have worn around the house.  But once I added the denim jacket, flats and a cute hat, I actually really liked the way it looked!  I wore this outfit all day on Monday, even to work.  Moral of the story: if you don't own a denim jacket, think about getting one.  At least, if your style is anything like mine.

Well, that's about it for this post.  It's my day off, so I need to get off the computer and start working on some refashion projects that have been floating around in my head.  If nothing fails too drastically, you can expect some new refashion posts fairly soon. 

Hope your day is great!

Niki

Skirt: self-made/refashion.  Tshirt: handed down from a friend.  Jacket: thrifted.  Black cami: Old Navy.  Flats: thrifted.  Hat: self-made.

One Small Step

I just realized I look really tense in these pictures.  Clenched fists and all.  Hmm.  That was unintentional.  I think I was just too focused on telling my sister how to use my camera.  :P 

This is the outfit I wore to church today.  The dress is from this refashion post and the tights are from my post my dyeing misadventures.  I went outside my comfort zone with the pattern mixing today by wearing the floral patterned scarf with a floraly patterned dress.  Part of me was saying "Don't do it!" but another part of me thought it looked fine, so I decided to just do it.  It was a big step for me.  Kidding.  But it sorta was.  ;)

Do you have any tips for successful pattern mixing?

Niki

Dress: thrifted/refashion.  Jacket: thrifted.  Scarf: Claire's.  Tights: don't know.  Shoes: thrifted.

October Verse a Day Challenge: Days 30 and 31

Wow!  It's the end of October already!  Wasn't it just October 1st?  Well, here's the last 2 days of the October verse challenge.

Day 30 was "Clothes."  I could think of lots of verses about clothes.  Here's one.

"And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get." - Mark 15:24 (NIV)

And today's theme is "Whatever you please."  I'm going to take that literally.

"Why do the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Our God is in heaven;
he does whatever pleases him." - Psalm 115:2-3 (NIV)

This has been a really fun challenge for me, and I've enjoyed finding the verses each day.  I'd love to do it again sometime.  :)

Oh, and Happy Halloween!  :D

Niki

October Verse a Day Challenge: Days 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29.

Heh heh heh, let's not waste time on excuses.  Day 24.  "Weather."  There's a lot of verse about weather in the Bible, but I can't find the exact one I was thinking of, since I don't know the reference. This one's close.

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. " - Matthew 5:45 (NIV)

Day 25 was "People."

"I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;
and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” - Hosea 2:23b (NIV)

Day 26's theme was "Listening to."  I'm not sure if I actually ever settled on a verse for this one. 

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. " Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

The theme for day 27 was "Morning."  I thought of this verse right away.  It was very fitting, as it seems like a lot of people have been having bad stuff happening in their lives lately.

"For his anger lasts only a moment,

but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning. " - Psalm 30:5 (NIV)

Yesterday's theme was "Looking back."  Well, I thought of the classic Bible story of Lot's wife.

"But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. " - Genesis 19:26 (NIV)

And finally, today's theme.  "Moon."  And yes, I have used this verse before.  It's a good verse!

"When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him? " - Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)

Well, there you have it.  6 day's worth of verses.  I have been finding the verses on their assigned days, I just haven't gotten around to posting them.  :)

How's your week been?

Niki

"You just get cuter and cuter!"

 

 

Oops.  It's been several days since my last post.  Honestly, I haven't even been on the computer in a few days.  Partially because the computer gets used a lot by other siblings, and partially because I haven't had anything to post about. 

I finally wore something outfit post worthy to church yesterday.  I recieved some very nice compliments from very nice people, which is always encouraging.  (See post title)  People also kept asking me why I was so dressed up.  I thought I was dressed fairly casually with the long cardigan and whatnot, but it doesn't matter.  It was comfortable and I felt pretty in it. 

Anyway, this outfit was a great way to get more wear out of a summery dress.  The long cardigan with a belt was a twist on the traditional dress and cardigan combo.   This look would be awesome with boots, but my only pair is wintery and furry and I thought that would look weird.  I need to get me some new boots...

How do you transition your dresses to fall?

Niki

Dress: Old Navy.  Cardigan: my mom's (Chadwicks)  Belt: thrifted.  Tights: my mom's.  Silver flats: thrifted.  Ring: my great-grandmother's.

Jumpsuit to Dress Refashion

 

So, as you may have seen in my post the other day, I thrifted this jumpsuit that I would shudder to see anyone wear.  But the print was kinda sweet, and the price was right, so I took it home with me and transformed it into a little dress.

 



 See?  The print is a bunch of tiny little flower baskets.  Kinda cute.  But not when it's part of an outdated pantsuit with shoulder pads.  :P

Here's the finished product.  I made the pants into a skirt using the same method as in this post, then shortened the skirt to a more modern length.  I took in the sides a little and I cut off the sleeves, and changed the neckline by removing the collar.  I tried my hand at making some bias tape to finish the neckline with so that it would lay flat, and it came out ok.  Not wonderful, but better than my first try.  I also had to take the bottom button and move it up to the top because my neckline was higher than the original. 

Here's a back and side view of the finished dress.

 

Here's a closer picture of the bias tape neckline I made.  I don't know if you can see it very well or not.

So what do you think?  Should I add pockets to it somehow?  I'd also love to hear any styling ideas you guys have for this dress.  I'm still trying to figure out some ways to wear it without looking outdated.  Thoughts?

Niki

Jeans, Tea Cups and Jumpsuits, Oh My!

 So, I went to the thrift store.  Again.  I desperately needed a pair of jeans that fit me!  Ok, not desperately, but none of my jeans really fit me anymore, which is a good problem to have, but was getting annoying.  So off I went to Salvation Army. 

 

 

I tried on tons of jeans, and only 2 pairs fit.  Jeans shopping is always like pulling teeth for me, even at regular stores.  But I really like the ones I found.  They fit me well, they look nice, and they were cheaper than the other pair that I was considering.  $7.99 isn't bad for a pair of good jeans.  :)

 

Now, before you freak out about the hideous garment above, I am not going to wear it as is!  *shudder*  It's a horrid jumpsuit with shoulder pads and everything.  But it was the color of the day, so for $2, I thought I'd do an experiment and turn it into something much less hideous.  But that's a post for another day.  Hint, hint.  ;)

 

 

I also found this lovely cup and saucer!  It feels like a mug and looks like a tea cup.  And it's red!  It was $3, and cheap-o that I am, I almost didn't get it, but I'm glad I did.  It's been fun to drink tea and coffee out of something cute, and the plate is the perfect size for a snack. 

 

I also got a book of optical illusions for $1.  Always fun.  Makes your eyes a little buggy, though.  :)

 

Oh, and the shirt I'm wearing in the picture above will make an official debut soon, as well. 

 

Have you found anything awesome at a thrift store lately?

 

Niki

 

 

October Verse a Day Challenge: Days 22 and 23

Day 22: "In your town."

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." - Revelation 7:9 (NIV)

What does this have to do with my town?  Well, people from my town will be part of that great multitude.  :)

Day 23: "The view from here."  Is it cheating to use a verse twice?  Ha ha.  I'll just do two verses. 

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." - 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

I've used this verse before, but it definitely fits.  Our view from here is so dim and warped. 

"When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?" - Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)

Another view from here is the stars.  Well, ok, it's cloudy tonight, but whatever.  When we consider the stars and the hugeness of the universe, it changes our view on things and we realize how small we are.  But yet, we are still so important to God!  Crazy, right?

Niki

Liebster Blog Award

I was honored when Helen over at the Blue Eyed Beauty Blog awarded me with the Liebster Award!  It's a blog award that is given to up and coming blogs with less than 200 followers.  No one really knows how it started, but it's just kind of a "Hey, nice blog!  Here's an award." type thing.  Here's the rules:

1. List 11 facts about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.
3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.
4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate.
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award.
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

Let's begin with 11 facts about myself.
1.  I'm a pretty shy and quiet person in real life.  It takes me a long time to create friendships.
2.  I love good food.  Too much, sometimes.  :)
3.  I've lived in Oregon my whole life except for 1 year when my family moved to Texas.  I was 12 or 13.
4.  I can't stand when parrots talk in movies.  Especially cartoons, because they always make the bird way too intelligent. 
5.  Monkeys scare me.  Curious George is an exception to the rule.  He's cute.  So are sock monkeys.  But most other monkeys are scary.  Especially the one with the cymbals in Toy Story 3.  Pure evil.
6.  I used to think I wanted to be a marine biologist.  The ocean has always fascinated me. I love the smell of it and I love the sound of it, and I love the animals that live in it. 
7.  I love to read.  Not many things can beat a good book.
8.  I've decided that if I had to be a villian of some kind, I would be a pirate.  Probably because they get to live on the high seas.
9.  I've never met a Disney Pixar movie I didn't like.
10.  I took piano lessons for years, but never really enjoyed it until the last year or so when I started teaching myself to play songs by just looking at the guitar chords for it.  Now I play on the worship team at my church every now and then.
11.  I don't have a favorite color, but I usually say dark red when people ask.  Like deep, blood red.  But I also love teal, purple, blue, green, grey....Actually, it's easier for me to list the colors I don't like.  Ha ha.

Now here's the 11 questions that Helen asked me.

1. Where were you born?
In Troutdale, Oregon.
2. What is your favorite hobby?
Reading.  Closely followed by sewing.
3. If you could only have five pieces of clothing in your closet what would they be (not including pajamas or undergarments)?
My gray maxi skirt, my denim jacket, a pair of jeans, a button-up shirt and a plain t-shirt.
4. Are you happy living where you do right now?
Yes.  I've only lived outside of this area once, and it was a horrible year.
5. What is your favorite thing about blogging?
Getting to express myself in new ways and getting to share my projects and stuff with people who (hopefully) appreciate them.  :)
6. Have you ever gotten an award before--not just in the blogging world!-?
Blogging, no.  I've gotten a couple awards at AWANA grand prixs, though.  For style, never speed.  Ha ha.
7. Would you rather go for a walk or a run?
Walk!  I hate running!  I did track one year.  It was horrible.  I was the slowest person there.  I was always last and it felt awful.
8. How many kids do you want to have?
As many as the Lord chooses to bless me with.  :)
9. What are your favorite junk foods (3-5)?
Oh man.  Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, salt and vinegar potato chips, brownies, Cheetos and Sour Patch Kids
10. What is one odd habit you have?
Stacking our colored cups in color order in the cabinet.  Like a rainbow. 
11. (I'm continuing this one from Julie) What was your first car?
I've never had my own car, but the one I drive now is an old Dodge Caravan.  It's ugly, but it runs.  :)

My 11 questions for my nominees to answer are:

1.  If you could be any mythical creature, (unicorn, mermaid, dragon, centaur, ect.) what would you be?
2.  What is your favorite book? I know it's hard to decide, so you can list a few.  :)
3.  What did you want to be when you were little?
4.  What's your silliest fear?  I promise I'll try not to laugh.  ;)
5.  What was your favorite subject in school?
6.  Do you speak more than one language?  If so, what is it?
7.  (Continuing this question from Helen)  If you could only have 5 pieces of clothing in your closet, what would they be?  (Not including PJ's, undergarments or accessories.)
8.  Did you have a favorite toy as a child?  What was it?
9.  What's your favorite color?
10.  If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
11.  What is your favorite thing to drink?

Here's the 11 blogs I want to pass the Liebster Award on to:

1.  Green Tea
2.  Much More than the Birds
3.  On a Whim
4.  Randomly Happy
5.  Secondhand Couture
6.  Sam Rosen
7.  Wunderbar
8.  The Sheer Stories
9.  Polka Dots and Pencil Skirts
10.  My Garments of Praise
11.  Crafty Girl

Thanks again to Helen for awarding me and thanks to you for reading!

Niki

Plaid and Polka Dots: Baby Steps to Pattern Mixing

Just a quick outfit post for ya.  I wore this a few days ago, and it was a really basic outfit.  But I liked the red polka dot shoes with the plaid shirt.  I'm not usually very confident when it comes to pattern mixing, but this was a baby step.  :)

Say, do any of you use Go Chic or Go Home?  It's a website that you allows you to upload pictures of your clothes, then you can drag and drop them to create outfits.  It's great for planning purposes and for finding new ways to remix your clothes.  I signed up this week and got carried away taking pictures of my clothes and uploading them.  I think I put most of my wardrobe up.  Ha ha.  But I've already spotted some outfit possibilities that I might not have thought of otherwise.  If you are already part of the site, let me know and maybe we can follow each other?  If you're not, check it out.  You may want to give it a try!  You do have to be invited, or request an invite, though.  If you want to give me an email address or something, though, I'd love to send you an invite!

I'm not affiliated with Go Chic or Go Home or anything, I just thought you might be interested in hearing about a good tool to help you discover new possibilities for your wardrobe.  It's great for thrifty gals like me who want to wear new outfits, without buying new clothes all the time.  :)

Niki

October Verse A Day Challenge: Day 21

I love today's theme.  "Calm."  I love that it was today's theme, because God was really speaking to me on the topic of peace and trust this morning in church.  Someone read this story, and it really got my attention.

^"14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ¹⁵ “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”
 ¹⁶ They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
¹⁷ Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? ¹⁸ Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
“Twelve,” they replied.
 ²⁰ “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”
They answered, “Seven.”
 ²¹ He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” " - Mark 8:14-21 (NIV)

This story takes place right after Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 people.  The disciples are in their boat, and they've forgotten to bring enough food.  I don't think this story is really about them forgetting their lunch, but part that hit me was when Jesus asks them how many baskets of leftovers they picked up after His miraculous meals.  Did the Lord only provide "just enough?"  No!  He provided abundantly more than was required.  What does this have to do with "calm?"  I guess the Lord was just showing me that I need to chill out and trust Him, because He's going to take care of things.  We can have peace because of that promise.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  And just for fun, here's another story about calm for you. 

^"35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
 ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
 ⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
 ⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”" - Mark 4:35-41 (NIV)

Jesus spoke and there was instant calm.  Isn't that awesome? 

So there.  You get a lot of verses and thoughts from me today.  It was a good Sunday.  I visited my best friends church today, and it was a good spiritual change of pace.  So yeah, I was feeling extra wordy.  And I'm not sorry.  ;)

Niki

October Verse a Day Challenge: Days 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20

 

Another catch-up post.  It's been a busy week.  I finally had a day off yesterday after working 7 and 8 hour shifts the last 3 days.  Anywhoo.

Day 16: "Something you wrote."  I wrote this verse on a piece of paper on a magnetic heart frame on my dresser so that I would remember to focus on it.  Theoretically.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1


Day 17 was "Fruit."

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." - Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

18's theme was "Made you smile today."  Well, it was a beautiful sunny day, and the wind was blowing through the colorful fall trees.  That made me smile.

"He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses." - Psalm 135:7 (NIV)

Yesterday's theme was "Letters."  There are lots of letters in the Bible.  Most of the New Testament is made up of letters to churches or individuals.  I've always loved the little personal greetings at the ends of some of them and the other things that remind you that it was a real letter written by a real person.  


"See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!" - Galatians 6:11 (NIV)

And finally, today's theme is "4 o'clock."  Nothing came to mind right away, so I did a quick Google search, and lo and behold!

"Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day." - John 1:39 (NLT)

I intended do a post last night, but the internet stopped working.  Ugh.  Anyway, I hope you are all doing well and enjoying this lovely October that is flying by all too quickly.  :)

Niki

The Fall-Back Outfit

I think this will become an easy outfit to fall back on for me.  I threw it together at the last minute for church and I really like it.  It's simple, but I think it's cute, especially with the pops of red.  It was comfortable, too.  I've said before that this skirt feels like pajamas.  Except you can wear it out of the house.  How great is that?  :)

Niki

P.S. Sorry for the horrible, late-at-night, self-timer with flash pictures.  I haven't quite mastered the art of outfit pictures yet.  :)

Jacket: thrifted.  T-shirt: hand-me-down.  Skirt: thrifted/refashion.  Necklace: self-made.  Shoes: thrifted.  Hair: side braid with red flower clip from Claire's. (not shown)