Sunday, April 26, 2020

Sewing Masks Like So Many of You



Hello ladies!

 I've been spending my free time much like many of you— sewing masks. I began my sewing for the Covid Crisis by sewing tinkle wipes. I cut up old t-shirts and sewed 2 layers together. This reduced our tp usage, so we never actually ran out. Then I turned my attention to masks as I became aware of the need. By that point, I was unable to buy elastic. I had a card from the '60's or '70's that had some thin elastic cord on it. I don't know who gave it to me, but it had been in my sewing box for ages. I used that up making just a few masks. I also made some masks using clothesline. Finally, I turned to crocheting ties with dishcloth cotton. It works.


 My daughters and I contributed thread, fabric, jewelry making wire, and yarn from our stashes. It's actually been a great way to clear some clutter while making something helpful.


 A couple of nights ago, my little dog was begging to get on my lap because it was storming. I actually have put a little bed on the edge of my table for her to sleep in while I sew, because she likes to be right next to me. When we had that first crack of thunder, she had to be held. Each time she heard more thunder, she crawled highter until she was on my shoulder. ~smile~ Ah fur babies!


 Well, I've finished the masks for now. Hopefully for good. I did talk to my dad tonight and found he needs some, too. So, I'll go through the ones I have and send him some. Well ladies, it's time for me to spend a bit of time with the family.

 Have a terrific week.
Laura

P.S. Please write back!

Friday, April 24, 2020

Weekend Reading ~ April 24, 2020

Hello Ladies,

 If you're looking for some weekend reading, here are some good posts I've read this week along with a couple of my own. 


 I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Choose to focus on the good in these days and keep busy. I'll be writing my next bucket list this week. I'll probably combine Spring and Summer since I've begun so late. Enjoy your life whatever it looks like right now. Get rest. You'll be happier for it.

Blessings to you all,
Laura

P.S. Please write to me in comments, email, or snail mail. My home address is available by emailing me at laura@harvestlanecottage.com.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Calmly Trusting



What will you do?
Your family is watching.
Your friends are watching.
Your neighbors are watching.
God is watching.

I wrote an article that was published today at Homespun Devotions, it addresses this question.

Calmly Trusting Our Shepherd ~ Guest Post by Laura Lane


Be blessed friends. We will make it through this!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage


Monday, April 20, 2020

Thrifty Things Lately at Harvest Lane Cottage #152


Hello ladies, please read my note at the bottom of this post. 

I'm so glad you came by to visit me. I like to share my thrifty and frugal projects, ways of saving money, frugal cooking, and my blessings from God. Keeping a record of the ways that God provides and the ways that I am resourceful truly builds my faith. I encourage you to keep a record, too.

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Thrifty Things Lately at Harvest Lane Cottage!

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Hello everyone,
 It's so good to be back again today to talk with you. I know many are still staying at home nearly all the time. Our governor in Missouri placed a stay home order on our state. I am still away from home a lot since chiropractic is considered essential, so I still work 18 hours a week. I'm very careful and disinfect often. Are you sheltering at home? If so, what have you been up to?


~ Staying home saves money!
~ We were given two big bags of farm fresh zucchini. Thank you Charles! We've already enjoyed 2 loaves of chocolate zucchini bread. It also has made its way into two delicious pots of soup.
~ I shredded and froze the rest of the zucchini for future use.
~ We changed banks to save on our business account.
~ We bartered for some services we needed.
~ A friend brought us meat, bread, and some other things. Thank you Mary!
~ We've used homemade wipes to conserve tp.
~ I made a large batch of chili with just one pound of ground beef. It made 2 meals.
~ My daughter has been planting more seeds.
~ A friend brought us a big can of peaches. Thanks Rachel!
~ I made four face masks with room for filters for my brother Brent using this pattern. They have a loop for the neck, and they tie at the top back of the head. I paid $2 for the clothesline cord. It will make several more masks. I had the material and thread on hand. I've had the material for at least 22 years!
~ I made four masks for my brother John and his wife from the same pattern except without filter openings.
~ A friend dropped off groceries and a gift card. Thanks Heather!
~ More tinkle wipes made. I think that's all I will need.


 Do not give in to fear about circumstances. God has not given us a spirt of fear but power and of love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

 We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Philipians 4:13

 This is the time to get in God's word and pray. 

 You may give share prayer requests with me in the comments or by email.


God is so good.
Praise God!


Keep calm and pray on,
Laura
Blessed to be a blessing




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Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Crazy Vanilla Fish Lips Kiss Socks


Hello ladies,

  It's a pleasure to visit with you this afternoon. I truly enjoy our time together, both the time that I write to you and the time when I get to read your comments back to me. If you would like to write to me outside the comment section, you can always reach me at laura@harvestlanecottage.com. I invite your letters and notes.  If you prefer snail mail (I do), please send me an email, and I will give you my mailing address.

  Someone recently asked me about the Fish Lips Kiss pattern by Sox Therapist that I use to make my socks. It is actually a pattern for the heel, but it also helps you to size the sock perfectly for your foot or whosever you are knitting for. I had my doubts, but I have knit 3 pair so far using the pattern, and it worked splendidly. 


  I used Seam Free Rounded Toe for a Toe Up Sock by Lynne Ashton found on Ravelry.com. I use it, because my feet are wide at the toes. Then I knit knit knit in the round until I got to the point where the Fish Lips Kiss pattern told me to begin the heel. I knit the heel using the YouTube video the lady made to go with it to learn the unfamiliar stitches. After the heel was complete, I knit knit knit in the round until it was as long as I wanted it. The plain knitting in the round is the vanilla. The crazy is the color. Lastly I used a super stretchy bind off after a k1 p1 cuff. I'm sorry, I cannot remember the name of the bind off.

  I learned to knit my first socks by following a Knit Picks tutorial video called Kelley's Sock Class.

  I would suggest you practice knitting in the round by making some simple hats. Here's an easy one.

  If you're just learning to knit, this is a nice project that was one of my early ones. 

  I'll be happy to answer any questions I can for you. You'll find that YouTube is indispensible as is the channel Very Pink Knits.

  Enjoy this time with your family if you are together more, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Look at the positive. Leave off the news. Most of it's bad regardless of truth. It wasn't that long ago they had us all stirred up over impeachment! After this virus, it will be onto something else. 

 Be safe and trust God!

 Blessings from Harvest Lane Cottage,
 Laura


This post was featured at I Made It Monday.



Thursday, April 9, 2020

Pandemic Encouragement




 It seems all the world is aflutter these days. Nothing seems quite firm under our feet right now. So many things have changed so quickly. Good thing we stand on the Rock of our Salvation. Cabin fever is, in some cases, being taken to an extreme. Have you noticed it? Are you home more than usual? Is your family home more than usual? Has there been an economic impact on your life? When one thing changes, there is often a domino effect.

BUT GOD is rich in mercy. God did not cause this pandemic, but I believe He will use it for good. I believe that He is good, He loves us, and that He will work all things together for good for those of us who love the LORD and are called according to His purpose. That's all of us if we love Him.


 I hope this finds you all well. These are certainly interesting times we're going through. Yes through. We will see the other side of this. Is it not amazing how quickly things can change? But God is unchanging, and it is in HIM that we put our trust. 

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. 

Keep the faith,
Laura



Wednesday

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Thursday, April 2, 2020

On my Needles... What I'm Reading April 2, 2020


Hello everyone,


Did March pass in a blur for you like it did for me? I don't even know where it went. I can tell you one thing though, I am ready for blue skies, fresh Spring air, and the end of flu and virus season. Like you, I have been  washing and praying.


On my knitting needles... on my bookshelf, in my Kindle,  and on my Scribd app! Knitting and reading in my free time and little bits of snatched time is one of my favorite ways to enrich my life. I love to listen to the Bible, to a non-fiction book that can help me learn, or to a novel to pass the time as I knit or work around the house. Do you have any favorites?

Here are the things that I'm listening to this week:


I just finished Revelation  on Bible.com. Now I need to decide whether to read the entire Bible or the New Testament next.


Yes I'm one of those ladies who loves Christmas stories all year round. Donna VanLiere has written several stories all centered around the same little town and characters. I really enjoy this reader, too. I downloaded this to my phone on my Scribd app.

You can see other books I'm reading  on Goodreads.

While I listen or watch videos, I am also knitting earbud bags for gifts. I just finished these.



I just wove in the ends on my socks  


More tinkle wipes 

I think knitting for charity and praying during the knitting is one of my very favorite things to do. There are so many who need to feel cared for.  But right now I am working on filling my gift boxes and sewing things we need. It is good to be proactive. 

Blessings to all of you!
Remember... keep busy.
This too shall pass.

Have a homemade, handmade, heartmade thrifty week! 
Laura

P.S  I highly recommend using Scribd. You get unlimited ebooks and audio books plus other reading materials for just one low price. $8.99 a month. You don't have to pay per book. It's all included in the one price. It's the best money I've spent this year!

If you use my link, you'll get a 2 month free trial of Scribd, and I will get a free month as well. I'm not an affiliate, it's just a neat perk that they have for their subscribers who tell their friends. I've earned 180 free days just sharing how much I love their service! You can too.

Find me online here:

Laura Lane on Goodreads
2020  9 Finished Books
Goal 50

HarvestLaneLaura  on Ravelry

Harvest Lane Cottage on Facebook

@lauraofharvestlane on Instagram

laura@harvestlanecottage.com

Address available by email

Paypal lauraofharvestlane@gmail.com 


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