Life and a Guidebook

Life has so many changes and ups and downs. But in the midst of all the craziness there is always one solid in our lives. Yes, God. Since I last blogged, my life has changed dramatically!!! I lost a stepmother, father, husband, two pets, an aunt, a childhood friend of my son, and the list could go on and on. But what has been the one solid in my life? Who is always there? Who always is nearby to listen? Yes, my father in Heaven. 

Even now, as I have one more mountain to climb, I know who will carry me through. I cannot fall off the mountain when He has my lifeline. He will always tighten the rope when I go to far out and lift me higher when I am ready to climb. I know that this mountain will be hurdled but I know who my guide will be.  HE will get me over milestone. When the wind and noise around me seems deafening I hear him calling out my name to listen and don't look down. Keep climbing upward!! I know if my foot falters, as it has many times, he will steady me. 

Ever said "I wish life had a guidebook." Well, it does! Our Father's words will never change and yet it is living and breathing life into people just like it did over 2000 years ago. It will NEVER fail me. That is the voice I choose to hear. Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, etc. have nothing to do with restoring lives. Those things will bring you self-doubt, comparisons that aren't important, if used incorrectly. Therefore, this week, when I rise, I will choose to go to the guidebook and not Facebook for my answers. 

May God always be our guide!

Have a great week ahead!

WHEW!! What a ride!!

It has been forever since I last posted. But, wow, what a ride it has been!! At the beginning of the year we began thinking of searching for our forever home. Around the first of February we found a new subdivision going up in the town where we want to call home. Long story short...we close on our brand new home in a little over 3 weeks! We have watched every stage of the development while our home we have branded "Promise" is being built. Now why would we call our home that?
So here is the story....
Ever since I was a little girl God has spoken to be through visions of guidance. Sometimes the details are very vivid and other times he guides gently. Around 3 years ago now I was reading my Bible after a vision God had given me about building a home. In the vision God had given the previous night I saw a home being built from the ground up. I also saw stones being placed at the front entrance to the property and I heard we would find it East of the San Gabriel river in the town we wanted to call home. The next morning, as stated, I was reading the Bible and was guided to the scriptures regarding the Israelites crossing into the promised land. That is where the directives came clear. Our promised land was being mapped out for us as directed in the vision.

Promise!!

Fast forward...when we found the subdivision we noticed there were stones placed at the front entrance around a pond. Some of the stones appeared to be coming up out of the water's edge (just like in the scriptures). When looking at the map of the area we noticed it was SouthEast of the San Gabriel. Also, all the homes were being built from the ground up. The three-fold promise!! It was OUR promise. When we were choosing the site we looked out across the way and found the cross from our church looming in the distance. And what song was on the radio? It's my Father's House by Audio Adrenaline. Well, it couldn't be much plainer than that. So...yes, God guided, we followed, and we are about to cross over into our Promised Land and our home we have called PROMISE!!!
Until we get settled, listen to the voice of the good shepherd and see what promise He has for you!
Bev

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Over the Thanksgiving holidays I had such a wonderful time with my sisters and mom crafting. The idea was to share one project with the rest on how to make something. We had a blast with each other and we all 4 walked away with some great gift ideas to make for others in our lives. Now, everywhere there is Christmas music playing and I love it!!! This next year I will be starting a whole new blog idea and might even try starting up my own youtube channel. My idea is to share something new every week that I am making or anticipate making and share it with all of you. It will be interesting to see how it all pans out and I am getting excited as I plan what I want to do with each of you. So get ready Holiday season and watch out 2019! This will be one fantastic year!

Why hello fall!

Some people call it Autumn, some fall, but I don't seem to be alone in my love of this time of year. I have always loved what all comes around this time of year. Football games, bonfires, pumpkins everywhere, picking out a new jacket for the upcoming colder weather, the smell of apple cider on the stove, caramel popcorn cooking, etc. It is a happy time for me and my family. 

Most recent stitching "Jack Sprat:
 by Notforgotten Farm 

I am currently stitching away on some final touches for my home for the holiday season(s). As I stitch, my mind can't help to wander over the festive days that lie ahead and how much fun our family will have. I can't wait to wake up in the middle of the night and know the temps are dropping and the air is alive with electricity. This should prove to be one  of the best years ever! Hang tight and watch what all is going on this year in the Arellano household. 






Here is an awesome project you may want to try your hand at. It would be awesome with all those fall colors of fabrics that can be found at your local fabric shop. These garlands make wonderful conversation starters and are sure to be at the center of your fall decor this year. Thank you cluckclucksew for sharing your talents with us all! 

Happy Creating everyone!

http://cluckclucksew.com/2014/11/scrappy-fabric-garland.htmlhttp://cluckclucksew.com/2014/11/scrappy-fabric-garland.htm

My "Happy Planner" from Me and My Big Ideas' Create 365

For years I always stated I wanted to get more organized in order to live a stress free life. I have researched and looked at many planners but have found that The Happy Planner is by far my favorite!! Not only do they carry planners and all the fun accessories but now also carry a memory planner. Yes!! A memory planner. I can't wait to get my hands on one soon.

https://shop.meandmybigideas.com/collections/2018-2019-happy-planners

I love the bright happy colors and the adaptability to add things as I wish. I have to laugh though, my sister loves washi tape and I never quite understood until I became a planner. Wow!! This stuff is amazing and adds so much pizzazz to my planning projects.

So today I am spending the day with my Create 365 planner from Me and My Big Ideas. Later, If course it will be time to do some stitching. Not a day goes by that I don't find time to do some stitching. What a day to spend a cool spring day!

Happy planning and stitching everyone!

Stitchin' and mendin'

Sorry so dark...sick room. 

Yuck! Today I chose to stay home while my body is fighting off some type of stomach bug. I can be fine for a little while and then whammo the churning starts all over. So what do I do in the moments while I feel good? Why cross stitch of course!
As others have said it is quite therapeutic to pull needle and thread through fabric and watch as art appears before my eyes. Today's little project is a topper for an altoid box. I saw the cutest little boxes on Pinterest and decided to give it a go for some make ahead gifts for family members. So as I make myself take it easy,
we shall see how this one will end up. Sure feels good making progress on gifts and taking advantage of the down time.
Until later...
Bev

New Beginnings

Happy New Year 2018!!

I hope your new year is off to a great start like mine. New years always bring me so much anticipation of what the year could be like. One thing we all have to remember is that we will have difficult days but we can't let one day spoil several by our attitudes and the way we handle them. That is just when we dig in a little deeper and surround ourselves by those positive people in our lives.

I don't like to say I make new year resolutions, but instead I make new year goals. One of my goals this year is to make awesome gifts for people ahead of time and shower my family and friends with little gifts along the way. After all, the investment I am making into those who are dear is well worth the time and brings fond memories to both of us.

This is a sample of a new project that I began during the holiday and my GOAL is to finish by month end...framed and all. Now that is what kind of start to a new year that I love.

I love pouring over all the lovely ideas on Pinterest. My stitching friends are all posting some great projects. So, if you are so inclined, hop on over there and see if you can find your project to work on. Good luck in only picking out one or two.

Cheers and Happy New Year!!!
Bev