AND THIS WAS VERY SURPRISING TO ME!
Happily so!!

One of the things I love to do is crochet. I’ve spent probably thousands of dollars over approximately forty-six years plus on yarn. I find it so fun!

I’ve given away most all of what I’ve ‘created.’

Keep in mind: I bought the yarn, I have bought many patterns. I’ve bought the crochet hooks…  And, I wasn’t self-taught. I started out with a ‘learn how to’ book with fabulous pictures! I love how I give credit to others and realize now (though not when I first started crocheting, that I can’t do anything at all on my own. I need God first and foremost and I need people.

SMILE: I certainly needed a husband!! Wanted a brown-eyed man. Got him!

I’m now stocking up for a craft show…  I don’t have friends who are pregnant anymore, considering my own age. My children are not living with me. And, people living not so close to me, such as I my grandchildren, I don’t see very often, nor my great-granddaughter. That’s life until Heaven.

Selah.

But right now I’m working on towel toppers, planning for my craft sale. These items are quick and easy for the most part.

And here’s my point: I don’t like ‘quick and easy’ the majority of the time.

Selah.

Why?

Because: ‘quick and easy’ crochet patterns are usually, to me, very boring. Not only are they not a challenge to make, they’re pretty much boring to look at…

So here’s the thing. When I use a pattern someone has written, I have to make certain they allow me to use it in order to sell it for my craft show. Some people don’t want me using their pattern, making a project off their idea and selling my finished article whether it be a baby blanket, an adult afghan, a towel topper, some darling baby clothes, or an elaborate tablecloth.

I recently had started on a towel topper (I haven’t made any of these for a while.) As I started working, I remembered after this long period of time I had to make certain it was allowable for me to sell my finished project…

This one wasn’t.

And: it wasn’t all that intricate of a pattern besides.

What to do?

What I did was really wonderful! (Remember me, my friends: I always give glory to God for anything remarkable I, Ann Marie Turner, do!) I began to use stitches quite differently from this basic (very basic) pattern. And: I got excited!

Towel toppers have very, very short rows; so it was easy to pull out a row and go a different way.

Selah!

And that’s what I did. I examined the trending pattern, made changes here and there sometimes, and started absolutely loving my results! (All glory to God again!) Truly I was amazed!

After crocheting for these more than four decades, I know a lot of stitches without having to look them up. I was having so much fun; and even more than usual, because this was my own design! I found out I truly was more creative than I ever thought I was!!

The results of my towel topper is absolutely stunning! As I admired my very own work I was awestruck of the beauty I had ‘created!’  I loved this towel topper pattern more than any I had ever seen!

And it was my very own pattern! I’d never purposefully started out to create pattern.

Please don’t think I’m bragging…

But this one is so gorgeous and unique that I will write this pattern up; saving it and treasuring this entire experience. In fact, I’m keeping this very first one – the patterned towel topper I created!

Selah.

So why is this such a great mastery? Simple!

God has blessed me, blessed all people, with gifts they may not even know they have! All glory to God!

 

MY MAIN POINT?
‘Quick and easy’ usually isn’t the best way!

I’m a firm believer and experiencer; wonderful, detailed works of art take time. The validation of a good endeavor usually takes more than a ‘quick and easy’ effort…

The stunning, the eye-catching, the embodiment of beauty and craft brings a multitude of rewards.

We all should want our great God of all to say:

 

Matthew 25:21
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

 

For this should ever be our motive:

 

Colossians 3:23-25
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

 

Selah.

 

 

SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS FOR THIS JOY STORY:

 

 

Psalm 90:17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

 

Proverbs 12:14
From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.

 

Proverbs 22:29
Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

 

Proverbs 31:30-31
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 

Acts 16:13-14
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.  One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.