Kitchener Stitch/knitting or Grafting

Kitchener Stitch...grafting...joining a knitted toe.

RANDI K DESIGNS giveaway

Knitting with Sandra Singh  (if you would like to see some absolutely beautiful work and get your name in for some wonderful giveaways...go visit this site...she has a link to RANDI K DESIGNS...they're wonderfully done. ;)

BLOCKING

Some INFO from the CRAFTSY site:

If you've never BLOCKED any of your work, this really does help your pieces look better.

Their blocking process goes like this:
1) Fill up the sink with lukewarm water and a squirt of Soak Wash.
2) Immerse the shawl and gently squish the water through.

3) Spin out the extra water in the dryer.
4) Pin the shawl out on top of a rug.

6) Want to wear it the next day, so dry it with the hair dryer.

COSTA RICAN TEAM update

In case you haven't read the COSTA RICA TEAM website...


they posted here about delivering the shawls from our ministry...


:)

PSM update

First, welcome to our newest member, Emilia, who joined us on Wednesday.  We hope you will join us every week as we continue to serve God and hug the world one shawl at a time!  There have been several newer folks recently and we thank God for sending us more workers for the fields.  Please remember, whether you are a new member, a veteran who has been away a while, or a “regular attender” (sounds like Davis speaking)  we love having you any time, and all the time.  If you forgot how to do what you are doing, please come by and let us refresh your knowledge and refresh your spirit as well.  You are always welcome.  Just click your heels together and say, “there’s no place like Prayer Shawl Ministry” three times and you will be transported back into our colorful, soft, cuddly world!! 

Do you believe in miracles?  Really, ask yourself…do I truly believe God can do miracles?  Well, here is proof.  We have just delivered 110 prayer shawls to the Costa Rica mission team!!!  YEA COSTA RICA AND PRAYER SHAWL TEAMS!  These shawls will be used to comfort women who have been victims of domestic violence for the most part, and others who are potentially at risk for the same.  It is a vision given to the Barry B. by God and we have been part of making that sign of healing and comfort come to the people of Costa Rica.  Thank you to all those who have crocheted their fingers off.  The commissioning of the Costa Rica teams will take place on Sunday June 26^th at 930 and 1100 in the main sanctuary, and the blessing of the shawls will take place that same day at 1100 in the youth Warehouse.  I would love to invite as many of you as possible to be there for that special occasion.

That being said, I have taken a great leap of faith by giving Barry all those items from our closet.  Communion is in 16 days and we are very short on those items.  I have total faith that God wanted us to proceed in this direction, and so He will provide what we need for the time we need it.  He always does.  So, if you are still working on fast, open weave items, keep them coming.  Atlanta is hot in the summer and we could use more for our own folks here at the end of June.  God has certainly looked out for us in that we have not had to deliver a prayer shawl to anyone within our community in almost 2 weeks.  When we finally sit down to listen to Him, we can get just a glimpse of His Master Plan!!! 

Can any of you help me with the shawls on the 26^th?  I will have just gotten back from seeing my extended family the day before so am beginning to make plans now.  I will need to bounce around between all three services upstairs and the youth service downstairs.  As many of you as can lend me 15 minutes of your time to help place shawls on the rails and gather names for our book would be greatly appreciated.  Please let me know as soon as you can.  I will need help at 740am prior to the service, 910am, 1040am and after the last service ends around noon.  I don’t expect we will have many to put up after the last service, so this should not take too long. 

This Tuesday morning begins our morning PSM meeting.  Come and join us in room 311 from 1030 to 1230.  Bring a friend or two.  I will have some coffee available for this meeting.  I will be there early that day to get organized so if you want to be there earlier, just let me know and I will accommodate that request.  I am truly hoping to expand this ministry to many other women and men, youth or seniors who want to be a part of this incredible mission.  Spread the word like butter on toast and we will cover our community in love. 

Keep praying for blessings for the hands that prepare the items, the feet that deliver them, and the words spoken over the items and over the recipients.  Keep praying for God to expand the hearts of many to allow us to work greater miracles all for His glory and for His Kingdom.  I love you all like sisters that we are in the ministry of the King.

In Christ,

Dana

PSM update 5-31-11

Where did this month go?  Wasn’t it just Christmas and here we are living in the heat of a Southern summer.  Wow.  I have a great idea.  Come on inside and crochet or knit!  We need you, and especially right now.  So, with that introduction…

Beginning Tuesday June 14^th, we will be starting a new daytime version of the Prayer Shawl Ministry.  Meetings will be in the same room  (311) from 1030am to 1230pm.  If folks want to do lunch afterwards, we will make that happen.  For those who cannot come on Wednesday eves, or are teachers and cannot come during the school year, this is your opportunity to get started.  Please join us even if you never have crocheted or knitted before, and bring friends.  I am hoping to expand our ministry to handle the increasing demands for completed items.  There seems not only to be an increase in need, but an increase in awareness of our ministry.  That is great news.  God has provided us with so much and now I ask Him for more workers.  We are happy to teach so please send folks to us.  Additionally, I sense God telling me that it is time we take our show “on the road” so to speak.  I will be lining up PSM sessions at local restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, etc. for the summer.  I will of course check with the store prior to invading with all of us, but it is time the outside world sees what we do.  I feel that God is calling others not in our church to come be a part of our amazing group.

Speaking of new members, we want to welcome Vanessa M to our group.  Vanessa joined us last week and is excited to be with us as we are to have her.  Also, Martha W. joined us last week to learn to crochet.  She has been a member for a while, but has not been on the “production” side of things.  Welcome Martha.  And, if you come visit me at home, I put you to work.  This is how we have Anita S. in our group now.  She spent an evening at my house and left with crochet hook and yarn.  Welcome to all of you from all of us!  Anyone who visits is up for recruitment.  We are grateful to have our new folks and grateful for all those who are faithfully stitching away.  For those who have not been in a while, we will offer refresher classes anytime you need them. 

Our next communion Sunday has been changed to June 26^th.  This gives us a little time to get our inventory back up.  We can use shawls, cloths, caps, and about any color and size are needed.  As we just sent 160 prayer cloths to Joplin, MO., we are short on those.  That is not as much of a commitment as a whole shawl would be. 

I will send out a prayer update after our Wednesday eve class.  Until then, keep praying for those already on the list as well as for God to expand our ministry in both group members and vision.  He is a most awesome and worthy God and we love to watch His work and His workers in action.  God bless all of you and all the folks this ministry touches. 

Will write more again very soon. 

Blessings,

Dana

PSM update 5-23-11

Hello precious ladies.  I wanted to let you know how yesterday went.  Did you know that yarn, once spun into shawls, caps, and squares have wings?  Well, I have proof for you.  we placed 75 shawls, 8 chemo caps, and many square cloths on the altar….and they flew away like birds being chased by a cat!  Every single shawl was claimed.  God is amazing.  We did not have one leftover request which means….God knew the exact number we would need to have on hand and we get yet another example of trusting God for His provisions and for His timing.  Isn’t God amazing!!!

We have around 96 items donated to Costa Rica so far with a minimum number of 110 needed by end of June.  They are hoping for 150, and I can promise you that if they are praying about this and have even whispered it into God’s ears, He will arrange for us to come up with those as well. 

I mention all of this to give God the glory for all He has done and for all He will do.  Speaking of which, I am putting you on high alert…. I am praying that God bring us new sources of shawls, be they knit or crochet.  I am praying for new members to our ministry and for those who have not been active for some time to return to us so we can continue to grow and serve God’s children here and over in foreign lands.  It is not yet summer, technically, and I am thinking about what we will need in October through December already.  OK, so I cannot even plan dinner for tonight, but I am thinking way advance for this ministry as we need to stay that far ahead of our requests.  If you cannot do a full shawl and only want to tread a toe or two into the ocean of commitment, will you please consider making some prayer cloths to replenish our rapidly dwindling stock?  I am attaching a few patterns for you.  As much as possible, I would like to have cloths with crosses on them.  The pattern with the open cross is the ideal for crocheters, but if it is too difficult, please don’t give up.  you can make simple patterns and we can always embellish them with a cross.  We need many so any you make will be valued and appreciated.  Forget how to crochet or knit….no problem!  We will be happy to give you tutoring in person.  Just let me know.  You can always go on You Tube and find the series of video clips called “Crochet by Teresa”.  She is an excellent teacher. 

I thank all those who helped place shawls on the altar or gather names for our book.  Your small investment of time makes a huge impact for the Kingdom.  God multiplies those kindnesses in the lives of all who are touched by this ministry in any way whether it is actively making products, delivering items, praying for requests, donating funds or materials, or receiving love through receiving an item made with God’s love, mercy, and healing touch.

I love you all for who you are and for whose you are.

In His name and for His sake,

Dana