Getting Creative with...Week 1

My inner sewing muse was ignited as I thought and prayed about what to gift my cousin and his bride earlier this year. As we moved Mags into the college and I found more time on my hand than I'm used  to, I tried to remember what I did over eighteen years ago for fun. It is a bizarre happening, we slowly transition from an independent person, to a couple, to parents, and then back to a couple with new independence. Can I hear an "Amen"?

I enjoy giving gifts that reflect my heart and encourage the person receiving it. This desire reminded me of my love to sew. My friend Ret taught me many moons ago. She was so patient and still is a resource when stuck. Thank goodness. I decided for my first sewing project that wasn't repairing a rip or shortening a dress would be a quilt.

Yep, "go big or go home" is the saying, right? Initially I planned to make a lap quilt but as we searched for the perfect fabric marriage, something bigger to snuggle under came to mind. They are newlyweds after all. It took too many hours to track and multiple trips to Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics for "one more thing". As I folded and wrapped, I realized something, sewing is another way to put my creative muse and juices to use. 

Words have been a struggle for the past year but to sew and blend, marry, and reinvent fabrics allows me the freedom to creative without the pressure of someone asking, "what is next?" or dwelling on the "who"s that aren't alive to be my first readers. To write has been a passion since I was a little girl and to sew became a relaxer after Heidi's disappearance.  

God created me to use my gifts of writing, speaking, and creating to encourage, inspire, and help others. As I walk on the tread mill listening to my praise and worship playlists, ideas of things to write or make flood my mind.  My hope is to follow my heart and honor God by using all the gifts he's given me in a more efficient and balanced manner. Whether I'm sewing, writing, or preparing for a speaking engagement...let it be His will, not mine.

What are you sewing this week?