It’s Been a Long Time

 It has been a long time since I created a post on this blog (since 2016).  So much has changed in these seven years that it is hard to describe.  I have spent most of this time taking care of my husband who became disabled…unable to walk and a failing heart.  I could have written many insightful writings during that time, but it never occurred to me to do that, as I was ever so busy being on full alert for all those years.  I even slept with a baby monitor sometimes so that I wouldn’t miss him calling my name in the middle of the night.

Anyway, fast forward to today….I lost my husband due to heart failure at Christmas time 2021.  I have a whole story I can share later on about his time in Hospice and how thankful I was for that time together.  But since that time, I have gotten the most wonderful standard poodle, Biscuit, to keep me company (another blog idea).  I don’t know what I would be doing with my days if it weren’t for him.

I have been gardening with some successes and many failures - another blog to tell you all about that!

But today, I want to share my journey with making junk journals!  Many of you may not have even heard of such a thing, and to be honest, until the last year or so, I hadn’t either!  I started out, while my husband was so sick, making greeting cards from card kits.  During Covid I was able to send out dozens of those cards as we all isolated and waited for this terrible plague to subside.  One thing led to another, and I found a site about junk journals and was captivated by the many videos and tutorials out there.  Another great discovery was digital kits..oh my!  The ability to purchase these kits for a low price and then print and create journals of meaning and beauty just took over my life!  What I find interesting also is that in junk journals I also use old books to make altered books, and old book pages and sheet music, old pictures, antique doilies and laces and ruffles to embellish my journals…so it fits perfectly with my “What’s Old is New Again!”  Theme from when I named my blog long ago.

Please stay tuned as I get my bearings and begin to post again!  It will be fun to reconnect and share with you!  Meanwhile, here’s a link to my YouTube channel that you may enjoy.  You never know, it may ignite a spark in you!  https://youtube.com/@carolynspapertherapy?si=OAPdsm_mVTi12yOY

Also, just  few pictures to share:

Be a Friend

Sometimes when people are hurting...from grief or pain or illness....they shut others out.  It is easy to just go within yourself and dwell in misery and become angry over the hurt and angry at everyone around you because you are hurting.  But all the time, there are friends who would love to stand by you and help give you strength, if only you would let them in.

I experienced this once with a friend in Florida.  She ran a gift shop and I had a friendship with her through the shop.  I painted items that she bought from me to resell and I so enjoyed our friendship.  That was until she found out she had breast cancer.  She became angry with everyone...I would stop by to see her, and maybe take her a little love gift, and she would not speak to me.  Finally....I went away.  She got better, but our friendship was gone, as I was afraid to approach her again.

Every day is a gift.....If you are hurting and there are friends who care...let them in.  Tell them what you need.  Hang out with them and allow yourself to live and love and laugh again.  It's ok, really, to laugh again.  I have learned this through my own tragedies in life....I thought I could never laugh again, but slowly and gradually over time I was able to.  That doesn't mean the hurt is gone...it just means that life is short, and we are to live it to the fullest, moving forward one step at a time.  Let a friend in today...or be a friend to someone who needs some love and comfort.

Sadie Sunshine Lace Stripe Prayer Shawl (Knit Pattern)

Sweet Sadie Caroline on one of our many shopping excursions!

While I'm not quite finished with this shawl, the design is complete.  Again, as I am teaching myself to knit, I am designing this prayer shawl in memory of my sweet granddaughter, Sadie, who we lost to cancer at the age of 17 months on December 21, 2012.

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This design may be used for your local prayer shawl group or made to mail to us at Sadie Sunshine Chapter of Crochet for Cancer, PO Box 1624, Henderson, KY 42419.  Please see our Facebook page for complete information and to follow this ministry.  www.facebook.com/sadiesunshinechapter  Please make use of this pattern to give with love, and not to sell.

I have used worsted weight yarn with a size 10 circular needle for this project.  I am estimating around 800 yards to complete.  For charity purposes, I use Red Heart Super Saver yarn and find it to be of good quality and soft.

Cast on a multiple of 3 stitches (I did 72 stitches)

The first four rows are knit, resulting in a garter stitch beginning border.

The Lace Stripe section is done by repeating the following pattern for 20 rows:
K3, (yo, k2tog, k1) repeat () to end

The Garter Stitch section is done by knitting 20 rows.

Always check when you begin a section that you are working on the front of the shawl.

The shawl should measure approximately 65" in length.  When you approach the desired length, the final section should be a Lace Stripe section.

After you complete this last Lace Stripe section, continue with four rows knit stitch resulting in  a garter stitch border and then bind off.

If you desire, single crochet all around the edge twice with three single crochets in each corner.

Enjoy and God bless each of you as you knit this pattern!

Change....Your Mountain and Sunshine are Waiting!

One thing that is certain in life is change - some changes we choose to make, some changes are forced upon us.  Even when we choose to make a change, it is sometimes not easy.  Many times the easiest road to choose is not to change at all, even though the present situation may be less than desirable.

I've made many changes in my life - going to college, getting married, getting divorced, getting married again, having a child, moving, new jobs, starting a business, closing a business, losing loved ones, and more.  Sometimes it was exciting and fun, sometimes the worst time of my life.

But all of these changes have led me to the spot I am in today.  Each step forward led me to the life I was meant to have.  Each experience, both positive and negative, taught me something important and made me stronger and gave me more confidence.  My husband calls it "wisdom".  If we lived in a bubble, we would never become strong.

Every day is a gift....are you facing change today?  Whatever it is, you can make your way over it and through it and come out on the sunny side of it tomorrow.  Just make a plan, put one foot in front of the other, be calm, develop confidence, and eventually you will find yourself settled again, and most likely in a better place.  If you know someone facing a frightening change, reach out to them, hold their hand, reassure them, and pray for them today.

www.facebook.com/everydayisagiftfromgod

Choices

Choices....we all make them or need to make them every day.  Some are simple, everyday choices....some are life changing.

It is so very difficult to make a choice when it is between two things, both of which have so many positive features.  I own an antique, gift and yarn business, and I began to think about retirement over three years ago.  I have been waiting for the "right" time, for everything to be perfect and clear before I made my choice.  I asked God to hit me on the head and just tell me what was right for me and my family and even my community.  Apparently He didn't want to make it that simple.

In the meantime, while I tossed things around in my mind, I decided to give the shop everything I had.  I have expanded, added new features, even recently invested in a new sign and supplies for this upcoming year.  But all the time I was still thinking, listening, watching and asking for guidance.

Three days ago, right in the middle of the day, I made my decision....I am going to retire!  There are so many reasons to keep doing what I am doing and reasons to make a change.  It does no good to ask for advice, because even those who love you have just a bit of selfish motive.  They truly want me to be happy, but they also want me to do the thing that affects them in a positive way.  The choice had to be mine, and the reasoning had to be mine.

Now that the choice is made, and I've let the world know, I am committed to make it work and make sure that I am happy and satisfied with the results of this choice.  My theory on life is to make the most you can of every situation, look forward and never back, make choices and do not have regrets, cherish memories, remember the good things, and focus on now and the future.

I didn't make the choice to take the easy road...this one will be hard for months to come as I resolve many issues that will arise from this choice, but I know where I'm headed, and it is a good place!

Every day is a gift...Do you have a difficult choice awaiting you?  You may have to struggle with it like I did...it took me three years....but the mind is an amazing thing, especially if you fill it with good thoughts!  You can do the thing you need to do....have confidence in your abilities and try to keep moving forward in life.  The rewards are endless....especially after the choices are made!www.facebook.com/everydayisagiftfromgod

Sadie Sunshine Sampler Prayer Shawl (Knit pattern)

This pattern was designed in memory of my sweet 17 month old granddaughter, Sadie, who we lost to Cancer on December 21, 2012.  I have always crocheted and decided to teach myself to knit.  As I progressed up one side of this shawl, I decided to do each section in a different, simple pattern.  At the same time I was praying and remembering Sadie and others who are suffering from cancer or a loss, I was learning - so I decided to dedicate this shawl to her and record the pattern for use as a prayer shawl.

Please feel free to use and share this pattern, but when you stitch it, please have someone in mind and give it freely to them for comfort in their time of need.

(Revised to add 4 stitch garter stitch to each side - 2/5/18)

Worsted Weight Yarn - approximately 800 yards

Size 10 needles

Cast on 81 Stitches

Each section begins with front side facing.

FIRST SECTION - Garter Stitch

Knit every row - 32 rows

SECOND SECTION - Seed Stitch

K4, *(K1, P1) repeat from * to last stitch, K5 - 22 rows

THIRD SECTION - Stockinette Stitch

Row 1 - Knit every stitch

Row 2 - Knit first 4 stitches, P to last 4 stitches, K4

Repeat these two rows 8 more times - total of 18 rows

FOURTH SECTION - Basket Weave Stitch

Row 1 - Knit all stitches

Row 2 - K8, P3, *K5, P3. Repeat from *to last 6 stitches, K6

Row 3 - K4, P2, K3, *P5, K3. Repeat from *to last 8 stitches, P4. K4

Row 4 - K8, P3, *K5, P3. Repeat from *to last 6 stitches, K6

Row 5 - Knit all stitches

Row 6 - K4, P3, *K5, P3. Repeat from * to last 10 stitches, K5, P1, K4

Row 7 - K5, *P5, K3. Repeat from *to last 4 stitches, K4

Row 8 - K4, P3, *K5, P3. Repeat from *to last 10 stitches, K5, P1, K4

Repeat rows 1-8 two more times, then

Knit one row and the K4, Purl to last 4 stitches, K4  before starting the next section.

FIFTH SECTION - Textured Garter Stitch

Row 1 -K4, *(K2, P2) repeat from * to last 5 stitches, K5

Row 2 - K5, then *(P2, K2) repeat from * to last 4 stitches, K4

Repeat Rows 1 and 2  ten more times

SIXTH SECTION -  repeat Third Section - Stockinette Stitch

SEVENTH SECTION - Lattice Stitch

Row 1 - K7, *P1, K5. Repeat from *to last 8 stitches, P1, K7

Row 2 - K4, P2, *K1, P1, K1, P3. Repeat from *to last 9 Stitches, K1, P1, K1, P2,K4

Row 3 - K5, *P1, K3, P1, K1. Repeat from *to last 4 stitches, K4

Row 4 - K5, *P5, K1. Repeat from *to last 4 stitches, K4

Row 5 - Repeat Row 3

Row 6 - Repeat Row 2

Repeat Rows 1-6 three more times, then

Repeat Row 1, then K4, then Purl to last 4 stitches, K4 before beginning the next section.

EIGHTH SECTION - Diagonal Check Stitch

Row 1 - K4, *P1, K4. Repeat from *to last 7 stitches, P1, K6

Row 2 - K4, P1, K2. *P3, K2. Repeat from *to last 4 stitches, K4

Row 3 - K4, *P3, K2. Repeat from *to last 7 stitches, P3, K4

Row 4 - K7, *P1, K4. Repeat from *to last 4 stitches, K4

Row 5 - K4, *K1, P4. Repeat from * to last 7 stitches, K1, P2, K4

Row 6 - K5, P2. *K3, P2. Repeat from * to last 4 stitches, K4

Row 7 - K4, *K3, P2. Repeat from *to last 7 stitches, K7

Row 8 - K4, P3, *K1, P4. Repeat from *to last 4 stitches, K4

Repeat Rows 1-8 two more times.

NINTH SECTION -  repeat Third Section - Stockinette Stitch

TENTH SECTION - repeat Eighth Section - Diagonal Check, then

Knit one row and then K4, Purl to last 4 stitches, K4 before beginning the next section.

ELEVENTH SECTION - repeat Seventh Section - Lattice Stitch

TWELFTH SECTION -  repeat Third Section - Stockinette Stitch

THIRTEENTH SECTION - repeat Fifth Section -  Textured Garter Stitch, then

Knit one row and then K4, Purl to last 4 stitches, K4 before beginning the next section.

FOURTEENTH SECTION - repeat Fourth Section - Basket Weave Stitch

FIFTEENTH SECTION - repeat Third Section - Stockinette Stitch

SIXTEENTH SECTION - repeat Second Section - Seed Stitch

SEVENTEENTH SECTION - repeat First Section - Garter Stitch

Bind off.  Block as necessary.

Designed by Carolyn Dorsey, Sadie's Mammaw

I would be pleased for you to donate your finished product to our Sadie Sunshine Chapter of Crochet for Cancer, and we will give to a Cancer patient.  The mailing address is Sadie Sunshine Chapter, PO Box 1624, Henderson, KY 42419. You may find us at www.facebook.com/sadiesunshinechapter

You Will Bloom Again!

I love flowers!  I have over 40 violets in my home that I care for, and last year at Christmas I decided to purchase one of those Amaryllis in a box with promise of a beautiful flower from a bulb and a little dirt.  It grew and bloomed beautifully.

My husband is an outdoor gardener, so he put it in a big pot and it was in the garden outside for all of Spring, Summer and Fall.  Then Winter came and we decided to bring it in, cut it back and see what happened!  It has taken a while, but this morning we have been rewarded by two beautiful blooms!

We all have periods of time in our lives when we are dormant, sad or hurting or gloomy.  But there is always the promise of a new day full of sunshine and flowers.  We just need patience and faith, and before we know it we will see the sunshine and bloom again.  Hope!  This is what gets us through the tough times.

Are you depressed or sad or lonely?  Every day is a gift....look around you today for the rays of hope and sunshine, and begin to bloom again and share your beauty with others!  Everyone needs a pretty flower to look at each day !