jewelz

Posted by juliekendall on December 24th, 2008 in General

Hello dear friends and family!

I sincerely hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Eve/Christmas Day depending on when you read this. For me, it’s Christmas Eve and I just finished making coconut chocolate balls for my family. In a few minutes I’ll start making a huge batch of mashed potatoes to take to Todd and Monica’s house for a Christmas Eve dinner and an evening of playing Phase 10. Both Jes and Adam will be there as well so it’ll be great having everyone together. (I am feeling very guilty about leaving Lily here..after all…she’s family too! But Craig insists she will be fine;) Of course, we’ll have the movie “A Christmas Story” playing on the tv the whole time!

Craig and I are more excited this year to give our kids their gifts than we’ve been in quite sometime. Both of us made gifts for each kid this year and like it so much, we think we will begin a new tradition. From now on, all gifts for Christmas will be handmade. Not only are we saving money, but we’re also helping keep so much waste down. The item I made for Adam came from GoodWill. I made a “case” of sorts for it from a refashion item also from Goodwill. Jes’ items came from yarn that I’ve had for a time and some yarn I found on clearance. I’ll post pictures tomorrow after the need for secrecy is gone!

Today has been an interesting day. Our Christmas tree is dying FAST! Good thing we only need it for one more day! I think all of us has had at least one unpleasant moment or two today and Lily REALLY needs a bath! However, it’s Christmas Eve and we are all healthy (especially Jes….we just found out on Monday that she DOES NOT HAVE CROHN’S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has either Celiac Disease or she is gluten intolerant. We won’t know which one until her blood labs get back. However, either one is WAY better than Crohns. Her changed diet has already made her feel tons better!!) We have a house to live in (for now at least;) and a family that loves each other so very, very much. All four of us has had a challenging year since last Christmas but have come through it both wiser and kinder. While it has been difficult and trying, we have each learned to lean on God in ways we have not done so before. As parents, Craig and I are in positions where we cannot help our kids with their troubles as we have in the past. That’s a very difficult place to be. We’ve had to rely solely on God to take care of them. While that is extremely hard for a parent to do, I’ve learned that God works in my children’s lives just as much as mine.

So with all this in mind, rather than wishing you a merry, stress-free exsistance, I wish for you the deepness of life that God wants for you. I pray that you not only know Him as the innocent babe the season celebrates, but also the powerful, loving, wise and very approachable God and King that He is.

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Posted by juliekendall on December 17th, 2008 in General

You’ve all heard me talk about my sister and how we are so much alike and total opposites at the same time. We both love pink, I like pastel, she likes hot. We love Pepsi….diet for me….regular for her. I love winter, she loves summer. The list goes on and on. I’ve tried to explain our relationship to people for many years but you really just have to ……. experience…..us to get the whole picture. However, I do have a little peek into what it’s like in our world. Click here to read the comment Jen left concerning the post before this one.

I can’t even begin to tell you all the stories of the things we’ve done over the past several decades. I know for certain that neither of our husbands know everything we’ve done and neither of them want to know! Especially since Jen’s husband is in law enforcement!!

Suffice it to say that with every crazy thing we’ve done, whether intentional or not, the one constant in all of it is laughter. We have laughed until we thought we would die from laughing. I can’t even begin to tell you how much we have laughed over the years. Yes…we’ve cried…..hard. Life has not been necessarily easy for either of us. We’ve made mistakes and we’ve been what society would call “victims” but we’ve never, ever lost the ability to laugh. Maybe that’s why we treasure laughter so very much. We know what’s on the flip-side.

I guess I just want to thank God for giving us so much laughter. I understand the blessing of it. The need for it. The healing it brings.

Laughing Sisters. Has a nice ring to it….doesn’t it?

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Posted by juliekendall on December 9th, 2008 in General

Recently, a few of my posts have been on the more serious side of life. I started thinking about that and realized that a few of you might actually think that those “Julie” things aren’t happening to me anymore. HA! So I thought I’d share an incident that happened to me a few weeks back, so that you will know….yes…all is still right in the world.

Let me preface this little adventure with a small warning. If you get embarrassed by bathroom humor…you might want to hit that back button right now. And remember…I didn’t CHOOSE this to happen to me…it just seems to be God’s way of keeping my sense of humor and humility intact.

While out running errands a few weeks back, my body suddenly realized that it had had one too many Diet Pepsi’s and needed to take care of that little problem IMMEDIATELY. So I pull into a quick stop and headed straight back to the bathroom. It wasn’t too hard to figure out which door in the back was the bathroom because it had an empty GALLON jug of milk attached to the key. (Not sure I understand the whole locked up bathroom thing…what am I going to do…steal that yummy air-freshener and hide it in my purse?) The lady in the milk-jug-protected bathroom finally comes out and I rush in behind her, turning to lock the door. I have to swing that milk-jug out far enough to get the darn door closed before it comes crashing back in….the whole time trying not to fall over because I’m both standing and jumping in a crossed-leg position. So I finally get the door closed and push in the little lock button on the knob. I never really heard the little click of the lock and the handle felt a little “undecided” to me but hey….there was a HUGE gallon milk jug on the other side letting even the most obtuse know that the bathroom was in use.

So, after undoing and untucking every little thing, I was finally able to say hello to the porcelain bowl and relief was feeling really good. I was still enjoying that “aahhhh…..” feeling when I heard someone fiddling with the door knob. Now…I’m no novice when it comes to public restroom etiquette so I strongly call out the word “OCCUPIED” having faith that if the person on the other side of the door, happened to be blind enough to miss the GALLON MILK JUG jutting out from the door, and…let’s just be very accommodating here…happened to have absolutely no feeling in either hands so that they really don’t realize that there is a GALLON sized milk jug hanging off the key in the door, they would surely hear me and realize that the bathroom wasn’t empty. Well…as is usual for me…the “norm” didn’t work and before I knew it, the door flew open and so was I! Open right there for all the world to see. At this point I’m so shocked, I just stared at the woman who has stuck her body in the door and without any apology or embarrassment on her part, says…”my friend left her cane in here and we just need to get it real quick”. At that point, my mouth joined the rest of my body and just hung there…wide open. She looks at the little handle thingy next to the toilet and sure enough the cane is hanging on it.So she opens the door even FURTHER (she was a hefty girl) and struts right in (it was a rather large bathroom…single occupancy but big enough for a peanut gallery) and grabs the cane…all the while I’m…well… sitting there thinking this kind of stuff ONLY happens to ME!!!! After wrestling with that huge milk JUG she finally closes the door and leaves me there wondering did that REALLY just happen? At that point, my bodily organs got stage fright and immediately froze up and shut down. So, still in shock, I put it all back together and got the heck out of that bathroom.

The point to this story?
A. It could only happen to ME!
B. If you happen to see a HUGE gallon milk jug hanging from a key on a public restroom door….BACK THE HECK OFF!!!!!

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Posted by juliekendall on December 6th, 2008 in General

Hey Friends!

So…what the heck is A4J? Well….I need a favor. I know you are all busy right now with Christmas events but I just wanted to get this little favor in your head!

I’m in the process of designing a full apron. I’ve looked at some patterns online but I don’t like them very much. The patterns that I do like are all the 1920′s-1960′s (1940′s are my favorite). The problem is that these patterns cost anywhere from $40-$70! Since I use these patterns as inspiration more than actual design, I really don’t want to spend that much. SO….if you are at a yard sale, thrift store or cleaning out Aunt Martha’s sewing stash….would you mind letting me know if you find something? Usually these patterns only cost anywhere from a nickel to a couple of bucks. I’ll happily repay you and provided shipping costs as well.

Now…I know I didn’t really answer your earlier question. What the heck is A4J? I needed a cute little way to help you remember that I need apron patterns and apron for julie was too long and not note-worthy. However….A4J sticks like mud! I know….really corny and stupid. BUT….it will stick in your mind like a really bad song!

Thanks so much friends…and remember….

A 4 J

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Posted by juliekendall on December 5th, 2008 in General

Well…yesterday certainly didn’t go the way I expected it to go. It was one of those weird mixed up days where you feel like you’re in a bad sci-fi movie. I had worked very hard for two days to get more stock ready for the “show” (with very little sleep). On the morning of the show, I was up by 5:30 so I could put the finishing touches on 5 more aprons and 3 ornaments. It was snowing when I got up but not heavily. Around 7:00 it started snowing harder so Craig and I decided that I’d better leave earlier than planned. That turned out to be a good thing since it took me 2 hours to get there (normally 1 hour). But the snow was beautiful and really added to the Christmas feel.

My first clue that something wasn’t quite as expected was the fact that we were having our “show” in a very small room at the back of the kitchen. The building we were in was quite big with a good size lobby so this was red flag no. 1.

Red flag no.2 went flying when I realized that there were only going to be 7 vendors there (including me). Then I realized that out of those 7 vendors…5 were all jewelry and 2 were hand-cream and candles. At first I thought this was a positive thing for me until I realized that what few people actually showed up to shop were only looking for jewelry.

The rest of the day could be summed up in one digit….0. I sold nothing. Nobody really even looked at my stuff that much. And yeah….it really hurt. Not so much that nobody bought anything. The fact that I had worked so hard for…what I thought…nothing. Then…as the day worn on (painfully, slowly, crawled onward), God started revealing things to me little bit by little bit….

I had put far too much emphasis on the whole money part of things. I may be able to make the excuse that we really need the money right now but that is quickly squelched with a Holy…you-know-better-than-that nudge by God. He was right (ha…imagine that). I had just read in Mark that morning about the disciples worrying and fighting with each other over the fact that no one had brought any bread along to eat and they were hungry with no chance of finding food. (This was soon after Jesus had fed the huge crowds with nothing but a few loaves of bread and a couple of small fish…TWICE!) This is my paraphrase here….Jesus just looked at them with a are-you-kidding-me look and basically said if He could feed the multitudes…He could certainly feed a dozen(ish) whimpy men…and that forgetting so quickly about the 2 major miracles they had just witnessed didn’t look so good on their faith-o-meters!

SO….back to me….blaming my bad mood and anger on the loss of what I had thought would be some well needed money was my own fault. Money…or the lack of it….was not why I was there. So what the heck was the reason I was there? To listen and learn. And I’m not talking about marketing strategies. I learned yesterday….once again….(guess I’m not so good at learning things the first time around) that “things, power, prestige, and money” are spiritual “drugs” that can ruin your life…both physical and spiritual. I listened for 4 hours to one woman after another subtly and not-so-subtly try to out do the other in who she knew, what she had done, where she had gone and where she lived/lives. Spas, 5 star resorts, designer stores…clothes,shoes,houses, cars, jewelry….California, Aspen, Vail….positions, titles, talents…..over and over again. Each one trying to talk louder and faster than the other. And for every word spoken, God would quietly whisper to me….”this is not what I wish for you”…. “this does not give you peace and joy”….”this is not reality…it is a trap.”

So…after reading this novel….you’re probably wondering how does it end (if it ever actually ends…..)? Here it is…

I made no money. Lost some actually.
I gained wisdom and understanding.
Jesus said that wisdom and understanding are better than silver and gold.
He is right.
We will be fine.
Flowers and Sparrows fine.
I won’t quit sewing…even though I wanted badly and sadly to give up.
The future He has for me is a successful one.
His version of success…not mine.
My place in society may well be far “lower” than I had planned or dreamed.
I’m glad…those dreams can quickly turn into living nightmares.
I have to stop trying to “make it happen”.
What I build is washed away as sand is by water.
Faith is made of rock.
Understanding is hard and painful to come by…
Relief is the peace you get when the hard and painful pay off.

So this is what I’m going to do this weekend. Clean my house. Cook some food for some family/friends. Put up my Christmas tree. Watch old movies while I lovingly make gifts for my family. So there.

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Posted by juliekendall on December 4th, 2008 in General

I have my first “official” craft show today. I worked late last night and finished up 5 more aprons. That makes around 16 (I think). It’s a little after 6:00 a.m. and I’m sooooooo sleepy and tired. I’ve been up since 5:30 because I have a little more to do.

It’s 18 degree’s outside and snowing. The low tonight is supposed to be 7. I just can’t wait to sleep as long as I want!

I know this is short but I have a lot to do before I leave. I’ll write a longer one soon.

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Posted by juliekendall on November 27th, 2008 in General

To me, Thanksgiving is more about family than Christmas is . And I think it’s because there are no gifts. Gifts….things….take away from the non-tangible side of joy. Seeing the smiles on my nephews faces, my kids eyes full of the anticipation of their favorite foods, watching Craig try to stay out of the way but still be a part of all the craziness that I love so much. We laugh and laugh then laugh so much we have to make a mad dash for the bathroom with our legs crossed. Lily goes into stealth mood and snakes her way through all the human legs watching for “manna from heaven” as we drop little bits of goodies here and there. Christmas music plays in the background…all the music from my childhood memories, bringing mom and dad into the celebration so that my sister and I can still feel their presence even though they have long departed. I’m covered with flour, making things that I won’t necessarily eat but love to watch my family eagerly devour every bite.

Tonight, we’ll light the fire, play soft music in the background, and scarf our dessert of choice while we all proclaim that we couldn’t possibly eat another bite.

We’ll gaze out the window wishing and hoping that it is snowing like crazy outside. All but my sister…she’ll be grumbling and griping in the background, making sure that someone is representing the traditional grouching we all came to love and expect from dad.

We’ll all be up in each other’s faces, laughing, griping, complaining and loving. Since we don’t have any gifts to distract us, we all want to be together. I love it.

I hope you’re Thanksgiving is as family-full as mine is. Don’t let it pass without getting and giving lots of hugs. The memory’s they make will fill your heart with joy for many, many years.

My friends and family….I love you all. Very much.

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Posted by juliekendall on November 24th, 2008 in General

My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming! My nephews are coming!My nephews are coming!My nephews are coming!My nephews are coming!My nephews are coming!My nephews are coming!

AND MY SISTER TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted by juliekendall on November 20th, 2008 in General

It’s 12:12 a.m. and I REALLY should be in bed. I’ve spent the last 11 hours cutting out and ironing ribbon pieces for 9 ornaments. I wanted to get the cutting and ironing done for several pine cones at once so I could just work on the assembly at night when I’m too pooped to sew.

Tomorrow (actually it’s today now)is mine and Craig’s 26th anniversary. I’ll be sewing all day and he’ll be in school for at least half the day! It’s no real biggy for either of us. With our anniversary always falling so close to the Thanksgiving Holidays, we’ve never really made anything huge out of it. However, it’s supposed to be cold tomorrow and possibly snow so that’s a gift for both of us. And it’s free!

Adam got a new job at PacSun and we are SOOO proud of him. He will be a full-time assistant manager. He’s always loved PacSun so we are delighted that he will be working there.

Jes finally got in to see a new doc (crohns) and was VERY impressed with him. He told her that she is NOT in remission and that she hasn’t been for the past 4 years. He’s put her on different meds (yay! The old ones didn’t work AT ALL!) and answered a ton of questions she had. She has quite a few issues that turned out to be crohns related. The more we dig into this disease the harder it is for me not to feel guilty that she has it. Totally illogical, I know. But no mother I know of has ever said that logic and motherhood go hand-in-hand!

Wow…I just did the math….My sister will be here in 4 days! Holy Cow!!!! I gotta go do stuff!

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Posted by juliekendall on November 17th, 2008 in General

I’m finally getting around to updating my craftygirlz online store. We took pictures for about 3 hours Saturday evening and I’m getting them up as quickly as I can.

The first items to be put up for sale are the Christmas Pine Cone Ornaments. Here is an example of one.

I have 9 different color combination’s to choose from with more on the way. I absolutely LOVE making these things (although it takes almost 3 hours minimum to make one)! If you want to check out the other ornaments go take a look here. They are absolutely beautiful hanging on a tree!

Still to come are all my aprons, bags, and a bunch of different stocking stuffers. I hope to get my aprons up next. I have a couple of Mother/Daughter sets, a tween apron and more. Hopefully, these will be up sometime tomorrow.

I’m headed out now to run some errands, then back home to take more pictures and cut out more aprons.

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