Lyn Briggs Designs

The Chicken Stitch Embroidery progressed slowly as I became familiar with the stitches. But as with all ‘new’ techniques, after working a few stitches it became easier and I started to enjoy the process.  Although there were a few errors in judgement I made with this project.

The first was the choice of design. I over-reached a bit (a lot) and the design was larger than I anticipated. It also features some woven stitches which although are not difficult, required a bit more confidence than I had at the start. As a result, some of my stitches are a bit ‘off’. But, as I always say, live and learn, and I’m now confident to do any woven stitch a design requires.

Note to self: start small and simple.

The second error in judgement was I followed the how-to instructions in the book and used running stitches to prepare a grid in the centre of the fabric to place the design. My design was for the front of my bag, and I didn’t’ want mine in the centre but towards the bottom.  Fortunately, I had prepared a piece of fabric much bigger than I required for the front of the bag and was able to trim it down to the correct size. Note to self: plan, plan, plan!

But it all ended well and I’m pleased with my Chicken Scratch embroidery and am ready to do more.

Now that the front of the Retro Bag is ready, what about the back of the bag? I’m glad you asked, because I have plans for that too.  Will show you next time.

Our Plans v God’s Plans …

Lately I’ve been reading Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo. The subtitle is: ‘putting your life back together again after it falls apart’. I was challenged by a chapter about self-sufficiency and control simply because I value my independence and don’t like to rely on other people to do things for me. I know the reason is that in the past people have let me down. They haven’t done what they said they would do when they said they would do it or they didn’t do it well. If I need something, I immediately start trying to figure out how I can do it myself. I don’t think to ask God for help until I’ve reached the end of my own resourcefulness.

That isn’t God’s plan for me. We were created for a relationship of total dependence on God not just on an as-needed basis.

The Bible says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God wants me to ask Him first, not after it all goes pear-shaped.  His Word declares that God is “our ever-present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1) and His help goes beyond what other people can do for us. He restores, guides, rescues, provides, works for our good and gives hope; because He’s the One that know us better than anyone and will never let us down.

The lesson for me is to remind myself of these things next time I’m confronted by a problem and trust God in all things, not just in hard times, but in all times. Amen

Until then, keep creating

Lyn