Nov. 24, 2009 - BEARPAW Shoe Giveaway!
The Dirty Shirt is giving away a pair of BEARPAW shoes, and let me tell you that you don't want to miss out because these look like awesome shoes. The ones I'm hoping to win are the brown Daffodils.
So hurry over to The Dirty Shirt to enter for a chance to win your own pair of BEARPAW shoes!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 23, 2009 - Multitude Monday ~ 11-20
Here is this week's installment of my contribution to The Gratitude Community. I'm not actually an official part of it, but you can be if you like! Go check it out!
I am Thankful for...
11. Books
12. Blankets
13. Hot tea
14. Homemade bread
15. My first customer at my Etsy shop.
16. Pumpkins
17. Forgiveness
18. My best friend in the whole, wide world, Bluejane.
19. Knitting
20. New friends What are you Thankful for? Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 18, 2009 - Sleepy Sarah
I made this for the little girl that we have been babysitting lately. We don't have many toys yet for children. Unfortunately for all of you non-Ravelers out there, the pattern is only a free Ravelry download. Well, what are you waiting for? Go sign up for Ravelry, add the pattern, and make me your friend!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 5 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 16, 2009 - Multitude Monday ~ 1-10
Having seen this on first Bluejane's blog, and then Breezy's, I decided that I definitely needed to do it too. Run, don't walk, to check out this awesome idea called The Gratitude Community.
I am Thankful for...
- Yarn
- Slippers and socks
- My computer
- Food
- A warm bed
- Decent clothes
- A Provider
- Red hair
- My Mommy
- Books
What are you thankful for?
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 16, 2009 - Win Boots!
You've seen those beautifully soft looking boots that are so popular lately. Well, now you can have a chance to win a pair for yourself!
Head over to the website to enter to win!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 14, 2009 - Bloglovin
Hey everyone! I discovered this blog reader called Bloglovin, and it shows you your favorite blog's updates in a kind of Twitter format. Anyway, I'm trying it out, and to claim my blog, I had to add the link below. Not an exciting post, I know.
Follow my blog with bloglovin
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 1 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 11, 2009 - A Little Friend
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 11, 2009 - Girlhood Home Companion Magazine Giveaway!
I must say that I am a MAJOR fan of The Girlhood Home Companion, even though I have only ever had one issue. I absolutely loved it! I would love to get the magazines, but that's not possible right now, so I entered their giveaway to win one of their Between Friends issues!
If you would like to enter to win their Anne of Green Gables edition of Between friends, plus the companion workshops on CD, then hurry over to the blog today!
Girlhood Home Companion Magazine Giveaway!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 10, 2009 - NaNoWriMo: Day 10
Yup, I'm still plugging away at this thing they call a novel. There are days when I can write thousands of words, and then there are days when I don't even open my documents. Of course, there have only been ten days since NaNo started, and here I am talking as if I have been doing this for a least a month.
The novel is doing well. I think. So...I really don't have much else to say on the matter.
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 7, 2009 - My 4th Blogoversary
Yes, three cheers for me for blogging for four whole years, right? I think so. I don't really remember what I thought of blogging when I first started, so I won't go into any of that. All I know is that now I love it.
So instead of all of the usual sap that people post about for their blogoversaries, I am just going to post link to some of my favorite posts that I have written over these past four years. Does that sound like fun? I hope so!
2006
- The Books Are Always Better
- Central Oregon 101 ~ A brief introduction to my hometown.
- None Other Than My Mother ~ A poem I wrote for Mother's Day
- Humans and Habits ~ Have a habit that you need to break? Read this!
- Avoiding Foolish and Ignorant Disputes ~ with a Lord of the Rings flavor.
- Another Poem ~ I wrote a lot more poetry several years ago than I do now!
- A Thoughtful Journey ~ Yes, another poem.
- Analogies and The Great Critical Thinker
- I've Got a Plan! ~ What do you plan on doing after you graduate?
- The Better Blogging Movement #1
- The Better Blogging Movement #2
- How Important is the Pencil ~ Do you take the pencil for granted? Read this and gain a new perspective on one of the most little thought of writing instruments.
- Protecting Little Knees ~ Older siblings, we have a responsibility towards our little sisters and brothers.
- My Graduation Speech
2009
- No Fishing Allowed!
- Lament of the Stars ~ Are there no, truly good actors out there?
- Hardships of Friendships ~ Another lament, of a more serious sort.
- Only Jesus...
- Don't Waste Your Time! ~ Do you waste time of things that only have worldly value?
- Sweetness is...
- Living on Charity ~ Did you know that we are all living on charity?
Finally, these last two are from the last two months.
- The Church in the Wildwood ~ How I long to hear those old hymns sung in a church setting!
- Whose Leaves Were Fair
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 7 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 6, 2009 - NaNoWriMo: Progress and Location
It is now day 6 of NaNoWriMo, I believe. For the most part is is gong very well, and I am rather pleased with my progress. I have written almost every day, and I am well above the average word count per day, which is a good thing. It means I'm ahead of schedule.
There was one day that I wrote hardly a thing. I wanted to write, but I wasn't sure what to write next. I keep harboring suspicions that my plot isn't big enough for 50,000 words. Yet here I am, still plugging away. Well, plugging isn't exactly the right word; I am enjoying myself.
Just in case you wanted to know, there is now a meter on my sidebar that will tell you my current word count. It updates when I do, so, if you are interested, be sure to keep checking back!
I am quite in love with my bedroom/studio. I would like to think of it as my studio, at any rate. It's where I do almost everything! I wanted to show it to you, so here it is!
So, that's it! You had a peek into my charming attic bedroom and workspace. The poor thing is simply yearning for Christmas decorations, but have yet to make any. I have an idea for a garland...but that is not what this post is about.
• 6 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 4, 2009 - Whose Leaves Were Fair...
...whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation.
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 3 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Nov. 2, 2009 - Noble Rose Press Interview!
Today is a special day here at Defective Compositions, because this is my first interview. Not only that, but I had the pleasure to interview two of the nicest girls of my "acquaintance", Miss Breezy Tulip, and Miss Emily Rose.
These lovely ladies have recently started Noble Rose Press, and are currently selling some of the neatest and most beautiful paper dolls you will ever find.
What inspired you to begin making paper dolls in the first place?
We were working on paper dolls for the Girlhood Home Companion Magazine, when Mom came up with the idea that we could sell our own historical paper dolls of Christian women from history. We planned to sell them in an Etsy shop, but as things progressed plans changed. A friend suggested that we try to see if Vision Forum might be interested in them and then began the process of having to answer many questions, such as how the dolls would be packaged, printed and priced to name just a few. Through that process we were able to develop a larger entrepreneurial mindset for the project (and future projects).
Will you please share about the actual process of designing and creating the dolls?
As soon as Breezy would finish a doll or dress, Emily Rose would get to work on cleaning up the artwork, which included adjusting the coloring, removing blemishes, and smoothing rough textures and edges. After the dolls and their dresses had been enhanced, Emily Rose laid them out in a program and then we both collaborated on the design of the book layout. From there they went to the printers.
Did any problems arise? If so, how were you able to work through them?
We had a few extra long days, which at times would make us weary, but those were the days that God was especially using to teach us that He is our strength and we need to lean on Him. There were a few complications with the printing, which was a little discouraging at times. Through those complications we learned more
about how the process of printing works, which we would not of learned if everything had gone smoothly the first time.
Why did you decide to do the dolls that you did? (Katherine von Bora and Idelette Calvin, Abigail Adams and Sarah Edwards, Pocahontas, and Priscilla Mullins.)
We wrote out a list of women we had read about in history, women we admired and that had particularly left an impression on us. The list grew as we looked through books, talked with friends and were reminded of more and discovered others. We started with Katharina von Bora and Idelette Calvin because they were the wives of two Reformers in the 1500's, their hospitality and strength encouraged and blessed their husbands. Abigail Adams and Sarah Edwards are two of our heroines from the 1700's, both of whom showed fortitude while their husbands were under a great deal of stress. In collection three is Pocahontas and Priscilla Mullins, hailing from Jamestown and Plymouth, respectively, who were just two of the women who God raised up in the very earliest day's of our country's beginning to bless their communities.
Are there plans for more collections in the future?
You'll just have to wait and find out! :)
I'm sure that I would have become tired of the project at times. Did you have any struggles, and if you did, what helped you through them?
It was truly by the grace of God that we were able to complete the paper dolls. Our days were long and sometimes wearisome, but we knew that our work would not be in vain. It was (and still is) our prayer that the Lord would use our paper dolls and the stories of these ladies to inspire young ladies. The thought of what the Lord might accomplish with them and the strength He granted us made us persevere.
Finally, do you have any encouraging thoughts for the readers, or helpful tips for aspiring artists or entrepreneurs?
Seek God. Follow God. Obey God. Developing the talent(s) that the Lord has given you is very important so that that gift does not fall to the wayside, but is instead nurtured. You never know to what extent the Lord may use your gift for the furtherance of His kingdom.
Our mother was a great help to us as she did most of the business-side of the research as we worked on the paper dolls. Two of the most helpful tools that we were blessed by as we began our new business was The Best of the 2006 Entrepreneurial Bootcamp produced by Vision Forum and the information and articles on the New Venture Lab website.
We also encourage you to seek out wise counsel from your parents. The wisdom of Proverbs 11:14 proved to be invaluable as we were so blessed to have
wise godly counsel.
I know that Breezy and Emily have inspired me numerous times, and have inspired me yet again with their dedication to their work, not to mention their talent and good taste!
You can find these girls blogging on their personal blogs, A Bowl of Moss and Pebbles, and Simply Vintagegirl. You can also go check out and buy their paper dolls at Noble Rose Press, and I highly recommend doing so!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 6 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Oct. 26, 2009 - The Church in the Wildwood
As the people entered the church yard, beautiful song wafted out through the open windows. It was a hymn, as the people of this church always sang. Hymns that even the smallest child could sing, albeit with a lisping accent. Hymns that had been sung by their ancestors for hundreds of years, and yet still held truth.
Many churches in the town had begun to integrate newer, more contemporary songs into their worship services. Gone were the sweet, beautiful tones of a church raising it's voice together. Now, churches had drums, and guitars, and all manner of noise makers, that served only to drown out the voice of it's brethren. Why bother singing if your voice cannot be heard?
The people heading to this church, however, had joy in their hearts. Even now, the organ was gently humming a song about that very thing; Joy to the World, the Lord has come. These people did not have their ears blasted by too-loud music. These people did not have a "worship" team, and yet their souls were soothed every Sunday.
Even the young people would remember all of their lives, with lovely fondness, the sweet songs that they had heard as children. Someday, those tuneful words would be more to them than just nostalgic memories.
There is a need for beautiful music to be played in church. My heart aches to hear a body of people raise their voices to sing Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, The Church's One Foundation, and other dear songs. I desperately want to hold a volume of hymns that has a well worn, but loved binding; to turn through it's pages simply taking in the titles.
Perhaps I am the one being nostalgic. Perhaps I don't really know what I'm talking about. However, there is one thing that I do know. I miss singing old hymns in church. I don't believe I have heard one, real, old hymn sung in church since last December.
I leave you with--a hymn. The Church in the Wildwood is the first song that came to mind when I thought about writing this post. Someday it would be nice to visit The Little Brown Church in the Vale, but for now, the song will do. You can listen to its loveliness HERE.
by Dr. William S. Pitts
There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Chorus
Oh, come, come, come, come,
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the vale;
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Second Stanza
Oh, come to the church in the vale,
To the trees where the wild flowers bloom;
Where the parting hymn will be chanted,
We will weep by the side of the tomb.
Third Stanza
How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh come to the church in the vale.
Fourth Stanza
From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.
• 6 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Oct. 21, 2009 - Agreeable Friends
they pass no criticisms.
~ George Eliot
Happiness is a warm puppy. ~Charles M. Schulz
~Irish proverb
What greater gift than the love of a cat?
~Charles Dickens
• 8 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Oct. 19, 2009 - Rusty Baking Pans? No Problem!
Recently I ruined one of our baking pans by leaving it to soak too long. After it was cleaned out, there were rust spots all over the place. Mommy was somewhat upset, so I did a little research to try and rectify my mistake, and this is what I found.
Removing Rust From Baking Pans -- powered by eHow.com
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 2 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Oct. 16, 2009 - The Savvy Photographer Giveaway!
I've been reading a The Savvy Photographer blog for a little while, and I am always in awe of the beautiful photography, or studio's, or photographers that are featured there. I'm always getting inspiration, and (when I take the time to actually read the interviews, instead of just look at the pictures) I learn a lot!
So, imagine my joy when I found out that they are hosting a giveaway! You can enter to win a Workshop Workbook written by an extremely talented, professional photographer. I am very excited by this giveaway, and I really hope I win!
If you are interested in entering to win the Workshop Workbook, then head right over to The Savvy Photographer's giveaway!
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 0 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Oct. 13, 2009 - Thoughts of the Seasons
Elizabeth tagged me with this absolutely delightful tag!
In Spring, my favorite things are seeing all of the baby animals learning to walk, running, and frisking about. I love to see new growing things, because they are such a unique color of green. There is an air of new life about that fills me with joy.
In Summer, I love lazy days on the porch swing, whether we be reading, writing, napping, talking, or simply enjoying. I love playing croquet in my Grandparent's yard, the cool touch of beautiful green grass, and the shrieks when the sprinklers suddenly come on. I love hiking in the woods, and admiring the flowers and ferns.
In Autumn, with me being a sweater lover, I love having the brisk days when a sweater isn't optional, but a must. I love the brilliant colors. I love the cozy feeling that I get just because it is Fall. The crunching noise that leaves make when you step on them, the rains, the puddles that come after the rains, is all some of my favorite things about Autumn.
In Winter, I love curling up in a wad of blankets, socks, pillows, and sweaters, to read a book. I love the fresh, untouched look of newly fallen snow. Sledding all day and coming home soaked is one of my favorite winter memories, along with sledding on an old car hood pulled by a 4 wheeler, sitting around the fireplace in a lovely, huge fort that my Uncle helped my cousins to build, and going out on Christmas morning to pick and pull a sagebrush for a Christmas Tree.
Now that I’ve told you my favorite thoughts of the seasons I challenge you to a tag. I’m going to tag four people to follow my thoughts of the seasons and have them tell me theirs.
I tag….
3. Pen 2 Paper
Even if you’re not one of the four bloggers chosen above, feel free to post your feelings with a link back to my blog.
Rules of the tag
1. Tag at least three people after your post.
2. Post back to the blog that tagged you.
3. Post the rules of the tag and please don’t post the things you least like about the seasons, but what you like best 
Copyright 2009 Defective Compositions
• 6 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Oct. 8, 2009 - The Answer to the Riddle
You are all so patient, and here, finally, is the answer to those befuddling pictures in my Can You Guess? post.
Those mysterious marks that looked so much like lions and dogs is actually a knitting pattern/chart. Alizona guessed the closest. Thanks for all of your guesses, though!
What sort of pattern, I hear you asking? This one!
• 4 Comments • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link
Oct. 7, 2009 - Pom-Pom or no Pom-Pom, That is the Question
Recently, my little tootsies have been getting quite frozen in the mornings. Apparently I have mittens, a scarf, a hat, a coat, everything a person needs to bundle up, except thick, warm socks. Finally, a few days ago, I decided that something needed to be done, so I searched around on Ravelry to find Knitted Moccasin Slippers.
• 4 Comments
• Post A
Comment!
• Permanent Link
visited 10 states (20%)
Create your own visited map of The United States
