Mere Christianity

This week I decide to pick up a book that probably millions have read except me.          

Mere Christianity  is a collection of talks by C.S. Lewis.  I have heard of this book because who has not seen or heard a C.S. Lewis quote?  I know it won't be an easy read but interesting none the less.  Also being a Christian I wanted to familiarize myself with Lewis' writings. My daughter, a college student, has already asked if I have read more than five words at a time because of the heavy thoughts written.  I explained, yes, I am reading a chapter at a time.  This seems to help me understand and meditate on the reading.  

If you have never read this book or interested in reading along lets do it together!  I am setting a goal to read more this year and so far I have read 1-2 books a month.  Reading sometimes gets pushed to the side besides of course my daily bible study.  

I am excited to dig into this book and you can leave a comment if you are reading along or if you have read the book, let's chat:-)

Blessings 

Tracy 

Snaps and Rain Showers

Hello Friends! 

It is hot here in Tennessee. The temperature has been in the 90's plus high humidity which is common here.  The rain showers cool us off a few degrees when they happen here and there.  Yesterday I loved sitting in my craft room, which has windows lined across the wall, watching the rain pour down and the wind blow the trees from side to side.  It is so peaceful to watch a short storm come through and then leave quickly bringing forth the sun shine behind it.  Reminding me how God has always brought me through dark times in my life of sin. When I felt like the darkness would not end He walked with me into the light.  I just had to repent and turn away from that sin and even the temptation in front of me.  Thank you Jesus for always bringing sunshine and peace! 

I have been in the studio working on designs for men's cuffs.  I was asked if they were only for women and I had not thought about that but they definetly can be designed for a man.  The cuff color can be brown, black, tan, or grey.  Those are the manly colors I came up with that I thought would appeal to men.  What do you think? What words or scripture verse would your man like on a cuff? 

I am also designing the cuffs to have a snap instead of a button closure.  I think this is more manly too.  

Snaps are tricky but I am trying them out with the fabric so I can figure out the best construction.  I want to create a quality bracelet for you so wearing the cuff and testing is essential.  

Received new bags for packaging my cuffs. I like them better than the burlap ones so there will be LOTS of sewing on buttons😁.   I hope if you like them too if you have purchased a cuff from the shop! 

Hope you can sit in peace this week and enjoy a ☔️ rain shower. 

Grace to you

trAcy 

 

How do you take a selfie?

Hello Friends! 

Okay this week I learned something.  How to take a selfie:-) LOL!  I know I am not a teen or a twenty something why am I taking selfies?  My business needs photos and style photos I am a cheap model. Ha!

I am always seeing these amazing photos of people on Instagram and wonder do they have a photographer with them all day? Or does their husbands or family members follow along with the camera? I have even wondered, does Mommy teach the kids to hold the camera for them?  Am I the only one who has thought about this?  Crazy I know, I feel like I am behind on a lot of things and this is one of those times.

The secret is proping your iPhone on a table or iPad on the cover stand and using the camera timer. You can use the 3 second or 10 second option and press start.  Genius right? This is how you can take pictures of yourself in action or maybe those style photos for your shop. I wanted to style my wrist cuffs with outfits and take more pictures to share and this is how I was able to because no one in my house can take a picture with out it turning out weird.  So I gave it a try and here are the results.....  Definetly not a model but I think it shows my style and how to wear my cuffs.  

            

                 

   

                          

                           

                           Wrist Cuff shown: REDEEMED ( Currently in the SHOP) 

                               

I really like this casual style cuff that shares a great message. My dress makes me want to be at the beach (sigh) maybe next year.

Leave me a comment if you want to share with me about your experience taking pictures.  

You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook to see what's New in my shop! 

Have a great week! 

trAcy

Tuesday's Prayer

Happy Tuesday Friends!

I am excited to let you know that I updated my SHOP last night! It was late last night when I decided to do it so no time to post here but I am happy to share there are about 9 wrist cuffs listed.  They are all original designs and each one a little different in size and metal blanks.  I was originally going to wait another week or so but hey why not go ahead and put them in the shop now.  I am still working hard to brand my shop online with social media outlets and here on the blog.  It is a process that I know will take time so I am going to keep at it. I believe in my work and this handmade business:-) If you found me and are following along I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment here:-)

I am praying this week for guidance and encouragement because honestly I need it everyday.  Don't you?  As a business owner trying to start this thing and a mom, wife and just overall human this work is hard!  I will be at a craft show this weekend Arts in the Park at Parkers Crossroads, TN if you are in the area.  Come say Hi, I think meeting people at these events is what draws me back because really I have not made enough money to be there in this summer heat.

Also, my son is at CentriKid camp  this week so I am praying for him to be filled with the Spirit this week so God can speak to him intimately. I love all the kids and the volunteers that went this week are such a blessing to us parents and those children.  May God use each one for His Glory and may they be reenergized to serve HiM!  

Grace to you-
trAcy

Special Order

The weekend has once again came and went.  Did you get some crafting done this weekend?  I worked on a few orders and received a special order for a cuff.  I can't wait to see the recipients reaction when she gets it.  I happen to know this person so I know the meaning it will have on her.  The Lord really was on time with this order because it encouraged me so much that someone likes what I am doing and actually orders something.
I am so thankful to everyone who has supported my shop and has encouraged me.  Building and branding my business is taking a lot of time but I already can see results from the work put in.   I know if I keep putting in the hours I will get the results I want from my business.  I really should sit and write out my goals for hAndmade knits by trAcy.  This can be for another day:-) I am not good at writing things down sometimes especially goals:/

Shop News: If you want to place an order for a PERSONALIZED cuff, you can message me on the FB page "handmadeknitsbytracy".  I have posted an album there called Knitted Wrist Cuffs with Color Charts and a Blank Chart to choose from.

P.S. 

If you have a small business you need to listen to this podcast! Packed with helpful information...

Thanks guys for following along here, IG, and FB too!

Grace be with you
trAcy

Four Letter Word: BUSY

Hello Friends!

My days seem to always feel BUSY.  Do your days feel the same too?  I work 4 days a week and then on weekends I work from home creating and knitting for my Etsy shop.   Last week I took a little break from knitting because my wrist was hurting from overuse.  The doctor didn't give me diagnosis but the steroid he gave me was terrible unless you like no sleep or mood swings. My family was happy I stopped taking them.  It seems rest is the best medicine.

I am knitting new cuffs for the SHOP reopening soon! I am thinking the opening will be June 29th because of the 4th of July holiday.  Here is a sneak peek at one:-)

I also am redesigning the cuff and will have a few to choose from.  This green color I am not sure about but you can let me know what you think? 

I am so excited to be blogging and sharing with you about what's happening and if you want to see more photos you can Follow on Instagram ( link is on side bar ) 

Thank you guys for supporting me in this "new" blogging adventure.  I am really working hard to get my shop going strong and I can't wait for what the future holds this year! 

Have a great weekend💚

trAcy

Tennessee Afternoons

Hello Friends! 

Just a typical Tennessee Summer afternoon.   I love these day lilies blooming in my yard and I think the color of the sky at sunset is so pretty.  God really is an artist!  

God saw all that he had made and it was very good.  Genesis 1:31 NIV

Blessings to you~

trAcy

What are you afraid of?

Hello friends!

Today was productive and tasks were accomplished.  Some knitting, reading, and even cooking for the family which is always good if it gets done.  I also did some thinking today about fear.  What am I afraid of since looking at my business as more than a hobby. Yes I love to knit but can I really make money at designing knit bracelets and accessories?  

Am scared of failing, mistakes, or letting others read this blog? Society usually shows us part of other people's lives but we have to remember it is only a tenth of a percent of the REAL life they live.  I know it is hard to not compare my life with that perfect vintage living room and the perfectly dressed kids sitting inside it.  My family usually is not  even home at the same time these days much less is the room or dishes clean most days.  We want to be positive and show the best pictures but we as viewers have to remember that it is only a picture.

I don't want to let fear keep me from sharing my heart for my Jesus or the gifts He has given to me. I believe in my business and sharing with you about it is the only way it will get out there to you. 

The mistakes can only make my business better and grow bigger.  I can't fail unless I try and trying is something I think I have always been pretty good at doing.  I don't like when I hear someone say I can't because they can because they need to try!  Well writing this blog is something I have wanted to "try" for awhile and here it is.  I am sure I am not a great writer but atleast I am trying.  I think the more you do something the better you get and you find out if it something you enjoy.  

The blog is for me to share with you the goings on here at handmade knits by tracy studio and whatever else I am thinking about.  I hope it keeps you interested and you can let me know about your business ventures. Have they failed or been successful?  Everyone has to start somewhere and I dont want fear to keep me from moving forward.  

I hope you have a wonderful week! 

trAcy

Weekend Warrior

Hello Friends!

This weekend has been busy but hey most are aren't they?  I mean if you work all week and only have three or four days to accomplish those lists of "to dos" you are very busy.  The thing about getting it All done is the day before you have to go back to work you are so tired then you are earning for one more day or even another weekend to rest.  Do we ever have enough time?  

I did get some crafting in this weekend but not as much as I would have liked.  I went to a craft show on Saturday and it was really hot and not exactly enough sales to justify being there.  I am still new to going to craft shows and doubting the worth of going especially when I start set up and tear down. (LOL)   I do enjoy the people which have been very helpful and nice to me.  

I am still knitting new cuffs for my July reopening.  The cuff design is thinner and I have some new blanks I hope you will like.  I want to have a CUSTOM Cuff Listing in the shop too. This will have an option for you to pick your cuff color, the blank and your message on the blank.  

I am also taking an Etsy Course from Merriweathercouncil to help me optimize my shop.  I am enjoying and it has helped me already to much.  I admit I have not spent as much time on building my business as I need to but I feel like I am on the right track.  I believe God will continue to bless this business.  

Here is one of the cuffs I made this weekend for all my "Creative" people! 

Have a great week-

trAcy

What I am Reading?

Hello Friends! 

I want to share with you two books I am reading right now. Although I am a multiple book reader,  I was not always but over the years with less and less time to read it seemed I would start a book and soon find another to start and then another. You get the idea.  I picked these two because I felt they are worthy of letting you know about them too. I found one of them from IG (at least something good can come from spending hours on there).

I like to see what other people are reading and what interests them. It adds to my wish list of reads so I thought I would share so if your interested you can put them on your must read list. 

The first book The Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin will help you dig deeper in the bible. It will help you with the "how to study scripture" such as asking the right questions during your quiet time instead of just reading and not knowing what you have read. 

The Church Planting Wife by Christine Hoover is great for church planting wives or a pastor's wife as well. I am a pastor's wife and Incan relate to a lot of the issues she talks about. I have had many questions answered already while reading it and ministry is hard and there are not many books written to the ministry wife.  You can visit  Here where Christine Hoover shares about ministry and her other book Good to Grace (which is on the wish list too!) 

I hope you check these out and let me know what you think or if you have read them too! 

Blessings 

trAcy