Thrifting introduction/Haul

Hey everyone!

I had been reading Casey's Elegant Musings( http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com/)and loved her idea to do an introduction video to her experiences with thrifting clothing and other items. I wanted to do a video with a similar idea, except I wanted to show items I have found and tell you about why I thrift and how fun it can be and how inexpensive it is compared to shopping at the mall per say.
Oh and in case you all are wondering yes I am wearing bloomers, and no I don't believe its strange. :) I hope you all enjoy the video and please tell me if you all like this idea for thrifting videos. I can do more videos about items I get, or more detail about how to thrift. Just comment or email me at ra.stricker@gmail.com

I love thrifting because you can get clothing that is feminine and from the past when feminity was very much apart of women's clothing lines. I believe now its more about who can impress others, I believe the older styles of dresses/ skirts show strength in that women were glad they were women and rejoiced in that! Now most people want to be just clones of men. So I love finding vintage dresses or modern dresses that are a classic style! So much fun to wear and find. And so much cheaper than at modern stores. :)

Enjoy the video!

In Christ,
Rebecca

Another song in the works

Hey everyone!

I thought I would share another song that I wrote recently over the weekend. I have been very encouraged while writing hymns based on Scripture as I know that this glorifies God and this is something He needs me to do only in His strength. I thought it would be great to post a song every couple days. When I first started this blog I thought it would be more about my music, but it turned out to be more of a sewing, cooking, and reenacting blog. Well those things are a big thing in my life, but music is also another huge thing in my life. Its my first love, the thing I have been doing since I could talk, singing. :) I also have been figuring the piano music with my mom on the piano. Its so awesome to see it going onto paper. Its taking a while though. I have been doing that to another song called Salvation Song. The song below is new and has not gone through that process yet, but I believe you all will still enjoy it.

I do not have a title yet, but the verses that I based it off of are 1 John 5:5 " For everyone who has been born of God, overcomes the world. And this is victory that has overcome the world, our faith."
I was reading that verse when I was going through my old journals on Saturday night when I was discouraged about a up and coming exam I have next tuesday the 5th. But then I realized everything is overcome by faith in Christ! I need to have faith that God will get me through all the studying that needs to happen. Hence, this song came into being when I realized once again how much I need Him. 


Praise the Lord all ye saints,
for He is good to us.
Even in hardships, He abides with us.


For He is steadfast in love,
and it endures forever more,
who can utter his mighty deeds?
or declare all his praise?

Blessed are the righteous,
who do justice, compassion, and care
for those who are needy
and weak in the flesh,
will be in the arms of the Lord.

Whoever is born of God,
overcomes the world
and this is victory all through Christ,
that by faith we overcome sin.


For His coming is at hand,
Watch out for your flesh,
be mindful of the enemy
and wash your hearts from all evil.

keep your life in Christ,
free from love of the world.
Do not love the ways of this world,
for it does not last.



Be content only in Christ,
not family, friends, or wealth
remember Christ died for us
and gives us an everlasting home.

For God says He loves us
He is the Lord of Lords,
He will never leave us,
forsake or abandon us.


By Rebecca Christ( well God really! :) )
(copyright 2011 Singing In His Name)

If you want to use the words please email me here, ra.stricker@gmail.com I would appreciate it if no one stole these words as they are precious to me and from the Lord. Please ask before using them. 

I used the following Scriptures for the verses. Verse 1-( Psalm 106:1 " Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!")

verse 2- Psalm 106:2-3 " Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise? "


verse 3- Psalm 106:3 " Blessed are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!"

 verse 4-" 1 John 5:5" For everyone who has been born of God, overcomes the world. And this is victory that has overcome the world, our faith."

verse 5- " James 5: 7-8 " Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer wants for the precious fruit of the earth being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand." 

verse 6- Jeremiah 4:14 " Oh Jerusalemn; wash your hearts from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?"


verse 7- Hebrews 13:5-6"keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for he said, " I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
verse 8- same verse above, Hebrews 13:6 

I hope all of you can be encouraged by these words, even if they are not recorded for you to hear being sung and played yet. I was reading about other hymn writers and I said to myself there are not that many good songs out there that are written directly from Scripture any more. The hymns of old are good, but its hard to find contemporary christian music that is not written from thin air instead of the Word. SO my goal is to write from the Word and not my thoughts. That way God can shine through. I would recommend the book called 101 Hymn Stories, its a great read because you can read about what the author of them hymns was going through spiritually that brought them to write the hymn. I pray the next generation would be able to to say of me that I was writing from the WORD as many before me have done.

here is the 
book-http://www.amazon.com/101-Hymn-Stories-Kenneth-Osbeck/dp/0825434165/ref=sr_1_26?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301404720&sr=1-26

Have a lovely Tuesday and may you be blessed as you commune with the Father today!


In Christ,
Rebecca

Vintage 50's inspired napkins

Be sure to check out my etsy store in my side bar for the new set of napkins in my shop!

In Christ,
Rebecca

Tour of my room

 

I had posted some pictures a long time ago of my room when I thought it was approved. But now its much better. Its my haven when I am not in the kitchen, sewing/craft room, or living room with my family. I do most of my time in my closet with the Lord, creative thinking, and studying time in this room. So I thought it needed a much needed face lift a few months ago in january. I have been periodically adding my vintage and other antique and handmade things to have it be more homey and a place I want to be. :) Above I am so happy with my new book tower. I have seen many people do this, so I thought it would be a great way to display what I love to read and have a visual effect.

The whole room, I love the freshness of the green walls with the white down comforter, as well as the dark wood. The dresser I found on the side of the road for free! The desk is my mothers and she is letting me use it. My hope chest is on the wall at the end of the bed and is cherry wood as well. I love dark wood! Can you tell?!

My theme for my room is fresh vintage/ antique homey elegance. I wanted the room to reflect my love for all things old fashioned and vintage. Thus I have a lot of vintage floral fabrics, dried roses from my parents from graduation and my 18th birthday and doilies and hankies displayed.

I figured out the idea for the doilies and hankies tacked on my walls from just an idea in my head. Yes I am actually creative without another blogger coming up with it first! hehe Maybe someone has, but I have never seen it before. :)But the idea of the vintage lace as a earring holder was from blogger Olivia over at http://workingwitheagerhands.blogspot.com/
Her blog is lovely, so do have a glance as it. :)

Yes I am sharing my closet because its improved to me. But its not exactly picture perfect. But I do have it pretty organized. All my reenacting dresses which is 3 different eras are in the plastic bins and thats my carpet bag sitting there, it needs to find a home on the top shelf. :) My dresses that I wear for modern wear are all on the right side of the closet and then going from left to right skirts, sweaters/cardigans, and tops long and short sleeve. I am also blessed to have a hanging space on the far left for scarves and purses my dad put in a while ago. Now you can see it. :) I also put all my shoes on top of the bins with more purses. And the shelf below the clothing is more clothing that I fold as my dresser I do not store clothing in it! I store a lot of stuff for my hope chest that would not fit and exercise clothing and pj's. Not clothing that needs to be ready to access quickly each day.

I also made two new pillows for my bed. They are made from thrifted pillow forms that were 4 dollars a peice, but one of them is down. So that is a plus! :) The pink one with the pretty florettes on it was made from a skirt my sister was not using any more. I love it! The blue and brown floral one was from some sale fabric at joann's I had in my stash. So it was all pretty frugal fabric wise, free! The little embroidered, well its not embroidery I realize, but don't remember the name of that type of needle work was also thrifted for 4 dollars. Yes on the more expensive side, but I could not pass it up! It matches my room so well with the vintage needle work. :)

I was able to get all the doilies for free from a friend who owns a thrift store called Thrifty sisters! Its adorable and she is always so nice and she gave me these doilies on my walls for free! She thought since I love vintage/antique stuff I could use them for reenacting, but they were too pretty for camp life. :) So I am displaying an older ladies handy work on my walls. :) I believe she would be happy about that. All that work! :)

The vintage hankies I can not remember how much I paid, but they were probably 1 dollar to 50 cents each. I do have some I use on a regular basis, but I have so many of them I thought they would go well with the doilies on the walls. I also have some vintage scarves and more doilies above my window. I could not get a clear picture of them though. Maybe another time. Its adorable in person! Those scarves were also probably a dollar and the doilies were free. I love thrifted and free stuff! Have you been decorating your spaces latley with anything vintage or antique!? Its so much fun isn't it?! 

Have a lovely Sunday eve and I pray you Sunday was not only refreshing, but convicting as much as mine was! 
In Christ
Rebecca

Great etsy store tool

Hey everyone!

I just bought some great zippers from a great etsy store called Zipit-http://www.etsy.com/people/zipit?ref=ls_profile
I am so excited to recieve her great stuff in the mail! Her zippers are a super great price compared to buying from Joann! Do have a glance at her store.
I also found on her blog this great tool called etsy shop widgets! I have one in my side bar now, which displays my etsy store a lot better than my old one. Here is the website-http://www.craftcult.com/shop_widget.php?userid=

I am just so excited about this new widget! I hope more people will be intrigued by my etsy store now that I have this great advertising on my blog.
God bless!
Rebecca

Grace

I came across this song when I was reading Melanie's blog http://foreverhisservant.blogspot.com/ and I can attest to being so much in need of grace! So many times I fall and He helps me get up again. Lord help me to be humble and in You alone put my trust! I let the Lord down so many times! Just as I did this morning with sharp words.

I wrote the song below yesterday based on a favorite Scripture and I am never going to get rid of those harsh words unless I let Christ have my life and my body and my mouth. Lord help me to surrender myself to You again today!

I have not titled the song yet, but here are the lyrics and please do not use these anywhere else without my permission!

Count it all joy, count it all joy, count it all joy, when trials come
That the testing of your faith, produces steadfast love
Be slow to speak, be slow to speak and quick to hear
Do not let anger overtake the temple
it does not produce righteousness
Put away all filth and wickedness,
and receive with meekness the implanted WORD
Be slow to speak, be slow to speak, and not in anger
,for the righteousness God requires is not attained by pain
But by Christ living in me that my words may speak hope
( words from James 1:2-4 and 1:19-21)

So anyway that's a start to another song. I have been writing since the beginning of the month and I have about 11 other songs that are also underway. I hope to post more of them soon and hopefully some recordings of my mother and I playing and singing them. The Lord has been so so good helping me to write music that is of the Scriptures and not emotions. That is my goal that they may be God breathed and from the Word alone.

Have a lovely wednesday!

In Christ,
Rebecca

New glasses and thrifting

Hey everyone!

I have been doing my blog break for a while now and I have gotten so much done! Praise the Lord! I decided that I would do an update even though I will not have time to do another post before the month is out. I have a lot of studying, sewing, and song writing to accomplish.

But here is my outfit I am wearing today. Its 100% thrifted except for my shoes and stocking, jewelry, and glasses. Yes I finally have gotten glasses, for almost 20 years I did not need them, but now I needed them to be able to drive at night and see things a long distance away. I am still not used to them and its strange wearing them. But yes my sister says I look scholarly. :) They are brown frames and I tried to get a pair that brought more attention to my face than the glasses. Hopefully I accomplished that. :) Seems most people wear the square black frames these days, but they seem to bring more attention to your glasses than your face. So I did not go for that look. :)

The black dress was only $4.10 at my local thrift store, they were having a half off day on clothing. I was so excited! My friend Ginny over at A ladies resource blog says that it resembles the 1940's style of dresses. I agree with her! The fitted look of the dress and gathers on the shoulders I believe does resemble the 40's, but this is a merino brand target dress. I love the vintage inspired look.
Yes I am wearing those turquoise stockings again. Love them to compliment my necklace that was given to me and made by a dear friend.

 I also was able to thrift this pair of sandals 2 weeks ago for only $.50!! Yes you heard right, only 50 cents! I wanted to share them because I am trying to figure out if I should paint them or not. I have always wanted black peep toe wedge sandals. These are tan, but I am not sure how to go about painting them, I am thinking not spray paint after reading that was bad for leather. I found a few blogs where they said a certain brand of paint was for leather shoes. I am not even sure if these are fake or real leather. If anyone has any ideas please do tell! ;)

Have a lovely rest of your day dear friends! I will post more about my music writing probably in April when I get a chance and more vintage dresses and other thrifted items I have bought recently for spring.
In Christ,
Rebecca

New product in my etsy shop

Hello everyone!

I am so excited to tell you all about a new product that I am selling in my etsy shop. Which can be found here-http://www.etsy.com/shop/SingNSew

I will be posting 10 of these products over the course of the next few days. So be on the watch! :)

They are called note stations and are great gifts for friends and family or to use yourself. I myself use one at my desk a lot. Its a clear picture frame laying down with a post-it pad on top and a decorative paper in the picture frame as well as some cute embellishments on the frame. Its great to put next to your computer or phone or just have to write down important things. They are only $11.00 with shipping and come in many different colors. Have a glance in my shop!

a tall tower of them! ready to go to the shop!

You may be wondering how I came up with this idea. Well many years ago my mother, sister, and I were at a lovely little tea shop and we saw that someone had made something similar. We changed it a little and have been giving them as gifts, as well as selling them to friends. Now I am able to have them in my etsy shop. My mother was a dear and helped me make them up saturday when I had some spare time between studying for my up and coming clep exam on the 29th as well as song writing. Lord willing I will be posting some videos of me singing some new songs I have written soon. Probably not for a few weeks though as I have to borrow a friends camera because mine does not have video ability. I realize thats weird, but it does not!

Have a lovely Tuesday!
Rebecca

Yes another video.......

but this one is so neat! :) I have been doing well taking a break from blog land. But this past weekend I started reading a few blogs each day. I have just not been reading as many and not been going on the computer as much. So computer is back in my life, but its being used as a tool, instead of a distraction. I pray the Lord would help that to stay that way! :)

My pastor posted this video on our churches blog over here-
thought it was a great way to see how all of the Bible connects! Its amazing!

In Christ,
Rebecca

The Power of the Cross and update

Hey everyone!

No I did not finish the remix challenge, but I have been pondering a lot my call to be set-apart from the world and be a lover of the lover of my soul Jesus Christ. I have been learning to sing and play on the piano the song the Power of the Cross recently. Its really a song that expresses my hearts cry to realize the awesome power of our God and how He endured the cross because of our sin and He was raised to life and now lives! Amazing!
My blog will be silent for a while as I do not have a camera, but I have lots of thrift store finds, sewing projects, and other things to share with you all when I get my camera again. My sister is in Florida and she has the camera, hence no pictures or blog posts recently. I have also found I have been getting more done without my blog to have to update daily with the remix challenge. It was fun! But I am doing a break from blogging for a while. Not sure how long, but its really helped me to grow closer to the Lord and my family as well as have a better study schedule.

Oh and I sold my first two items on my etsy store this past week as well! That was exciting! I will be sewing some new things for the shop soon.

God bless!