TUTORIAL Bible Word Study

On the weekends, I spend some extra quiet time studying the Bible. 

This morning, I was looking up the Lord's Prayer in the ESV on my phone and noticed Paul used this same greeting in at least 7 of his letters. Hmmm time to look up some of those words!

Below are the notes I took from using a concordance. Don't be scared! It is easy and insightful.

Here is how I look up different words in the Blue Letter Bible app.  

I use this app on my android phone. In the "olden days" of the 90's, I used a giant Strong's Concordance book. 

First, go to the passage and tap the verse number.

Next, select "Interlinear" from the menu that pops up.

Then scroll down to the word you want to study. The columns are (left to right) the Greek (New Testament) or Hebrew (Old Testament), the Strong's number, and the English word.

Tap the Strong's number of the word about which you want to know more. 

I usually tap the speaker icon to hear how it is pronounced and then look at the "Outline of Biblical Usage."

The outline for "Grace" is so beautiful!

Keep scrolling.

Then it will show some stats and finally the Strong's definition. After that is a listing of where that Greek (or Hebrew) word is used.

Doing this frequently and with several passages truly brings God's Word to life! 

I'm currently in a group that is studying several Psalms and am really enjoying learning the differences in God's names/titles and in Psalm 27, seeing the difference between God's temple, shelter, tent, and house.

I have more pictures on my Instagram if you're interested. 

I hope this encourages you to spent time in His Word today. 

Grace to you,

Ann :) 

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

- 1 Cor. 1:3

FREE Cross Stitch Pattern - A Little Home SUMMER Sampler

I have been working on a series of sampler patterns for almost a year and finally have "A Little Home SUMMER" to share with you. 

This is my little dream home that I've been doodling for years. Lately, moving out of the crowded, noisy suburbs has been sounding very appealing. A big flower garden and a handful of sully animals with a huge dose of peace and quiet. Perfection. 

*** Click here for the COVER page. ***

*** Click here for the COLOR pattern. ***

*** Click here for the BLACK & WHITE pattern. ***

Look at the tiny kitty!!! And chickens! And a garden of white daisies, pink coneflowers, and crazy purple things. 

Hopefully I can get the other 3 in my little series stitched up soon!

Have a peace-full day,

Ann :)

"May the God of hope 

fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that by the power of the Holy Spirit

you may abound in hope."

Roman's 15:13

FREE Cross Stitch Pattern Giant Granny Square

Welp, I'm up to one of my crazy projects again! This mornign my Instagram friend, Elizabeth @SolerStitches, shared THIS VIDEO from Morgan Renfro who is painting a cross stitch pattern on her wall!!! Ummmm.... hello!!! I am on it!!! 

Update! Here is the (mostly) finished wall!

I went through some of my finishes over the last few years and decided a giant version of my free granny square pattern would be perfect. 

Rainbow Granny Square Cross Stitch Pattern by AnnMakesThings

A cross stitch pattern + a crochet pattern + painting really big on a wall = perfection!!

I quickly made a larger version in PCStitch and voila, I am ready to paint! Well the wall I'm thinking of painting really needs a new color as the base so it may be a little bit before I am able to add a cross stitched crocheted granny square to it. 

Follow me on Instagram to enjoy my crazy journey!

Here is the pattern I will be using, but I will probably be adjusting the colors. Let me know if you're going to join in on this fun project too!

*** Click HERE for the 6 rounds rainbow PDF pattern. ***

*** Click HERE for the 5 rounds PDF pattern. ***

*** Click HERE for the 4 squares PDF pattern. ***

Lately, I have been feeling so down and dreary (hello, cold rainy weather, I'm looking at you) and this project has put the spring back in my step!

Have a color-full day,

Ann :)

"The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

    he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing."

- Zephaniah 3:17

FREE Cross Stitch Journal Page Project Tracker

I LOVE to be organized and have things in folders and binders and all the office supply store goodies. One of my favorite jobs back in the olden days, was working for Kinko's. 

Anyhow, I have been keeping my cross stitch project notes in a cheap notebook for years. It was finally filled up so I decided to create my own project journal page/project tracker! 

These can easily be printed double-sided and then either hole punched and put into a notebook or folded up and put with the project. How fun!

** Click HERE for the PDF download of my Cross Stitch Journal Page.**

Let me know if there are any items/notes/features you would like in future versions.

Here is my first page filled out and ready for my first #AnnLovesBirds50 project! Four gorgeous birds by Lesley Teare.

Oh, also check out how easy it was to make a floss card (though i should have used cardstock). After I wrote down the floss info on the back of the project tracker page, I copied it, cut it down, hole punched the side, and added the floss!! How cute and easy!

Have a blessed day,

:) Ann

"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands."

Proverbs 31:13

FREE Bird Journaling Log Checklist Thing

Some of you may have seen my grand plans for 2024 over on the Instagram. I will be turning 50 in March (what on earth??!!??) and have decided to focus this year on my love for birds and birdwatching and cross stitching All. The. Birds.

Hopefully 50! You can follow along on my quest to cross stitch 50 birds for 2024 on Instagram. I'd love for you to join in too with #AnnLovesBirds50 

And fyi, I am NOT stitching 50 different patterns, only 4 or 5 with a total of 50 birds on them! 

I am also planning on tracking the birds I see around my town

and hopefully reach 50 as well.

I would LOVE it if you would join me in this adventure. 

If so, I have created a free journal page for you to use. 

Normally I just scribble down my sightings in a notebook, like so...

Wow, that page is from nearly 20 years ago! Yikes, I'm old!

Then I would try to remember to enter them into the eBird app. The app is great because it tracks how many different species you see each month and year. And it helps Cornell University track migrating birds. Win win.

Hmmm... looks like I'm missing a few hundred checklists. 

If you click on "Explore," you can even search other people's checklists for a bird you are trying to find.  

So here are the journal pages...

Click HERE for the color version.

Click HERE for the Black & White version.

** The following contains Amazon Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. **

I designed these to be 2-up (2 on a page in landscape mode) on a regular sized letter page. If you print it on both sides of the paper, then cut in half, they will fit in these mini binders (click for amazon affiliate link)! I have my weekly calendar and blank paper in here as well to keep me focused and organized in 2024! I also use these durable dividers to keep my planner organized. I've had them since 2014!

And if you are new to birding, here are some of my favorite books that helped me learn to ID birds in my area.

The Stan Tekiela books are so great because the birds are sorted by color then size so if you spot something and are like "what is that tiny yellow bird?" you can quickly flip to the yellow section and start with the smaller ones in front.

Birds of Ohio

Birds of the Carolinas

Birds of Florida

Birds of Texas

Birds of Michigan

Which ones do you want me to add to the list?? He also has some great field guides to wildflowers and wildlife!

"Merlin" is also a great app to have. It can detect bird calls/songs in your area and ID them for you. 

Looking through my journals was really special. I forgot I did a "big year" in 2013. My goal was 100 species and I got to 87 all from the Toledo, Ohio, area! Oh the stories I have to tell about chasing birds during that time!!!

Thank you for reading and following along. I hope to see you out birding! Let me know if you are joining in!

Be full of peace and joy in 2024,

:) Ann

"Consider the birds of the air,

how they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not of much greater value than they are?"

Matthew 6:26

FREE Cross Stitch Pattern - Skinny Seasonal Sampler

Merry Christmas, cross stitch friends! 

I was working on a seasonal house sampler series of patterns (that's a mouthful) and got a bit carried away in making tiny motifs. So I combined them into a separate alphabet sampler as a little Christmas gift for you. I hope you enjoy it. 

However, the Quality Control Inspector wasn't too sure about my choice for finishing fabrics.

So I tried another.

Click here for the COLOR pattern.

Click here for the Black and White pattern.

Message me on Instagram if you have any quesions or issues with it. I'm @AnnMakesThings

Love,

Ann

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

"By Angels Bright" by Sweet Wing Studio Stitch-along

Happy fall, y'all! I am so glad the weather has finally cooled and the leaves are showing off all sorts of colors!

I have been cross stitching fall pieces for a month or 2 and now I am going full force into Christmas stitching!

I will be starting a SAL in 2 weeks and would love for you to join me.

The (FREE!) pattern is "By Angels Bright" from the lovely Susan of Sweet Wing Studio.

HERE is a link to all of her free patterns.

I will divide up the pattern as below.

Here are the dates! If in the first few weeks I finish the text early, I will probably work on some stars. So cute!

Use the hashtag #byangelsbrightSAL on Instagram if you are joining in. 

Gotta go look through my floss stash and dye some fabric! I may do dark blue and white lettering?!?

Update: I am stitching on 14 count aida that I dyed with Rit Dye in the color Aquamarine. For the text, I am using DMC # B5200, but will be using the called for colors for the bottom portion. Loving this stitch!! 

Have a peace-full day.

Love,

Ann :)

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:8‭-‬14 ESV