Philippians 3:21. To Do Tuesday. Don't Stop!!!!!

Philippians 3:21
Scripture

Observation

Remember verse 20?  And now, verse 21 tells us exactly what Jesus can do:
1) bring everything under His control,
2) transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His!

Application
Jesus has the power to bring everything under His control!
Sin.
Disease.
Cancer.
PTSD.
Addictions.
Alcoholism.
Hurt.
Pain.
EVERYTHING.

Our lowly bodies that are racked with the above and more will become like His - strong, pure and clean.

You will become strong, pure and clean!
Amen and amen!

Prayer
Father, my mind and body have been filled with so many awful things, but I have seen and experienced so many beautiful things!  

Like many others, I have experienced terrible things as well - some of my own volition, some forced upon me.  I can hardly wait until the day that I - and everyone else - are transformed to be like You!  Thank you!  Amen!

Don't Stop!!!!!
How many times do we let a small road block stop us in our tracks?  It happens to me more often than I care to admit.  

Just now, as I'm sitting in my bedroom writing this post, I needed something from the living room.  I kept messing around until I realized that I was wasting time:  I just needed to get up, get what I needed and keep writing!  Simple.

I may not water the plants in my prayer garden simply because the gate is locked and I'm so tired of unlocking the combination lock.  With my hands, it can be painful.  

I don't know why I let these 

small, inconsequential roadblocks 

stop me in my tracks.  - 

BUT IT STOPS NOW!

Remember my Pretzel Quilt?

There was some seam ripping.

But I was ok with it - 

until I saw this!

Now, I am a casual quilter.

I believe this:

https://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/roadblock.html

But these misaligned seams 

were too much - even for me.  

I 

sighed, 

stared at them,

and picked up my seam ripper

and let her rip!

I didn't spend time bemoaning the situation.

I broke through what could have been a road block!

I was so proud of myself!

There are definitely times 

when I should walk away

from a project.

But, I'm going to stop

putting them away.

There's a difference.

I want to break through my road blocks and finish 'er up!

What do you think?

To Do Tuesday
I've been working so hard on Patrick's Strength, that other projects have gone by the wayside.  It's ok.  I keep reminding myself that I'm simply setting goals.  The world won't stop spinning if I push things back - especially for this special project!  
So, onward and upward!  

Last Week's List:

1)  Keep up with Quilty 365  DONE!

2) Finish the last $7.50 Drunkard's Path block. 
3) Make Marly's summer blankets.

4) Crochet at least 60 rows of Patrick's Strength.

This Week's List:

1)  Keep up with Quilty 365  
2) Finish the last $7.50 Drunkard's Path block.  
3) Finish Marly's summer blankets.

4) Covered in Love Blocks (at least 6)
5) Continue working on Patrick's Strength.

I'm linking up to

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Needle and Thread Thursday 

@ My Quilt Infatuation

Heart Encouragement Thursday @ Chrystal Storms

Philippians 3:20. Yea! Pretzel Quilt! Sewing Studio Tour Part 5. Patrick's Strength

Philippians 3:20
Scripture

Observation
Yes, what hope we have in Jesus!  
Application
What a great contrast from v. 19!  I am so grateful for God's mercy and grace!  He saved me - He had mercy on me all those years ago through today!  And my hope is in Him!
Prayer
Thank You, Abba, for this tremendous hope that You have given me!  I cry out with joy and praise to You!  Today I will rejoice in this hope, even as I pray for those who have yet to receive it!  Thank You, my LORD! Amen.

Yea!  Pretzel Quilt!

Guess what!!!

Susan from Quilt Fabrication

featured the finished flimsy

Pretzel Quilt

on her weekly link up

Midweek Makers!

So excited!

Thank you, Susan!

Sewing Studio Tour Part 5: 

Daddy's Chest of Drawers

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

This is what I have from my childhood home - 

my dad's chest of drawers.

He and I were - 

and remain very close.

I'm grateful to 

have this piece of Dad.

I store storage items, scrap batting, sewing accessories, adhesives, finished projects and miscellaneous supplies here.  

 I decided to store my fat quarters in a very visible location.  You see, I don't really use them, but if they're visible I will - and I want to use them all up.  In the future, I plan to purchase 1/4 yard cuts vs. fat quarters because they are more economical.  

I also want to use them up so that I can store my binding maker and other sewing machines on top of these drawers.  They will be much more accessible and therefore used more often!  :)

This is how I store my hand quilting frame and hoop and my traveling project case.  I try to make use of every inch of space!

Here's some flannels I picked up at 60% off.  I liked Susan's idea (from Quilt Fabrication) of using these for a backing!  

 My artist friend, Victoria J. Culbertson painted and generously gifted these mini paintings to my husband and I.

And there you have it - one of my favorite parts of my sewing studio!

Patrick's Strength
Not a lot of sewing is getting done, but I am continuing to make progress on Patrick's Strength.  If you recall, he is the young teen diagnosed with cancer.  It will be a long road for this young man and his family.  

Linking up to

MidweekMakers @ Quilt Fabrication

Philippians 3:18 - 19 Part 2

Philippians 3:18 - 19 Part 2
Part 1 
Scripture

Observation
In this verse, Paul describes those he weeps for - those who he considers "enemies of the cross" (v. 18).  


He weeps because their destiny is destruction.  He describes their god as their stomach, their glory is actually their shame, and their minds are focused not on Christ, but on earthly things.

Application
Many studies state that the "god of the stomach" can refer to appetites - and not just for food.  They can be sensual, drug/alcohol addictions, indeed food - an unhealthy appetite for sin.

These that Paul weeps for brag about their conquests, experiences and so called victories - their glory is actually their shame.

Their minds are filled with earthly things instead of God's will for their lives.

They are totally lost in their sin.
They are on a road to destruction.

If you are that person - 
if you are on a road to destruction - 
take heart.
As a dear friend of mine stated,
"Where there is life, 
there is hope."

Another believer once stated,
"God got His hands dirty 
when He pulled me out of my sin."

You are God's child.
You are loved by God.
He weeps for you as well.
He sees your pain and loneliness.
Just as He saw mine.

Maybe you will consider reaching out to Him.  
God is bigger than your sin.
He was bigger than mine.

He's waiting for you.  Remember,
you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14) and 
NOTHING can separate you from the love of God!  (Romans 8:38-39)

You are loved.
Period.

Prayer

LORD, I praise You for Your grace and mercy.  You heard my pleas and You answered with mercy, grace, forgiveness and love.  You accepted me as I was and then gently and slowly began Your good work in me.  Please do the same for those reading this right now who may be far from You!  Thank You that this is my song!

1In you, Lord my God,

I put my trust.

2I trust in you;

do not let me be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.

3No one who hopes in you

will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those

who are treacherous without cause.

Psalm 25:1-3

Let it be the song

for many others as well, I pray!

Amen and amen!

Another Finish:  Blue Crocheted Purse
Remember this purse?
I crocheted it using this fast and easy pattern from Whistle and Ivy.  I used two strands of yarn in this bag.

I liked it so much I  made another one!  Tada!





I used one 150 gram ball of Online Linie Fano yarn. 

Here is it pinned to my design board!  Isn't it lovely?

I had a bit of yarn left over, so I made this crochet hook holder!











I still had a bit left over, so I made this scissor holder and attached it to the bag!

 All done and the best part?

NO SCRAPS!  :)

Linking up to

Main CrushMondays

At Cooking Up Quilts

Fiber Tuesday at

The Quilting Room with Mel

and

Oui Crochet Community

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

Hookin’ On Hump Day @

Petals to Picot

And

Moogly

Philippians 3:18-19 Part 1. Hand Quilting - Mini Tutorial

Philippians 3:18-19 Part 1
Scripture
Observation
"...many live as enemies of the cross of Christ"
Paul has reminded us that he has repeatedly made this statement.  And now he makes it again:  
with
tears.
Application
Who is Paul weeping for?
He describes them in verse 19.  But, alas, I am getting ahead of myself.

Our verse today is verse 18.

For, as I have often told you before 

and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies 

of the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:18

My dear reader, is there someone you weep for as well?  Someone you love who is living as an enemy of the cross?  

I've been there, too.  
It's a tough road.
Believe me.
I know.

But there's hope in our despair!

Remember this verse 
with courage based on what you know God can do, 

with certainty and hope in the God who loves you - and your loved one, 

with confidence that He who is faithful holds your hand right now and always!

 My dear reader,
you
are
not
alone!
Prayer
Abba, thank You for gently calling me and guiding my fingers on the keyboard today. Thank you for Your presence as we face difficult circumstances.  I pray, my LORD, that You will rain your comfort, strength and courage on us all that we may come to You in confidence and face our enemy with Your power!  Let us laugh at the days to come!

https://pixabay.com/en/face-smiling-laughing-smiling-face-980611/

She is clothed with strength and dignity; 

she can laugh at the days to come.

Psalm 31:25

Hand Quilting - Mini Tutorial
I don't have a ton of experience with hand quilting, but I have learned a bit during this project!  
I have to send out a huge thank you to Kathy and to those who participate her Sunday Slow Stitching link ups as they have inadvertently been so helpful as they have shared their own experiences!  

I started out by glue basting my mini quilt.

Here is a close up of my hand quilting!

I drew lines 1/4" in

to guide my stitching.

I used a pin to mark 

where to begin my next stitch.  

Here's a closeup of 

the backside of my stitching

with the pin marker.

It's not perfect - 

and that's ok with me!  :)

I'm looking forward to 

dedicating more time to this project 

after I finish Patrick's Strength!

I'm linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Slow Stitching. Stash Report,

Slow Stitching.
I've been linking up to Kathy's Sunday Slow Stitching for a long time.  I sure have enjoyed putting my machine sewing on hold for a day and simply slow stitching.  It's so soothing.  

A few weeks ago, I decided to "close up shop" (my sewing machine) on Friday night and slow stitch all weekend.  

UPDATE:  
This precious little kitty is not mine.  
Unfortunately, I am allergic to cats.
She was in a pic I found online...not sure where!  
I apologize for the confusion!
I

LOVED

IT!

So, my slow stitching 

is now 

all weekend long 

(barring classes I may take :p )!

Patrick's Strength
I'm making progress on Patrick's Strength. He has osteosarcoma, but we don't know the stage or metastasis.  He's only 16.  They will be staying in Houston through January for chemo, surgery, more chemo and possibly more surgery.  Prayers up , please!

 June 19, 2017

June 21, 2017

June 23, 2017

I'm going to go ahead and work a bit on my Around the House Embroidery as well.  But just a bit because Patrick's Strength is still my first priority.  

Oh!  I'm also hoping to get the quilt label sewn onto this baby quilt!

Stash Report

Remember, I started this report on 6/11/17.   I was so inspired by the simplicity of  Making a Lather's weekly report that I am using her format! Thank you for sharing!

Fabric (started 6/11/17) Fabric used this week 0 yds Fabric used to date 6 7/8 yds Fabric Added this year 5 2/3 yds Fabric Added this week 0 yards Net Fabric + 2 yards Yarn (started 6/11/17) Yarn used this week 0 oz   Yarn used to date 15 oz Yarn Added this week 0 oz Yarn Added 0 oz Net Yarn - 27 oz I'm not worried about the yarn as  I know once I send off Patrick's Strength,  I'll be in the black again!  ;).

Linking up to

Sunday Slow Stitching 

@ Kathy’s Quilts

Sharing Sundays 

@The Creative Side