Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Thoughtful Tuesdays. Simple Scrappy Sampler Finally Finished! To Do Tuesdays!

Thoughtful Tuesdays


I have a new blog to feature for Thoughtful Tuesday.  It's from The Redbud Post and the title of the post is Wrestling with Why by Julie Kloster.  She is listening to a young lady share her frustrations before she embarks on what will be a challenging missionary trip....  Julie realizes that sharing her own story as a breast cancer survivor is not what is needed.  Instead she listens to her young friend and gives her the tools she will need to find God in her journey!  I encourage you to read her post - and be blessed!  



Fiber Finishes
Remember this quilt?  

https://faithtrustandbreastcancer.blogspot.com/2017/04/philippians-228-part-1-simple-scrappy.html
Here you go - 
it's quilted by Stephanie 


and bound by your's truly!  
 Isn't it interesting how different quilts look in the sunshine 
and in the shade?
I love the quilting and 
flange binding!
To Do Tuesday
My Last List
Sewing
Complete Dia de los muertos pot holders  Already Done!
Finish Binding on my Around the House Mini Quilt Done!

Crocheting
*Make progress on Prayer Shawl #5 Done and finished!  See it here!
*I really feel like making progress on my Hexagon Afghan.  Done!

Slow Stitching
Make progress on the Felt Advent Calendar.  Done!

This Week's List
Sewing
Finish the Dallas Cowboy Flimsy

Crocheting
Begin Prayer Shawl #6

Slow Stitching
Make progress on the Felt Advent Calendar.  
Make the Tree for these ornaments 

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Monday, November 27, 2017

Philippians 4:10. A Ham and a Flange Pillow Finish.

Philippians 4:10
Scripture
Observation
Paul begins with the real reason for his letter, to thank the Philippians for their assistance.  He states that he knows they have always been concerned for him, yet have not always had the opportunity to demonstrate their concern in a tangible manner.  
Application
How many times does this happen?  We are concerned for loved ones, yet "all we can do is pray"?  Beloved child of God, it is not "all we can do" - it is all we can do!  

Yes, sometimes tangible gifts are necessary and encouraging, but prayer?  Many times in my life I have drawn great comfort 
knowing that others are praying for me,
knowing that I can rest behind the shield of faith of others,
knowing that as I struggle, others are praying for God's will in my life!

Prayer is indeed all we can do knowing that God is doing a mighty work in their lives and ours.

If we are the ones struggling, there are times when God separates us unto Himself to grow us.  Meanwhile, our brothers and sisters are praying.  Our pain, growth and struggle is covered with His banner of love (Solomon 2:4) and prayer.  

Prayer
Father, I so appreciate that my loved ones, friends - both online and in person, family and my church family pray for me and my family.  

There are times we cannot "do tangible acts of kindness" for those we are burdened for, but prayer is our mightiest tool against the defeated one!  I praise you for prayer!

I praise You for the faithful prayer warriors around me right now.  I so need and appreciate You and them!  

In fact, as I write this post - You had one of them call me to encourage me!  

I am indeed blessed!
Amen my LORD and Savior, Amen!

Pillow Finish and a Ham
Carla, from my local quilt shop, Bernina Sewing and Design, has started teaching a series on various pillows.  What I love is that she is teaching a different skill with each pillow class.  We walk away with a nearly finished project and a new skill!  


http://www.nancysnotions.com/
product/seam+roll.do?
sortby=ourPicks&refType=1
During the Flanged Pillow class, I learned all about the importance of pressing well and pressing with a ham - and I'm not talking pork!  The actual ham was too heavy for my hands, so I opted for a seam roll.  




I would always get so frustrated when I would top-stitch two different fabrics together and the fabrics would show up on the other side like when I made these chili tasting bibs.  





See where the darker fabric peeps out?
Well, pressing with a ham effectively takes care of that issue!

Here's my flanged pillow!  It's in the play/guest room.  


The quilt and shams are from Wal-Mart - a much better choice than a "real" quilt as my grandbabies play in there as well!

Future classes will include pillows with piping and invisible zippers!  I'm eager to pick up these skills!  


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Sunday, November 26, 2017

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching. One Year of Stitches. Stash Report.

Hello Everybody!  
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!  Isn't it nice to finally sit at the table with our loved ones after preparing such a preparing such a wonderful meal?
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/
lightning-mcqueen/4005-35016/images/


As we were going around the table sharing what we were thankful for this year, I asked my three-year-old grandson what he was thankful for.  He enthusiastically responded, "Race cars!!"  He loves Lightening McQueen!

Saturday's Song
This week this song has played EVERY TIME I turn on the radio.  I've decided to share it with you tonight.  I hope, if you are broken tonight, you can be gracefully broken.  I've definitely had my share of brokenness....lately this song has been my blessing.  


* There a link to the lyrics at the end of this post!  :)
Slow Stitching
Two more pieces of the Felt Advent Calendar are finished!  Yea!  I'm up to 11/25 now!  

This week I'll be making a very basic felt tree and sewing on the 25 buttons so the kiddos can begin hanging their ornaments!
Not much has been happening on the crocheting front.  Been busy with the Advent Calendar.  

One Year of Stitches.
Have you heard of Hannah Claire Somerville's 1 Year of Stitches?  It's really neat.  This year I have been intrigued by @cabakes  #1yearofstitches on Instagram.  


Today, the anniversary of my Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosis (2014), I decided to start my own journey.  I'll be posting updates on my Instagram account:  @miaismine22.  
Here is my first day's stitching!  

Stash Report
I decided to make a family member a last minute quilt.  His favorite football team is the Dallas Cowboys.  So....here we go!
I bought 3 yards of Moda's grey grunge 
and 





1/2 yard of these two fabrics!  



 Here's a block.  

I already have 24/30 made!
The rest of the quilt top will be made from my stash.  

This Disapearing Nine Patch Quilt from Amanda at Jedi Craft Girl inspired me!  I hope you check it out!


Fiber Stash Report:  November 26, 2017
(started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week
0 yds
Fabric used to date
59 ¼ yds
Fabric Added this week
4 yds
Fabric Added this year
47 1/6 yds

Net Fabric
12 5/12 yds

Yarn used this week
0 oz  
Yarn used to date
136 oz
Yarn Added this week
0  oz
Yarn Added to date
158.5 oz
Net Yarn
 22.5 oz


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Mollie Sparkles

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OK

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Saturday's Songs. Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Saturday Song
Tonight I feel led to share two songs.  The first one was playing as I sat down to write this post tonight, the second I came to me late this week.  

This first song is for the person who is estranged from their parents or perhaps from God.  You are precious and loved.  Again:  You are precious and loved.  

Consider calling home.
Consider reaching out to God.
You, my dear, are loved.
Reach out and receive your love.  
It will take courage.
It will take trusting God.
But do it.
Reach out.
You are precious and loved.


I've shared this second song before, but it's time to share it again.  
Sometimes life knocks the air out of us.  
Sometimes life is too painful for words.    
But God still sits on the throne!  We can trust Him and watch His will unfold.

Today our sermon was on "Dreams Delayed".  (The audio file is available.)  Has your dream taken a hit?  Remember this:

God bless you, my dear reader!

Slow Stitching
Guess what!  I've finished 8/25 pieces of the Felt Advent Calendar!  Yea!  

I also finished Prayer Shawl #5!  




Fiber Stash Report:  November 19, 2017
(started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week
3   5/8 yds
Fabric used to date
45    ¾  yds
Fabric Added this week
4  1/6  yds
Fabric Added this year
41  2/3  yds

Net Fabric
4  1/12 yds

Yarn used this week
2 oz  
Yarn used to date
124 oz
Yarn Added this week
7 oz
Yarn Added to date
149 oz
Net Yarn
 25 oz








Yarn is so hard to resist!  I picked up this at a local craft fair!




I also picked up this fabric on sale.  I figured it was a pretty neutral....



I finished a quilt.  I'll be sharing it soon!

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Sunday, November 12, 2017

Finding His Peace. Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Philippians  4:10
Remember the lesson from Philippians 4:9?

Learn from our mistakes - as Paul did.

Turn it around - as Paul did.

Find God's peace - as Paul did.
I'm working hard to find God's peace with the "new" me.  Yesterday's "Survivor's Rant" is definitely true - frustration and grief abound.  (To understand this post, you might want to read yesterday's post.)  But, I trust God's plan for my life...even this different life post-cancer.  I just need to make peace with it and His will.  

Funny, it seems like an oxy moron - trusting God yet needing to find peace with His plan...

Yet, that's where I am right now.
As I write, these words keep coming to me:
"He knows the way that I take."

After I searched for them online, I found this verse from Job:

And this my dear reader, is my peace, my smile, my hug from my Abba Father!

You see, during my initial treatment for triple negative breast cancer, I was strong enough to walk 2 miles twice a day.  The LORD prompted me to begin my walk with praise and worship music.  Then, He asked me to listen to the book of Job EVERY DAY, twice a day.

I did this for a at least 8 weeks: for such a time as this.  Chemo brain has made me fuzzy, but these words keep coming to my mind tonight.  

I have found peace as I'm writing this post.

It's ok if I'm not the same strong and healthy child of the King anymore.  It's ok.

Because, He knows the way I take and I shall come forth as gold because even though I didn't have peace, I still trusted Him. 

And so can you.  Whatever you are going through, whatever you have lost, whatever your heart's cry is, you
can
trust
God.
Amen.

Slow Stitching
I'm hoping to make mor progress on Prayer Shawl #5!

I'm using Yarn Bee's Sugar Wheel in Bubble Gum Trail.  These "wheels" of yarn are a nice change from our traditional variegated yarns.  Thus far this is one skein.  I'm thinking this shawl will use about 1 1/3 skein of yarn.  

I'm also looking forward to some down time to work on the Advent Calendar for my grandkiddos!  It may not make it for this year, but we'll see!
Here's what I was able to accomplish today!
I have 1-8 embroidered and hopefully by the end of the week all of these will be joined by a blanket stitch.  The back stitch, Thread Heaven and shorter strands have been working well.  These just may be done on time!  

Stash Report
I bought two yards of beautiful gauze on sale to make some infinity scarves.  I also purchased this kit to learn paper foundation piecing!  

The class was fun!  I'm hoping to finish this project before Christmas!
Fiber Stash Report:  November 12, 2017
(started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week
3   5/8 yds
Fabric used to date
45    ¾  yds
Fabric Added this week
4  1/6  yds
Fabric Added this year
41  2/3  yds

Net Fabric
4  1/12 yds

Yarn used this week
2 oz  
Yarn used to date
124 oz
Yarn Added this week
7 oz
Yarn Added to date
149 oz
Net Yarn
 25 oz


Looking at my numbers, I wonder if I could use 100 yards of fabric in 2018?  if I could use 200 yards of yarn?  Hmmmm.....

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