Monday, December 31, 2018

Monday's Strength. Book Dating. Pressing On!

Hello There! 
I hope you all have a wonderful 2019!  There will be some changes here that I hope will bless you!  I'm also hoping they will help me "work smarter, not harder!"  Take good care and Happy New Year!

Monday's Strength.
Like I said in my last post, let us go forth into 2019 with the LORD's joy, confidence, faith, trust and hope!  Perhaps if we remember this Word, we will be better equipped to do just that!

Book Dating

The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV
Though I fell behind in The Story, I'm still enjoying reading it!


Doing Busy Better: Enjoying God's Gifts of Work and Rest
Doing Busy Better by Glynnis Whitwer was at first a disappointment, but I'm so glad I stuck with it!  There are those books that take a bit to capture our hearts and minds.  


She's In a Better Place (The Fairlawn Series Book 3) by [Hunt, Angela]
As for audio books, I've enjoyed listening to Angela Hunt's Fairlawn Series!  I'm on the fourth and final book, She's in a Better Place


Six Day Hero, the Hb

Next up will be:  Six Day Hero, the Hb by Tamara Stein.  

I've fallen off my reading wagon and am eager to enjoy the ride again.  

Pressing On!
I press on toward the goal...Philippians 3:14a
Here are my weekly goals for this week!
1.  Finish these two Christmas Pillows! 

2.  Finish two matching machine embroidered mug rugs. I have so much to share!  I've gotten hooked on machine embroidery!  
3.  Finish one crocheted dishcloth.
4.  Make progress on an afghan for a special lady.  

Instead of a prayer shawl, I'm making her an afghan.  She and her three young daughters lost their husband/father three years ago to brain cancer.  She is now fighting breast cancer.  I'm hoping this afghan will be large enough for her and her daughters to snuggle under.  

That's it, folks!  It's nice to end the year with plans for a great future!




Monday's Link Ups

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching Sunday. A Few Finishes. Sunday Stats.

Saturday's Song.
Events late in 2017 led me to practice surrendering my will to God's with trust and hope in 2018.  It's been a journey of growing faith, personal victory, stronger faith, joy, peace, surrender, steadfast faith, perseverance, building of character, strength - so many blessings from one mere trial!  Additionally, unbeknowest to me, God worked through 2018 to strenghthen me for 2019 as my dad, who has been both mother and father to me, has sudden, new health issues.  
Regardless of the challenges that 2019 may bring, let us choose to go forth with the LORD's joy, confidence, faith, trust and hope into 2019.  
God's Word stands true and steadfast!  

Let's remember:

Slow Stitching Sunday
For the foreseeable feature, I'm planning on working on my Grandmother's Flower Garden.  It's about halfway put together.  Maybe this will be the year it graduates from pieces to a flimsy! 

Here is my dinosaur that was gifted to my grandson....his daddy had fun trying to work out this brainteaser pull-apart ball!  It goes from this
 
to this!


(The pattern was found in this book.)

Here's a few more dishcloths that were given out this Christmas! 



Sunday Stats
Even though I lost track of stats when I became ill, I'm still linking up to the Stash Report at Quilt, Paint, Create just to say, "Hello there!"  I'll start keeping track of fiber used with the New Year!

Progress

Happy New Year, My Dears!

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Saturday's Song.

Saturday's Songs
Hello Everyone in "Bloglandia"!  I hope you all are doing well and enjoying our wonderful month of so many celebrations!  
I am slowly returning to normal after a fall season of health ups and downs.  New meds, new routines and rest have been so helpful!  As my siblings and I begin to care for my ailing father, posts will be less frequent than before, but still infused with love, faith and, of course, crafty news!  I so appreciate your patience!

Here is our Saturday's Song!  Enjoy!

This song is such a beautiful, gentle declaration of our Lord's faithfulness and our victory in Him!

Slow Stitching
Last time I mentioned I was working on this little dinosaur.  It's a fun pattern, but definitely harder on my hands.  
                                  
                           
Here's what he looked like a few days ago.    


I'm also working on an Amigurumi Winnie the Pooh for another grandchild.
Here's our poor fragmented Pooh Bear. 
Not to worry, he'll soon be put together!
I kept up with the #yarnhoardersdishclothchallengeHere are some of the dishcloths I created.    



They have been packaged up and given to friends in and out of the various weekly groups I join.  
I plan to continue this tradition as it seems to bring such joy to the recipients and myself!  
Stash Report
I've decided to pause on my stash report until January as I've lost track of it when I was sick.  In 2019 I plan to only track what I use and am setting a tentative goal of sewing up 100 yards of fabric and 200 ounces of yarn.  Between afghans that are almost finished, the dishcloths and sewing projects, I'm hopeful to meet that goal!  

Take good care everyone!  

Monday, September 17, 2018

Jesus Asked It #5. Teacup Quilt Along Block 2. Book Date.

Jesus Asked It #5
As soon as I read Jesus’ next question, I remembered my first years as a bilingual teacher.  It was so overwhelming!  So, to simplify my life, I decided to join my students and wear the uniform that they wore:  blue pants/skirt and a white blouse.  That way I could focus on what was truly important:  being the best teacher I could be. 

As I read the above verse, I wondered if Christ was really saying:  “Seriously, why do you worry about clothes?  There are lost souls to be saved, the sick to be healed!  Time is short!  Focus on what is important, people!”

So, what is really important in your own life to focus on?  What is God calling you to do?  Jana Alcorn pointed out Isaiah 38:2 in her book, Don't Throw In The Towel, Hope Again
Instead of focusing on Hezekiah turning towards the wall, she points out that he could have been turning AWAY from everything that was distracting him from God’s voice! 
Dear Reader, do we need to do this as well?  Do we need to cease worrying about the little things so that we can focus on what is vital? 
If God takes care of nature, surely He will take care of us, His beloved children! 


Go forth in joy and confidence!  
Do not problems, pain and worry distract you from listening to God’s voice and fulfilling His will for your life!  Amen?  :)

Teacup Quilt Along Block 2
Carole at From My Carolina Home recently posted Block 2 of her Teacup Quilt Along!  This cup was a bit more challenging, but so much fun!  Here's mine!
It's not to late to join up!  I have all her posts listed here.  
Book Date
Currently Reading


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Image result for don't throw in the towel, hope again

The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV
Doing Busy Better: Enjoying God's Gifts of Work and Rest

Finished
18528043
I enjoyed the setting and characters in Pastoral by André Alexis.  The setting was idyllic for Father Pennant's wanderings.  The human nature was shared quite honestly and realistically.  I look forward to reading the sequel, Fifteen Dogs.  This is my 2nd book finished for the 12 Annual Canadian Book Challenge hosted Melwyk at The Indextrious Reader!
The Glass Lake
Maeve Binchy again, presented an intriguing read.  Our young protagonist is faced with an exceedingly difficult dilemma in which she chooses as wisely as she can.  Eventually, the story comes to a somewhat abrupt end which provides her with some measure of peace and the ability to move forward.  

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Saturday's Song & Health update. Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Saturday's Song & Health Update
Perhaps a few of you have noticed my absence from "Bloglandia" this week.  Since the last week of August, I have been in a fibromyalgia flare up - experiencing unusual pain, fatigue and, now, burning, neuropathy-like pain, in my feet, especially in my left foot.    It's been almost a year since these ailments have reared their ugly head.  Praise God, I have been able to work thus supporting my sweet Student Teachers.
                               
I may be in pain, have to rest more than I would like, and be unable to do all I would like but I am victorious!
                                
This is my song today, my way of sticking my tongue out at the defeated one. God is bigger than the boogie man!
              

You may not see as many posts for a little while, but I can still read my Bible, pray, craft a bit and I made it to church this morning!  I'm also posting my daily devotional Scriptures on Instagram. I know you'll be patient and understanding during this time of sporadic posts because...well....that's just how we roll!  
Image result for that's how we roll meme
Slow Stitching
Today I did a bit of crocheting on this little guy.  He's my September 1 Xmas Item A Month.  There's not much to show yet, but there will be soon!  
                                  
                             
Mostly, I'm resting and writing blog posts.  :)
Stash Report
I added 6 yards to my fabric stash, sewed a couple of blocks and discovered a new series of patterns.  I'm eager to share all these new sewing studio events!  
I finally settled on a background fabric for this $7.50 quilt!
Many of my projects are long-term BOMs/QALs, so fabric usage isn't really showing right now.  It's ok....I'm having so much fun in my studio.  

I also finished dishcloths (corrected numbers) 24-26/52 for the #yarnhoardersdishclothchallenge!  

Silly me!  I updated my yarn numbers to show the usage!  :)
Fabric used since last time
0
To Date used
63.570


Fabric in since last time
6
To Date in
100.100
Net in the red (more bought than used!)
-36.530
Yarn used since last time
6 oz
To Date used
102.10 oz


Yarn in since last time
0
To Date in
226.30
Net in the red (more bought than used!)
-124.20
15 minutes stitching days/week = 7/7days
15 minutes stitching days/since July 29, 2018 = 42/49 days
Success Rate = 86%



Sunday, September 9, 2018

Saturday's Song: Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Saturday's Song:  Clean
My sweet reader, 
God loves you.  Nothing you have done, said or thought can separate you from Him.  He washes you clean and frees you from your past!  
I should know.
He has cleansed me time and again.
Will you believe long enough to let Him and walk in freedom?


Slow Stitching
This weekend I'll be starting two new projects, a Christmas gift and Prayer Shawl #11.  
This will be my sister's Christmas Gift


 in this yarn....


She tells me she wears the gloves and shawls/scarves I make her to the frequent evening events that she and her husband attend.  The yarn has a subtle sparkle to it that will make it perfect for these occasions. 
The pattern is in this book
and is called the Cluster V-Stitch Wrap designed by Sue Childress. She doesn't read my blog, so I'm not ruining the surprise.......

I'm also starting Prayer Shawl #11, but this one will be more of a Prayer Afghan for a child using this yarn.  
Do you recognize the combination?  It's the yarn I used for Patrick's Strength .  I'm adding white yarn to soften the combination of red, black and blue as you can see in Patrick's finished afghan.    


Stash Report
I added 3 yards to my fabric stash and will be adding another three yards next week.  It's been difficult to find my background fabric for a project. 
Being that I finished Prayer Shawl #10 and a small dishcloth, I used a bit of yarn and have resisted buying more!
Fabric used since last time
0
To Date used
63.570


Fabric in since last time
3
To Date in
94.100
Net in the red (more bought than used!)
-30.530
Yarn used since last time
9.30 oz
To Date used
96.10 oz


Yarn in since last time
0
To Date in
226.30
Net in the red (more bought than used!)
-130.20
15 minutes stitching days/week = 7/7 days
15 minutes stitching days/since July 29, 2018 = 35/42 days
Success Rate = 83%