Thoughtful Tuesdays. To Do Tuesday.

Thoughtful Tuesdays
This post by Crystal Storms at Crystal Storms really changed the way I look at my husband.  You see, if God is our Father, then He is my husband's Father as well.  My husband is God's child, too.  So, God would be my Father-in-Law!  Whoa.....food for thought.  Please visit her post as well as the next post....food for thought.  

To Do Tuesday 

Last Week's List 

1) Even though I'm working more this week, I think I'll be able to finish the second Tumbling Blocks prototype. This one is going much better! Done!  Tada!

2) Finish crocheting five blue and yellow flowers of the Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet ! I wonder if adding starting to join them is too much for my hands?  We'll see...... Done!  

3) Use up the rest of the strings for the CIL blocks. Nope - I have a TON of strings cut up!  

4) Make progress on Prayer Shawl #7. This week our Cancer Care Group meets, so I'll be able to work on this one.  I usually reserve this project for this meeting night.  Done!  

5) Pray my prayer and memorize Genesis 50:20a  A friend at church recommended using Post-It notes all around the house to memorize Scripture.  I'm going to try that.  LORD knows I have enough of them!  Done!  But, I'm going to keep focusing on this verse for this week as well.  

updated 2/21/18

LOL!  I forgot to add this week's To Do List!  I'll be lost without it!

This week's list

1) Join rows 2 and 3 of Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet ! 

2) Finish the CIL blocks!

3) Continue to make progress on Prayer Shawl #7.

4) Finish a pillow I started a while ago.

5) Focus on Gen. 50:20a.  

 I hope you check out these fun link ups!  

To Do Tuesday @ 

Stitch All Things

Linky Tuesday @ 

Freemotion by the River

Midweek Makers @

Quilt Fabrication

You make my day with your comments!  

I love reading and responding to them!

Philippians 4:20 Part 2. Updates on Charity Sewing. Book Date.

Philippians 4:20 Part 2
Part 1
Scripture
Observation
Praising God - Paul is praising Him right after he writes, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 NIV.  

And then comes verse 20:  
To our God and Father, be glory for ever. Amen.
Application
He praises God for meeting his needs. period. and Amen. period.

Our children don't know what they need - they don't see the big picture.

In the same way, we don't know what we need - we don't see the big picture.

But God does on both counts.
We can trust Him.
And praise Him.
Period.
And Amen.

His will.
Not mine.
Hard stuff.

Really hard.  I write this not because I have a cheerful, happy-go-lucky-life.  
I don't.
Believe me.
I don't.

BUT
I try to live a joy filled life (The joy of the LORD is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10).  

I'm learning that
1) His will, not mine, is always best and that
2) it's far easier to praise Him through my tears than fight Him through my pain.

He's trustable.
Prayer
Oh my LORD, how I've been challenged to grow up and put on my "big girl panties" lately.  Just when I thought I'd made it faith wise, You stretch me just a bit more.  

I thank You for being with me strengthening me with Your joy, the knowledge that the battle is already won and that Your will is always best for me.  

Thank You for helping me to learn to lean on You instead of fighting You.  It's so much easier and less stressful.  

I love You, My LORD.
Amen.

Charity Sewing Update
JP Drainage Bags
Last week I wrote about Christy's (@ckscarves) JP Drainage Bag covers.  My cancer care group loved them, but suggested I use a wider ribbon.  Someone else sent me some contacts who may be able to distribute them!  I'll be following up this week.  

CIL Squares 
I've made 25 blocks so far - and feel so blessed to be able to do this!

During chemotherapy treatment and even before, I so wanted to sew for charity, but didn't think I had time.  I prayed and wala!  God has given me so many opportunities!

Comfort Dolls
Caroline at Sew Can She wrote about these Comfort Dolls that are given to the brave women in domestic violence shelters.  This project was started by Pat Winters.  I contacted her and received permission to make them for cancer patients.  How I would have loved to have a little softie to cling to as I went through various tests, treatments, effects of chemotherapy and the year after treatment.  I'm hoping to make some this week between appointments.  

Book Date

https://www.amazon.com/
More-Than-Hobby-Americas-
Superstore/dp/1595559833

I finished More Than A Hobby by David Green with Dean Merrill!  It was a good read and I will be writing down some of the wisdom Mr. Greene shared in my reading journal.  

https://www.amazon.com/
NIV-Story-Audio-CD-Continuing/
dp/0310421772

I'm so enjoying this book!  It's as though God is speaking directly to me and showing me His deep love and patience.  As I mentioned last week, my church, Heart for the World,  provides the study outlines that make this a wonderful devotional time!  

https://www.amazon.com/
Quilters-Homecoming-
Creek-Quilts-Book/
dp/0743260236

The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini  is an awesome read!  As I travel from school to school, I can drive up to 1.5 hours a day!  This audio book keeps me company!  

https://www.goodreads.com/book/
show/835448.Why_the_Sky_Is_Blue

I just started Why the Sky is Blue by Susan Meissner and am already finding it hard to put down!  Many of the books I'm reading are on my wish list at Paperbackswap.com or I learn about them from Kathryn's link up Book Date!  


Check out these fun link ups!

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? @ Book Date

MovingIt Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Main Crush Mondays

@Cooking Up Quilts

You make my day with your comments!  

I love reading and responding to them!

Saturday's Song. Stash Report. Slow Stitching.

Saturday's Song


My dear readers, this week reach out to the "hers" and "hims" that God shows you with compassion and Christ's love. 

Sunday Slow Stitching
Work continues on 
Maria's Spring Flower Granny Square CAL from Maria's Blue Crayon) My bouquet continues to grow and grow....I saved yellow for last.  
So pretty!

One Year of Stitches.

This week, not a lot of stitching was happening.  My poor husband was sick and though he's an easy patient, somehow crafting took a back seat to him.  My #1yearofstitches looks about the same.  You can follow my daily progress on my Instagram account.  

Did you notice the painting in the back of a Native American warrior?  He is my reminder to pray for an extremely special  young man in my life who is battling emotionally and spiritually.  

Stash Report
Another visit to my local yarn shop that is closing this month yielded more yarn and even some knitting needles.  Yes, I'm trying to relearn how to knit.  A friend at my Bee is patiently teaching me.  Thank God for the patience of good friends!

I picked up two 17 oz. bags of scrap yarn to make a "Cockeyed Knit Shawl" by Margie Giralte.  Apparently you combine all of these yarns in any fashion to make the shawl.  

 Here's the second bag 

I bought!

This skein from Silver Fox that was in my stash will be included as well.

I'll be making a "cockeyed shawl", but will be crocheting it.  Based on the various yarns, it will be pretty and funky - just my style!

 Here's the 1.5 yard of fabric I added to my stash.  I find the varying values interesting....

Fabric used this week	0
Previous total	24.400
To Date used	24.400
Fabric in this week	3.5
Previous total	18.00
To Date in	22.00
Net used more than bought!	+2.4
Yarn used this week	0
Previous total	0
To Date used	0
Yarn in this week	34.00
Previous total	51.00
To Date in	85.00
Net in the red (more bought than used!)	-85 oz

I honestly don't mind 
being in the red with yarn 
as I'm adding quality yarns 
at a great savings.  
Sadly, it's at the cost 
of a fabulous brick and mortar 
yarn shop closing.
Please support your 
local crafts shops!
Linking up to

Spiritual Sundays

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

Sunday Slow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

You make my day with your comments!  

I love reading and responding to them!

Thoughtful Tuesdays. To Do Tuesday.

Thoughtful Tuesdays
I was going through my blog drafts and found some great ideas for Thoughtful Tuesdays!  Today's is from Gail @ Bible Love Notes.  November of 2016! I found it when I was in the throes of recovering from chemotherapy and simply forgot to write about her post.  (I'm more organized and clear-headed now.)

Gail of 1-Minute Bible Love Notes is an amazing writer who captures deep meaning from God's Word!  Each of her devotionals can be read in under a minute.  
The post I'm sharing today is a great study and ties nicely into Philippians 2:12 - 13.

I hope you take a minute - quite literally - to read this post and be blessed!  

To Do Tuesday

Last week's list was slightly put aside for grandbaby time!  

1) Finish my second Tumbling Blocks prototype.  Not done, but progress made!

2) Finish crocheting two more colors of Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet ! Almost there!

3) Make more CIL blocks. Nope - Instead I made a different charity project that I'll be sharing soon!  

4) Make progress on Prayer Shawl #7. Yes!

5) Pray my prayer and memorize Genesis 50:20a

 

This Week's List 

1) Even though I'm working more this week, I think I'll be able to finish the second Tumbling Blocks prototype. This one is going much better! 

2) Finish crocheting five blue and yellow flowers of the Maria's Blue Crayon Spring Granny Afghan Crochet ! I wonder if adding starting to join them is too much for my hands?  We'll see......

3) Use up the rest of the strings for the CIL blocks. 

4) Make progress on Prayer Shawl #7. This week our Cancer Care Group meets, so I'll be able to work on this one.  I usually reserve this project for this meeting night.  

5) Pray my prayer and memorize Genesis 50:20a  A friend at church recommended using Post-It notes all around the house to memorize Scripture.  I'm going to try that.  LORD knows I have enough of them!

 I hope you check out these fun link ups!  Please check back tomorrow as I'll be adding a few more interesting Wednesday link ups!  

Fiber Tuesday at

TheQuilting Room with Mel

and

Oui Crochet Community

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

You make my day with your comments!  

I love reading and responding to them!

Philippians 4:20 Part 1. JP Drainage Bag Covers. Book Date.

Philippians 4:20
Scripture

Observation
"our God and Father".
Imagine, God is our father, our daddy, our Abba.  Yes!  To Him be the glory for ever and ever!
Application
When I first read this verse, I thought, what more can I add?  It's all there....but then it hit me, God is our Father who supplies our needs.  

Looking at it from a parent's perspective:  Do we supply all of our children's' wants? 

Of course not.  If we supplied all their wants...well, there might not be room in our homes - or their hearts - for anything - much less God. 

Some of their wants are plain impractical...
as are some of ours.

Human parents see the big picture, our God truly sees the bigger picture.  He knows what we want may not necessarily be what's best for us.  He knows what's best for us and all of His children.

So, we trust Him to supply our needs.  As I wrote below, my prayer life is becoming more simplified.  Instead of praying for specific outcomes, I'm learning to say, "Not my will, but Thy will."  

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' short prayer was specific:  for the cup (Crucifixion) to be removed - and then He prayed for God's will, not His.  Interesting.

Here is a natural stopping point.  I'll continue with Part 2 - my testimony - in the next post.  Blessings to everyone!

JP Drainage Bags
On Instagram I saw a post here written by Christy @ckscarves about covers for the drainage bags used by breast cancer patients  after their lumpectomies or mastectomies. I've learned that these drainage bags are not used only by breast cancer patients, but other surgical patients as well.   

She sent me the link for her tutorial - and it was easy peasy!

Here's the fabric cut and stacked.

Yes, I'm a strip sewist!

All done!

I was able to make 6 tonight in about 1 1/2 hours - from cutting to finished!  I'll be passing them out at my next Cancer Care Group!  It is my second book for my 2018 Library Love Challenge.  

Book Date

https://www.amazon.com/
More-Than-Hobby-Americas-
Superstore/dp/1595559833

More Than A Hobby by David Green with Dean Merrill is filled with nuggets of golden life lessons that can be applied to almost any facet of life!  I'm truly enjoying reading it slowly so as to capture these nuggets more fully!

https://www.amazon.com/
NIV-Story-Audio-CD-Continuing/
dp/0310421772

I'm so glad we are reading this book!  I still find myself going back to the Bible for reference, but this is an easy and enjoyable read in which God is speaking to me on an entirely different level!  In case you're interested, my church, Heart for the World,  provides the study outlines that make this a wonderful devotional time!  

https://www.amazon.com/
Quilters-Homecoming-
Creek-Quilts-Book/
dp/0743260236

I received The Quilter's Homecoming by Jennifer Chiaverini from my local library!  It will be book 2 in my 2018 Library Love Challenge!  I'm looking forward to listening to it during my commute to work!  

Check out these fun link ups!

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays @ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? @ Book Date

You make my day with your comments!  

I love reading and responding to them!

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching. Stash Report - More in the Red with Yarn,

Saturday's Song

I've shared this week's song, Reckless Love by Cory Asbury, recently, but I felt led to share it again because it is on my heart this morning.  Additionally, I felt led to do a bit of research on the background of this week's song and learned that his use of the word "reckless" to describe God's love caused a bit of a stir in the Christian community.  After listening to his response on this video after he sings, I can only humbly praise God for being so reckless in His love for me - for all of us.  


May we all learn to love recklessly.   Here is the link to the song's lyrics as well as another video with the lyrics showing.  Some have mentioned that they like to read the lyrics.  :)



Sunday Slow Stitching

Maria's Spring Flower Granny Square CAL from Maria's Blue Crayon) is moving along.  I have decided to work up a "bouquet" of flowers  first and then join them.  I love how they look all together!  I picked up a green and blue by Caron to finish this project.  

I cut out the final pieces of my grandbabies Felt Advent Calendar and made a bit of stitching progress!  I'm so excited as I know I have been working on it at least for a little more than a year!


One Year of Stitches.

Progress continues on my  #1yearofstitches.  Increasingly, I'm finding that it's a great way to begin my prayer and Bible study time.  You can follow my daily progress on my Instagram account.


Stash Report
I have gone deeper in the red with my yarn stash.  However, I may yet get in the black - as a good friend said, "Where there's life, there's hope!"  

Sadly, another brick and mortar locally owned shop is going out of business and has reduced their prices.  So, I paid them a visit - and here's my finds.  

This beautiful yarn by Uneek will go nicely with my bit of bling yarn!

 These will also go nicely together!  I love how this superwash by Elysian works up!

UPDATED:  2/11/18 to include new fabric purchases.

Here's my new fabric purchases this week.  I needed the off-white Bella solid for a project.  The other two?  I just liked - a lot!  :)

Fabric used this week	1.875
Previous total	22.525
To Date used	24.400
Fabric in this week	4.000
Previous total	14.500
To Date in	18.500
Net in the black or red?	5.900
Yarn used this week	0
Previous total	0
To Date used	0
Yarn in this week	(corrected) 38.00
Previous total	0
To Date in	13.00
Net in the black or red?	(corrected)-51 oz

Linking up to

Spiritual Sundays

SundayStash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

Sunday SlowStitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

You make my day with your comments!  

I love reading and responding to them!