Thoughtful Tuesday. To Do Tuesday.

Thoughtful Tuesday
Silence.  A rare commodity 
that can make us uncomfortable, but as Crystal Twaddle stated, it can be a door in which God can move.  Lately, I've noticed that I've been seeking silence.  After re-reading her post, I've come to realize that I need to more intentional in this goal.  Thank you, Crystal, for such a meaningful message that can leave space in our hearts for God to move.  

To Do Tuesday

Last Week's List

1) Backpack #2:  Finish Section 4 of instructions.  X  
I worked on my backpack, but made a mistake.  My seam ripper and I will become better acquainted this week!
2) Begin my September 1 Xmas Item a Month - ✔ 

I changed this to a cute little dinosaur ball published in these pattern book by Annie's Crochet! 

3) Continue joining my Spring Granny Square Afghan using the join-go-as-you method.  ✔ 
4) Sew together Blocks 1 & 2 of the Fall Into A QAL.   ✔ 

5) Ongoing projects:  
     a.  Sew together more four patches.✔ 
     b.  Connect another yo-yo flower.  ✔ 
     c.  Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt  ✔ 

     d.  Make progress on Prayer Shawl #10 ✔ 

Overall, a very productive week!  That's another reason I love To Do Tuesdays at Stitch All Things - it helps me realize how much I am actually accomplishing!

This Week's List and Kitty

For the 6 weeks I've been working with a feral kitten whom I've named "Kitty".  We are at the point where I know longer consider her feral, she was spayed and allows me to pet and even pick her up.  

Kitty on July 31, 2018

Kitty cautiously approaches me.
July 31, 2018

But, did I mention I'm allergic to cats?  

Just the same, she's just a baby and needs attention, so I've been spending about an hour or so a day playing with her.  Either my allergies are acting up, I developed a sinus infection or I've caught a cold. Additionally, for the last week and a half, I've been experiencing fatigue and weakness.  ( I was so much more healthy before chemo - but at least I'm alive!) 

It's time to rest.  

1) Continue joining my Spring Granny Square Afghan.  

2)    Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt 
3) Continue work on Prayer Shawl #10.

4) Limit myself to these three projects so that I can rest and get better. 

Linking up to:

 To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

Trekking Thru The Week @ Trekking Thru

Jesus Asked It #4. Fall Into a QAL Block 2. Book Date. Ooops!

Jesus Asked It #4

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  Matthew 6:27 I was a professional worry wart - had my 
PhD in this skill - still do.  
Worrying is like running on the hamster's wheel...

So much wasted energy and I bet we look pretty silly to our LORD and Savior.  

It's hard to break the worrying habit.  One activity that works for me is listening to praise and worship music.  My altar, Promise Box and spending time daily with God are vital to my faith.  

I'm curious about how you are able to conquer worrying.  

Fall Into a QAL Block 2!
Here is my second block for the Fall Into a QAL!  I had to remake the woven basket part because I lined up all the green rectangles on the bottom and the  dark orange ones on the top.  Silly me!  Piecing is certainly teaching me to be more detail oriented! 

Even with my error, I'm still having so much fun with this QAL!

Book Date
Currently Reading

Dreams of Falling by

Karen White has grabbed my attention by one question:  Why was the Mom at the house where she was injured?  

I finding many lessons in Don't Throw in the Towel, Hope Again 

by Jana Alcorn.  I'm taking my time reading and digesting the words of comfort Ms. Alcorn offers.    

 Pastoral by Andre Alexis 

is my 2nd book in the 12th Annual

Canadian Book Challenge  hosted

by Melwyk at The Indextrious Reader. 

The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy, one of my favorite authors is a great audio book!  

                             

Finished

                

A Quilt for Christmas by Sandra Dallas was the perfect combination of history and quilting.  A great read!

You can see the list of books I've read over at Goodreads!  My user name is, of course, Miaismine!

Ooops!

Well, I knew it would happen eventually - I accidentally deleted #4 in our series.  Aw well.....

I feel bad.  I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happened to a blogger.  In fact I bet I'm in good company!  :)

Linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi
Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

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

I so appreciate your comments!

Saturday's Song - The Words I Would Say. Slow Stitching.

Saturday's Song:  The Words I Would Say
If I could see you all face to face, these are the words I would say!


You are going to do great things, believe in God and in yourself!  

God bless you all as you go forth as Abraham did!  

Slow Stitching

 Today I'll be working on Prayer Shawl #10.  

This one is going to an elderly, dear friend of mine who is currently feeling the adverse effect of chemotherapy.  Just the same, her spirits have been buoyed up as God has moved to allow her daughter to move back to our fair city!  

I'll also be working on my Grandmother's Flower Garden and Yo-Yo Quilt. 

                 

#1stitchaday #1yearofstitches

                                
Stash Report
updated to include photos:
Silly me - I forgot to share the photos of the yarn I bought for $6 at a garage sale!

I joined our LQS's $7.50 club and needed fabric for the background.  I played it safe and went with a neutral:
beige.  I'm waiting for the first meeting to steal ideas be inspired!  :)

Fabric used since last time	0
To Date used	63.570
Fabric in since last time	3
To Date in	91.100
Net in the red (more bought than used!)	-27.530
Yarn used since last time	0
To Date used	86.80 oz
Yarn in since last time	15
To Date in	226.30
Net in the red (more bought than used!)	-139.50

15 minutes stitching days/week = 7/7 days

15 minutes stitching days/since July 29, 2018 = 21/28 days

Success Rate = 75%

Your comments are so encouraging!
Thank you!

Linking up to:

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

Sunday Slow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

Spiritual Sundays

Sunday Scripture Blessings @ Peabea's Scribble Pad

15 Minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

Wednesday's Word. Fall Into a QAL.

Wednesday's Word #1
I've decided to begin a new, sweet feature for Wednesdays - Wednesday's Word.  It will simply be a photo of one of the promises from my Promise Box.    Hopefully, that photo will be just the "pick-me-up" we all need halfway through the week!
Here's our first photo!
Blessings!

Fall into a QAL
Yes, I'm late to the Fall Into a QAL party, but here is my Block 1!  It was fun to make and was my first attempt at applique! 

Block 2 is cut out and I'm going to work on it now!  What fun this QAL is!  

Looking forward to 

reading your comments!  

Linking up to 

Midweek Makers @Quilt Fabrication

Thoughtful Tuesday. To Do Tuesday

Thoughtful Tuesday
Betsy de Cruz @ Faith Spilling Over wrote this fabulous post titled "When You Need to Invite Jesus In" that reminds us that regardless of the storm we found ourselves in, we need not fear.  At the end of her post, she has an  journal prompt that I'm sure will minister to many of us.  Why not give it a try?  

To Do Tuesday

Last Week's List

1) Backpack #2:  Finish 1/2 of section 3 ✔
2) Finish my August 1 Xmas Item a Month - Patch the Pussy Cat ✔

3) Begin joining my Spring Granny Square Afghan using the join-go-as-you method.  ✔

4) Ongoing projects:  
     a.  Sew together more four patches.  X
     b.  Connect another yo-yo flower.  X
     c.  Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt ✔
     d.  Prayer shawl #9 is completed!  ✔  It can be worn two ways!  

This Week's List

1) Backpack #2:  Finish Section 4 of instructions
2) Begin my September 1 Xmas Item a Month - A crocheted Winnie the Pooh

3) Continue joining my Spring Granny Square Afghan using the join-go-as-you method.  
4) Sew together Blocks 1 & 2 of the Fall Into A QAL. Have you checked out this fun QAL?  

5) Ongoing projects:  
     a.  Sew together more four patches.
     b.  Connect another yo-yo flower.  
     c.  Grandmother's Flower Garden Quilt 
     d.  Make progress on Prayer Shawl #10

Hope you will visit and link up to these great parties!

 To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

Trekking Thru The Week @ Trekking Thru

Fiber Tuesday at

TheQuilting Room with Mel

and

Oui Crochet Community

Hookin’ On Hump Day @

Petals to Picot

And

Moogly

Your comments are always a 

special treat for me!

Saturday's Song: Surrounded (Fight My Battles). Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Saturday Song: Surrounded
This week I was surrounded and then I heard this song, "Surrounded" sung by Michael W. Smith.  I was immediately encouraged and reminded who my Savior is!   


When we are surrounded, let us remember we are surrounded by God Himself!  

Slow Stitching Sunday

Today I slowed down with crocheting.  I made progress on my Spring Granny Afghan:

I also finished dishcloths 16-18/52 for the #yarnhoarderdishclothchallenge!

Here's the progress on my Still Stitching project. 

                                                  
          

#1stitchaday #1yearofstitches

Stash Report

No fabric in/out.
With the completion of Prayer Shawl #9 and some more dishcloths, my yarn numbers are slowly moving towards the black.  

Fabric used since last time	0
To Date used	63.570
Fabric in since last time	0
To Date in	87.100
Net in the red (more bought than used!)	-23.530
Yarn used since last time	22.00 oz
To Date used	86.80 oz
Yarn in since last time	0
To Date in	211.30
Net in the red (more bought than used!)	-124.50

I'm still working on building up the habit of sewing every day.  I'm curious, because I do machine sew, hand stitch and/or crochet every day.  Does that count?  Either way, I machined sewed 4/7 days this week - the same as last week!  And most of those days were at least an hour long or more!  Yea!  

Thank you to Kate at Life In Pieces for this challenge!  

15 minutes stitching days/week = 4/7 days

15 minutes stitching days since July 29, 2018:  14/21 days

Success Rate = 66%

Linking up to:

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

Sunday Slow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

Spiritual Sundays

Sunday Scripture Blessings @ Peabea's Scribble Pad

15 Minutes to Stitch @ Life in Pieces

a jar of marigolds

Your comments make my day!  

Jesus Asked It #3. Fall Into a QAL. Book Date.

Jesus Asked It #3
I hope you're enjoying this study of the questions Jesus asked!  Our second question is found in the Sermon on the Mount as well. 

Love for Enemies

43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborⁱ and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 NIV

  

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, ^[n]love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. ⁴⁶ For if you love[only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that?⁴⁸ You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48 Amp.

Enemies.

I think we all have them. 

So, what is an enemy? And what to do with our enemies? 

According to Webster, enemies are:  1) one that is antagonistic to another; especially : one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent or 2)  a military adversary, a hostile unit or force. 

So what do we do with our enemies?

Jesus tells us in the previous verses:

 As He is preaching this, I can just imagine the crowd’s faces of indignation, confusion and rebellion.  So, Jesus explains via questions:

 As followers of Christ we should take the higher road, or, as is said, “Be the bigger person.” 

Ouch.

I must remind myself that ,

like most things,

loving my enemies

is a process;

progress not perfection

and to

be gentle with myself as well as with others.
Another QAL
So, with so many UFOs and WIPs, I have managed to avoid joining any QALs/CALs this year.  But, Caroline's at From My Carolina Home Teacup QAL had me at foundation paper piece. I want to improve my skills in this area.

Then the Partners in Design bloggers started Fall Into A QAL.  
I resisted.
and resisted.
Then I saw a block in "real life" as a show and tell in a class.  I was hooked.  It's applique - another area in which I've been wanting to improve on as well. 
Sooooo, I didn't make it through 2018 without joining a QAL.....  and that's fine by me!  :)
Here's my fabric pull!  I'm finally cutting into my batiks for a substantial project.  The white one is a fabulous glow-in-the-dark fabric!  I think that's perfect for a fall themed quilt, don't you?

Here's the fabric pull for Block 1!

Knowing that I would need some other colors, a few weeks ago I purchased some brown batik fabric.  

I'm excited to begin these blocks!

Book Date

Reading

Dreams of Falling by Karen White.  

The Prince: Jonathan #3 in the 

Sons of Encouragement series

Don't Throw in the Towel, Hope Again 

by Jana Alcorn

Pastoral by Andre Alexis will be my second book in the 12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge hosted by Melwyk at The Indextrious Reader. 

Finished

Ok.  Hands down, The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison was a read that kept me hooked and even surprised me as the story progressed.  Going into the book, I knew someone was going to die, but I just couldn't see the wife doing the deed herself.  Harrison kept the story moving, let me into the characters' minds and kept me hooked until the last word.  Perhaps one of my favorite parts was the alternating chapters revealing each characters' thinking and perspective on their relationship.  If I gave my books star ratings this one would be a 4.5!  Book one is finished for the the 12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge hosted by Melwyk at The Indextrious Reader. 

The Warrior: Caleb of Francine River's series, Sons of Encouragement was also a fabulous read.  As I go through this series, my faith is growing, just as it did when I read her Lineage of Grace series which is based on the women in lineage of Christ.       

You can see the list of books I've read over at Goodreads!  My user name is, of course, Miaismine!

Linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

Main Crush Mondays @ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

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

12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge hosted by Melwyk at The Indextrious Reader.