Thursday, January 31, 2019

Wednesday's Word. I like!

Wednesday's Word
"Without faith, hope has nothing to attach itself to."
           -Jana Alcorn Don't Throw in the Towel, Hope Again!
How very true.  
Do we see a loser in our life or do we see the person God sees?  
Do we see possibility or impossibility?
Do we see dying or being healed in Heaven?
Do we see pain or growth in the struggle?
Do we have hope or despair?

It's hard to have the later of these in times of trials, but precious one as we cling to the Father, His Word, listen to inspirational music, read our journals or simply recall how He has seen us through, we can face an uncertain future with hope and faith.

Even in the valley where perhaps we are blinded by pain, we can hope, we can believe, we can thrive believing the words of Hebrews 11:1.
As I was typing these words, thinking of my own situations, this song started playing.  I hope you are as blessed as I was by listening to and receiving Laura's message.  




I Like
I like linking up to Lee Anna's I Like Thursdays! (@ Not Afraid of Color)!  

I also like this blog - A spirit of simplicity.  It's so peaceful and gives food for thought.  

I just discovered how much I enjoy hand piecing via this Hand Piecing QAL hosted by Patty at Elm Street Quilts and Kristin at Simple. Handmade.  Everyday. Their tutorials are taken in baby steps, so it's been a wonderful learning experience for me!  My first block:
Here's more pictures of my new Study/Grandkids' Room that I'm so enjoying!

This rocking chair was given to us by a dear friend.  His father loved it and now I enjoy sitting here, quietly sewing.  
 Next to my chair is my temporary design board and 
 here's how I made it!  I may have already shared this, but not on "I like"!  And I so love this part of the room!
Here's the kids' bookshelf.  My daughter made the turtle painting in elementary school.  My son and I stitched the teddy bear/duck picture when I was expecting her! (edited to include photo)

And one last like:  Chico, the young pup who has brought life into our home.

We were taking a nap.  He was laying across my lap and when I woke up, this is what I saw!  I tell you I have no idea how that one section of his hair was standing up, but I still laugh out loud when I see this picture!  It so represents his personality!

Take good care, dear ones!

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Monday's Strength. Book Date. Pressing On.



Monday's Strength

Matthew 11:10 blessed me so much when I read it tonight.  I realize that it is referring to John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ.  However, I also look for ways Scripture can apply to my life directly.  

Though the way ahead of us may seem uncertain, God has prepared our way.  He has sent messengers ahead of us.  He has provided a way of comprehension, compassion, love and support for us.  

As we go through life, as we face our challenges, let us draw strength and comfort from the knowledge that God has prepared the way ahead of us.  

Book Date
Slow Reads
The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV
The Story continues to bless me.
                                     Current Reads
Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World
Our church has started a new study on this book, Anxious For Nothing by Max Lucado.  Though I've read Philippians a few times, this series is quite encouraging!
Current Audiobooks
Greater Love (Tides of Truth, #3)
And now I'm enjoying the 3rd book in Robert Whitlow's 
Tides of Truth series, Greater Love.  
Honestly, I'll be sad to finish this series.  
Do you all feel the same way about some books you read?   
Finished
Six Day Hero, the Hb

I really enjoyed this book as I learned a bit about Israeli history, the Jewish faith and the strength of a great nation.  I highly recommend this quick read.  ★★★★★
Image result for higher hopes tides of truth
Another great read.  ★★★★★

Pressing On!
I press on toward the goal...Philippians 3:14a 
Here are last week's Pressing On goals:  
1.  Finish one crocheted dishcloth.
2.  Make even more progress on the Prayer Afghan.   
3.  Sew the $7.50 blocks in the 30's fabric.  ✔  I actually got both sets sewn up - the 30's practice blocks and the summer colorway that is our class colors.  


4.   Relax on Sunday with Slow Stitching on my GFG. X Sunday was filled with church, lunch with my hubby, a nice long nap and dinner with my grandbabies!  I love family time!

Here are this week's Pressing On goals:  
1.  Finish one crocheted dishcloth. 
2.  Here's an ambitious one:  Finish the Prayer Afghan.   
3.  Sew the first two Morning Glory Blocks together.  
4.  Slow Stitching on my GFG and a new QAL that I couldn't resist:  the Hand Pieced QAL over with Patty at Elm Street Quilts and Kristin at Simple. Handmade.  Everyday.   Their tutorials are great and the stitching is relaxing!

Here is my first block!

Monday's Link Ups


Sunday, January 27, 2019

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching. Sunday Stats.

Saturday's Song.
This video of God Only Knows by King and Country is shocking, but so true.  I just read that a suicide attempt is made every 28 seconds!  Dear one, God knows you, He never leaves you.  People will let us down, but not God.  Try Him.

Let us all look around us and who kindness.  A smile, a prayer, a gentle touch of encouragement to a stranger/friend/loved one could change their lives.  
Take good care!

Slow Stitching.
My slow stitching project continues to be my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.  I'll also be choosing color placement for my Stitchers' Garden BOM.  

I mentioned that I reorganized the kids' toy room - and have realized that I have a huge blank wall.  I've made a simple - definitely not beautiful - design wall for my GFG and called it my Slow Stitching Design Wall.  LOL!  
 Here's how I hung up the pieces!  For those of you who might not have a sewing room or a wall you can dedicate to a design wall, this one works for me.  The pins make tiny holes and your project can easily be taken down at a moment's notice.  

Here's some other ways to make a temporary/portable design wall.  I bet some of you have other ideas as well!  Please share them in the comments section!

Sunday Stats
I finished two dishcloths for my daughter and was so eager to give them to her, I forgot to take pictures of them!  LOL!  My BOMs are going well, yet I only count fabric usage for finished quilt tops and backings, so no changes there either.  
Donna, who hosts the Sunday Stash link up at Quilt, Paint, Create gave me an idea on how to track my fabric usage for BOMs, so I'll see how that works.  I'm eager to learn how you all track your fabric usage for these projects!


fabric usage - 3.45/100 yards  (same as last week)
yarn usage - 6/100 ounces 


I'm linking up to:
A Spirit of Simplicity

Friday, January 25, 2019

Jesus Asked It #6. I Like! BOMs Away!


Jesus Asked It #6
Jesus Asked Series: 1,  2, 3, 4, 5

In my NIV Bible, the section of Matthew 6:25-34 is titled, “Do Not Worry.”  Do. Not. Worry.
The beginning refers to how God clothes the grass of the field.  The NKJV refers to the lilies of the field.  If they, which are temporary are so beautifully clothed, how much more/better will He clothe us? 



Many of us will face difficult circumstances this year or perhaps are dealing with situations from 2018.  Let us be of great faith, trusting God to spiritually clothe us with His fruit.
Easier said than done, but we can encourage each other to gird ourselves with the Truth (Ephesians 6:14 NKJV) and put on the full armor of God.  Be blessed, dear ones!
https://me.me/i/the-whole-armor-of-god-put-on-all-the-armor-13788467

I Like!
Every Thursday, Lee Anna at Not Afraid of Color hosts a wonderful linky party filled with posts about what people like.  It is a quite interesting!  She adds in a section called "Milo's Moment", where her beautiful poodle adds in his likes as well!  

It's been on my mind this week, so I'm joining up as well!  I hope you join the party!

When I first started sewing again, I made this cover for my book.  I have decorated it with slogans and quotes from friends.  Lots of wisdom here.  It reminds me to stay calm and have faith.




I reorganized the grandkids' toy room and now it is a guest room/office/toy room.  I make sure this lamp is visible as I walk by the open door.  Another reminder of my faith.
I love my Promise Box filled with encouraging Scriptures from the Bible.  It was a gift from a dear friend.

The view from my desk reminds me of 1) my grandkids, 2) loved guests who have visited and 3) nothing is impossible with God.  I made this quilt while going through chemotherapy and the year afterwards.  It reminds me that God can make something beautiful out of the ashes of our lives.  Beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). 

BOMs Away!
Admittedly this week is a bit tough as my $7.50  BOM requires four blocks each this month, but that's ok.  Slow and steady wins the race.  I'm a fourth done already with one of them!  Here are my practice blocks done in 30's fabrics:

And here are the "real blocks"!


Happy sewing, Everyone!
Linking up to:




Monday, January 21, 2019

Monday's Strength. Book Dating. Pressing On.

Monday's Strength

When we are weak, He is strong.  In our times of pain, we can count on God.  Always.  

I took a walk with God this evening.  I needed Him.  My heart is breaking bit by bit as I see my Daddy grow weaker and weaker due to some unknown, un-diagnosed ailment.  

As I prayed, I played my "Gentle Praise" playlist.  This song blessed me.  
         
When I am weak, He is strong.  In my times of pain, I can count on God.  Always.  And so can you.

Will you join me in believing?

Book Dating
Have you heard of Slow Stitching Sunday?  It's a linky party hosted by Kathy at Kathy's Quilts that encourages us to slow down and enjoy a day of slow stitching.  Naturally these projects take a long time, years even. 

Taking inspiration from Kathy, I have decided to add a category to Book Dating - Slow Reads.  Books that long for me to spend time with them, that ask me to think about them, journal on them, learn from them.  Do you have some Slow Reads you enjoy?  Here is mine:
Slow Reads
The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NIV
The Story continues to bless me.


Ebook Reading
Six Day Hero, the Hb

Current Audiobook
Image result for higher hopes tides of truth
I'm enjoying the 2nd book in Robert Whitlow's Tides of Truth series, Higher Hope.  

Finished
Doing Busy Better: Enjoying God's Gifts of Work and Rest
Doing Busy Better was a Slow Read.  I did learn from this book, however, I learned that I'm not that into time management books as I thought I would be.  

Deeper Water (Tides of Truth, #1)
Deeper Waters was pretty good - 4.5 stars.  I agree that Robert Whitlow compares to John Girsham.

Pressing On!
I press on toward the goal...Philippians 3:14a 
I've been linking up to Christine's fabulous linky party To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things.  It's been instrumental in keeping me focused as well as upped my crafting productivity.  Previously, I used her name - To Do Tuesday - for my posts, but this year "Pressing On" came to me and and just felt right.  So, Pressing On with an encouraging Scripture was born.  
Here are last week's Pressing On goals:  
1.  Finish one crocheted dishcloth.
I experimented with the design using tulle and yarn.  I'm eager to hear my daughter's opinion on how these new patterns work out.  

With the last bit of yarn, I made this small coaster.  

2.  Make progress on the Prayer Afghan.  
If my hands hold out, this baby should be done by Friday!  
3.  Sew the $7.50 blocks in the 30's fabric. I have finished 1 of the 4 squares though!

4.   Relax on Sunday with Slow Stitching on my GFG. 
You can see my progress on this post.  

This week's Pressing On goals will be similar:
1.  Finish one crocheted dishcloth.
2.  Make even more progress on the Prayer Afghan.  
3.  Sew the $7.50 blocks in the 30's fabric.
4.   Relax on Sunday with Slow Stitching on my GFG.



Monday's Link Ups

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching Sunday. Sunday Stats

Saturday's Song
Here is a love letter from the Savior who loves you.  


Promise Me
It's hard to imagine that
I've been there too
I've felt the passion burning in you
Every temptation, oh, I understand
Your Savior knows what it is to be a man
Promise me... promise me...
Before the passion turns to flame
Promise me you'll call my name
Promise me... promise me...
You'll remember these scars of grace
And remember I took your place
Promise me
I know what it's like when the
Nightmare comes true
Someone left a cross for me
Like they left for you
Trust me when I say... I've been
Where you are
The strength to live again my child is
Hidden in the scars
Promise me... promise me...
Before the passion turns to flame
Promise me you'll call my name
Promise me... promise me...
You'll remember these scars of grace
And remember

"Before the Passion turns to flame, promise me you'll call my name."

At first I thought this song would be perfect for our children and grandchildren.  However, I know that God is using this blog to speak to me and to share what He is saying with you, His reader.  When we are tempted, all we need to is call on Him.  He is greater than any temptation.  

Lord, thank You for bringing this song to mind this morning.  I praise you for Your timing and gentle reminders - You know I need them!  Father, let me call on You before the passion of anger, sarcasm, hopelessness and any other hurtful behavior (to myself or others) comes out of me.  "Lord! Help Me!" takes only a second to say!  Help me to pause, breath and call on You before the passions of this world make me an instrument of pain instead of healing.  I bless Your precious name.  Amen.
Update:  I love how Peabea at Peabea's Scribbles post spoke to my heart and seemed to tie in with this post.  Also, she has a heartfelt prayer request.  Please pop in and share your love with her.   
Slow Stitching Sunday
My Grandmother's Flower Garden is always on my Pressing On  List.  (This is my new name for the To Do Tuesday list.)  Here is some progress.  I've sewn 6 rows of flowers together and will now focus on joining them into rows over the next few Sundays. 

Here's a couple of different views.  



I'll be making a couple more dishcloth/scrubbies for my daughter.  She loves when I combine tulle with the cotton yarn.  I prefer combining the I Love This Cotton sold at Hobby Lobby with the tulle on a tube vs. by the yard as it is  too hard on my hands.  
My goal is still to make at least one a week so that I can have small gifts ready for Christmas.  

Sunday Stats
fabric usage - 3.45/100 yards 96.55 yards to go!  
yarn usage - 3.5/100 ounces