Monday's Strength. Morning Glory Blocks 10-11. Book Date.

Monday's Strength

This morning I needed a word from the LORD, His guidance.  So I reached into my Scripture box and: Wow.  He made His will very clear to me, confirming what He has been telling me all week.  

Do we go forth when He calls us to unknown, seemingly scary places or do hesitate?  To be honest, I'm hesitating.  He is patient, though.  He will continue to prepare me for this journey into the unknown.  He'll do the same for you my friend.

Morning Glory Blocks 10-11
My Morning Glory quilt by Kate Spain  continues to take shape with 11/16 blocks now finished!  I'm pretty sure I reversed the colors on this block, but it still came out pretty!

I'll be visiting Dad and Mom for an overnight visit, but I'm hoping to finish two more blocks this week!

Book Date
If you recall, reading, one of my favorite pre-cancer past times, was so very difficult during and after chemotherapy.  But, my tenacity has paid off!  
I'm so excited to share that, after almost four years of trying, I can finally read for enjoyment vs. trying to retrain my brain to read!  

via GIPHY
Current Reads

Oceans of Delusions by Mike Rothery

This is my first ever book that I'm reading for review.

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt 
by Laurie Aaron Hird

Finished

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

The Man She Married by Cathy Lamb 
★★★★

Linking up to:
Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

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

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching. Sunday Stats.

Saturday's Song
Have you ever been at a crossroads where you can either trust God and move forward or stand where you are and perhaps never know what could have been?
Maybe this song is for you - and me.

LORD, give us courage to trust You more and more every day, I pray.

Slow Stitching 
I finished up my second "accidental block pillow" and got the binding sewn on.  My living room is brightening up with these 30's fabrics!  

Today I'll be fixing up Block 5, Dorothy, of the Hand Pieced Quilt Along and maybe work on Block 6, Florence.  

Daddy is doing so well, we've a trip planned to San Diego with my sister and brother-in-law!  I'll be spending some time cutting fabric from Blocks 7 - 9 from the Hand Pieced Quilt Along at Elm Street Quilts and Simple, Handmade, Everyday.  

Then I need to cut fabric to finish up the blocks from the Hand Pieced Quilt Along at Why Not Sew?  Lot's of cutting to prepare for this trip!  :)

Stash Report

My "accidental block pillow" took roughly .75 yards of fabric. 

Fabric Usage

last week - 12.90/100 yards  

this week -  13.65/100 yards

Yarn Usage 

No change here!  

last week - 86/300 ounces
this week - 86/300 ounces

I'm linking up to:

Slow Stitching Sunday @ Kathy's Quilts

Sunday Scripture Blessings @ Peabea Scribbles
Sunday Stash@ Quilt, Paint, Create

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Jesus Asked It #9. I Like. $7.50 Blocks

Jesus Asked It #9
Jesus Asked Series: 1,  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Ok.  So this has happened to me several times.  I have had to empty out my entire closet - twice.  In doing so, I realized I had over 50 spring/summer tops - not to include sweaters, shawls and such to wear over said tops.  Seriously.
And that was just tops - I won't even discuss bottoms, skirts, dresses and such.    
Before then how many times have I said, "I need clothes."
REALLY?
I realize Jesus was referring to clothes here, but honestly, how many little worries do we have that are already taken care of?  How much time do I waste on such trivial matters?
Perhaps this is my wake up call to ask, "What is God really wanting me to pay attention to?"  
In my heart, I have heard Him speak.   And it has nothing to do with what's in my closet, but what's in my heart.  
I, we, should pay more attention to His still small voice (1 Kings 19:12) as He gently calls us to grow in Him.  That is where our real beauty lies.  
Thursday's Likes!

Here are this week's likes for LeAnna's weekly "I Like" link up.  

I discovered these angels made from cutter quilts.  

The next blocks for my Stitcher's Garden quilt will require rick-rack!  Yea!  I loved the colors my LQS carried!

 I was at my LQS and fell in love with this pouch display:

Sadly, they were out of the pattern for the one I fell in love with....it sold out in 2 days!

And finally, I found these quotes in my photos from several years ago.  Sadly, I do not have the source for them, but if you do, please send it to me and I'll give credit where credit is due!  :)

$7.50 Blocks

Here are my latest $7.50 blocks!  Tada!  I love the pink and yellow star and am ever fascinated by how different colors change the look of the block!

Linking up to 

I Like Thursdays @ Not Afraid of Color
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Wednesday's Word and Wrap Ups. Pressing On.

Wednesday's Word

Many years ago, my family lived in Okinawa, Japan.  One of the missionaries, Majetta Morris, shared this with me:  "There is no safer place to be than waiting on the will of God."

I cannot tell you how many times her words from so many years ago have blessed, strengthened and encouraged me.  Thank you, Majetta.  Thank you, LORD, for sending her into my life!

Wednesday Wrap Ups
I have a ton of UFO's (unfinished projects) that are taking up too much space in my studio, not to mention by brain.  I've decided to challenge myself to finish one a week - two weeks at the most.  These are small projects that just need a bit of time.  I would also like to finish them using my stash only.  

Here are my first two projects:
This place mat was started at least 5 years ago and is on my To Do Tuesday list for this week.  

I am turning this "accidental" orphan block into another living room pillow!   

It was a $7.50 block, but it came out too small.  I decided to quilt the top, so it should done next week as well.  

Pressing On
Last week's goals were:

1.  Make 1-2 more Morning Glory Blocks. X

2.  Stitch up a hand pieced block. ✔

3.  Make progress on the latest prayer shawl. X

This week's goals are:

1.  Visit Daddy and Mama.

2.  Fix Block 5 from last week - thank you for 
    your comment, Donna!

3.  Finish up the Fireman Place Mat.
4.  Finish quilting the new living room pillow.

I'll be linking up to:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication 
To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Monday's Strength. Morning Glory Blocks 8 - 9. Book Date.

Monday's Strength

You know, I've been surprised at how calm and peaceful I've been these last few months.  Yes, there have been tears, but, for the most part, I've been walking in faith.  

I like this sentence from Jana Alcorn's book, Don't Throw in the Towel, Hope Again!  How can we grow our ability to handle disappointment?  By leaning on our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It's only through Him that our strength comes.  

I pray for His joy - which is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).  Then, after my pain, trial, disappointment has passed, I can go on to comfort others with the comfort I have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).  

After the trial, comes opportunities to testify to His grace and our victory through Him!

Morning Glory Blocks 8 - 9
Yes!  Only seven more blocks needed for the Morning Glory quilt by Kate Spain that is my Mother/Daughter BOM!  Here are Morning Glory's Blocks 8 & 9!

Book Date

Current Reads

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird

                                       

Quiltfolk is a magazine, but it reads  like a book and I love it!

Finished

Reading these two books was a deeply moving experience.  I started The Nightingale as an audiobook, then switched to the hardcopy.  I then began listening to While We Are Far Apart.  Both books were about WWII, one taking place in America, the other in Europe.  I was reading about the war from both perspectives at the same time!  I was caught up in the stories, the characters as well as how they maintained their faith.  Deeply moving and humbling.    

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin

Linking up to:

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

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

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

via GIPHY
Saturday's Song

This song begins with praise for our LORD and Savior.  The plea that follows is amazing:  "Open up my eyes in wonder, show me who you are and fill me with Your heart and lead me in love to those around me."  Imagine if this were the cry of every human being on Earth?!  How our world would be changed!  

If we would do this and then build our lives upon His love as a firm foundation, the possibilities would be endless.  

I am learning to once again put my trust in Him alone so that I will not be shaken.

When life's inevitable challenges hit us, O LORD, remind us to not only listen to Your music, Your Word, Your voice, but to trust and heed as well.  

Slow Stitching 

Work continues on the Hand Pieced QAL blocks.  I finished Block 5, Dorothy.  

I'll be working on Block 6, Florence, tonight.  

Did you know that these blocks are based on the characters in the the novel, Friendship Album 1933 By Frances O’Roark Dowell.  I've been enjoying this podcast very much!

Stash Report

Fabric Usage

I make these Kimberbell mug rugs for Mama for Mother's day.  She loved them.  They're stacked on each other so one does look a bit smaller.  :)

I finished a block for my Stitcher's Garden, but it had a mistake, so it became a pillow cover!

last week - 11.90/100 yards  

this week - 12.90/100 yards

Yarn Usage 

I also finished up some blue dishcloths, which adds another 7 ounces of yarn used up!

last week - 79/300 ounces
this week - 86/300 ounces

I'm linking up to:

Slow Stitching Sunday @ Kathy's Quilts

Sunday Scripture Blessings @ Peabea Scribbles
Sunday Stash@ Quilt, Paint, Create

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

I Like...Jesus Asked It #8. Stitchers' Garden Block 2

Jesus Asked It #8
Jesus Asked Series: 1,  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

You know, I used to be pretty talented at worrying.  In fact, it is a skill I can still pick up at the drop of a hat, a heart, or a hint of bad news.  Then I realized that fear was the real problem.  As I found myself beginning to worry about something, I began asking myself, "What are you afraid of?"  Fear is often disguised as worry.  I needed to face my fears. 
I then realized that this acronym,

False Evidence Appearing Real  

is so true:  most of my fears never came to pass.  

False Evidence Appearing Real.

Then I heard this version:

Face Everything and Recover.

Recovery takes courage.  My dear reader, you are stronger than you think, I am stronger than I think.  Whatever your situation, you are not alone!  Remember last week's reading?  Go ahead, take a few minutes to read it.  

You are precious to God.  Instead of wasting time worrying, fill your time with memorizing Scripture!  If you like, begin with the verses from last week.  Take a deep breath, believe and fight back - be courageous - have faith - believe!  As you believe and fill your mind with power Scriptures instead of worry and fear.  I promise you that you will find peace and serenity if you do this.  What do you have to lose?
Thursday's Likes!

I am linking up to LeAnna's weekly "I Like" link up.  It's a fabulous exercise in remaining in an attitude of gratitude all week long!  This week is a special one as it is her 140th link up!  Wow!

I like...

going from a messy cutting table

to a neat one!

I really like my husband and his help in taking these prescription/vitamin jars from trash 

to safe places for needle/pin trash cans. 

I like when my garden comes to life after a sleepy, dry winter.

and this little guy greets me every morning  from the doorway.

Finally, I like the idea of these 

Quesadilla Tacos!

Yum!

Stitcher's Garden Block 2

I completed my LQS's Stitcher's Garden Block 2!  I'm using 1930's reproduction fabrics.  In fact, I seem to be using them for most of my projects this year!  They are so beautiful!

I'm excited for next month as we will be using the Bernina Circular Embroidery Attachment #83.  It's supposed to make embroidering the designs on the Drunkards Path much easier!  

Linking up to 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

I Like Thursdays @ Not Afraid of Color

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Wednesday's Word. There Are No Accidents. Pressing On.

Wednesday's Word

I refuse to give up.  

We can chose faith, trust, hope and victory.

Jesus has been 

my strength and hope thus far, 

so I chose the above with confidence in 

my LORD and Savior!

There Are No Accidents
I was working on the third block of my Stitcher's Garden and noticed a mistake.  I was almost finished with the block and didn't want to toss it...so I turned it into a pillow cover! 

It gives my living room a fresh new look!  I believe the rest of the pillows in my living room may be getting a new look as well!

Pressing
Last week's goals were:

1.  Spend an overnight with my parents.  ✔  I actually spent 2 nights with them!  Oh, how we enjoy each other's company!

2.  Make 1-2 Morning Glory Blocks. ✔

3.  Make progress on the latest prayer shawl. ✔

4.  I'm hoping to make progress on my hand pieced blocks.  ✔
This week's goals are:

1.  Make 1-2 more Morning Glory Blocks.

2.  Stitch up a hand pieced block. 

3.  Make my $7.50 blocks of the month.

I'll be linking up to:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication
Oh Scrap!  @ Quilting is More Fun Than Housework!

To DoTuesday @ Stitch All Things

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Monday's Strength. Morning Glory Blocks 5 & 6. Book Date.

Monday's Strength

You know, I've been surprised at how calm and peaceful I've been these last few months.  Yes, there have been tears, but, for the most part, I've been walking in faith.  

I like this sentence from Jana Alcorn's book, Don't Throw in the Towel, Hope Again!  How can we grow our ability to handle disappointment?  By leaning on our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It's only through Him that our strength comes.  

I pray for His joy - which is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).  Then, after my pain, trial, disappointment has passed, I can go on to comfort others with the comfort I have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).  

After the trial, comes opportunities to testify to His grace and our victory through Him!

Morning Glory Blocks 5 &  6
I finished two more blocks for my Mother/Daughter BOM!  Here are Morning Glory's Blocks 5 & 6!

I finished Block 7 last week, so I'm over halfway finished!

Book Date

Current Reads

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird

                                                         

Quiltfolk is a magazine, but it reads  like a book and I love it!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Shelved

Educated by Tara Westover

Sadly, this awesome read was a libray book and, due to the many people requesting it, I had to turn it in before I finished it.  

Finished
None yet!

Linking up to:

MondayMaking @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

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

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)