Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching. Stash Report

Saturday's Song


Have you heard of the movie, "Yesterday"?  We saw it this past Friday and, though I enjoyed it, I was touched anew by the song "Hey Jude" that played during the credits.  These lyrics touched me deeply.  

"Take a sad song and make it better".

"And anytime you feel the pain

Hey Jude, refrain

Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

For well you know that it's a fool

Who plays it cool

By making his world a little colder"

As I listened to these lyrics as if for the first time, I realized that my "sad song" as an adult survivor of child abuse, can be made better.  I need not carry the world upon my shoulders, instead I can be real, be open to healing and be free.  

Philippians 3: 13-14 comes to mind.

Dear Reader, do you have old hurts that haunt you?  Try reading Philippians 3:13-14 several times a day.  Post it throughout your environment.  Take a chance and live it.  You might be pleasantly surprised at the results.  

Slow Stitching
I finished hand piecing Block 7 (Eula) of the Elm Street Quilts & Simple. Handmade. Everyday. hand pieced QAL!  These ladies have cleverly named the blocks after the characters in the novel Friendship Album ,1933 by Frances O’Roark Dowell.  I listened to this amazing work via Podcast while stitching.  Talk about inspiring!

I also finished these dishcloths.

Today I'll be working on some more dishcloths and my Grandmother's Flower Garden.  Here's where I'm hoping to spend several hours.  Mia, my poodle, will join me after I settle in.  

 Here's a bird's eye view of my little table/table.  

I'm so enjoying crocheting dishcloths with this newly discovered yarn at Hobby Lobby.  I have always enjoyed making dishcloths, but got hooked with the dishcloth challenge from 2018.  These dishcloths eventually become much appreciated Christmas gifts to my various friends in the various groups I attend.  

Stash Report

Because I used scraps, I'm guesstimating I used about .75 yards of fabric for both my pink and yellow sewing kits and the pink needle book.

Fabric Usage

last week - 14.00/100 yards  

this week -  14.75/100 yards

Yarn Usage 

I used roughly 10.5 ounces of yarn on those 7 dishcloths.  

last week - 93/300 ounces
this week - 103.5/300 ounces

I'm linking up to:

Slow Stitching Sunday @ Kathy's Quilts

Sunday Stash@ Quilt, Paint, Create

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

Jesus Asked It #10. I Like Nursing Home Humor! Organizing Tool.

Jesus Asked It #10
Jesus Asked Series: 1,  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Ouch!  "you of little faith". How quickly we can forget who we are, who we serve, who our Daddy and Big Brother is!  
I've been facing medical insurance issues lately and guess what?  I'm almost as upset as I was when we were battling these same issues back in 2014/2015.  Almost as upset.  Almost.  Progress not perfection.  
"you of little faith."  
I've progressed, yet still have so far to go.  Don't we all?  
I can thank God for the insurance trails of this week because I not only see not only how far I have to go, but, more importantly, my progress, my growing faith, my growing strength - going from little faith to big faith.
Thank you, Jesus!

Thursday's Likes!

I've been eager to share pictures of my likes from San Diego and then I realized I don't many pictures!  I was too busy living to take them.  I'll be getting some from Daddy and then sharing them soon.

For some time I have been taking weekly pictures of some jokes that are written by someone in the nursing home where I sew with my friends.  My intention has been to share them on the LeAnn's I Like link up @ Not Afraid of Color.  Today's the day for Nursing Home Humor!

These signs have made me laugh every time!  

 I love this one - thought of my friend who says laundry is the bane of her existence!  

Here's an update on Chico and Kitty's budding friendship which thoroughly enjoy watching bloom!

I love them so much!

Sewing Organization

I spent a lovely few days with Daddy and Mama that resulted in sewing taking a back seat.  In lieu of showing you a project, here is an invaluable organizational tool I use that costs $1.00 a tray at Dollar Tree.  The time factor is spending a day/afternoon cutting fabric for my various WIPs.  After that, I'm off and sewing until I run out of trays!

 I cut my fabric and lay it out.  I'm making two versions of this block - 1930's and the fabric with the kit, so I stack them

 or lay them out like this.

I store them on my sewing chair with the pattern on top of the corresponding block.  This is a system I use with all my current projects and it works quite well and takes up less space than a previous system I used!  It's a win-win!

Linking up to 

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. Wednesday Wrap Ups. Pressing On.

Wednesday's Word

I was so blessed by last Sunday's sermon.  My faith was renewed and I am claiming victory again, in situations where I had once lost hope!
Pastor Dale stated: "When you have a prophetic word, it trumps everything the enemy is trying to throw at you."
Amen!  

Let us hold fight the battle well, holding onto our faith instead of allowing it to become shipwrecked!  


Wednesday Wrap Ups
I made another sewing kit....and a little needle book.....guess I hooked on them!  Here's the first kit.  
Here's the new one!

 Of course I made the vinyl pouch!  According to my nail tech, with a few changes, these would make great purses for those who attend sporting events in which the security personnel need to search purses and such!  Just sayin'!  
Yes, my furniture is naked!  Kitty would love to lay on it and rub her claws all over it, we take  off the cushions/cover them up!    :)

 This is the second one I've made using Amy's fantastic tutorial at Lots of Pink Here.  Of course, I made a few changes.  :)

 This "Teeny Simple Needle Cases for Friendship Group", (pattern by Natalie Barnes of Beyond The Reef)  was inspired by Nancy's post over at Grace and Peace Quilting.  She made them for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes  back in 2017.  Here's my version:

Pressing On
Last week's goals were:

1.  Visit Daddy and Mama.  ✔  I was supposed to head home at midday for my sewing class....but we were having so much fun that I invited them to "ditch class" with me!  We had a great day!
2.  Finish up the last few blocks of Morning Glory. ✔ Will be sharing the last block and sashing soon!
3.  Finish up two blocks for my Stitchers' Garden. X and not a single regret.  Spending time with my parents was my first priority.  I also took time to have lunch with a friend.  Sewing and such will always be there.  

This week's goals:
1.  Visit Daddy and Mama for an overnight and maybe even this weekend.  
2.  Add the sashing to the Morning Glory blocks.

3.  Finish up two blocks for my Stitchers' Garden. 

I'll be linking up to:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication 
To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confession of a Fabric Addict (on Fridays) 

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

Monday's Strength. Morning Glory Blocks 14-15 Book Date.

Monday's Strength

Oh how true - we can be blasted by situations, but we are not destroyed.  During Sunday's sermon, my pastor, Dale Walker, stated, "Bring faith into fear, praise into pain."  

If we chose to do just that and remember 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 we can keep the defeated one just that:  defeated!

Morning Glory Blocks 14-15
Two more Morning Glory Quilt block finished!  

I am eager to finish up the last block, add sashing and borders.  This year, The Year of the BOMs has been different.  I do enjoy BOMs, however, things have not gone as planned.  

http://www.quotes-central.com/6566-if-you-want-to-make-god-laugh.html

Daddy's diagnosis has certainly changed my priorities and I have no regrets.  Spending time with him is one of my highest priorities. Thankfully, the effects of the various road construction projects in El Paso is not affecting my drive as it used to.  Either way, I usually spend 1-2 days in El Paso with an additional Saturday thrown in for good measure - and I love every minute of it!  

Quilts, BOMs, crochet, and even blogging will always be here patiently waiting for me.  My faith is one of the main reasons I can be so accepting.  Second to that is that I know that you, my readers, are understanding and supportive.  That is what is so awesome about sharing our crafting lives online - we love and support each other unconditionally!  

via GIPHY

Book Date
Current Reads

Deborah's Story by Ann Burton

Threading the Needle by Marie Bostwick

                         (Cobbled Court Quilts #4)

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

In order to capture the spirit of this book, it must be read slowly, in bits and pieces.  Someone asked if I intended to make this quilt.  I do, but as I study the patterns, the learning curve will definitely be vertical!  Has anyone else made this?  Do you have any advice to offer?

Finished

A Thread So Thin by Marie Bostwick

                                 (Cobbled Court Quilts #3)

🌟🌟🌟🌟

A Man Called Ove  by Fredrik Backman 

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Should you decide to read this book, be patient with dear Ove.  He grows on you and perhaps you will fall in love with him, as I did.  

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!  :)

Wednesday's Word. Wednesday Wrap Ups. Pressing On.

Wednesday's Word
Every New Year I pray for a Scripture for the coming year.  This year we were quite busy with Daddy and, to be honest, I forgot about this tradition.

Then, as I was writing Monday's post, I remembered a section of this verse, looked up the full verse and my heart started racing!  This was my verse!  I love it!  I am filled with joy and gratitude for my LORD and Savior!  I pray it touches your heart as well!
To be joyful in hope is wonderful as the "joy of the LORD is our strength!"  As we walk through out trials with joy and hope, patience in our afflictions comes easier.  I don't mean we walk around laughing and joking during our afflictions, but we are patiently waiting with confidence that our God will work through our pain as we faithfully pray.   We are remembering that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose!  Romans chapter 8 is filled with promises and can be of great comfort in our afflictions.  Perhaps you can take a few moments to read it and be encouraged.  

Wednesday Wrap Ups
My next quick wrap up is this vinyl pouch with needle case.  It's been a while since I've sewn with zippers or vinyl.  My Bernina foot made it a breeze to sew with the vinyl.   

 Here is the little needle book I made along with the detachable mini pincushion.  

 I made this little pouch for carrying little extras.  If I gently pull on the lamb's tail, out comes a tape measure!  This was a gift from a dear friend.  

I use this portable sewing kit for my embroidery projects.  Yup, I am finally returning to the first craft I learned as a child.  More on that much later.  

Pressing On
Last week's goals were:

1.  Visit Daddy and Mama. ✔  We had an awesome time together!  Daddy said it felt like a "California Day".  He was referring to our recent fun-filled trip to San Diego.  Even though I missed a sewing class by extending my time with them, I have no regrets.  :)  

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

3.  Finish up the Fireman Place Mat. ✔            Ok. Confession time:  it only took 20 minutes tops to finish this SEVEN YEAR UFO!  Seriously?  😊  I cannot be the only person who has been such a procrastinator!  Please feel free to share your procrastination story in the comments!  

4.  Finish quilting the new living room pillow. ✔

I had shared this before, but just had to share it one more time!  :)

This week's goals are:
1.  Visit Daddy and Mama.
2.  Finish up the last few blocks of Morning Glory. 
3.  Finish up two blocks for my Stitchers' Garden.

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 12-13. Book Date.

Monday's Strength

My dear reader, God does indeed bring it all together for us in the end.  I love this part of the verse.  

Why does He do this?
"Because He cares,
cares right down to the last detail." James 5:11
That is such a blessing and reassurance for me as I am definitely not a detail person.  Knowing my life and the lives of my loved ones are in the hands of One who cares right down to the last detail is a source of peace for me.  In the moment, I may not understand His ways, but they are not my ways!  They are so much higher!  Like the prophets of old, I am learning to stay the course.  As I do so, I am finding God is indeed faithful, trustworthy and the road to peace.  Praise His holy name!
Would you like to have peace?  Would you like to try trusting Him? I suggest you try it for the long haul.  Be joyful in hope, patient in your afflictions and faithful in prayer.  
You will find your peace.  
I promise.
More importantly, He promises.

Morning Glory Blocks 12-13
Progress continues on my Morning Glory Quilt by Kate Spain!  I finished blocks 12 & 13.  

Book Date

Current Reads

A Thread So Thin by Marie Bostwick

                                 (Cobbled Court Quilts #3)

A Man Called Ove  by Fredrik Backman 

                                 

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

Finished

                             A Single Thread

(Cobbled Court Quilts #1)

by Marie Bostwick
🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

                             A Thread of Truth

(Cobbled Court Quilts #2)

by 

Marie Bostwick

🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

                               Lilac Girls

by 

Martha Hall Kelly 

🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

                      The Midwife's Apprentice

by 

Karen Cushman

🌠🌠🌠🌠

86'd Book

Oceans of Delusions by Mike Rothery

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!  :)