January 16: John 16:33, Fun Fiber Projects, Literary Living and Finding Joy

Hello There,

I hope you all are doing well.  This week started well and ended peaceful with tears in between.  As you will read, projects were finished, books were read and even some joy was found.  My precious Daddy's health has declined and he may soon be on palliative care and then hospice.  We've known this was coming, but...ug...it's hard.

I'll be making monthly trips to San Diego to be with him and blog posts may be irregular.  Hopefully I can blog at least bi-weekly.  

We have found time to laugh, especially when I'm with my family and grandbabies.  They are my precious joy and blessing.  

So, please, grab a cup of your favorite beverage, relax and enjoy this week's post!

Love, 

Patricia

HERE'S A WORD - Faith...broken faith...faltering faith.  Here I will share a Scripture about these topics.  No judgement, only love.  

A friend and I are reading through A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller.  He referred to this verse and, though I've read it many times, these words really struck me:  But take heart.  I have often imagined Jesus saying these words with encouragement in a strong voice.  This time was different, very much so.

I actually feel Him holding me and whispering the words to my very soul - every single time I read them.  

To you, sweet soul, who are struggling, I say to you, "Take heart."

FIBER FUN  

Snowy days are perfect for slow stitching, aren't they?  We got a bit of snow for two days that stuck for...oh...about two hours.  Just the same, I declared both days slow stitching days and got in a few finishes!

Crochet:  I finished the special request scarf for my grandson!  As I said in the last post, it's a simple half-double crochet worked in the back loops using a G hook, but it only took 1 skein of Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn sport weight yarn.  

I also finished this almost queen size afghan inspired by @dianydecorazon (Instagram).  By the way, my granddaughter made the "Ama" pillow for me.  The grandbabies all call me Ama, which means "love" in Spanish.  

Chico, one of our poodles got his collar caught whilst snuggling on this cozy afghan which caused a small tear!  I learned how to repair using a YouTube video!

Here's the repair.

Here's the video!  

   

I also finished this cowl made from the extra skein of Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn sport weight yarn that I used for my grandson's scarf.  I simply measured the chain around my neck until it was the size I wanted, did a row of single crochet to stabilize the stitches and thereafter, rows of double crochet in the back loops.  Every three rows I added and "X" stitch.  

Did you see the crocheted hanger cover?  My daughter loves the ones I've given her and asked for more.  I couldn't remember the details of how I made these and looked, unsuccessfully for a pattern online.  I guess I'll keep track of my method and share my "pattern" in my next post.

Hand Embroidery:  Progress continues on the free Bauble Advent embroidery project by Liz at Bluebell Love. I started it while in San Diego, but forgot to pack my Frixonpens, so I used a pencil.  Lesson learned, I carry extra Frixon pens in my purse!    The design is printed on Sulky's Stick 'n Stitch.    

English Paper Piecing:

I've enjoyed my journey back into EPP.  It started with making these little sewing pouches and then started making panels without a real plan in mind.  There are so many options like using them as fabric to make purses, table toppers or even quilts!  Soon my secret sewing project will be gifted so I can share it!  I'm so excited!

Here's the panel I've made thus far.

These are the two needle books I made, but forgot which book had the pattern!  😒
I am using the Lowe's small storage containers I mentioned in the last post.  

Machine Embroidery:  nothing has really happened in this arena.  Having been out of my sewing studio so long results in slowing get back to routine and being gentle with myself.  

Quilting:  I have the fabric picked and cut out for the sashing and cornerstones  for the Be Sew Creative's $15 Sampler quilt, The Montage by Karen Montgomery.  Perhaps this week they'll be stitched together.  I'd love to have this done before the first of February.

I attended a class to make Kristina's of Center Street Quilt's Hemmingway Pouch in which my daughter was the teacher!  It was so much fun as the hardest and most time consuming parts are picking the fabrics and quilting them.  After that, you'll need about 30 minutes to finish the project! I highly recommend this fun project - especially if you "kit" them as I described in this post from 2019!  

LITERARY LIFE -   

CURRENT READS

EBOOK

BUDDY READ

VERY SLOW READ

BANNED BOOK
CLUB

LATINX BOOK CLUB

FINISHED

*****

Anthologies are usually not my cup of tea, but Sabrina & Corina is a fabulous read!  It made my heart sing and my brain ponder.  Highly recommend.  

*****
I loved listening to this book!  It had just the right amount of drama, lightness, pace and I loved the characters!  Highly recommend.

  

***
This second book in the Me Before You Series was just not believable, in my opinion.  I don't know, Louisa's reactions to the teenage angst...I didn't understand it.  I'm still going to finish the series as...well...I want to find out what happens to Louisa.    

*****

If you enjoy books about books, reading about WWII and about relationships, you will enjoy this one!

 

*****

I loved this next book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society!

FINDING JOY - LeeAnna's I Like on Thursdays at Not Afraid of Color helps me consistently find the joy in every life.  

Here's some likes I found on Instagram.

Our Library has a 
journaling class!  Not my 
work, but I liked it!

So true!

I just have to learn how to 
make this one of these
days!!  

I absolutely love Corinne Lapierre's 
work.  Mew & Co, a local shop, 
carries them, so I pop in occasionally
and pick some up.

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I'll be linking up to 

Melva's Sew and Tell at Melva Loves Scraps 

Kathryn's What Are You Reading at The Book Date

Carol's To Do Tuesday posts at Quilt Schmilt  

LeeAnna's I Like on Thursdays at Not Afraid of Color

Deb's Sunday Salon at Readerbuzz

Slow Sunday Stitching at  Kathy's Quilts