January 25: Psalm 23:2, Fun Fiber Projects, Literary Living and Finding Joy

Hello There,

Thank you for visiting!  I hope you all are doing well.   Are you all having a difficult time inserting and positioning photos on your blog?  I am having such a hard time that it almost takes all the fun out of blogging! While writing my  last post,  (and in the future), I just decided to do the best I can and simply focus on connecting with you!  😊

I hope you have enjoyed your fiber fun projects, literary lives and snow - if you got some!  Our weather has been cold and I have both sinus and ear infections and allergies, so I've been hibernating, stitching and reading!  

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

As I mentioned last week,  dear friend suggested we read through Phillip Keller's A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.  In this week's chapter another snippet of Scripture stood out to me, "He makes me lie down".  It reminded me of some words of wisdom another friend once said:  It's ok to rest behind the shield of faith of a loved one.  

When our faith is battered, let us learn that the anchor holds...it truly does.  And if we aren't quite there yet, it's ok.  Lie down and rest behind a loved one's shield of faith until you're ready.  God is patient and knows your heart.

FIBER FUN  

Crochet:  

Last week I mentioned that my daughter asked me to crochet her come hanger covers.  I prefer to use a thicker yarn, which I didn’t have so I used two strands of the yarn I did have an I or 5.5mm hook and plastic hangers.  

Depending on the yarn and the hook size, the number of beginning chains will vary. But with these hangers, you need a chain of 36 inches which, with the combination I'm using was 124 chains.  This will vary with yarns and hook size.

Here's is the tutorial:

Chain 124

Double crochet in the second chain and in every chain to the end of the row. 

Change two, turn and double crochet in each double crochet to the end of the row.

Chain two, half double crochet in the second stitch till the end of the row. Finish off and weaving in ends.  Adding another row of half double crochet will give your cover extra padding.  

I measured one and 1/3 times around the yarn to estimate how much yarn I would need to attach the cover to the hanger. It turned out to be 50” for the length of the cover plus about 6 inches. 

                                                             

Thread, a tapestry needle with the same yarn, wrap the cover around the hanger and begin stitching it closed by inserting the needle underneath the chains right at the beginning of the cover. 

As you stitch back back-and-forth as indicated in the second picture, this creates extra padding for the hanger.

After you have stitched the cover completely onto the hanger it is time to close the ends. Stitch around the ends in the same manner that you stitched the cover around the hanger and tie off. add an accent if you like.

All types of ribbon would look fabulous.  Fabric yo-yos, various types of ribbons, even buttons would be cute accents. 

Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions or make this hanger cover.  

Hand Embroidery/Cross Stitch:  

My three oldest grandbabies asked me to make them  something other than the usual stuffed animals, like these patchwork dogs.  Naturally, after receiving these gifts annually, space was becoming an issue; plus, they are maturing.  Together we came up with theme-based, hand stitched ornaments.  These are the ones I made them last Christmas. 

I hadn't cross stitched for some time, so it was a difficult process.  YouTube videos were instrumental in my success.  I also connected my laptop to my TV screen above my desk, thus magnifying the pattern.  The best part was watching their delighted faces as they open their annual gifts.  UPDATE:  The Darth Vader ornament is part of a larger cross stitch pattern by Geocreations UK, the llama is from Aunt Martha's iron ons, and Gengar is from Birdie Stitching.

English Paper Piecing:

I've made tons of progress on my secret sewing EPP.  All I need is to connect two more GFF and the path.  I'll fill in with half hexagons and the flimsy will be done!

Now, my Lowes portable sewing kits didn't work for this project, so I picked up a makeup carry case that did the job just fine!  Did you notice that almost empty spool of thread - it has all gone to the secret sewing project!  

Machine Embroidery:  

"Kitting" projects increases my productivity to unbelievable levels. Similar to the above photo, it's having everything you need to complete  a project in one place.  

I'm preparing to make machine embroidered mug rugs for Valentines' Day and a couple for my nail tech.  

Day one:  I selected and pressed my selected fabrics.  

Day two:  I set them up on my cutting surface with the cutting sizes and quantities needed written on washi tape, which is then placed at the top of my cutting surface.   

I stack the labeled (with the washi tape) pieces in the order needed, the threads and batting in various sized storage containers from Target.  

The stabilizer will be cut and placed by my machine when I'm ready to start stitching.  It's much easier to store on the roll until I actually need to use it.  Perhaps, later this week, I'll have time to machine embroider.  As the machine works, I'll do some hand work.  Two for the price of one.  

Quilting:  I was able to make some progress on Be Sew Creative's $15 Sampler quilt, The Montage by Karen Montgomery.  I'm so glad I watched the tutorial before starting this process!  All my sashing, cornerstones and bottom sashing are cut out and the vertical rows are done.  Next week I'm hoping to complete the vertical sashing and maybe even attach them.  

LITERARY LIFE -   

CURRENT READS

FINISHED

****
I am learning to read E-Books more frequently, especially as we are traveling more.
Sold On a Monday was fabulous, yet sad.  Kristina McMorris shines a light on the difficulties widowed, single and divorced faced during the Great Depression.  They had to work, but faced great discrimination.  The characters were real to me, the plot was believable. Recommend.

*****
Jennifer De Leon writes about a young girl and her mother fleeing Guatamala after barely escaping from murderous gang members. 
She highlights the very real plight of many immigrants seeking asylum in the United States.  
Highly recommend

****
I enjoyed this romance tale, which is saying a lot, because romance novels are usually not my gig.  There was family drama and a bit of history about Cuba that kept my interest.  Recommend.

                                     

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

I so love this corner as I walk into my sewing room...it's a cozy slow stitching spot.

Warm tea is my comfort food when I'm sick, so I'm really appreciating my electric tea kettle, tea bags and the tea I won from Cornerstone Tea Company during one of Melva Loves Scraps QAL!   

Joke Amusan is the artist who created this.  She does amazing work and I highly recommend you check her out.  I love scrolling through her Instagram account; it's soothing and thought provoking. 

You know me!  I love hand stitched ornaments!

I thought this was pretty cool - this artist tracked her reading via hand embroidery!  
A great way to practice the satin stitch!

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I'll be linking up to 

Sew and Tell at Melva Loves Scraps 

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