Here's The Scoop. Moving Forward. A Cowboy Quilt.

Happy New Year to All!

Blessings to all 

as we begin 2018!

Here's The Scoop.
Another long, unexpected blogging break.  Not due to my health...I'm fine....no worries there.  

Fall 2017 is finally over. 
But, for my family, the same challenges will carry over to 2018, as will amazing opportunities for growth.  I need to focus on the latter.  

The "scoop" is this:  I'm applying this lesson more than ever - 
regardless of our unimaginable hurt and, yes, hopelessness, 

GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL.

WE CAN'T.

GOD CAN.

LET HIM, 

always remembering that:

Moving Forward.
I am taking time to heal, to pray, to sit and be still (more of that to come).  I'll be blogging as regularly as I can because I miss my dear blogging community.  

However, I'm again learning to be gentle with myself and find balance again as we face 2018 with faith, determination, tears and eventually victory.  

Can I get an, "Amen?"

Here's a link to the lyrics:

A Cowboy Quilt.
So, I have been reading your blogs and they have been a joy!  Many of you decided to make last minute quilts for a loved one!  So, did I!  Thankfully, my daughter supported me with her willingness to do the quilting and machine binding (it was for a boy) for me!  

I wanted to make my brother-in-law a Dallas Cowboy quilt, but I knew it had to be pretty basic to be finished in time.  I was inspired by Amanda's @ Jedi Craft Girls quilt and wala!  Less than 10 days later, a quilt top was born!  Thank you, Amanda, for your inspiration!

Just in time for Christmas it was quilted and bound!  Thank you, Mi Hija!

Tada!  Here it is!  

 The white fabric is a glow-in-the-dark specialty fabric!  



Here's a closeup of part of the front

and my daughter's quilted "footballs" on the back!

My brother-in-law loved it and, frankly so did I!  

Take good care, my dear readers!

Linking up to

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Becoming Press

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Crazy Mom Quilts
(updated 1/7/18)

Thoughtful Tuesdays. Crocheted Hangers. To Do Tuesday.

Thoughtful Tuesdays
I enjoy joining several faith-based link ups that have amazing posts filled with great wisdom.  If you would like to check them out, there's a list at the end of this post.  ;)
I've decided to dedicate one post a week to highlight an author a week.  It will be called "Thoughtful Tuesdays"!  

This post from Crystal at Encourage Your Heart.  She actually hosts the link up.  

Crystal's last sentence:

"The message of Fiercehearted (by Holly Gerth) is the reminder that we can be both weak and strong, messy and beautiful, afraid and courageous. I don’t about you, sweet friend, but that’s a message I need." From Crystal @ EncourageYour Heart

really spoke to my own heart.  We can indeed be weak and strong, messy and beautiful and afraid and courageous - and that's ok, my dear reader!  

For example, there were times during my cancer journey that I was physically and emotionally weak as a kitten, but I was strong enough to love on my grandbabies.  

The year after chemo, I felt like life was so incredibly messy in that there was so little I could do for myself, much less others.  Also, I looked strange: no hair, no eyelashes, no eyebrows, swollen with steroids.....but all who love me thought I was beautiful!  And I was - because I was alive loving and praising my LORD for helping us thrive during those years of treatment and recovery.  

And talk about being afraid and courageous!  My dear sisters and brothers who've faithfully - and perhaps through tears of confusion - gave and continue to give up their own will and accepted God's will for their lives might be so very afraid and are certainly so very courageous!  We knew our LORD could heal us in an instant, but for whatever reason he had, we accepted that He wanted us to go through chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.  

For me, that's ok.  He sees the big picture and I, like so many of you, trust Him.  

It was messy.
It was complicated.
It was far from perfect.

Perfection is overated, but being a real bunny (vs. a velveteen rabbit) who loves God is indeed strong, beautiful and courageous!  

Heart Encouragement Thursday @ Crystal Storms

Faith on Fire @

Fuel For A Wildfire Faith

Crystal Twaddell’s Fresh Market Friday 

Becoming Press



Crocheted Hangers
I had some yarn left over from this scarf + boot cuff set, so I also made some crocheted hanger covers.  I was able to make three of them, but only photographed two....

They were inspired by this pattern by Love Crochet!  

I used a HDC instead of DC and skipped the accent simply because I wanted to make as many hangers as possible. I loved how she crochets a strip first and then attaches it to the hanger!  Much easier to do!  

Usually about two ounces of yarn will more than cover a hanger!  

To Do Tuesday
Wow!  Life has been busy with my husband, family, grandbabies, my daughter's move into a larger house, church, weddings, minor illnesses, student teacher observations, family, blogging, starting a new Bilingual Cancer Care Group, friends, crafting.....such a full life! 
Sometimes, I'm exhausted, but so grateful to have the opprotunity to live a full life.   

I imagine you all are just as active!  Here is what I believe was my last To Do Tuesday list:
Last Time's List

Finish 

CIL Blocks making progress!
Boot Cuffs Done!
Quilty 365 Done!

Make Progress 

Drunkard’s Path
Dish towels
RSC 2017–Low Value
Advent Calendar Done!

This Week's List
Quilting

Finish 3 more Covered In Love blocks.

Crocheting

Make progress on Prayer Shawl #5 as well as the Pink Hanger Covers.

Slow Stitching

Make progress on the Felt Advent Calendar.

I believe in being gentle with others and myself.  So, I've decided to create a more simplified and reasonable list.  My breathing has already slowed down!  :)

Fiber Tuesday at

TheQuilting Room with Mel

and

Oui Crochet Community

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things.

Becoming Press