Drunkard's Path Block. You Are An Overcomer

Drunkard's Path Block
This week has been filled with activity.  I was looking forward to Monday because I had a whole day to sew....then I got sick. But, I had a whole day to recover!  

God is good, all the time, 

all the time God is good!

I did manage to cut out this block for my $7.50 BOM!  It's time consuming because I'm fussy cutting the skulls.  

I'm linking up to

Let's Bee Social at

Sew Fresh Quilts    

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication    

Needle and Thread Thursday 

at My Quilt Infatuation

You Are An Overcomer
Hi there!
Today was an interesting day.  
A lot happened.
As I was catching up on emails and comments, I found an email from a friend of mine, Amy from Amy's Scrapspot.

She suggested I listen to this song.
She said she thought I would be glad if I did.
She was right.
I cried.
I realized how far God has brought me.
I smiled with joy and love for my Father.

If you know someone facing cancer, 
you might want to send them this song.
You might be glad you did.  :)

Philippians 2:16. RSC 2017 - Teal/Aqua. Tip For Quilty 365.

Philippians 2:16.
Scripture




Observation
This verse certainly needs to be read in context.  










I posted about verse 14 here, here, and here.  If you like, check out verse 15's post! 


So, how can we do everything without grumbling or arguing?  By holing firmly to the Word of Life - God's love letter to us - the Bible.  Spending time in His Word.  

Application
I'm finding that as I'm feeling healthier, I am busier, more active.  This definitely leads to making it easy to make God second in my life.  I must improve in this area because...

His Word 
changes me,
strengthens me,
speaks to me.

So, I encourage all of you to make time for His Word.

Here's some ideas I had.
Instead of sewing in the doctor's office, read the Bible on my phone.

Listen to a chapter or two as I go for a walk or hand sew because it's during these activities I can really listen to Him.

Listen for His voice as He gently calls me to spend time with Him. 

Gently share what I'm learning.  As we know, when we teach others, the lessons go deeper into our own hearts and minds.
(By the way, this works in the classroom, too!)

Prayer
LORD, You know what kind of day today has been, but wow!  What a wonderful ending!  Thank You!  You are amazing, wonderful, gentle and so tender with me! Help me  to incorporate what You are wanting me to learn into my daily life! Help me not to let You down.  You are the best, LORD!  Thank You for all that You're doing in my life!
Amen.


RSC 2017 - Teal/Aqua
I finished February's RSC 2017 squares! Here they are!

 Have you noticed my blocks 

don't look very scrappy?

 I've always like string quilts.  

In fact, I decided that 2017 

would be the year 

I'd participate in 

the RSC Challenge & make a string quilt.  

So, I went through my stash and cut up a variety of strips in preparation for my first real string quilt.  

And I'm having so much fun!


Tip For Quilty 365
As of March 1, 2017 I've picked up my Quilty 365 again!  Part of this process means I have to figure out how many squares I need to make up. Counting days on a calendar is not appealing at all!

Here is a great website to help me figure out how many blocks I need to make! All I have to do is enter the last date I made a square - November 9, 2016 and February 28, 2017! 

And find out I have 117 squares to make up!  


                     

Yup, I can.  To prepare, I made this box of squares.  

After reading how others are making their quilts, I realized 
1) this will be more than one quilt, 
2) I will be learning a lot about quilting,
and
3) I need to be gentle with myself during this process.  

I truly believe that God is trying to teach me something via Quilty 365.  

I'm ready to learn.

I'm linking up to

Main Crush Mondays at Cooking Up Quilts

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt

Moving It Forward Monday 

at Em’s Scrapbag 

Scrap Happy Saturday at So Scrappy

The Blessing of a Quilt.

Philippians
My husband is sick right now, so my time has been devoted to him.  I'll continue this study as he improves.  It's not serious, praise God!  He just needs some TLC.  😊


Perhaps you are so tired of seeing this quilt, but I have one more story to share and it will be illustrated with the various blocks of my Victory Quilt.  

Grab of cup of coffee, relax, and enjoy!

By the way, if you just found me, you can read the entire story about this special quilt here and here.  

The Blessing of a Quilt
I have always felt in my heart that when I give an afghan/quilt to someone, I'm blessing them because I've prayed for them as I create. Not the entire time I'm creating, but I do pray for them.  




While my husband and I were in the Emergency Room yesterday, God was raising up prayer warriors.  One of them was Rebekkah Guider (heaven_on_art). Other than liking and commenting on posts, we really don't even know each other!   Do me a favor and check her out - she's amazing!

She gave me permission to share our conversation, so I go forward with joy and confidence.  


She gave me a new

perspective on quilt the quilt I made my husband:

"He (my husband) was and is your covering...but, 

the intricate quilt you made him

is from Jesus.  

It represents that you cover him as well.

That you hold his heart

and care for him...

that you cover him with prayers."

-Rebekkah Guider 3/2017

I needed those words for a few reasons.

I tend to see how others give to me, but I don't always see how I give to others.

My dear reader, 

be encouraged!

Know that whatever 

quilt, afghan, even a charity quilt block 

you give 

is a covering of your love and 

blessing on the recipient.  

It doesn't matter if 

they truly appreciate your gift 

because they are already covered by love.

Quilters, 

crocheters, 

knitters, 

weavers, 

creators of coverings,

our gifts are 

covering the world

with love.

By the way,

all you bloggers out there

who so generously share your tutorials,

are contributing to this!

Thank you!

Thank you, LORD, 

for this revelation

and encouragement.

I pray I never doubt and 

always remain humble

by the opportunities You give me

to cover Your children with love - 

Your love and mine.

Amen!

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

I hope you have enjoyed

reading this installment 

about my 

Victory Quilt!

I'm linking up to

Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Needle and Thread Thursday at 

My QuiltInfatuation

Philippians 2:14 Part 2 2015 $7.50 Victory Quilt Finished!

Philippians 2:14

Scripture

Continued from here.  

I

never

grumbled 

about

having 

triple

negative

breast

cancer.

Instead 

I prayed 

for 

strength,

courage,

grace,

wisdom,

discernment

to

minister

to the medical staff,

my family,

loved ones,

and myself.  

Something to ponder.

Something to really ponder.

Are we only 

aware of our reactions

in times of great stress?

How about in the little things?

Can God trust me to

live without grumbling?

What would happen if, 
instead of grumbling,

we prayed

for

strength,

courage,

grace,

wisdom,

discernment

to

minister?

Prayer

LORD, how I love You 

and trust You as my loving Father!  

You are so generous to give me 
this time in my life 
when I can 

study, ponder, and apply 

Your Word to my life.  

But, to be honest, 

this morning, 

I feel like 

I've been run over by a God Truck!

Joyfully and with growing awareness,

I'm seeing a behavior 

that needs to be changed.

As You well know, 

I'm pretty talented at grumbling!

So, LORD, help me to begin 

this new "grumbling-free" journey.

Please help me to

pray instead of grumble, 

to lean on You, instead of myself, 
to encourage rather discourage,

to eagerly watch You work things out,

instead of doing it myself.

To trust You even more.

Abba Father,

I love You!

And I know You're 

sitting right next to me grinning.

I'm grinning with You.

Kinda.

I Love You. :)

Amen.

2015 $7.50 Quilt Finished!

In my hometown, we are blessed to have a local, brick and mortar quilt shop: 

Bernina Sewing and Design. 

It’s a non-alcoholic version of the TV series, “Cheers”.

Everybody knows your name.

They will drop everything to

hug you,

pray with you,

laugh with you,

or

cry with you. 

I love them. 

I really do.

And they love me.

They really do.

In 2015 I joined their $7.50Club .One can literally make a quilt top for $7.50!  

2015 was also the year of the fight for my life.  Completing a block every month was difficult. Tears, late nights, phone calls to friends for help, chemo side effects and fatigue were certainly involved.

But so was God, determination, courage and love.

I presented this quilt to my dear husband

as a thank you/36th anniversary/Valentine's gift.  I told him how much I appreciated him taking care of me.

I remember him 

waking up for work at least 45 minutes early to feed me at least a quarter of a thin bagel with an egg on top,

gently bathing me,

tenderly holding me as we both cried,

ferociously battling the insurance company,

tirelessly driving an extra 1.5 hours a day for six weeks to stay with me in our hotel during daily radiation treatments, 

and not one grumble.  

I am so very blessed!

My husband and son holding up the quilt on a cold, windy afternoon.
My Sammy is supporting their efforts!

He shed a tear or two when I gave it to him.  So did I.  

The backing is made from my favorite fabric used in the quilt.

I'm linking up to

A Quilter’s Reading Garden

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Finished or Not Friday 
at Busy Hands Quilts

Main Crush Mondays

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt

MovingIt Forward Monday at Em’s Scrapbag

Surgery. $7.50 Club. Thank You

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/86061042855804248/

Surgery
Well, I had the cataract surgery this afternoon.  I wasn't as freaked out as I thought I'd be!  Yea!


                                                                                             
I found this on Pinterest....I realize it's not a source to be cited, but I couldn't find the original author.  Either way, it made me smile!



$7.50 Club
Here is this month's $7.50 Club Block! 

pieces cut out

finished block

Yes, my finished block could be pressed better - and it was.  Somehow the contents of my purse attacked it!  

http://www.dumpaday.com/funny-pictures/huge-funny-picture-dump-of-the-day-95-pics/

Next month's color is YELLOW!  

I LOVE YELLOW!

Thank You!

Isn't the quilting community awesome? Thank you for your input on my crazy quilt blocks.  

I still have some time to ponder....while I finish my Leader/Ender......

You all are amazing!  

http://www.myluxefinds.com/2015/03/style-guide-bando-fun-girly-accessories.html

I will leave you with a cheerful song!

Linking up to

Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts

Main Crush Mondays

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt

Philippians 2:12b Part 2 of 4 Quilt Block Book

Philippians 2:12b Part 2
Scripture 
Observation
We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, but not be fearful.
No one can do the hard work of deepening 

our faith, 
our relationship with Christ
our maturity -
both emotional and spiritual.

Application
Tonight I'm going to share how I used to see the verse.  In the next post, I'm going to share what I've learned via study of this verse - it's amazing what God is showing me. Amazing.
I wrote here and here that I am working on boundaries right now.  Naturally, this is how I'm approaching my Bible study time.



As a young mother, I believed I could save my kids....
if I was a good enough example,
if I pushed them hard enough,
if we were in church every time the doors were open,
if we did family devotions.......
you see where I'm going with this?

Now, I've realized that everyone has to work out their own salvation - 
for I am not their Savior!

I'm learning to detach with love.  
I'm learning to pray for my loved ones
instead of 
pushing them.
I'm learning to share my 
experience, strength and hope,
but to give advice sparingly.

I'm learning to get out of God's way 
so that He can have His way.

I'm learning.

Prayer
LORD, we have gone back over my live and I'm so grateful for all You have taught me over the years.  Moreover, You continue to teach me to get out of Your way so that You can have Your way
in my life and in the lives of the ones I love.

You are teaching me the power of prayer is never a 
"All I can do is pray for you," situation.  

Instead it's a powerfully victorious situation in which I say,  


Amen and amen!
Dear Friend,
this is my truth!

Block Holder Books
Would you be interested in learning about a tool that increased my productivity by at least a zillion percent!  
Perhaps a tiny exaggeration.  
I made both books 
and 
finished the last ten blocks of 
my Simple Scrappy Sampler 
in less than two days!
How did this happen?
1) I spent one evening making the books.
2) Then I cut up blocks for the rest of my blocks for the Sampler and placed them in the book.
3) Then, I sat down and sewed them together.  It was the smoothest sewing time I'd ever had!  

Before I knew it, the blocks were finished! I was so surprised when I turned the page in my book and there wasn't another block to sew!

This pattern came from Fresh Fabric Treats: 16 Yummy Projects to Sew from Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes & More with Your Favorite Moda Bake Shop Designers.  The Block Holder Books I made were designed by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.

Julie gives very clear instructions for making two sizes of quilt block holder books.  The small book holds blocks up to 10".  The large book holds blocks up to 18".

The closed Block Holder Book.

Here is the book's front cover! 

So pretty!

Here's the inside front cover!

Don't you love the fabric?

It's "Sew Be It" by Debie Hron.

Here's one of my blocks from the

Simple Scrappy Sampler.

I'm using Happy Tones

with a variety of 

white on white fabrics.

I highly encourage you to make these books!  

They are a great project because:

1)  They're pretty!

2)  They're easy!

3) They are a stash busting project!

I only spent $3 or so on flannel!

4) They truly add to productivity!  

5) They make sewing even more fun!

I'm linking up to 

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

Finished or Not Friday at 

Busy Hands Quilts