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!  :)

Saturday's Song. I Win - PERIOD! Slow Stitching Sunday. Stash Report.

Saturday's Song
I've never done this before, but I am posting a really long song this week.  It begins with Bart Millard's testimony - it's real - no velveteen rabbit stuff here.  I listened.
I cried as I thought of my cancer, my beautiful grandson's lungs (damaged by RSV) and his life threatening, environmental and ingested nut allergy and each of you and your various challenges.
So here it is.

I sent it to my kids and husband.
I sent it to a few friends.
I cried as Jesus touched my heart.  
Tonight, I praise God for MercyMe and will lift them up in prayer.
Please take a few moments out of your life to listen with an open heart.  Your life may just be changed.  

I Win - PERIOD!
Bart (the speaker on the video) mentions an aunt with cancer.  You know, God chose to use doctors, nurses, techs, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries to heal me.  And that's ok, because I win.  

I was winning when 
I was on my knees throwing up.
I was winning when 
I was too weak to bathe myself.
I was winning when 
I scared my (third) grandson with my bald head.
I was winning when 
I could't walk 3 feet without assistance.
I was winning when 
the pain reduced me to a bowl of Jello.
I was winning.
I still am.
Period.

Slow Stitching Sunday.
Today has been jam packed with cleaning after babysitting my three grandbabies for two days straight.  It was wild, fun and exhausting!

Tonight, after dinner, I'm looking forward to relaxing with these projects!

My invisible thread tested my patience and ended up in the trash.  Instead I'm using gold metallic embroidery floss to stitch up the Nativity Advent Calendar.

See this ball of yarn?  

It's roughly 2 ounces of yarn.  

But, after tonight it will be a hanger cover,

God willing.

I just love using 

covered hangers 

for my sweaters and nicer tops!

Stash Report
Very little sewing time this week, so numbers are the same.

Fiber Stash Report:  October 8, 2017 (started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week	11 yds
Fabric used to date	33 1/8 yds
Fabric Added this week	3 3/8  yds
Fabric Added this year	20 ¼  yds
Net Fabric	12 7/8  yds

Yes, I had so much fun petting and bringing home some yarn!  I'll be sharing next week!

Yarn used this week	12 oz
Yarn used to date	116 oz
Yarn Added this week	48 oz
Yarn Added to date	142 oz
Net Yarn	26 oz

I'm linking up to

Sunday Stash @ QuiltPaintCreate

Sunday Slow Stitching @Kathy’s Quilts

Sunday Stash @ MollieSparkles

Saturday's Song: Slow Stitching. Stash Report

Saturday's Song

My dear, you are not alone......

Slow Stitching
The weekend's slow stitching started on Friday for me!  I've made quite a bit of progress hand quilting this panel baby quilt.  Maybe 10 more minutes and I'm done!  Afterwards, I'll be machine stitching the borders, binding and off to it's new baby!













This quilt has been glue basted and is ready to be tie quilted.  Hopefully both quilts will be ready for binding by Monday!  

Stash Report
How exciting to finally be in the "black" for my yarn usage!  I finished and delivered Patrick's Strength to the drop off person!  Hopefully, he's received it this weekend!  I also used up some stash yarn to finish a donation prayer shawl!  I'll be sharing pics of that later this week!

Both the Panel Baby Quilt and Scrappy Squares Baby Quilt are well on their way to being finished this week so I should be in the black for fabric next week as well!

Fiber Stash Report:  July 22, 2017 (started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week	0 yds
Fabric used to date	6  7/8 yds
Fabric Added this week	0 yds
Fabric Added this year	11 1/8yds
Net Fabric	-4 ¼  yds
Yarn used this week	43 oz
Yarn used to date	64 oz
Yarn Added this week	0 oz
Yarn Added to date	27 oz
Net Yarn	43 oz

I'm linking up to

Finished or Not Friday @ BusyHands Quilts

Sew Can She Show Off Saturday

Sunday Stash at Quilt Paint Create

Sunday Slow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Philippians 4:3. Patrick's Strength. To Do Tuesday

Philippians 4:3
Scripture
Observation
Paul is asking a mystery companion to assist in the reconciliation of these two ladies.  
Application
I wonder....if I was one of these two women, what would I do?  How would I feel after hearing Paul's plea?  

In a church we attended when my kids were teens, there was a time of contention between myself and anther person.  The conflict was regarding our kids.....

At that time, the mama bear in me was roaring to fight and defend my kids....

To this day I stiffen at how the whole situation was handled by our pastor.

Sure there are times when we are wrong and must take responsibility and ask for forgiveness.  But...what if we are the ones wronged?

First and foremost, God's Word and His work in me led to a new maturity.   The book, A Tale of Three Kings A Study in Brokeness by Gene Edwards helped me through this time.  Mr. Edwards' work helped me to heal and grow in grace.  
Finally, the slogans of a 12 Step Program have helped.  

We who make up the church are only human.
We will hurt others.
We will be hurt.

LET US NOT BLAME GOD FOR THIS!

He is not human and His heart breaks to see these situations!

If we hurt others, let us seek forgiveness and reconciliation!

If we have been hurt, let us seek healing and forgiveness.  

Let us remember:


Prayer
Oh boy, LORD!  That was a tough trip down Memory Lane!  Thank You for showing me how You have worked so diligently and deeply in my life!  You have brought me so far!

Those times still bother me, but I now know that if I were to see those people again I could genuinely smile and greet them with Your love and concern for their welfare!  That in itself is a great miracle!  

Thank You my LORD and Savior!  Bless those who are hurting/have hurt others.  Bring unity and healing to our country, hurting people and especially in our churches.  

I love You so, LORD!  Thank You for loving me - even when I wasn't very lovable!

Amen.

To Do Tuesday
Last week's To Do Tuesday

1)  Keep up with Quilty 365 Done!  See the Smilies on the black circles?  Here's why!

2) Finish hand quilting two blocks of the Panel Baby Quilt 

4) Continue working on Patrick's Strength. Done and finished!

I made his afghan a bit narrow to accommodate his hospital bed.  I'm hoping to get in the mail this week!  Yea!  

This week's To Do Tuesday

- Keep up with Quilty 365 

- Finish Nicole's Squares Baby Quilt
- RSC 2017 - yellow squares!  

-  Finish hand quilting two more blocks of Joe's Baby Quilt 
-  Continue working on prayer shawl 
-  Continue working on donation prayer shawl



I'm linking up to

Show and Tell Monday with Bambi

Fiber Tuesday at

The Quilting Room with Mel

and

Oui CrochetCommunity

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

Philippians 3:18-19 Part 1. Hand Quilting - Mini Tutorial

Philippians 3:18-19 Part 1
Scripture
Observation
"...many live as enemies of the cross of Christ"
Paul has reminded us that he has repeatedly made this statement.  And now he makes it again:  
with
tears.
Application
Who is Paul weeping for?
He describes them in verse 19.  But, alas, I am getting ahead of myself.

Our verse today is verse 18.

For, as I have often told you before 

and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies 

of the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:18

My dear reader, is there someone you weep for as well?  Someone you love who is living as an enemy of the cross?  

I've been there, too.  
It's a tough road.
Believe me.
I know.

But there's hope in our despair!

Remember this verse 
with courage based on what you know God can do, 

with certainty and hope in the God who loves you - and your loved one, 

with confidence that He who is faithful holds your hand right now and always!

 My dear reader,
you
are
not
alone!
Prayer
Abba, thank You for gently calling me and guiding my fingers on the keyboard today. Thank you for Your presence as we face difficult circumstances.  I pray, my LORD, that You will rain your comfort, strength and courage on us all that we may come to You in confidence and face our enemy with Your power!  Let us laugh at the days to come!

https://pixabay.com/en/face-smiling-laughing-smiling-face-980611/

She is clothed with strength and dignity; 

she can laugh at the days to come.

Psalm 31:25

Hand Quilting - Mini Tutorial
I don't have a ton of experience with hand quilting, but I have learned a bit during this project!  
I have to send out a huge thank you to Kathy and to those who participate her Sunday Slow Stitching link ups as they have inadvertently been so helpful as they have shared their own experiences!  

I started out by glue basting my mini quilt.

Here is a close up of my hand quilting!

I drew lines 1/4" in

to guide my stitching.

I used a pin to mark 

where to begin my next stitch.  

Here's a closeup of 

the backside of my stitching

with the pin marker.

It's not perfect - 

and that's ok with me!  :)

I'm looking forward to 

dedicating more time to this project 

after I finish Patrick's Strength!

I'm linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Philippians 3:15. Twisting Away! New Feature! I Like!

Philippians 3:15.
Scripture

Observation
Paul is saying that his view is correct.  He is trusting God to make clear this point of view to those who think differently about this (Philippians 3:1-4).  
Application
Wow!  Now THAT is confidence!  Paul is so sure he is correct - and I agree with him.  To those who don't agree he is saying:
1) they are immature in the LORD
and 
2) he is trusting God to show them the Truth.

Very interesting.

How many do we know that are faltering in their faith?
in their lives?

And it worries us.
And it concernes us.
And try as we might to not let it, 
it affects our lives as well.

What wisdom is in this verse for us!

¹⁵ All of us, then, 

who are mature 

should take such a view of things. 

And if on some point 

you think differently, 

that too God will make clear to you.

Philippians 3:1

I can share a bit of my story - but only a bit because the majority of the story isn't mine to tell.

We see someone going through growing pains, hurting, trying to make the right decisions and live out those wise decisions in spite of the pain they may cause.

We love them.  
We want the best for them.
And all we can do is pray for them
as they, together with God,
make their way.

But, pray is not just ALL we can do.
It's a ton.
It's powerful.
May you - and I - find comfort in this as we pray for ourselves and then our loved ones:

Let us also remember this:

Prayer

Abba, You know my heart today.  My prayer is simple.  I pray this for myself and for my loved ones today:

9 And this is my prayer: 

that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 

10 so that you may be able to discern what is best 

and may be pure and blameless 

for the day of Christ, 

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—

to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Abba, 

I also know that 
this verse and song are true!  
I claim them for myself 
and my loved ones 
today - and always.
Amen!

Twisting Away!
I'm continuing to enjoy progress on my Pretzel Twist!  Four more blocks have been completed

and I've laid out 

the last three blocks 

on my cutting table! 

I'm hoping to get this one 

to Stephanie this Saturday

so that she can work 

her long arm magic!!

New Feature!
Once upon a time, a very long time ago, this quilter took inventory of her fabric stash.....and promised herself never, ever, ever to do that again!  However, I do need some kind of accountability if I'm truly going to meet my goal of sewing through my stash.  

Maggie @ Making a Lather keeps a very simple stash report.  I've decided to follow her format for both (gulp!) my fabric and yarn stash beginning June 11, 2016 and ending December 31, 2016.  Then I'll begin a new year in January.  

Thus far, it has really helped me to NOT buy fabric - except for this 2 cuts - both 1/3 yards!  :)

So, just so you'll see, Here is my stash report thus far.  

Instead of posting it once a month, I'll post it every time I buy fabric/yarn.  Otherwise, I may "forget"!  

Fabric Stash report

Fabric used this week:

Fabric used since June 11, 2017 (date I started this):

Fabric Added this week: 2/3 yard

Fabric Added since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): 2/3 yard

Net Fabric since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): 2/3 yard

Yarn Stash report

Yarn used this week: 15 oz

Yarn used since June 11, 2017 (date I started this):  15 oz

Yarn Added this week:

Yarn Added since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): 0 oz

Net Yarn since June 11, 2017 (date I started this): Used 15 0 oz

I Like
Again, check out LeAnn's I Like linky party!  It'll make you smile!
Here are my "I Likes"!

Watching the birds outside my 

studio windows!

Finished Projects!

Being silly with my friends! 

This is not us - but it could be!  :)

via GIPHY

Geraniums!

My favorite foodie store!

I'm linking up to

Heart Encouragement Thursday @ Chrystal Storms

I Like @ Not Afraid of Color