Liebster Award!

Liebster Award!
Guess what?  Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting nominated me for the Liebster Award! 

Liebster is a German word with many meanings some of which are sweetest, valued and kindest.  This is an award given to bloggers from other bloggers! You can discover more information here! Thank you so much, Nancy!  

As part of the process, I'm going to answer a few questions so that you can get to know me better!

If you could meet one quilting personality, who would it be?
I don't know a lot of the bigger names in quilting, but I would love to meet the lovely women I have blessed to meet since I've started this blog! 

Who inspired you to sew?
Two people - my aunt and my daughter.  When I was a young teen, my aunt made me a beautiful green dress.  I enjoyed every step of the process!

Later, when my daughter started sewing, I decided to jump in with both feet so that we would have even more to share!  

What do you like to do when quilting?
I binge watch Netflix series or listen to Postcasts.  When the going gets tough, I listen to music.  Every night, though, I call my dad.  I've learned so much about his life as I play in me sewing studio.  It's like he's sitting in my rocker keeping me company!  

Do you have a favorite snack while quilting?
Not really, but I do drink iced water or iced coffee.  

Do you look for quilts when watching movies?
Ha!  There's so much to do when watching TV!  I'm usually crocheting, hand sewing, responding to comments and emails, commenting on other blogs and posting on Instagram!  I try to limit my cruising the net time as I can lose track of time.  

Which comes first, fabric or pattern?
For me, it's usally the pattern.  My daughter finds great quilts for us to make.  I also enjoy picking my son's brain for quilts/projects he would like to have!

What is your favorite finish?
By far, my favorite finish is my 2015 $7.50 BOM quilt.  I made it while undergoing chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer and presented it as a gift to my husband.  I wanted to thank him for the wonderful care he gave me throughout our journey.  

Quilt by hand or machine?
I really prefer to send my larger quilts to Stephanie and the smaller ones to my daughter.  Lately, I have quilted four pieces, three by machine for my "grand-doggy, Marley,  

and I'm currently hand quilting a baby quilt.  

Favorite color?
Yellow!  When I make a quilt, I love bright, cheerful colors like the ones I used in my Scrappy Sampler!

Favorite notion?
I collect pretty and unusual seam rippers.  If I have to rip, it will be with a fun tool!  :)

Do you work on one quilt at a time or many?
I used to work on a different quilt each day of the week.  I'm learning that for me, it's better to work on one quilt at a time.  I do try to have a day for my BOM blocks and charity blocks.  I slow the pace down on the weekends with slow stitching - hand sewing, crocheting and embroidery.

My current crochet project is for a young man who is fighting for his life as we speak:  Patrick.  Here is the progress on 
Patrick's Strength:

Do you have a blog that you just can't miss a post?

Yes!  I read the blogs that I link up to every week as well as a few others I have found via link ups! Today's link ups are also ones I read regularly!  

Sunday Slow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

Sharing Sundays @The Creative Side

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? @ Book Date

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays @ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things.

Hookin’ On Hump Day @ Petals to Picot and Moogly

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Heart Encouragement Thursday @ Chrystal Storms

I Like @ Not Afraid of Color

Faith on Fire @ Fuel For A Wildfire Faith

CrystalTwaddell’s Fresh Market Friday

OhScrap! @ Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

CanI Get a Whoop! Whoop! @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts 

SewCan She Show off Saturday

Mollie @ Wild Olive

Janice @ Color, Create, Quilt

Betsy at Faith Spilling Over

Who would you like to nominate for the Liebster Award?
We can nominate several bloggers.  I have contacted one and there's a few more that I'm contacting today.  I'll keep you posted!  

Again, Nancy, thank you so much for this wonderful opprotunity!  

I'm linking up to

Fiber Tuesday @ The Quilting Room with Mel and Oui Crochet Community

  

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

MidweekMakers @ Quilt Fabrication

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

Slow Stitching. Stash Report,

Slow Stitching.
I've been linking up to Kathy's Sunday Slow Stitching for a long time.  I sure have enjoyed putting my machine sewing on hold for a day and simply slow stitching.  It's so soothing.  

A few weeks ago, I decided to "close up shop" (my sewing machine) on Friday night and slow stitch all weekend.  

UPDATE:  
This precious little kitty is not mine.  
Unfortunately, I am allergic to cats.
She was in a pic I found online...not sure where!  
I apologize for the confusion!
I

LOVED

IT!

So, my slow stitching 

is now 

all weekend long 

(barring classes I may take :p )!

Patrick's Strength
I'm making progress on Patrick's Strength. He has osteosarcoma, but we don't know the stage or metastasis.  He's only 16.  They will be staying in Houston through January for chemo, surgery, more chemo and possibly more surgery.  Prayers up , please!

 June 19, 2017

June 21, 2017

June 23, 2017

I'm going to go ahead and work a bit on my Around the House Embroidery as well.  But just a bit because Patrick's Strength is still my first priority.  

Oh!  I'm also hoping to get the quilt label sewn onto this baby quilt!

Stash Report

Remember, I started this report on 6/11/17.   I was so inspired by the simplicity of  Making a Lather's weekly report that I am using her format! Thank you for sharing!

Fabric (started 6/11/17) Fabric used this week 0 yds Fabric used to date 6 7/8 yds Fabric Added this year 5 2/3 yds Fabric Added this week 0 yards Net Fabric + 2 yards Yarn (started 6/11/17) Yarn used this week 0 oz   Yarn used to date 15 oz Yarn Added this week 0 oz Yarn Added 0 oz Net Yarn - 27 oz I'm not worried about the yarn as  I know once I send off Patrick's Strength,  I'll be in the black again!  ;).

Linking up to

Sunday Slow Stitching 

@ Kathy’s Quilts

Sharing Sundays 

@The Creative Side

Philippians 1:29. Gift a Day: Day 2, Gift 2 + Hanger for a Mini Quilt

Philippians 1:29

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

What is suffering?

1.   1a :  to submit to or be forced to endure <suffer martyrdom>b :  to feel keenly :  labor under <suffer thirst>

So, what is martyrdom?

1.   1:  the suffering of death on account of adherence to a cause and especially to one's religious faith

Paul was force to submit to prison and eventually martyrdom.  The Philippians suffered prison as well. 

Suffering for Christ was a given. 

Suffering for our beliefs is nothing new.  It’s part of the package.

APPLICATION

I can’t really say I have suffered for my Christian beliefs.  I have been challenged by non-believers – good friends, beloved family members, and acquaintances - as to why I serve a God who would allow such pain in my life.  That hurt, but I wouldn’t call it suffering. 

A new acquaintance, who is a non-believer, said she doesn’t believe that “God will not send us more than we can handle.” I simply responded with a hug and said, “I hear you.”  I don’t know her life story.  I don’t know her pain, but I heard it in that sentence! 

I couldn’t agree with her, but neither could I share my point of view.  It wasn’t the right timing.

Simply saying, “I hear you,” hopefully let her know that I truly heard her pain and confusion – and I care.  And sometimes, that’s all people need:  validation of their feelings as well as knowing their listener cares without judgement. 

Any more will come in God’s timing.

PRAYER

LORD, this is a hard verse.  Oh, how I love to read Your promises, Your encouragement and of Your love for me.  But there is a price to serving you.  Let me serve You willingly and wisely, I pray.

Father, please be with those who are truly suffering for their belief in You!  Encourage and strengthen them.  And Father, if it be Your will, stop their suffering and give them victory upon victory!  Amen!
 
Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Day 2, Gift 2

My husband told me there are several people in his office that are cold – really cold.  If you recall, I made these hand warmers:

So, he asked me if I would give him a few to take to work.  Of course I would! 

I made these gift bags so he could take them in style!

Here’s the link to the tutorial I used from Amy at Positively Splendid!  

Hanger for a Mini Quilt

Though I didn’t make my OMG, I did finish it this morning - label and all!

My daughter did the quilting on the border and under the letters.  Also, do you see her quilting on the tree trunk and the Nativity?

I added hand stitched beading 

to the string of popcorn!

One reason for the delay was I wanted to make a way to hang the mini quilt.  I did and it came out great! 

This was the tutorial I used from Jayne at Twiggy and Opal!

I also plan to make a bag to hold the Advent Tree Decorations today. 

Isn’t sewing fun!

With the last week’s finishes my UFO completion percentages are up to 37%! Yea! 

 I don’t plan to add new projects to my categories until these are finished! 

But I am working on a plan for 2017 – which is even more motivation to complete my UFO’s!  J

I'm linking up to:

Needle and Thread Thursday 

at My Quilt Infatuation.

CanI Get a Whoop! Whoop! 

at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

Finished or Not Friday 

at Busy Hands Quilts.

Finish It Up Friday 

at Crazy Mom Quilts

Be blessed, everybody!

Philippians 1:27b – 28 Part 1. Sewing News: Setting Up A Quilty 365 Center

Philippians 1:27b – 28

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

As we discussed previously here and here Paul is asking for a united front in verse 1:27.  To be sure there are disputes over details in the Philippine church, but overall, they can agree on the Gospel of Christ.  As previously discussed, this point is so vital, that Paul mentions it three times in verse 27b!

After discussing “striving together as one for the Gospel”, he tells them they can achieve this without being frightened in any way by those who oppose them.

APPLICATION

This reminds me of the saying, “There is power in numbers.”  Amen!

I also recall how my love for my sister-in-law grew tremendously as I nursed her through breast cancer – twice. 

Yup, she's my hero!

And then how she flew from the east coast to New Mexico during her own chemotherapy treatment to go with me to my own first chemotherapy treatment.

Now, like all sisters,

we love each other deeply

and

we can definitely drive each other nuts!  J

I remember telling my kiddos, “I can complain about her, but not you!”

So contradictory,

but it made so much sense to me! 

Oh, and my husband?

He would just smile.

Together, my sister-in-law and I  encouraged each other

via telephone

to beat cancer. 

And we did.

That’s the power of unity.

That’s the ability

to be fearless

in the face

of our enemy.

That’s unity.

PRAYER

You know how I hate hypocrisy and “fronts”!  Therefore, this set of verses really had me struggling to make peace with and write about because that is exactly what I felt Paul was asking the Philippians to do!

http://www.lovethispic.com/image/145583/thank-you-god

Holy Father, thank you for helping me as I grappled with these verses over the last week!  Now I understand why You’ve been calling me all morning to study and read, and 

I now understand “united front” on a deeper level – and I appreciate it. 

Thank you, Abba Father! 


Sewing News

How I Set Up My Quilty 365 Center

First, I must mention that I use this tutorial to make this quilt.  In short, I cut out circles of fabric and light interfacing, sew them right sides together, cut the interfacing, turn them inside out and iron them to my background fabric.  But seriously, check out her link.  :)

1)    My granddaughter helped me run my light interfacing through the Accuquilt to make a mountain of 5” circles – which quickly turned into a little mountain!  J

2)    Then I spent an afternoon cutting out a 5” strip from each “bolt” of my fabric.  Using my I Accuquilt made short work of creating the 5” circles. 

3)    Next, I sew the circles onto the interfacing to the circles and pin them to the squares. 

4)    Finally, I will press them and blanket stitch them on.  I’m using a mix of hand sewing and machine sewing.  I had started out using embroidery floss, but then I read that was not the best idea.  That saddens me as it looks so very pretty!

appreciated!

5)    I store them all in this pretty handmade basket. 

6)    At times, I follow the mood blanket mode and pick a color that reflects my mood using this chart.  At times I pick a fabric that reminds me of that day.  It’s all very loosey goosey!  J

Oh my dear readers, 

thank you for visiting!  

See you again soon!

I'm linking up to:

Kathleen's Sharing Sundays

Monday Making at Love,Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays 

at Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday 

at Em’s Scrapbag.

Please stop and pay them a visit!