Finding His Peace. Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Philippians  4:10
Remember the lesson from Philippians 4:9?

Learn from our mistakes - as Paul did.

Turn it around - as Paul did.

Find God's peace - as Paul did.
I'm working hard to find God's peace with the "new" me.  Yesterday's "Survivor's Rant" is definitely true - frustration and grief abound.  (To understand this post, you might want to read yesterday's post.)  But, I trust God's plan for my life...even this different life post-cancer.  I just need to make peace with it and His will.  

Funny, it seems like an oxy moron - trusting God yet needing to find peace with His plan...

Yet, that's where I am right now.
As I write, these words keep coming to me:
"He knows the way that I take."

After I searched for them online, I found this verse from Job:

And this my dear reader, is my peace, my smile, my hug from my Abba Father!

You see, during my initial treatment for triple negative breast cancer, I was strong enough to walk 2 miles twice a day.  The LORD prompted me to begin my walk with praise and worship music.  Then, He asked me to listen to the book of Job EVERY DAY, twice a day.

I did this for a at least 8 weeks: for such a time as this.  Chemo brain has made me fuzzy, but these words keep coming to my mind tonight.  

I have found peace as I'm writing this post.

It's ok if I'm not the same strong and healthy child of the King anymore.  It's ok.

Because, He knows the way I take and I shall come forth as gold because even though I didn't have peace, I still trusted Him. 

And so can you.  Whatever you are going through, whatever you have lost, whatever your heart's cry is, you
can
trust
God.
Amen.

Slow Stitching
I'm hoping to make mor progress on Prayer Shawl #5!

I'm using Yarn Bee's Sugar Wheel in Bubble Gum Trail.  These "wheels" of yarn are a nice change from our traditional variegated yarns.  Thus far this is one skein.  I'm thinking this shawl will use about 1 1/3 skein of yarn.  

I'm also looking forward to some down time to work on the Advent Calendar for my grandkiddos!  It may not make it for this year, but we'll see!

Here's what I was able to accomplish today!

I have 1-8 embroidered and hopefully by the end of the week all of these will be joined by a blanket stitch.  The back stitch, Thread Heaven and shorter strands have been working well.  These just may be done on time!  

Stash Report

I bought two yards of beautiful gauze on sale to make some infinity scarves.  I also purchased this kit to learn paper foundation piecing!  

The class was fun!  I'm hoping to finish this project before Christmas!

Fiber Stash Report:  November 12, 2017 (started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week	3   5/8 yds
Fabric used to date	45    ¾  yds
Fabric Added this week	4  1/6  yds
Fabric Added this year	41  2/3  yds
Net Fabric	4  1/12 yds
Yarn used this week	2 oz
Yarn used to date	124 oz
Yarn Added this week	7 oz
Yarn Added to date	149 oz
Net Yarn	25 oz

Looking at my numbers, I wonder if I could use 100 yards of fabric in 2018?  if I could use 200 yards of yarn?  Hmmmm.....

Linking up to

SundayStash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

SundaySlow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

SundayStash @ Mollie Sparkles

Spiritual Sundays

Saturday's Song. Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Saturday's Song
This week I have been so stressed out!  My cyclical oncology follow up appointment was supposed to be this month.  With  all the new diagnosis, metastasis and recurrences around me,  I postponed all my tests and labs because I was afraid.

And then I heard this song.

Is there something


that has you frozen with fear
as well?

I hope this song blesses you!

Slow Stitching
I have enjoyed hand sewing the binding on this baby quilt.  I'm also reminded as to why I hire my daughter to bind my quilts....hurting hands!  But, oh!  How I love hand sewing bindings!  

I've made progress on this Donation Prayer Shawl #2.  I've decided to number the shawls I donate to the Prayer Shawl Ministry so that I can keep track of what I'm talking about!  :)  The pattern is my own.  I was just messing around and here it is.  It's a combination of very common stitches, chain, double crochet....

UPDATE:  By the way, I saw this pattern on Fiber Flux.  Her directions are fabulous! It's really interesting to see how different it looks with a bulkier yarn!  

Stash Report

Fiber Stash Report:  July 30, 2017 (started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week	5 yds
Fabric used to date	11 7/8 yds
Fabric Added this week	2 yds
Fabric Added this year	13 1/8yds
Net Fabric	1 ¼ yds
Yarn used this week	14 oz
Yarn used to date	71 oz
Yarn Added this week	7 oz
Yarn Added to date	41 oz
Net Yarn	30 oz

Here's the fabric I bought!

It's called "Cartas Marcadas" by De Leon Degn Group from the Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection.  

I'm finally in the black, though just barely!  

Linking up to

Sunday Stash at Quilt Paint Create

Sunday Slow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

Sunday Stash at Mollie Sparkles 

Philippians 2:15. Covered In Love

Philippians 2:15
Scripture
Observation
Doing everything without grumbling or arguing can be difficult.  But, look at the reason why God asks us to do this!  

So that we may become 

1) blameless

2) pure

3) children of God

4) without fault in a warped and crooked generation

5) to shine among them like stars in the sky.

We become.

This is a process.

As we learn to do EVERYTHING without 

grumbling or arguing,

we become all these things.

It takes time.

And it's worth it.

Application

These last few days, I've kept this Scripture in the back of my mind. 

God has helped me to control 

even my thoughts so as not 

to grumble mentally or argue.  

Guess what happened in my heart!!!!

My empathy, love, understanding, tenderness, patience and gentleness 

grew even more!

I learned that if we focus on the negative,

we receive negative.

But, my dear reader, if we learn to focus on building the character of Christ in ourselves, 

We become free.

Prayer
LORD, thank You for this time together!  I am learning so much from this study and pray that others are blessed as well.  Help me to remember what You are teaching me that I may live it out.  When I fail, gently help me to ask forgiveness and to forgive myself!  Father, life is so much more pleasant with grumbling or arguing!  Thank You for teaching me this lesson!
Amen.
                                     
Covered In Love

I finished my January/February 
Covered in Love blocks.  
Kat's tutorial was so easy to follow!

My blocks seem to have a 
mind of their own 
as they chose their finished sizes!
My daughter suggested that I add

1/8" to my cuts 

so that my blocks won't be too small.

How do you all manage this quandary?

I am learning so much via Kat's 
Covered In Love Block Drives!
They fulfill such an important need!
Here is the tutorial for the 
March-April drive 
just in case you're interested!

I'm linking up to

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

atConfessions of a Fabric Addict 

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sew Some Love at Kat and Cat Quilts 

Philippians 2:14 Part 3. To Do Tuesday. Kudos to My Longarm Quilter!

Philippians 2:14 Part 3
I began this study here and continued it here!  :)
Scripture
Observation
Do everything without grumbling

or arguing?  

Yup.  
Paul clearly states:  
Do
everything
without
grumbling or arguing.
Application
To be clear about what we're talking about, let's see how Webster defines grumbling and arguing.  

grumbling:  to complain quietly about something : to talk in an unhappy way
arguing:  1.  to give reasons for or against something  2. to contend or disagree in words 

Well, Philippians 2 speaks at length about unity, especially in the church. If there is much grumbling and arguing going on, who would want to be a part of that?  

At a Bible Study last week, a man shared this story.  
"I was involved in prison ministry.  There was a prisoner who was completely closed off from everybody. He would watch us carefully, but would not participate.  Somehow, he began to change.  He slowly opened up and came to the LORD.  He also began participating.

I asked him what caused the change.  He told me, "Many groups have come and gone while I've been here.  Your group was different.  I watched you carefully and I liked how you treated each other."

What had he seen with the other groups?  How was this group different? Does how I treat my family, friends and loved ones really affect someone else's decision to accept Christ.

Apparently so.

LORD, help me - 
here's yet another reason 
for me to do 
EVERYTHING 
without grumbling or arguing.  

Prayer
LORD, this seems like an impossible task, 
but all things are possible with You!
Help me to live 
as You would have me live, in a manner that would encourage people to come to You.

I'm such a stubborn one, LORD!
But, You brought this verse to mind, 
so I know You are encouraging me today!  Thank you, my LORD!
Amen.



Dear Friend, this is my truth!

To Do Tuesday.
For some reason, I am not making my sewing goals!  So, this week I'm kissing them - Keeping it simple, Sweetie!
1) Begin and finish my RSC 2017 blocks.
2) Add those 30 hexagons to my Hexagon Afghan.
3) Cut out fabric for my $7.50 Drunkard's Path Block!

Fingers crossed on achieving these goals!

Focus on the Quilting.
How many of you are checkbook quilters? I am and I love, absolutely love, my longarm quilter.  

Not only is Stephanie extraordinarily  talented, she has a heart the size of Texas, a strength I can only dream about and hugs that are worth a million bucks!

In my last post, I showed you my Victory Quilt and told you the story behind it.  Today, I would like to highlight Stephanie's beautiful quilting!

(Please remember that I'm just an average sewist, 

so the piecing is not perfect.  Chemo didn't help.)

Each block had this beautiful
flower centered
right smack dab in the middle.

Then, she shrunk it and 

stitched it in EACH cornerstone!

Please note the quilting 

on the brown fabric.

She quilted each block's border.

I really  played with the colors so maybe the stitching would show up more....

Here's the corner of my quilt.

Can you see the mini flowers 

in the cornerstones?

Gorgeous quilting from the back.

And the completed quilt again!

My husband and son are braving the cold winds to hold it up....

Sammy Whammy...gotta love him!

Stephanie's quilting makes the back just beautiful.

I'm linking up to

Linky Tuesday at 

Freemotion by the River

To Do Tuesday at Stitch All Things

Join the party - 

they are so much fun!  

Philippians 2:11. Origami Bento Bag

Philippians 2:11

Scripture

Observation
Because of Jesus' obedience to the Father, even unto death, eventually EVERY tongue will acknowledge him as LORD!

Furthermore, this acknowledgement is to the glory of God, our Father!

Application
Woohoo! Hallelujah! 
I just love to praise my Jesus!  I do - even if sometimes it's through tears!  I remember when the nursing home called to tell me my mother had passed away.  Now, mind you, she and I were not close at all.  However, for the last year and a half I took care of her.  Just the same, when I got the call, I held Baby B. in my arms and sang a quietly sang praise song as I wept.



The other day, Baby M., who is now seven, asked me, "Ama, why are you so loud?"

I am.
I truly am. 
Not obnoxiously loud in social situation, but when a favorite song comes out on KLOVE I sing - loudly!

Here's how I responded:

"You know, I know your mama is quiet and you really love that quietness don't you?"

"Yes I do!"

"Well, sometimes the joy of the LORD so fills my own heart that it bubbles right out of my mouth and I have to sing and dance!"

"Hmmm."

I must admit, I have a terrible singing voice, but thank God that the Word says He loves our praise - and doesn't mention that a requirement is to have a lovely singing voice!

Prayer
LORD, You are amazing!  Thank you for the gift of praising You!  I just love to praise you - even with my voice!  :)

You are good, all the time,
all the time, You are good!
Amen!
Dear Friend, 
Turn up the speakers on your electronic device and dance your heart out as you listen to this song!  
Come on!
I dare you!
Double dog dare you!
You'll feel so much better!  :)


Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Origami Bento Bag

A friend of mine crochets.  

She loves yarn. 

We both buy too much yarn.

It's partially my fault.

Another friend and I

taught her how to crochet!

She loves crocheting scarves 

for her loved ones.  

Her cat ate one that was almost finished!

I said, "Bad cat!"

She said, "Playful cat!  :)"

I loved my friend's attitude.

I made her this bag from Very Shannon! 

I highly recommend this tutorial.  

Don't worry about 

the folding part of the tutorial - 

just follow the pictures!  :)

  

If slouchy bags are not your style, 

add a bit of interfacing and line it.  

Or 

use a heavier fabric, like duck or denim. 

But give this bag a try!  

I did add a snap to it 

so that naughty cat can't get into it without exerting more effort!

Oh, by the way, 

I gave my friend 

 a new skein of nice yarn as well!  :)



I'm linking up to

Finishedor Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts

Main Crush Mondays

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt

MovingIt Forward Monday at Em’s Scrapbag

Kathleen's Sharing Sundays