YAY! I met my goal...

I am so happy!

I finished the quilt top!
It measures about 58" square right now.

Will add a 4" border all around.

(okay, so technically, it's not done...the border will be the
same fabric as the backing/binding, which I don't have, yet.)

The fabric should arrive Tuesday.

So, will add the border,
and start to baste/quilt/bind it.

My plan is to take it to Geri on September 8th or 9th.

Luckily, I have a 3-day weekend between now & then,

so I am not feeling any pressure.

The fabric I used for the sashing is not
a solid as it looks in this photo.

I'll show a closer-up with the next photos I post.

These fabrics are so similar in value,
which means that there isn't a lot of contrast.

So, I thought that the best way to show them off
was to go with large/small prints in each block.

 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

It's All About Listening.

I am so excited to finally be home so that I can write this post!

Good things happening here with me.

So.  Ready?  Here's what happened.

I was thinking about my coworker, Geri,

and her sister, who was recently

diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

An incidental finding.

Otherwise in excellent health.

She retired last year.

Expecting a grandbaby in December.

She has started chemotherapy,

her prognosis is not good.

It never is with pancreatic cancer.

(Go here if you're interested in knowing more.)

I was thinking about Geri because she was able

to rearrange her work schedule in order to go

to the chemotherapy appointments with her sister.

All of a sudden, I was overcome...

and I mean really overcome

with the desire to make a quilt for Geri's sister.

To take with her to the chemotherapy appointments.

But.  Since I have no idea if anyone in Geri's family

knits or crochets or quilts, I didn't want to make

something that wasn't needed.

So.  I asked Geri.

She was delighted and so happy!

We talked about colors.

I know that pink is breast cancer,

and that there are several colors designated

for all types of cancer and diseases.

Geri said it didn't really matter,

as long as the colors were not bright.

(you'll be relieved at that, hey Kelley?)

Well, I immediately thought of my Kashmir III fabric.

Muted colors.  Gorgeous colors.

Since buying the fat quarter bundle,

I have not decided what to make with it.

Now I know.

I tell you, had I not been at work,

there is no way that I would have been able

to hold back the tears.

I was so totally overwhelmed by the entire thing!

So moved by the Holy Spirit working inside of me.

Okay.  So, I am working away, trying to decide what pattern,

what block, all the details of the quilt.

I remembered that Leah, over at Burgundy Buttons,

has yardage of a Kashmir III fabric (on sale, even!)

that I could buy for the backing.

I would need to spend about $25.00.  

No biggie, I will just tighten my belt a bit more.

In the meantime, people who are going through

the medical record department are oohing and

ahhing over my little quilts.

Oh.  Did I forget to mention that?

I took my two doll quilt swap quilts

and my little 1800's quilt to work today.

Just to show everyone.

 

Chatting with one of the doctors about my quilts.

She asked if she could buy the little 1800's one.

Heck, yeah!

The sale of that gave me more than enough

money to cover what I need for the backing

for this special project I now have.

PRAISE GOD!

Thank you, God.

I am so blessed.

 

Faith.

It's all about faith.

And, trust.

In God.

 

I wish I knew a scripture that covered this.

Anyone?

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my dad's birthday.  He would have been 83 years old.  I say 'would have', because he died when he was 51.  He died 32 years ago.  That's a really long time ago...a long time to be without a Dad.  To say that I miss him...well, that doesn't even begin to describe what I feel.  I miss him for what I have missed out on.  I miss him for what he has missed out on.  I miss him for how our lives changed...for what we didn't have.  Dad.  Grandpa. 

I had the first boys in the family.  My dad was so excited that he had grandsons!  Matt and Paul were 1 & 3 when their Grandpa died.  I think of what they missed by not having him in their lives as they grew up.  The relationship they would have had with him.  The balls they would have thrown and the football games they would have watched.  The fish they would have caught.  The building/fixing things they would have done together.  The influence.  The 'guy' jokes between them.  Ya know...guy things.

I was 26 when I no longer had a Dad.  It was really tough.  We used to argue a lot.  True.  He would argue with me.  From the time I was a toddler...instead of just laying down the law (or whatever), he would argue with me about whatever it was I wanted or didn't want to do.  That never changed.    

Dad took us fishing on Saturday mornings...back when we girls were young.  I loved it when it was just the two of us.  We'd get up before the crack of dawn and get on the road.  Sitting in the boat with my dad was heaven on earth.  I LOVED fishing with him.  Just cuz.  

This is one of my favorite photos of my Dad and I.  Because it was a big day in my life, (though that life is no longer mine).  Look at our smiles to each other...I'm so happy that the moment was caught on camera.

 There is so much more that I could say, but I cannot.  Just that I sure wish my Dad was still here with us.

And More Blocks...

Are you getting tired of looking at these, yet?

Hope not...there are a lot more to do!

There might be a few surprises.

Course, those won't be shown.

(else they wouldn't be surprises, hey?)

block 8

block 9

For those of you who wonder about this type of thing...

it took about an hour to put these 2 blocks together.

No idea if that's fast or slow...

just sayin'.

edited to add:  here is what's involved in putting each block together...

-sew 9 pairs of rectangles together.  press.

-cut each sewn pair in half across the seam line to make 2 2patches.

-sew 3 2patches together to make a row of 6 squares.  press.

-sew 6 rows together to make a block.  press.

I chain-piece as much as possible...

saves a lot of time and thread.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Blocks and Small Quilt

Not much going on over here.

here's block 6

and block 7

This small quilt is about 19 1/2 inches square

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

More blocks...

Two more blocks done.

I am liking these.

That's 5 down...20 to go.

I've had a quiet weekend.

Diddled around with stuff, straightened, etc.

Talked with oldest sister Joyce for 3 hours yesterday.

Got all caught up with each other.

Worked on another project that 

should be completely done tomorrow.

Hope you had a good weekend!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

A Moment...

A recent comment made by someone

close to me brought this song to mind.

I was 16 years old when it came out...

still makes me sad.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

FNSI Results!

I am happy to say that

I finished this little quilt!

Yay!

(oops...a few threads yet to be dealt with!)

(See my foot?  My crocs match the green really well!  haha!)

This quilt is part of the dqs9 swap.
It measures about 18" square.

Will tell you all the details soon.

Now, before you say anything about the binding...

I can hear you, ya know!

You're saying, "What is she thinking?  

Look at how crooked that binding is...!"

I was dismayed to see how crooked the spots were.

I was sure I had cut the fabric straight on the grain.

Cuz, you know...it's not like 

cutting fabric is something new to me! 

I checked out the fabric.

Due diligence and all that.

I found that the spots are not

on the straight of grain,

hmmmm...interesting.

What's a woman to do?

Gave some thought to starting over...

cutting it crooked, so the spots were straight.

But, quickly vetoed that idea.

Better to have straight fabric than spots.

That's what I think, anyway.

What do you think?

(by the way, the fabric is Half Moon 'Spots'...

that's why they are spots not dots.)

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Another Friday Night Sew-in is here!

Yup, it is!

I didn't forget.

But, I did neglect to sign up.

And, did not post about it.

Until now.

Click on this button to go sign up.

I'm already sewing...

what will you be working on?

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

A Finish and a Third!

I finished my dqs9 quilt last night!

About 23" square.

I braved the mosquitoes so the photo 

could be taken outdoors this afternoon.

I think it was worth being swarmed...

the colors show nicer & are more true.

This afternoon, I made block 3 for Paul & Rachel's quilt.

Let me just say...there will be 25 of these blocks.

You may get very bored looking at them.

For sure, you will run out of adjectives!  

{grin}

  

That's all I have.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Inspired!

It's always a good day when inspiration hits.
Don't you think?

You may or may not remember way back in March

when I had all the fabric cut for my son's quilt.

A wedding gift for Paul & Rachel.

They got married in December.

Au.then.tic + a red and a purple and more blacks.
Here are the blocks all cut...

 then all sewn together...

I started putting the blocks together...

and didn't like how it was looking.

At all.

So, I put it all away.

Waited for inspiration.

And, waited.

woohoo...finally got some!

Inspiration, that is.

I reverse-sewed all the blocks.

Didn't take long.

A few nights in front of the tv.

I don't plan to mix the other
fabrics with the Au.then.tic. fabrics.

Maybe will use them on the back.
Time will tell.


I now have 2 blocks done.

Started sewing the rectangles together 

and then cutting them in half, 
then making rows.

The 'squares' are not quite square,

but I wasn't going to trim them all.

And, in the end, it doesn't really matter.

Does it?

 I have 2 blocks done...

36 'not quite squares' in a block...

each block measures about 16.5 x 18 inches.

There will be 25 blocks...

making the finished quilt about 80 x 87 inches.

(my largest quilt, yet!)

I think Paul and Rachel will be happy.

  I know I will be.
As long as this comes out the way 

I see it in my head, that is. 

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Low Humidity + regained energy =

a productive day!

YAY!

Gave Tag  a bath.

Mountains of laundry washed/dried.

Quilted my second dqs9 quilt.

Vacuumed.

Feels good to get stuff done.

And, I'm not finished, yet!

Here's the quilting on this one...

big flower in the middle & pebbles around the hst's.

Straight line quilting on the outside border.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My friend, Erin

(my 'we double rock swap' partner from last year), 

over at Why Not Sew? 

just opened her etsy shop.

Click here to go there.

Her work is awesome...and those

pincushions with thread catchers are a must-have!!!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

1800's Vintage Quilt

It's midnight...but I wanted to post this before going to bed.

I just finished this little quilt top...measures ~20.75 inches square.  Each of those little squares measures 3/4".  There are 193 colored squares. 

The instructions for this 1800's Vintage Quilt can be found here, at the Moda Bake Shop.  A bunch of us over at the Small Quilt Talk Yahoo! group are working on this pattern.  I used all reproduction fabrics, shown here.  Plus, Kona cotton solid in 'snow'. This was a fun and easy little quilt to put together.
 

I had all the little 9 patch blocks put together and had the setting squares and rectangles cut out before today.  So, all I had to do tonight was piece all the little blocks together into bigger blocks and put it all together.  It needs a really good pressing, but I'm pretty happy with it.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Regaining Self...

At last.  I have some energy!  The pneumonia cleared within 2 weeks, but the fatigue has been making me crazy...it's been a long time regaining my energy/stamina.  After 5 weeks, I am finally feeling more like my (old) self again. 

Today is craft day.  Lots of projects to catch up on.

I've been very undecided about how to quilt the 2 dqs9 quilts I am making.  Made a decision this a.m....on one of them, anyway.  I stitched in the ditch around the center blocks and around the black borders.  Then, I quilted straight lines on all 4 sides of the green border.  Still need to bind it...will use Half Moon Spots (black with white spots).  Here's how it looks thus far.  It makes me smile.

Got my August Bee Addicted 3 blocks done for Liz.  She wanted square in a square blocks.  With only her fabric...Route 66 & solids.  I messed up on this one...measure twice, cut once?  Oh, okay.  Next time, for sure!  Wanted to do blue all the way around.  Well, Liz can change it out if she wants.  

 

Must keep on truckin'. 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Booty Party!

hmmmm...perhaps that should read "bootie party".  Don't want you all to get the wrong idea!

My friend, Kristen, came over today.  She wanted me to show her how to use her sewing machine.  But, she neglected to bring the foot pedal, so all I really could show her was how to thread it and put the bobbin in.   

Kristen and I worked together in the Critical Care Unit at the Vet School for several years...until I wrecked my knee.  She is a good friend.  One who raises, trains, and races sled dogs.  Siberian Huskies.  Here's a photo of her at the starting line of a race back in 2003...look at the excitement on those dogs' faces!  The photo is kind of grainy, but you get the picture.  (little play on words, there)

Kristen brought Devka along today.  She is her favorite girl...and mine.  I wasn't sure how Tag would react to having another dog in the house.  Especially one he hadn't seen for several years.  Back in the day, when Kristen and I worked in CCU (critical care unit at the vet school), we brought (some of) our dogs with us.  Working the night shift sometimes left us with a lot of extra time on our hands.  The dogs all got along great.  Course, back then, Tag was just a youngster.  He had great respect for Devka...but I wasn't sure, now that he is the older and more confident boy that he is, if he would still respect her.  No worry.  Once he sniffed her, he quickly remembered that she was not to be fooled with.  Basically ignored her, which was pretty funny to me. 

While we visited, Kristen's kids, Stephen and Katelyn played with Tag.  Actually, he was more interested in carrying their shoes around.  Silly boy.  Foot fetish, ya know.  {grin}

Hey...I even remembered to take a photo!

oh.  Back to the 'bootie party'.  Kristen needs to sew booties for her dogs.  For their feet, ya know.  The math...6 dogs on a team, 4 feet each, 24 booties to a set.  Multiple sets needed.  Cordura for training (no snow) and fleece for racing (on snow).  At least a few hundred booties need to be sewn.  I think we'll be getting together sometime soon to have a 'bootie party' and sew those booties!  Wanna join us? 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

ohdear...

Had to get a new alternator.

It is hot, hot HOT today!

I messed up big time while sewing a carrycot.

Not a good day.

At all.

I found this.

And, it encourages me...

Psalm 9:9-10 "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, 

a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name will trust in you, 

for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

I give over my worries and troubles to God.

And, I praise Him.

 

 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Another Mail Call!

Look what came in the mail today!

From my friend, Kelley, who blogs here.

She has sent me boxes before.

She warned me that this one was heavy...and it was!

She sure can pack a lot of fabric in a box!

The fabric in back...the stars and such...

that is all yardage...WOW!!! 

The fabric in front...those are all fat eighths (at least).

And, these books...

haven't looked too closely at the one on the right,

but the one on the left...

I think I must make every quilt in it!

Help! 

I must say, I have the best friends!

I know I do.

Even if I seem to take them for granted.

I truly don't.

I am blessed, indeed. 

 Thank you so very much, Kelley!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Mail Call!

Note to self:  

Write "I will buy no more fabric!" 

on the blackboard 100 times.

  

Look what has come in the mail in the last few days...

Now, really, this was all needed.

Truly.

The 3 pieces of black Au.then.tic is for Paul's quilt.

More on that at another time.

The Frolic charm pack is to add to the

charm pack from Bren to make a baby quilt...

and the Frolic brown/green yardage is for the backing.

The Luna Notte charm pack is for my romance stars challenge quilt I posted about here.

I thought it might be more fun to use the 

charms with the fat quarters...

more stars that way.  

Most of this fabric was on sale...from different sources. 

Au.then.tic is becoming rather difficult 

to find...but a few Etsy shops had it.

And, hey...just a quick shout-out to 

Leah over at Burgundy Buttons.

Great service and terrific sales!

Love dealing with her!   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ohgosh...I did a foolish thing last night.

I made a list of my wip's (works in progress),

AND I also listed the fabrics I have enough of

(or most of what I need) to put a quilt together.

Holy Schmoly.

I don't often go out and just buy fabric,

so it really surprised me!

haha!  

(perhaps I should also write on the blackboard to never make this list again!)

So.

As of this moment,

I am on a fabric-buying moratorium.

At least for new projects.

Wish me luck!

 

 

 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

God is...

everywhere.

my heavenly Father.

with me.

for me.

in me.

all powerful. 
all knowing.
 kind.
 good.

great. 
generous. 
constant.
 infinite.

true.
 love.
 to name a few.

I've had some thoughts in my head for some time,and need to take the time to write them out.  Perhaps not so much for you, but certainly for myself.

I have no idea where this path will lead.

This walk I'm on with my Father.
 I still feel like such a baby...
so new to Him.
 I have been told that I have a childlike faith in God.
 I take that as a compliment.

I have always known God.
 I never had a relationship with Him before now.
For a time, I kept Him out of my life.
He knocked a long time before I answered the door.
I am so thankful that I did answer.
It's not always easy to walk on the path.
There are many bad influences and
temptations along the way.

But.
I believe that God hears my every word.

I believe that He answers me. 
Not always with the answer I want.
 He sometimes needs to hit me over the head with a 2x4...
you know, to get my attention.

When I am listening, I hear Him.

The whisper in my ear.
 The unbidden thought...
 the idea that comes out of nowhere.
 I try to remember that sometimes silence is the answer.

When I hear Him, I am in awe...

though I certainly shouldn't be.
 As my heavenly Father, God is expectant. 
Waiting for me to ask Him for help.
 And, when He talks to me... 
when He talks to me...
He talks to me! 
ME!

I try to listen carefully.

I try to follow His Word... 
sometimes after a bit of stubborn struggling.
Because I think I know what's best for me.
 HA!
I try to remember that He is all-knowing.
 I know very little.
 He knows what my life is about.
 I think I know, but I really don't.
 He knows every footstep I have taken...
 every step that I have yet to take.
 I cannot see around the next corner.
 He sees me as His perfect child.
 I sure don't.
He knows what I need.
I just think I do.
I try to give over my worries.
 When I do, a calmness comes over me.
 Not that my circumstances have changed at all, 
but knowing that He is watching out for me gives me peace. 
The peace of knowing that
 everything in my life will work out. 
Perhaps not the way I want it to be,
 or think that it should,
 but definitely much better than not.
 I cannot pull verses from the Bible to illustrate points,
 to clarify or to back up my words.
 Heck, I don't even know what to say much of the time.
I think that it doesn't matter. 
I feel God around me everywhere I go.
 He is constantly on my mind.
 Because without Him, there would be nothing. 
Without Him, we wouldn't be.
 There is nothing on this earth that is not of Him.
 Nothing at all. 
We can change things and make new things...

but everything we touch was first touched by God.

I give glory to Him for everything.

oh, it's not like I say thank you to Him all day long.

Not that I thank Him for everything I do,
or everything I touch.

Although, why not?

But, walking up the driveway the other day... 
thinking how hot it was...
 a cool breeze hit me.

I thanked God for it.

The day he painted the landscape for me.

It was because of Him that I saw it,

that I gave praise to Him

and I thanked Him for it.

He has a way of pointing out simple things to me. 
My eyes have been opened so that I see things that have 
always been here, but that I have always taken for granted.

This path has led me to some wonderful friends.
 To wonderful blogs written by Christian women...
 women who so inspire me.
 Reading their words gives me pause...
 makes me examine this moment, this hour, this day. 
Their words help give me thoughts about my place on this earth. 
My walk on His path.

With my Father, my God.

Oh, I am not perfect. 
I like to think I am.
I've made...
and will continue to make...
many stumbles along this path.
If I take one step at a time...
I will get to where I'm going.
 I have a lot of work to do. 
To finish the person I know I can be.

To know that God is with me...how can I go wrong?
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(OH! I do know a Bible verse! That's Romans 8:31!)

Now, if only I could remember that
 every waking hour of every day. 
To not have doubts. 
To not worry.
To keep the faith.

To trust Him in everything I do.

Amen.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10