It's Thursday . . . or not . . . . and goals

Wednesday became history very quickly. I had several errands to run and as you know, they just eat up all your time. Then it was Thursday. . .  that too became a blur, although I worked on my Leader/enders. Friday was spent grocery shopping for the next couple of weeks and doing some meal prep to make the weekend and my week a little less stressful.

And now it's the weekend/end of the week.
These were my goals:

1. Bible study questions. For next week 
In progress

2. House quilt - spend at least 30 mins today doing the hand quilting. 

nothing to report here. Just didn't get to it.

3. Work on BOMs

-Starry Bright done

And the first three rows are together, sashed and quilted.

-Fall into a Quilt  
- FPP leaf Done

- turkey done

I am thrilled with my efforts and the results of both of these blocks.

4. Work on Crazy Quilt project 

got sidetracked by another project . . .

This one is quick and easy and should be done by Monday. All told, I will have seven different stitches (back stitch, french knots, split stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch, basket weave and turkey stitch) verses the two that were listed in the instructions (back stitch, french knots)

5. Sweet Land of Liberty

- if I have time, I'll cut out the first block 

time ran out

6. Cheri Payne Memory QAL

- again, if I have time, I'll cut out the first block

time ran out

7. Leader/ender quilt blocks
- clean up new scraps
first row done

Goals for October 1, 2018:

1. House Quilt
- 30 mins per day

2. Crazy Quilt block
- 30 mins per day

3. BOMs
- download
- start prepping them

4. Sweet Land of Liberty
- prep first block

5. Cherie Payne memory QAL
- prep first block


Verse of the day:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 NIVUK

Mystery #3 QAL

It has been three months since the beginning of this event and now the time has finally come for the big reveal. It's Friday, but I just can't make myself wait any longer . . . 

Mystery #3 QAL was hosted by Tracy of It's a Tsweets Day. The first two didn't seem to take so long to the reveal. It has been a very looonnnggg three months. But we are here. And I'm so excited to be able to share.

First, the required fabric. At the top of this photo (and upside down, LOL) is the yellow floral. I used half a yard in project. And I matched up some batiks and pretty cottons. These are just a couple that I used.

  

 

 

The designs were May-maids designs and shared by Joy of Days Filled With Joy, and her daughter back in May of this year. Once I decided to participate in this event, it was easy for me to come up with a project.

I've been keeping a really tight wrap on this project. Joy has such a sweet, generous heart and I really wanted to make her proud.

I did have second thoughts about these adorable mermaids and the feature fabric, but once I started to put things together, it all worked out great. A kind of land and sea thing going on naturally.

Joy, I really hope you like what I've done with your sweet designs. I am absolutely in love with this project :)

The colors of the mermaids were determined by the batik fabric choices I made and they are the fabrics framing the stitchery.

I then took the fabrics that were left over and made over sized 9-patches using the feature fabric.

 

These are just a couple of them. That's when I really knew that my project was going to be ok :)

The red and white circle print made just the right contracts to give the quilt a little more length and width for sashing between the rows and the outer borders.

This fabric was a gift from Susan and I'm using it for the backing. This quilt has "little girl" all over it and what a better gift than for her to know that Jesus loves her.

So now that all the details are out of the way, here is my Mystery #3 QAL:

This is the back. It shows pretty well all the quilting that was done by machine.

And finally, the completed quilt !!! 

I'm excited and thrilled with my end results.

I don't know if there is going to be a Mystery #4 QAL. If there is, I hope we can incorporate a Christmas themed fabric . . . just saying :)

It's been decided with the busy-ness of the last quarter Mystery QAL will wait until after New Year's. So now I don't have any excuse to get some of my UFOs finished :)

Thank you for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galations 6:10

Goals and apology . . .

Before I get to my goals, I have to apologize. Over the past year or more I have gotten extremely busy. With projects, family, church obligations, etc. Everyone does. 

In an effort to keep up with everything, I've let me emails go. Blogs I didn't read, comments I read but didn't take the time to answer. 

I've spent the last several days going through old emails and deleting them. I didn't answer any personal comments you left on my blog. I did read them. Honest. I just didn't take the time to respond. 

Please know that your comments are very important and I try really hard to respond personally to each and every one of them. That's how important they are to me. 

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to read my blogs and leave those comments. I look forward to your blogs and all the creativity you share with us. 

Going forward you can expect responses from me, as long as I have a way to respond to your comments. Please don't hold this against me. I know we all get busy and I have tried to streamline my responsibilities so that I am able to keep up.  Thank you for understanding.

So my goals,

1. Finish Bible study questions. mostly, yes. I'm ready for class today.  :) 

2. House quilt - spend at least 30 mins today doing the hand quilting. no, i didn't get there. Maybe today.

3. Work on BOMs

-Starry Bright done, including sandwich and quilt, and add to the row.

-Fall into a Quilt  not yet

4. Work on Crazy Quilt project not here either

5. Sweet Land of Liberty

- if I have time, I'll cut out the first block these last two are looking more like Friday or Saturday

6. Cheri Payne Memory QAL

- again, if I have time, I'll cut out the first block

I did work on my leader/ender quilt and making good progress there.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believesin me will never be thirsty".

John 6:35

Monday's goals

It was a very productive weekend. I finished my Mystery #3 QAL. Big reveal is this weekend. I can't wait to show you. I'm pretty excited.

In the meantime, I need to get some other things done before the weekend.

Here are my goals just for today:

1. Finish Bible study questions.

2. House quilt - spend at least 30 mins today doing the hand quilting.

3. Work on BOMs

-Starry Bright

-Fall into a Quilt 

4. Work on Crazy Quilt project

5. Sweet Land of Liberty

- if I have time, I'll cut out the first block

6. Cheri Payne Memory QAL

- again, if I have time, I'll cut out the first block

Numbers 5 and 6 are both in the "primitive" style, so they use the same basic fabrics. I'll always work on these two separate projects at the same time.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16

Goal Report for September 17, 2018

Here are my accomplishments for the past week:

1. Color Block Challenge

- assemble block

DONE
assembled and quilted and added to a row

2. Baby Quilt

- sandwich

- quilt

- bind

DONE

There weren't a lot of goals on my list this week, and there is one more but not on the list. I am thrilled by what's been accomplished. A short "done" list is much better than a long "undone" list.

And things shared in love by good friends is also more important than lots of to-do's checked off.

This week's goals are also going to be simple and so far there's only one thing, but I'll add as the week goes. I'm in the mood to do some more finishes.

Goals for September 24, 2018:

1. Mystery #3 QAL
- finish quilting
- binding
- label

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29 NIV

Are You Blessed With Good Friends?

Are you blessed with good friends?

I am !!!

I have spent the last week with Susan and we had the best time . . . laughing, talking, sharing, fellowshipping. We never turned on the television and it was not missed. I'm finding myself less drawn to it all the time. We've been planning this visit since Susan's visit last year. How special do you think I feel having her come again !!!

If you follow the link, you can get Susan's perspective on the week. Here's mine . . . 

Susan arrived Monday evening after spending the day on the road. We spent our first evening just catching up - not that we don't "speak" regularly already. She had a long day driving and we made tentative plans for Tuesday.

Tuesday, we stayed home. Susan was able to finish the borders on a baby quilt and a wall hanging. I was just happy to have someone to talk to who shared the same interests as I do and not just with quilting. We discussed a variety of topics and interests. When Susan finished the baby quilt she moved on to a new project that she and I will be working on for the next year. I haven't started mine yet. I want to finish my Mystery 3 QAL before I start something new. But I have a new stack of fabrics to pull from.

The design is called Sweet Land of Liberty by Cheri Payne. It's a primitive design and something I've never done before. So I'm excited to try something new. Susan managed to get her first couple of blocks done.

Wednesday, we stopped at Pins and Needles. This is the shop where I got my sewing machine and taking my monthly class. We found some fun Halloween prints for another new project.

We've collected quite a few between us and happily shared.

Then we took a road trip. The best part was sharing lunch and conversation because the quilt shop we went to visit was closed permanently. A second shop was also closed for the day. We went home and spent the evening sewing and cutting. Unfortunately, I had a cold coming on so all I accomplished was getting the pattern drawn off and ironed on for Color Bear.  

Thursday, we stayed home again. Susan was working on another of the Sweet Land patterns and the new Halloween project and I worked on my Color Bear Challenge.

I did get it completely finished. And a good thing, because I was coming down with a nasty cold :(

Friday, Susan and I went to visit my Mom. What a treat it was to share such an important person in my life with another important person in  my life. And they loved each other. 

Mom and I talk almost daily. She has asked about Susan every time we spoke during Susan's visit and even after Susan left. It was such a blessing for all three of us.

From Mom's we went to a local quilt shop, Ohio Star Quilts. Actually, after numerous moves and ownership changes I realized this is the second shop I learned to make a quilt. It is where my Trip Around the World quilt started. A pleasant memory. 

 

 

A nice shop with a large classroom and some great quilts on display. 

Dinner was pizza that was ordered and delivered. Clean up was easy and afforded us an evening of sewing and pleasant conversation.

Saturday, Honey Do and Newton volunteered to escort us to Cabela's :) and a couple of new to me quilt shops that we visited on our vacation. We got up and had a quick breakfast and got on the road. It's about a 30 minute drive over county lines. We spent quite a bit of time in Cabela's looking at all kinds of things. Susan showed me some really great storage that happened to be on sale :)

I also found some gloves and hat in the sale bin. Not to mention snacks :)

Next stop was Mom's Quilt Basket where we met the owners and shared sweet conversation. We found some wonderful clearance fabric that ended up in the Sweet Land of Liberty quilt.

We shared a time of fellowship over lunch that Honey Do sweetly agreed to . . . and paid for :)

Then we went on to the next shop, Quilts and Kreations. Some more Halloween and remnants for Sweet Land. 

We spent another evening of conversation and stitching on our crazy quilt projects. It has been months since I worked on mine and was glad to make at least a little progress with the hope of more stitching days to come.

Even when we thought we were done for the evening, we continued our sweet conversation. I will miss these conversations terribly over the coming days as Susan drove home safely on Sunday. 

I am so very blessed by her generosity, faith and sweet spirit. I can tell you that our friendship was God ordained and blessed and will continue for as many years as the Lord blesses us on this earth.

Thank you for letting me share a bit of our week and for stopping by,

I pray that you have a friendship that blesses you.

Verse of the day:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

HQAL - October, 2018

Three week round up for Hand Quilt Along.
To see what everyone else got up to, just follow the link.

I'm rather pleased with my projects this time around. I'm sorry the post is late - I was enjoying some wonderful time with my machine over the weekend. More on that later this week :)

Mystery QAL #3. This was a three month project. The hand-sewing on this on is the binding.

Starry Bright QAL

More hand sewing the sashing on the back.

Spring Floral

And one of my favorite projects. This kit was gifted to me by Susan. It only took a couple of evenings to finish it. I added dimension and texture with different stitches:
weaving, french knots, satin, stem, back and turkey. Absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

And this one isn't sewing, but I made it with my own two hands for my niece :)

She has little boys, so they will enjoy the giant spider.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 34:8

Goals for September 17, 2018

It's a new week, which means new goals:

1. Color Block Challenge

- assemble block

2. Baby Quilt
- sandwich
- quilt
- bind

3. Mystery #3 QAL
- quilt
- bind

That's all I'm scheduling for this week. I have two days scheduled away from home, Bible Study and a trip to Mom.

Wishing you a day of kindness,

Thanks for stopping by.



Verse of the day:

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.

John 7:38 NIV

HQAL September 2018

Three week round up for Hand Quilt Along.
To see what everyone else got up to, just follow the link.

Here's what I got accomplished this go round:

Sewing class block of the month. 

Buttons were sewn on by hand. Everything else is done on the machine.

 

I am finally back to embroidery. With a visit from a very dear friend, Susan, I have been encouraged and enthused to pick it up again.

Not much this time around, but every little bit helps.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

As for God, his way is perfect: the LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 18:30 NIVUK

September Goals

Here are my goals and progress for the beautiful month of September . . . 

1. Mystery QAL #3
This will be my priority until it's finished,
due September 30.

All the blocks are made, next step is to work on the sashing and borders.
DONE

Next step, sandwich and quilt.

2. Blocks of the month

- download those I'm saving for later

- Color Bear Challenge DONE

- Color Block Challenge - I got the pieces cut out, but haven't sewn them together.

- Starry Bright - downloaded, but no other progress

- Fall into a Quilt - downloaded, no other progress

3. Christmas Quilt - gift for Mom
no progress here yet

4. Maggie's First Dance

- quilt

- bind
no progress yet

Dining Room curtains are finally done and up :)

The table looks bad but it got cleaned up. I have sewing days planned with a friend this week. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strenth of my heart and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26 NIVUK

Getting ready for the weekend . . .

(image from Yahoo)

It's Friday, that means I'm getting ready for the weekend and weekend projects.

I've got a couple of projects I would really like to get finished. Now that I've finished cleaning, purging and reorganizing the guest room and, vacation is done I can move on to my projects more conscientiously.  AND Bible Study starts up again next week, so that will take a bit of time out of my week - not that I mind at all. In fact, I was able to print the first lesson this morning at the library and begin reading the notes. I just needed to get a little more organized to spend more time on projects and less on making space to work.

(image from Yahoo)

I spent my morning organizing my current projects. I will be unable to work on the blocks of the month next week due to another project, so I put patterns with supplies and removed them from my sewing space. I'd gotten more than a bit messy from all the pending projects and other things that want my attention. I don't mind working around clutter, but it can get a bit overwhelming if you let if go too long. I'm also starting a new project next week, but I'll let you know more about it then.

My afternoon was spent finishing up a another stack of leaders and enders and a scrappy project that I hope will grow into a quilt someday.

I moved on to my alternate blocks for Mystery QAL #3.

These are just a couple of choices for over-sized 9-patches. It needs to be something simple as I've decided this will be a child's quilt.

The floral print in the background is our required fabric. It's playing fairly well with my batiks and tonal prints. Not my first choices in combinations, but I'm hoping going outside my comfort zone will work to my advantage.

The weather cooperated perfectly. We had rain off and on all day. The humidity and heat are finally gone for the moment. We're only in the 70s and supposedly all this rain is from Hurrican Gordon. The chilly breeze coming through my window is heavenly as I sew and watch the rain and listen to an audio book. 

Along with the quilt, the curtains are finally finished. Honey Do put the rod up for me. I feel very accomplished even though I haven't really finished much. Progress is progress :)

Excuse the mess in the foreground, curtains are up :)

I fell in love with this rod because of the finials.

They match my chandelier :)

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with kindness.

Verse of the day:

Hehas made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIVUK