Arctic Freeze 2019

This perfectly describes Wednesday and Thursday of this week. 

It's a weather phenomenon that brings the Arctic winds from the North Pole all the way down to us and beyond. 

These conditions are very dangerous and not to be taken lightly.

I didn't. Tuesday, I ran my errands and got the few things we needed like bread and milk (I know, cliche). But it really was all we needed to keep me sequestered at home to ride out these two days.

The plan for the two days was to stay put and sew. There was no school and definitely too cold to go anywhere. I was thrilled to have an excuse to do just that.

It's also the last week of the month and there are goals to be met.

The majority of my focus was working on my UFO for the month. These sweet bears. They are all made and assembled. The next step is a small red border all the way around and then the final border. I was hoping to meet the January deadline, but I ran out of time. It should still be done over the weekend.

I received this cute little print in the mail today. It is part of a mystery quilt along I'm participating that deadlines in March.

I'm auditioning fabrics and trying to decide on a layout.

On the domestic front, besides the normal household responsibilities, I made breadcrumbs. I've been collecting the "heels" for a while and was gifted several loaves of crusty bread that got cut up and dried for this purpose. It always feels good to not waste what we've been blessed with.

I pray that everyone is safe and trusting God to keep them that way. There is more inclement weather all around the world. I'm sure we all know someone, somewhere who could use an extra prayer for God's grace and mercy.

Thank you for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with things that make and keep you happy.

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:4 NIVUK

what do I want to be different this year?

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Galatians 5:14 NIVUK

Happy Sunday

As we alternate between snow flakes and sunshine. I hope you are having a blessed day !!

There is always a traditional push at the beginning of the new year to make "resolutions". I have found they are typically something about yourself you don't like and want to improve.

 . . . lose weight, exercise more, eat healthier, etc. 

I've done all of those and more and by the second week of January they have fallen by the wayside.

As the years have gone by, as I've become more grounded in my faith, I feel there is more that I can do. I don't just want to resolve to make superficial and cosmetic changes in my life. I want my life to have more meaning and to make a difference. This burden has been on my heart for a while.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 NIVUK

What do I want to be different this year?

This question came up in the devotional I read on January 1. And again in a four part series of sermons on creating habits that make us more Christ-like. Today's lesson was on stewardship, specifically time management and using your talents and spiritual gifts. Let me confess, if the Lord called me home today, I would have much to answer to. I don't manage my time well - thank you social media, computer games, television - and I probably don't use my spiritual gifts as often or as well as I should either.

So what do I do about it? Part of time management is planning and prioritizing. Always attempting, just need to get more serious about it - especially when it comes to that social media devil. And let's not forget that I am notorious for over committing myself.

The talents and spiritual gifts are a little easier - to a point.  What I've decided is to use my gift of sewing and turn that into a service project. No real surprise there as quilters and sewists are doing this all the time. I'm jumping on those band wagons. After all how many quilts does one person really need. That doesn't mean I won't finish the ones for myself that I've started, because I have every intention to do just that. I've even limited the number of new quilts so I can focus on my UFOs. 

What this means is the stash of fabric in my basement can be used, the mountain of scraps collecting and growing can be used. Finances that I would have used for more fabric can be used to purchase battings and backings. Time wasted on computer games can be used to hand stitch binding on finished quilts.

That was easy !!!

And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds,

Hebrews 10:24 NIVUK

Now, who to share the bounty of God's blessings with? There are any number of worthy charities. I have found/received suggestions for several that I'm going to participate in.  Here's my list so far:

Project Linus - This one is for baby quilts. They can be knit, crochet, quilted, or fleece. I'm jumping on this band wagon. I'd like my goal to be at least one per month. There are patterns and resources on their web page. Just follow the link.

A Doll Like Me  You are linked to find out more about this organization and what they do, but let me just tell you it's incredible and Amy is a hero in my eyes. She makes these amazing dolls that have the same physical differences as the children who receive them. How cool is that !!! What we are being asked to do is make tiny hospital gowns and doll size quilts so the children can dress their dolls so they are having the same hospital experiences the children. The gowns only use a fat quarter and some bias binding. Easy enough. I'm jumping on this band wagon as well. You can also follow Amy

on Facebook.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no-one to help them up.

Eccles. 4:9-10 NIVUK

Here are some others you might be interested in as well. I'm going to keep a running list that I can add to:

From My Carolina Home  Quilts are being collected for victims of last year's double-whammy hurricanes.

American Hero and Quilts of Valor This is an on going, never ending need for quilts for military veterans and their families.

These are off the top of my head, as I come across more, I will up date the list. Please don't forget any specific needs to your local community. I have a couple I want to check out through my Bible Study hostess church. And likewise, if you know of one I can add, please don't hesitate to share that information and I'll get it posted.

Thank you for stopping by,

Wishing you a day filled with things that make and keep you happy.

Let us become weary in doing good.

Galatians 6:9

Friday Goals rolling into Saturday

The weather is turning bitterly cold with an artic blast coming over the weekend. We are talking below zero Farenheit temperatures and windchill. 

We do need to go out ocassionally. We had snow Saturday morning.

 

It's grey and overcast, but the snow coming down is still pretty.

 

We had a couple of visitors who, in my opinion, don't look all that impressed with the snow.

It's really a good weekend to stay indoors. 

And a good time to work on my goals. These are the things I would like to get done this weekend and my progress so far, between Friday and Saturday:

1. Bear Color Challenge

- applique block done

- quilt block done

- assemble row

2. Color Challenge

- assemble last block  done

- quilt blocks

- assemble row

3. Sewing class homework

- prep block for next class

4. Continue 15 minute stitching challenge

I spent Friday evening organizing my hexagon inches so that I can start stitching them again.

5. Download several patterns

done

Now since it's the end of the last week of the month, it's time to focus on the monthly goals:

UFO Challenge 

#3 - Color Bear Quilt

- assemble last row

- machine quilt

- binding

12 Things Challenge

#3 - Sunflower Doll

- cut out everything needed

- begin doll assembly

Finish goals from this week 

- Color Challenge quilt last two blocks, assemble row

Sewing Class 

- background block prep

15 minute stitch challenge

- continue stitching

 The Art of Gentle Domesticity

- read next section

Crabapple Hill

- download, draw off design

This download is at no charge and you are linked to take you there if you would like to join us :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Wishing you a day filled with things that keep and make you happy.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.’

Matt. 18:20 NIVUK

The Art of Gentle Domesticity - Inspiration

Inspiration is not something I conscientiously think about or am aware of. I just go about my business and things just happen.

But if you do think about, inspiration is all around us. The days that God has blessed us with, the weather, the colors in the garden from flowers to trees to fruits and vegetables.

Art and architecture.

Modern - The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Guardian - at the entrances of a local bridge.

I'm blessed to live in an old city that has these beautiful examples, both old and modern. Such diversity is inspirational. The architecture is one of the things I love best about this area I've lived in most of my life.

There was some beautiful art work represented in the book this week that was very inspirational.

Here are the questions Jenny presented to ponder this week of inspiration:

What do you regularly observe in life that triggers your creativity?

As I stated, I typically don't think about this conscientiously. But honestly, aren't we inspired by everything around us?

Has this week's study encouraged you to 'see' art differently?

If it doesn't, it should. Not just in art, but in our every day lives.

What did you like about the three paintings Jane chose to focus on?

I didn't grow up with a lot of exposure to art in the formal sense. My family were and are nature lovers, so we did a lot of things out door from gardening to camping to hiking. We couldn't get enough time outside.

(artwork downloaded from Jenny's website)

I love the reality of this painting, time with children, still having to get something done, busy hands, the clutter. The angelic faces that can't wait to get into something other than what's being required at the moment.

(artwork downloaded from Jenny's website)

 I like this painting but felt there was a certain disconnect among the participants. The are all sitting separately, away from each other, there's no tea, no conversation. In reality, we'd be tripping over each other in conversation and sharing and fellowship :)

(artwork downloaded from Jenny's website)

This one was my favorite !! It's light and airy, comfortable and relaxed. Bright and beautiful. I'd love this hanging in my home :)

This one would be the most inspiring to me because it's one of my absolute favorite color combinations - yellow and blue and the perfect shads of both.

What creative afternoon ideas can you suggest for children (of varying ages)?

I work and have worked with children from pre-school to elementary. Children love to express themselves with you sitting right next to them encouraging them in whatever it is they are doing - painting, drawing, coloring.

Attention spans are short, so I always have a variety of art supplies and textures. 

And doing things outside the normal, like shaving cream and flour.

Children also like to be outside, and again all those principals can be engaged - playground equipment, sidewalk chalk, sand. They can use up energy and still be creative.

(shared from Jenny's blog)

Next week we'll be studying pages 26-33.

Jenny's sweet little bookmark is available as a gift to us all year, so if you haven't already downloaded it, you have plenty of time :)

Wishing you a day filled with things that keep and make you happy.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

Galatians 5:14 NIVUK

Wednesday Goals and Progress

I got a jump start on my goals on Tuesday with the cancellation of my Bible study class. But Wednesday rolled over into Thursday. Here's how I did:

1. Bear Color Challenge

- cut out pieces DONE

- applique block

- quilt block

- assemble row

2. Color Challenge

- make last two blocks I got them cut out

- assemble blocks I got one done :)

- quilt blocks

- assemble row

3. Sewing class homework

- prep block for next class

4. 15 minute stitching challenge

I started my day with stitching these flowers on Fee's design from last week.

The design will be a gift through the month of January, so if you haven't downloaded yours yet, you still have a little time.

I also managed to get a scrap block finished.

These are fun and allow me to use fabric bits that I deem just to big to dispose.

And expected gift arrived in the mail on Thursday. My sister-in-law was upgrading her fabric cutting system and gifted me with one she no longer needed.

I dont know anything about this Cricut cutter, but an evening reading the manual will change that quickly enough.

There are a few supplies like a mat and blade that I'll need to get before I can start using it, but she told me where to find them on sale.

I continue to make progress on my daily 15-minute stitching goals and have several projects in the works.

And we come to Friday, here are my goals:

1. Bear Color Challenge

- applique block

- quilt block

- assemble row

2. Color Challenge

- assemble last block

- quilt blocks

- assemble row

3. Sewing class homework

- prep block for next class

4. Continue 15 minute stitching challenge

5. Download several patterns

There is no school today, so Newton is having a friend over for the afternoon. We'll pick up pizza for dinner when we take him home :)

Wishing you a day filled with things that keep and make you happy.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 NIVUK

Wednesday goals and progress

I'm getting a jumpstart on Wednesday goals because my Bible study was cancelled to the frigid cold. We got up to 4F. The forecast was a warm up by the end of the day to 35F.

Remember when I was getting ready for the big snow storm and I covered my windshield and mirrors . . . 

This is the view after we took the cover off. My windshield was perfect and I didn't have to spend any time getting it cleaned up enough to go. It was wonderful.

So here's what I was able to accomplish:

1. Bear Color Challenge

- cut out pieces DONE

- applique block

- quilt block

- assemble row

2. Color Challenge

- make last two blocks I got them cut out

- quilt blocks

- assemble row

3. Sewing class homework

- prep block for next class

4. 15 minute stitching challenge

I also managed to repair the zipper in a pair of jeans, before I had to run out and do some errands.

Wishing you a day filled with things that keep and make you happy.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

John 15:2 NIVUK