Sunday---Precious Promises

Create a pure heart in me, O God,

and put a new and loyal spirit in me.

Psalm 51:10, Good News Bible

Patchwork Pup

I started this little Patchwork Pup a few years ago and he keeps progressing.  With the help of the sun and some rusty metals, I dyed muslin.  Then turned it into a nine-patch block.  From there I added as the center a smaller nine-patch block.  This little block created his body.  A little applique and embroidery created his face.  I've added a blue bandanna and now I'm adding stitches.  He is a slow cloth and I'm not sure where this is going to go, but Patchwork Pup is in the works. Linking up to Off the Wall and wishing everyone a Very Happy New Year and Happy Quilting in 2018.

Another Prayer Flag

This little Prayer Flag is in the mail to a church friend who is undergoing aggressive treatments for cancer.  She has a very positive attitude and I hope this little flag helps to give her the strength she needs for this long battle.
  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Lord fill our hearts

with joy

as we prepare for 

your word to become alive 

in our lives.

Amen

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Sunday---Precious Promises

You, Lord, give perfect peace

to those who keep their purpose firm

and put their trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3, Good News Bible

Sunday---Precious Promises

FAITH does not make things easy

it makes them possible.

Prayer Flag

Just completed another Prayer Flag for a friend who is battling liver cancer.  He has a little white "puff" of a dog that has not left his side.  Max has been included on this special flag too.  The love of a furry friend can do wonders and I know Max is doing his best to help his human through a hard time.  Faith, Strength, Good Heath & Love are my blessings on this flag.   Wishing each of you a wonderful weekend and Happy Quilting. 

Tumbling

The little slow cloth project is complete.  Tumbling is a mixture of fall colors, fussy cut leaves and hand stitches.  A brisk breeze flows through this little 7 1/2 square mini cloth.  No batting on this one, just raw edge nine-patch.  Added to the shop today.  Have a wonderful week full of fall colors and Tumbling leaves.  Happy Quilting

Sunday--Precious Promises

Slow Cloth

Starting a Slow Cloth tonight.  I have always been inspired by Jude Hill and her creative art.  In the past I have experimented with a few semi-slow cloths, but always seemed to put them aside for another project.  My stitching has been on hold the past couple of months, as the cane has come out again and walking is painful.  I don't take pain killers, and try to work with natural remedies for my discomfort.  I thought this would be a perfect time to concentrate on a new Slow Cloth project.  I have constructed a little 9-patch of various fabrics.  They reminded me of fall and the leaves that are tumbling from our trees.  The little house was inspired by recent posts by Jude.  So, wish me luck and we'll see what develops with this little Slow Cloth.  As always, Happy Quilting.

Sunday---Precious Promises

Ten Ways to Spread Kindness

1.  Take time to listen

2.  Give praise when earned

3.  Forgive someone who hurts you

4.  Apologize for something you've done wrong

5.  Do a favor for someone in need

6.  Give hugs

7.  Compromise--Don't start a fight

8.  Negotiate--Don't blame

9.  Empathize--Don't gossip

10.  Problem solve--Don't tease

just a little something I read years ago--good thoughts to live by!

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving with

family and friends!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Teach a child how he should live,

and he will remember it all his life.

Proverbs 22:6, Good News Bible

Monday--Moment of Thought

As I look back at the posts on my blog, I realized I have not been very active.  Where have I been?
Really here and there.  Crazy life has had some twists and turns.  Some good, some bad.  That is the way life goes.  Basically, I have been doing a little bit of sewing.  A couple of prayer flags--that I forgot to document with photos.  Some mending on a jacket my husband loves when he works outside--the neat thing about the jacket is that it was my Dad's that he wore for the same reason.  The jacket is about 50 years old and I realized I was mending some of the stitches my Mom had mended before me.  Made me smile.
I have also been trying to heal.  My walking has become more painful and difficult.  I'm trying to get a handle on pacing myself and figuring out what I should do going forward to become more pain free.   This situation has become front and center lately.
Sunday---Precious Promises will take a break next Sunday.  Hubby and I are going to Arizona for a week to get our home there ready for sale.  That has been another big decision.  A difficult one to make--we do enjoy our visits there, but things are changing and we need to concentrate on life in Missouri.  That's what is happening on my side of the blog.  Hope your side is going well.   Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

But his answer was:

"My grace is all you need,

for my power is greatest 

when you are weak."

I am most happy, then, 

to be proud of my weaknesses, 

in order to feel the

protection of Christ's, power

over me.

II Corinthians 12:9, Good News Bible

Sunday---Precious Promises

Sunday---Precious Promises

Prayer

Holy God we are not perfect

but struggle to be 

loyal and obedient

to the words of Jesus

Forgive us and transform our hearts.

Amen

Sunday---Precious Promises

So let us not become tired of doing good;

for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will 

reap the harvest.

Galatians 6: 9, Good News Bible

Sunday---Precious Promises

May all who come to you

be glad and joyful.

May all who are thankful for your 

salvation

always say, "How great is God!"

I'm weak and poor;

come to me quickly, O God.

You are my savior and my

Lord

hurry to my aid!

Psalms 70: 4-5, Good News Bible

Monday---Moment of Thought

.

PEACEMAKERS PLEASE STEP FORWARD

...goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.

James 3:18, Good News Bible

Join me in a conscience effort to be a peacemaker.

Help to rebuild respect for one another, for life, liberty & happiness. 

Sunday---Precious Promises

Come, let us praise the Lord!

Let us sing for joy to God, who 

protects us!

Let us come before him with

thanksgiving

and sing joyful songs of praise,

For the Lord is a mighty God,

a mighty king over all the gods.

He rules over the whole earth,

from the deepest caves to the

highest hills.

He rules over the sea, which he

made;

the land also, which he himself formed.

Come, let us bow down and worship

him;

let us kneel before the Lord, our

Maker!

He is our God;

we are the people he cares for,

the flock for which he provides.

Psalms 95:1-7, Good News Bible

Good Read

Besides quilting, I'm a reader.  I find it relaxing and a time to get away and put my crazy life on hold to slip into the pages of a good novel.  I just finished a good read.  What She Knew, by Gilly Macmillan.  I like holding a book.  I don't have a Kindle, or download eBooks.  I like going to the library and browsing the shelves for my next read.  As you can see, this little library book has been well read by many.

The story is fast-paced.  I could hardly put it down.  My usual reading time is in bed at the end of the day.  This book had me reading during the day--when I had a minute or two.   A nightmare event, that keeps you guessing and reading to learn what really happened.  Have a great weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

Wishing Star

A few wishes for recovery, hope and peace are in order, maybe a little quilt is just what is needed.

Everyone needs a Wishing Star once in a while.  This little 7" square was made with a combination of a vintage star quilt, fabrics and embroidery threads.  I like the frayed edge look so I left the raw edge.
This would also make it easy to add this little square to a larger piece or used independently as a Mug Mat or Wall Art.

The star's center has a cluster of metallic stitches, to add more sparkle to your wish.

Sunday---Precious Promises

Come, let us bow down and worship

him;

let us kneel before the Lord, 

our Maker!

He is our God;

we are the people he cares for,

the flock for which he provides.

Psalms 95: 6-7, Good News Bible

Monday---Moment of Thought ON TUESDAY

My thought for today has nothing to do with quilting but perhaps it does??

The past weekend, has been another weekend of demonstrators and violence is my hometown/city.  I was born and raised in, what is now being called, one of the most dangerous cities in America.  St. Louis, Missouri.  I no longer live in St. Louis, but 45 minutes from the City.  I was raised in what was called Northwest St. Louis County.  But, my family has roots in St. Louis City.  St Louis was and still is a great place to work and play.  Many things to enjoy in the City, restaurants, the arts, sporting events, museums for young and old, world-famous Zoo, and many parks including Forest Park.  I could go on and on.  But this past weekend all that stopped.  The protesters wanted to shut down the City and they did.  I only recall a few events that continued their plan activities.  U2 cancelled their concert, which was big for the people who traveled miles to see the musical group.  Anyway, peaceful demonstrations turned to violence Saturday night.  My question:  Why??  I understand there is disappointment over the verdict handed down Friday concerning a police involved killing.  But, why destroy your hometown?  The lively hood of so many is affected when violence against businesses becomes the target.

I believe in peaceful demonstrations, our constitutional right.  But, it seems when the sun goes down the peaceful demonstrators go home and a new group comes out to cause damage.  They were not part of the planned demonstrations.  They are people who take advantage of the current tide for personal gain.  The high from destruction or financial gain from looting.  The statistics in St. Louis are awful when it comes to murder victims.  117-African American, 0-Asian, 1-Hispanic and 7-White.  Murder suspects include, 96-African American, 0-Asian, 0-Hispanic and 0-White (source Elliott Davis Fox 2 News).  The innocent people being shot by stray bullets are climbing and many are children.  The community has to take a stand.  People have to speak up and help the police, to stop this violence.

My thought for today has nothing to do with quilting but perhaps it does?     A quilt is made up of many pieces--like a community.   Joined together by a common thread.  Members of the communities where most of the violence has been happening this year and past years, must be that thread.  Only they can put an end to the violence in the city.  I understand their fear of retaliation, but that is paralyzing not only St. Louis, but their personal well being.  We all must work together to make a strong community that protects its people---young, old, black, white.  The police departments all over the country and here in St. Louis are working to improve their policing--learning from the past.  The communities all over the country need to help them.  We need to all make a quilt with a common thread of concern for life, liberty and the pursuit of  happiness.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

The Lord is good;

he protects his people in time of

trouble;

he takes care of those who turn

to him,

Nahum 1:7, Good News Bible

Monday---Moment of Thought

Quilting is more than stitches. 

Quilting is the mainstay of friendships that last a life time.

Sunday---Precious Promises

I am not my own self-made, self-reliant being but yours, Oh God.

Make me into what You will.

Make me a neighbor with those You will.

Guide me on the easy path for You.

Guide me on the rocky road for You.

Whether I am to step up for You or step aside for You;

Whether I am to be lifted high for You or brought low for You;

Whether I become full or empty, with all things or with nothing

I give all that I have and all that I am to You.  So be it.

May I always remember you, O God, I belong to you.  Amen

John Wesley's Covenant Prayer

Monday---Moment of Thought

Festival of Sharing Quilt Show

Monday--Moment of Thought is a way for me to reflect, share and clear my mind of things.  All kinds of things.  Some relate only to me, others may touch a thought of yours.  This morning it's about staying the course.  Weathering through mistakes, change, life lessons, trust and forgiveness.   I once read the following--not sure where it comes from or who wrote it.  But, this is my theme for this Monday and many Mondays to come.

Rejoice Always

Pray without ceasing

Give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is the will of God

In Christ Jesus for you

This simple saying---says it all and is a constant reminder when things become overwhelming.  I'm sharing it today for a reminder to myself and I hope a help to you as your life continues on its course.  Life sometimes deals us a difficult hand to handle and this little thought may help you as it helps me.  I have it on the refrigerator in the kitchen and my desk in the office.  It is a good reminder to look beyond  to the bigger picture-- to have faith and trust God's wisdom.   

 Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,

 with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience

 and with bodies washed with clean water.  

Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess,

 because we can trust God to keep his promise.  

Let us be concerned for one another,

 to help one another to show love and to do good.

Hebrews 10: 22-24, Good News Bible

Sunday---Precious Promises

May the Lord himself, who is our source of peace, 

give your peace at all times

and in every way.

The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16, Good News Bible

Who Am I

I am in a quilter's dilemma.  Exactly, who am I in this quilting world.  I have been lost for a few years now.  I think I'm on top of my game and then, I don't think so.  I enjoy making small quilts.  I'm not precise enough to do true miniatures.  Wish I could and maybe I just need to practice and sharpen my skill level.   I enjoy projects, so from the beginning I participated in AAQI.  I loved it and my work was going for a good cause.  Then, AAQI reached its $ 1,000,000 goal and is no longer.  That is when my feeling of lost hit.  What was I going to do with my desire to quilt small?  I did some swaps, entered a few contests for small quilts.  Even sold some of my little quilts.  But, I'm still looking for my place.  Maybe some of you have had the same thoughts?  Anyway, that is my dilemma.  I like working with vintage fabrics.  I don't like to follow patterns--maybe I'm a liberated quilter?   Most of my fabric is from estate and tag sales.  This little block---maybe a mug rug--is from an old quilt that I cut into a blocks.  I've added some fabrics and soon there will be colorful stitches to accent the old star.  The quilt is 7" x 7", perfect for a mug and morning thoughts.  I will keep stitching and adding to my box of finished small quilts.  I'm linking to Off the Wall Friday.  I love the photo and saying on today's Off the Wall page.  In fact, that is what got me to thinking.  One thing, while I'm searching and stitching I'm having fun and that is what quilting is all about.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Happy Quilting!

Monday Moment of Thought

This little art mini quilt I made years ago for Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  It represented the earth--always changing.   I used it in yesterdays Sunday--Precious Moment post and today it seems to be appropriate for my Monday Thoughts.

Our world is spinning almost uncontrollably.  Internationally, nationally, personally and today universally things are out of  our control or is it?  This is total eclipse day for our area of the country. The excitement is in full swing, even though clouds my block the view.  The international and national news of unrest and turmoil is getting scary.  Personally change is happening at a fast pace--hubby and I are trying to keep up, trying to stay calm and move forward.

Peace is the key to all of these uncontrollable events.  I must keep that in mind.  I must dwell on the positive and not give in to negative thoughts.  That is easier to do on the non-personal events, but when it gets to personal issues, negative thoughts are hard to push away.  I've noticed lately I wake up with negative thoughts before I even get out of bed---not good.  Have you ever been in a situation like that?  I'm even feeling a little sick and I know that's from the stress and my own negative thoughts.  That has to stop and it is going to stop today.  I think that is the reason I decided to write about it today in my Monday Moment of Thought.  I plan to fill my heart with gratitude, trust and peace knowing that the good Lord has a plan and this is part of that plan.  As I concentrate on my personal peace, may peace be with you and as always Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

May grace and peace be yours in full measure
through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:2, Good News Bible

Sunday---Precious Promises

With all my heart I will thank the Lord

in the assemble of his people.

How wonderful are the things the Lord does!

All who are delighted with them that want to understand them.

All he does is full of honor and majesty;

his righteousness is eternal.

The Lord does not let us forget his wonderful actions;

he is kind and merciful.

He provides food for those who honor him;

he never forgets his covenant.

He has shown his power to his people by giving them the lands of foreigners.

In all he does he is faithful and just; 

all his commands are dependable.

They last for all time; 

they were given in truth and

righteousness

He set his people free

and made an eternal covenant with them

Holy and mighty is he!

The way to become wise is to honor 

the Lord

he gives sound judgment to all who

obey his commands

He is to be praised forever.

Psalms 111: 1-10, Good News Bible

Sunday---Precious Promises

Rejoice Always

Pray without ceasing

Give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus for you.

Sunday---Precious Promises

Sunday---Precious Promises

Monday---Moment of Thought

It's that time of year when baseball and sports collecting takes over my life for a few weeks.  I will be unplugged from my blog as I help hubby with his hobby.  I enjoy this time of year, too.  It's a way to step off the treadmill of every day into something a little different.  See you in a few weeks.

Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

May the Lord bless your and take care of you;

May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;

May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26, Good News Bible

Friday---In Memory

It all began with hurricane Ivan, in 2004.  My hubby being a firefighter, a Chief at the time, volunteered to go to the area and help with recovery.  His area of work was in Lower Alabama and one of his first stops was in Andalusia, Alabama.  There he met Collace and Trudie.  They were a couple in their 70's.  His team helped at their home and then the entire FEMA group was housed at their church for the time their work was needed in Andalusia.  But, something happened during that time in Andalusia--a bonding, a friendship, a special relationship that the Lord formed.  Hubby came home from that trip with many stories, but the one that has had a lasting effect on our lives was the meeting of Collace and Trudie.

There was a connection right from the start.  Collace was a Mason, so is my hubby.  Collace was suffering from Post-Polio Syndrome, so am I.  So they had many things to talk about from the very beginning.  Soon our relationship was long-distance by phone.  We talked frequently and would compared notes on health, catch up on family and our day to day lives.  They made a trip to St. Louis with a tour group, but they didn't tour the sites.  We met and had a picnic lunch in one of our pretty city parks.  It was at that visit that I gave her a throw quilt I had made.  Very Victorian, with laces, buttons, ribbons--just a pretty little quilt I thought a Southern Lady would enjoy---and she did.

Sadly, Collace passed away a few years later--he had many complications with his Post-Polio condition.  Trudie, Bill and I keep our relationship going.  For a good year, I made sure she had a card or letter in her mail box every day.  They had no children and I just wanted to be there for her, but we were so many miles away, the mail was the only thing I could think of to do.

A few years after Collace's passing we were able to go to Andalusia for a wonderful visit with Trudie.  We enjoyed her community, friends and Bill was able to attend a Masonic meeting there.  It was a great vacation.   We continued to talk and text.  Trudie was traveling and enjoying life, we were busy with our first grand child.  But, we continued to keep in touch.

Trudie decided to have a knee replacement on June 6, 2017.  She was a little scared, but excited at the same time.  She was always very positive.  I texted her and talked with her on June 15.  She was doing great, everything was going well.  On July 4th I sent her a little text, with Happy July 4th wishes.  The text went undelivered.  Then I re-texted on July 8, still undelivered.  And then the news arrived.  Trudie was doing great as I thought, but developed blood clots on June 20.  She was rushed to the hospital and they removed the worst of them.  She was laughing and talking with nurses and friends then she just stopped talking and passed away quietly and peacefully.

Trudie was a kind, sweet, loving lady of faith.  I miss her everyday.  Everyone we meet has an effect on lives, some everlasting, some fleeting.  Trudie's effect was everlasting.   She was 88 years young, her positive outlook on life and her faith is something that made her younger than her years.  I was so blessed to have met such a wonderful person.  I thank the Lord for my friend.

Sunday---Precious Promises

May the Lord bless you and take care of you;

May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;

May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.

Numbers 6: 24-26, Good News Bible

Happy 4th of July

Monday---Moment of Thought

Moment of thought---Handwork.  Things have piled up on me.  Or I should say, I planned it that way.  We have a trip to Chicago and a long working week ahead of us at the end of July.  I love this time, but I always take a project or two--in this case four---along in case there are a few lulls in the day.  All of my quilts are minis and easy to get out and put away on a moments notice.  A couple will be in my Woodland Series and a couple are projects that have been around and need to be completed.  Hope you are enjoying your summer and Happy Quilting!

51 Years Ago

July 2, 1966 was one of the hottest days on record in St. Louis, Missouri.  At 2:00 p.m., in the church were I was raised, Bill and I were getting married.  Everything about the wedding was perfect--no wedding disasters.  We were living in the moment, no thoughts about were we would be 51 years later.
Last year we celebrated our 50th with friends and family at a local wine garden. It was a lovely time to remember our beginnings and enjoy the company of those who have been an important part of our life together.

Through the years we have changed--He has less hair, I have real gray, and we both have a few more pounds.  Beyond the physical changes we have a deeper affection and appreciation for each other.  We truly love each other more today than, we did yesterday and less than we will tomorrow.  That's what marriage is all about--something we didn't know in 1966, but so glad we stayed with it to find out.

Sunday---Precious Promises

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.

I Corinthians 13: 4-7, Good News Bible