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Monday, June 26, 2017

Monday---Moment of Thought


I have been so very busy this morning and afternoon, not stitching, but my other job(s)--bookkeeper, chief financial officer, girl Friday, and wife to a family of very busy men.  Anyway, I just realized I had not blogged today with my Monday---Moment of Thought.  Then I realized--I had no thoughts.  Have you ever been so tired of doing and thinking that you have no thoughts.  That's me today.  I'm tired and it only 3:40 p.m.  I feel like my photo today--a jumble.  Not a bad jumble, just jumbled.  Looking forward to a nice lunch with friends on Wednesday--fun relaxing afternoon---yeah!  Happy Quilting!

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Sunday---Precious Promises


"Do  not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you. Give to others and God will give to you.  Indeed you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands all that you can hold.  The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you."
Luke 4: 37-38, Good News Bible

Friday, June 23, 2017

It's Finished



The final stitches have been added and my middling quilt is complete.  Project 70,273 will have 166 people commemorated in this little flower pot full of daises.  Using a pencil I created a free hand sketch of the flower pot and flowers.  Then with a fabric pen outlined everything in red.  Added pairs of X's in two different colors of red.  With the fabric pen, again,  I went back and added more X's to the pot.  The quilt was machine quilted around the pot and peddles.  The quilt measures 17 1/2" x 21".



This was a wonderful quilt to make.  Quilting for a cause makes quilting even more rewarding.
Linked to Off the Wall Friday, and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? check out all the wonderful quilts.  Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

Monday, June 19, 2017

Monday---Moment of Thought


Here's hoping everyone enjoyed a great Father's Day.  We had a nice one with our son and grandson.  Hubby barbecued--which is his favorite thing to do and after dinner grandson was off to Vacation Bible School for an evening activity.

 This time is fun for me, but like many of you, is a little sad.  My Dad is no longer here and I miss him so much.  You see, like many of you, I was a "daddy's girl".   He was a wise, loving, and funny man, who made each day so special for those around him.  He would go out of his way for so many people.  Dad died very suddenly and caught so many off guard and in shock.  His funeral was huge and an eye opener to me.  I knew he was special to me, but until his passing didn't realize the lives he had touched in our community.

If you were in a situation where a decision had to be made,  Dad had a special way of saying the right thing, that made you think, analyze and come up with a solution that was right for you.  I remember some of his phrases:  "If you can't say yes 100%, then the answer is no".  "If you can't say anything good, say nothing at all." and "Be true to yourself."

I try to live by his example, but I will say I had not always remembered his advice and words--only to wish I had.  He was a wonderful Dad.  To this day, and my Dad has been gone for 40 years, I will meet people who remember my Dad--strangers to me, but they were not to him.  They always remember him with smiles and stories.  What a blessing for me and what a tribute to him.  Have a wonderful week and Happy Quilting!

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Sunday---Precious Promises


Do not be afraid---I am with you!
I am your God---Let nothing terrify you!
I will make you strong and help you;
I will protect you and save you.
Isaiah 41:10, Good News Bible

Friday, June 16, 2017

Quilted and Ready for Binding


Truly just off the wall.  I finished quilting my middling quilt for the 70,273 Project.  Now it's ready for binding and off to Jeanne.   This quilt was such a pleasure to make.  The cause is so worthy.  There are 166 pairs of X's.  Each pair representing one person physically or mentally disabled person who had no advocate, who was alone, who was murdered by German Nazis in 1940-41.   This was a very dark time in world history and a time that needs to be remembered and never repeated.  Unfortunately, the horrors against mankind continue.  As I have stated before, I wish the horrors against mankind could be eliminated as quickly as it takes to make a quilt.

 I made this quilt to represent new growth, new understanding and new compassion for mankind.    It is machine quilted.  The free hand drawing of flowers growing in a pot were filled with fabric x's attached with Wonder-Under.  I used two shades of red for interest.  Also, small fabric ink x's were added to the pot for texture.  Linking to Off the Wall Friday .  Have a wonderful weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Put Up the Cane


The cane is back by the front door.  My legs are feeling better, I would say about 80%.  I will continue to exercise in hopes of building up the muscles I have and keep myself moving.

It is amazing how one discomfort can slow down weekly achievements.  That's what has happened to me.  This is Week 38 in the Weekly Art Quilt Project and I don't have a finished project.  I'm still working on my Vintage Paper Quilt.  On the up side, I do see an end in the next few days.  I also made a trip downstairs today, so I will be quilting on 70,273 Project tomorrow.  Happy Quilting!

Monday, June 12, 2017

Monday---Moment of Thought


Walking is hard for me at the moment.  So out has come my trusty cane.  I have one in every vehicle and a collection by the front door.  I'm a polio survivor, who for years had no problems at all.  Then, about the time I turned 50 something happened.  Walking became a chore, tired legs that would not move, falls, exhaustion.  What was going on??  Tests were run and the conclusion was Post Polio Syndrome.  Something that happens to polio survivors around the age of 50.  The muscles just stop working they are worn out.  I guess it is best to say, no one realized that those of us that were lucky to get all our strength back after polio, had really suffered damage to the nerve cell that activated the muscles and after being used vicariously all these years are now wearing out.

I had been so blessed as my polio was non existent all my growing up years.  I did everything my peers were doing at the time.  Biking, running, hula hooping, jumping rope, marching band in high school and college as the featured baton twriller.  I forgot I had polio when I was young.  But, now things are changing.  I can go for months and be okay.  Oh, I walk slower than most and I have to be careful about what chair I choose to sit in--ones with arms are the best.   The outside temps will affect my legs both the heat and cold.  This week in Missouri the temps have been wonderful until about three days ago.  The summer is underway and the temps are creeping up.  When my back starts hurting I know that my legs are getting weak.   I do a few more leg exercises than usual, I rest more than usual and within a few days my legs will move again with out pain.

But, I have to tell you it is always scary.  There is a hidden fear that things will not improve.  In a few months my little sewing corner will be making a move to the main level of our house.  Now it is on the lower level.  Good days the steps are not problem, but it will be so nice to have things on the level where I spend most of my time.  I wanted to start quilting on the middling project I'm working on for the 70,273 Project, that will not be happening for a few days.

The thought for today is life is fragile and how we live it is so important.  Cherish every moment, we never know when the things we take for granted may be taken away.  Polio gave me a wake up call years ago and I try to remember every day to enjoy that brisk walk on good days.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Sunday--Precious Promises


The Lord says:
"Wise men should not boast of their wisdom,
nor strong men of their strength, 
nor rich men of their wealth.
If anyone want to boast, 
he should boast the he knows
 and understand me,
because my love is constant,
and I do what is just and right.
These are the things that please me.
I, the Lord, have spoken."
Jeremiah 9:23-24, Good News Bible

Friday, June 9, 2017

Vintage Paper makes Quilt


My hubby inspired this little mini quilt today.  With all of the land clearing and tree cutting we've been doing lately, hubby has made a huge bonfire today.  Today was a perfect day for that type of activity--cool, no breeze.  Hubby is a retire Deputy Fire Chief, so fire control is his thing.  Anyway, I found this old trading card from Oak Manufacturing Company.  The card is one of the dog series they produced in the late 1800's.  I added red fabric.  What fireman related item wouldn't have red on it? Some black and white to go with the Dalmatian dog and a little leafy brown to represent the brush that was going up in flames.  I will be adding machine and hand stitching.   The bonfire did not last long, our cuttings were dry.  The front yard is complete, for now.  I'm sure we will be adding more plants as time goes by.  Work will now start on the back yard and on the completion of my little mini art quilt.  Another in my Woodland Series.  Linking up to Off the Wall Friday.  Have a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Woodland No. 5---Sun, Moon and Stars


Woodland No. 5 is a table topper.  This is another quilt I started many months ago.  I worked along with Jude Hill and her Sun, Moon and Stars stitching adventure.  The little quilt measures 12  x  14 1/2 inches.  A vintage 9-patch is the base of this mini quilt with vintage silk and cotton fabrics.  Embroidery and hand stitches were used throughout.  The woodland sky at night is so bright.  The stars, and moon take on a special glow away from city lights.  Find Week 37 Art Quilt Projects here.
Have a wonderful week and Happy Quilting!

Monday, June 5, 2017

Monday---Moment of Thought


Small quilt projects give me time to rest and reflect from my normal week activities.  So, I decided to make a middling quilt for the 70273 Project.  I've made blocks for the large quilts Jeanne Hewell-Chambers is putting together, but this month she has declared Middling Month.  I signed on via Facebook and I'm getting started.  70273 Project is a worldwide collaborate art project commemorating the lives of physically and mentally disabled people murdered by German Nazis in 1940-41.  The horrors in our world then and now have prompted me to join in this quilt making project.   I only wish the horrors against mankind could be eliminated as quickly as it takes to make a quilt.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Sunday---Precious Promises


Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you and he will provide you with all these other things.  So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own.  There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.
Matthew 6: 33-34, Good News Bible