2018 Planning Party

In July of this year a friend hand stitched this quote.  It has stayed in my mind over the months ever since. I have been turning thoughts around in my mind for two weeks now trying to figure out what I want to accomplish this new year of fresh starts.  At 70 yrs of age (in May) I get tired earlier, confused easier and stressed quicker.  I have started this post several time with different lists that sound good but I probably would not be able to accomplish as readily as I would like.  Hmmmm, more stress.
While looking for a quilt I have not shared, I once again  thought of this quote.  Now I finally know what I want to obtain this new year.  Contentment.  So these are the goals for 2018.

1.  I want to enjoy my self while still helping others and being a responsible wife and home
     keeper.
2.  Use the planner I have had for 2 yrs.  Sewing, health, friend.
3.  Post on social media once a week and maybe twice, that was maybe. no pressure
4.  The only extra online sewing activity I will participate will OMG at Elmstreet quilts, unless
      an  emergency request for help is needed.

As easy as this sounds it will be hard for an overachiever.  But then as an overachiever I will do it.
Here is the link to Jenny"s blog,  She has a gentle, peaceful nature about her that you can feel as you visit with her.  Jenny is very a talented and God loving lady.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

http://www.elefantz.com/2017/07/jane-austen-and-wise-words.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+JennyOfElefantz+%28Jenny+of+ELEFANTZ%29

Everyone have a save and happy New year.

Hugs and have a Blessed day

The Lords Day

  When my heart's desire is to have a closer relationship with my God I receive a little more peace and little more joy and a little less fear.  When my heart is right I tend to be a little more kinder and a little more giving.  I say a little because it is a daily walk.  I have learned over the years of either growing or a lax attitude, it is me that is wavering not my Heavenly Father.

  Just as I hear my earthly father teachings at times while I'm looking back at my childhood, I hear from the Father through the  Holy Spirit for His will and direction for today and the tomorrows of my life.  And on those days, (for whatever reason) I totally leave God out, well what a mess.  Praise God He's a forgiving God through His son Jesus.

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    Jesus Gives The Great Commission

Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus told his disciples, " I have been given all authority in heaven and earth.  Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this----that I am with you always, even to the ends of the world.

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 We are to go---whether it is nextdoor or to another country and make disciples, it is not an option, but a command to All that call  Jesus Lord.  While we are not all evangelists, we all have received gifts that we can use in helping to fulfill the Great Commission.  As we obey, we have the comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is always with us.


                                                      Hugs and have a Blessed Day

5th Annual Piggy Bank Challenge Begins!

I joined this challenge once before, and I kept forgetting to put anything in the bank.

This being the bank.

This year will be totally different, I have a motive for joining.  My daughter wants me to join her on their vacation next year in the Carolinas.  If I'm to go, I have to feed this puppy.  Of course I'm sure I will like the beach, but I'm think quilting shops.

If you think this is something you would like to take part in, just click the following link or badge on my sidebar.   

August 1st is the deadline.

http://myplvl.blogspot.com/2017/07/5th-annual-piggy-bank-challenge-begins.html

You have met Maggie before, but not Casper.  Casper is about 17 yrs. old and we have had her and  16 feral siblings since they were born.  We were finally able to tame, fix  and find homes for all except her.  It took about two years, that's why so many kitties.  Any how, we knew she was there because food would be gone in the morning.  At that time we weren't feeding anything but her.  Hence the name Casper.  We were surprised when we found out she was all black.  I'm still the only one who can pet her and after 17 yrs can finally pick her up....

I'm trying to get rid of the musty odor in this suitcase to use as a prop at an upcoming craft show.

I had baking soda in it.  I could not get a picture after she got out,  She seem not to like the camera.

Well, short and sweet.  I gotta go and reline this suitcase.

Hugs and blessing

What a friend and Jesus did for me today

This is how it went:

    

It was good to hear from you, thanks for commenting. I get frustrated sometimes when only a few comment.

I  had 54 visitors yesterday and only 5  took the time to comment.  A good thing about that this time, is

that I believe all 5  actually read the post.  But the BEST thing is that God gave me an attitude adjustment this 

morning about why I blog. 

 

Now I do want to learn and see new and interesting things that others do and or make, since I don't get out much.

But more than that I want to help others, maybe give them insight  or some thought that they are being listened 

to and prayed for or admired. That they have inspired someone else or made them smile.

There are a lot of people in the blogging world that we are their ONLY neighbor, family or friend.  Not everyone

is blessed with those.  I'm guessing about fifteen or twenty of my followers are the kind of people  who 

inspire me to do better and I call a friend.  I don't do that lightly.  That is not a bad thing, I'm just saying a lot of good people are just too busy to be a friend, not even realizing it.   

I ask God to help me love others as Jesus does.  And he is.  It seems to be an ongoing thing.  It is not easy and by this I mean I have become more aware of others pain, and how many emotions can come frorn pain of different sorts.  I hurt for them.  A lot of you are my sisters in Christ, I cry with you, laugh, and pray with you. Those that aren't I cry and pray for you.  I can't imagine my life without Jesus who loved me first, my Savior, Healer and Counselor.

Laura,  I'm so happy to have you for a sister and friend.  Did you think God would use you today with your comment?  I certainly did not know my response to you would go this way , but I'm thankful that it did..

My frustration is gone and I'm smiling with my attitude adjustment in place.  I'm posting this because maybe someone else can smile because of you.

Ladies, please know if I visit with you, I will leave a comment.  It won't be elegant or frilly, but it will be the truth from my heart.  Mom always said:  If you can't say something good, then just don't say it.  We may have to look for it sometimes, but it is there.

Be Safe

Hugs and Blessing

July's One Monthly Goal

Gonna try and get better organized now that thingz are getting better.  You know how stuff just happens, Health is getting better and so is marriage slowly but surely but that is okay.

Almost done organizing fabric, so now I'm hoping to open my ESTY shop by the first of September.

And that bringz me to my  "main" one monthly goal.  

I'm going to quilt and bind this Linus quilt, now notice Maggie is asleep in the upper left corner.

  

Turned my back and  BAM there she is.  Now could you yell at that pitiful thing?

I'll just have to throw it in the wash before I turn it in.  Which bringe me to question, how many of you prefer the washed look to their quilts when posting or selling?

I'm sneaking  a second one in too.  I need to design, cut and piece a baby quilt from this fabric

It will be simple, I Don't do complicated yet.  Check out that grammar, sounds like I'm from the sticks.  Well I am, you know everyone from Kentucky goes barefoot right?

I'm linking up at
http://www.elmstreetquilts.com/2017/07/one-monthly-goal-july-goal-setting-link.html

Have a great week and be safe..

Hugs and Blessings

"Pass it on week" for All Thingz Sewn

 In the past post I shared the problems on the purchase of my Dream Quilter 15. Thanks to those of you for your suggestions.  The  shop I bought my mid arm  from has finally come to my aid.  I was finally able to reach the owner and she was upset as to how this happened.  I now have some classes coming up and have received replacement parts and a tech is coming to correct some mistakes that were made in setting up the machine and table.  I was also given a 10 percent credit of the purchase amount to put towards any future purchases.  I'm thinking software. I think this was an isolated event. They have smoothed some ruffled feathers.

I'm so grateful to give back a small portion of what God has blessed by joining with these ladies at:
http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2013/04/hands2help-time-to-show-off-your.html 
http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/program/KennelQuilt/index.html
 http://www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/

Now onto the finished quilts for Hands2Help.  I was able to finish two quilts.  I questioned the red white and blue one.  As I mentioned in the last post it is a vintage top I acquired it at a consignment store and really liked it. I ask several of the ladies in our guild if it was something they would like to receive and they said yes. So I sent it.  These are going to Camp Hobe for children with cancer and to Happy Chemo for adults.

 I mailed out some pet mats to a no kill shelter in St Louis for displaced pets after the storms they had lately.  These people will let you know when and where there is a specific need.

I still have a couple of weeks to make a few more dresses before the missionary leaves. He goes two or three times a year.

We are finally having pretty weather here, hope you are doing the same.

I will be sharing at: https://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/2017/05/lets-bee-social-179.html

                                http://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/2017/05/sew-some-love-linky_30.html

Hugs and Blessings

Up date on Hands 2 Help/1st time free motion

Hi All,

I'm finishing the binding on this today.  The quilting doesn't show up to well on the front, but since I'm not too good at it yet, that may be a good thing.

With the red white and blue , I thought the stars and stripes would be ok.  Maybe for a veteran?

I'm hoping to finish the quilting on this jelly roll quilt this weekend.  I'm just hoping the bobbin thread lasts until it's finished.  I haven't figured out how to change it yet.

I sure wish I had someone who knew how to use this machine.  It would save me a lot of time and frustration.   But I shall conquer in the end.

Hugs and Blessings

Hands 2 Help/my new baby

I would like to introduce you to  "Bonnie".  The newest member of my sewing family.  Isn't she a sweetie?

Now I know she isn't as large or sophisticated as some as your ladies but this little girl fits in just perfectly at my place.  I think we will be great play pals.  Bonnie was named after a dear friend of mine that introduced me to quilting.

Now onto the "Hands 2 Help"  update on my choice of quilts.  This is a vintage top I was thinking would be good for a veteran to use as a lap throw.  But now that I look at the picture
I think that maybe it is a little to dull and has a couple places with a little discoloration.  I'm going to quilt the stars and stripes in off white and still looking for the binding.  I'll show it again when finished and you all can tell me what you think.  I'm leaning towards just keeping it as my first quilt on Bonnie though.

Most of  you have met Maggie,  (faking sleep).  The moment I turned my back to get the camera,

  

Yep, you guessed it.  So this will have to be washed before shipping.   You never know  who has an allergy to cats.
I think I'm just going to put pink heart quilting in the solid Blocks.  Keep it simple.

Now who can resist that sweet kitty, but I'm telling ya, just try and scratch that belly.
I still have another quilt I want to try to get done just in case the vintage top doesn't work out well.
Guess I had better go and get busy.


Hope this finds everyone well and getting along with their quilting.
Hugs and blessings

Hands 2 Help Challenge 2017

This challenge is hosted by Sarah Craig and here is a tiny part of her message. 

Hi, all 

Things are all falling into place for this year's Hands2Help challenge!  I'm so excited to get this started! 

2017 represents the seventh year of the challenge. We have had an amazing six years.......

2011: 47 quilters made 60 quilts

2012: 55 quilters made 94 quilts

2013: 65 quilters made 127 quilts

2014: 70 quilters made 145 quilts

2015: 67 quilters made 147 quilts

2017: 104 quilters made 194 quilts

I can't wait to see what the seventh year has in store for us.

So let's begin!

We would love for you to join us in this Challenge.

Either click on the badge in my sidebar or the link below for all information.
And many prizes too.

http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/p/hands2help_11.html

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I have chosen two Charities for the challenge this year.

Here is the fabric I have chosen for The Happy Chemo quilt.

I'm going to try and make one for the children  at Camp Hobe.  I intending to use denim and
bright children prints from my scrappy stash.  So I have some playtime coming up with choosing
a pattern and enough sizeable fabric.

Hope to see you at the challenge.

Hugs and Blessings

Cleaning out the sewing room "Giveaway"

Going to make this short.  I went back to work on Nov 28. (training)  Started on Dec 9th.  Shop sold that week.  Been working a lot of hrs. but slowing down finally. I told Kroger I only wanted 15 to 20 hrs and have been working about 34 to 36 hrs.

A few of you know there have been some issues in my marriage of 37 yrs.(?)  It has gotten a little bit better and I'm looking at it with more of an christian attitude. Still praying.

I'm getting rid of a lot of unnecessary stress that I am putting on myself.  I have always been the I can do it type of person and have finally decided....No I Can't!  Get off the Merry Go Round.  Let go,  the more of myself I give to God the more he takes care of.

New year, new attitude and new life.

Which brings me to the giving away of lace, ribbon, zippers, blanket binding, buttons and stuff.  I also have some quilting magazines I'm ready to let go, realizing I'll never make these quilts.  I have purse patterns and apron patterns I have never used.  And the list goes on.  I hope to have everything pulled out by this weekend and packed in a couple of boxes.   If any of you are interested in receiving a box of "stuff" leave me a comment stating such and I'll get back to you for an address. Here is the lace I have found today.  And a few of the books so far.

What you don't want pass it onto someone else.

I have not been on line since the end of November.  Hope this finds everyone well.  By God's grace I'm now back and will be able to visit with you all again.  

Hugs and Blessings