Sew it Begins….Sew It is Finished

Lent, the six week period leading up to Easter, is one of the most important times of the year for many Christians. It is usually a solemn observance and preparation for the celebrations of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.

It’s a traditional time of fasting, abstaining from or giving something up. The more orthodox and traditional denominations will observe a strict fast with the abstinence of  meat, fish, eggs and fats until Easter. Others may choose to give up a luxury item, perhaps chocolate, alcohol or their favorite Starbucks coffee. Maybe they choose to stop watching TV,  turn off social media, or quit dining out in order to refocus on their faith during this time. 

Just as we prepare for celebrations such as weddings and birthdays in our personal lives; Lent invites us to prepare our minds and hearts for remembering Jesus’ life death and resurrection.

Without really realizing it, making BJ’s quilt has been my “Lent,” if you will, this year. 

I began working on it February 15 with a shopping trip with her to select the fabrics and colors. Since then, I spent an average of eight hours daily planning, cutting and sewing.

Many evenings of hand stitching

 

There were many evenings that I sat with the quilt in my lap hand quilting late into the night.

Each day as I began work on the quilt, I started the mornings with a prayer, turned my laptop on, clicked on the Bible Broadcasting Network and listened to bible teachings, music and audio readings of Christian Classic books (I really enjoyed “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom), or I would switch to just meditation instrumental worship and praise music. I sat at my sewing machine or favorite chair and stitched, listened, prayed and meditated.

The double wedding ring patterns reminded me that God’s love for me is everlasting, it has no beginning, no end. (Psalm 103:17 – But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—)

The white muslin and colorful squares of patchwork joined together, reminded me that through my faith and belief in Christ, I too am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.)

There’s light at the end of the tunnel

Sunday, April 5, I could see light at the end of the tunnel. I was on the home stretch. My plans were to have the quilt finished by Easter. 

Thursday I put in the last stitch in the quilt. I exclaimed, “It is finished!” The quilt was finished, but I had not completed the whole job I had set out to do.…I still had pillow shams and throw pillows to make.

 

The throw pillows turned out nice. Don’t you think?

On Good Friday I used the fabric remnants to make throw pillows. As I finished them, again I exclaimed, “It is finished!”   Immediately, I thought of Christ’s last word’s, ”It is finished,” as He died on the cross on this day… I stopped and gave thanks for the depth of His love. (John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life…)

It is finished.

I marveled at the finished quilt. I still couldn’t quite believe that I had made it. I thanked God for my renewed gift of sewing.

This morning I sent some pictures of the quilt to BJ, telling her it was ready to be picked up. I commented that it wasn’t perfect, but neither are we. To which she replied, “Perfectly done from the heart.”

I believe the words of Billy Graham captures what “perfectly done from the heart” truly is.

“For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.” -Billy Graham

“Easter always brings hope to all of us. For the Christian, the Cross tells us that God understands our suffering, for He took upon Himself at the Cross all of our sins and all of our failures and all of our sufferings. Our Lord, on that cross, asked the question, “Why?” “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?”  And he received his answer, he knew.  To redeem the world, to save you and me from our sins, to give us assurance that if we died we’re going to heaven. He was saying from the cross, I love you and I know the heartaches and the sorrows and the pain that you feel.

Easter points us beyond the tragedy of the Cross to the hope of the empty tomb. It tells us that there is hope for eternal life for Christ has conquered death. It also tells us that God has triumphed over evil and death and hell. This is our hope and it can be your hope as well.” 

BJ and her husband stopped by my house this afternoon to pick up her quilt ensemble. She gave a generous donation to the Run For The Sun mission efforts as a way of  thanking me for making her quilt, commenting on the sacrifice of time it must have taken. (300 hours. Give or take one or two. But who’s counting.) 

Sacrifice? No, just another quilt stitched in love on a journey of faith, drawing me closer to God as I listen for His whisperings of grace.

Now…What to do to fill my time with as we wait out the “stay-at-home” order during this pandemic? Guess I will be making face masks. Quilted or no? 

How have you been filling your time?

Until next time…stay safe, stay well, stay in the Word of God, and always be listening for whisperings of grace.

Sew it Begins…A Ripple Effect

I’ve almost completed the Double Wedding Ring quilt.

I decided to hand stitch it using a ripple effect.

 

 

The back side “ain’t half bad” either.

 

What do you think? Tell me. I can take constructive criticism. But I also like to hear encouraging words. Yes, it’s a little rustic looking. But not tooooooo bad.

I have been enjoying the time I’ve had to work on the quilt over these past few weeks. I’ve spent many hours meditating and praying during my quilting time. As I worked on it this past week, I got to thinking how the ripple effect is like our actions. What we do effects others. Then I thought about how this pandemic thing going on around the world is having a rippling effect on all of us.

Life is taking on a new norm in this time of quarantine, isn’t it? So many actions we took for granted, now have to become intentional.

I, like most of you I assume, have to think twice about when to venture out in public nowadays. I find myself asking, “Do I really need to go to market today, or can I wait another week, maybe two weeks? Will I find the necessities at one location, or will I have to visit several markets?” 

For me, the importance of wearing personal protective equipment was something I taught during in-service training when I was on staff at a local hospital many moons ago. I never imagined I would be reminding family members the importance of it just for daily routines when out and about. Nor did I think I would ever have to find or create a supply of items. Fortunately, I usually kept a supply of vinyl gloves on hand (no pun intended) in my kitchen anyway, and had some in the pantry before the panic shopping set in for folks. Now kitchen gloves are even flying off the shelves in the local stores. 

I have to remind myself and hubby too, that gloves are meant to avoid cross-contamination. For instance, in a hospital, workers glove up to touch a patient and then DISCARD the gloves before moving on to the next task. If we wear the same set of gloves all over town, we are carrying germs everywhere! Every door we touch, the cart, the supplies, our phones, our faces… each action has a ripple effect.

If you are doing this, I urge you not to. If you are not changing gloves, then it would be far better to not wear gloves and WASH YOUR HANDS after every store or task. It has a ripple effect.

I could paint a grim picture like most news media are doing, but I choose to look on the bright side and try to find something encouraging each day. “Bright side?” you may ask. Well, yes, around here many are trying to anyway.

      Local neighborhoods have begun a “bear hunts”. The idea is to place a teddy bear in a window, on your porch, or stoop, so that children, out for walks or rides with their parents, try to find the bears.

It has had a ripple effect. 

 

 

 

Neighbors are finding new ways to bring cheer to passersby with chalk art.

It has had  a ripple effect.

Families are calling and checking on loved ones more often. I especially enjoyed a FaceTime call to wish my granddaughter a happy 10th birthday. We usually go visit for the weekend of her birthday. Of course, being on a mandatory stay-at-home order and curfew, we were not able to travel across state this year. Receiving an unexpected FaceTime call from her PaPa  and Gra’Ma-D brought a huge smile to our “Lil’ Bird.”    It had a ripple effect. 

Churches and houses of worship may have to be empty during this quarantine. However, they are staying connected to their congregations and reaching out to minister to others through different media and social networking platforms such as Zoom, YouTube, and FaceBook.

It has a ripple effect.

Thought for today:

“You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For  not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you…,but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere…”  1 Thessalonians 1:5-8 (ESV)           

As I sat and meditated each day while quilting, Grace whispered reminding me that how I live out my faith has a ripple effect. I can choose to be introverted and not care how my actions affect others or allow God’s grace to flow through me.

How about you? What are you doing to cause a ripple effect during this trying time in history?

Until next time…stay well and be a ripple!

Sew it Begins….Keeping a Sense of Humor

The quilt is coming along nicely. Since the COVID-19 quarantine is keeping my husband and I cabin bound like most others folks, I’m getting a lot accomplished.

Yes, as you’ve probably already guessed, I started to hand-stitch most of the quilting.

Loading a bunch of needles on a needle threader and having them pre-threaded when one length of thread runs out is a time saver!

 

I have found it to be a very relaxing way to pass the time. I have a nice comfy chair in front of a window to capture good natural lighting while I quilt. It’s nice to enjoy the sunlight and watch birds flit around my backyard as I look away from the quilting to give my eyes a rest. I tune into one of my favorite radio stations on the web or listen to books on audio and stitch away.

 

I wasn’t quite sure what designs I would use. I settled on an easy repeating arc in the center of the melon shapes. It takes me approximately 45 minutes to an hour to quilt one arc. As of last night I had 14 more to go. I should finish them tomorrow. Then on to the center diamond/squares. Haven’t yet decided on a pattern for them. Do you have any suggestions? I’m hoping to finish it this week!

 

Hubby and I did decide to take a break this weekend for a couple of hours to get some wind therapy.

I love that I have storage space. Kept my helmet secure while we hiked.

It felt good to get on the bike. I haven’t been able to ride since December due to suffering with some crud for 8 weeks. We  kept to the 6ft social distancing. As we hiked we talked about the circumstances surrounding everyone. Like how some folks are overtaken by fear and are hoarding paper products,  and others disregard any precautionary measures. We discussed possible ways when desperate times may call for desperate measures. He said, “Did you know that one of the dirtiest surfaces is a gas pump handle? We could use the plastic grocery bags to lift the handle. You need to keep some in your car.”  Not a bad idea.

Then while picking up a few things at a Dollar General store I spoke with a lady who had a plastic spray bottle and bundle of  washcloths in her basket.

Desperate times may call for desperate measures.

She commented, “For when I run out of TP.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for today:

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – (Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

Until next time…keep a sense of humor friends and remember “flexibility and grace” will help us get through this together. Continuing to pray for all. Just got word that a cousin of mine in SC tested positive. 😦

And really, I welcome any design suggestions!

 

 

Sew it Begins…Piece by Piece

Seeing how I have never made a Double Wedding Ring quilt, I didn’t realize there are so many patterns to choose from. Wow. Thanks, Pinterest. It’s overwhelming.

I narrowed the selections down to two, combined the two to make a third alternate pattern and presented the three to BJ to select from. Thank goodness, without knowing it, she chose the simplest one. Not to say it’s an easy pattern,  just the least complicated. It consists of 5 different shapes  appliquéd onto 12 inch squares to form a Double Wedding Ring. 

Prep-work completed…

Fabric ironed, cut into 520 pattern pieces, and then sorted.

Let the sewing commence.

I’ve always heard a picture is worth a thousand words. 

 

 

The quilt top got to be more than I could handle on the sewing machine cabinet. I had to get creative and come up with more space to support the growing expanse of fabric. 

Gotta get those seams pressed!

So, I brought in a folding table and placed a cutting board on top.

Before finishing the quilt top, I ended up bringing in a drop-leaf table and expanded it beside the folding table.

 

Backing, batting and quilt top all sandwiched together and ready for quilting.

Thought for today:

“Hatred starts a fight, but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.” Proverbs 10:12 (The Message)

As we adjust to a, hopefully, temporary new normal these days, let’s be mindful of our neighbors and all whom we come in contact when out and about. Let all strife you may have with someone go by the wayside … practice a little grace. After all, we are all together in this stressful time,  even if 6ft apart.

Any suggestions on how to practice a little grace? Share them in the comment field below.

Come back next week to see how the quilt is progressing.  Now to decide, should it be machine quilted or hand stitched? …

Until then, I’m praying you have a great week and stay well.

Sew it Begins…Different Tools – Different Tasks

Hmmm… Let’s take a peek into my sewing box as I pull out the tools needed to make BJ’s DWR quilt.

 

Scissors. Will probably need them.

Rotary cutters? Yes, will definitely need them…and tin foil.

Tinfoil helps sharpen the cutters until you can get a replacement blade.

Needles, needle threaders, thimbles, thread and snippers…yep. Got to have them. Oops, almost forgot the baking scrapper.

The basics for my sewing corner.

The wooden tube needle holder piqued my interest. See it beside the yellow thimble? It was in the things inherited with my mom’s collection of sewing supplies. Printed on it is Boye Needle Company, Chicago, Illinois. “BUY NEW SHUTTLE if machine skips stitches or breaks thread.”  I wondered just how old it may be. So, I went down a few rabbit holes on the web searching for information. Well, come to find out it’s circa 1909-1929… aaannnddd…I just happen to have the treadle sewing machine that it belonged to sitting in my living room. There’s still thread on some of the shuttles in its tool drawer. This discovery brought some sweet memories. The machine belonged to my great grandmother and was passed down to my grandmother. I remember “riding” the treadle as a little girl at grandma’s house. She never scolded me for playing on it. It was inherited by one of my mom’s 5 sisters when grandma died. Aunt M gave it to me when I got married. My children used to play on the treadle too. Remembering how I played on it and was never scolded, I couldn’t scold them when they broke the fly arm on it. They deserved the same grace I had received.

Back to my sewing box…

Will probably need a tailor’s cloth measuring tape and yard stick. Most definitely an acrylic ruler and several cutting mats.

Straight pins and quilter’s safety pins for sure. 

Seam ripper? Wish I could say I wouldn’t need it. But, you know that old saying don’t you?

“As ye sew, so shall ye rip.”

 

Brushes for cleaning out the bobbin case, and teeny tiny screwdrivers for adjusting its tension. Let’s see now. What else? Oh yeah, a utility knife, cardboard sheet cake mats,

I’m always seeking ways to repurpose items and save money. Instead of buying quilt templates, I make my own with inexpensive cardboard sheet cake mats.

a carpenter’s measuring tape, freezer paper, masking and painters tape, and bandaids.

Again my repurposing. Instead of buying an expensive leather thimble, I wrap two bandaids around my thumb and ring fingers. I can still feel the needle to help guide it and my fingers don’t become sore from the constant pressure. See the worn spot? That would have been my finger. Ouch!

I didn’t think I had many sewing tools until I began listing them. Were you surprised when I pulled out the baking scraper, tin foil, sheet cake mats and bandaids?

God has many different tools in His toolbox (the Church). Each is special and has a special purpose. We expect to find scissors, needle and thread in a sewing basket. But not the baking scraper, sheet cake mat and tin foil. In the same way, many times we only expect God to use our pastors, priests, elders, or Sunday school teachers for sharing His grace and love. But really, God wants to use each of us, you and me. He has created us unique and different. Different tools for different tasks. He wants us to use our gifts for Him.

“Different tools for different tasks.”

Now think about how each of the items taken out of my sewing box could be used by God and who might use such a tool. For example: the basic sewing supplies, needle, thread, scissors… may be used by a missionary in teaching a sewing class or a seamstress making tops to be shipped to underprivileged children; the baking scraper may be used in preparing desserts for a homeless shelter; the carpenter’s measuring tape could be used by a construction worker to help build houses for Homes for Habitat; the freezer paper used to wrap meals for hurricane victims or teaching preschool children a fun craft. 

Now also think of other tools, gifts or abilities God has given them, or you and me, that can be used for His glory and to share His grace with others. Can you sing? Can you play a musical instrument? Do you have a gift for writing? Do you enjoy drawing or gardening? What about sports? Ever thought about volunteering in a soup kitchen or perhaps painting a little ladies’ fingernails in a nursing home? Perhaps you could take an elderly friend to shop, or just take them out for a scenic drive.

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve the same Lord, and we can each do different things. Yet the same God works in all of us and helps us in everything we do. The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (CEV)

All are great tools. However, God’s word is the most powerful tool that has been given to us. We must make sure we have it in our toolbox for everyday life. It provides guidance, promises of peace and assurance in times of troubles.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that’s causing fear to arise in many folks, I find comfort from God’s word in today’s meditative message. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil.4:6 (ESV)

Sometimes it’s not easy to “not be anxious,” not to worry and be fearful. That’s our natural tendencies when something comes into our lives and disrupts it’s normal flow. But, trusting in my God who loves me with an everlasting love and allowing my faith in His sovereignty to uphold me, I’m not panicking. I’m carrying on in my daily fashion. I continue to purchase a two week supply of groceries, as I always have. I don’t rush out an hoard items that I already have on hand. There are others who may need it. I wash my hands often and practice good hygiene, as I always have.  I pray daily and thank God for my blessings and lift others up in need, as I always have. And since starting on BJ’s quilt, I work on it daily without fail. 

Do you have any tools that you use for different purposes? Are there sewing tips to help save your fingers? Do you have a favorite scripture verse that whispers to you? I’d love to hear about them.

The quilt is coming along nicely. Come back later to see how it’s progressed. It’s really starting to take shape.

Until then…praying you have a blessed week and stay well. 

(Remember to wash your hands often!)

Sew it Begins … Planning

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

Finally! A day of sunshine after what seemed like weeks of nonstop cold rain. BJ stopped by my house for a short visit before we set out for a day of shopping to pick out fabric and other items needed to make her Double Wedding Ring quilt. She was so excited. 

Two weeks had passed since I agreed to make her quilt. We had several phone and text conversations discussing patterns and colors leading up to this eventful shopping day. In an effort to keep the costs as low as possible for the fabric yardages needed, I had already done some “window shopping” online for her. A list of fabric “families” & colors, stores, cost comparisons, discounts, coupons, and a graph of the quilt pattern were neatly folded in my vest pocket so I could easily access it in the stores. She brought the curtains that she wanted the quilt to compliment.

As we drove into the city, I asked how things were progressing with her house. (Quietly, I was assessing if I would have her quilt completed in time for her move in date.) I suggested the two stores on my comparison list to visit. I knew they had the fabrics in stock. She also wanted to visit another store that the lady helping her with interior design had suggested. I knew it to be a highly reputable store. However, I knew its stock was mostly for drapery and upholstery. It also would be very pricey. We stopped there first. BJ’s jaw dropped when she saw the prices. We  were able to find two remnant pieces of calico. But, they were a bit more than the comparison stores. I suggested we come back for them if she could not find anything at the other stores.

BJ’s eyes lit up like a child’s opening a gift under the Christmas tree when she stepped into the aisles at JoAnn’s Fabrics.  We perused the shelves for two hours. She found bolt after bolt of blues, greens and turquoise prints. Just what she was hoping for. She would pick one out. Lay it against the curtains and ask, “What do you think? Will it look okay with the other one? Do you like it?” My reply was always, “Do you like it?”  After another hour of waiting as her selections were cut to size, we headed to one of our favorite grills for a bite of lunch.

Shopping completed

Lunch? It was 3:00pm by this time. We were starving! The greasy burger made to order, fries and chocolate shake hit the spot! Now off to our last destination, Hobby Lobby. I can never get out of that place under an hour. We didn’t that day either.

We arrived back at my house around 5:30pm, unloaded the bags of fabric from her car trunk and said our good byes. 

I was blessed to have been able to help my sweet friend shop and choose the fabric and design for her special quilt.

In studying today’s scripture thought, I found this little nugget. I couldn’t agree with it more.

Proverbs 11:14 and 24:6 also mention the value of a “multitude of counselors” or having “many advisors.” The general principle is that there is wisdom in seeking a wide range of advice from others instead of relying solely on one’s own knowledge or intuition. Considering other points of view and drawing on the experience of others is good.

Of course, twenty foolish advisors are no better than one, so the kind of counselors one seeks makes all the difference in the outcome. The Bible gives examples of people who listened to the wrong type of counsel and reaped disastrous results (Genesis 3:17; 16:2; Joshua 9:14; 1 Chronicles 10: 13–14; 2 Chronicles 22:4). A multitude of counselors won’t help if those counselors are fools.

Human beings are fallible. No one gets it right 100 percent of the time. The wisest and most godly among us are still subject to human error. We set ourselves up for disappointment and often disaster when we build our lives or ministries based upon the counsel of just one person. It is good to surround ourselves with trusted advisors—a multitude of counselors—realizing that even wise people can see many things differently.

Having a multitude of counselors is valuable because hearing varied viewpoints gives us a healthier foundation upon which to form opinions. We make the soundest decisions when we have fully investigated the issue from many angles, sought the Lord’s wisdom (James 1:5), and moved forward in faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

© Copyright 2002-2020 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.

www.GotQuestions.org

Remember to choose your counsel wisely.

Seeing how this is my first Double Wedding Ring quilt, I’ve been watching and reading many article from seasoned quilters. Some are easy to follow and understand, others… well, let’s just say I have to choose my counsel wisely too.

Hope you visit again to see how the quilt is progressing. Let me know what you think.

Be blessed friends!

Sew it Begins…The rekindling of a lost gift

      “ Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess…” (2 Tim. 1:6)

    Reading the letters Apostle Paul writes to his young friend Timothy, one gets the impression that Timothy may have sometimes failed in the task before him. In 2 Timothy chapter 1 we see Paul encouraging Timothy as he reminds him to remember his teachings from youth and to rekindle his gift. I did a search on the word he uses, “anazopureo”, and came across this interesting read by Rev. David Wheaton. It gave me cause for reflection. Rekindle to excite, stir up, or rouse anew…

     Repurposing life as I journey into retirement has been very fulfilling thus far. Leaving the stresses of corporate life in bookkeeping was a no brainer. My, oh my, what a rush of relief it was knowing I no longer had to deal with anyone else’s taxes except my own. Of course, that left me pondering just what I was going to fill those hours of day with now that I didn’t have to answer to a time clock. You can see how I answered that question over at my little snippet “Repurposing.” I’ve not quite finished everything on that dry wipe board’s to-do list. But, I’m getting there. (Like I said, no time clock.) The loss of my mother during this time brought about another time of reflection captured in “A Tapestry of Life”. 

     Seems I must now be channeling some of mom’s talents. Talent? No, it was a gift. She could sew, crochet, knit, arrange flowers, and the list goes on. She taught me to sew when I was about seven years old. I remember sitting at her sewing machine, very similar to the one  pictured here, where I made a very simple green corduroy skirt. There were no crooked seams. No mismatched nap and it fit me. I was so pleased with myself. But, mostly because it pleased her.

     Seldom did she acknowledge or praise anything I did. Mostly I received criticism. But that time… I received a “Good job!” That one little phrase opened up a dream of possibilities. I was allowed to sit at her machine and make doll clothes for my Barbie doll. Although they were, ahem, a little crude looking, in the eyes of a child they were designer gowns. 

     As I got older, my sewing skills improved. In Home Economic classes in my middle and high school years, I began sewing most of my own clothes. When I married, Mom and I made my wedding dress and all of my bride’s maid dresses. I stopped sewing when I had to go full-time into the corporate workforce. Seams, I mean…seems … between being a full-time wife, full-time mother and full-time clock puncher, I no longer had the needed time for that art.

    I digress in my rambling. As I was saying, I must be channeling mom’s talents now. What began as a feeble attempt to bring a bit of joy to others by means of “Prayer Quilts” this past fall has  rekindled an old passion. I posted pictures of a few of them on social media. The response was overwhelming. Folks asked if I made quilts for sale. My response was, “How does one place a monetary value on other’s  loved ones?”  However, I also said, if they would like a quilt made, I would be happy to create one for them if they provided the materials and made a donation to the Christian Motorcyclists Association’s (CMA) mission support  “Run for The Son” fundraiser that provides transportation, bibles and showings of the Jesus film to itinerant pastors who may otherwise have no access to these tools. (As many of you know, my husband and I are members of CMA. Love my bike!) 

     I was approached by a sweet lady who said she would provide the materials if I would make a quilt for her new home being built. (In fear of a botch job, I recently turned down her request to make some drapes for her new house.) Thinking a little throw quilt would be a piece of cake to make, I agreed. So, I asked her if there was a particular pattern and size she would like. “Well,” she said, “ I like the Wedding Ring. I was thinking maybe a king size.” I gulped. She meant the Double Wedding Ring. Only one of the most advanced quilt patterns out there! I had already committed myself to the task. I couldn’t refuse her this time.

     So it begins…the rekindling of a lost gift… and the making of a Double Wedding Ring quilt. Did I say it’s only one of the most advanced quilt patterns out there. Lord, Jesus help me!

Follow along as I complete this labor of love for my friend BJ.    Updates to come.

   Before I close out today, I’d like to encourage you to rekindle the gift God has given you, not only with abilities, talents and skills, but a relationship with Him.

Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire

to work, and speak and think for Thee;

still let me guard the holy fire,

and still stir up the gift in me.

(From the hymn beginning O Thou Who Comest from Above.)

The Prayer Quilt

I made some prayer quilts this past autumn for some lady friends. 

Recently, a young man at church, who is battling cancer,  asked if I would make him a quilt.  He gave me some of his  favorite old clothing, that no longer fit due to the cancer, to use for the quilt.

• 

Hand quilting is not always easy. There are many pin and needle pricks along the way. Sometimes even a sliced finger. You poke your finger in your mouth, then just take it in stride and get on with the task.

This quilt was quite different . Instead of getting on with the task at hand, God and I had some talks along the way.

Whenever I got a pin or needle prick or sliced my finger with the rotary cutter, He reminded of the suffering a friend or loved one is enduring with their bouts with cancer. What is a pin prick compared to their struggles? There is no comparison. So each time I got stuck, I was reminded to pray for those friends and loved ones. So I stopped the task at hand and said a prayer. 

As I deconstructed the garments, I came across hidden debris in the seams and deep recesses of pockets in some of those old comfortable clothes. 

God reminded of how we often allow the ugliness of foul language and corruptness in our society to become hidden debris in our lives, to where we become blinded to the sins, and little by little without realizing it, we wear them like an old comfortable shirt, turning a blind eye the stains on it. 

He reminded me of 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

So just like those old jeans and sweat shirts became something new, God can re-purposes us into something new, if we let Him.

Be blessed friends and remember to pray for those in your lives who need to be made new.

‘Twas the Day After Christmas

Just a little holiday humor. 🙂  Wishing every a happy and blessed new year.

‘Twas the day after Christmas, and all thro’ the house,

Everyone suffered with food hangover, even the mouse;

The stockings that were hung by the chimney with care,

now were emptied from evidence that St. Nicholas had once been there;

The children once nestled all snug in their beds,

Now danced to video games playing in their heads,

And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Wished we could settle our brains for a long winter’s nap-

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,

Mama yelled out, “Go see what’s the matter!”

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

I knocked over the garbage, and stepped in the trash.


The sun shining down on new fallen snow,

Gave the lustre of summer to objects below;

When, what to my blurry eyes should appear,

But a miniature car, that seemed difficult to steer,

With a little old driver, not so lively nor quick,

I knew in a moment it was not St. Nick.


More slowly than sloth, on his course he maintained,

And he whistled, and shouted, and swore as he came.

“Now dang it, now darn it!

“Oh come on, you stupid little car! I don’t have much further to go. It’s not really that far!

“To the top of the drive! To the top of the hill!

“I’ll make it there yet! If only by will!”

As wet snow balls from little hands fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, there was a gleam in his eye.


So up to the street-top the miniature car flew,

With the little old driver - and his little wife too:

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the curb

A dancing and guffawing, neither driver nor wife were at all peturbed.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the street came sirens with a loud blasting sound:


Dress’d all in fur, from his head to his foot,

The little man’s clothes were now tarnish’d with grease and with soot;

A bundle of tools was flung on his back,

As he looked under the hood or perhaps it was the hatch:

His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry,

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry;

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

As he pondered just how to get his car unstuck from the snow;

The exhaust pipe, it smoked, and encircled his head like a wreath,

Yet it did not deter him. I could tell by grind of his teeth.


He had a broad face, and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly:

He was chubby and plump, a lot like myself,

And I laughed when I saw him, we both looked like an elf;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know he had nothing to dread.

He laughed out loud, and called to his wife, “We’ve nothing to fear. 

Here comes the police, the sirens are near.


And laying his finger on the tip of her nose

And giving a nod, he gave her a rose.

They sat in their car, on their rescue to wait,

Laughing and giggling, like two teens on a date:

And I heard him exclaim, while waiting for a tow to appear

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Happy New Year!

Leaky Eyes

When my daughter and husband packed up their children, dog and all their earthly possessions and moved from the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains to the shimmering coastal islands of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, there was much excitement and anticipation of what the future may hold for them. They were embarking on a new journey. Their mountain friends and neighbors threw going away parties for them, gave them many departing gifts of remembrance and some even helped load furniture. I was there to offer a helping hand with the grandchildren. One of my daughter’s friends who was also there helping, kept commenting, “I’m not crying. I just have leaky eyes.” I must admit, witnessing the love and friendships shared by their mountain friends made my eyes leak too.

That was four months ago.

A boy longing for the sea

The sand and surf was a draw to the grandchildren,

especially the middle child. After all, being around water is in our blood. All of the male relatives on my dad’s side of the family were or are fisherman (mostly of the bass species).

Surf’s up!

The mechanics of the first airplane at Wright Brothers Memorial, located at the end of the road from their beach abode, and the area

A guiding light

lighthouses drew the oldest grandchild’s attention. The youngest grandchild, being a little social butterfly,

Playmate found

          was excited to meet new playmates.

What began as dreams of  an “island life” turned into an extended adventure of reality.  They learned that when the tourist season ends, most businesses also close. The 800 square mile area goes from a vibrant, buzzing community of 225,000+ folks from May to September, to a population just roughly 35,000 when the tourist season ends. The limited supply of merchants from which to choose from for necessities may require a drive to locations one or more hours away.

Just shortly after moving to the coast, evacuation orders were issued for Hurricane Florence. This was a new experience for them. They made the 3 1/2 hour drive to my house and stayed with me for the week. Shortly after returning to the island, they were struck by Hurricane Michael. No evacuation order was issued for Michael. Forecasters didn’t expect the island to receive much impact, if any, from the storm. Not so. The sound side waters flooded the bulkhead protecting Colington Island. My daughter and what few permanent residents who live there found themselves cut off from the main OBX island for several days. Many of the residents lost much of their belongings. My daughter was fortunate.

Hurricane Michael’s aftermath

The water did not make it inside her home. Again I had leaky eyes. I was so relieved no harm had come to my daughter and her precious family.

Being a family who enjoys experiencing the outdoors (hiking especially),

Footprints in the sand

the arts and culture, and sports, they were saddened to learn the opportunities were somewhat limited. It’s sand, surf and limited soccer. (Now don’t get me wrong. These three things are some of the middle grandchild’s favorite things! The sand not so much the mama’s. It’s a constant battle to keep sand out of car, the house, the washer & dryer…you name it. Sand finds a way in.)

However limited the opportunities or remote the humble abode they rented, they enjoyed their time on the island and look forward to many future vacations there. Notice I used the past tense. Seems God may have been using the experience to grow them in other ways and called them back to the mountains. 

Let me share with you how God blessed them through all of this.

My son-in-law’s previous employer recently called him and offered his position back, and he accepted. One of my daughter’s clients upon hearing she would be moving back, because she would be local again, increased her contract. One of her other clients had let her telecommute with the move to the coast, and is allowing her to continue to work from home upon her return to the mountains.  The children are able to return to their previous schools. And, because two offers on the sale of their mountain home during the past four months fell through, they still have their home. (God grace is sufficient and abundant! My eyes leaked.)

Their experience these past four months brought to mind my favorite bible verse, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)  (And of course my eyes leaked again.)

In the course of a week after being offered the new positions, learning their house is still theirs, and the kids being able to pick up where they left off at their previous schools, they again loaded up their belongings and made the return trip to the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains on December 17th.

When they drove up they were met with loving neighbors and their mountain “family” waiting with leaky eyes and open arms for their return. As they entered their home they found this.

A Blue Ridge homecoming

This too, brings to mind another precious scripture verse.

“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy,

    for good friends are like the anointing oil

    that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence” (Proverbs 27:9-11 TPT)

And you probably guessed it, I have leaky eyes again.

May this holiday season bring remembrance of the One who blesses us with sweet friendships that bond us as family with many brothers and sisters.

Merry Christmas!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise you and offer up a heart of gratitude for your protection and provisions. I thank you for the special friendships that make us family. Bless the readers this holiday season. May they receive the best gift of all, the friendship and assurance of Christ in their lives. – Amen