Blessings of the Ordinary Kind

The last 10 days or so have been difficult... Oh, let me be honest... 2024 did not end on a very good note.  It was challenging for our children as well as us.  My Mom's house was a nuisance (but has finally been sold), our family has been facing loss at an uncanny rate... Cousins and cousins' children (both my side of the family as well as Dave's) have passed away.  

Just this year... 6-7 weeks in, we have attended three funeral/memorial services.  The father of a close childhood friend just passed away on Friday... news of a good Christian brother joining his wife in heaven on Saturday... and Dave's brother-in-law placed in hospice care after fighting cancer for 3 years.

As 2024 faded away I was hopeful for a joy-filled year.  It doesn't seem to be the case... however... In the first few days of January, I saw this idea/suggestion in social media.  

I grabbed a jar and some small pieces scraps (because Melva Loves SCRAPS) of paper and placed it on a shelf in my studio.  

Rather than adding a note each week, I am adding one nearly on a daily basis.  Especially on the challenging days.

I may need to find a larger jar. ;)

Some days are SO ordinary... and I need to really examine closely the events of the day to find one moment, person or event that made me smile or feel good... a smile from a stranger or a conversation with a stranger while in line at the grocery store... a phone call from a friend who wanted to check in with me... praying friends!

The feeling of fabric in my hands as I piece or press... the memories of those leftover bits and pieces from a special quilt I made for a customer of loved one.

The sunrise or sunset... the artistry of my God and Creator... the miracle of how a human body functions... just the fact that we have breath in our lungs and the blood that the heart pumps throughout the body...

The blessing of seeming to continually need to do laundry or dishes... for this means that I have clothing to wear and food to prepare and eat...

Email messages from fellow quilters and readers of MLS always brighten my day!  The other day (a day that I was especially struggling) I had a message offering congratulations that I had been included in the list of Top 100 Quilt Blogs.  WHAT???  It may be a bit "spammy", but sure enough... somewhere out there in cyberspace I was listed as #83. 😍

This is not an accomplishment done on my own... I extend many, many thanks to each of you... my cyber friends make it possible!

You encourage me and support me through all of the ups and downs of life, and you help to make the weekly Sew & Tell parties fun and inspirational. 

As I pieced this string quilt, I counted each one of you as a blessing!  And it was with each string that I plucked as I made this quilt, I offered up thanks for YOU!

Thank you!!!!!

What are some of the blessings that you see in an ordinary day?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather at Shabby Art Boutique

Share Your Style at French Ethereal

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Whimsical and Windy Wednesday

If you have ready many of my stories/posts, you know that I am a huge believer in recording your life story.  So often, when we are younger, we don't have the time to stop and ask grandparents, or even parents, questions about their childhood, their parents, siblings and grandparents.

The stories I have shared in my sew along events Pieces From the Past, Pieces of the Santa Fe Trail and Pieces in the Garden were possible because there was a record of memories made by family members that obviously thought the same as me.

Our daughters had given a memory book full of questions to my Mom & Dad years ago... I knew that they had filled them out but have never laid eyes on them since, other than bits and pieces along the way.  As a Christmas gift to "Grandma Carol" they gave her a yearlong subscription to Storyworth.  Each week a new question is asked and emailed to the recipient.  At the end of the year, they will compile all of the questions and answers into a book.  Go check it out!  Here's the link... Storyworth ~ you will receive a $10 discount if you use this link as a referral.  Since she is doing this (again) she has had the chance to recall even more stories to share.  She has figured out how to go back and add any more that come to mind.  She has also started scanning and sharing the previous memory book we designed for her.  I think it will be quite the treasure once it is printed!

The free document "Priceless Conversations" is still available in my payhip store too. 😉  We are all a small blip on the radar in life...  "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." ~  James 4:14  

Be kind to others, treat them as you would like to be treated... Do good, not to be noticed or recognized by others, but because it is the right thing to do!  Small random acts of kindness can turn a bad day around and cause others to smile and pay it forward. 

I finished 14 quilted hearts during our road trip... I left a few here and there, 4 with my friend in Seymour, TX and have these 8 that will be left a little closer to home. 💖 

Can you tell that the wind is blowing?  

Can you see the clouds of the cold front coming in?

They are just so whimsical and charming, if I say so myself...

I have been following I Found A Quilted Heart on facebook and reading the stories from individuals that found a heart and how it touched them.  Many feel that the discovery of a quilted heart that needs a home is a message from beyond from a loved one, or an answer to their prayers offering a reassurance that everything is going to be fine.  If you are feeling down about the state of our country or the world, go make a visit to the site or page and you will be uplifted.  Guaranteed!

I had fun using up scrap ribbons, lace and buttons to decorate them... Here's a closer look at them.  I used some embroidery on them... like the middle one in the bottom row... I made French knots around the edge. Some of them have heavy quilting... some have just an outline.  I really like the pearl strands... can you tell? haha!  I've always loved vintage buttons and these hearts are a perfect project to feature some of them.  I explained to our friend Jack that I was trying to see just how gawdy I could make one of the hearts (upper row, middle).  I felt like the kid in class that had to cover the entire Valentine with glitter, stickers and more.  But it really didn't turn out all that bad. It had two larger sections of fabric that needed some "fancy" to dress it up.  

All of the lace, ribbons, buttons and such came from several friends "de-stashing"... a gift I am happy to share with others on these hearts.

What sort of "fancy" would you put on a quilted heart?

Not a creator?  What might you do if you found a heart like this?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at True Blue Quilts 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

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A Holiday Version of Thoughts & Things

As I have been moving slowly, again, yet methodically, I have had so many thoughts... thoughts of gratitude for the times my slow improvement of recovering from viruses... as well as a few times of frustration and determination as I faced setbacks.  I was frustrated when Dave was past the desperate need for cough medicine and lozenges and returned to his shop.  

I, on the other hand, seemed to be getting worse.  At one point (around 3 a.m. Monday morning) I was resigned to the fact that I would be making a visit to the local clinic.  Dave began praying fervently as I finally fell asleep following a horrible coughing fit.  When we opened our eyes a few hours later (after 7 a.m. - which is unheard for me!) I felt as though there had been a great healing in my body.  

As I prepared for the day and stared at the variety of supplements and cough medications I had before me, I opted to skip the cough suppressant and expectorant.  You see... I had noticed a pattern.  After taking that medication I would cough out of control (every time) about 2 hours later.  It was a 12-hour dose that never seemed to make it past about 6 hours... I had even reduced the dosage and upped the frequency, being certain that I did not surpass the suggested dosage.  The pattern continued...

Once I eliminated it completely from the regimen, I began clearing.  My lungs and throat no longer burned, the coughing was minimal, and my mind was clearer.  The thing that was to help me improve was making me worse!

That was when I returned to quilting the Dresden Quilt...  And when I started giving thought to future projects as well as a review of goals met and successes as I've had this year.  I was excited as December began... I have a special love for Advent Calendars.  I love the excitement and anticipation of opening a new pocket or envelope each day brings...

I found a fun on-line Quilter's Advent Calendar at Melanie's Kunstraum.  

Each day brings a new surprise... there may be a free pattern or tutorial, a chance to win a prize or even a game...  like Christmas Bingo...  I have a pathetic looking bingo card at this point, but with our health being restored, we are optimistic that things will improve.  

I have had plenty of time to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and wanted to share this insight that I saw on Instagram the other day.

Joseph and Mary needed to get to the City of Bread…to deliver the Bread of Life…into a FEEDING TROUGH…to be given for all…to nourish and sustain…the Soul.

We pick up our Christmas letter this afternoon and will be addressing envelopes this evening.  If everything goes as planned, we will be making a shopping trip tomorrow, rest on Friday and perhaps on Saturday we will even get our tree out to decorate.  Sunday evening, we should be meeting with our friends with the twin girls for dinner and a trolly tour of the town to view the Christmas lights.  

I have often turned my thoughts to those that have lost loved ones throughout the year and their struggle to find a festive spirit inside of them... and for those that are facing cancer and are in the midst of a treatment that plays havoc on their body... for the couples that face another year without a child... and for so many more.  I lift them in prayer and can only hope that they might be able to look beyond the commercialism that comes with this holiday season and see the real reason, the TRUE reason for season.

May you find some Christmas Peace... and piece... this season.

Melva

Linking with:

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Thankful Thursday ~ November 3, 2022

With just two months remaining in the year of 2022 and looking back over the challenges we have had to face in the last two months, I am ready to send 2022 packing...

I've decided that I'll NOT focus on the challenges... they are in the past and to the best of our knowledge, been resolved... at least in some manner or another.  

Rather... I'll focus on the good.  I'll reclaim an attitude of gratitude...

I'll keep in mind the promise offered to those that persevere though life...

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ~ James 1:12

I'll take a message from the trees in our front yard...

The leaves of our maple trees have fallen yet there is already a promise of a new beginning in the tiny buds at the tips of the branches. That is except for this small cluster of leaves that are tough, stubborn and tenacious and seem to say, "Never give up!"

In late September the leaves had started turning and I decided that it would be interesting to take a photo each day (well, I got it done most days) and make a short compilation of the changing...

I have much to be thankful for...

Healing from shingles and a faster than average recovery thanks to natural remedies

Successful recovery of our website

Financial independence and God's provision to pay the exorbitant cost for homeowner's, auto and health insurance

Ability to follow through with plans to attend a quilt retreat this weekend and the peace that sewing and quilting brings to my soul

What are you thankful for?  

Leave a comment... I love having conversations with my readers. 💓

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

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Thankful Thursday ~ October 20, 2022

The Bible tells us that we should be thankful in all circumstances... not thankful FOR all circumstances...

I am repeating this constantly as I sit here (Wednesday afternoon) waiting for a prescription for shingles to be filled.  I am thankful that I had the opportunity to utilize the free tele-health feature that comes with our insurance.  I'm thankful that technology worked properly and that I was able to send a few pictures of the area of rash that I have on my arm.  After a short discussion with a doctor on the phone he confirmed that my suspicions were correct.

So THAT was the reason my right arm had been aching for days since carrying and lifting our 18-month-old granddaughter while at the local pumpkin patch!  

In addition to the on-line physician and Rx he suggested, I called upon the wisdom and knowledge of my naturopath's office.  I have greatly increased the curcumin anti-inflammatory supplement that I take daily, added L-Lysine and am using a topical pain reliever for the sensitive area on my forearm.  **sigh**  I am thankful for them, their advice and natural treatments in addition to the Rx.

I am assured by numerous friends that the antiviral medication works quickly... I am trusting their assurance and experience that I will be feeling better very soon!  For this I am offering thanks despite feeling some discomfort.

I'm not sure if the confirmation and diagnosis has me feeling worse.  Or if it is just the stage of the virus.  Is it the fact that my right arm down to my wrist is hypersensitive and my right shoulder into my neck feels like a strained muscle?  Or is it a mental thing???  Whatever it is... I am ready for it to go away!

I've been feeling pretty well lately too!  Clear mind, good focus, energy and productivity, resting/sleeping well at night (except for Tuesday night when I was waking frequently with pain in my ear).  Dave and I have settled into a nice routine of visiting and worshipping at several local churches.  We feel that none of them alone are a "perfect fit" to meet our Spiritual needs, but we are enjoying the combination of all of them, and each fulfills a different area.  

By "Church hopping" we have reconnected with several families that we have known over the years. One family, who had we been attending just one church, would never have felt comfortable enough to stop by and ask for some advice regarding some car troubles.  We were happy to oblige when they agreed that it was best to leave their car in our driveway until they could get an appointment for a repair.  It just feels good to be able to meet others in their times of need. 💗

Since I have been ordered by Dave to sit and relax in the living room (and since we haven't managed to get away for camping), I will binge some shows and work on the embroidered "bridal veil" that will be the center medallion of a table topper for my Mom.  I am grateful that I am able to utilize the skills that I learned as a child and for my cousin, Helen, that taught me.

I have made some progress on it since I last shared...  The pattern indicated that all of the leaves were to be done in a satin stitch.  I have chosen to do an outline stitch and will use satin stitching on part of the center flower.  I thought it would be too much... but, I guess, if I am being completely honest, I don't like doing the satin stitch. LOL!  I struggle getting the threads to stay perfectly straight.

The slow-stitching will keep my hands occupied and allow my mind to not focus on discomfort or pain... 

I'm going to go soak in an Epsom salts bath and put on some comfy clothes and go relax and stitch.

What are you thankful for?  

How do you stay thankful in all circumstances when it is challenging?

Leave a comment... I'd could use all of the suggestions!

Be blessed and keep piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Thankful Thursday

As the season turns from summer to autumn it is naturally a time that turns many to thinking of all that comes with "Fall".  The turning of the leaves... the final garden harvests... the first freeze and frost on the pumpkins... and let's not forget the Pumpkin Spice!  And many seem to like to focus on Halloween (like my customer who requested a Halloween quilt including all of the "spiderwebs and skeletons and bats and purples and greens, witches, oranges and blacks and then pumpkins are fine but more like spooky Halloween stuff."  

All of the blocks have been pieced and are ready to be sewn together and get borders.  Personally, I prefer the fall/harvest focus.

Harvest season brings an attitude of gratitude, which brings me to Thankful Thursday...

❤  I am happy to fulfill my customer's request and thankful that I finally have another quilt to make!  I have had a slow time of custom anything (the last one was in May) and am ready to get back into the swing of things.  

❤  I find that doing quilting for others has helped me as a quilter... I have been forced out of my comfort zone and have tried color combos and quilting designs and techniques that I wouldn't normally choose to do for myself.  I can look back and see my growth... for this I am thankful! Growth is so important.  It offers the chance to improve skills and figure out what you like and don't like... and it keeps you from becoming stale and stagnant and lethargic... much like the Dead Sea.

❤  I'm thankful for the opportunities to get away and rest and unplug from the craziness of the world.  Rest... we seem to be really bad about resting here at home.  I guess that happens when you have a small business with the shop in the yard.  (Dave gravitates to his shop and if he is in his shop, I am in my studio in the house)  We have learned over the years that if we don't leave home, we don't rest... and... well, we all know that saying about "All work and no play."  So, that's what we will be doing this weekend... resting and playing. :)  With the bonus that we are entering the peak season for leaf peeping!

What are you thankful for?  

Leaf me a comment... I'd love to hear from you! 🍂

Piece Out, 😉

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Wordy Wednesday

This is one of those times that I share some of the deep thoughts that I have been pondering and considering for weeks and have finally decided that I needed to share... (can you tell that I have returned to actually quilting in my studio?)

It all started a few weeks ago while were camping mid-July... as I sat in our campsite and considered our surroundings and how it we take in all of God's creation with our senses...

Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste...

Taste & see that the Lord is good ~ Psalm 34:8... or as it says in The Message, "Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—

    how good God is."

I marveled as I considered that This IS my Father's World...

Watching the tall grass as it danced in a gentle breeze...

The sound of the wind in the tall pines and the rustling of aspen leaves as they flutter and have a sort of shimmer in the light of the warm sun and make the shadows dance...

The color of the wildflowers as they co-mingle with the tall grasses and appear as a sort of artists pallet with every color of the rainbow present...

The slightly prickly texture of pinecones as you hold one in your hand... each cone, like snowflakes, unique in shape and size...

The smell of the morning with fresh dew on the grass and the intricate spiderweb so delicately woven...

I have recently been reading a series of books by Beverly Lewis.  There was a dialogue between two characters (a mother figure, Leah, to her youngest sister, Lydiann) ...

"Leah was aware, once again, of the birds' exhilarating song.   "Did you ever hear this verse from the Good Book? 'The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come...'?"

"Can't say I have.  Where'd you hear it?"

"Mamma told it to me once.  She loved to listen to the birds, 'specially early in the morning."

"Lydiann's eyes suddenly looked bluer.  "What else did Mamma love?"

"That's easy.  She loved YOU.  I wish you could remember her carryin' you here and there... hopin' you'd grow up to respect the land and listen for the song of nature all round you. Mamma enjoyed the birds and the way the sky could paint itself all kinds of colors.  She saw the Lord God clearly in all of His creation."

The verse Leah was referring to can be found in the Song of Songs 2:12...  I especially love the way The Message translation puts it...

Spring flowers are in blossom all over.

    The whole world’s a choir—and singing!

Spring warblers are filling the forest

    with sweet strains.

Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed,

    and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.

Just this morning (AND yesterday afternoon as I was getting Hanna's First year quilt on the design wall) I was drawn back to the idea of creation and Psalm 139:13-16 came to mind...  again, in The Message translation - 

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;

    you formed me in my mother’s womb.

I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!

    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

    I worship in adoration—what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

    you know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;

    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,

The days of my life all prepared

    before I’d even lived one day.

I cannot, nor do I really want to, shake the deep desire in my heart to worship. After months of staying home on Sunday mornings and worshipping together in our manner, we both felt that it was time to return to a corporate worship.  We chose to go to a church that we had left about 3 years ago because of a conflict with another couple.  We were pleasantly surprised at the kindness and welcomes extended to us as we were noticed... even by the couple we had the conflict with.  Not to say that it wasn't at least a little awkward, but I see some hope that we may find a place in a local church

I have rambled on long enough. I need to get back to my machine... after all, Hanna's quilt is my August One Month Goal... I hear it calling me!

Not everyone may have a faith or belief as I do, but who can deny that there is a Creator?  

What part of Creation/Nature do you love most?  

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Overflowing with Thankfulness at All4Boys

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Thursday's Thoughts and Thanks - August 11

Yesterday Dave and I celebrated our 37th anniversary.  

It was an ordinary day... we had breakfast, he worked in his shop, I was in my studio, made a grocery shopping trip... made lunch and dinner and we went for a walk at a park in town with the plan that we would let our dog swim in the pond to cool off.

Nothing too exciting... yet knowing that 37 years ago (that's 324,120 hours and 13,514 days) we became Mr. & Mrs. Nolan we both recalled so many memories!  This is what I said on my private fb account...

37 years of "I do"... I STILL do and will love you until the moment I pass from this existence to the next, and then I will find you again and love you some more.

It seems as though it was just yesterday, yet, at the same time, an eternity. We have grown up together... and have soooo many memories. The good, the hard, the fun and games and even the not-so-fun times... all with the guidance of God, have shaped us and made us who we are. Let's make more memories! 

💝  I'm blessed to have such an amazing guy!  He never questions my purchases or choices for dinner. (Though some are preferred more than others. LOL!)

I have wanted to plant basil in my little herb garden for a few years... yesterday while in the produce section I found a sad looking basil plant that was marked down.  I felt the soil and decided that a little water would perk up the plant right quick.  It jumped into my cart and off we went. 

After picking off the wilted leaves and giving it a splash of water, it looks MUCH better!

When Dave saw it on the counter he asked, "are you growing you own salad?"  Haha.  Funny guy.  He also asked if I was planting it in the herb garden by his shop... Now he gets it!  He knows me well enough to know that I don't let anything go to waste.  He may not enjoy the pesto sauce that I have plans to make, but I will enjoy my personal chicken & pesto pizzas at lunch once again.  

💝  In my devotional time I was in Hebrews and came across this little phrase - "God had a better plan"... It goes along with Jeremiah 29:11.  I considered this phrase and thought of how we long for a church home that loves God, follows Jesus and wants to have an outreach to the community we live in.  Worldwide ministry is all good and much needed, but if you support only ministries around the world, what happens to your own community?  

Dave and I have been praying that our heart would soften toward our community.  And it is happening... slowly.  But it is easy to fall back in the pit of complaints... just like yesterday as we walked in the park and observed some children treating a volleyball net as a jungle gym and the Mom talking on her phone, ignoring all that they were doing, we said "and this is why we can't have anything nice in town."  

Obviously, we need to keep praying!  I have also added to our prayer that we could find a church home that is a good "fit"... all while reminding myself that God has a better plan... one that we can't see or understand just yet.

💝  On a completely different topic... I haven't purchased fabric for my stash, or "just because" for YEARS!  However, this morning while scrolling through Instagram I saw a post about using African Wax print fabric for clothing.  I am SOOOOOOOO, so tempted to purchase some.  I did a quick search on amazon and discovered a good selection of them... and they are a very reasonable price!

I haven't added anything to the cart yet, but I have the tab left open in my browser.  In my mind I need to have a purpose for the purchase.  Some of the yard goods would make another beautiful quilt... similar to the one I made in 2015.

The fat quarters could make a fun scrappy quilt... but again, I need to justify the purchase in my mind.  

Hmmmm... what's a girl to do?  

I better get distracted with a current project and stop daydreaming about the possibilities.  THAT's what I need to do.  I have plenty to do... like the Baby's first year quilt for Hanna.

What would YOU make?  

Give me your ideas... maybe some of that fabric will jump into the cart like my basil plant did.

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Thankful Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Overflowing with Thankfulness at All4Boys

Thursday Thoughts & Thanks

Sometimes you come across something on the web that you simply fall in love with.   Recently, as I scrolled through social media, I saw a picture of an adorable portable sewing case...

Now, how cute is this?!?  

I followed the link that took me to Quilting Digest and from there I found the original post from 2011 by Vanessa from A Place to Roost with a complete how-to to make one of you own.  

While this is so adorable, I think that is a little larger than what my practical use calls for.  Though there are a variety of options for a sewing case shown in the Quilting Digest story... Picnic baskets, vintage train cases and beauty cases and such.

I have held onto a small box with a magnetic closure on it for nearly two years and keep thinking "I'll decorate it up and make a cute little box."  But for what???  

(Please tell me that I am not the only one that holds onto such things because they are just too nice to toss. LOL!)

Suddenly, it was like a lightbulb turned on!  Would it be a stretch to say it was Divinely Inspired?  Whatever the case may be... I am thankful for little things and creative ideas. 

As it turns out... it is the perfect size for a portable sewing case!  My small cutting mat (backed with a magnetic sheet to hold needles, pins and my small scissors as I am using them) is tucked in perfectly at the bottom of the box. Along with all of the other necessities including my thimbles, thread and seam ripper.

Now I just need to decide how to cover the lid... Maybe a cute, vintage looking postcard with a fun saying.  Watch for a finish!

As I have been cleaning our new-to-us camper I have been thinking of all the things we need to transfer over out of the truck camper.  I have also been giving great thought to all the extra room and have decided that I will be able to leave a couple morning devotionals, one of my quilt-y covered sketch/notebooks and some colored pencils.  (I will need to make a pencil roll to contain them all - maybe several to donate for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.)  I wonder if I can set aside enough time to whip one up before next Tuesday when we take off for the maiden voyage of our camper.

Other things that I'm offering up thanks for this week...

The opportunity to meet up IN PERSON with Tim and Caroline Bailey.  I shared about them in March when I finished the Orphan No More Quilt and again when they passed on the story of the miraculous journey of a child's lovey blanket from Ukraine to Romania. Tim & Caroline and three of their children made it to the US together for the first time in 8 years... B.C. (before children). 

We enjoyed an evening meal, conversation, laughter and memories as Dave and I enjoyed watching their children playing with the very same toys our grands enjoy.  They made themselves right at home... and we LOVED it!  We heard about the challenges they face in assisting the Ukranian refugees (communication barriers) as well as getting food and medical supplies into Ukraine to help those still in Kiev.  And we told them of our Spiritual journey over the past several years.

It was as though 8 years apart never happened... yet SO much has happened!  

I'm thankful for some very special girlfriends and the chance for us to meet for lunch.  There are 5 of us that try to get together several times a year.  Sue and I live the greatest distance apart - 200 miles - and the rest of them all live somewhere in between.  We choose a middle location and have a meal.  And that is exactly what we will be doing today!  I missed out on our last get together so I am super excited to be seeing everyone today. 💗

And fitting in with LeeAnna's weekly theme - Summer Uniform - I am thankful that I am able to wear shorts and tanks most days to stay cool.  If it is a day that I need to run errands in town I may put on a dressier t-shirt, and maybe capri pants.  But since I have been suffering with an occasional "personal heatwave", I find that the sleeveless variety keeps me from having quite so many. 😉  I mentioned a few weeks ago, for safety reasons, I wear socks & shoes while in my studio.

What's your summer attire?  

What do you do to keep cool and comfortable?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

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I Like Thursday at Not Afraid of Color

Thursday's Things, Thoughts and Thanks

Has anyone else, like me, been struggling in remembering just what day it is? Is it a summer thing?  Is it a self-employed thing? (Or retirement... I've heard some say this, I am not retired, nor old enough to be retired.)    Maybe it is a flex-time thing... Does it really matter?  Nah... Live in the moment!  Be like Piglet!

I think that is what it means...  Today is my favorite day... I am taking one day at a time and enjoying being IN the moments as they pass.  Sometimes it seems that time is standing still... and others it seems that I look back and realize an entire week has gone by!

A few moments that time has stood still recently has been my time back in the studio and at the machine as it hums, and the fabric passes under the presser foot and needle.  I enjoyed every minute of time as I quilted the whole cloth quilt... As I considered the meanings and the intentional choices of each quilting design and section time stood still.  I prayed and I worshiped, and I placed my full trust in Him as I considered who the recipient of the quilt would be.  Do I know?  Not at this time, which means the quilt is not completely finished... There will be a monogramed (appliqued) initial in the center of the hearts with some stippling around it... In HIS time.

Time stood still as I made two tea cozies... I pulled some of the tropical print squares from my stash.  They were souvenir gifts from the girls when they were in Girl Scouts and made a trip to Hawaii... over 15 years ago!  Tell me again, where has the time gone???  

Sometimes quilt math works out and sometimes it doesn't.  On Sunday I grabbed a 7" block and cut it into 4 squares (3-1/2" each) and paired them with some coordinating fabric... Cut a few more squares on the diagonal and added them to make a 4-patch in a square.  The pattern called for a rectangle of 10" x 10-1/2"... I figured I would simply add some of the coordinating fabric to the piece I made to get to the size called for... No need!  They came out at 10-1/2" square... I just needed to trim 1/4" off two opposing sides and I was ready to go!  Lickety split I had two cozies stitched up and ready to use.  They are actually a bit large for my small teapot...

As I moved on to sashing strips for the Pieces in the Garden quilt, I pulled out a thrift find and started cutting 1-1/2" x 48-1/2" sashing strips.

I got 3 yards for just 2.99... It's been around awhile 👀 That was the year our youngest daughter was born!

But I could not be more pleased... I adore those pretty pink roses. 🌹

I think the lesson in not remembering (or caring, really) about what day it is is leans toward a message found in the book of Matthew (11:28-30) ~ The Message

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” 

I have enjoyed the last few weeks of "unforced rhythms" with no deadlines to be concerned about yet moving forward at a leisurely pace.  I am thankful for such a time!  For families with children not being in school, I think the schedules should be a little more fluid... moving with an unforced rhythm of grace... Give it a try!

Society as a whole, generally, have become accustomed to being overly busy.  Even vacations are jam packed full of activities... Ours included!  But we were quickly reminded when we found ourselves spinning our wheels and struggling to move forward... and we went off to sit on top of a mountain for just 28 hours. I think I shared that acronym for BUSY ~ Being Under Satan's Yoke...  I don't want that!

I am grateful also for the opportunity to spend time with friends as we enjoy a weekend of camping and a chance to reconnect with another couple that moved away 2 years ago.  It should be a time of joy and laughter, games and fun.  When the weekend is done, we will be jumping in a truck (borrowed from a good friend) to travel to get a new camper.  This one is a 5th wheel and will offer us SO much more room... and no more need to crawl into or out of a bed placed over the cab.

I'll be back next week with the Sew & Tell party... and probably a few pics from the weekend... and maybe, just maybe a picture of our new digs. ;)

I'm so grateful for you, and your willingness to follow me through all of the ups and downs of life that I rejoice over or wallow in a pity party.  Thank you are two small words that don't really convey the depth of the meaning when I "say" them.  But please know I do truly appreciate each and every one of you that visit and for those that leave comments... You make my day!  Which is my favorite day... because it is today!  I love to hear your thoughts, opinions and memories.

Is summertime a time of unforced rhythms for you?  

Do you spend more time or less time quilting?

I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva