World Piece- I can quilt in another Language.

I am sew excited to share my new bag with you! I've been waiting like FOR ever! I had to hide the fabric in it's little FedEx bag because I knew I would want to share it! :) The fabric is called  Small Wonders - World Piece. Mary Fons talks about the whys and wherefores here. This fabric is fabulous to work with and oh so cute! I even love the logo! There are lines for different countries and I received China. Mary also has a video about the fabric line.

Thank you Springs Creative and Mary Fons for the
 opportunity to play with this fabric!

 

I really wasn't sure what I was going to make with this fabric-  but I loved the colors and the little prints are super. I chose to do something with Chinese Coins- since it is the Chinese line and then I decided I needed to use a Chinese Character. However, all the ones I wanted were REALLY intricate and I'm already using teeny pieces on another project so wanted something a bit simpler. I picked the character for Grace.


I love this definition for the word Grace -
Grace is "God doing in me
 what I can not do myself"

 All mistakes are mine- I do not speak, read or write Chinese and only went by what the various websites told me. So if I am "saying" it wrong I apologize. :)

Thank you to our Librarian for taking the pictures after my phone died!

 I used all of the prints in this line except one (and I have plans for that one) This tote bag was a totally unplanned  "make it up as you go along pattern"     
It is now my favorite bag! Hopefully I can remember how I made it! :)

When I did my measurements for the straps,
 I did something wonky and ended up making them wider
 than planned and they are so comfortable.
 I will be making that mistake again!



I love pockets and this one is TWO! The "Little Rickshaw Dude"
has a magnetic snap pocket and slip pocket behind it.



Three more roomy pockets inside

 I've only used it one day and had a gazmillion compliments!





 

 

 



 

 

Bloggers Quilt Festival

Somehow I missed the announcement for the Blogger's Quilt Festival which is held over at amyscreativeside
But it just started today so I think I have time to enter.  This is for the Original Design Category.
This is Twiddling Toes. 

It is so named due to the fact that I saw the block and wanted a tutorial for it and couldn't find a name for it. 

 

 

I decided it was kinda like a bear paw only the toes are facing inward, like he's twiddling his thumbs or toes as the case may  be.  I discovered later that it is actually a Capital T block but I like my name better. 

 

I wanted a positive and negative effect with the switching of the background and foreground.  I stood on a chair, took pictures, rearranged blocks, took more pictures about 6 or 7 times before getting the center the way I wanted it.  I like the way it has a bow in the center. I didn't really plan it, but the twiddling toes blocks form the letter M in 2 corners and this quilt is for my friends Mr. & Mrs. Miles. 

 

I quilted it with 40wt Aurifil on the bottom and some unknown caramel colored thread I had in my stash.  I have discovered that if I have Aurifil in my bobbin, Sherman doesn't get so cranky about using other thread (he's a much happier machine if I have Aurifil in the top and bottom but a girl's gotta use what she has )
The quilt measures 56x60 and is very snuggly with Warm and Natural Batting.  I did have help with this quilt - the twiddling toes blocks were made as part of the #webeewithit quilting bee.  Thanks to my wonderful hive of helpers I was able to put this together and get it quilted in less than 3 days! Thank you ladies!

Be sure to check out the amazing quilts and categories over at the Blogger's Quilt Festival and vote for your favorites!
Thanks for stopping by!

Mr. Miles looks nice and cozy under his quilt!

Haunted by deadlines

Welcome to my stop on the Halloween Haunts Hop!  A big shout out to Marian for putting this together - it's a ton of work! GRAZIE MILLE
(all my pictures are at the end of the post - doing this on my phone is convenient but doesn't allow for rearranging or captioning pictures) 

**Q: What is mummy’s favourite kind of coffee?

A: De-coffin-ated**

I've been fighting with a sprained wrist since August and am considerably haunted by the ghosts of deadlines past (for my poor waiting swappers: i AM getting caught up! I will let you know when to start haunting the post office)

I started this project at 5pm (procrastinate much?)  and it only took an hour or so.  So I started a pumpkin patch, however, I messed up on the quilting and I believe Reginald, my seam ripper, has run off with one of Jane's seam rippers.  

**Q: What kind of underwear does a mummy wear?

A: Fruit of the Tomb**

My mummy mug rug started with just a piece of  white fabric. I made his eyes and appliquéd them to green fabric and stitched it to the white. I wanted the frayed look so I ripped it in strips.

**Q: Why are ghosts scare of mummies?

A: They always tear up their sheets**

**Q: Why was the mummy so tense?

A: He was all wound up!**

  Then I stitched and flipped and twisted (now I feel like a gymnast.) I sandwiched him with  a scrap of Batting and a scrap of orange fabric. I used some leftover polka-dot binding (I knew I was saving that for a reason.) 

**Q: Why don’t mummies take vacations?

A: They’re afraid they’ll relax and unwind!**

 Previous to  discovering this tutorial from Mommy's Naptime Crafters,  I disliked binding anything but now actually enjoy it. I only had trouble with the ends - never could get it to come out right. One of the girls on Facebook  shared this tutorial last week on a French binding and I love it!  One of those "duh! Why didn't I think of that" moments.  Check it out!

Q: What is the mummy’s favorite musical program?

A: Name that tomb

My other project isn't necessarily Halloween but it does have autumn colors.  I received the "twiddling toes" blocks from my Flickr #webeewithit quilting bee and put them together with fabric I had on hand.  I was hoping to get it finished before church last night but was still putting the binding on it at 6:47 (Church is at 7) so I will gift it on Sunday. 

**Q: What is the mummy’s favorite flower?

A: Chrysanthamummies!**

Fat Quarter Shop is sponsoring our hop with a daily giveaway!  Visit Marian for the link and to vote on your favorite project from today's hop.  

**Q: Why do mummies make excellent spies?

A: They’re good at keeping things under wraps!**

Stop by all these other haunted houses to see their spooky projects! 

Featured Haunts On Friday October 23
Free Motion By The River
Quilt Art
Joan E
It Seams To Be Sew
From This To That <<<--- you are here

God provides

Yesterday I was visiting (via Facebook messenger) with my best friend.  She's been going through some trials, just moved, hubby still needs a job, they are staying with parents. I've been jobless and finances are nil. We were both telling what was happening .  Not complaining or whining just sharing.  It was such a blessing.  Why was it such a blessing? Things are terrible but both of us realize that God is good, He loves us, and He still has everything under control. 
My friend said "I feel like I'm whining when I tell everything that's going on because I am so blessed."  Whisper the facts and shout out the blessings. 
Another friend asked how it was going,  she is one of those people who you can tell that she really cares and really wants to know beyond a "fine"  and I found myself telling the facts but as I talked all those blessings came back to my mind.  I am completely broke but I haven't had to buy groceries beyond a gallon of milk or bread. I've been without a vehicle but I have had a ride wherever I needed to go. I was able to watch my sister's kidlets for a whole week.  And now God has provided a car. I am an activity Director and when I don't have a party to plan it's like withdrawal.  I was able to plan our ladies banquet, and am in the midst of another project using those skills.  Every step of the way, He's provided.
Not because I am anything but because He is Everything.!
Share your burdens with a friend - whisper the facts and shout the blessings.  You'll be amazed at what God does.

Sidebar : my phone has auto correct and every time I type God, it types Good.  God is good and everything Good comes from HIM!

A side of craftiness (Tuesday)

Bloggers, instagrammers, Facebookers, fabric designers, quilters, and everyone else is talking about International Quilt Market.  I know that if I was nearby I'd be there for sure.  But I am at home  working on the twiddling toes quilt and maybe working on my project that I can't share till after quilt market...  And I am enjoying our Revival Meetings at church, tonight is the last night but what God is doing will continue!  Sunday's message on how Great our God is was just one of the best I've ever heard. Monday was on prayer.  (I believe they are on our church's website www.fbcamboy.com) just Amazing preaching!
Have a fabulous fall day!

Silly blogger app

Blogger is still publishing my post from the other day... Thankfully I remembered to copy it so here it is :

Where has October gone?  I am sure that yesterday was the 1st... 
It's another glorious October day - cool and clear. I love October's bright blue weather!
Today's word is confidence
Mr Webster says : CON'FIDENCE, noun [Latin See Confide.]

1. A trusting, or reliance; an assurance of mind or firm belief in the integrity, stability or veracity of another, or in the truth and reality of a fact.

It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man. Psalms 118:8.

I rejoice that I have confidence in you in all things. 2 Corinthians 7:16.
3. That in which trust is placed; ground of trust; he or that which supports.
Israel was ashamed of Beth-el their confidence Jeremiah 48:13.

Jehovah shall be thy confidence Proverbs 3:26.

Safety, or assurance of safety; security. They shall build houses and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence Ezekiel 28:26.

Boldness; courage.
Preaching the kingdom of God with all confidence Acts 28:31.
"Trusting in the firm reality or fact" when our  is in the One who created us, and we know with out a doubt He is in control,  we  can be confident that He is going to make good on his promises.  "I can do all things through Christ...." then why are we so timid?  We can boldly go and do what ever it is with confidence in our Great Saviour. 

All pictures from pinterest except the tree - I took that one :)

31 days of courage confidence and hope continues

Wow!!! what an encouraging thing it is when the Lord affirms your path.  This week as I've been endeavoring to keep up with the 31 days challenge - I heard on the radio "how important encouragement is,"  I've received email "7 ways to encourage your friends" (from DaySpring)  and in my Bible reading every day there's been something.  This morning I opened my Ladies Bible Study book (because we have Ladies Bible Study *this* morning and I probably should do the lesson) and our lesson is "Encourage One Another" 
Thank you God! 

In other encouraging news, in the crafty front: I was able to sew for the whole day on Tuesday and my wrist didn't yell at me until late in the evening.  I actually got one of the very late projects finished and I delivered it yesterday! It's encouraging to be able to cross something off my list!  It's so encouraging that every list has "drink coffee"  "pet the cat" on the list so that I can cross at least 2 things off.  ☺

One way to encourage others in this day of email and techy stuff is to send an eCard.  Alot of places online have free ones and they are so easy to send and fun to receive.  DaySpring is one of my favorite places to find them (they also have amazing paper cards - you know the ones you can write on and send through the post office... Snail mail, you can hold it in your hands and set it on your desk to look at without an electronic device.)  I'd rather send a real card but sometimes time and money are an issue,  so eCards do the trick.  I did not realize it but DaySpring is sponsoring the Write31days challenge and 
To  celebrate  all of the amazing Write 31 Days readers who are supporting nearly 2,000 writers this October they are giving away a $500 DaySpring shopping spree. To enter to win this generous gift just click on the link below  & follow the giveaway widget instructions. Good luck, and thanks for reading! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ff92849712/

Never quit Chris - Mondays post

I'm not doing so well keeping up with my 31days challenge. but I am still going!  I believe I am on day 7. 
It is Columbus Day - I always think of a Patch the Pirate song on Columbus day - "never quit Chris is crazy" 
He had a vision and he didn't quit. I'm sure he had days when he wanted to.  Sailing across the ocean was a scary thing even if you weren't searching out a new route. Sailors are notorious for being superstitious and I'd imagine Christopher's crew was terrified - but He didn't turn back he just kept going.  In spite of the difficult time, in spite of the nay sayers and storms. 

What ever it is that you have a vision for: don't quit- who knows, we might get another day off school when you succeed!

There was more to this post but blogger ate it..... Sorry if it seems a bit disjointed!

 

 



Tuesday

Yesterday's post is still "publishing" 
Hopefully it will be up later today.

Thought for Tuesday
" One word or note brings more encouragement than a thousand thoughts never expressed"
I've heard it a million times - I was  going to call, I wanted to send a note, I should have....  Often we have been praying for someone,  thinking of someone and want to help in time of trouble but don't know what to say or do.  I remember during a exceeding rough patch, the notes from friends - I read and reread them, they were a tangible reminder that I wasn't alone. Often they just said "I'm praying for you"  and that's it. But oh how I treasured them. 
Are you thinking of someone - let them know!  I've read stories is people who were planning to end it all but someone smiled at them or said something kind and it changed their mind.  Just one kind word - sometimes that takes courage but of what a difference it can make!

Day 6

I took some nyquil and misplaced yesterday... And my voice is rather croaky  but the sun is shining and Good is in control! 

Day 5 of 31days

31 days of courage confidence & hope and A side of craftiness.  Today is a side of craftiness.  I overdid it yesterday so i told myself "no sewing"  today.  Instead I will give you a photo tour is my latest projects.  (which really isn't much, thank you sprained wrist)
I may post more info on these projects later but it's just pictures today.