Simple Woman’s Daybook – May 4, 2015

Today is…May 4th, 2015.  It’s been almost a year since my last blog post.  Life became uncertain in a flash.  Blogging was not on my agenda.  The longer I put off posting the harder it was to make myself begin again.

Outside my window…the sun is shining with a pleasant breeze gently cooling the air.  It’s 74 degrees.  How sweet is that!?  This will be a day our canine kids will want to be outside lolling in the sunshine with their noses to the ground.

I am thinking…my thoughts keep going back to the message our pastor delivered yesterday in church.  The subject was physical wellness.  It was one of those messages that was just for me….exactly what I needed to take my health seriously and do what I can to feel as good as I can.  After all…my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Political pondering…Our country is in a mess.  We are headed in a downward spiral.  Young people are being used as pawns to destroy what freedoms we have remaining.  For years I heard “the loss of freedom is only a generation away”. We are no longer a generation away.  I read poll results yesterday that said the majority of Americans (from memory I think it was 90 percent) believe 2015 is the summer of widespread race riots.  Our way of life is in jeopardy…The “hope and change” platform of eight years ago has exploded into disaster for the United States of America.  I “hope” it is not too late to turn the “change” we are witnessing around and salvage our republic.

I am thankful…There is so much I am thankful for.  For today I am thankful for the church family Allen and I have become a part of.  We had just about given up hope of finding a church home we believed we belonged in.  Several months ago we walked into 19th Avenue Baptist Church and have not looked back.  We thank God for our church family and home.

From the kitchen…all is quiet at the moment.  Later today I will begin to prepare an evening meal for my husband.  There is plenty of time, and I’ve no idea what I will make.

In the garden…herbs and weeds are flourishing.  The only vegetable we have in the ground is potatoes.  (Is a potato still considered a vegetable now that the food police have deemed it evil?)  We still have plans of planting tomatoes and peppers, but preparing the garden has been slow because of rain and time.

I am wearing…As usual, I’m dressed comfortably.  Today I’m donning a pair of soft, cotton knit capris and a tank top.  I plan on staying home with the dogs so this was the perfect choice for such a beautiful, warm day.

I am creating…lately I’ve been working on mixed media, art journal pages.  Mixed media has filled my need to be making.  It has become a new “addiction”.   Soon I will construct a crazy quilt block for a round robin.  It has been almost a year since I bowed out of the two round robins I was in because of circumstances beyond my control.  Crazy quilting has been calling my name for several weeks.  I miss it. I did make a couple of dolls and some fabric postcards to satisfy my need to stitch and create in the meantime.  I’ll share pictures of those another time.

I am going…nowhere today if my plans do not change.

I am reading…Scripture, a devotional titled “Jesus Calling”, several Stampington Company publications, and a mystery by Mary Higgins Clark.

I am hoping…a very special friend has a wonderful visit with her son, his love, and her new granddaughter.

I am hearing…the sound of silence.

I am praying for…our country and leaders…for hearts to be turned to Jesus.  He is the answer to our country’s problems.

Around the house…there is much to do.  With spring ‘s arrival the desire to downsize and simplify has come with it.  I am SUCH A PACK RAT!

One of my favorite things is a cup of freshly brewed tea…and doing random acts of kindness.  Oops…that is two.

A verse for today…”Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Timothy 1:17

A quote for today…”I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1871.

A few plans for the rest of the week…I need to make a post office run.  I need to complete several small art projects.   We have church Wednesday night and whatever else comes my way.

A picture I am sharing…Our newest family member…meet Willie.

He was thrown away onto our property several  months ago.  We fell in love with him and he with us instantly. He’s been the source of much joy and laughter.  I consider Willie a gift from God.  Bella really needed a little brother.  This picture was taken the morning after Willie showed up.

Until next time…

Keep looking up.

Simple Woman’s Daybook – June 2

For Today…Monday, June 2, 2014

Outside My Window…It’s a rainy day.  It’s another rainy day.  It’s the fifth consecutive rainy day in a row.  We’ve had in excess of four inches since the rain started falling.  I stopped counting at the end of day two.  I remember telling God our garden could really use some rain before it started…I wasn’t specific.  🙂  I’m so glad we have mostly raised beds this year, because they drain well.  Our plants won’t have super soggy roots.  People have started making jokes about webbed feet and the humidity.

I am thinking…of the lyrics stuck in my head…”rainy days and Mondays always get me down”, but really they don’t.  I love rainy days, and Monday is just another day to me…one I have the luxury of spending in our home with Bella doing whatever seems like the thing to do at the time.  I’m thinking I’ve neglected my blog far too long once again…life gets busy.

Political pondering…The old saying “things can’t get any worse” has never rung true to me.  I’ve seen it proven wrong too many times.  Our country is in distress, and too many are unaware of the seriousness of our condition.  We need a good old-fashioned gospel revival…we need God’s blessing to return to our land.  Revival…one person at a time…

I am thankful for…a God who is faithful even when I am not so faithful.  I’m thankful He hears us and answers prayer.  I’m thankful He never gives up on us.

From the kitchen…I can smell the aroma of two chickens slow-cooking in the crockpot.  They will become at least three meals and an ample supply of chicken broth when the cooking is complete.  Tonight we will have chicken salad with meat so tender it will melt in our mouths.

In the garden…we have tomatoes, okra, green beans, squash, peppers, cucumbers, egg plant and lots and lots of herbs.  So far everything is happy and healthy.

I am wearing…a pair of Eddie Bauer French terry capris and a camouflage tank top.  Sheer comfort.  Remember, I’m staying home today, and comfort is EVERYTHING.

I am creating…the last stitches in a RR that needs to be sent on its way to the next stitcher.  I’ve got plans working in mind for a new project when I finish it.  The past couple of months have been slow going in the creating zone unless you consider gardening creating.  That’s where most of my energy has been expressed.

I am going…absolutely nowhere today, but that’s already been said.

I am reading…My bible and devotional and Insurgent, the second book in the Divergent Trilogy.

I am hoping…my dear husband has a good day at work.

I am hearing…Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and the sound of whirring fans.

I’m praying…For our country, our leaders (even though that is very hard sometimes), my husband, my family and friends.

Around the house…there is much to do.  All the outside work has caused the house to be minimally tended.  It’s a shame, but I can only do so much in a day.  Super women who manage to do it all are driven in different way than I am.  Life is too short…

One of my favorite things…a leisure visit with friends.

A verse for today…For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.  Psalm 119:89

A quote for today…“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1871.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Tomorrow I will brave the world and go to the post office and bank.  I may visit my favorite health food store unless I can fight the temptation.  Tomorrow I will go cast my  vote for Chris McDaniel for the US senate.  The rest of the week is open…sort of.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…My Bella.

Until next time…

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.  (Psalm 116:12-13)

Emma Was A Good Dog

The first picture of Emma with me.

 

Taken about two years ago before Emma’s health started going downhill.

One of the last pictures of Emma…taken about three months ago.

A little over twelve years ago I set up a meeting to see a little white Boxer puppy.  I had seen pictures online and talked to the owner on the telephone.  In the pictures the tiny female puppy was healthy looking and seemed to be enjoying the great outdoors with her owner.   My daughter, granddaughter and I drove at least fifty miles out in the boonies to see the puppy and very likely bring her home.

When we got to our destination and met the puppy that had been depicted via email as a healthy pup, there was little similarity.  The pictures showed a healthy, bouncy puppy.  The real thing was emaciated, listless and undoubtedly drugged.  My first and continued reaction was anger.  The puppy was starving and showed no sign of being happy to see us.  Anyone who knows Boxers knows a Boxer cannot contain its excitement.  Their entire body wags.  They are so happy to be Boxers and always glad to meet a new friend.

The deal was I would buy a healthy Boxer puppy for $250.00.  That’s a good deal.  I was so conflicted.  The puppy was far from healthy, but she was precious all the same.  Bless her heart, you could count EVERY rib and her little hip bones protruded. Her skin hung loose on her little body.  I was certain she was destined for sure death if I left her, but I felt really foolish paying the wicked owner anything for the poor creature.  It was impossible to turn my back, leave the sick, tiny puppy and walk away.  I paid the woman and bit my tongue during the transaction.  I should have immediately called an animal rescue and reported her.  I regret not doing that still today.

The woman showed us her other puppies…The small breeds were in tiny cages…stacked in a back room of her house.  In the back yard there were no less than fifty medium to large dog breeds in pens…all popular breeds…all breeding bitches and stud dogs and the puppies they produced.  She ran a puppy mill.  Because a white Boxer is considered a cull, she had no buyer…she was not feeding her.  Had I not brought the sick unnamed puppy home, she would have starved to death.  I wanted to kick the woman’s butt, but instead  I swaddled the limp puppy, cuddled her close, paid the ransom to free her and took her home.

The next day I took her to the vet.  She had not eaten since I brought her home, because she had been so heavily drugged. The vet checked her out really good and told me if she lived for more than a couple of days, I would be lucky.  She was still unresponsive and limp.  I bought supplements to entice her to eat and slowly she did.  She began to thrive, and I named her Emma.

Once the drugs wore off, Emma was famished.  I think she never forgot starving, because she always ate like she was afraid there would be no more food.

Emma did not like women…except my oldest daughter, granddaughter and me for the longest time.  I’m pretty sure she made an exception for us, because we rescued her from the evil one.  It took months to socialize her to be civil around strange women.  No doubt she was treated terribly by the woman who starved her.

Emma really had a rough start in life, but it did not take her long to fit into our family and become a well-adjusted puppy.  She fit right in with our first Boxer Maggie, and when Bubba our Great Dane came along they were a famous trio.  We jokingly called them “the triplets”.

My husband’s fondest memory of our Triplets is the was they took care of him, never leaving his side when he had surgery on his shoulder.  Emma was a good dog.

Emma was a good dog.  She was obedient and willing to please.  She was smart and loved to play.  She added joy to my husband and my lives.  She was my oldest daughter’s favorite sister dog.

This morning at 8:15 Emma took her last breath.  Her health had declined over the past couple of months.  The happy dog she had been for years rapidly disappeared.  Most of her time was spent sleeping.  Last week she seemed to get a second wind.  She was playful and made her sentry walks around our place.  The second wind did not last long and it was time to go.

Yesterday I told her it was ok for her to leave us.  I told her I would miss her…that I loved her, but I knew she was tired and did not feel good.  We took a walk in the evening.  When Emma came inside she went to her bed and she never got up again.  She just quietly let go of life.  Allen, Bella and I were with her when she drew her last breath.

We placed Emma in the ground beside Bubba and Maggie.  We thanked God for Emma and the time we had with her.  I told Him I hope Bishop, Bubba and Maggie are waiting for her…that they would all be in Heaven when we get there.  There is comfort in that thought.

Emma was a good dog.  We were blessed to have her in our family for the time she was here.  I would love to see her happy and healthy again one day.  She is already greatly missed.

Until next time…

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;  A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 

 

And The Downton Abbey Winner IS….

The winner of Series 3 of Downton Abbey is Oooglebloops!

Congratulations.  I’m glad to help you build your collection.  I’ll send it on its way to you the next time I go to town.  Enjoy!

Until next time…

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:6-7)

Tea With Downton Abbey and Me Giveaway

My mistake is the gain of one lucky commenter on this thread.  Last week I made a quick trip to Sam’s Club to pick up a case of food for our Boxer  dog.  I made a pass through the video isle in search of the latest Downton Abbey series and quite by accident I grabbed series 3.  I got it home and ripped the plastic off of the case and started to slip it on the shelf by the other Downton Abbey discs in my collection and realized I already had the very same disc!  I felt pretty silly!  (Haste makes waste.)  I can’t return the DVD after opening it so I’m giving it to another Downton Abbey fan…or a wannabe.  Accompanying the disc will be tea.  I’m not sure which tea…but it really should be a classic English tea, shouldn’t it?

To toss your name into the pot for a chance to win the DVD leave a comment on this thread.  Tell me what you like about Downton Abbey.  If you share the giveaway on your blog, Pinterest or Facebook, leave a link in a separate comment, and you will get a second chance to win.

The giveaway closes March 15, and the winner will be randomly selected and announced on the 16th.

Until next time…

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

Daybook – January 1

For Today…January 1, 2014.  2014!  I’m amazed at how quickly 2013 sped by.  Today I will reflect and look forward…I will spend today with my true love quietly at home.    There is no place like home.

Outside My Window it is overcast with intermittent rain.  For Mississippi it is cold.  The dampness sends chill straight to the bones.

I am thinking how blessed my husband and I are.

I am thankful for another year.

From the kitchen I can smell black-eyed peas simmering on the stove.  I’m really looking forward to them.  In a little while I will sauté some cabbage and make a pan of cornbread (gluten-free).  Though this is a traditional New Year’s meal, I consider it comfort food and enjoy it almost any time.  It’s a perfect meal for a dreary day.  (My husband…?  Not so much, but he will be a good sport and eat what I put before him without a complaint.  He’s such a good guy.)

I am wearing soft black sweat pants, a long-sleeved red tee and white socks.

I am creating a brown block for the CQJP 2013 and a doodle cloth of freestyle embroidery.  I am working out the next CQJP for 2014 in my mind and hope to begin soon.  The next gray study block is waiting for my first stitch.

I am going to stay home today and enjoy the company of my dear husband, our dogs, and the fire in the fireplace.

I am reading Hinds’ Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard.  It’s an allegory of the Christian walk, the struggle and triumph.  I’ve read it in the past, but I could “hear” it calling me as I reflected on the past year.  I have faced the struggle.

I am hoping all my family and friends have a wonderful new year filled with good health and blessings.

I am hearing a George Gently episode.

I’m praying for God to renew my spirit…to search me and show me what He sees in me.

Around the house very little will be done today but relaxing.  Everything but mandatory “chores” will wait for tomorrow.

One of my favorite things is quality BBC productions.  (hence George Gently)

A verse for today…”A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.”  Deuteronomy 11:12

A quote for today…“She bent forward to look, then gave a startled little cry and drew back. There was indeed a seed lying in the palm of his hand, but it was shaped exactly like a long, sharply-pointed thorn… ‘The seed looks very sharp,’ she said shrinkingly. ’Won’t it hurt if you put it into my heart?’  Much Afraid from Hinds’ Feed on High Places

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  Tomorrow I must brave the world and go to the bank.  I may stop by my favorite health food store.  I will pay bills and work around the house.  Stitching is definitely on my “Things to Do” list.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…It is my “joy jar”.  During 2014 I will write the things that bring me joy on a piece of paper and put them in the jar.  These notes may be about anything that reminds me of God’s special love for me, an unexpected phone call or note from a friend…surprises that make me smile…beautiful things I see or people I meet.  My jar is a half gallon jar.  I fully expect to fill it, because God is so good and has blessed me richly.  At year’s end I will read the little notes and remember the special moments and blessings.

Until next time…

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.  Psalm 150:6

Gray Blocks – Sunny Day

I’m up before the chickens this morning.  A fire is blazing in the fireplace gradually running the chill out of the house.  My hot tea is on the table next to me cooling enough for me to sip.  Bella is roaming the house making sure no boogers are hiding in the shadows.  My sweetheart and Emma are still asleep.  It’s a perfect time to share the Crazy Quilting for Newbies gray study round robin blocks I’ve worked on the past two months.

Barbara’s block…Barbara’s block arrived with beautiful stitching already begun.  I’m amazed by her meticulous, tiny stitches.

Check out her work…the next two views.

All the stitching in this picture was done by me.  Barbara is truly a tough act to follow!

The next rotation of the Gray Study belonged to Lori.  I also followed Barbara on this block.  This is an overview shot of the

work I did on Lori’s block.

Close up of spider and web…The spider is made of a tiny silk fabric yo-yo.  I stuffed the yo-yo with a bit of cotton before gathering it closed.  It’s the first I’ve made this way…and the first spider I’ve seen anywhere online made this way.  Is it possible I came up with something original?

This shot shows the beaded dragonfly and ric-rac seam treatment.

I also added a paisley motif, the seam treatment below it and the pretty Venice lace fan.  I added velour thread fly stitch, detached daisy stitch, and bullion stitch texture to the bottom right patch.

My CQJP 2013 July block was also done in gray monotones.  By the time I completed it I wondered what on earth I was thinking choosing gray for a personal project when I’m in a gray monotone color study rr.  (I’m running a bit behind on my CQJP…)

Whole block…

Left upper corner…paisley motif filled with colonial knots, vine with bullion roses.

Right upper corner…

Left Lower Corner…

Right Lower…

Lower center…

Spider web and spider…I liked the yo-yo spider I made on Lori’s block so much I made one on mine.

I finally decided what to do with the All Things Pretty Do Your Block that came home naked.  I used pretty Venice lace motifs painted by Nicki Lee for the focal point of the block and surrounded them with pretty bits of lace and stitching.  I used the buttonhole stitch, feather stitch, stem stitch, bullion stitch, fly stitch, chain stitch and herringbone stitch on this wee block.  Finishing this block completed a set of six, six inch blocks constructed in coordinating fabrics.  I’m not sure I shared the other five so I really need to do an All Things Pretty post.

My final share for the morning is a snowball I received from Kristie.  I love it…her butterfly is Kristie made and so fine.  I love each element.  The anchor fabric has the sweetest little yellow bird.  Kristie overstitched it making it really stand out.  I can almost hear it sing.  Her stitches are even and fine.  I love the way Kristie brought all the colors together in harmony.  In short…I love my new snowball!

Until next time…

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12

A Short Sharing Post – Crazy Patch

Making it around to my blog has been next to impossible for over a month now.  I’m very behind in sharing the crazy quilting things I’ve received or worked on.  This day is not fit for man nor beast outside so maybe I can manage getting a post up when I take a break from pickle making.  Would you believe I found over thirty pounds of pickling cucumbers…fresh and pretty…in December?  You may, but I was amazed.  I believe finding the cucumbers was a huge hug from God.  My pickle stash was almost gone, and He knew I needed the cucumbers to make more.  (God definitely cares about the little things.)  Now back to crazy patch…but I had to praise God for His goodness.

A while back I took part in a three-way heart swap.  One was from Stephanie and the other was made by Cris.  I’ve not yet shared it.  It’s another beauty.

I also swapped a heart with Marianne…she said she loves it, but o how I wish I could make changes to it now.  I’m not at all happy with the work I did on the top portion of the heart.  Still, it was made with love and well received.  I don’t know why I didn’t trim it before I took the picture and mailed it Marianne…

Since my last round robin update I’ve taken my turn on two blocks and mailed them on their way to the next stitcher.  I worked on a Kate Greenaway block and a gray study block.  I’m trying to add something I’ve never done before on any block I work on (after testing it on a doodle cloth).

The Greenaway block belongs to Nark (Nancy from Arkansas).  It’s from the Kate Greenaway Round Robin going on at WWCQ.  The block is made completely of beautiful silk.   I don’t seem to have a picture of her whole block so I am sharing close-ups of the work I did.  Here is one taken before I started working on the it.

I beaded a grape vine on Nark’s block.  This is the first time I’ve stitched a beaded grape vine on anyone’s rr block.  I love the outcome and hope Nark will, too.  The technique is one I learned from Nancy Eha’s Bead Creative Like Crazy.   I also stitched the scalloped seam treatment with detached chain and bead flowers.

This shot is a close-up of the spider web and spider I added to Nark’s block.  I also stitched the sheaf stitch above the spider web to embellish a tiny seam and the seam treatment below the web.  For it I used the straight stitch, bullion stitch and colonial knot.

The last picture shows an overview of the work done by me.  I also added the pretty Nicki Lee Venice lace butterfly.

What started out to be a short post has ended up being a bit long so I am going to close this one out and share the gray study in another post.  I didn’t realize I’ve completed two gray blocks rr blocks and a one gray one of my own (my July CQJP 2013 block…I’m a wee bit behind) without posting them.

Until next time…

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.  Hebrews 1:3

Giveaway

This is a lovely giveaway, and I must give you the scoop so you can get in on it, too.

GIVEAWAY

“In celebration of the Sunshine Sampler I am offering a giveaway.  Included are the threads shown above and Rebecca’s sampler for you to stitch as you wish shown below.”

How do you enter?  Simply post about this giveaway either on your blog or on pinterest and leave a link in your comment.  A winner will be selected by Random Generator.  Deadline to enter by Wednesday December 4th @ 5:00 p.m. (PST).Good luck!You can see more of the host’s threads in her Etsy.

I hope I win, but I wish you luck, too.  🙂  I love the threads and the sampler.  It reminds me a lot of my doodle cloth…so much fun! Until next time…

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you,  and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all  wisdom and spiritual understanding.   Colossians 1:9

CQ Updates

Since my last post I’ve completed my share of two round robin blocks.  Both blocks are from the Kate Greenaway round robin at World Wide Crazy Quilting.  The first block I worked on belongs to Diane.  It winged it’s way on to the next stitcher earlier this month.  The second belongs to Carol.  I enjoyed working on both blocks and tried something new or used a technique I have not used in a long time on each block.

Diane’s block…I was first to stitch on Diane’s block so it was up to me to set the tempo.  Because Diane used a bright fabric as a highlight, I capitalized on that color.

Diane’s block after me…

The theme for this RR is Kate Greenaway, so I transferred a line drawing illustration by Ms. Greenaway and stitched it in redwork style.  I’m not sure why the little girl was jumping in Kate Greenaway’s illustration, but I added a couched jump rope for effect.   I also added a Nicki Lee Venice lace and embellished it with orange seed beads to pick up the orange color in the anchor patch.  One of my favorite stitches is the feather stitch so I used it on the seam above the flower and embellished it with seed beads and colonial knots.  I added a piece of green, cotton lace and worked a line of buttonhole stitch and detached chain stitch along the straight edge.  Seed beads embellish the lace.

I adore spider webs and am fascinated by spiders in real life.  A crazy quilt block is not complete to me without one of each so I added one to Diane’s block.  I also added a stem stitch vine along the left seam and embellished it with tiny silk ribbon flowers and leaves.  It has been a long time since I’ve used silk ribbon, and I enjoyed stitching with it.

The butterfly is another lace piece painted by Nicki Lee.  I hope someone adds some beads to it before it flies home to Diane.  My final addition was the pretty lace piece along the right corner patch seam.  I stitched a row of Cretan stitch along the top.  The lace just seemed to belong to Diane’s block.

That’s a wrap for my work on Diane’s block.  Next up is Carol’s block.

Carol anchored her block with a Kate Greenaway silkie and asked for a theme reminiscent of a gentler time…childhood.  Though I toyed with the idea of embellishing the silkie, I never came up with a plan for it so I left it for someone else.  Diane was the first stitcher and sent Carol’s block on to me.

After Diane…She added lovely feminine touches to the block.

Carol’s block after me…It’s likely feminine blocks are my favorite to work on so I pulled out some pretty laces and pink and powder blue stuff and let my work begin.  It flowed.  I love it when the stitching flows.  🙂

I added more pretty white lace following Diane’s lead and embellished it with blue straight and fly stitches, pink seed beads and pretty oval pearl.  The blue accent beads and sequins were already part of the lace.

Next I added a feather stitch seam and patch treatment and embellished it with more pink seed beads and colonial knots.  This view also focuses on my blue silk ribbon embroidery irises and the chain stitch seam embellished with pretty pearl beads.  The sweet little blue bird is one I bought from Thearica’s Crazy Quilting Supply shop.  It fit perfectly in the tiny triangle that edges the anchor patch.  I also added the blanket stitch along the seam.

Finally, I added another piece of white lace and embellished it with (you guessed it!) pink seed beads and Farago silk ribbon roses.  Because Carol wanted her block to be sweet and a reminder of the gentle days of childhood I resisted the urge to add a spider web and spider.  It took a lot of self control…but I managed.  🙂

I hope Diane and Carol will both be pleased with the work I did on their blocks, because I thoroughly enjoyed working on both of them.

Until next time…

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” (1 John 5:6)