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.

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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

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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

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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)

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Hearts…Broken and Crazy…and Other Bits (Giveaway Coming Soon)

Once again days have turned into weeks since my last post.  My dear husband and I took a trip to north Arkansas for a few days for a little rest and relaxation.  While we were visiting that part of the country we had the pleasure of visiting with my crazy quilting, online friend Hollie and her husband Mark. (picture of Hollie and me in the post before this one)  When we returned home we needed a few more days of rest and relaxation to revive from the road trip…If you are over fifty, you know what I’m talking about.

When we went out of town we left our dogs at home with our oldest daughter.  They love her dearly, and we never have to worry about them when they are in her care.  Our Great Dane started getting very finicky about eating while we were gone this time, and when we returned things went downhill from there.  We were hoping he was just being sensitive, because we left him and he would soon return to normal.   His hips had been getting bad for a while.  He showed signs of old age.  I’ve seen the “handwriting on the wall” for several months.  On Tuesday of last week he completely stopped eating.  Nothing I offered him would entice him to eat.   On Monday of this week we called our vet in to euthanize him.  He was beginning to show signs of suffering, and we had to gulp up the courage to do what was best for him.  Hence…the broken heart.  Bubba was a great dog and will be missed greatly.

Moving on to crazy hearts…Late last week a crazy quilting friend’s husband passed away.  My words are not adequate for expressing the sorrow I feel for her loss.  I’ve never walked that mile…I can only imagine the pain she is feeling.  This heart will be embellished with her in mind, and I will send it to her.  Hopefully I’ll have it completed and ready to go by weekend’s end.

The next heart is for a one on one heart swap…just because.   I constructed it a little bit bottom heavy and have not decided how I will handle that.

Speaking of one on one swaps…My friend Pam and I have entered into a one on one block swap.  We chose an 8 inch block.  Each of us made a naked block and exchanged them to embellish and return home.

Here is the one Pam sent to me.  She dyed all the fabrics herself.  Aren’t they lovely.   The colors are vibrant…brights are her favorite.

The block I sent to her is made of fabrics in far more muted colors…The trim along the edge of the curved patch was salvaged from a thrift store pillow case.  I call this block “two friends” because of the silkie I used for the anchor patch.

Last but not least, I worked on the final block I will angel stitch for in the World Wide Crazy Quilting encrusted RR.  The block belonged to Carol.  For my part I stitched the vine on the long blue patch, added stitching to the existing stitching on the anchor patch, and added the spider web and spider.  I tried a different web-making technique and have not decided if I like it as well as couching the web.

Before I go I want to announce my next giveaway.  Robbie Fields has generously offered to share two sets of her Creative Stitchery Success Strips to be given away one set at a time on my blog.   I will be featuring her success strips in a post very soon (or as soon as I can manage to get another post ready).  I recently bought a set of these strips from Robbie after hearing about them from several of my very accomplished stitching friends.  I’m so glad I did, because they make it so simple to space my embroidery stitches evenly and give them a more professional look. That’s a big plus when stitching compound-stitch, seam treatments.   I think every crazy quilter should have a set of these great stitching tools, and I have to wonder why I waited so long to buy them.  Click on the link and see how affordable they are.

Just for the record, I am hosting this giveaway because I really like the strips.  Robbie did not ask me to.  Only after I asked her if she minded if I featured her strips on my blog and told her I wanted to give a set away did she offer to furnish the sets.  I appreciate her generosity.  I expect nothing in return for hosting the giveaway.  It is my intention to share a wonderful stitching tool with those who are not aware of it.

Until next time…

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)

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Still Playing Catch-Up

We know where good intentions are said to lead, but I really had hoped to have a follow-up to my last post written much sooner.  Time has a way of getting away from me…it stands still for no man or woman.  (Historically it did stand still one time.  Does anyone know when?)  April swept past without a single post, and May is half over with only one.  It was my good intention to post pictures of the crazy quilting things of interest from April and pictures of the beautiful blessings of spring around our home very soon after my last post.  I’m crossing my fingers the fruition of this post comes to be quickly.

One thing I wanted to share is the beautiful hearts I received in the past Crazy Quilting for Newbies heart swap.  To say I love them is an understatement.  The first one pictured was created by Beryl.  I adore butterflies and bumblebees.  Beryl’s stitching is lovely.  Her heart won a spot in mine, and I am so glad it’s mine.

The next heart I’m showcasing was created by Stephanie.   I had the pleasure of seeing it in stages as it was created.  It was my heart’s desire for it to be mine, but there was no was I was going to ask Lesa to make it so.  I did ask God.  He even cares about little things like heart swaps.  Yes, He does!  What a wonderful surprise it was when I opened the envelope the day my hearts arrived to find one of the two hearts Stephanie created.  I felt blessed beyond words.  Because Stephanie does not have a blog I want to share the other heart she made.  (I’m sharing without permission with hopes she won’t mind.  Sometimes forgiveness is easier to get than permission…so I will take a chance.  I don’t remember who received  Stephanie’s second, but I know they were as wowed as I was with mine.

Stephanie’s butterfly heart…it’s mine, mine, mine.  🙂  Is it not beyond gorgeous?

Stephanie’s fan heart…Wow!  I understand the fan was constructed of very vintage silk.  Exquisite is the word that comes to mind.

Snowballs in Southeast Mississippi are rare any time of the year, but I made two in April.  These were crazy quilt snowballs from the snowball fight at Crazy Quilting International.  I exchanged snowballs with Kristie and Nicki Lee.  Snowballs are a bit of a challenge for me, because the palette is so small.  Still I take the challenge when it is issued.

I shared the snowball Nicki Lee sent to me in a past post.  It was, as is with all of Nicki’s work, gorgeous.  She requested an under the sea theme (UTS).  What I did turned out okay, but I didn’t feel like it was anything spectacular.  My stash is not very UTS heavy, but I plan on working on that just a bit.

Kristie requested a snowball made from oranges, pinks, turquoise, golds and/or browns.  She left the theme up to the stitcher.  I guess it goes without saying, I went with pinks and a dragonfly.

The April TAT RR I worked on belonged to Linda.  Linda requested a “religious” theme.

Full block with all stitcher’s work to date…

I added a row of sheaf stitch representing wheat, a row of abstract angels, JOY (which should be in every Christian’s heart) and a row of little church houses.

I also added a pretty floral Venice lace motif and stitching.

Last but not least, I worked on Thearica’s block in the ALL THINGS PRETTY RR at World Wide Crazy Quilting.  After four block rotations I am finally getting into the swing of working on six-inch blocks.  Initially they were a challenge because of the smaller size and the fact that each stitcher in the round robin did one block alone.  Thearica’s blocks are all really sweet.

I think that is a wrap.  Currently I am working on the last block I will work on in the TAT RR.  It belongs to Sue S., and my work should be completed in the next few days.  I am trying a technique new to me and am finding it pretty tough on my fingertips.  (No, I don’t use a thimble.  I lost the only thimble I was able to get used to and have never seen another one like it.  All thimbles are not created equally.)  I’ve had to give them a rest in between stitching sessions.  I’ve also got a couple of World Wide Crazy Quilting Encrusted RR blocks to do angel work on.  My May CQJP block is still unconstructed.  I’ve selected the fabrics, but finding the time to sit at the machine to put the block together hasn’t happened.  In addition, I am mentoring the Color Theory Class at Stitchmap for the first time.  Mentoring is a great way to give back what has been given to you.

Speaking of time and it not happening…my time has been consumed with a new puppy.  Because our other dogs are older, mature dogs, I had forgotten what an enormous demander of time and energy a puppy is.  I do crate train her, so I get a break in between the time she is socializing and exercising to rejuvenate.  Meet Bella the newest member of our family…she is an almost ten week old  German Shepherd.  This picture was taken last Thursday shortly before we left the breeder’s house.  Look at the feet on this puppy!  Today her ears are much more erect than they were when the picture was taken…and there is no doubt she is bigger.  The little stinker weighed 17 1/2 pounds yesterday.  Bella is very smart and though she is quite absent of manners, she is learning quickly.  I believe she will make a fine dog/companion when she’s settled down and has a bit of training under her belt.  AND I plan on surviving the puppy stage.  🙂

Okay, that’s a wrap.  The pretty spring flowers will have to wait until next time.  I might even manage another post before May has slipped past.  🙂

Until next time…

And Jesus answering them began to say,  Take heed lest any man deceive you.  Mark 13:5

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April…The Month That Was…Crazy (Quilting That Is)

When I looked in on my blog this morning I could hardly believe over a month had come and gone without a single post.  Looking back on the month of April, it is much easier to believe.  I started April out with my second bout with the flu…Strain B.  Because it was reported to be milder than Strain A, I opted not to go to the doctor in time to take Tamiflu…I pray I never feel the need to take that nasty stuff again!  Strain B may be milder, but it still landed in my lungs, and I ended up with a granddaddy case of bronchitis…if not pneumonia.  It took me a full month to get over it.  BUT thank God I am finally over it!

My Crazy Quilt Journal block for April is completed.  It is monochromatic pink.  Like the three blocks before it, a spider and spider web are part of the embellishment.   This block has more beading than the other three, so the final project may be made into a wall hanging or be displayed over the back of a chair instead of becoming the lap quilt I originally planned.  I’m afraid  a trip through the washing machine would be its doom.

Here are a few pictures of April in the pink…

The full block…

Left upper corner…

Left lower corner…

Right upper corner…

Right lower corner…

Spider close-up…

My friend Hollie suggested it would be nice to see all four completed blocks together…so this is for you, Hollie.  Of course, the blocks will have sashing in between them when they are actually put together.

The TAT RR I am in hit a snag, and I had no block to work on in April.  (That was probably God’s way of taking care of me, because there were very few days in April when I felt well enough to stitch for more than a few minutes at a time.)  I did stitch on one of Janie’s All Things Pretty blocks.  All Things Pretty is a “do your own block” 6″ block round robin.  Each participant embellishes a 6″ block.

Here is a picture of the work I did for Janie…

I have more to share, but I think I’ll save that for another post.  I’ve got spring flower pictures and snowballs thrown and a snowball caught.  The beginning of April brought the close to a heart swap I participated in.  I sent two and received two.  I will share the wonderful hearts I received in my next post…maybe even today.  Who knows.

Until next time…

I will go in the strength of the LORD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.  Psalm 71:16

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Green Is The Word (March CQJP 2013) And Some Vintage Finds

Night before last I made the final stitches in the round robin blocks in my possession.  Last night I had NOTHING ready to work on.  I felt like a fish out of water.  All month I’ve tried to get my March CQJP block constructed.  My fabrics were selected and prewashed and  laying in a wrinkled pile on top of my work space.  On the first day of  March I designed the layout of this month’s block and traced it on my muslin.  Today I finally took the time to press my fabrics and stitch my block.  Yea me!  Tonight the embellishing will begin.  This block is the third of a monochromatic theme.  It is shades of green, and all the materials used to embellish will also be green. 

Here is a picture of the naked block…

Yesterday my husband and I ran errands.  While we were out we stopped by one of my favorite thrift stores.   I found a few framed vintage handwork pieces, a pretty little tea bag holder, and a choker necklace that will be taken apart and used for embellishing crazy quilt blocks. 

Framed tatting (I think this is tatting.  I cannot tell the difference between tatting and fine, cotton crochet)  The shadows on the matting are in the photo only.  The piece is pristine, and I love it!  It is hanging near the chair where I sit and stitch and is a sweet inspiration…

 

I grew up in Virginia and have visited historic Williamsburg several times.  Finding the next two pieces was almost like going home.  The cross stitch samplers are circa 1950’s.  I don’t know where I will hang them, but I couldn’t resist bringing them home.  A lot of care and time went into both pieces, and I always feel a strange connection with the unknown person who spent her time working on them.  I feel a sadness that no one who loved her wanted to hang on to the pieces.

The Raleigh Tavern…

Brutan Parish Church…

I assume this pretty little piece is a tea bag holder (I am drawn to blue glassware and china.  I don’t know if this is a replica or vintage.  It’s pretty, and I will use it.  It’s hand decorated in the USA (a BIG plus in my book) by CC Fine China…Morgana Collection.  I found nothing about it online, but that matters not, because I like it. 🙂

Robert Rose Faux Pearl Choker (I can’t imagine wearing anything like this around my neck, but the parts will be perfect for embellishing CQ blocks…too bad there are no green pieces!)

That’s my thrifty finds from yesterday…thank you for stopping by.  I welcome your comments. 

Until next time…

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally. . . . But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  James 1:5-6

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My Stephanie Swap Block Came Home!!!

And what a beauty it is!  The one-on-one swap block I sent to Stephanie is her first-ever block to embellish.  She did an amazing job!   I love each and every element she added to the naked block I sent to her.  Her work turned my plain block into a treasure.  Without further ado, here are pictures of the beautiful work Stephanie added to my block. 

Here is a picture of my block before Stephanie began working on it.  (Click on any picture for a larger view.)

This picture shows the finished block…isn’t it gorgeous?

The buttons and beads in the button cluster are beautiful…being a lover of buttons, I find it to be a very fine addition to the block.  The silk rose positioned at the top of the cluster was made by Stephanie.  She used the singe around the edge method…I’ve got to try it soon.  It makes a very elegant flower.  Just to the right of the flower is a small snowflake pin.  It is a special piece Stephanie added to my block…special and very pretty.

I absolutely love the silkie tag Stephanie placed on the block. Not that I would ever forget who did the beautiful embellishing, but it is a wonderful reminder and a very sweet touch.  She chose the pine cone theme, because it is the state flower of her home state of Maine. The pin just below it works perfectly.

The fan and tassel are made of vintage silk…so luxurious. I love the rich colors.

Her beaded snowflake is beautiful…so perfect.

Finally, Stephanie used beautiful vintage laces and lovely stitching throughout the block.

Needless to say, but I will anyway, I am well pleased with my block. Stephanie had been shy about joining in a round robin and working on someone else’s block. After seeing what she did with my block I must say, she has no reason to be shy!  Her work is beautiful, and I believe anyone would be pleased to have her stitching on their block.

I’ve not decided how I will use my beautiful block…but I am thinking about it. I appreciate Stephanie taking my one-on-one block swap challenge and look forward to seeing her future work.

Until next time…

For we walk by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

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I Won The Lottery!

Wow!  Can you believe it?  Even if you can, I was astounded!  I could not believe my luck!  Out of around one hundred and fifty people I was chosen by lottery to serve for the next six months on the grand jury of my county.  I had you going there for a minute, didn’t I?  Twenty people were selected to serve by drawing their name out of a drum similar to the ones used to draw bingo numbers.  By the time the eighteenth juror was chose I was feeling pretty relieved.  We were down to two names…it felt like I was almost home free.  BUT I was wrong.  Number nineteen was me. 

I don’t begrudge serving, but jury duty is something I take extremely serious.  I’m not power-hungry and do not relish deciding the fate of fellow citizens.  It stresses me to the point of physical and mental exhaustion.

 I’m sure this will be a learning experience, because grand jury is unlike the civil and federal trial juries I’ve served on in the past.  This jury only determines if there is enough evidence to indict a suspect and send them to trial.  Hopefully this won’t be as emotionally taxing as the trial juries I’ve served on were. 

Before yesterday I had no concept of what a grand jury does.  In what amounted to data overload my fellow jurors and I were given an overview of our duties during this session of court.  During the first week of February we will meet again to hear the prosecution side only of approximately forty cases. After reviewing the evidence we will decide by vote  if there is enough evidence to send those cases to trial.  Twelve of the twenty jurors must vote yes to indited.   We’ve been told this process will take only one day.  This will be repeated during the first week of each month. 

Part of my duty over the next six months is to serve on a committee who will visit and inspect the police stations, jails and fire stations in our county. Our committee will make recommendations for upgrade changes that need to be made in these facilities. Three other committees inspect schools, roads, and public buildings.

This service should prove to be interesting.  I believe God has allowed me to be part of this jury for a purpose beyond the obvious, because He is in everything pertaining to my life.  I don’t pretend to know what that purpose is, but  I pray others see Jesus in me.

Until next time…

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.  Matthew 6:13

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