Bible Sampler Block 36

 This week's block is called Elijah and the Chariot of Fire:

The Story of Elijah being taken into heaven in the chariot of fire as his assistant watched.  It is taken from II Kings 26:8-11.

The Title of the block is called Whirlwind.

Bible Sampler Block 34

 

Block 34 is called King David's Crown.  It is from 2 Samuel 12:26-30.  This block was partially paper-pieced and partially precision pieced - not quite as simple as it looks.  The block name is also King David's Crown.

Bible Sampler Block 33

 

This block represents the story of David and Goliath - the Giant and the boy from I Samuel 17:23-24 & 41-46,  The block was fairly easy to construct.  The actual name of the block is also David and Goliath.

Bible Sampler Quilt Block 32

 Block 32 of the Bible Sampler Quilt is titled Conquering Jericho from Joshua 6:1-5 & 20.  It tells of God's instructions which they carried out perfectly and how they took Jericho without using one of their weapons and saved Rahab and her family.  But you need to read it to get the entire story.

 The block name is Ruins of Jericho and once I calculated how big the squares had to be, it went together fairly easily.  HST, a square in a square and some strips.  

I completed a couple other small projects this week - 

This is a mug rug and designed for my daughter to include in her Birthday Gift - I really liked the way it turned out.  

I seem to be back into Rainbows again this spring.  This is a door/wall hanging with your storm cloud with a bright lining.  I love rainbows and they symbolize hope and renewal along with butterflies!!  This went to my Granddaughter as she moved into her first apartment.

 

Bible Sampler Block 31

 Bible Sampler block 31 is titled Abounding in Prosperity and comes from Deuteronomy 28:7-12.  It tells the Hebrews what will come their way if the follow God and obey His Precepts and don't make the mistake of following the gods of the land.  

The name of this block is Borrow and Lend.  This wasn't difficult to put together - just making sure everything was heading in the correct direction.  This sometimes for me can be a little tedious.  I think I only turned one piece the wrong way.  

Bible Sampler Block 30

 The 30th Block of the Bible Sampler Quilt is called the Lord on Mt. Sinai from Exodus 19:10-11, 16-20.  This tells how the Israelites met with God at Sinai - through Thunder and Lightening, smoke and fire.

The name of the block is Thunder & Lightning.  It really wasn't difficult to piece - a Square in a square, 4 flying Geese and 24 Half Square Triangles.  The interesting part was getting all the HSTs going in the correct direction.  A design wall really helps.

Bible Sampler Block 29

 The 29th Block of the Bible Sampler Quilt is Traveling to Sinai taken from Exodus 19: 1-5 as the Israelites travel across the desert, following the cloud and the pillar of fire to meet with God at Sinai.

The block is actually named Going Around the Mountain.  It is precision pieced in concentric rounds to form the block - really not at all hard to to.

Bible Quilt Block #28

 The 28th block of The Bible Sampler is called The Red Sea Victory taken from Exodus 14:23-29.  The Israelites cross the red sea on Dry ground, but Pharaoh's army is swamped by the returning waters and lost in the sea.

The block is titled Chariot Wheel.  I precision Pieced this one - a bit tedious as the measurements weren't exact - they fell somewhere between two marked measurements on the ruler - but it came out good and that is all that matters. 

Bible Sampler Block 27

 Block 27 of my Bible Sampler Quilt is titled The Protecting Cloud from Exodus 14:19-22.  The cloud that was fire and darkness to lead the Hebrews, but also stood between them and Pharaoh's Army at the Red Sea.

 The Block Name is Left & Right. 

Bible Sampler Quilt Block 26

 Block 26 of my Bible Sampler Quilt is titled Chariots in Pursuit from Exodus 14:5-9.  The story of the Hebrews leaving Egypt and Pharaoh having a change of heart and sending all his chariots and the army after them. 

 The name of the block is Army Star.  Some of it I paper-pieced and some I just precision Pieced.  

Bible Sampler Block #24

 The 24th Block for my Bible Sampler Quilt is titled Burdens of the Hebrews.  The story of the bricks they had to make for the Egyptians.  The story is taken from Exodus 5:2-3.

The name of the block is Brick Pile which is so appropriate to the story.

 

Week 23 Bible Sampler Block

 Well today started off pretty well.  My Back wasn't aching, It wasn't snowing and the temperature was above 0 F.  Then I tried to cook my eggs for breakfast and accidently turned the wrong burner on - that wouldn't have been so bad except there was a plastic coffee container (full of garbage) sitting on that burner.  I walked away to do something else - and guess what - I came back to melted plastic, a kitchen full of smoke and fumes and a disaster to clean up.  Thankfully it hadn't ignited yet - just melted.  Thank goodness for windows that open and stove fans that work and all is well!!  I did get my eggs cooked, my coffee made and my breakfast into me.  Just please don't tell my husband!!

I have completed block 23 of my Bible Sampler Block.  The story for today is entitled Treasures From the Egyptians taken from Exodus 3:8B - 22.  The Lord tells Moses that when the people are ready to leave Egypt they are to ask for gifts from the people, gold, silver fine cloth and clothing.   

The title of this block is Bright Jewel.  I had an interesting time as the pattern is either for paper-piecing or templates.  I don't like templates and while I like paper-piecing it just wasn't what I wanted for this block.  It is  6 1/2" block and the units turn out to be an unusual number so I had to figure all the measurements and put them together.  It actually was fun and not as difficult as I thought - 4 Quarter Square Triangles made into 4 square in a square and sashed with a corner stone.  Was pleased with the result.

Weekly report

It has been a week of snow, cold, and drifts.  Just when we think we can get out of here (I live in the country at the bottom of a hill)  it snows again.  Never a lot of snow - we rarely get the 12-24 inches, but 1-3 of light fluffy with a wind behind it is enough to make our roads impassable.  Add that the the 3 Ice storms from earlier in the month which hasn't melted and I tell you it is dangerous out there.  Now we are under a 3 day wind chill advisory and today the temps won't get above 0.  So guess what,  I'm staying home again!!

At any rate This is my second week of 15 minutes to stitch in 2021 - I got a late start since I didn't find this cool thing until last week.

• 15 minute days/week = 7/7 days
• 15 minute days/Feb = 14/14 days
• 15 minute days/2021 = 14/14 days
• Success rate = 100%

 To do list for the Week of February 6-13:

1) Quilt on the Stars Around the Garden UFO - Worked on it 4 days this week.

2) Work on Big  Bird from Sesame Street Quilt - Completed Big Bird 

3) Block 22 For Bible Sampler Quilt by Laurie Aaron Hird - Completed Block 22

4) Start Hearts and Kisses Baby Quilt - Started this quilt 

5) Work on Sophia's Garden Blocks - Worked on Block 20 - almost done.

6) Work on National Day Quilt Blocks - got 8 blocks quilted & labeled and 1 block nearly done.

To do list for week of Feb 14 - 20:

1) Work on Quilting for Garden Quilt

2) Finish last of Sophia Blocks

3) Start Fozzie Bear  Block

4) 8 Hearts & Hugs Blocks

5) Quilt 4 more National Blocks

6)Block 23 of Bible sampler quilt

Week 22 Bible Sampler Quilt

 Week 22 of the Bible Sampler Quilt is Moses in the Nile from Exodus 2:1-10.  The story of his birth, how his mother saved him from Pharaoh's death order and his rescue by the Egyptian Princess.  

The title of the block is Basket.  There are many basket blocks but I did like the way the handle was done on this one.  

Snowy Saturday

 Third Snow storm this week!  I've really had enough!  We don't normally get this much snow in an entire season - we've had it in a week - this is the 5th storm in the last 3 weeks or so - But I am grateful for a warm house - plenty of food - warm blankets and a loving husband to help keep me warm.  It is supposed to get very very cold this week and I'm also grateful I don't have to go out anywhere before possibly Thursday.  I would love to go to church tonight but with the snow and the blowing and drifting it really isn't safe so I will get it online in the morning.  

I did accomplish a lot today.  Finished the quilting on the center medallion of my Stars around the Garden quilt.  Will start working on the first border tomorrow - it shouldn't take nearly as long to quilt it - famous last words. 

 I have been fighting with a quilt called Taos.  I have misplaced the Part 6 pattern - that wasn't so horrible I could work around that, but then I last of the diamonds for the center Medallion wouldn't come out right - one side was the correct size - the other side was 1/2 " too long - no idea what was wrong.  I had already ripped these things out twice and recut some of them and just had enough.  I packed the entire thing away.  I will get the rest of the monthly patterns and hopefully I will find the missing one and someday in the future I will go back to it.  For now I have so much that needs quilted or needs pieced that is actually fun to keep me busy for quite a while.

I did complete block 21 for my Bible Sampler Quilt:

It is Children of Israel, both the study and the title of the block.  The scripture is Exodus 1:1-11.

Week 20 Bible Sampler Quilt

 Week 20 of the Bible Sampler Quilt is called the Family United.  It is the story of Joseph bringing his father and brothers to Egypt and revealing to them who he was.  It is told in Genesis 45: 4-5 & 8-11.

The block name is Goshen Star.  It was actually one of the easier ones to construct.  HSTs and flip corners  getting the measurements right was the only mild challenge.

Second Full Week of 2021

 I can't say 2021 has started off much better than 2020.  Last year was the 4 day migraine, this year two huge ice storms and more riots.  Oh well - I've decided to ignore the rest of the world for a while and see what I can do in my little sphere of influence to hopefully make friends and neighbors lives a little bit brighter.  Maybe changing my tiny bit of world will help change a bigger bit of world.  

The new Mug Rug I made to be part of my project for the new year.  Just hopefully the first of many.

I completed the 18th block in my Bible Sampler Quilt - The Coat of Many Colors from Genesis 37: 1-4 & 25-28.  It is the story of Joseph the favorite son of Jacob and his rocky and destructive relationship with his 10 older brothers and the tragedy that ensued.   

I used Deb Tucker's Studio 180 tools and technique sheets to create the block.  It can be done in many ways.  The corners are called shaded 4-patches, the centered blocks are a form of flying geese.  The full name of the block is Joseph's Coat.

I've been working on a lot of different things this week - among them the Sesame Street Quilt and the Taos quilt - both of which are months in the future for completion.

My daughter gave me a Christian Day Planner for Christmas and I really like it.  So I decided to make something to keep the pen and pencil close so I wouldn't be constantly searching for them when I wanted to make a note.  So this is what I came up with:

I have several that are bookmarks that slide over the pages.  I added the pockets to hold the pens.  It certainly is making life a bit easer since I always lose track of my pens/pencils.  

 

Icy January

 It has been an icy January so far.  Two massive Ice storms and days on end of fog, but thankfully it has not been terribly cold.  Cold enough to keep the ice and snow around but not cold enough to freeze your toes off.  Of course I would love one of those Januarys where it is 65 and sunny and you can go walking in your shirtsleeves - but those are few and far between.  

This was taken in the fog the morning after the second ice storm.  It was foggy for three days.

This was taken out my back door the following day.  The trees are covered still with ice and Hoarfrost.  It was one of the most beautiful sights I had seen in the neighborhood.  It turned foggy again later that day and we haven't seen the sun since. 
 

I am learning to take my beauty where I can find it this last year - sometimes it is hard to come by.  

My block of the week (#17) for The Bible Sampler Quilt is Jacob's Ladder - the story of Jacob's Struggle with God in the wilderness.  

I made it using the Wing Clipper II from Studio 180 and one other ruler from her collection.  Making flying Geese with precision piecing is just not my thing - they always come out wonky and look terrible.  The story of Jacob's Ladder is in Genesis 28: 10-15.  The name of the block is also called Jacob's Ladder.

My first completed project of 2021 is a Snowflake wall hanging.

I like to hang small quilts beside my front door - a long narrow one on the left and a square one on the right.  For winter I had a Snowman for the left but nothing for the right so I used the old tried and true method of making snowflakes from grade school, traced it on fusable and appliqued it to the square.  

I have no idea what my next completed project will be - even after spending last year trying to clear out my UFO's - I still seem to have more that I should have.  I guess this year I will try to avoid starting too many new projects and work on completing the ones I already have going.  

Winter is upon us!

 We had our very first real winter storm of the season - with the Storm Warnings, the snow, the sleet and the icing on the cake was the freezing rain!!

Depending on exactly where you were you got from 3 to 12 inches of snow.  We got about three and then a heavy coating of ice.  Personally I would rather have just the snow or preferably just rain, but thankfully I don't have to go out today at all.  Took the trash out to the can earlier (just outside the garage door) and was thankful I didn't have to go any farther as it was covered in ice.  The plow did come down the road in the night so it is good and we could get out if we had too.  He will probably come back through again this afternoon and pass again.

I finished block 16 of my Bible Sampler Quilt.  The Story is Abraham and Sarah's Visitors, when they receive the visit from the Angel of the Lord and two angels to announce the pending birth of Isaac.  A meal is cooked and served to the visitors.  The story is in Genesis 18:1-8.

 The title of the block is Hearth and Home.

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas to one and all.  It is a bit of a different Christmas around here as we have no family or friends visiting. No huge festive dinner in to oven and no gifts under the tree to distribute to one and all.  But none the less it is Christmas Morning, the celebration of the birth of Christ.  We did get to see our Grandson the other day.  He drove over from Chicago to visit each family member who lives on this end of the state.  He was alone, but at least we got to see him and spend some time with him.  The rest of the family, at least one person in the household has had COVID and I am not going to risk any chance on coming down with it.  Christmas doesn't need a crowd to be joyous - it just needs my joyous heart.

This week I made the 15th block in my Bible Sampler Quilt.  The Story is Beautiful Sarai from Genesis 12:8-12.  Abram, for some reason heads to Egypt, then at the last minute realizes that the Egyptians might kill him and take his beautiful wife, Sarai.  He tells her to say she is his sister to protect him.  But what about her - that lie makes her more vulnerable.  We just can't seem to learn to trust in God - This was God's plan for Abram to build a people and a country and he can't do it with Abram dead and Sarai a concubine of the Pharaoh.   At any rate - God intervenes and teaches Abram another lesson in trust and obedience.

The name of the block is Wonders of Egypt.  It was partially paper pieced with a lot of Y seams.  I think this is all preparing me for another quilt I'm working on that will have a LOT of Y seams.