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 35

 This week's story is called the Queen's Visit:

It is from I Kings 16:1-2 & 6-9.  This is the story of the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon and his Court.  We don't know for sure where she came from or who she was, but she was wealthy, but even her wealth was small when compared to the glories of Solomon's court and she was amazed at his wisdom and power.

The name of the block is Queen's Treasure.

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 #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.

 

Bible Quilt Block 11

 The 11th block in the Bible Sample Quilt is the story of the World Wide Flood taken from Genesis 8:1-7. We've had some pretty horrendous storms here and I loved through Hurricane Gloria back in the 1980's in New England so I do know about rain and wind and even Tornados but this storm took the cake.  Noah had to built an ark for his family to survive - him and all the life on earth.

This block is called Open Window.  Despite my aversion to diamonds and Y seams this block went together pretty easily.  

Bible Sampler Block 10

 Block 10 For the Bible Sampler Quilt is Noah and The Ark from Genesis 6:13-19.  The Story of how God Saved a remnant of his people from the destruction that came.  He has always promised a remnant of Believers will remain after any disaster.

The name of the block is Doors and Windows.  Basic squares - except they were very small!!  

Bible Sampler Block 09

 The Ninth block for my Bible Sampler Quilt is Leaving the Garden based on Genesis 3:20-24.  The Consequence of sin (wrong doing) is usually a loss.  I remember when I was a child I broke the house rules and needed to be punished - it was just before my birthday - so my mother cancelled my birthday party.  My birthday was ignored that year.  You best believe I was on my best behavior for every year after that around my birthday.  Adam and Eve lost so much more for their sin.  They lost their beautiful home, their close intimate relationship with God and they were going to suffer pain and loss for their lives.  I don't like the consequences of my actions, but there are the direct result of disobeying God's Law.  But Praise God that he sent his son to pay my debt and save me from my sin.

Title of the block is Mother's Favorite.

Bible Sampler Block 07

 The Seventh Block of the Bible Sampler Quilt is Adam and Eve disobey.  It was a pretty basic block - 4 patches and V- blocks.  I used a V-block tool to get those blocks more or less correct.  The Bible Reference is Genesis 3:7-9

Name of the actual block is Garden Walk.

Living under Stay at Home Order Part 6

It has now been 9 weeks since I have been out to do more than go to the Doctor's, the Pharmacy and do a curbside pick up at the fabric store.  I would love to get back to my life, but I don't really see that happening any time soon.  I'm learning to be content in where I am and what I have.  I want to go to Church and quilt guild and out to lunch with my granddaughters and my daughter and daughter-in-law, but that is not going to happen.  Even with the restaurants opening in Iowa I don't want to go out like that.  With my immune system and my other underlying issues, I just can't risk it just yet.  I know I live in an area that isn't too hard hit, but it is still out there for now.  So I will stay home, work on my projects and do some new recipes and help my husband when I can.

We had plans to go on a trip to two National Parks for our 50th Anniversary on the 9th, but that of course did not happen.  Now we are making plans for when things are safer.  He wants to go to Bryce and Zion - which I do want to see, but I want to go to Olympic and visit my Niece in Oregon.  We will probably go to Bryce and Zion as we went to my choices last year - Glacier and the Badlands.  I'm just looking forward to the trip - it might not happen until our next Anniversary, but it will happen!!

My birthday was just last Saturday - we didn't do anything.  my daughter and granddaughter came out on Sunday to bring me gifts and we sat out on the front deck and talked.  It was wonderful just to see them.  I haven't seen either for them in over 3 months and they only live about 15 miles away. 

My little great-granddaughter had her first birthday on Friday and it was a Quarantine party that no one was invited too.  It was so funny and adorable.  We got pictures and a video to watch.  Not as good as being able to be there, but much better than nothing.

I have been making greeting cards for friends and family.  Paper-pieced fronts and just greetings on the inside - some are note cards, some are birthday cards, some are thank you cards and one was a sympathy card.  Some I designed myself and some are from patterns - it all keeps me busy.

 

There is also the Mug Rugs I made - some of my own design - for my daughter as she and her family loved the ones I make for Christmas a year and a half ago.  I love making them and they are fun and easy to do.

I'm still working on my National day quilt - These are mostly my own designs for the days - National Earth Day, National Tax day, National Audubon Day and Nation Arbor Day.  I have 6 more that need to be quilted which will bring me to the end of May.  Then I need to think about June's National Days.


The last project I have completed is my Quarantine Door hanging.  Most of the people in my neighborhood have been putting colored paper hearts on their windows as a sign of hope and to thank and support those on the front lines. I didn't have any colored paper - I gave it all to the church so I had to think outside the box - or inside my fabric stash. This is my Hope Quarantine Door Hanging.

I also completed a challenge project from my favorite Quilt shop - The Quilt box - in Kewanee.  Hence the drive by to the quilt shop - of course I had to place an order to pick up while I was there.  I forgot to take a picture so I will do that and post it later.

I dragged out a quilt top I started 10 years ago called Circles of Life.  It is a Paper-pieced rainbow quilt.  I quickly figured out why I had pack it away to years ago - but I am determined to finish it now.  I'm on the home stretch with it and "should" have the top finished by at least the middle of June - I'm not saying which year - just by the middle of June!!

 it has done nothing but rain here in May.  We have had nearly 4 inches of rain in the last 5 days.  The Rock River is in flood, the farm fields have huge puddles of water where they aren't flooded and our sumps are running a lot.  There really is no end in sight - it wasn't supposed to rain today - but guess what - it did.  We had some sunshine on Sunday while the girls and I sat on the deck (thankfully it didn't rain while they were here) and it felt so good to see it break through the clouds.  I know in another month we will be dying of the heat and wishing for some rain - but that is a month or more away!!

Today I'm catching up on my sleep, and some computer time and I will get back to my quilting studio tomorrow.  Not cooking tonight - eggs and toast for dinner sounds good enough.  

Latest Reading list:
Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evonavich
Kilt Dead by Kaitlyn Dunnett
Posidon's Arrow by Clive Cussler
Scone Cold Dead by Kaitlyn Dunnett
Back Fire by Catherine Coulter
A Thread of Truth by Marie Boswick

Living Under Stay At Home Order Part 4

It has been a crazy, informative time - There are many good things about the Quarantine and there are many less than good things.  There are things I thought I would miss and don't and things I didn't realize I would miss and do, and things I knew I would miss and I really miss them.  I miss seeing my grand kids and my great grand kids so very much, but then I knew that.  I miss the big family get togethers - you know the ones - they are exhausting and exasperating and so much fun!!  I miss lunch with my girls - daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters - lunch with my friends, & Coffee with my BFF. I miss Church and Bible Study and that Fellowship - but am grateful to my pastor for posting everything on the internet so we can all keep up and keep in touch.  And I miss my quilt gatherings and friends, and I miss the road trips with my quilt buddy.

I've found I have more time to help Hubby with the Spring Yard work - not something I'm thrilled about - I hate yard work - he usually calls me in when he wants something to die - if I tough a growing plant - it dies.  I have two black thumbs - I can only grow Dandelions!  I have more time for cleaning - UGH - not my favorite thing either!!

I've actually been doing laps in my driveway now that the rain has eased off and the temps are back up to something resembling Jacket weather.  I mean would you believe it - we had a couple of 70 degree days and then in one week we had TWO - not one but TWO - snow storms.  Not little flurry things but 4 - 6 inches of wet sticky stuff.

Snow on the Maple bud trying to come out.

The poor Robin in the back tree trying to avoid the snow.

I have also had plenty of time to work on my sewing.  I've been working on a Block of the month called Sophie's Garden - it is part cotton fabric with applique in wool.  I haven't done a lot of work with wool so this is a new challenge.  I also have my second Quilt of Valor  Ready to be quilted, that is going to happen as soon as I get the center of my Hue quilt Quilted.

I've also been working on my National Day Quilt  These ones are all my own design as Angie decided to take a break.  That's okay as I have been having a lot of fun with it.

April Fool's Day
Find a Rainbow Day
National Unicorn Day
Easter Sunday

I have the rest of April's days planned and/or completed but not finished and photographed.

Today I plan to try my had at making a face mask, finishing the center of the Hue Quilt and working on a Challenge put out by my favorite Quilt Shop  The Quilt Box.  Might have to help Hubby clean the front deck if it warms up a bit.

Been doing a lot of reading too mostly by comfortable, familiar authors:

Alien Allure by Hope Callaghan
Broken Bone China by Laura Childs
The Killer of Pilgrims by Susanna Gregory
Emerald by Phyllis Whitney
A Minute to Midnight by David Baldecci
Plaid and Plagiarism by Molly Mcrae

I'm looking forward to many things - a big family birthday party, a road trip to see my great-granddaughter in Chicago - a road trip with my Quilt Buddy/BFF, a Road trip with my Hubby, and a Church with all my church family.

Stay safe and Healthy.

Living Under Stay at Home Order Part 3

Our Order was supposed to be lifted on Tuesday, but things are not going well over in Chicago so the Governor has locked us down until the end of April at the earliest.  We had planned a trip for out 50th anniversary and my sister and her husband planned a party for their 25th with their daughters flying in, one from Oregon and one from Australia - but I don't believe that is going to happen.  Life is on hold for the foreseeable future.  The thing seems to be that what is separating us is also drawing us together.  My family is all seeming to be talking to each other even though there were little spats before all this started.  By talking I really mean texting - but it is still communication.  We are all cooking - my daughter was making a pot roast the other day and I've actually been cleaning out all those "Planned overs" I had in the freezer for a rainy day - well I think the rainy day has come. 

My other thing is clearing out all those old projects that have been sitting around my sewing room for YEARS! 

 This Chevron Quilt started live about 7 or so years ago when my Quilt Sister and I went to Missouri Star Quilt Company in Hamilton, MO.  I ended up not getting enough Charm Packs  so on another trip to Hancock's of Paducah I found more light that would work.  It ended up still not being enough and I scrounged to find things that would work.  Finally drew it all together and finished it - a bit smaller than I planned but done!!  It is going to the Charity pile. 

This is the 11th of my Monthly Silhouettes - I've been working on the 12 of them for at least 6 years.  They aren't all that hard to do as they are appliqued - and I do Machine work for that - it is just doing it I guess.  Anyway it was completed in the last couple of weeks.

This is a relatively new one.  It was started January 2019 as an internet BOM from Quilt Doodle Designs and the last of the blocks was posted in January 2020.  I completed the quilt on March 30, 2020 and I plan on keeping it but Don't know for sure yet.

National Crayon Day
National Puppy Day
National Quilting Day
National Real Tolkien Day

This as caught me up on my National Quilt Blocks to the end of March.  I'm working on April 1 but it is not done yet.  Hopefully Kellie will be back soon with some ideas to continue on.  It's not always easy to find a day you can transform into a quilt block.  Like what do you do with National Burrito Day!!

I am staying home and finding things to do.  We have spent two afternoons so far cleaning the yard up after the crazy winter we had.  We have at least one more day on the front yard before it begins to look normal.  I had trimmed back a couple of bushes in the late fall and didn't get them cleaned up before the snow and rains hit.  The leaves didn't get cleaned up as most of them didn't fall before the snow and rains hit, and the wind took a lot of small branches and sticks out of the front trees and all that has to be cleaned up.  What a mess!!  Oh well it gets up out in the fresh air and sunshine, both of which are good for us. 

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Christmas Eve - 2015

This has been the most amazing December I can remember for a very very long time.  First and foremost I haven't had the horrid depression the normally sets in with Thanksgiving.  I've been upbeat and enjoying my days.  Secondly - the weather has been - well - spring like.  It is warm - most days are in the 50's and low 60's and I'm thrilled about that.  I got gifts made and organized and there is a bag containing some little thing for everyone slated to be here today and tomorrow.  And thirdly I've been busy and active and able to get out and do they things I want to do.  And Lastly but certainly not the least - I have made it to church and Sunday school every weekend this month.  No ice and snow really helps with that.  Hopefully I will make it to candlelight service tonight.

I've started a couple new projects (blocks of the month)  Sylvia's Bridal Sampler  and El's Kitchen I'm looking forward to these new projects.

I do plan on attempting to clear out some of my old projects to make room for the now ones.  So I have a list of 16 in 16 - of UFO's that I want to complete in 2016.  If anyone would like to join me in this quest - please leave me a note and we can check on each other's progress.                  

Well, I have half of my family coming in a couple of hours and I need to get a few more things done yet.  I wish everyone a truly Merry Christmas, and be safe out there!

I feel like it was yesterday since I last wrote a post - and it has been nearly a year. The time has just flown by - yet it has been a trying and stressful year. We did finally finish the basement after the flooding and it was looking really good. It was a very very hard winter - for us a nearly record snowfall and harsh temperatures plus winter didn't ease it's hold until late in May. My Azalea never did bloom as it was simply too cold for it. Hopefully it will bloom again next year.

The summer has been unusually cool which helped with the electric bill, but we didn't really have a summer. Early in the summer, my husband hurt his neck and arm and was unable to do anything for the pain. He couldn't even drive. So many things I normally do had to be set aside to care for him. Three doctors later we found one who could actually help him, but he said it would take 3 - 4 months. Here we are 3 1/2 months later and he is so much better - he can drive for extended periods of time, he can start the lawn mover and he can do other things he was unable to do in June. He is not completely back to where he was in May, but he is well on his way and I am so grateful.

We wanted to go to a could of reunions this summer and visit Gettysburg and Manassass but that was not possible this summer. We are planning a day trip to Chicago to visit our grandson and go to the museum - he wants to take his Grampa to the new U-boat exhibit. I'm not into tight enclosed spaces, so I will opt out and go for the doll house or the electric train display.

 I have completed a couple of quilts this year:

This is Sunbonnet Sue around the year and was a gift to my sister.

This is the Underground Railroad Sampler Quilt and was a gift to my Brother.

I am working on several others and hopefully will have more completed soon.

Last Day of February-tea & snow

I really don't know where this month has gone - it has just flitted away somewhere - And I still haven't seen my first robin!!  I thought maybe since we had such a mild winter that the robins would return early - So I must just keep watching.

We have been having a Winter storm for the last 3 days.  It started on Tuesday Morning and snowed all of Tuesday and Wednesday and is still spitting snow today.  Now it didn't snow steadily all that time and some of it came down mixed with freezing drizzle so we only got maybe 4-6 inches - which is way more than I care to deal with.  So instead of dealing with the snow I buried myself in my quilt studio and played.

Bushes in the backyard yesterday afternoon

I love tea - herb teas, flavored teas, green tea, white tea, oolong tea You name it.  I finally have a granddaughter who also likes tea - so now we can have tea parties.  So I made a Tea Time Mug Rug

Tea Time Mug Rug

I will make another one for her and we can brew a pot of tea and chat about whatever is on her mind.  The Crocheted Rose is from a pattern called Lace and Roses Scarf I made the scarf and the roses to go on it, but I loved the roses so much and they were so easy that I decided to make some more and do a bouquet of them.  I have two done so for.

Anyway - hopefully I will be able to get out this afternoon the driveway is clear and hubby is really good behind the wheel of the new mustang he bought!!

Rainy Day - Again!

It has been a very rainy day today - the ditches across the street are filled to nearly overflowing.  This is not a really bad thing as we had a very dry summer.  I am grateful that it was rain and not snow like they are getting up north and in the east.  We've actually had very little snow this winter - but still I'm truly looking forward to Spring.  A friend posted pictures of her daffodils today - of course she lives in California so they come early.  I'll be happy if we have Daffodils by Easter - which is early this year.

My husband didn't get my Cougar repaired yet.  It has been too wet to crawl under the car and see if the oil senser unit is what is leaking oil.  But he did get the Grand Marque running and put air in all the tires.  We haven't used the GM much since he bought his Mustang - it actually hasn't been started since October.  But it is running now and I made it to church this morning.  He'll just have to keep an eye on the tires as one has a slow leak in it - the mounting is not right.

I didn't get a lot done yesterday as I didn't get to sleep until 5 in the morning, so I slept until nearly 2 in the afternoon.  An unusual occurance for me.  I was a bit upset as my son called about 11:30 - we were supposed to have lunch.  I couldn't have gone anyway as the car wasn't repaired and I REFUSE to drive the Mustang - I'm not going to be responsible for the first scratch, ding or dent that gets put on that car!!

I did spend a little time in my sewing studio this afternoon.  I made a set of coasters that I have had cut out and cluttering up the table for several months.  Decided it was time to take care of that!

The other day I made a Tea Wallet.  I found the idea on one of my quilting message boards and was delighted with the idea.  I love tea and I'm not really fond of plain old Orange-pekoe blend - I prefer herbals, green or white.

At any rate, hopefully tomorrow I will wake up early and get some work done of several projects I've got going and maybe even be able to go out and find something to photograph that isn't grey, brown or bland.