Thankfulness is an Antidote for Negative Thoughts

Thankfulness causes me to acknowledge that the source of all I have isn't me, but the Lord God. I don’t really need to occupy myself with pride or guilt.

Sometimes I’m overwhelmed with the sheer volume of all that I could be doing. When that happens I find that my focus is on that stuff and not on the fact that having all those options is a blessing.

Because I have so much, I want to make the best possible use of all of it. And down into the rabbit hole I go on a quest for better productivity. Sure, being a good steward is a wonderful goal, but when it is to the exclusion of enjoying life and appreciating the moment, then something has gone awry. When I have the realization that becoming more productive has become more important than becoming godly, then I know it’s time to reign it in. That’s usually when I endeavor to refocus on all the blessings I have/experience/share with others. It’s at these times that I remember Romans 11:36 – Everything comes from the Lord.

A Little Yo-Yo Tree

This little yo-yo tree is just one of oh-so-many projects I've been working on lately. Unfortunately, I haven't done a good job of documenting my projects. But that's not all bad, since I haven't actually finished many of them. So...that means lots of future posts. That's all for now.

So Much to Be Thankful For

Yes, I did just finish that title with a preposition. I'm feeling rebellious today. Watch out world! I'm sensing the need for a vacation. Life has gotten a bit crazy lately. There is just so much to do, so much fun to have. Once again I'm feeling overwhelmed. Even when life is crazy, there is so much to be thankful for in my life. Today I get to go walking with a friend, have lunch with some other friends and then I have an afternoon to myself. I will probably do my favorite thing - sew. What's not to be thankful for? Oops...another sentence ending with a preposition. The world didn't come to an end, so it's all good.

I Got a New Phone

I got a new phone! :-) This is a good thing. It may even be so good that I can use my voice to text app to create a blog, thereby creating more blog posts. There's just something about hauling out the laptop that makes posting on the blog prohibitive.

For today and since this is all kind of new, I think I'll keep things short and just say that I'm thankful for my new Galaxy 3. Now I just have to learn how to use all of its many, many features. Yeah, right!

I Finished A Quilt...Finally

It has taken a few years and a kick in the pants to get this quilt finished. Originally, I was making this for my son who loves yellow. I thought it would be right up his alley. Not! When laying it out on the floor, I asked him how he liked it and his ambivalent response was, "It's okay." Not exactly encouraging. Who wants to give a quilt to someone who doesn't LOVE it, right? Hence the name Son's Folly. He'll never know what he missed. (I'm pretty sure he doesn't read this blog.) So, I will have to come up with a different quilt pattern for him.

In the meantime, I'm thinking of entering this quilt in the local quilt show. The pattern comes from Kim Brackett's book Scrap-Basket Surprises. It is the same quilt that is on the cover of that book. In the book it is called Bali Sea Star. You never know, maybe it will be more popular at the show than it was at home. 

I'm just thankful that this one is off my plate. Now...what to work on next?

Whipping up a Wrap for a Friend

I recently learned my friend, Jan, was diagnosed with cancer. She had surgery and will be having chemotherapy. I've heard that while receiving chemo one gets very cold, so I knew I wanted to make a quilt for Jan - to keep her warm and to let her know I was thinking of her and praying for her.

I needed to make something quick. I also needed a sample for the Scrap Happy club I'm leading at the quilt shop. My talk was about using large cuts of fabric. I combined the two "needs" into a comfort wrap for Jan. It's kind of like a long table runner that she can wrap around her - big, but not as bulky as a full size quilt and easier to manage while sitting in a chair. My co-worker Cyndi quilted it with a great heart motif (I wish I'd taken an up close pic of her quilting).  Here's what it looked like -

She loved it. She called me after using it to let me know how well it worked to keep her warm. The nurses were telling her they wanted one, too. Heck, I want one. But I've other quilts to make. More on that next time.

Sewing Time Has Been Productive Lately

Baby Snowball

Another border has been added to the Baby Snowball quilt that I'm working on for the Scrap Happy Club. I think there will be two more. I'm making it up as I go, so you never know what could happen.

The first of many disappearing 4 patch blocks.

In the meantime, I'm experimenting with a Disappearing 4 patch. I like it! I've cut 96 white charm squares. Now I have to cut up the various blues for this scrappy blue and white beauty. I hope I can get this done assembly-line style. I've got a movie's worth of cutting to do and then I will be sewing like a crazy lady. I'm looking forward to it.