Cathedral Windows-WIP

Here's my feeble attempt at Cathedral Windows. Don't laugh! It was actually easier than I thought. Granted I haven't perfected it yet, but I did have fun trying. Thanks to this blog, I had step by step instructions.

When I showed my husband my work, he showered me in praise. This should have made me smile, but instead tears flowed down my cheeks. Why? Because I have regrets. You see, my Granny used to make these squares. The last few years I've wondered how they were made and what the name was. Granny passed away 11 years ago. She did all kinds of little sewing projects-quilting, clothes, yo-yo's, etc. She taught me how to hem but that's all the sewing I learned from her. I just never asked. I'm sure she would have been glad to show me. At the time I had 2 little girls and just wasn't interested in sewing. Now I am. I so wish she was here to show me how to make these squares. To smile when I finished one correctly. To help me choose fabric. But, at least now I've learned. I can make something that my Granny worked on. I can teach my girls. I know my Granny is smiling down at me. I know she's proud.

(here are a couple of Granny's Cathedral Window squares)

Sewing Saturday

This has been one of those days where so many things have gone wrong. Major things. Sometimes you have to laugh so you don't cry! In my case, I decided to throw myself into sewing. Sewing makes it all better. I had been wanting to try this tutorial. It was so fast and easy! Now I have one Christmas present made. So many more to go.

Logic or literature ???

Maybe we could classify today's school project as logic. Lol! Yesterday we purchased this Jane Austen puzzle at our local book store . This morning, after Bible and chores, it sat on the kitchen table beckoning. We couldn't resist. The four of us jumped on it before the school schedule could be opened. What a happy Friday morning! Now to frame it and put it in our school room. You know, maybe we could count this as literature. After all it is Jane Austen!

Dresden...skirt?

So, I want to be a quilter. I honestly thought this would be an easy task. I've sewn for years now. Some little quilting projects I've attempted have turned out pretty well. Not perfect mind you, but workable.

This past week I've spent a lot of time drooling over my favorite quilting blogs. I happened upon a tutorial for a Dresden plate. How beautiful! All the pretty fabrics with rounded edges carefully placed together to make a circle. As I read the instructions, I thought "I can do this" . She really does make is look easy.

Saturday was the day. I pulled out my scraps and started cutting. I was amazed at how smoothly it was going. Then I sewed the sections together. Hmm...it wasn't quite laying flat. Maybe if I sewed a bit more here...Nope. Finally in frustration I put it all down. I couldn't believe I'd spent all that time and had nothing to show for it. I hate to waste time and I really dislike wasting fabric.

This was still on my mind Sunday afternoon. Another thing about me-I don't give up easily. I went back to my sewing room and started again with this little piece of fabric. The result...

A Dresden skirt for Emma's doll! I think it looks just lovely!

Now, if anyone can give me pointers on how to make my Dresden plate properly, so that it will lay flat, I would greatly appreciate it. :) Until then I think I'll stick with the 9 patch!

Falling...into peace

I received some news today that shook my usually secure world. For a brief moment in time, I felt the weight of it and let myself start to fall-to cry, to worry, to fear. Then I was given some hope.

"Strange how that it is-that sometimes something has to fall apart-for something better to fall together."

"Jesus calls me to surrender and there's nothing like releasing fears and falling into peace. It terrifies, true. But it exhilarates. This, this is what I've always wanted: this utter trust, this enlivening fall of surrender into the safe hands."

Early morning

It seems that the older I get, the less sleep I need. I'm usually the first one up at our house. I cherish the time alone in the quiet. Some mornings I wake a little earlier than I'd like. :) I hate to sit in bed and waste time. If I can't sleep, I get up and find something to do. On this particular morning I was awake about 3:30am. I caught up on email and blogs, did some laundry and cleaned in the kitchen, patiently waiting for the sun to come up. I'm a big chicken and don't like to go outside in the dark...alone. At daylight, I headed to our dock at the creek to mail a card. The view I was presented with caused me to slow down...to look around...to listen...to praise our wondrous Maker!

I was in awe of the beauty! We've had this property about 12 years and it never gets old. I sat on the dock and watched the fish jump, saw the blue herons hunting their breakfast and listened to the frogs sing. I was also frightened by an alligator making his way into the water. I remained still observing this magnificent place God has placed right at my door.

When I finally walked up to the house I was blessed once more. This time by numerous hummingbirds fighting over my feeders. I stood still, listening to them buzzing over my head and watching with awe as they hovered around me.

As I entered the house I was filled with so much happiness. There's no other word for it. So I missed a bit of sleep. God had blessed me ten fold with the richness of His creation. I would rather experience this than sleep till 9:00 any day!

A good find

I love to shop at thrift stores! My girls and I try to go every week. We've managed to find lots of good deals on everything from clothes and everyday china to toys and sewing supplies. Our latest find was this little doll bed for Emma. It was only $3.99! It even came with the mattress. We cleaned it all up then went through my scrap fabric. In a short time I had whipped up this bedding that perfectly matches Emma's room. Emma loves it and I think her doll does too!

Nice to meet you!

I love to visit other blogs and 'get to know' other people. Lynne has come up with a wonderful way to connect us all-especially those of us with small blogs (fewer followers). Go on over to her blog and check out the list along with all the beautiful creations she has.