Sewing Christmas Update

I have been given an opportunity and find it necessary to be away from my blog for a few days.  In doing so, I need to move our first Sewing Christmas post from Monday, January 17 to Monday, January 24.  I have been busy preparing for you and look forward to our time together that day.  I will have lots to share next week with you also.  See you then!

Joyfully,

A Winter Bouquet

During Christmas I found this pretty cashmere cowl at a ridiculously low price.  I needed a gift for a friend and decided to add a knitted flower pin to it.

Our local yarn store is carrying a line of wool which includes tiny little skeins of yarn.  Perfect for making flowers.  It was fun and rewarding to see a small bouquet come together.

I used this book and would highly recommend it.  It allows you to use whatever yarn you have on hand and not only gives instructions for flowers, but for some fruits and veggies as well.  I'm going to give it to her today, I do hope she likes it!

Hugs,

Sweet Heart Valentine Embroidery Pattern

Sweet Heart Valentine Embroidery Pattern
Originally uploaded by davis.jacque

I found this adorable Valentine embroidery pattern this morning and thought I would share it with all of you.  Flickr is such a wonderful place to find patterns and ideas and people are so generous with sharing.  This would be lovely on a towel or the pocket of an apron.  Very fun!
Blessings!

Sunday Scripture

"As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night

will never cease."

Genesis 8:22

Joyfully,

Winter Returns

The snow is heavy this morning.  I'm going to have to venture out to attend a bridal show with my friend and employer.  Hard to believe that wedding season on the farm is right around the corner when everything is covered in white.  Time to get some coffee and look again on all the lovely vintage Christmas cards I won from Elizabeth at Bluebird Papercrafts.  Blessings today!

With joy,

Friday Pretties

A few favorite photos from 2010...

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

For more Friday Pretties 

visit Joyce at

I Love Pretty Little Things

Joyfully,

In 121 Years

The other day my daughter's boyfriend told me that while his family was vacationing over Christmas some friends took care of their pets.  By accident a quilt they owned had gotten washed and was falling apart.  I agreed to take a look at it.

Imagine my surprise, last night, when he brought over this exquiste embroidered quilt.  I saw the date and realized what a treasure they have.  It was found in a trunk, in a basement.  It has 72 embroidered blocks, some in black and some in brown.  It is hand-tied.  Most of the embroidery has animal motifs.

The binding on the quilt is shredding so I'm going to replace it.  First I will attempt to locate vintage black muslin.  I am not going to replace the embroidery that has come out.  It really is in good condition for being 121 years old and going through our modern day washing.

Since last night, I have been thinking about quilting and how much of what I quilt is quick and simple.  While there is a definite place for it, sometimes I consider that type of quilting like fast food eating.  Believe me, I make alot of those quilts but 121 years from now, what will my quilts say about me?

More than the year, this block spoke the loudest to me.  This is what I want the work of my hands to show to others.  This is what I want my life to show to others.  This is what I want God to see when He looks at me.

I don't want someone years from now to think, what in the world?  Even though I'm sure that this gun spoke something important for that person in that time period.  I have made many quilts.  Through all of them, the ones that I love the most are the ones that took me the longest to make.  The ones I thought I could never finish, the ones that stretched my abilities to the limit.  I have an applique quilt where I was certain I couldn't do all those leaves.  It took months.  It hangs where I can see it every day.  Let's not always take the easy route.  I encourage you to pick a project that teaches you something new, no matter what craft you enjoy.  Work on it alittle every day or every few days while you complete other projects.  When it's finished you will have a completely different type of satisfaction in your work.  I will even venture to say that you might have a completely different outlook on life.

I am joining Dayle today for Simple Pleasures

Blessings!