Block 4 of 9, Garden of Contentment

This pattern is available in my shop, Allie-oops Designs, along with blocks 1-3

(Psalms 31:24) "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD."

(Psalms 33:18) "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;"

(Psalms 119:114) "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."

Have you ever felt hopeless?  I have.  There have been times in my life when all was darkness – I could see no way out, no light anywhere.  Depression has dogged me most of my life.  I remember once, as a teenager, after my dad died – I was seriously [and probably clinically] depressed and the whole world was drab and colorless, it was like winter in my soul.  No warmth, no sun, I couldn’t think of a single reason to go on.  

 I had a dream on one of my worst nights – I was in a deep, dark cave, with the opening far above me, the sky was dark and cloudy, and suddenly a ray of light shone down on me.  These words came to me – “in the darkness of despair there is a ray of hope”.  I knew it was God, although I didn’t know Him yet.  I woke up and wrote those words down, and never forgot it.

(Psalms 130:5) "I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope."

It seems like I was in that dark cave for many years, but I never really lost that hope again.  It took a long time but that hope was realized.  I know that everything I walked through was truly worth coming out of, into the glorious light of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  It didn't happen overnight, but it happened.

(Jeremiah 17:7) "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is."

I understand Romans 5:1-5 much better now - this verse gives me so much joy anymore.

(Romans 5:1-5) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: {2} By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. {3} And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; {4} And patience, experience; and experience, hope: {5} And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

So everything I’ve gone through, all the tribulations, worked patience in me, patience worked experience, and experience worked hope.  How glorious is our God!!! I don't think the tribulations are done, I don't think they will be until I fall on my knees before Him, but in the midst of them there is hope, and that makes all the difference.

The Hope flower is going to make a beautiful addition to our Garden – it wouldn’t be complete without it!

So let’s begin, shall we?

Applique

Cut your white background block 9” tall x 9” wide. Trace the layout diagram onto it, using the marker of your choice – if using a permanent marker, don’t trace the appliqué part of the layout.  In the post for block 1, I detailed what I use.

Trace your reversed shapes onto fusible web, and cut them out leaving a margin of 1/8^th “.  Fuse to the back of your chosen fabrics and cut them out on the drawn lines.

Peel off the backing, and lay out the pieces on your background.  When they’re where you want them, fuse them down.  Stitch the pieces using a blanket stitch with one strand of embroidery floss.

(Optional) Interfacing and Embroidery

If using fusible interfacing, cut your interfacing 8” tall x 8” wide and fuse to the back of the block after applique.  Add the embroidery using two strands of embroidery floss.  The embroidery is worked in backstitch.

Trim your block to 6 3/4” tall x 7 1/4” wide.

Framing

Cut 2 pieces 7” x 1 ½”.  Stitch to sides of block.  Trim even and press seams away from block.

Cut 2 pieces 1 ½” x 10”.  Stitch to top and bottom of block.  Press seams away from block and trim even.

Adding Strips

This block sits in the middle of the far left side, so we’ll be adding strips to the top, bottom and right side, in that order.

Here’s a numbered diagram for the order in adding your strips – each strip is 1 ½” wide by however long you need it.

When finished adding strips, press well and trim to 13” wide x 14” tall.  And you’re all done with block four!

Here's Jenny's gorgeous Hope block, don't you just love the colors she's used, and how she adds that special Jenny touch!

And Karen A. has been stitching along, she's using up her scraps, I LOVE it!!

I wish I had such pretty scraps!

Precious sisters, my prayer for you is that you never, ever give up hope - that you find hope in Him - He loves you so much!!!

See you soon - 

Love,

Allie

Sneak peek at block 5, on the blog Monday March 5

Floods Of Blessings

It's been a very busy week here in Allie-land, and rather warm to start!  After our very large snowstorm, it got up into the 60's F, with flooding rains.  Three inches of rain on top of the melting snowpack makes lakes.

That's my south-side neighbor's lake.

That's my north-side neighbor's lake - first duck splashdown of the year.

I managed to finish stitching Jenny's Live Simply, except for the teeny buttons I need to get for the flowers.

Oh golly I love it!  Jenny makes the most gorgeous designs!

And that is ALL the stitching I've done this week.  Yesterday, my son John got his keys to his new house!!!!!  I only took a couple of pictures, this is the upstairs bathroom, original black and mint green tiles everywhere - 

Not that my phone camera can do it justice.  The other picture is what was left in one of the bedrooms, and is now MINE - 

A Singer 66 Red Eye with treadle!!!!!  To say I'm excited is the understatement of the year.  I never thought I would have one - she needs some love but I'm looking forward to putting her to rights.  Somehow after spotting that, the rest of the house is a bit of a blur.

John spotted this truck on his drive the other day - 

I don't think I'd want to be there when the driver gets out - can you read the back?  LOL!

I'm not sure I'll get any stitching in the rest of the week, somehow I find myself making a Thanksgiving dinner this Saturday.  I'm looking forward to eating, not so much the cooking and cleaning.  But I've made a start.

I hope you all have a lovely rest of the week, be blessed!  

My favorite pic of the bucks in the fog.

See you soon!
Love,
Allie

Block 3 of Garden of Contentment

This block is available in my shop, Allie-oops Designs, along with block 1 and 2.

(Psalms 23:6) "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

This is probably the best known and most beloved verse about mercy in the entire bible.

(1 Chronicles 16:34) "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."

 (Psalms 13:5) "But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation."

 I am saved by God’s mercy, not by my own doings.  It’s His mercy that saves me, sustains me, strengthens me, humbles me.  Sometimes I forget I am dust – and only His mercy brings me back to the foot of the cross.  Mercy is not giving me what I so richly deserve when I sin against Him.  Mercy is leading me to repentance through His word.  Mercy is helping me to forgive those who have wronged me.  Mercy is (1 Timothy 3:16) "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."  Mercy bridged the awful chasm between our sinfulness and God's holiness.  

(Genesis 39:21) "¶ But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison."

I pray this often when praying for those who are today in prison for Christ.  Pastor Andrew, Asia Bibi, and those whose names we don’t know.  

(Psalms 89:1) "I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."

(Psalms 103:11) "For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him."

(Hosea 10:12) "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

(Matthew 5:7) "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

Or maybe Matt. 5:7 is the best known - and very humbling to me!  I need to make sure I've shown mercy before I ask for it - how have I treated others, even in a brief encounter?  The snippy cashier, did I respond in kind or did I smile and wish her a happy day?  She may be going through a crisis, did I show her any mercy?  The driver who cut me off - was he on his way to the hospital for a family emergency?  Even when someone can't hear me, do I show mercy toward them in my heart?  

(2 Corinthians 1:3) "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;"

(Titus 3:5-6) "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;"

This is a tiny portion of the verses with mercy, merciful or mercies in it.  Thank the Lord that his mercies are new every morning!

Let's add the Mercy flower to our Garden, shall we?

Applique

Cut your white background block 9” tall x 11” wide. Trace the layout diagram onto it, using the marker of your choice – if using a permanent marker, don’t trace the appliqué part of the layout.  In the post for block 1, I detailed what I use.

Trace your reversed shapes onto fusible web, and cut them out leaving a margin of 1/8^th “.  Fuse to the back of your chosen fabrics and cut them out on the drawn lines.

Peel off the backing, and lay out the pieces on your background.  When they’re where you want them, fuse them down.  Stitch the pieces using a blanket stitch with one strand of embroidery floss.

(Optional) Interfacing and Embroidery

If using fusible interfacing, cut your interfacing 8” tall x 10” wide and fuse to the back of the block after applique.  Add the embroidery using two strands of embroidery floss.  The embroidery is worked in backstitch.

Trim your block to 6 3/4” tall x 9” wide.

Framing

Cut 2 pieces 7” x 1 ½”.  Stitch to sides of block.  Trim even and press seams away from block.

Cut 2 pieces 1 ½” x 12”.  Stitch to top and bottom of block.  Trim even and press seams away from block.

Adding Strips

This block sits in the upper right hand corner, so strips will be added to the left side and bottom of the block.  Cut your strips 1 1/2" x however long you need them.

I’ve numbered a diagram for you with the order in which to add your strips.

I press seams open after adding each one to reduce bulk, follow the method that works best for you.  Press well, and trim block to 13” wide x 14” tall.  And that’s a wrap on block 3!!!

Billie has been stitching along, look at her gorgeous block 1 - 

Don't you just love that fabric!!!!  Jenny has also been stitching along, and here is her awesome block 3!!

So lovely!!!!

Block 4 will be up next Monday, Feb 26th, here's a sneak peek!

See you soon - I've a busy week ahead, my son gets the keys to his new house on Wednesday!!!
Love,

Allie

PS - A word about the bible program I use.  It’s called the King James Pure Bible Search Software, it’s a free download.  I’ve found it absolutely indispensible.  You can get it here:  http://www.purebiblesearch.com/

Below is a screenshot of what it looks like.  You can search only old testament, only new testament, only one book, or all the bible.  Save, highlight, bookmark.

There is a built-in Webster’s 1828 dictionary for any words you may not understand.  For instance, the word “conversation” – I thought it just meant how you talk -  no!  This is the way it used to be used –

CONVERSATION, n.

1. General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals.

So now this verse makes a lot more sense to me - (Hebrews 13:5) "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

I fell in love with that dictionary when I was homeschooling, but I love it even more now!  Very convenient to have it built in. 

How To And News

Hi everyone!  I had a question on how to save the instructions for the Garden quilt, so I thought I would show you how to turn any page into a pdf using Chrome.  I don't know how to do it with any other browsers, but if you google it I'm sure you'll find answers.
Open the page you want to save, and look up in the right hand corner under the "x".

See those three little dots?  Click on those, and a menu will drop down, choose "print".

A window will pop up, and it will look like this.  You can either save it as a pdf, or you can change the destination to your printer, and print it right away.  The nice thing about saving it as a pdf is that all the links on the page will still work.

There is another way as well.  You can right click and drag your mouse over the page, from the title to the bottom, to highlight all the text and pictures.  Then right click and choose "copy", then paste it into a word doc.  I always, always also copy the url, as the links won't work in a word doc.  I want to remember where I got it!

Isn't that easy?

I'm having a bit of a rough week, organizationally.  My youngest and I went thrift shopping this weekend, and stopped at the antiques mall, and didn't find a thing!  Well, I did find a bench for my foyer - I've been looking for one since we moved in.  Unfortunately, it was a bit out of my price range (a LOT out of my price range) but isn't it cute?????

All three bird cages were different.  So sweet!!!

Tuesday I took mum to her heart doctor.  They had called and made the appointment for her, said something showed up on her pacemaker report.  So in 10F weather, after an ice storm, I spent my car warm-up time chopping ice on the sidewalk so I could get to my car, and off we went.  Turned out there was nothing on the report!!!  But we spent a nice day anyway - we went to the mall, haven't been in one of those in forever, got all her meds, groceries, etc.  And we went out to lunch at Big Boy.

I haven't done a lot of stitching, I've been watching the Olympics and when skating is on I can't look away.  I'm still working on Jenny's Live Simply design from her Stitchery Club.

I have to finish the last little bit of stitching, then add the beads.  Isn't this the sweetest design!!!

We're supposed to get heavy rain today, hopefully it will wash away some of the 9"+ of snow, and get rid of some of the ice.  I think I'll putter around the house and then relax on the couch to finish my stitching...see you on Monday for the next block in our Garden!!!

Love,
Allie

Block 2 of 9, Garden of Contentment

This block is available in my craftsy shop, Allie-oops Designs.

(Colossians 3:15) "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."

The word “gratitude” is not found at all in the King James bible – however, it was the word that best described to me how I felt about God’s gracious gifts to me.  How very grateful and thankful I am! 

(Ephesians 2:8) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

And there is no more precious gift!

(James 1:17) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

It’s not easy sometimes to feel grateful.  When my joints are screaming at me, and there’s much to do, I want to feel sorry for myself – I want to throw a whopping great pity party, complete with hats and party frocks.  Sometimes I give in for a time, grumbling and grousing around the house, until my bible catches my eye – and I stand ashamed.  Yes, the floors need mopping, but they’re a reflection of the busy lives of people I love who live here.  The mountain of laundry is there because we’re blessed to have the clothing we need.  The dishes pile up because God has blessed us with good food to eat.  God brings to my mind all His many gifts to me, and I start thanking Him for them, and pretty soon the aches and pains and mountains seem less.  I really believe that gratitude is a learned behavior, and I’m doing my best to learn it by heart.  I can even thank Him for the aches and pains, keeping me humble and dependent on Him.  I am not perfect at this.

(John 15:5) "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

God doesn’t change, but He can change ME.  And for that, I’m profoundly grateful.  I can do nothing in myself, I owe Him all.  That’s why this word was so important for me to remember, and why it got added to the quilt.  A thankful heart has no room for grumbling!  

 So let’s stitch up some Gratitude, shall we?

Applique

Cut your white background block 8” tall x 13” wide.  Trace the layout diagram onto it, using the marker of your choice – if using a permanent marker, don’t trace the appliqué part of the layout.  In the last post, for block 1, I detailed what I use.

Trace your reversed shapes onto fusible web, and cut them out leaving a margin of 1/8".  Fuse to the back of your chosen fabrics and cut them out on the drawn lines.

Peel off the backing, and lay out the pieces on your background.  When they’re where you want them, fuse them down.  Stitch the pieces using a blanket stitch with one strand of embroidery floss.

(Optional) Interfacing and Embroidery

If using fusible interfacing, cut your interfacing 7” tall x 12” wide and fuse to the back of the block after applique.  Add the embroidery using two strands of embroidery floss.  The embroidery is worked in backstitch, except for the dot on the “i”; I use a single-wrap French knot there.  A colonial knot would work as well.

Trim your block to 6” tall x 11” wide.

Framing

Cut 2 pieces 1 ½” x 6”.  Stitch to sides of block.  Press seams away from block.

Cut 2 pieces 1 ½” x 14”.  Stitch to top and bottom of block.  Press seams away from block and trim even.  Block should measure 13” wide.

Adding Strips

This block sits in the top row, middle, so no strips get added to the top. 

Since it’s already 13” wide, which is the finished width of the block, we won’t be adding strips to the sides either.  You’re going to add 7 strips, 1 ½” x 13” to the bottom of the block [although I like to cut mine longer, just in case things go wonky].  I’ve made a diagram of the order in which to add your strips.

 That last strip looks a little narrow, and that’s because when you’ve added your strips, you need to trim it to 14” tall.  Your block should now measure 13” wide by 14” tall.  When trimming my blocks, I take a little off one side and a little off the other side [or bottom and top].

And that’s it!!! You’re done with two blocks! 

Jenny has been stitching along with us, here is her second gorgeous block –

 I seriously love her block!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be sure to email me if you have any questions, or ask in the comments [leave me your email!] or on facebook!

See you soon!

Love,

Allie

sneak peek at block 3, due next Monday, Feb. 19th!

Snow, They Say

Not much new on the stitching front - but I did finish my Postcards From Heaven.

  

All I need now is to find batting.  I really love this little quilt....can't wait to get it hanging up!

I'm still working on my "Live Simply" from Jenny, but I had distractions.

This fabric came in the mail from the lovely Fat Quarter Shop.  

It's called Hopelessly Romantic, by Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics.  There may or may not be a wedding quilt happening with this....I have ideas I'm anxious to try.

And then there was this distraction.

Had to take mum shopping.  Could I ask you all to pray for her?  She seems to be losing her eyesight.  Her dr. is trying all kinds of things, and nothing's working.  I know diabetes can cause blindess - and as an artist, I think that would be so hard on her.  We really covet your prayers.

I'm working on the tutorial for Block 2 of Garden of Contentment - trying not to miss anything this time!  I had to edit my post for Block 1, I forgot to tell you one strand of embroidery floss for applique, two strands for embroidery.  It's there now, whew.  Thank goodness for Karen!!

I've also been working my way through all the blog posts piled up in my reader.  I'll read them all probably tomorrow and over the weekend - we're supposed to get 5-9" of snow tomorrow, and more over the weekend.  I don't plan on going ANYWHERE.  I may not even get dressed.....stitching in my fleecy pj's, sounds pretty good to me!

See you Monday for Block 2!!!

Love,

Allie

Block 1 of 9, Garden of Contentment

The full set of designs have been removed from my shop.  Templates are available for each block as we do them, click HERE – Allie-oops Designs 

 (James 3:18) "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

The world seems so noisy anymore, and so stressful with instant communications world-wide – where do we find peace?  Sometimes it seems like we need to travel very far to get away from the cacophony of the world, miles and miles into the wilderness – and yet, we carry the world with us in our smart phones and our tablets, with all its noise and stress and jockeying for our attention.  What’s a stressed-out peace seeker to do?  Should we go live in the hills, find an empty beach (yes please), become hermits to escape?  Well, that might be nice for awhile, but no.  Jesus promised us peace, and all you have to do is ask Him.  He didn’t promise we’d be free from trouble or heartache or noise, but that He would give us peace.

(John 14:27) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

(John 16:33) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

(Romans 5:1) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

We can be surrounded by noise, tribulation, in the middle of a whopping great storm, and still have peace.  Isn’t that amazing!!!!  And yet, I’ve experienced this first hand.  There have been lots of storms in Allie-land, and yet His peace rules in my heart.  The more time I spend in the word of God, the more peace I have!  Now, it didn’t happen all at once, but looking back, I can see how far I’ve come.  It’s a journey, and our destination is Heaven.  The longest, most profound, most rewarding journey you can ever make.

(Philippians 4:7) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

And that is our first flower in our garden - Peace.  Let’s begin this journey of blessings, shall we?

Applique

 Cut your white background block 11” tall x 10” wide.  Trace the layout diagram onto it, using the marking tool of your choice – I use a red Frixion pen, it’s heat erasable and I’ve never had trouble with it on white fabric.  It will disappear when you fuse your appliqué on, but if you put it in the freezer it will come back!  I usually leave it in there for a full day….the longer it stays in there, the better the lines come back for the embroidery part.

Since I use a heat erasable pen, I also trace the appliqué parts of the design.  I rough trace just inside where the appliqué is going to go –

It just helps me with placement.  If using a permanent marking pen, skip that part.  Please use the method you’re most comfortable with, you don’t have to use mine!

Trace your reversed shapes onto fusible web, following the manufacturer’s directions.  Cut out, leaving 1/8” to ¼” around each piece.  Fuse onto the fabric of your choice on the wrong side.  Cut out on the line you’ve drawn.

Peel the backing off of each piece, and arrange them on your background.  Tweezers come in handy for that part when pieces are small.  When you get them exactly where you want them, (I do them all at once) fuse them in place.

Using one strand of embroidery floss, work a blanket stitch around each piece.  About the blanket stitch – when I first learned appliqué, I worked with the acrylic felt from the craft store.  Loved it.  But when I had something pointy to blanket stitch, I couldn’t figure out how to keep the stitch points from coming up.  The thread was always loose there.  So I avoided points for years.  It wasn’t until I watched some videos on YouTube on needle turn appliqué that I learned about stay stitches – what a revelation!  Now, when I do a point, I take a teeny, tiny stay stitch to make sure that little monster never moves.  Sometimes self-taught isn’t the best, lol!

Interfacing [optional] and Embroidery

Before you put your piece in the freezer [if you’ve used a Frixion and AFTER the applique], cut your fusible interfacing 10” x 9” and fuse to the back of your block.  Make sure no threads from the appliqué show through!  I take a glue stick and just quick glue them behind the appliqué, to make sure.  (Using fusible interfacing is optional!!!)

If you’ve opted for the Frixion, then after your lines come back you can start the embroidery.  All the stitching is done in a backstitch, with two strands of embroidery floss.  Try to use a shade darker for the words than what you use for your appliqué, they’ll show up better.

Trim your block to 9” tall x 8” wide.

Framing

Now you’re going to frame your block –

Cut two strips -  1 ½”  x 9”  This is an exact size – I cut mine longer.  I like to go a little longer on the strips, I trim after I stitch them just in case.  Stitch each strip to the sides of the block. Press seams away from block.

Cut two strips – 1 ½” x 11”  Stitch to top and bottom of the block.  Press seams away from block and trim.

Adding Strips

Ok, now it’s time to add the strips to bring your block up to size – we’re going to keep adding until the block measures at least 14” tall x 13” wide.

All strips are cut 1 ½”, by however long you need them.  We’re working in a “log cabin” style – on this block, we’ll be adding strips to the bottom, then the right side.  (The sides of the blocks that touch the outside border edge don’t get strips added.)  I’ve numbered a picture for you in the order to add your strips –

First strip on the bottom, next strip on the right side, then bottom, then right side.  Each strip will get longer.  Attach the strip, press the seam open [reduces bulk], add the next strip.

What we’re doing is bringing all the blocks up to the same size, 14” tall x 13” wide.  If you don’t have long enough strips, why not piece them?  I think that would give a lovely, even scrappier effect!

Give the block a final press, and trim to 14” tall x 13” wide.  Some of your strips on the edges might end up a little skinny, but that’s ok!  Variety is the spice of life!

That’s it, you’re done with block one!  Block two will be up next Monday!!

Alternative

There is another way to bring your blocks up to size after framing.  You can add rectangles of one color to the bottom and side, to give more of a floating effect to the blocks.  Just make sure to add enough to bring the block up to size.  If you do this, you’ll want enough of the one color of fabric for ALL the blocks – and I’m just not sure how much that might be!  Maybe 2 yards?  I would get 3 just in case.  Better to have leftovers than not enough.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me, leave a comment (with your email so I can contact you), or leave a comment on my facebook group (button on sidebar).  I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.  I’m always just a click away!!

Jenny is frolicking in the garden with us, here are pics of her first (GORGEOUS) block!

I adore the fabric she chose – and the added running stitch around the flower elements!! 

See you soon!

Love,

Allie

(Romans 15:13) "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

(Jude 1:2) "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."

(2 John 1:3) "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."

(1 Thessalonians 5:23) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Sneak peek at next block, coming Monday February 12^th!

Humming Right Along

Baby it's cold outside, but I'm busy as a bee in my little sewing room.  I'm done writing the tutorial for the first block of our Garden of Contentment quilt, yay, just proofing and tweaking!  C'mon, Monday~!  I'm thrilled so many of you are joining in, wear your prettiest hats and floweriest dresses, we're going to have a lovely time!

I'm also working on several things - my room is a mess, but it's a fun mess.  I've started Jenny's Live Simply design from her January issue of The Stitchery Club, using the blues from the same line of fabric I've used for the Garden of Contentment quilt [Aloha Girl by Fig Tree & Co. - older line].

I had so many strips left over from the Garden quilt, I wanted to use them up -

so I'm making a mini-quilt using my free Valentine's Hearts coaster design - 

Two blocks done.

I've also [drum roll!] cut all my blocks for my Postcards From Heaven quilt!

Postcards From Heaven was a free BOM from both Jenny and I back in 2016.  We each created six blocks, and mine are still available in my shop as a free download, under the title The Word in Stitches.  Jenny's are also still available in her shop under 20 Christian themed stitchery designs , also a free download.

I got the red fabric yesterday to frame them, it's washing now!  Can't wait to finally put these together.

And because that's not enough, I started the mystery BOM from Little Red Hen's facebook group!

Still have to stitch the embellishments.  My kitties will be black and white, in honor of my beloved Hermione who we lost last year. 

I do miss her so.

That's about it from Allie-land - the sun just came out, I think I'll go make some hay while it shines!  Hope you get to stitch today too!

Love,
Allie