Block 8 of 9, Garden of Contentment

This block is available in my shop, Allie-oops Designs, along with blocks 1-7.

(Genesis 6:8) "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

I find it very interesting that the first mention of grace in the KJB is Noah – for Noah being in the ark is such an incredible picture of our life in Christ.  Being in Christ, we are safe from the destroying storms that rage around us.  Maybe not safe from being hurt, or being killed, because these things happen to all [just ask the martyrs in the Middle East], but safe in the way that should anything happen, we’ll be with Christ.  Nothing can take us from Him.

(Genesis 39:3-4) "And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. {4} And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand."

The story of Joseph as well – the grace of God was with Joseph, even in captivity God used for good what man planned for evil.

(John 1:14) "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Jesus was filled with the grace of God.

(John 1:17) "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

The dictionary says this of Grace – (it is) the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.

We cannot earn God’s grace.  None of us is good enough.  If you’ve ever told a lie, you’ve broken every commandment there is.  Jesus said to break one was to break them all.  The law was given so that we’d understand just how holy God is, and how we can never measure up – at the foot of the cross, we find grace, and through God’s grace we find salvation.

The Grace flower is an essential part of our Garden – without it, our other flowers would wither and die.  Oh Lord Jesus, I’m so thankful for your grace to me!!!

Let’s get started.

Applique

Cut your background block 10 ½” tall x 11” wide.  Trace the layout diagram onto your background using the marking method of your choice.  If using a permanent marking pen, don’t trace the appliqué portion.  I detailed what I use in the tutorial for Block 1.  

 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 9 ½” 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 8 ½” tall x 9” wide.

Framing

Cut 2 pieces 8 ½”  x 1 ½”.  Stitch to sides of block.  Trim even and press seams away from block.

Cut 2 pieces 1 ½” x  11 ½”.  Stitch to top and bottom of block.  Press seams away from block and trim even.  

Adding Strips

This block sits in the bottom row, middle.  We’ll be adding strips to both sides, and the top.

I’ve numbered a diagram for you on the order in which to add them.  Strips are 1 ½” wide by however long you need them.  

Please keep in mind that this is your quilt, and you can add strips however you want to.

After adding your strips, press well and trim the block to 13” wide x 14” tall.  And you’re done with block 8!  My goodness, only one more to go…..

Time for show and tell!!  Here is Billie's Love block - 

So scrumptious!!  And Jenny's Faith block - 

Gorgeous!!!  And Karen's Faith block - 

Brilliant!!!  You know, seeing all these different colorways really makes my heart sing!!!  Thank you ladies, you bless me!

Our very last block, Joy, will be uploaded next Monday, April 2!!  I’ll do a separate post for finishing instructions, that way it won’t be such a very long post.  But I won’t make you wait another week, lol.  Here’s a peek at Joy –

See you then!

Love,

Allie

(Acts 20:32) "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified."

(Romans 5:1-2) "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."

(2 Corinthians 12:8-9) "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. {9} And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Thursday Report On Wednesday

Let me start by saying I'm sorry.  I've not been visiting your blogs lately, and I miss you, and I do have a note from the doctor excusing my absence.

I mentioned last week that Sam and I weren't feeling well.  Guess what?  Sam has chicken pox!  He had been getting the cold sweats, and told me he thought he was getting acne from it - I was feeling so poorly that I didn't take a good look at him until Thursday night, when he got home from work, and told him that it wasn't acne....he went to Urgent Care on Friday morning.

They gave him an antiviral drug to take, and symptoms that would require a visit to the ER.  He came down with those Saturday, so off to the hospital we went.  After much blood work, a CT scan, chest x-ray and spinal tap, they determined that the virus hadn't gone to his brain fluid, but kept him anyway.

They gave him lots of fluids, potassium, and the antiviral drug through the IV.  He had a huge room all to himself, his nurses came in wearing masks hooked up to oxygen hoses, [they looked like beekeepers] and finally got to come home Monday afternoon.  All of his meals were brought in take-out containers, with even a styrofoam tray, so that nothing had to go back to the kitchen.  

I get antsy when I'm stressed, need to be doing something, so I re-arranged my sewing room again.  Yep.  I had been sitting in my chair, feeling poorly myself, and wishing I could just lay down - so off went the chair and the couch came back.

The really, really big bonus is that I now have my U-shape back for sewing - ironing, sewing and cutting tables are close and handy.

And the back wall, where there isn't much light, now houses my computer desk.  Still have to hang a wallhanging there.

I'm happy, and wondering why it only took two years to get this right.

Sam is mending, and spring is on the way, I found some flowers in the front flowerbed the other day.

Don't know what they are but they're pretty, and will probably get covered with snow at some point - we're not into April yet!

I'm still praying my oldest son doesn't get the chicken pox, he was exposed last Wednesday, and the incubation period is 10-14 days.  He no longer has insurance, so it would be more of a hardship for him - we'll see!

I'm not sure if I've had chicken pox again or not, our symptoms were so similar except for the spots.  I had one spot, so I probably did.  They told Sam he'll be weak and tired for about a month...he got hit so hard.  I seem to be doing well but get awful tired in the early evening, and that couch sure is nice, lol!

I've started over in my blog reader - hopefully I'll be able to keep up with you all now.  I miss you like crazy.  See you soon!

Love,
Allie

Block 7 of 9, Garden of Contentment

This block is available in my shop, Allie-oopsDesigns, along with block 1-6

Sorry I’m late with this – brought my son home from the hospital this morning.

(Luke 18:40-42) "And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, {41} Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. {42} And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."

 (Hebrews 11:1-2) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. {2} For by it the elders obtained a good report."

Hebrews 11 is the faith chapter – oh how I love this chapter!!!!  I won’t put the whole thing here, but do go read the whole chapter, it gives me goosebumps every time.  If you want to increase your faith, go read about the faith of those who came before us, it’s awesome!

(1 Corinthians 10:11) "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

(Romans 10:17) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

I’ve watched my own faith grow as I delve daily into God’s word - the deeper understanding comes directly from God’s word.  Those ancient words just stay so fresh – and give me something new every day, no matter how many times I read it.  I may read something 100 times and not understand it fully, but suddenly God will give me understanding - and so my faith grows.  It’s like He knows when I’m ready to take it in!

(Ephesians 2:8-9) "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast."

I used to think I had to do something to earn faith, or to earn God’s grace.  But that’s not how it works.  Faith is simply believing.  God said it?  Then you can believe it.  That’s all.  It seems too simple, and that’s where I used to get tripped up – surely that can’t be ALL!!!  But it is!  Christ has done the work for us!

 (Romans 1:17) "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

 (Romans 11:33) "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”

Friends, I pray today that you’re able to rest in the knowledge of God’s grace to you, and that He deepens your faith every day! 

Let’s add our Faith flower to our garden – may it ever bloom and grow!!!

Applique

Cut your background block 13” tall x 10” wide.  Trace the layout diagram onto your background using the marking method of your choice.  If using a permanent marking pen, don’t trace the appliqué portion.  I detailed what I use in the tutorial for Block 1.  

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 12” tall x 9” 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 with a single-wrap French knot dotting the letter “i”.

Trim your block to 11 ¼” tall x 8 ¼” wide.

Framing

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

Cut 2 pieces 1 ½” x  11.  Stitch to top and bottom of block.  Press seams away from block and trim even.  

Adding Strips

This block sits on the far left side, bottom.  

  We’ll be adding one strip to the top, and three strips to the right side.  I’ve numbered a diagram for you on the order in which to add them.  Strips are cut 1 ½” wide by however long you need them.

 After adding your strips, press well and trim the block to 13” wide x 14” tall.  And you’re done with block 7!  Only two more to go, can you believe it???

Karen sent me a pic of her blocks 5 and 6, aren't they lovely?????

I just love her cheerful, colorful fabrics!!!  

Next week will be block 8, I just can't believe it.

I'll see you Monday, have a great week!!!
Love,
Allie

(Revelation 14:12) "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Slow And Unsteady

It has been the slowest week I've had in a long time.  Last Saturday, my youngest, Sam, came down with some kind of stomach bug - then it hit me on Monday.  Two days of stomach stuff, then nothing but headaches and extreme vertigo.  Which is still happening, for some reason, it sure doesn't want to let go!

All I've accomplished this week is finishing off the last few bricks in a window block of my longest running UFO - 

and framing my Gardener's Heart stitchery.

I was going to make a nice pieced border but it got away from me, and I ended up ripping it out.

Mostly I've just been here - 

My poor mother.  I really need to take her grocery shopping.  But I do not want her to get this - we can't risk her falling!

During the rare periods I feel well enough to sit in a chair without arms, I'm working on the tutorial for Monday.  Otherwise, I'm just reading and guzzling tea.  I feel well enough, just can't walk without listing to one side.  Sam and I are reeling around like a couple of drunken sailors who've lost their land legs.  It's an interesting sensation that I'm ready to see the last of.

Be well my friends, see you Monday....
Love,
Allie

Block Six, Garden of Contentment Stitch-Along

This block is available in my shop, Allie-oops Designs, along with blocks 1-5

(Deuteronomy 6:5) "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

(John 15:13) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Love.  Not just an emotion, love is a choice – we make the choice to love our neighbors, or our enemies, or even our spouses, when they’re fantastically unlovable.  When I think of how the Lord loves me, because He first loved me, when I am such a sinner, and stray from His commandments – how can I help but love Him?  He laid down His life, willingly, for me – and for you!!  Because that was the only way to save us from wrath.

(Romans 5:8) "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

I don’t always feel it, I admit.  I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s – remember the 70’s?  The Me decade?  Looking Out For Number One, I’m OK You’re OK, all those self-help books – I read them all.  I was desperately unhappy and I thought learning to love myself was the answer.  I’m happy to say they didn’t do a thing for me, although I was sad about it at the time, because there’s nothing biblical about them at all.  How much better to know God’s word and follow Him.  I tell my boys all the time – God doesn’t want you happy, He wants you holy.  Not that He wants you unhappy, it’s just not the most important thing.  Which is so much different from the wisdom of the world.  We can’t even comprehend the happiness that awaits us in Heaven – I’d rather be unhappy here, for a little while,  than be unhappy for all of eternity!

(1 Corinthians 2:9) "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

When I focus on Christ, and His love, instead of myself, that’s when I’m truly happy.  When I do something for someone else, even simply praying, it takes the focus off of me and I forget that I’m sad, lonely, depressed, or whatever negative emotion I’m feeling.  The best way I know to lift my own spirits is by helping someone else.  And isn’t that part of loving your neighbor?

Something as simple as making dinner for my hubby, when I’m tired and really don’t want to cook, shows love.  (But I have to do it without grumbling!!)  When I make the choice to be loving, the emotion follows.  Emotion follows action!  Try it – scientists say when you’re down, the simple act of smiling can actually lift your spirits!  Even if you don’t feel like smiling!  Go ahead, try it – be that grinning idiot in the crowd, make folks wonder what you’re up to.   I bet 9 out of 10 smile back!  I’ve actually tried this in the check-out line at the supermarket, especially when folks in line are grumbling about the delay – my gosh.  It worked.  Negative emotions are contagious as well, so why not love your neighbor instead of letting them get you down too?

(Romans 8:35-39) "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. {37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. {38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

One of my favorite sections of verses, Romans 8 reminds me that nothing – absolutely nothing – can separate us from Christ’s love.  I honestly believe that when I finally do meet Him face to face, I won’t stand before Him, I’ll fall at His feet – overcome with love for Him.

Oh, we just have to add Love to our garden!!!

Applique

Cut your background block 8” wide x 10 ½” tall.  Trace the layout diagram onto your background using the marking method of your choice.  If using a permanent marking pen, don’t trace the appliqué portion.  I detailed what I use in the tutorial for Block 1.  

Trace your reversed shapes onto fusible web, and cut them out leaving a margin of 1/8^th “.  The petals are a great excuse to fussy cut!  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 9 ½” tall x 7” 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, and the center of the daisy is worked in satin stitch.  You could also fill the center circle with French knots.

Trim your block to 8 ½” tall x 6” wide.

Framing

Cut 2 pieces 8 ½” x 1 ½”.  Stitch to sides of block.  Trim even and press seams away from block.

Cut 2 pieces 1 ½” x  9”.  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 right side of the quilt, so we’ll be adding strips to the bottom, top and left side, in that order for the first few, then adding more strips to the left side. 

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 six!

Show and tell time!  Here’s Jenny’s gorgeous blocks 5 and 6, aren’t they lovely???  Jenny does the most exquisite stitching!

And Billie’s blocks 4 and 5, so so pretty!  I adore these fabrics.  Click on her name to go to her blog, she shows her blocks all lined up and they’re stunning.

And Karen A.’s beautiful Hope block, I love it so much, I still want to raid her scrap basket!!!  Gorgeous, Karen!!

Next week, I can hardly believe it, we’ll be doing block 7 – 

I almost feel like I missed a few, our garden is growing so fast!  I’ll see you then!

Love,

Allie

(1 John 4:19) "We love him, because he first loved us."

(Jeremiah 31:3) "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

Success

Isn't it funny how the tiniest things can rearrange your day?  I spent the morning yesterday rearranging my sewing room.

cutting table, computer table, sewing table, stitching chair

I read an article in the early morning about LED light bulbs, and how they think they can contribute to macular degeneration and possibly blindness.  True or not, I don't like LED's.  When we first moved in, hubby changed every light bulb in the house to those, and they kind of hurt my eyes.

back window wall

I have a daylight LED bulb in my floor lamp that I stitch by, and where I had my couch I had to use it even during the day.  Well, I decided that since I have so many windows in here, I need to stitch by daylight alone as much as possible, so the big rearrange happened!

the only available wall for mini quilts and such

Now, everything I do [except cutting] is by a window.  My stitching chair is by TWO windows - the light on either side will really help me see.

the back wall that still defeats me

I really needed to do a good vacuum as well, so moving all the furniture helped me do that.  I'm happy, I even have a plug available for my heating pad while I'm stitching now, lol!

Normally, I don't like to have all the blinds open, as I can see right into my neighbor's house and they can see right into mine.  Feels a little like a fishbowl in here.  But even with the blinds turned so they can't see in, I have enough light to stitch by without the lamp.  Yay me.

So - I have been stitching, I drew up this design the other day and finished it up.

Available in my shop, Allie-oops Designs

It's called A Gardener's Heart.  I really do have the heart of a gardener - but not the hands.  Bugs scare me, I don't like dirt, and I tend to kill everything I touch with the sole exception of my African Violets.  At least I can stitch what's in my heart.  And I do love the verse!!!

I had a sweet little surprise in the mail the other day, dear Karen from KaHolly sent me this darling decal!

It really does make me sew happy!  I'm not sure yet what I'm going to put it on - she had showed some on her blog that were on a sewing machine, which is darling, but as I get familiar with my treadle I want to retire my Viking and use my Featherweight and the treadle mostly.  You can also put them on tumblers and mugs, so that's another option.  I love it!  Thank you Karen!

I'll leave you with a picture of our sugar-coated woods - be well, be happy, see you Monday!!

Love,

Allie

Block 5 of 9, Garden of Contentment

This pattern is available in my shop, Allie-oops Designs, along with blocks 1-4

(Philippians 4:11) "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

(1 Timothy 6:6-8) "But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

This week I found myself wanting something, doesn’t matter what, but I felt like I needed it and couldn’t do a job properly unless I had it.  I began to get irritable and dissatisfied, trying to do that job anyway – thankfully I was home alone, so my attitude didn’t spill over onto anyone else.  My quilt caught my eye and I was instantly repentant.  My bible is heavy so I don’t carry it around the house, lol, but the quilt hanging up I see all the time.

(Matthew 6:25-33) "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? {26} Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? {27} Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? {28} And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: {29} And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. {30} Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? {31} Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? {32} (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. {33} But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

So – I read the above verse, and wondered what in the world I was getting so grumpled about.  (Yes, grumpled – I made that up and I like it.)  I have what I need and then some.  So I use a little more elbow grease to get a job done, it won’t kill me.  Might even use up some calories.

My friend Shirley says you spend the first half of your life acquiring stuff, and the second half getting rid of it.  She should know, she’s 87.  My son just bought a house, and has nothing – no trash cans, no plates, no kitchen table – and I told him that’s ok, take it slow, don’t be in a hurry to fill it up.  Get what you really need, secondhand if possible, and live for awhile without the rest. 

The Lord knows what we really need.  It’s certainly not stuff – it’s hope, it’s mercy, forgiveness, love, and sometimes just a quick trip to the woodshed.   There truly are no better gifts than these!!!

Let’s stitch the words that will anchor our blocks together in the garden.

Embroidery

Cut your background block 8 ½” tall x 12 ½” wide.  Trace the words onto your block using your preferred method. 

(Optional interfacing) – cut your interfacing 7 ½” tall x 11 ½” wide.  Fuse to the back.

Using two strands of embroidery floss, stitch the words using backstitch and single-wrap French knots for the ‘i’s.  Trim block to 6 ½” tall x 10 ½” wide.

Framing

Cut 2 strips 1 ½” x 6 ½” inches.  Stitch to sides of block and press away from the block.

Cut 2 strips  1 ½” x 13” (a little longer than necessary) and stitch to the top and bottom of the block.  Press and trim even.

Adding Strips

This block sits in the center of the quilt, so we’ll be adding strips to all sides.  I’ve numbered a diagram for you in the order to add your strips.  This one is done in more of a log cabin style to start.  Strips are 1 1/2" x however long you need them.

 After adding your strips, trim to 13” wide x 14” tall.  Your side strips will be very narrow – you may be able to add just one on one side, and not the other.  I didn’t think of that at the time.

That’s it, you’re done with block 5!  

Some blocks from others - Billie's gorgeous Gratitude and Mercy blocks, don't you love those colors? 

And Karen A.'s gorgeous Mercy block - 

Karen is using scraps and her blocks are making me wish I had such pretty scraps that played so well together!

Next week, we'll be stitching up some Love - 

  

I had fun fussy cutting that one!

Enjoy your week dear friends, may you be richly blessed!

Love,

Allie