Sometimes Someone’s Clothes Can Help Give You an Answer.

     A few years ago, one of the men who taught me a few of the greatest lessons of life passed away.  Then about 2 years ago, I made his daughter this quilt out of his clothes.
As you can tell, he was a very patriotic man.  Not just patriotic, but a true biblical follower of God.  Someone who you did not question his focus in life!

     For the last few weeks,  I have been questioning my patriotic stance.  At the same time though,  I wasn’t questioning its biblical stance.  The countries downfall I believe is due to a lack of Christianity and moral values. The United States has for year printed the words "In God We Trust".  Now many do not trust God.

    I entered my quilt room going to another project this week.  For some reason though, I went the other direction and pulled out a bin of the leftovers from Mr. Bobs quilt.  I knew that this was the project I needed to do.  Suddenly I was at peace with my current situation.

     I then cut the clothes using the largest possible square or rectangle I could cut out.  I then used graph paper to lay the quilt out.  I kinda like the “Plan to Quilt” book that I purchased from the fat quarter shop. It really gives an awesome space to develop a layout!  I was able to make the entire top out of parts of Mr Bob’s shirts!

     The backing I really liked was within inches of being big enough to be use for the quilt.  I couldn’t find anything else I really liked. Anything I felt compelled to use.  I did see another long piece of patriotic fabric I liked in the fabric I was given.  So the back has one small peicing.

     Then it’s quilted with just basic straight lines.  I could not decide what to do.  It’s for a boy,  actually his very sweet grandson! A young fella that always smiled when his grandpa was around!! It just didn’t seem fit for any decorative stitches. But of course, Mr. Bob was just plain and patriotic!
     My husband chose a simple red blender as the binding! Honestly,  a joyful finish.

     I struggled for over a month with the country we live in and not getting paid.  I struggled with how those we elected to make decisions for our country were acting like kids.  I then had issues believing in our country.  How could my country decide to not pay myself abs my coworkers?  How could they allow themselves to go on fully paid vacations, but I was stressing if my bills were going to get paid. Why should I have to go to work everyday and be told to rely on a food bank?  This is not what America was built on.
     The answer as I sewed this quilt was the prayer to God of what I should do.  I was stressed enough and did not want to pick up extra at the hospital.  Then the offer after offer of food or the job/opportunity of crafting for someone else.  My friends/aqaintances were stepping up to give the the sign I would survive.  I still haven’t gotten paid, but will this week, I have survived!!!
     As most know,  I like to take photos in special places.  These are taken at the Berkeley County YMCA.  Mr Bob made these fields used for Soccer accessible and also at one time paid for a major pool renovation.  If not for him,  our pool would have been close and we would still have massive rodent infested mountains of debris in our back fields!

   

Springs of Endless Scraps!!

     The first challenge of Project Quilting Season 10, led me on a search for a definition.  The nice librarian Trisha who is coming up with the weekly challenges of course had me looking up the definition of the challenge!  "Hope Springs Eternal".  The phrase thats familiar to many, was not as familiar to me.  My few minutes of reading led me to a better understanding and a definition.    Hope springs eternal means "the feeling of hopefulness endlessly renews itself".  Or "It is human nature always to find fresh cause for optimism".  After working 8 more hours in a shift, I knew what I was going to do. 

    For the first Challenge of the year and my first finished quilt in who knows when, I made a massive scrap quilt!! My issue, was for a few months of being overwhelmed each time I walked into my quilt room and became hopeless about the endless scraps that were everywhere!  I made a commitment while doing the Project Quilting Mystery that I was going to make 2019 the year of scraps!! 

     It took me a few to decide on a plan, but after thinking about the scraps I cut down over time, and a Pinterest search, I was ready.  I used up all the scraps I precut in 2.5 and 4.5 inch squares and then starting cutting away at the massive pile of scraps!   The more I cut, the better I felt, and the bigger the quilt got!  I am thinking that between the white on whites and patterned fabric that there’s at least 60 different fabrics in this quilt! 

     I used matching 2.5 inch pattern squares to make four patches, and added patterned 4.5 inch squares to make each block.    Truly, I did not do well at the direction I was placing 4 patches and flipped some the wrong direction.  But, lessons learned and I will remember next time.  63 blocks later and I am done.  The quilt measures 56x72 and is 100% scrap!! 

     I used some old fabric to back the quilt.  To get back into the rhythm of free motion Quilting,  I did a simple pattern.  I attempted to a simple up and down loop.  I then added a little squiggle periodically to the mix.  I think,  by the end, I finally got the rhythm of my stitch length and am ready for the next challenge!! 

     The binding, is another set of scraps.  Leftover binding pieces from a bunch of quilts that I finished over the years!  

     I still have a massive pile of scraps, but cutting them down and finishing thus top,  gave me a relief!!  A hope that the mess, may one day be gone.  Or at least manageable!! 

     When I sewed up each of the blocks,  I was hesitant about the random scrappiness.  When I laid the blocks out on the bed,  I did not like how the quilt looked.  I was suddenly disappointed.  Then I sewed the top up and the feeling of happiness returned! 

     When I woke up this morning,it was freezing and pouring down rain.  Not the best atmosphere for photography.  So I went to church.  As I sat in the little struggling church in the little struggling town, I knew where to take my photos. 

     A little group here has made resurrecting our town their goal in life.  To make the old hotel and Main Street, a place for others to return to.  They know the definition of "Hope Springs Eternal".  Just as I used theses scraps to build up this quilt!!

     My definition this year is: Hope Srings Eternal creativity and organization!! 

This is the old Keller Hotel in St Stephen, South Carolina. Not sure on the date.  I love the front door!  Like really love the glass! 

It’s A New Year and A Time To Get Back to Enjoying Life

     I started this post last year and never had time to finish and post it.  So here I am almost a week later and finally sitting down to finish writing this post.  

     As I sit here thinking about my goals for 2019, I keep looking back at the past and what occurred in 2018.  We each have rocking road and for some of, we know that the holidays are hard.  I think that the struggles of the last few years have me holding my head up and looking forward to 2019 just a little more.   

     Then I think of all I accomplished in 2018 and all I didn’t have a chance to do.  I finished school.  My baby graduated and my oldest bought a house.  The great accomplishments, make all the downfalls better and prepare us for the challenges and enjoyment ahead! 

     In 2019,  I am not just setting goals on here for my crafting and quilting life, I am setting goals for my marriage and spiritual life.   Next year, even with my work schedule,  I need to get back into church full time.  This ensuring I put God first and my daily life second. 

     With our boys growing up and leaving the nest, I know this is going to be another challenging time.  Added to the nightmare remodel that’s about to occur at my house.  My marriage will need a lot of work, praying God will lead us in the right direction.  

     I decided that I have one change in my life that I really need to work on, my house.  With the changes that will be occurring in it in the next year, I need to keep it cleaner and more organized.  So my resolution  for 2019, is to spend more time working on my house everyday! P

     Now,  to my aspirations of 2019!!! I have sooo many desires that it’s hard to set logical and realistic Goals! So hear are the ones I know I can attain! 

-Finish all the challenges of project quilt

-Make at least one wreath monthly

-Start no new quilts outside of project quilt without finishing one old one. 

-Make at least 6 scrap quilts this year. 

-Make at least 1 sign a month! 

-Paint my closet dressing table and finish the collage wall. 

-finish redoing Wades old Room to a comfortable guest room. 

Seems like a lot, but I am hoping to attain it!! Praying for a great year!!!