New efforts for love

I'm trying a couple of new things. Why not, it keeps the brain involved and active. Made my little missy E a quilt for her first birthday and gave a few things a try. She's worth the effort.


Working with open seams rather than press to the darker fabric.
I like how it minimizes bulk

First time trying applique.
My little girlie still needs eyes.
Funny but that's got me all nervous.

Instead of batting and a backing fabric, I quilted to
this amazing Sherpa which I purchased a year or so ago
at our famous DressSew here in Vancouver

Instead of batting and a backing fabric I quilted the top to this amazing Sherpa which I purchased a year or so ago when DressSew, here in Vancouver, had their one and only 50% off sale for their 50th birthday. The whole store was 50% off and I stood in the cutting line oh maybe 35 minutes and then off to the purchase line which was half way around the store another 45. Whew!  Were you in line too?!!!  Here's the payoff.

The pattern is from this sweet little book, Quilts Baby, that was a door prize at our Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild meeting a couple of months ago donated by the fabulous Laurraine Yuyama, who also has an original baby quilt pattern in this book called Monkey Business which I also want to try.  I loved the modern/vintage feel of the one I made for missy E, especially the birds.  Took a couple of different cues from other patterns in the book like a dog in blue shoes.  Very fun.  Learning to label too but it is not that impressive.  Give me a couple of years to get that down.

Designated Seating

My world bottom left comp.
Gee felt so good to sit in a spot with my shape.

This time last night I was sitting in my 'designated' seating in the booth with the techies. Who knew that working for a church would afford me these skillz!  My software froze up only once and I was cool. So cool. So assured that it would come back in time for the next image change.  (Not that panicing over the fact that major sponsors had videos to be shown that depended solely on my computer.)  I had said a prayer over my sweet red laptop just before we went live.  Sound tech Tennyson is my witness.  And - because I knew that my SwHt had made sure we had a backup comp in the wings.  Would not do it any other way people! The longest three minutes of the evening and only the producer, sitting beside me, knew the close call.  She said she spent those minutes refusing to look. I think her strategy helped!

The lineup was inspiring. Listened in on 8 #standapart marketing leaders. Mini sermons on how to do life well.  Peter Reek at SmartSavvy rocked it.  Such an exemplary leader in action himself.  I'm pumped and I was just a support techie cuing up the screens and doing my job.  Good news and Hope land well on us all.  Felt part of a great team looking out for each other bringing their best.

Just a few quotes posted on SmartSavvy's site to show you what they concur... 

“The difference between try and triumph is a little umph.” - Jay Pritchett, Modern Family

 

“I want people around me who can do the impossible.” - Elizabeth Arden

 

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” - Dr. Seuss

 

O yes... and they have just launched a mentoring element to their services.  Check it out on smartsavvy..me.

 

 



Monday Meds

Take one each morning as prescribed.

Every Monday should start with inspiration as part of the working class montra!  Thank you Mac Premo for these....they inspire me!  And so do YOU!


How'd you get so old? from mac premo on Vimeo.

The story teller tells about the story teller. 


Oliver Jeffers Author Video 2013 from mac premo on Vimeo.

What I Value



Fresh new flannel ready for my machine.
I dearly hope I have met the sewing quality standard
to be allowed to sew more!

A couple of weeks ago I was made aware of a group of women that meet at a church near me who put together baby layettes to send to other countries.  I phoned and asked if I could contribute from home and the resounding answer was 'YES'!  The package was dropped off at the church info desk a week ago Sunday and after working all week I set my Saturday aside to do something other than make a bit of an income.  More satisfying than you know.  I was given six little kimono shirts already cut and waiting to be stitched together.  As my machine worked its way around the edges, stitiching each little shirt together I realized that somewhere in this big world, some day in the near future, there will be a small, breathing, warm, heart-beating body that this shirt will be wrapped around like a hug freeing a mommy & daddy to save their pennies for other important things.  Although I've always had enough above and beyond taking care of my needs to give financially, this is what Jesus does for me, He gives me sweet tasks and slays me with affection and a sense of value in the process. He lets me join in! I'm so grateful to Dorothy who said 'YES' to me.  Now I just have to wait and see if I have met the sewing standard so I can be trusted with more!   One can never be too sure.

Year verse

Do you have a verse that speaks into your spirit at the beginning of the year?  Kind of moves in and finds a chair?

It came when I was digging around looking for something else.  You know, a verse you come to that chooses to tickle a curiosity which keeps you coming back to scratch.  This is often how I know it's the one!

Writing it for memory here.

Deut 33:12 "The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety.  The High God surrounds her all day long and dwells between her shoulders." 

My friend Gayle explains that last part this way

"Perhaps God "dwelling" between our shoulders means that is He lives in our backbone- the very structure that holds us together, that carries the weight of the burden of our flesh." 

 

Now you know one of the reasons she is a cherished friend. She's a thinker.

If I Could...

'Not by Bread Alone’ at the N.Y.U. Skirball Center
 

If I could travel to NY on a whim or better yet, Tel Aviv, I'd like to go and see this which is playing right now.  Just part of a wish list is all.

All of the cast members in “Not By Bread Alone,” conceived and directed by Adina Tal, are both deaf and blind to varying degrees, some from birth. And the show is never stronger than when they depict, through language signed and spoken (there are English supertitles), the sensory content of their lives, in which touching and being touched assume paramount importance.

 

New Years?

Left side of counter

Right side of counter

So... on the cusp of eating healthy again my kitchen counter looks a bit schizophrenic.  Actually it kept on variations of this for over a week.  I must admit that both areas are colouricious! and a perfect accompaniment for the HBO series marathon my Swht and I indulged in.   (Christmas Day was a Season One marathon seeing as our family Christmas was Dec 08.  Oye... so early!)  Christmas celebrations being completed waaay before everyone else meant that I enjoyed the rest of the pre-Christmas Day season so much more.  Who knew??!!!   And our Christmas marathon?  such a success that we stayed in our lounge wear all New Years as well and polished off whatever dared to linger on the counter.