More Remembrances

My grandma gave this to me a couple of years before she passed.  I went ahead and included this fuzzy picture because it is the only one that shows the entire before!

I just love this peacock.  Now don't start sending me peacock stuff.  I am only partial to this one.  My Grandma embroidered several pieces, and I use them.  But this one must have been her favorite as well.  It is...fragile from use.  Because of that I have made an exception to only keeping what I use, and tucked this lovely safely away.  Until this week.

This is as far as I have gotten.  I have stitched in the ditch around all the border blocks.

The flowers are my favorite part.  You can also see the age of this piece showing.  

 

I backed the piece with Kona Snow before piecing the border.  I am hoping that a little FMQ will help stabilize the piece.  My plans are to use it as a wall hanging in my living room. 

This came in the mail yesterday (big smiles).  Orange Blossom Perfume.  I plan on trying to baste Orange Blossom Perfume (the quilt) tonight after bedtime.  Praying...

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.  Visit them all by clicking the button on the left side bar.

Also praying for Summer.  (Leslie, I am longing for flip flops.)

Blessings,

KT

Oh Joy.

Well, I have been doing a lot of this lately.  And not just over this test block, which by the way is one inch too big in every direction.  Guess I will have to make it into a mini for this. 

Here is the final version for my Sew Bee It January block.  Meredith's theme was four letter words.  But really, there has been a three letter word resonating in my heart.

Yup, joy.  This is an early birthday present to myself to remind me minute by minute.  I bought it from Lora, who made it to order, but also has a great shop.

I fell in love with Jesus more than twenty years ago.  (My first year of college for the curious!)  He has given me great joy.  But somehow, over the course of the last couple of years, I have lost it--the joy, but not the love :0). 

Not every year, but many years I have asked the Lord to show me a heart issue I needed to work on.  Not really a resolution.  More of an openness to let Him change me, permanently.  Guess what, I haven't done it in a couple of years!!!  (There might be a connection there...)

So I have asked Him to give me my joy back.  He let me know that He would LOVE to!!  YAY!!!!

Then in the shower one day,----sometimes that is the only quiet time I get----He reminded me of this verse:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4

That is when I realized that I am probably going to get more than what I bargained for this year!  This may be worse than praying for patience!!  LOL!!  I do have to admit that the "not lacking anything" part gives me great hope.  I think that it is a promise.  I know that I need it.

So, I may just be giving you all a joy update every now and then along with my quilty recess. 

Just want to leave you with a great comfort that I have found.  Jesus said:

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you."  John 15: 9-12

Just another good promise in there!

Blessings,

KT

Zig-Zags and Orange Blossoms

Disclaimer:  Bad quilty pictures ahead, Winter in progress!

Actually got this together last week, but Friday was too hectic to post.  So here she is in all her glory, and I call her "Henna Love".  I still just love these fabrics.  The solid is Kona ash.  The tutorial I used says to cut off and straighten the edges, but I am considering leaving it the way it is.  Seems a shame to lose even a smidgen of that Henna Garden print!  Of course leaving it this way it is means binding will be less than enjoyable...advice would be welcome!  I wish that the ironing fairy had shown up today, have any of you seen her?

Just took this picture a few minutes ago.  (In my dark, poorly lit living room, sorry!)  This quilt has always been called in my head, "Orange Blossom Perfume".  Whenever my grandma and grandpa went to Florida they would bring me some Orange Blossom Perfume.  This quilt makes me almost smell it.  Putting it together has made memories return, and a few tears flow...with joy.

Update:  I have batting for Orange Blossom, and the batting for Henna Love is on order.  Finishing up backs!!  Be sure to visit the other Fabric Tuesday links by clicking on the Fabric Tuesday button on my right side bar!!

Blessings,

KT

Finally...

the holiday rush is over.  We had a great-niece born in the family right before the new year!!!  So, I have been frantically making this.  I have had this little stack of fabric for half of forever, just waiting for a little girl to make this for!  I even had the squares all cut back when my machine was in the shop!  All that was left was to piece this sweet disappearing nine patch.

I used some extra squares for a little piecing on the back.  The straight line quilting shows off just how 'off' I was lining up the back.  Rats!  Oh well, I never was perfect!

The binding is my favorite fabric from the front.  Beautiful aqua with sweet purple violets!  Come on Spring!

Since spring isn't anywhere near here, I made a double thick flannel blanket too!  We girls must be toasty.

My Henna Love quilt top is done, and I will try to share it Friday...if I can find someone to hold it for pictures!!  I have started piecing the back using left over blocks that I cut up.  Yummy!!

Be sure to check out the other Fabric Tuesday entries by clicking the button on my left side bar!!

Blessings,

KT