A Quilt for Joy

Nope, haven't done anything about the ugly green desk.  Too busy sewing!!  ;0)

I have been needing a dust cover for my sewing machine, Joy.  In fact, I have even had this fabric folded in a cute little pile, for months.  All of the sudden, last Friday was the day!  I worked on it between housework, and playing with friends and family over the weekend.  Last night I finished its cute little skirt.

The rainbow strips were leftover scraps from another project, and they were just too sweet not to stay together.  When I realized how well they went with the main print, I just knew.  I just love the sewing machines on this Alexander Henry print.  Lately Sandi Henderson's Henna Garden prints have been finding their way into almost everything I do for myself.  Love them!

Another fussy cut, but why not?

This is the back.  Because I pieced the front, top, and back as one piece, those sweet sewing machines are standing on their heads!  This is the only thing that I would have done differently.  (Yup, more Henna Garden!)

Thought a little Michael Miller Dandy Damask was too fun not to add.  The pleated ruffle was added because I made the thing too short.  Glad it happened, because Heather Bailey's Tiled Primrose was perfect to pull out those bits of blue in the main fabric and make them pop.

Over all, I am thrilled Joy's new quilt!  It really neatens up the space when I am not sewing.  And it is so colorful and happy!

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.  Use the cute button over on the sidebar to visit all the other fun projects being shared!

Blessings,

KT

Purple Peep Eater

Many of you know that I love purple.  What you probably don't know is that I love Peeps.  My favorite, of course, are the purple ones.  Since I prefer them stale (I know weird) you could say that I am passionate about my purple Peeps.

What I am not is a purple Peep creep.  I don't think that purple Peeps are the only REAL candy.  (Chocolate anyone?)  I don't think that everyone should HAVE to like them.  I realize that purple only adds to my experience, but not to the sweetness of the Peep.  I will eat the blue Bunnies in a pinch!  ;0)

I can, and do, love those who hate the Peep.  If you can't stand purple I can still love you.  (Some of my favorite people love red, I just don't get it, but I love them!)

 

If everyone were like me, the world would be flat and let's face it, very scary indeed.  There would be nothing unique, nothing to spark my interest, nothing to make me grow.

No Joy!

Insert shudders.

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against these things!"

Galatians 5:22, 23

This year I have been focusing on "Joy", mostly because mine was a bit tarnished.  I cannot fail to produce the other fruit though.  If I do, I will never have joy.

What that means in my virtual world is this.  I like whatever it is you do.   Feel free to borrow what you like, but I don't ever expect you to be me.  I would rather delete this blog than to discourage you (or make you that crazy!).  I want you to have joy and a purple Peep, but only if you want them.

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