Yay for Summer School!

Encouraging words of the day:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. - John 15:16

It’s  "One-Flower Wednesday"  again. I’m so glad that Karen at Journey of a  Quilter came up with this idea as it keeps me motivated to continue with my hexie flower garden.  Here are my flowers for this week:

We’re still in California.  This week our grandson started his summer school program.  That gives us a little more time to ourselves during the day so we’ve been running errands and learning our way around the town of Fresno. 

I do continue to work on “Dear Jane” blocks in the evenings.  Here are three more. 

B-3

B-11

 G-3

Needless to say, G-3 was pretty much a disaster.  I’ll be doing it over once I figure out what I need to do to make it turn out better.

 A few giveaways I've run into:
"It's So Kiki" is giving away an AccuQuilt Go Cutter and 3 dies. – ends June 21^st.
"Talin's Corner" is giving us the opportunity to win 3 AccuQuilt Go Cutter dies. – ends June 19^th.
"Tales at Wayne Manor" is giving away a box of fabric. – ends June 21^st.

That is all. 

Busy days in California

Encouraging words of the day:

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. -Matthew 6:21, NLT

Jesus made it clear that having the wrong treasures leads to our hearts being in the wrong place. What we treasure the most controls us, whether we admit it or not.  If possessions or money become too important to us, we must re-establish control or get rid of items. Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contentedly with whatever we have because we have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures.

We’ve been so busy with our grandson the last few days.  My husband and I are retired and keeping up with an 8-year old is keeping us young, I guess.  I hope.  We’ve gone on picnics, cherry-picking, shopping (that was a real adventure…),  gone to the park, and watched lots of cartoons.  We really appreciate the ipod Touch as the many applications on that also keep our grandson occupied while my husband and I catch our breaths.  We’re loving it all!  But, it hasn’t left much time for blogging.

I do continue to work on “Dear Jane” blocks in the evenings.  Here are three more.  I did all the prep work before coming to California so all I’m doing is the appliqué.  Here are 3 more:

E10

 F6

 F13

Oh, and I completed my Penny Haren block before I left El Paso so I’d have the blocks to post on Mondays.  This one is called Royal Diamonds.

 A few giveaways I've run into:
"Samelia's Mom" is giving someone the opportunity to win a AccuQuilt Baby Go Cutter. – ends June 26^th.
Miss Print is having a giveaway of a fat quarter bundle . – ends June 15^th. 
"Cat Patches" is giving away a fat quarter and your choice of 3 books. – ends June 16^th.

That is all. 

Cherry Picking

Encouraging words of the day:

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.” – Matthew 6:34, NLT

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God's guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God.  Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

My husband and I are still in California with our grandson.  Yesterday we spent part of the day cherry-picking.  The trees were loaded with cherries.  What a beautiful day it was and what beautiful cherries we picked…and ate.

It’s  "One-Flower Wednesday" and here are my flowers.  Don’t they remind you of spring?

Continuing to work on “Dear Jane” blocks in the evenings.  Here are three more:

C9

 D8

 E1

   A few giveaways I've run into, well one giveaway:
"1 Choice 4 Quilting" is having a fantastic giveaway consisting of:  a new Moda tote bag,  grid rulers, a “Let’s Twist” book and the Twister tool, 6 one-yard cuts of Bella Solids, and a Dogwood Trails Layer Cakel – ends June 13^th.

That is all. 

Sunny California

Encouraging words of the day:

But you, lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. - Psalm 3:3

Be encouraged today because God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. Delight yourself in Him — find joy in serving Him and make your heart moldable in His hands. Don’t settle for mediocrity because God knows what’s in you, and His plan is to finish the work He began in you!

I’m in Sunny California and finally we did have a sunny day.  It has been raining most of the time we’ve been here.  The thunder sounded lovely last night since we’re having a drought in Texas and I haven’t heard thunder in ages – nor seen rain.  So, one of the things we did, was drive to the pretty little city of Clovis where I spent some time in the little quilting store I enjoy so much, “The Quilters’ Paradise.”  Yes, I bought several fat quarters and thoroughly enjoyed myself while my husband and grandson walked around the Old Town Clovis eating ice cream and visiting antique shops.  

I’ve worked ahead  on the blocks for The Penny Haren appliqué group so I have my blocks to post while I’m traveling.  Here is the block for this week, called Kaleidoscope. 

And, since I don’t have my sewing machine, I am able to do hand-sewing on my “Dear Jane” blocks and have accomplished quite a few in the evenings while we watch tv.

A-3        
    

A-6   

A-8

 A few giveaways I've run into: 

"Fort Worth Fabric Studio"is having a giveaway including fabric and a  Lily's Pocket Purse by Lazy girl designs! – ends June 8^th.

"from the blue chair" is giving us the opportunity to win a signed copy of Inspired to Sew by Bari J. Ackerman .– ends June 10^th.

"Happy Quilting" is giving away a  fat quarter bundle of Patricia Bravo's Nature Elements. – ends  June 10^th.

"KoolBeenz" is giving away a 8 Fat Quarter bundle set of Tutti Fruiti seersucker. – ends June 10^th.

"Alderwood Quilts”   is giving away a mouse pad with birds sitting on a feathered star quilt. – ends July 1^st.

That is all. 

Hand-sewing prep done - for now...

Encouraging words of the day:

	"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5, NLT
	God knew you, as he knew Jeremiah, long before you were born or even conceived. He thought about you and planned for you.
	When you feel discouraged or inadequate, remember that God has always thought of you as valuable and that he has a purpose in mind for you.

         

The Penny Haren appliqué group I’m in is having a “catch-up” week.  Here are the blocks completed the last 5 weeks:

It’s  "One-Flower Wednesday" and here are my flowers.

Every week Karen at Journey of a  Quilter hosts One-Flower Wednesday.  It’s great seeing what everyone else has made.  Thanks, Karen, for keeping us motivated in adding to our hexie flower garden.

Moving right along - Two “Dear Jane” blocks completed.

D2 

 D3

 I’ve done all the prep work I’m doing for sewing DJ blocks while I in California.  That’s “pretty much” all I’ve done in my sewing room for the last two days but finally I’ve prepared the blocks to sew by hand through Row G.  Now to do it all…Thanks to those who have given me tips on sewing my DJ.  I can certainly use all the tips I can get, especially any on hand appliqué.  I’m always open to any comments or tips for sewing the DJ.

A few giveaways I've run into: 
"...just one more stitch" is giving away a $25 Gift Certificate to Fat Quarter Shop. – ends June 4^th.
"Fabric Worm" is giving away a fabric bundle. – ends June 6^th.

That is all.