A new year...New beginnings...The first day of a new year stirs up anticipation of hope and excitement in my heart like when you open a new notebook to the first clean page and prepare to write. The possibilities seem endless...

It's the perfect time to reflect on the goals I set up for myself last year, both personal and creative, and make new plans for the things I want to strive for in this new year.

My quilting goals for 2020:

1 - Make donation quilts for Bridgehaven.
~ In 2019, I only donated 7. I want to do much better this year. I hope to double that number. 

2 - Continue to use up my stash.
~ I did really well last year, but it will always be a goal to use up what I have. 

3 - Continue with being very selective about what I add to my stash. 
~  I did really well in this area last year, as well. I was tempted many times to buy fabric because it was pretty, or on sale. I have to say I have zero regrets about not buying fabric I wanted. Just because I love something doesn't mean I have to own it. Too much fabric in my stash overwhelms me and causes my creativity to shut down. Less is more in my world. 

4 - Learn one new technique out of my comfort zone.
  ~  I didn't do this one last year, so it is added again to this year. Not sure what that one new technique will be, though. If you have some suggestions, feel free to share!

5 - Set up a notebook to keep track of my projects as way to record what I created as well as keep track of who it was gifted to, fabrics used, pattern used, etc. I hope to share more on this at a later date. I am still in the figuring out how to set it up phase.  I purchased Chic Sparrow travelers notebooks for this purpose, so I must use them!

6 - Sort through my fabric and scraps. It's time for some of my fabric to find new homes,  someone who can use and love them.

My personal goals for 2020:

1 - Love my husband more.  

2 - Memorize at least one new scripture or sections of scripture a month. 

~ In 2019, I memorized 29 verses, which boils down to 18 sections of Scripture. My longest memorization was Titus 3:4-7. I use the Bible Memory app and I find it to be helpful. I did buy the full version, but you don't need to. 

3 -  Read my Bible regularly  

~ In July of last year, I downloaded the Reading Plan app and found a  beginners reading plan that took me through some of the Bible in 5 months. I have tried many times to read the Bible in a year and failed. The beginners reading plan took out most of the law so it was easier to get through and it was an encouragement to know I could finish what I began. This next year, I am going to read the Bible using the Five Day Plan. The goal will be to get through it in a year, but I will not fret over it taking longer than that. The goal is being in God's Word regularly and learning more about Him, not how fast I read through it. One way I help myself to stay engaged with my reading and to help my mind not wonder too much is to have the ESV Bible app on my phone read it out loud to me while I follow along in my Bible. 

4 - Continue to stay on the Low Carb High-Fat eating plan. 
~ 1000 x's YES! The KETO way of eating has changed my life and the life of my husband. My arthritis is gone. No more aching knees and hips. I've lost 55 pounds and went from a size 14-16 to a size 4 - 6. 🙌Russ is no longer pre diabetic and has lost over 50 pounds. He went from a size 42 waist to a 34. 👏 Our only regret is we didn't start this change earlier in our lives, but we are grateful we did when we did...

5 - Be an encouragement with those I meet. Greg Koukl at Stand To Reason sums it up well in his mentoring letter: Give 'Em Heaven 

~ Everyone has a story. Everyone has suffered in some way or is in the middle of suffering. When I was in the midst of great suffering six years ago, having someone be kind made my pain so much easier to bear. And you now what? 
Being KIND is not hard! 
Extending GRACE is not hard!
My goal last year was simple. When shopping, I wanted the people working there to know they were appreciated and give them reason to smile. One store where I frequently shop offered me a job 3 times this year. I politely declined, but it's nice to know they are happy to see me when I stop in. 😄I'd like to think I made a difference in my corner of the world by bringing some kindness to those I have met and I want the same for this year. 

6 -  One of my favorite t shirts says: Hold on I've gotta overthink about it. I would like this to NOT be true of me, so this year, I am going to make a conscience effort to stop 
overthinking. 
every. 
little. 
thing. 
The bonus will be it won't take me hours and hours to write one simple blog post. A girl can dream, right? 

I'd be interested in hearing what your dreams and goals are for the new year. Please share! 

A new year...New beginnings...The first day of a new year stirs up anticipation of hope and excitement in my heart like when you open a new notebook to the first clean page and prepare to write. The possibilities seem endless...

It's the perfect time to reflect on the goals I set up for myself last year, both personal and creative, and make new plans for the things I want to strive for in this new year.

My quilting goals for 2020:

1 - Make donation quilts for Bridgehaven.
~ In 2019, I only donated 7. I want to do much better this year. I hope to double that number. 

2 - Continue to use up my stash.
~ I did really well last year, but it will always be a goal to use up what I have. 

3 - Continue with being very selective about what I add to my stash. 
~  I did really well in this area last year, as well. I was tempted many times to buy fabric because it was pretty, or on sale. I have to say I have zero regrets about not buying fabric I wanted. Just because I love something doesn't mean I have to own it. Too much fabric in my stash overwhelms me and causes my creativity to shut down. Less is more in my world. 

4 - Learn one new technique out of my comfort zone.
  ~  I didn't do this one last year, so it is added again to this year. Not sure what that one new technique will be, though. If you have some suggestions, feel free to share!

5 - Set up a notebook to keep track of my projects as way to record what I created as well as keep track of who it was gifted to, fabrics used, pattern used, etc. I hope to share more on this at a later date. I am still in the figuring out how to set it up phase.  I purchased Chic Sparrow travelers notebooks for this purpose, so I must use them!

6 - Sort through my fabric and scraps. It's time for some of my fabric to find new homes,  someone who can use and love them.

My personal goals for 2020:

1 - Love my husband more.  

2 - Memorize at least one new scripture or sections of scripture a month. 

~ In 2019, I memorized 29 verses, which boils down to 18 sections of Scripture. My longest memorization was Titus 3:4-7. I use the Bible Memory app and I find it to be helpful. I did buy the full version, but you don't need to. 

3 -  Read my Bible regularly  

~ In July of last year, I downloaded the Reading Plan app and found a  beginners reading plan that took me through some of the Bible in 5 months. I have tried many times to read the Bible in a year and failed. The beginners reading plan took out most of the law so it was easier to get through and it was an encouragement to know I could finish what I began. This next year, I am going to read the Bible using the Five Day Plan. The goal will be to get through it in a year, but I will not fret over it taking longer than that. The goal is being in God's Word regularly and learning more about Him, not how fast I read through it. One way I help myself to stay engaged with my reading and to help my mind not wonder too much is to have the ESV Bible app on my phone read it out loud to me while I follow along in my Bible. 

4 - Continue to stay on the Low Carb High-Fat eating plan. 
~ 1000 x's YES! The KETO way of eating has changed my life and the life of my husband. My arthritis is gone. No more aching knees and hips. I've lost 55 pounds and went from a size 14-16 to a size 4 - 6. 🙌Russ is no longer pre diabetic and has lost over 50 pounds. He went from a size 42 waist to a 34. 👏 Our only regret is we didn't start this change earlier in our lives, but we are grateful we did when we did...

5 - Be an encouragement with those I meet. Greg Koukl at Stand To Reason sums it up well in his mentoring letter: Give 'Em Heaven 

~ Everyone has a story. Everyone has suffered in some way or is in the middle of suffering. When I was in the midst of great suffering six years ago, having someone be kind made my pain so much easier to bear. And you now what? 
Being KIND is not hard! 
Extending GRACE is not hard!
My goal last year was simple. When shopping, I wanted the people working there to know they were appreciated and give them reason to smile. One store where I frequently shop offered me a job 3 times this year. I politely declined, but it's nice to know they are happy to see me when I stop in. 😄I'd like to think I made a difference in my corner of the world by bringing some kindness to those I have met and I want the same for this year. 

6 -  One of my favorite t shirts says: Hold on I've gotta overthink about it. I would like this to NOT be true of me, so this year, I am going to make a conscience effort to stop 
overthinking. 
every. 
little. 
thing. 
The bonus will be it won't take me hours and hours to write one simple blog post. A girl can dream, right? 

I'd be interested in hearing what your dreams and goals are for the new year. Please share! 

A pile of fabric, mostly Flea Market Fancy, but also some other fabrics from my stash were pulled to add to the mix. I have no idea how many I cut and how big the quilt will be. I'm not big on planning and math, you know, and if I need more I will cut more. =) 

I didn't do any big sale shopping over Thanksgiving. The only door buster thing I did do was on Wednesday at Joann Fabrics to get a 25 yard roll of batting by Pellon for $99. I was first in line. It was a good thing, too. The store only had 4 in stock. I was the youngest of the old quilting ladies in line, just sayin. I admit it was rather comical to see us "run" to the area where the batting was stored. I, however, did not run. I do have some sense of decorum, but I did walk very fast. ;-) 

Enough talking...The triangles are calling my name. =) 

Have a great week, everyone!

A pile of fabric, mostly Flea Market Fancy, but also some other fabrics from my stash were pulled to add to the mix. I have no idea how many I cut and how big the quilt will be. I'm not big on planning and math, you know, and if I need more I will cut more. =) 

I didn't do any big sale shopping over Thanksgiving. The only door buster thing I did do was on Wednesday at Joann Fabrics to get a 25 yard roll of batting by Pellon for $99. I was first in line. It was a good thing, too. The store only had 4 in stock. I was the youngest of the old quilting ladies in line, just sayin. I admit it was rather comical to see us "run" to the area where the batting was stored. I, however, did not run. I do have some sense of decorum, but I did walk very fast. ;-) 

Enough talking...The triangles are calling my name. =) 

Have a great week, everyone!

I did it again...

Not as bad as last time and for that,  I am very grateful! 

I did it again...

Not as bad as last time and for that,  I am very grateful! 

Remember the quilt shop, Country Stitchin' I wrote about last week? We just so happened to stop in during an All Iowa Shop Hop event. Well, guess who won a prize from Country Stitchin'? 

ME!!

Look at the great things I won! What a generous prize package. =) 

Thanks, Jane and Peg! 

Remember the quilt shop, Country Stitchin' I wrote about last week? We just so happened to stop in during an All Iowa Shop Hop event. Well, guess who won a prize from Country Stitchin'? 

ME!!

Look at the great things I won! What a generous prize package. =) 

Thanks, Jane and Peg! 

...and a little bit of 

weeding,

mulching,

sewing,

and tonight, a child young man is graduating. 

...and a little bit of 

weeding,

mulching,

sewing,

and tonight, a child young man is graduating. 

  I am so bad at the tagging games that go around on the blogs. I have tagged twice in the last couple of weeks. As usual, I am behind...So I am going to totally break bend the rules and answer the same 11 questions for both tagging games. There is no way anyone wants to read 22 answers about me. =)

Thank you Karin @ Beary Quilts and Cheryl @ Teapots2Quilting, for tagging me. =) 

There are 5 rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of you and 11 random things about you.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them. 
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you have tagged them.

Our Wedding Day

11 random things about me...

• I am goofy.
• I love the movie "Pride and Prejudice." 
• I am a social introvert. I love being with people and am outgoing but then I need to be alone to recharge. 
• I love being home by myself.
• All I have ever wanted to be when growing up is to be a mom and wife. 
• I only like black jelly beans. When I was little, my mom would put a bag of them in my Easter basket. 
• I don't watch TV.
• If you look up the word "procrastinator" in the dictionary, you will see my picture. 
• I don't like clutter. 
• I am a rule breaker. 
• If I could, I would have another baby. 

1. Do you like sweet or salty? Sweet!! 

2. If you win $10,000 today, how would you spend it on yourself? Fun question...I would pay someone to refinish my wood floors for me. 

3. Can you whistle? Yes, but not well.

4. If you had to be an animal, what you you like to be and why? A bird so I could fly. 

5. If you could choose to go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you like to go? Australia and New Zealand

6. Do you snore? Yup! In a quiet lady like way, though. Or so I have been told. =)

7. Who is your favourite music artist? Bee Gees

8. What is your favourite quilting technique? I don't think I have a favorite technique. 

9. Pink or yellow? PINK, although yellow is growing on me. 

10. Are you a night owl or a early bird? both

11. Do you finish a project and then only start a new one, or do you have a list of UFO's? I mostly finish what I have started before I start a new project. 


I am going to tag:
Judy @ Cranberry Morning
Leslie @ Fluff & Nonsense

Go ahead and use my same 11 questions. =)

• 

  I am so bad at the tagging games that go around on the blogs. I have tagged twice in the last couple of weeks. As usual, I am behind...So I am going to totally break bend the rules and answer the same 11 questions for both tagging games. There is no way anyone wants to read 22 answers about me. =)

Thank you Karin @ Beary Quilts and Cheryl @ Teapots2Quilting, for tagging me. =) 

There are 5 rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of you and 11 random things about you.
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them. 
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you have tagged them.

Our Wedding Day

11 random things about me...

• I am goofy.
• I love the movie "Pride and Prejudice." 
• I am a social introvert. I love being with people and am outgoing but then I need to be alone to recharge. 
• I love being home by myself.
• All I have ever wanted to be when growing up is to be a mom and wife. 
• I only like black jelly beans. When I was little, my mom would put a bag of them in my Easter basket. 
• I don't watch TV.
• If you look up the word "procrastinator" in the dictionary, you will see my picture. 
• I don't like clutter. 
• I am a rule breaker. 
• If I could, I would have another baby. 

1. Do you like sweet or salty? Sweet!! 

2. If you win $10,000 today, how would you spend it on yourself? Fun question...I would pay someone to refinish my wood floors for me. 

3. Can you whistle? Yes, but not well.

4. If you had to be an animal, what you you like to be and why? A bird so I could fly. 

5. If you could choose to go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would you like to go? Australia and New Zealand

6. Do you snore? Yup! In a quiet lady like way, though. Or so I have been told. =)

7. Who is your favourite music artist? Bee Gees

8. What is your favourite quilting technique? I don't think I have a favorite technique. 

9. Pink or yellow? PINK, although yellow is growing on me. 

10. Are you a night owl or a early bird? both

11. Do you finish a project and then only start a new one, or do you have a list of UFO's? I mostly finish what I have started before I start a new project. 


I am going to tag:
Judy @ Cranberry Morning
Leslie @ Fluff & Nonsense

Go ahead and use my same 11 questions. =)

• 

The last four days have been pretty bad. 

I behaved sinfully. 

The shame I feel threatens to overwhelm me....

Thus....I am seeking truth from the One who Is THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life....

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5: 17-21

The last four days have been pretty bad. 

I behaved sinfully. 

The shame I feel threatens to overwhelm me....

Thus....I am seeking truth from the One who Is THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life....

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5: 17-21

Edit...I'm still tweaking things.

I made a new blog button. 

I didn't delete my old one from Photobucket, so it will still work for you. Feel free to grab the new one. ...Or not. =) The coding is on the sidebar. Let me know if you need any help. 

Have a great Saturday!

Edit...I'm still tweaking things.

I made a new blog button. 

I didn't delete my old one from Photobucket, so it will still work for you. Feel free to grab the new one. ...Or not. =) The coding is on the sidebar. Let me know if you need any help. 

Have a great Saturday!

I had a fight with Tipsy....

I have a colonoscopy coming up...

I got my hair trimmed. Bangs are too short...



I need to take a class to help Tipsy and I make up....

I am grateful for the medical advances that provide tests to catch cancer early....

My hair will grow....


I have a husband who loves me...

I have friends who care about me...

God sent His Son to die for my sins...


I really have nothing to grumble about...

I had a fight with Tipsy....

I have a colonoscopy coming up...

I got my hair trimmed. Bangs are too short...



I need to take a class to help Tipsy and I make up....

I am grateful for the medical advances that provide tests to catch cancer early....

My hair will grow....


I have a husband who loves me...

I have friends who care about me...

God sent His Son to die for my sins...


I really have nothing to grumble about...

Found this on Pinterest and thought it was funny....=D

Found this on Pinterest and thought it was funny....=D

Yesterday, Russ and I  went to Pella's Tulip Time Festival. For the last several years we had planned to go but either the weather was bad or there was a conflict in our schedule. Not so this year. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for the festival. The weather was perfect in the low 70's and the tulips were at their peak blooming time...I could kick myself for not taking more pictures of the events.

Yesterday, Russ and I  went to Pella's Tulip Time Festival. For the last several years we had planned to go but either the weather was bad or there was a conflict in our schedule. Not so this year. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for the festival. The weather was perfect in the low 70's and the tulips were at their peak blooming time...I could kick myself for not taking more pictures of the events.

Have you all read the post, "There are things I don't say," by Rachel at Stitched in Color? 

Just so you know...

* My life is far from perfect. I am a selfish, self centered sinner, saved by Grace by a good God, Jesus Christ.

I am Unspeakably Sinful.

* I appreciate all of you and am so grateful for all the encouragement I receive. I apologize for being so far behind in responding to your comments. Forgive me?

Have you all read the post, "There are things I don't say," by Rachel at Stitched in Color? 

Just so you know...

* My life is far from perfect. I am a selfish, self centered sinner, saved by Grace by a good God, Jesus Christ.

I am Unspeakably Sinful.

* I appreciate all of you and am so grateful for all the encouragement I receive. I apologize for being so far behind in responding to your comments. Forgive me?

 Tuesday Morning is one of my favorite stores to wander around in. They have everything there!  Linens and dog toys...Toys for kids and luggage...Oriental rugs and party supplies....It's a great place to find gifts for all occasions.  

I hadn't been there in a while so I popped in to look around yesterday since I was already out and about. I bought some great stuff!

First, though, I wanted to share with you my favorite scissors of all time. Westcott Titanium bonded 5" micro-tipped scissors.  

I stumbled on them by accident last year at Target on their clearance rack. They were selling for $3. If I had known how amazing they were, I would have bought them all, then and there. They are super sharp and I use them mainly for thread snipping. 

I tie a scrap of selvedge on all my fabric scissors so everyone knows they are mine and not to be used for paper. 

Okay...Back to Tuesday Morning! I found some great stuff for the sewing room....

Fabric...I am not a huge jelly roll fan, but at $15, I could be. Now I can try some of the jelly roll patterns out there and see if I want to be a jelly roll fan. 

I've been wanting to try fabric sheets for my printer, but the price has always given me pause, even on sale. At this discounted price, I am willing to give them a try to see how they work.

Has anyone used this product? For $3 I thought it would be worth a try...I've been wanting to try to do some applique and this looks easy enough. 

Quilt hangers. Maybe I can find a place to display a quilt in my home somewhere. 

Aleen's No-Sew fabric glue...Not sure what to use it for, but the price was right. If anyone has some suggestions for me, I am all ears!

Two June Tailor 6 1/2 inch rotary cutter rulers. 

And lastly, a cute find...At least I think so, a magnetic bulletin board...It could be used for Karen's @ Sew Many Ways clever idea. 

I just noticed you can see my reflection in the wrapper!!

 Have you found any fun bargains lately? 

 Tuesday Morning is one of my favorite stores to wander around in. They have everything there!  Linens and dog toys...Toys for kids and luggage...Oriental rugs and party supplies....It's a great place to find gifts for all occasions.  

I hadn't been there in a while so I popped in to look around yesterday since I was already out and about. I bought some great stuff!

First, though, I wanted to share with you my favorite scissors of all time. Westcott Titanium bonded 5" micro-tipped scissors.  

I stumbled on them by accident last year at Target on their clearance rack. They were selling for $3. If I had known how amazing they were, I would have bought them all, then and there. They are super sharp and I use them mainly for thread snipping. 

I tie a scrap of selvedge on all my fabric scissors so everyone knows they are mine and not to be used for paper. 

Okay...Back to Tuesday Morning! I found some great stuff for the sewing room....

Fabric...I am not a huge jelly roll fan, but at $15, I could be. Now I can try some of the jelly roll patterns out there and see if I want to be a jelly roll fan. 

I've been wanting to try fabric sheets for my printer, but the price has always given me pause, even on sale. At this discounted price, I am willing to give them a try to see how they work.

Has anyone used this product? For $3 I thought it would be worth a try...I've been wanting to try to do some applique and this looks easy enough. 

Quilt hangers. Maybe I can find a place to display a quilt in my home somewhere. 

Aleen's No-Sew fabric glue...Not sure what to use it for, but the price was right. If anyone has some suggestions for me, I am all ears!

Two June Tailor 6 1/2 inch rotary cutter rulers. 

And lastly, a cute find...At least I think so, a magnetic bulletin board...It could be used for Karen's @ Sew Many Ways clever idea. 

I just noticed you can see my reflection in the wrapper!!

 Have you found any fun bargains lately? 

Spring is here! 

Don't you just love the gas meter right on the front of the house? I try to hide it's hideous ugliness with the flowers and still allow the meter reader to read it...

Spring is here! 

Don't you just love the gas meter right on the front of the house? I try to hide it's hideous ugliness with the flowers and still allow the meter reader to read it...

Warning: This post has no continuity.

Thank you all for your encouragement this weekend. I am {very} grateful....

I gave myself a blog makeover. I needed a change. I reserve the right to change it half a dozen more times until I am sure I am satisfied, but I think I am...Maybe...

I practiced on Miss Fun Quilter this morning. We aren't friends yet, but we are better acquainted. It's a start.

I finished a couple of blocks for the Block-a-palooza. I need go see the one posted for today.

The mailman brought me some fabric I bought on clearance. Love the Jane Pindots!

I finished both tulip quilt tops. 

This one is for me.

This one is for my friend. 

The cathedral windows block is taking shape.

That's all I got...*grin*

Warning: This post has no continuity.

Thank you all for your encouragement this weekend. I am {very} grateful....

I gave myself a blog makeover. I needed a change. I reserve the right to change it half a dozen more times until I am sure I am satisfied, but I think I am...Maybe...

I practiced on Miss Fun Quilter this morning. We aren't friends yet, but we are better acquainted. It's a start.

I finished a couple of blocks for the Block-a-palooza. I need go see the one posted for today.

The mailman brought me some fabric I bought on clearance. Love the Jane Pindots!

I finished both tulip quilt tops. 

This one is for me.

This one is for my friend. 

The cathedral windows block is taking shape.

That's all I got...*grin*