Gift

I received a lovely surprise from my friend Jessica. Her embroidery is so cute and I like the bright color combination. If I had taken a picture with it open you could see the pretty turquoise fabric used to line it. Thnk you Jessica!

Happy 4th

Remember all who served our country and kept us free.

Sidewinder Bobbin Winder

I am sorry I haven't been able to post or keep up with all the wonderful blogs I follow in my Google Reader. A lot has been happening on the home front.

I participated in a blog giveaway back in April by C & T Publishing. Well, I won. So I am the proud owner of a Wrights Sidewinder. Please check out their blog for interesting reading.
http://www.ctpubblog.com/ and the link to the article http://www.ctpubblog.com/2009/04/18/sidewinder-bobbin-winder/

Thank you C & T Publishing for having this giveaway.

Happy Mother's Day

Memo: From Heaven

Re: Love letter from Jesus

How are you? I just had to send this letter to tell you how much I love and care for you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day, hoping you would talk to me also. As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest. I waited and waited, but you never came. Oh, yes, it hurt me, but I still love you because I am your friend.

I saw you fall asleep last night and I longed to touch your brow, so I spilled moonlight upon your pillow and face. Again, I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you.

You awakened late and rushed off for the day-my tears were in the rain. Today you looked so sad, so alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand.

My friends let me down and hurt me so many times too. But I love you. I try to tell you in the quiet green grass. I whisper in the leaves and trees, breathe it in the colors of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need you have. We will spend eternity together in heaven.

I know how hard it is on this earth. I really know (because I was there) and I want to help you. I am the way, you know. Just call me, ask me, talk to me. It's your decision! I have chosen you, and because of this I will wait, because I LOVE YOU.

Your Friend, Jesus

The Easter Story

The Easter Story

Jesus came to compensate
For all the wrongs we do.
He came to earth to die for us,
So we’d be born anew.

"This bitter cup, let it pass from me,"
He cried, in a plaintive voice;
"Yet not My will, but Thine be done;"
He said, in His faithful choice.

The Judas kiss would seal his fate;
He faced a hostile crowd;
The governor, Pilate, saw through it all;
Jesus’ guilt he disavowed.

"I wash my hands of all of this,
"Said Pilate, "Let Him be."
But the crowd yelled "Crucify him now,
And set Barabbas free!"

Pilate yielded to their wish;
And Jesus was led away.
The soldiers beat him, and mocked Him, too,
Yet He continued to obey.

A crown of thorns lay on His head,
As His sentence was carried out;
His hands and feet were pierced with nails,
But He did not scream or shout.

"Father, forgive them for this crime;
They know not what they do.
"He said this despite His torment, because,
He was thinking of me and you.

"It is finished," he sighed in His anguish and pain,

As His body gave up to death.
The curtain tore, and darkness fell,
After He took His last breath.

The best of the story is the very last part;
It’s why on Easter we’re filled with pleasure:
Death could not our Savior hold;
His power is beyond all measure.

He rose from the grave, and was seen all around;
Ever since, He’s inspired devotion,
And we’ll be with Him for eternity,
When we get our heavenly promotion.

That’s why Easter is a major event:
He suffered and died in our place.
He rose and forgave us and loves us still,
Our Savior of matchless grace.

By Joanna Fuchs

www.poemsource.com
(Please request permission from poemsource before using)

Searching the Heart

I have been soul searching a lot lately concerning what I could do or perhaps what I didn't do for the Lord. While visiting Lisa's Ivory Blush Roses site I came across a post about "My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Boyd Munger. Please visit her blog and read this inspirational writing concerning the rooms in your heart.

Our pastor read this poem as he shared information about the Pocket Testament League. (more information at the bottom and to go to the site click on link on sidebar)

My Friend

My friend, I stand in judgment now,
And feel that you are to blame somehow.
On earth I walked with you day by day,
And never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim,
You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together here on earth,
You never told me of the second birth.
And now I stand this day condemned,
Because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, that's true,
I called you "friend", and trusted you.
But I learn now that it's too late,
And you could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,
And yet you showed me not the light.
You let me live, and love, and die,
You knew I'd never live on high.

Yes, I called you friend in life,
And trusted you through joy and strife.
And yet, on coming to this dreadful end,
I cannot now call you "My Friend".

D.J. Higgins

I have been a member of the Pocket Testament League for some time now and it is a great way to share God's word with others. The gospel of John is offered in English, Spanish and Chinese, and in several Scripture versions. Membership is completely free. When you order 10 gospels you will see a message: funding your order will cost the ministry approximately $10.00. An order of 30 gospels $20.00. Printing and shipping Gospels for our members costs millions of dollars each year. We want to help everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, be able to share Gospels. To ensure proper stewardship of ministry funds, every order must be funded either by yourself or through sponsorship by another member. We offer multiple funding options, including the ability to get them free of charge. You are then given the option to chose the funding.

Postcard

I want to thank those who have left notes wondering how I am doing. I am sorry I haven't posted anything for a while. I am still looking for work as well as DH who lost his job. His last day was on February 7. He wouldn't mind the days off if he only new he had a job to return to. That isn't the case as the company moved everything to one of their manufacturing facilities in another state. Everything will work out in God's timing.

Now for the fun stuff. I wanted to share with you a postcard I made for Hideko - Wind from the East. I won one of her crazy quilt pouches and just love it. Please check out her blog for some beautiful work. Now I need to make a few more postcards for some special ladies.

The pattern is from form-a-lines.com. The original use of the pattern is for stitching on paper. I wanted to stitch the design on fabric, so I transferred the pattern to tissue paper, stitched design with metallic thread and then wet the tissue paper to remove. It's a little tricky. I used tweezers to remove the paper and if you get the paper too wet it just pulls apart in little pieces and leaves paper residue. It should just be damp enough to pull out most of the piece in the stitched area. You might want to play with it on scrap to see how it works for you.

More patterns can be found here, and here.

My next post will be about some soul searching.

Ott Light Giveaway

Quilting on a budget is giving away an OTT Wing Shade Floor Lamp. No more eye strain! For a chance to win, please check out their blog.

Crazy Quilt Pouch

Lookie what I got in the mail. :) I won a beautiful crazy quilt pouch from Hideko's giveaway. The fabrics are so nice and her stitching is just lovely. Thank you Hideko for the sweet pouch. Please take a look at her blog and her beautiful works of art.