Sowing Stitches: Calico Dots and Gingham Quilting Bee

Greek Cross

I decided to go 'simple' for this bee block..thinking 'simple' is best for putting the fabrics in the spotlight. Then, I fell in love with this block, (Greek Cross). The block makes up fast with nice clean lines and the fabrics just sing! I'm pretty sure that the next baby quilt I make, the Greek Cross will be my block of choice.

Below you will find the tutorial for this fun little block.

You will need the following:
2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangle template
4 3/4 inch square rectangle template
4 1/2 inch square rectangle template
scissors or rotary cutter
pencil
ruler
iron
pins

Fabric: 3 different pieces:For this bee I selected: calico, dots, gingham

Creating the block:Cutting the fabric you will need to cut and place pieces by unit.

Fabrics stacked and ready to assemble

Cut 1 calico 4 1/2 in square [for center]


Unit #1 creates 4 
Cut 4 calico 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangles
Cut 4 gingham 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectanglesUse 1/4 inch seam, press open

Unit #2 creates 4
Cut 2 gingham 4 3/4 inch squares
Cut 2 dots 4 3/4 inch squares

Place facing fronts together using one gingham and one dot fabrics, draw a diagonal line corner to corner then stitch 1/4 inch from the line on each side. After you've stitched 1/4 seams on both sides of the drawn line, cut along line to create two completed units.

Unit 2

Units ready to layout

Ready set Row! Using 1/4 inch seams.

Press seams open.

Why I press seams open. It's a simple tribute to my grandmother who taught me to sew when I was only 4. I have tried over the years to press towards dark or gasp even avoiding the process all together. I just can't, so help me, press my seams any other way than with a hot dry iron pressing the seams open and flipping and pressing the seams from the front as well.

Almost done! There are only 2 remaining seams! I told you this was a quick and easy block. :)
Now for this step, I pin! I'd rather take the few seconds to pin matching seams than to dig out the seam ripper dealing with drifting stitches. I think it might take a total of 45 seconds to pin the rows together matching seams.

Pin matching seams! This prevents drifting stitches!!

Press open your row seams and ta~da! You have a brand new Greek Cross quilt block.


Enjoy!
Happy Quilting!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

We Bee With It January - June 2014

January is my month to be Queen Bee
in the We Bee With It online quilting bee!
For me, the hardest part of quilting bees is choosing the block, there are so many wonderful blocks to choose from!!! Finally I have decided which block I will be using, thanks to "Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe"

(I just love this book!) I was inspired by Kati Spencer's "Improv Color Blocks", immediately I thought these blocks would be a great way to use many of my scraps, Kati's quilt is on page 72 of the book. My blocks will be Scrappy Blocks instead of Color Blocks with at least one piece of solid white or muslin per block. As I stated earlier, I was inspired by Kati's Improv Color Blocks...my blocks will be 12 1/5 inch square and not 10 inch square.  

Once all the blocks are completed I plan to sash them with very narrow dark sashing add a border...create a scrappy back and hand quilt. I hope to have it completed by the first warm Spring day so I can celebrate with a picnic! :)

 
Making the Improv Scrappy Blocks[the best part: no 2 blocks are the same]

You will need:
12 1/2 square template[I made one using copy paper]
fabric scraps
iron
sewing machine
thread
scissors and or a rotary cutter


1. Gather fabric scraps, you may need to iron them if you are like me...wrinkled fabric doesn't trim well.
2. Make sure that there is some white or muslin fabric in your scraps.
3. Prints, solids, florals, plaid, dots basically anything goes.
4. Lay out your fabrics, in the shape of a square roughly 16 to 20 inches. Don't panic, this allows for seam allowances and trimming.
5. When assembling the blocks, work in small sections, pressing seams open after each seam is stitched...this prevents 'bulk-build-up'. After the individual unit sections are completed the assembly of the block is a snap!
6. Once the block is in one piece, press again [so it will lay nice and flat] pin the 12 1/2 inch template in place and trim. The remaining scraps can be used in your next scrappy improve block or yet another creative adventure!


                 ::TIP::
        Y Seams are your friend!
When creating improve blocks, let's face it, seams don't always line up nice and neat. Y Seams allow for what I like to call 'broken seams' and mismatched shapes.

When creating Y Seams, it helps to leave about 1/2 inch un-stitched where the seams come together temporarily as you fit the sections to each other...this makes joining the seams much easier.

To help if you have never sewn Y Seams here are a couple of tutorials, the first one is 'still shots' and the second is a video.

http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1373



http://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-with-jinny/tips-lessons/detail.cfm?instanceId=71DAA699-0AFE-8A90-85D38BA999BD18D8

These blocks are a fun way to use bits and pieces of fabrics scraps of almost any size can be used! I am looking forward to being able to use many of my favorite fabric scraps...I'm sure you have some too! You know the ones...the fabrics you love and just can't part with even the smallest scrap.

Happy Quilting!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Chasing the Winter Blues: 39 days to Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!

No winter blues allowed in 2014!
The mulli-grubs, winter blues, hibernating, longing for warm sunny days will not be tolerated this year!
There is just no time for the energy sapping brain drain of the winter blues!
On tap for January: We Bee With It quilting bee, Calico Dots and Gingham quilting bee, purging fabric scraps, once a month bake off, details next week for the Sowing Stitches "Go for the Gold" Block Challenge [in celebration of the Winter Olympics February 7 - February 23 2014 in Sochi], making my nephew's wedding quilt, hand quilting my Valentine's quilt, teaching sewing classes...and this is just the beginning of many great creative adventures.
I feel like I'm forgetting something.....
 
Enjoy the last few days of 2013!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

In the Stitch of Time

Trimming blocks and snipping threads was the 'theme' last week as I put together my bee blocks from a recent online quilting bee. I so enjoyed creating these blocks and found it quite difficult to stop making them after I had completed the blocks for all of the other bees. Which I am now thankful I kept on making them [sadly, many of the bees dropped out]had I not made all of the additional blocks this lovely quilt top would still be drifting along in my imagination! I keep hoping the missing bee blocks will arrive in the coming days...I plan to use them to create pillow shams or a matching baby blanket!

Now to decide on the border...and the backing! This is going to be a large quilt when completed, roughly 96 X 96 inches.

Curiosity is getting the better of me!
What would you choose to create the border and the backing?

Merry Christmas!
May your week be filled with Joyful Delights, Love and Laughter,surrounded by Family and Friends!

with love as always!

Sewing Machines and Ministry You Bet!

I have a dear friend in the ministry, her name is Bess of Bess Graham World Ministries. She will be going to the Women's Ministry Graduation in India, January 2014, just a few weeks from today.
At that time there will be 23 women graduating from the Tailoring School.
She hopes to gift each of the graduates with a sewing machine so they can have a way to take care of themselves.
These women are widows and abused women.
A sewing machine cost $150.
If anyone is interested in helping please message me and I can give you Bess's contact information.
I appreciate any help you can give towards these machines, our sisters in India will be greatly blessed!
Together one stitch at a time we are binding up the wounds and spreading LOVE around the world!

with love as always!

The Adventure began Sunday December 9, 2012

It has been a year since I decided to join the blogging family...One whole year! 
December 9, 2012 I made my first post a huge step for this pencil and paper loving girl!
Looking back, I'm glad I took the plunge. Regrets?
Certainly, wishing I had a set schedule to post regularly...but...as I see the learning curve from here, there is always tomorrow or next year in this case.
I plan to be more organized in 2014!
This was a huge 'technology/social media' year for me.
Not only did I take the plunge and start blogging but I also started hanging out at Sowing Stitches on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Flickr!
I tested quilt block patterns for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine and various designers, pieced a quilt top that will be in John Adams [Quilt Dad]new book to be published in the spring, hosted and participated in several other online quilting bees, hopped in blog hops and still found time to sew!
Don't panic! I am still very much in love with my paper and pencils, I filled up countless journals this year...writing new books, creating designs, and recording dreams and my doodles.

Thanks to each of you who have made this journey into the cyber world an easy transition! I could not have made it this far with out you!!!

with love as always
 

Official Clothing and Fabric Recycling Center

Creating Space in Landfills in a round-about way....

My sewing studio is now an Official Clothing/Fabric Recycling Collection Center.

I will gladly take your discarded clothing [shirts, pants, suits, dresses, shorts, scarves...]  fabric or other sewing notions [even table linens, curtains, bedding] and use these resources to create items to be given to those in need locally or make items to be sold to raise funds for overseas missions.

Old or new, tattered or torn, even stained as stains can be avoided...please no undergarments or items with oil/fuel spills as they can not be cleaned.
If it is fabric...it can be used! :)

Spread the word....together we can meet the needs of many!



with LOVE as always,
Beulah

Day 100

 

This is the block everyone is working on for November in the Sowing Stitches Calico Dots and Gingham Online Quilting Bee. A fun block! And come January, when I am hopefully 'caught up' on all of my projects, I am planning to make a scrappy star quilt using this block.

You heard it here first, in January a new online quilting bee will be starting...details will be forth coming in December.



Today is day 100.100 days on the journey to better health. 100 days of no gluten...well almost...gluten hides in very strange places. And there were days that I thought what I ate was gluten free when in reality was loaded with the stuff...and yes, I paid the price. But life hasn't been all bad going gluten free, there are many perks and advantages...and one very welcome aspect...5 inches have vanished from my waist and 27 pounds are no longer mocking me when I step on the scales!


I am NOT in anyway suggesting anyone go gluten free as means of a 'diet' to shed extra pounds. The reason I've lost weight is simple...in a scientific manner...My body does not process grains that contain gluten, gluten is used by the food industry for a variety of reasons and can be found in many foods. My body reacted to the gluten like many allergic reactions...the tissues in every cell of my body tried to  flush the gluten..since I was constantly eating foods containing gluten...the cells were constantly irritated and filled with excess fluids. That is a simple view of what was going on.

Now my body is being restored and is healing as I monitor closely the foods and drinks I allow to enter. I take time to 'listen' to my body, I document everything that goes into my mouth and make notes of how if any reaction occurs.

Happy Quilting!
with love as always,
Carol aka Beulah

Sowing Stitches Calico Dots and Gingham Quilting Bee

 This is our second month of our creative journey with October's Block selected by Stacy.
A very fast and easy block to create lots of possibilities!
Can't wait to see her final project!

Good Morning October!

Good Morning Friends! Happy October!
This beautiful view was captured recently from my sewing studio.
I so enjoy starting my day watching the sunrise!


Now to reveal the completion of the Summer 2013 Quilting Challenge, you may remember the earlier post back in July.
I asked for your input concerning fabrics and quilt patterns...then with the information collected I created an original design for a new table runner!
I combined vanishing 9 patch blocks with a star block and tons of scrappy fabrics...
I love the pattern so much, now I am collecting scraps so I can make a full size quilt!

Vanishing 9 patch with Evening Star
Original Design by Sowing Stitches

Off to clean the sewing area...sewing class today at 'high noon'. Teaching children to sew is never boring! :)

Hope you have a delightful day!
Happy Sewing!!

Feast and Flop Day: Brownies

Gluten Free Brownies.

Fast and Easy to Make!
I thought Gluten Free meant no more chocolate brownies. What did I know???
I made these from simple ingredients, NO grains or flour in these yummy chocolate treats!



Gluten Free Brownies
1 15 ounce can rinsed and drained Black Beans
3 eggs
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup ground almonds
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup sugar [I used brown sugar]
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla

The easy part: put all ingredients in a blender or food processor! Blend until smooth and there are no 'bean lumps'.

Place batter into lined muffin cups and bake at 350* for about 20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 - 20 minutes before eating. Makes 12 Gluten Free Brownies!



Books.

This is one of the best books I've read in the last few weeks! If you have been considering a Gluten Free lifestyle but are not sure if you would benefit...Get your hands on this book! An easy read, very informative and encouraging to know that it is possible to be free of so many ailments directly related to the consumption of wheat and other gluten.




At the Dinner Table.

MENU:
Wild Caught NC Shrimp
Steamed Squash
Kale Chips















Lists from my phone.

A Quick Glance what to Avoid!
Wheat,Wheat Germ, Bran, Bulgur, Couscous, Male, Malt Vinegar, Barley:barly grass, malt, groats, pearl barley, caramel coloring, malt vinegar,"Natural Flavors", Durum, Vegan protein sub sriram, Einkorn, Emmer, Farina, Farro, Cream of Wheat, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl, Triticale, Tritcosecale, Tritium, Graham Flour,Matzo, Orzo, Panko, Seitan, Semolina, Spelt, Udon, Rye, Oats[many are cross contaminated], Dextrin, Brewer's yeast, Modified food starch, Smoke Flavoring, Softener [in foods],Vegetable starch:many are created from gluten grains, Citric Acid:in USA in most cases is created from Wheat and not citrus fruits.
Disclaimer: this list was created from reading many many books and much research on gluten. It is not the 'end all' list and most likely many sources have been eliminated.



Breakfast.

Carrot Juice! Each morning I start my day with Carrot, Apple Juice...somedays I add spinach, celery and cucumber to the blend. I use a Champion Juicer to make the juice fresh and blend crushed ice into the juice to create a festive start to my day. I also drink a large glass in the afternoons to which I add fresh spinach...the color is not as bright or beautiful but the trace elements in the spinach = a better night's sleep!


Flops:
*The gluten free brownies mold when not stored in the fridge.
*Gluten hides well in many foods...I paid the price for a hasty lunch when I didn't read the food label. I'm learning to ALWAYS READ ALL LABELS!

Hopping you have a wonderful weekend!
 

5 x 6 = 30 Or so I thought!

I was preparing my blue and green churn and dash blocks this morning for a simple 5 x 6 [30 blocks] small quilt.
When I realized the blocks were beginning to multiply! 

I had originally cut out the pieces and assembled the pieces for 30 12 inch completed blocks yet there are now 52 blocks!

I could understand 1 or 2 extra blocks...but 22 extra...I have no idea how this happened!
The only logical answer at the moment is that the elves visited last night and created the extra 22 blocks!
Now if I could get my chocolate supply, my fabric stash and bank account to multiply like this...oh what a happy day! :)

I shall now be making a nice big quilt 7x7 with 3 extra blocks to be used creatively in another quilty project.

Happy Tuesday!

Feast and Flop Day

Knowing that there are others besides myself who have had their world changed overnight by health issues or the resolve to live a better healthier life, knowing the need for support and understanding...
I have decided that beginning today, Friday will now be known as Feast and Flop Day here at Sowing Stitches.
Pretty much, I went 'cold turkey' eliminating gluten, dairy, eggs, artificial sugars,meats that are not wild caught or organic and corn.
Each week will have spotlight something different and primarily I will dedicate this time to share tips [what works & doesn't], support, book reviews, helpful websites and blogs, recipes and be available to answer questions....and if I don't know the answer we can research together! :)

Thankfully the local Public Library has a wealth of information! [And if by chance your local library doesn't have these titles, if you ask, they may just order the book! Our local branch has ordered several books just because I asked!! One of the great things about public libraries, they truly do like to have available the books patrons want to read!]These are a few of the books I have been reading since July. Unfortunately I didn't record the first dozen or so stacks of books...I may try to check them out again so you can have more titles available.

 

And if the library is 'not your cup of tea' the internet has loads of information! I will have a list of internet resources available for you soon.

First of all...eating a diet free of Gluten and other foods mentioned above is not a 'death sentence' there are many great tasting foods free of Gluten! One of my favorites, wild caught shrimp. One just has to be very dedicated to read labels...and when in doubt...do without! The effects of hidden gluten can be quite devastating.

I have found weekends to be the most difficult with the transition to a better healthier lifestyle. It does require a bit more planning for grab and go meals...but...I am new at this and with time comes knowledge and increased speed of preparation!

  One of the biggest helps is the list "Foods to Avoid" in my phone so that no matter where I go I have a handy reference. I have another phone list of every imaginable name for gluten,corn, dairy, eggs etc... this has been a 'life-saver' when reading labels in the grocery store! I also keep a list "Feast and Enjoy" foods that are 'user friendly' to my body.

Happy Feast & Flop Day!
with love as always,
Beulah

National Sewing Month!

Yippie!
An entire month to celebrate the love of sewing!

September 1st marked the launch of Sowing Stitches' Calico Dots and Gingham Online Quilting Bee!  
 

Block Design selected by Nan

Block Design selected by Sharon

My health continues to improve as I learn to recognize the hiding places of the 'no-no' foods. All gluten, corn, oats, dairy, eggs some meats are the worst offenders. I am currently juicing like crazy with my Champion Juicer and progressing towards a more vegetarian lifestyle. [Eating meat = no sleep...unless it is wild caught fish/seafoods.]
Personally, I feel that the food industry should provide all food sources on their labels....The vague labeling practices of such as 'spices' 'natural flavors' etc...really should be eliminated. I've also learned that citric acid in the US comes primarily from corn and wheat and not from  citrus fruits as one would expect.
It continues to be an eye opening journey...food can be fuel for the body or poison. Ditching the 'toxic foods' has made such a difference!

with love as always,
Beulah

Summer is Over...Life is Back to Normal

Mercy! The last 23 days have been a blur of activity! Brainstorming, a trip to the Zoo, painting, sewing, gardening and creating new flower beds, waiting at the hospital, changes, anniversary #29, stargazing....

What a difference a meal can make!
A chance viewing of a news story inspired me to brave up and make some changes to my diet. Since that wonderful day when it all came together in clear focus...I now no longer consume, eat or even taste foods containing Gluten or Dairy or Eggs or Corn or Tomato or Onion or Peppers...meats are limited to chicken or fish. My day now begins with a Smoothie created from Carrots, Spinach, Celery, Apples and Cucumber. I eat real great tasting foods just not the ones I used to eat. Yes I miss breads and the other foods I have removed from my diet. But I LOVE the way I am feeling more!!! GONE are migraines, swollen joints, muscle pain, fatigue, sleepless nights, extra weight is melting away and reading glasses are no longer needed to name a few...In just 3 weeks my health is rebounding!!!

With all of the extra sleep I have tons of energy and creative ideas are flowing like flood waters and raging rapids...I am now writing and sketching ideas down so I can get back to them when I have more time. I've been busy!

 I painted the front door and replaced the doorbell
earlier this summer.

Which got me started on a mini-makeover of the front porch...one of my favorite thinking spots.

This is the spot where dreams come to life.
I added a few fresh coats of paint and a bit of varnish to create my
"new" porch bench.

A quick peek of some projects from the last three weeks. With all the extra energy I cleaned out closets...and then had to decide what to do with all of the discards.

 

A new messenger bag created from an old shirt.

Inside, lots of room and 5 hidden pockets!

A new project bag..created from an old shirt.

A perfect size to hold multiple projects and snacks!

There's more to share in the coming days. I'm off now to start a few new projects and catch up with my Blog-Land Family. 3 Weeks away is far to long!

You see an old blue shirt....I see a new market bag.

Happy Saturday!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Summer 2013 Quilting Challenge Step One Complete

Fabrics have been pulled from my stash.
I may have to make a quick run to the fabric shop for additional pieces. :)

Today's task: decide on the quilt block[s] to be used.

I am seriously considering a making a medallion quilt since the format for the quilt is square.

Happy Thursday!
with LOVE as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

PS: Have you looked at the calendar? Christmas is only 5 months away! Yikes! I better get busy!!!!

Summer 2013 Quilting Challenge

A week ago I sought input for a Quilting Challenge I've created to get the creative juices pumping during the Dog Days of Summer. I asked a series of questions and 3 lovely assistants responded. Una, Martha and Tami you are awesome!

         The Challenge

Create a quilt using the following design elements.

1. COLOR: Black, Purple, Aqua, Dark Blue, Burgundy Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Red.
AND Beige, Orange, Brown and Sea Foam Green. [These are the colors 'discarded' to never be used in a quilt.]2. FABRIC: Dots, Modern, Gingham, Batik, Floral, Text and Solid.
3. Quilt Block: Crazy-Patch, 9 Patch or Star.
4. Quilt Format: Square

The quilt MUST be constructed using all of the colors listed above...I know there are some colors, GASP, that are on the "never use list"....part of the challenge, time to stretch the color selections. The ONLY fabrics that can be used in the quilt are those listed in section 2. A bit of flexibility on the quilt block to be used: Can use one or a combination of the blocks from section 3, HOWEVER, the completed quilt must be Square.

This challenge is open to anyone who would like to participate in some "Creative-mind-stretching-beating-the-heat-of-the-Dog-Days-of-Summer" Fun!

I am headed now to raid my stash pulling fabrics for the Summer 2013 Quilting Challenge. I promise to keep you posted on progress! :)

Happy Wednesday!
with LOVE as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

What in the World Have I been Doing?

Yikes!
I'm not sure what has been going on as of late. Well actually I do...Summer has arrived bringing much needed summer rains. The family's schedule has altered my blogging time....but then isn't that what summers are for? A quick look at the blog, one would think I had abandoned ship! So little posting....
However, I have been busy behind the scenes working on many projects...here are a few:
' new block designs to be released soon
' painted my front door
 

Never again shall I have a plain white door!

' rescued bundles of 'homeless' fabric
' made 125 X and + blocks
 

I think I may need help, I can't stop making these blocks!

' created 6 quilt tops
' canned blueberry jam, applesauce, apple jelly...now on to pears and salsa
' cleaned the garage
' planned quilting bees and fall activities
' watched the rain
' weeded flower beds

More weeds coming soon as the rains have boosted the growth of more.

Summer. I love summer, the perfect season for daydreams and breaking out of the routine!


May your day be filled with sunny skies!
with LOVE as always,
Beulah

ps
Wow! This is my 100th post! I must have been blogging more than I thought! :)

I'd love to know.....

Something is in the works, a very fun 'dog days of summer' project....but at the moment....a very big secret!

Which, you if you would like can be a part of the fun.
I am creating a quilting challenge for my self.
In the past I have worked on similar projects while wearing my 'painter's hat' and I thought it would be fun to have go with my quilting.
[Try painting a self portrait using purple, teal, orange and blue!]

The challenge: I will use the top 5 answers to the following questions to create a quilt project. 
 
This is where I need your input.   
I would love to know your answers to the following questions.
[Sounds simple enough right?]

1. What are your 3 all time favorite colors?

2. What is the one color you will NEVER use in a quilt?

3.  Pick 3:
    solid,stripe,dots,plaid,batik,floral,calico,text,
    geometric,modern,bold,pastel,gingham,animal prints

4. Your go to quilt block when you are 'pushed for time'.
    
5.  Think fast! Square or Rectangle?


I will compile the answers and post here on Wednesday, July 24th. And post the 'rules and regulations' so you can join the fun.



Happy Wednesday!
with LOVE as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Calico Dots and Gingahm Quilting Bee

About Sowing Stitches: Calico Dots & Gingham Quilting Bee

    This is what it's all about: Quilting. Friendship. Encouragement.

I've started building my stash of Calico , Dots and Gingham !

The Calico, Dots & Gingham Quilting Bee will begin in September 2013 and continue through February 2014 and is open world wide. You will need a Flickr account to participate, so if you do not have an account you have plenty of time to get an account established and learn your way around.

Calico, Dots and Gingham Quilting Bee is open to 11 participants for a total of 12 participating. You will create ONLY 1 block for each participant and 2 participants will be scheduled each month.
Simplified, you will be making 2 different blocks each month....1 of each pattern.

A 6 month bee to create a Sampler Quilt using ONLY Calico, Dots and Gingham Fabrics.
Your chosen quilt block should be 12 1/2 inches and you should post directions/tutorial on the first day of 'your month'...the colors for your block will be determined by the Bee Participants. [Which will create the sampler effect of your quilt.]

If there is a color you absolutely do not like you may request that the one color not be used in your block. [[For example, if you do not like Pink, your request may look something like this: "Please pretty please do not use fabrics that are PINK. A tiny bit of pink in the calico is okay...just please not tons of pink Pink PINK. Thanks!"]]

An added bonus: If you create 1 block for yourself each month as you are creating the block for each of the participants of the month, by the end of February you will have not 1 but 2 sets of quilt blocks! A set of blocks using 'your block' and a sampler set using the blocks from our group.We would LOVE to have you join the fun! There are 8 active spots remaining and 2 alternative spots in case someone has to drop out.
Leave a post below and an email contact so that I can send you a Flickr Group Invite and you will be well on your way to creating new friends, new quilt blocks, and hours of fun!


Happy Monday!
Carol aka Beulah

Happy Thursday!

Since I last posted, I celebrated my birthday #52, painted the front door Peacock Blue...personally I think it is more Aqua than the paint company says, created a mountain of pulled weeds, created multiple quilt tops....dealt with some pressing matters.

Best of all, I am seeing progress!

The 'ducks' are lining up...sort of....
Sowing Stitches is SEWING!
I've been busy getting the groundwork, loop holes etc dealt with while covered in threads and paint.
Trying to be organized...well just a little bit.
Progress so far: a new Facebook page for my sewing, a Twitter account, a Pinterest , a blog, a Flickr, new email accounts, a phone that is 'smarter' than I am, and as of yesterday I ...am now on Instagram. Now for an extreme ANALOG and KINESTHETIC individual this is huge!

Still to go: additional space to create, some equipment and machines, website, advertising, more happy customers.
Currently I am designing and creating original quilts and quilt patterns.
These make great gifts: weddings, milestone birthdays, special occasions, graduations, retirements or just to snuggle or grab for a picnic.

And coming soon.....classic in style, little girls dresses.
As well as quilting services.

Yes, I am still painting and 'doing' art, it's who I am and what I do.

Now to learn how to link all of my other media components to my blog and learn how to create blog buttons!

Oh, I almost forgot!
Details of the Quilting Bee will be released very soon!

Pressing Matters

Life. 
Life makes demands at times that require 100% and more of our attention.
For a 'season' I will be occupied by more pressing matters.
My blogging time will be limited and sporadic.
Hope to see each of you when I return.

Carol aka. Beulah 

Birds are ready to Fly

Bird projects have indeed been multiplying in my studio!
These little birds are ready and will be soon flying to fly to their new home suitable for a wall-hanging or baby blanket.

original design created by Sowing Stitches

Off now to clean the kitchen before the repair guy comes.
Hoping that today is the day our AC is repaired and back in working order!

Happy Tuesday!

Today is one of those days...

I find that when faced with a mountain I am strengthened by totally saturating myself and surroundings with worship music for hours on end. The windows are raised to carry the music across the neighborhood, the songs of the birds are joining in with the music, today is a day of restoration and answers are at hand!

               My play list:
Praise Adonai Messianic Worship with Paul Wilbur
Days of Elijah The worship Songs of Robin Mark
Absolute Peace Instrumental/John Belt
Another Realm the Soaking Presence 3 /John Belt
Heart For Israel Worship Volume 2
Flowing / John Tussey
The Watchman by Paul Wilbur
Freed to Enter the Glory Realm 
Hillsong / Forever
The Portals of Heaven the Soaking Presnce 2 / John Belt
Soaking in the Glory Realm
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Supernatural
Sacred Fire the soaking presence 4 / John Belt
Freedom / Michael W. Smith
Hillsong / The Secret Place
Contending for a New Beginning
Elolam everlasting light volume 2 / John Belt
The Eye of God / Jansen and Belt
Overcomers to Him who overcomes / John Belt

With God ALL things are possible!
God Bless you this day beyond measure!!

Flowers

I love flowers! 
I can hardly wait to pop over and enjoy the Say it with Flowers Blog Hop going on over at Sew We Quilt! I am 'sitting' this hop out and admiring everyone's flower gardens.
Thankfully I have a few minutes to spare this morning to feast on the delightful creations by wonderful quilt artists.
I am waiting somewhat impatiently for my garden to bloom this year. 
So...I rummaged through my photo files for these images of my garden I painted a few years ago.

Water Garden

Dandelion
Remember, 'weeds are a flower dealing with an unhappy person'.

Daylily

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!!!