November 3, 2016

Greetings My Friend, Today I thought I would work most of the day pinning the quilt and after 2 naps I started the long process of pinning. Some of the process is taking out the teeny tiny stitches that went off course when I tried to sew the seams on the new sewing machine. It took me a while to learn how to set the tension so the stitches were tiny. The line of stitching was hard to keep straight and after the 2nd row I knew I wanted to do something else. A little Youtube and Pinterest research I found a process called tying off a quilt. To get a better idea I asked Susan at Fabric House in Pound and she was a patient teacher as she showed me how to pin first and then the process of tying off the quilt. I am able to stand and I do fairly well leaning into the table as I pin but I do tire out so I need to take breaks. I am working on Saturday after a week of baking, sewing and having an over night visitor. As much as I rest during the week the weekend means I am tired which is why it took 2 naps before I could get going on my pinning project. Part of me wants to ditch the pinning routine and tie off the quilt in the center of each block but I will not I want to do the best I can. I am not a quitter in general but there are times I walk away never to return which what I did with sewing years ago. I messed up a skirt I was working on this week. I finally gave up because I when I realized I needed to make a full panel to make the skirt fit I had cut up the last piece of material so I could not make a panel. On another day with a lot of conversations with God I made another 2 skirts, one fuller by adding a panel and one more streamline. I have started asking God to guide me with this quilt, with other sewing projects. Actually it came to me to ask God for help after trying to figure out how to do it on my own. With the quilt I have been talking to God since the row of machine stitching went off track so I need to take out stitching, some I am able to leave alone as I move into the project. A few nights this week I sat watching TV ripping out some of the stitches. Today I pinned and ripped out stitching while working at the kitchen table where I have the quilt laid out. This is the standing I have done on and off for a few hours. Right beside me is Daisy wanting her share of loving on as I work. I love it as I talk to her fussing about it in baby talk. She gives her little bark when I have not fussed with her in a while. It makes me giggle as I rub her. I do not get upset because she is keeping me focused and calm in this endeavor. She quiets me a lot. Junior is my encourager too, he believes in me and frankly that helps me so much. Forever and a day I only heard that I was not capable, was too dense etc. so all of this encouragement opens me up to keep going. I am learning that I am capable of so much more than I ever dreamed of and at times I see I began my journey of venturing into new projects was that long ago dance with God when I learned that I was loved and had value. He also pointed me to state my thoughts and not blend my words into the woodwork of life, be upfront even if others do not agree. I still have moments when I want to blend back into the woodwork of life but today overall I try the harder projects, say the harder to hear things because I am accepted as I am and for what I do. I have given myself permission to make mistakes and this quilt has a few spots that are not "just right" but that is okay. I am trying which means it is not a dreamed about project never started. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet