Whatsoever Things Are Lovely

Sometimes I get so distracted by the stresses and busyness of the world and miss the lovely things.  

I am going to take some time right now to look around and take it all in.

What is more precious than a bouquet of flowers picked for me by my grandson.

Or a bouquet of roses cut from our garden from a bush that has had no tender loving care for the past couple of years.  Their beauty shines through in spite of neglect.

Oh, and we can't forget the beautiful peonies brought in before they were beaten down by the rain.

They are lovely to look at and their fragrance is wonderful.

Before I start thinking about all of the things I should get done today I am going to take the time to brew a cup of Roobios Lavender Tea in a sweet tea cup and stop to smell the roses and peonies and think lovely, peaceful thoughts.  

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Have a lovely day!

I will be linking with A Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life

Stitch Along Blocks

I have done a little sewing here and there but have no finishes to share.  I have been writing down all of the projects I come across that have not been completed.  It will be nice to mark each project with the dates they are completed.  All of you that love sewing and other crafts know how hard it is to not start new projects.  I have not been able to stop starting new projects until all of the old are completed.  Is there anyone out there that can do that? I do have many finishes in the many years I have been sewing but not so many lately. 

Building Foundations Block 15

Aurifil Designer Block May (only one completed so far, I usually make two)

Fee's Up the Garden Path Stitch Along April Block

Sugar Block Club 2014 May block

Summer Sampler Mini Sew Along , I started last summer, it is paper pieced and was great fun to make.  I am hoping to get this put together so that I can use it very soon.  I made a few of the blocks a little small because when I downloaded the pattern I had the printer set wrong.  I have figured out a way to make them work.  Maybe this will be my next finish.

Pretty New Cabinet Doors

A couple of years ago now we had new counter tops put in, they are called Granite Transformations.  We were excited so we took several pictures of  them.  They really improved the look of the kitchen.

Now we have taken the next step, the border is gone the curtain to the left of the sink is now a door and the cabinet doors are white.  We have changed the wall color to "barely teal"  It is a very bright and cheerful kitchen, I love it.

I will be making a new curtain for the window and adding other touches but couldn't wait to share our new cabinet doors.  We decided to keep some of the open shelving for now.

I have a few ideas to add to our "new" kitchen when time permits.  In the meantime I am thankful for the bright new space in our home.  I wonder if I will be motivated to spend more time cooking, probably not.

A Beautiful Day On The Road

It was a beautiful day to be on the road in the new bookmobile.  We traveled to Index and enjoyed the sunny day and beautiful view.  I thought I would share a little of the scenery.

I

Beautiful mountains surround the little town of Index.

The heavens declare the glory of God!

My coworker Karen is waiting for our next customer to visit our new bookmobile.

Whats My Sewing Machine Been Up To?

My sewing has been done in little spurts of time here and there these past couple of weeks.  I have been busy with work and with some family fun that I hope to share a little about in the next few days.  I also have a quilt I hope to get the binding added this weekend so that I can share a finish, a finished project would be fun to share for a change.

Aurifil Designer Block of the Month for April

I made two different versions.

Lori Holt's  Great Granny Sew Along sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop

Week One

I hope to get started on week two since it is week two of the sew along.

Two more blocks completed for the Fat Quarter Shop 2013 Block of the Month

Block 14 for the Building Foundations Sampler at Row House Creations

It has been warm here these past couple of days and I have heard that the rain is coming back.  I have enjoyed the sun and the great views of the mountains all around us.  I was reminded again today to stop and notice the blessings all around me.

So Many Works in Progress

Sometimes when I haven't had much sewing time I wonder if I have accomplished anything on my long list of projects. After looking around I found that I have not had many finishes lately by have made a little progress.  The block below is the April Sugar Block Club Block which I completed when I had a short time to sew last weekend.

I didn't get the greatest picture but the blocks below are the  2014 Sugar Block Club blocks so far.

I worked on three different projects at the March Sit and Sew hosted by Melanie at Fabric Chicks in Coupeville.

This is going to be a fun cheerful quilt.  I was not able to complete it because I left some of the fabric at home when I packed for the sit and sew, I hope to share it soon.

I finished the little blocks for my Schnibbles Canasta quilt that was started a while ago, 25 blocks in all, now to get it pieced together.

I also completed a couple of blocks from the Fat Quarter Shops' Designer Mystery Block of the Month 2013.  I am almost caught up, hurray!

It was a cloudy day but this is the view as I walk down to Melanie's shop in Coupeville. She opened her shop for us at least once each day while we were at the Sit and Sew.

This is the view looking out from the door of the shop.

While at the sit and sew we all went out the door to see the rainbow.

Melanie's project was sewing 2 1/2 inch squares together for her picnic quilt.   She chain pieced and the chain got pretty long.

And longer.

Mel had to step outside to stretch it out its full length.

I did have a finish this month that I almost forgot about.  I put the binding on my "Secret Garden Stars" quilt.

It's new home is on our bed and has been washed twice because of little incidents involving our cat.  I will just keep it folded in our room to add a touch of spring.  I think I am going to spend a little time this morning adding some spring touches to the rest of the house. 

Spring Pin Keep Swap

Wendy at Ravenwood Whimzies Primitives sponsored a Spring Pin Keep Swap.  I thought it would be fun to participate and I am so glad I did.  My swap partner Francine of Primitive Stars sent me this super fun pin keep and candles and an sweet card.   I have found the perfect spot for it in my sewing room.

I had fun making the pin keep I sent to Francine.  I used a pattern from Bunny Hill Designs called Bitty Bunny.  I want to try making another bunny some time.  Were supposed to mount our pin keep on something so I used a little tin and added "grass and flowers".  I love the spring coil Francine used!

It really feels like spring has arrived here in the Northwest.  I even did a little bitty bit of yard work. 

 Enjoy the little bitty blessings each day.