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Spread a little love by encouraging one another

Everyone needs encouragement at one time or another.
Whether it is to continue on a path, try something new, or stretch yourself.

The suffix EN means to cause. I see it this way – when we en-courage others, or they en-courage us, we are causing courage.

Courage to move forward, to try something new, maybe even courage to go on a crazy scary roller coaster!

seeds of love quilters journey coming soom

Registration is now open for the Seeds of Love 2023 Quilter’s Devotional Journey.

A bit tamer than a roller coaster but scary in its own way.

It began with a passing conversation with the church organist.

After I had played a piece of music at church, she asked if I had composed it.

I probably looked at her like she was crazy! I answered quickly – “No! I couldn’t do that!”

She looked at me with her kind eyes and sweet smile and said three simple words.

“You will someday.”

That seed of encouragement changed my thinking.

Composing music was a creative avenue that I would never have gone down without encouragement from others.

Encouragement can change someone’s life.

The Pomegranate

Our quilt block today is the Pomegranate Block. The pomegranate is a symbol of love and is said to have 613 seeds…So I’m thinking wow that’s a lot of seeds

Lots of seeds of love, kind words, and encouragement to spread around.

You can approach our block in a couple of ways.

hand applique pomegranate

Machine applique or Hand applique…

I am encouraging you to hand applique, set aside any negative thoughts you might have about the process, and embrace it.

And the time hand-stitching was time I could spend with those I love (including my pup), without being chained to the sewing machine.

Some thoughts/Tips

  • My favorite thread is silk YLI in a neutral color. One spool of thread and you’re good to go.
  • I don’t trace my designs to the background. I create guides by folding the background fabric in half and on the diagonals. Next, I draw lines on the guide – in half and on the diagonals, and use these as my guide for placement.
  • You can use sewline glue pens instead of pins to hold your applique in place or pins. I have used both, but prefer the no-mess of applique pins.

Take your time making these blocks and enjoy the process.

Until next time, enjoy your day and the journey

Adele

Pattern Shop

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Following the Guide

Years ago, I bought a Magic Wand. It’s a quilters tool. You can line up the center of it along the diagonal of your square and draw a line on each side for sewing. I love this tool to make my half and quarter-square triangle blocks.

But, when I shared it in a Quilters group, it wasn’t met with quite the same enthusiasm.

Quilter’s Magic Wand *affiliate Link

Why do you need that? Why waste your time drawing those sewing lines? I draw a line down the center a sew 1/4” away. My reaction? “La te da” for you. And then I quit the group.

The thing is?

I couldn’t sew a straight line without a guide if my life depended on it. And judge a 1/4″ seam? Nope, that isn’t my strong point.

I don’t know about you, but…

I need help to keep my paths straight. I need a guide. And there ain’t nothin’ wrong with having a guide to help us out.

seeds of love quilters journey coming soom

Registration is now open for the Seeds of Love 2023 Quilter’s Devotional Journey.

It’s the reason I take time each morning to spend with God.

A guide makes all the difference in the world…

Until next time, enjoy your day and the journey

Adele

Sharing God’s love through creative works.

Pattern Shop

A Gift From God

I planned a short break during the holidays, and as it turned out – I needed it.

Things can happen that turn your life inside out and upside down.

For us, that “thing” was losing our sweet pup. Three days before Christmas.

I am thankful that God blessed us with this bundle of joy 11 years ago.

With that said, after 11 years of having this companion by our side – it’s hard to let go. Hard to adjust to the emptiness. To say we were attached to this girl is an understatement. She managed to wrap us around her little paws.

Darcy was love, pure and simple.

The more love we gave her – the more it multiplied and returned to us. (I think there is a lesson there.)

She brought joy into this house – tail wagging, herding us down the hall when it was time to get moving. I called her my ‘fit bit’ because she never let me sit for too long.

I think each one we are blessed with teaches us about life. Their personality is just what we need while they are with us.

Working through it

seeds of love quilters journey coming soom

Registration is now open for the Seeds of Love 2023 Quilter’s Devotional Journey.

Until next time, enjoy your day and the journey

Adele

Sharing God’s love through creative works.

Pattern Shop

Our Shield Of Armor

This block was meant to be much later in the series. But my first draft? It ended up in the um – circular file. (aka trash bin.)

I ended up with a block and no story until I was inspired by a devotional I read.
Don’t you love that when it happens? I sure do!

seeds of love quilters journey coming soom

I looked at my sawtooth block again and saw a Shield of Armor. Can you see it?

A Shield is there to protect us and keep us safe. We can all use that, right?

The more I thought about my block being our shield of armor for the journey (although I admit it is a bit corny) I liked it.

Of course, our journey isn’t a perilous one. We don’t need a shield of armor to protect our quilting journey! But wouldn’t it be nice to have that protection in our life journey?

Well, we do! The Word of God!


The word of God keeps us grounded in life and gives us courage through the storms.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

PSALM 46:1

And we’re creating the Sawtooth Block to remind us that God is always with us. And Always protects us.

2 Thessaloniains 3:3

Let’s talk about the block, shall we?

The Sawtooth block can be made in different ways. Hey, if you don’t like the checkerboard in the center why not use one of these ideas.

The only thing you need to do? Ensure the center block is 8 1/2”, including the seam allowance.

Have fun, and be creative!

seeds of love quilters journey coming soom

Registration is now open for the Seeds of Love 2023 Quilter’s Devotional Journey.

Until next time, enjoy your day and the journey

Adele

Pattern Shop

Seeds Of Love, A Quilter’s Devotional Series

What is so grand about a quilt? It’s just a bunch of scraps thrown together to make a blanket, right?

Oh – but quilts are so much more!

It is bits and pieces of fabric, lovingly chosen and stitched together to create a work of art. Big or small, they warm the heart and soul.

The talent and desire to quilt is a gift from God. And it begs to be shared with others.

It’s my favorite part. Giving the quilt to someone.

The next? Creating new designs, projects, and sampler quilt series to share with you!

seeds of love quilters journey coming soom

Registration is now open for the Seeds of Love 2023 Quilter’s Devotional Journey.

The Seeds of Love Sampler quilt, a Quilters Devotional Series, is a journey and one of exploration. There are no rules for color placement.

The repeated blocks, for example, (the log cabin, hourglass, broken dishes, Rails and fences) are best suited to make alike. It adds to the harmony and balance of the quilt. But again, It’s your quilt. And your journey.

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE to buy fabric. But – it can be overwhelming.

There are so many choices.

When I created this quilt in 2016, I had the honor of being an Island Batik Ambassador. Which gave me access to gorgeous fabrics.

Although the line is no longer available, you’ll find fabrics that tickle your fancy in your local fabric shop. And hopefully, you have a supply on hand.

With all that said – the first leg of our journey is purchasing and collecting fabrics. With your God-given imagination and creativity, you’ll find everything you need.

Here are a few thoughts about collecting fabrics for this quilt.

You don’t necessarily have to buy everything at once. But if you choose this route – definitely buy extra. I like to purchase at least 1/2-yard cuts, and if I can afford it, I like 1-yard cuts best. Oh, it makes decisions down the road so much easier.

If you have a hefty collection – use it! I made this quilt from my fabric stash for a lovely country look.

Whatever you decide – Let Jesus be your guide.

Choosing the fabrics isn’t a place to stress. It’s a place to be in joy.

This is a time to use the imagination God blessed you with and trust Him in the process.

Online Fabric Shops You Might Want to Try

Until next time, enjoy your day and the journey

Adele

Pattern Shop