Hand Stitched Beauty

Oh! I love summer days spent on a peaceful patio with quilting in hand!
This patio is right outside my elderly Dad's room, and easily finds peace for me during his lingering days. A soft breeze tantalizes the heat of the morning, as birds sing softly in the nearby trees, and butterflies dance among the blossoms.
Special time for Bible study, journal entries, and novel reading finds me snuggled in the cushion of my recliner. This leaves me so refreshed and peaceful!
Then, as time allows, hand stitching has become my new challenge in my free time spent on my patio.

Digging through my stash, I found some white satin, left from sewing my daughter's wedding gown.
With stencils and wonderful pens, I traced a feathered design. A sandwich of batting and backing gives a 3D impression as I simply use a running stitch along the lines.

Here is my first attempt!

I've only finished the center, and have many more lines to finish the feathers and ribbons of the border.

I think it's beautiful, and had to show it off, but you'll have to check back to see the finished project...

A New Game

As a common homemaker, my "to do" list determined accomplishment each day. Lately, elderly needs determined much of my time, leaving me discouraged when everything else lies neglected. I find myself just putting off many chores just because interruptions seem to hinder completion.

I'm learning an important lesson, again, this week!
Even when I can't check off "complete", discouragement doesn't have to rule my day!
I know  "Do what you can!" is an old lesson and I've heard that advice often enough, but 'incomplete' still leaves discouragement.

Now, a list is good, but a "complete" no longer determines my perspective!
I'm playing a new game of "how much can I do before...?"!
My game is checking off more items, rather than tasks!

I found I could do 5 shirts in 15 minutes, and my ironing basket shrunk little by little!
My Spring cleaning checked off one room by a 5 minute break to wash the window here, 2 minutes to dust the light fixture there, 15 minutes again to refresh woodwork, and a couple minutes to vacuum. It feels so good to walk passed that one room!

Well, I tried this game in hobby time, too.
Peaceful times to sew a piece here or there are throughout my day now!
          Cutting fabrics and marking them bit by bit took all of one morning's free time.
          Another chance, found me sitting at the machine for a couple of seams.
          Finally, my hot iron creased seams making a new pile for the next sewing time.

PEACE settles deeply when contentment overcomes discouragement.

Whistle while you work really lightens laundry loads, conquers ironing mountains in minutes, and sews quilts by pieces!