A couple of fun workshops have happened over the last month or two. In one, a one-day workshop with the local quilt group, I showed 8 members how to make a notebook cover decorated with thread.

A To do this, we prepared a simple base fabric with pellon backing, and then added freeform fabric shapes which had been prepared with fusible webbing. Then it was fun, fun, fun with lots of stitching over and over until the whole surface was totally decorated. When complete, the piece was cut to size, flaps added, and lined, to make a great notebook cover. Several of the girls have made more since then as Christmas presents. Here's some photos ot their work - I'm proud of them!

In another series of lessons at the local quilt store "The Quilter's Angel" a small group has been learning the basics of quilting. We made small completed items from our samples of walking foot quilting, free motion quilting, quilt as you go, quilt before you go and trapunto. Here's some of their work.

koolkat's quilting blog

landscape quilt

This is one of my all time favorite quilts: Miniature Moab Landscape (9" w X 6.5" h). It shows the beauty of my hometown of Moab, Utah. It won best miniature (hand quilted) at the 2004 Springville Quilt Show at the Springville Art Museum (Utah) and also best miniature at the 2003 Utah Quilt Guild. Also shown at the NQA show. I like working small.

first

I'm finally joining the blogging craze. It's almost 2007, so it's about time.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Today was a nice change of pace; Todd and I walked together, outside. It was a beautiful morning for it! Only one car passed us, and while we heard several dogs, nary a one came chasing after us. Just lovely! We waited until 7, so all the school traffic was out of the way, and evidently, most of the commuter traffic was gone too. Very nice. If I can convince him to do that every third day, it would be *great*!!

Then, I was very convicted about questioning my husband's integrity. I went to him and asked his forgiveness. It would have been very easy to have said nothing, but it was so utterly wrong of me. I should have championed him, instead of letting my pride get in the way, and questioning his judgment.

And the craziness begins. This weekend marks the beginning of our craziness: James and I both working three jobs; Julia and her family coming to stay with us for a week; Jocelyn's play and all that stuff; my birthday; our weekend away . . . manic! On top of all that, I start directing Children's Choir this weekend, we're painting the living room, MOPs starts up, and there's the Women's Annual Bake-Off! I hope I survive!

God? Where would you have me serve *You* today?

Ciao!

:)

Thanks, God. I *know* I could not have done the treadmill this morning without You! It was so stinking early!

James needs to be getting up soon. But I wanted to share how good God is, even in things like "30 minutes on the treadmill" -- He's faithful to assist when I opting to be obedient. The thing is, why do I get it in some areas, but not in others? I'm so _stubborn_.

Joshua 1:1-18 is where we are this week in Sunday ... er, excuse me ... Cross Training. The passing of the mantle of responsibility from Moses to Joshua. I imagine Joshua was pretty overwhelmed with the task. I wonder why it was passed to Joshua and not Caleb?

The key verses, to me, are 1:8-9: Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. !!!

No small task -- but pretty simple instructions. Let's see where my instructions come from today: Luke 20:1-8. Do I appreciate the authority under which I am placed? Do I understand that it comes from the LORD, Most High? I forget, a LOT, that I'm His. I need to re-commit to that *every* morning.

Lord, I'm Yours. I need Your protection. I need Your presence. I need You to empower me to be all that You would have me to be today. Father, I need help staying focused on You. Let me be grounded in Your Word today. Jesus, thank You.

Buenos dias!

:)

You know, there is something incredibly empowering about walking . . . why do I stop? Huh. Let me just say here and now, I hate Satan. And I hate that I'm trapped in this old, earthly, stinking flesh. Between the two, I allow myself to fall again and again. I get too cocky and self-sure, and forget to ask for God's empowering and His strength. I am nothing without Him.

Nice walk this morning. I put together a good set of songs! Music and/or companionship make all the difference in the world when I'm walking.

I'm a little confused about the USDA's pyramid thing. According to it, I only need 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day, and 1 1/2 cups of fruit. Together, that only makes four servings. What happened to 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day? I'm not sure what's going on!

It's just 8:00, and I've walked, made the bed, fixed breakfast for both Todd and James, I've had coffee and my fruit for the day, I made James's lunch, and I'm journaling. God, You're so good!

A lot of needs in our church right now. Desperate, life-changing needs. I think Satan's on the warpath at FRBC.

Lori Quick is talking about starting an aerobics class at the church, four days a week; two in the morning and two in the evening. What fun that would be! I would sign up in a heartbeat! :)

God, please allow me to be sensitive to Your will today. Please empower me to make godly choices, inspired by You. I want my focus to be You, today.

There is only You.

Adios!

:)

Yeah. I know.

I think I may have waited too long to get on here this morning. I'm already as cooled off as I'm going to get; my music has stopped, and I've got things to do before I leave for work this morning. Egads!

I'm approaching this with a different mind set this time, I hope. I wanted to do the right thing, but I think my reasoning was wrong. My focus was on me, even though the benefits for my husband were clear. My focus in this, just like everything else, needs to be on God. If I'm not doing what I'm doing for Him, through Him, because of Him, then I'm going to fail fast.

My desire has to be in what He wants for me, not what I want for myself. Some of what I want is okay; to be healthy and fit. Some of what I want is not -- to be sexy and desirable and shapely. My thought is what clothes I can fit into again and be a hot mama, whereas God wants my focus to be on housing His glory. Especially since He's brought my attention to the modesty/feminine area. Whoa!

So my concentration won't be on miles and points, so much as on pleasing God by time spent exercising this temple daily, and truly good nutrition.

God, I pray You will keep my teachable; that I won't be dulled to Your prompting!

:)

Irene Story of Toowoomba has just won first prize in the Commercially Quilted section of the Royal National Exhibition, Brisbane (the Ekka) for her quilt entitled "Billabong". This was quilted by KoolKat Quilting (me) and we are both really excited about this win!

Irene's original design is based on a drawing by Aboriginal artist, Geoffrey Manthey. Irene is currently developing more work in this style and I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of her on the winners' podium. Well done, Irene!

The photos were taken before the binding went on the quilt. It has quite a wide black binding on it.

I'm still very intrigued by the relationship of the Trinity, One to Another. Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. Unity in its most perfect form. What an example to the fellowship of Believers . . . working together in perfect harmony.

Another nice walk this morning, and an even better time of prayer and praise. I can't think of a better time to walk than when I'm fellowshipping with my Lord. He is the *best* walking companion!

I had such fun in my applique class last night, although I still believe the way I was taught is a lot easier than trying to fold that mess under with a needle every step of the way! Except for stems -- those now make sense! A lot of discussion about bias last night. Good thing I know how to figure out where the bias is on a piece of fabric! Anyway, it was a fun time.

Jennifer got a new cat for the shop -- his name is Cash. I wonder if it was supposed to be "Johnny Cash," and they shortened it to Cash? He's Kitty Cash to me. :)

Tonight I am actually going to have dinner with my husband! How great is that? I don't think we've actually eaten dinner together since last Wednesday. Only tonight, I don't have to run off to a meeting!

This is the day that the Lord has made!! I will *rejoice* and be glad in it!!

Oh my soul!

:)

Hey -- before you jump on me, know that I *have* been journaling -- just not online. It doesn't matter where I journal, just that I *do* journal!

I had a nice walk this morning. Not too brisk; I wanted to be able to close my eyes in prayer when I needed to. What a sweet time of prayer. God, I'm so grateful to You. Praise You for Your perfect goodness.

Car wrecks, car vandalism, relationship break-ups, ministry opportunities, retreat planning; all that in the midst of regular life. Thank God I've got my Jesus to lean on. Thank You God.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Perfect unity. Jesus prayed that His disciples would experience that same unity and oneness. This is central to Christian fellowship. Unity. Of course, it can't be perfect this side of Heaven, but it can certainly be improved!

Rest beyond the river.

My God is so good.

Selah.

:)

Another day, another diet. Haha . . . just kidding, same diet. *grin*

I'm not sure what I'm thinking about today. I'm not sure, I'm not sure, I'm not sure.

I love my husband.

I can see Jocelyn living a long, single life, and enjoying every God-ordained moment of it. But don't tell her I said that. I can just as easily see her as a godly wife and mom with four children, having a blast taking care of God's gift of a family. Wow. What will my Jocey be, say, in six years down the road?

Singleness is definitely *not* for James!

Repent, repent you sinners and vipers. That's not for anyone but me.

I'm in a strange mood today. Perhaps it's because of the weight watchers. I need to be diligent and non-manipulative with it this time. I WANT TO BE OBEDIENT. I hate failing.

I also hate feeling disconnected. Blah.

Oh! I did get the Round Robin yesterday! Yeay-rah! I'm in! It was a lot of fun to sit down last night and read all the letters. Whoohoo! Now it's my turn to write.

It's also my turn to get into the shower. I'm so discombobulated (?!?) today. God? Throw me a life line!

:)

I think it's time to try WW again. (For the umpteenth time.)

Lord, You know how much I want to be obedient in this area, and how *hard* it is for me. Please be my strength today; not my will power, but Your will power!!

And James. My sweet son, James. Lord, I lift him up to You. I pray You will continue to give him direction, Lord. Allow him to be sensitive to Your guidance; to be able to discern between his emotions and feelings, and Your direction. Speak to him in the quiet of his day, and allow him to hear You clearly.

I don't want to be a Jehu -- who starts off on fire and follows God's instructions to the letter, and destroys all the trappings of Baal worship, only to fall prey to the golden calf. I want my life to be a testimony of obedience. A visible testimony of obedience. Starting now!

Through the power of Jesus Christ.

:)

I let too many things interfere with my commitment to journal on a daily basis. It's a shame, I know, and I've really got no excuse. It's a shame because God has shown me some really cool things this week, and I should have been noting them as I learned them -- not waiting to play catch-up, at the week's end. Not to mention, God was pretty clear to me at the beginning of the year when He directed me to be faithful in journaling. Not *my* will, Lord, but YOURS be done. Except, I haven't done it. {sigh}

I want to relate to these girls. Lord, I really want to relate to them, and have them be able to relate to me. Father, what do You want? How do *You* want me to proceed??

I want to be skinny and healthy and fit. I'm tired of obesity. Blah. I spit it out of my mouth. (Unfortunately, the problem is the food that I *don't* spit out of my mouth!)

It's incredible to sit back and watch Jocelyn grow and lean on the Lord. It's the same with James. My children are growing up. I'm so humbled by how God has grown them and strengthened them, despite me. I'm so grateful; beyond words.

I love my husband so much. He cares for me -- in so many different aspects. Father, I praise You for him.

We had the Burketts over for dinner last night, and went out to dinner with the Wrights on Friday night. Wow! We had a great time both nights. It was so sweet to fellowship with brothers & sisters in Christ, outside of church! Friday night is Kasey & Greg's "guy" shower, which should be fun. Lord, please prepare me so that I can fulfill the role I'm supposed to fulfill that night!

I have 2.5 hours until we get to go back to church and sing with the Mike Spec Trio!!! I'm very excited!

And, a picture or two from our weekend getaway to Mountain Laurel Inn Bed & Breakfast in Mentone, Alabama (which I *highly* recommend)!!

This is the view from our cabin porch. It was *very* secluded, private, and romantic! The paved path leads from our porch back to the main house (where we ate breakfast).







This is a view of the falls, from the trail that ran from our door (practically). It was a breathtaking view; quite spectacular! It would be fun to go back in the spring, when rain had been more plentiful! It's been rather dry up in the mountains, and it was reflected in the waterfalls.

This final picture is from the other side of the falls. See the tiny little overhang, that juts out just below the trees? That's from where I took my picture of the falls. Good thing I took that picture first!

:)

There's a cave cricket somewhere down at my feet. *shudder*

In chapter one of Job, God asks Satan where he has come from.

Satan responds, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." In 1 Peter 5:8 we get a fuller understanding of what Satan's been doing. ". . . like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." With that understanding, let's start the conversation over:

The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"

Satan responded, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it, like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Job? ..."

This just BLOWS me away! God knew what Satan was up to! God knew why Satan roamed the earth! God KNEW Job would withstand Satan's attack. I wonder if in keeping Satan busy with Job, some poor soul who *wasn't* up to the task of withstanding Satan's attack was spared (for the time being).

I just don't believe there's ever been a time when God could have substituted my name for Job's. As I look back at the trials and periods of testing I've faced (which are minute, to begin with), and how I responded, I'm so ashamed.

God is in control. God is in control. God is in control.

I am not.

The thing is, I shouldn't even want to be in control! I can't see before, during and after! I can't know what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around me (and those not around me). I don't have all the information!! How can you be in control if you don't have all the information??? Only God has all the information! Only God. God.

So why do I sometimes try and be in control? Why do I pretend that I'm capable of handling any given situation? I know perfectly well that I am not equipped to be in control. I certainly know that I'm not sovereign. What is it in my stubborn self that requires that I make a fool out of myself (more often than I'd care to admit), by trying to be in control?!?

I want God to be able to say to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Denise? There is no one in the earth like her; she is blameless and upright, a woman who fears God and shuns evil."

Selah!

:)

What a delightful long weekend we had! Todd & I took a trip up to Mentone, Alabama, and stayed at the Mountain Laurel Inn Bed & Breakfast. It was simply wonderful. The cottage is tucked back into the woods, and surrounded by acres of trees and wildlife. The hostess, Sarah Wilcox, is truly gifted in hospitality. From the moment we arrived, to the time we (reluctantly) checked out, she bent over backwards to make us feel welcome and comfortable. I come home feeling awed by God's glorious creation, and relaxed and ready to face the world again!

It occurs to me -- especially after watching it happen with Jocelyn this weekend -- how ready God is to provide for our every need, when we have faith and trust in Him. Jocelyn's pulled wisdom tooth that had given her trouble before Europe, came back in full force in Tahoe. She woke up Friday morning in pain and misery. They took her to an oral surgeon in Reno, who took care of everything, free of charge. Todd & I had deposited $300 in her account, to make sure she could cover everything/anything she needed -- and all she needed was $104 for prescriptions. It's such an awful feeling to have your child be sick or in pain and out of your reach. Until I remember that my child was His child first, and as much as I care for my girl, He's going to outdo me (and rightly so) every time! Lord, Abba Father, how grateful I am to You.

Our SS lesson this week, which I will be teaching, is on Job. The main theme is, "God is in control." If they don't learn anything else, if I can make that one truth abundantly plain and clear to them, it will be a successful lesson, in my opinion. God, what would make it successful to You? What do these girls need to get from this Scripture on Job? I pray You will make me very sensitive to Your word this week; that I will be able to understand and discern what You are speaking through Job's trials, and that I will be able to clearly communicate it to our class. Lord, I pray you will bless them this week in such a way that they recognize it as only You.

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to work I go!

:)

Do you know how hard it is to do something that you *know* you're supposed to do, but you really don't want to do it? Pretty difficult. I can relate to the Israelites. I am one. I'm a stubborn child of God who knows what she's supposed to do, and consistently decides to do it her own way (which is never the right way) instead. I _know_ God wants me journaling daily. Do you know how many times in the past week I've sat here, pulled up this very page, and then, with a click of the mouse, shut it down? You know what I've done next? Most typically, I've pulled up a game, instead. Good gravy! I've done this before, too. Only this time, I'm not going to let days turn into weeks, and weeks into months. It's got to stop!

Unconfessed sin is typically what does me in. When I've got the burden of unconfessed sin strangling me, I don't want to do what God wants me to do -- because I'll have to confront that sin, lay it before Him, and repent. That can be extremely hard for a prideful person, such as myself, to do. Instead, I leave it unconfessed . . . and wrap the painful truth of God up in some hard material, like an oyster does with a annoying grain of sand. And while pearls are of value to us, it only brings death to the oyster (as someone comes along and pulls the oyster out of its comfort zone, yanks it open, and forcibly removes the pearl). Yuck. I don't want that!

But it's so painful to lay myself open to God -- to expose the rotting, stinking earthly flesh. It's painful and shameful. I think the shame is hardest. God, why? Why do I constantly fail this test? How do I give this to You? How do I allow You to work through this? I don't do the things I want to do, and I do the things I know I'm not supposed to do.

It's come down to whether I choose to believe Satan's lies over God's truth. I can NOT have it all. I can't make my own decisions and choices, and still retain a right relationship with God. Do I trust in God's provision? That's the thing. It's a matter of my wants over God's provision. I've grown up hearing Satan whisper the lie of "you deserve it" and "you should have that" and "if you want it, go for it" and "whatever it takes". It makes me weep to realize how I must break my Father's heart. I need to reflect on this.

Peace.

:)

Proud mama? I think so!

I never realized, before this morning, that a second killing followed so closely on the heals of Cain's killing of Abel. As one of Cain's descendants, it sounds as if Lamech, the first polygamist noted in the Bible, used Cain's sin as an excuse for his own. I've done that. I've measured my sin against a sin committed by someone else; to downplay what I've done. But God doesn't look at it that way. My sin is measured only against His standard of perfection. That's why there is no acceptable sin.

I'm in the book of 1 Kings in my quiet time, now. Reading about the kings of Israel (the Northern kingdom) makes me think of the hymn, "No not one!" I know the context is different, but there surely wasn't one king who reigned in Israel who was righteous. No not one.

Of course, the kings of Judah (the Southern kingdom) weren't much better.

Today is primary election day in the grand state of Alabama. Go Judge Roy Moore!

:)

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; He is good -- He is good!!

He certainly was good to Solomon. But the minute Solomon started taking His blessings for granted, it went to Solomon's head. The beginning of the end. I'm just like that. At some point I stop being grateful, and start getting ... expectations? Perhaps I start feeling like I *deserve* the goodness -- it's my right, my just rewards. Lord? Help me to remember today that what I deserve is death. I'm a sinner saved by Your grace alone, and that is the only blessing I truly needed. How I praise You for that! You are good -- You are good!!!

My Jocey is serving God in Tahoe, and my James is headed to a camp in Roach. What a name for a city! Todd and I are on our own again this week. Wow. I'm praying that God will really impress upon me ways I can show my darling husband that I respect him. I'm a very loving wife -- but am I a respectful wife? This week I'll pay close attention to it.

Time to see what Sunday's lesson is about!

Tah-tah!

:)

Oh yes -- two things I wanted to share! One was an incredible bloom off of our magnolia tree, and the other was a glimpse into the lovely tea party that Jocelyn & I had on Tuesday! Enjoy!

For three days I didn't walk. Lemme 'splain . . .

Wednesday: We got up at 4:15 am and left at 5:00 am to take Jocelyn to the airport {sniff} and from there I went straight to work, where I stayed until 5:30 pm, and went directly to the Roger's home for the SCUBA event for our 7th & 8th grade youth.

Thursday & Friday: No excuse. Except my hips hurt really badly and I had to be at work incredibly early, and I just didn't do it.

I noticed (realized) that when I didn't walk, I didn't journal. Guilty conscience, I suppose.

I'm journaling today, so guess what?!? Yes, I walked this morning. A lovely creation walk with my husband. They're my favorite!

Do you ever wonder if you'd have done thing differently if you'd been either Adam or Eve (as appropriate)? I like to *think* I'd have run from the serpent, and cried out to God for help, but I know in my heart I'd have done the same thing Eve did. Perhaps I wouldn't have even offered the little resistance that she did. Hah -- maybe I wouldn't have even needed the serpent to speak to me. I'd have just seen the fruit and eaten. The reason I know this is because of how I respond to temptation when it's presented. I listen to the lies, instead of running from
them . . .

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

It's frustrating to know what I'm supposed to do, to know in my heart that it's really the best choice, and to still choose wrongly. Ugh. It's a good thing I'm not God -- I'd have no mercy or compassion for myself. Lord, I thank You that You love me. Father, I ask You to continue to draw me near to You. Lord, discipline me and correct me when I need it (which is often). I thank You that Your discipline reflects Your love for me. I'm so lucky to know You hold me in Your mighty hand. I love You, Lord!

:)

And the numbers, please:

Mile completed 18:09 (I *purposely* walked slower today!)
Total distance: 1.87 miles
Time: 35:08
Calories burned: 243
Fat calories burned: 76

All in all, not a bad showing. I was completely depending on God -- oh, from say about the 3rd minute on. My legs hurt so this morning! It's either all in my head (because they feel fine now that I'm sitting), or it's because I walked so late yesterday. I hope I didn't wake the whole house walking. But I gotta walk! :)

It is so easy to read through the Bible--particularly the Old Testament--and sit in condemnation of the people I'm reading about. I have to be so careful not to give in to that temptation. I am the people I'm reading about! When I read about David giving in to the temptation of Bathsheba, it's *me* giving in to whatever fleshly desire reigns strong within me. When David then heaps lie and sinful action on top of lie and more sinful action, that's *me* covering my own guilty tracks. And when God uses Nathan to bring David into repentance, that's God telling *me* that He wants to draw me back into right relationship with Him, if only I'll bow in humility, admit my sin, and ask forgiveness.

Lord, I'm so ashamed of my actions; please forgive me of my arrogance, particularly when it comes to the reading and understanding of Your precious Word. I pray that You will allow me to be strengthened by You through this day. That my countenance will reflect Your love and glory. And that my words and actions will mirror You. Please enable me to focus on You; Your purpose, desire, and leadership. Thank You, Lord. :)

Selah!

:)

The Gather ye Rosebuds quilt is almost finished. I completed the borders, the heavy black lines and the fine black lines. The border had a blue flange added prior to binding. Now I am working on the beads and three-dimensional flowers.
when it's finally finished, it will be my first quilt entry into a big quilt show, starting with the RNA show in Brisbane this August.

Okay, I give in . . . I felt icky, so I walked. Some. See for yourself:

Mile completed: 16:25 (getting better!)
Distance completed: 1.16 miles (you'll see why next)
Time completed: 20:07 (I just took a quickie walk)
Calories burned: 151
Fat calories burned: 47

Okay, I feel *better*! Tomorrow, I'll get my early start. Especially since I've got to be at work early, and Jocelyn wants us to have our tea party in the morning! It may be time to feed the cats and go to bed!

Thanks, Lord, for not letting me falter.

:)

Holiday!

From everything. I didn't work, didn't walk, and I didn't do much of anything. I had planned to walk with Todd this morning, before he went on shift, but I went to bed with a migraine, and woke up with it worse.

We had Kim and James and Dallas and Jocelyn for Sunday dinner yesterday. It was fun! Both girls helped me in the kitchen. The menfolk all hung out in the living room. It was a fun meal and a happy memory.

I can't believe Jocelyn is heading out again in two days. Good gracious, I am going to miss my girl!

SS went spendidly yesterday! We had two visitors, and I think the girls really enjoyed the lesson. This Sunday is the account of Adam & Eve in the garden, along with the first sin. Lord, I pray that as I study this week's Scripture and lesson plan, You will give me understanding; that You will open my eyes fresh and anew to Your Word. Father, I ask that You impress upon me the information You would have me share with those lovely girls.

And they are just darling.

:)

Good gravy!

I missed Thursday, due to travel, so Todd & I had determined that when he got off shift this morning and got home, we'd walk the creation walk. At 7:30 this morning I get a call -- he's stuck on shift working overtime. POOH! I was really looking forward to a creation walk this morning! Then the flesh started creeping in . . . well, it's Saturday, you don't really need to walk. You're allowed to take a break! Egads! So I asked James if he would walk with me -- I didn't think he would, and he didn't disappoint me. :( So, dagnabbit, I put on my treadmill playlist, added a couple of songs to make it 30+ minutes long, and hit the treadmill!

Mile completed at: 16:49 (!!)
Miles walked: 1.86
Time: 34:03
Fat calories burned: 75
Calories consumed: 242

Look at those numbers! Thanks, God -- I *know* I couldn't have done that without Your encouragement!

I'm dripping. Ewwww. I made a determination last night -- I really do believe that perhaps all the aspartame I've been consuming of late is adversely effecting my memory. Splenda for coffee/tea; only Diet Coke and 7 UP, with Splenda, for sodas, and more WATER. I'll try it for a couple of weeks and see if memory starts to improve. If it does, I'll continue in that same vein. If not, I'll do some more research.

I was incredibly irritable yesterday. Most especially with the people (my family) who deserve it the least. Lord, why do I get that way? How can I prevent my irritability from hurting my sweet husband and children?

Today Dallas arrives. Tomorrow is Sunday (YAY!). I need to get cleaning!

Oh what a beautiful (and incredibly hot) morning!

Buh-bye!

:)

Creation walk, today -- it was a nice morning for a serious walk!

My children are finally home, safe and sound! Hurrah! I missed them so very much. I've got to take advantage of the time I have left with them! :)

There's been a lot of talk about the Da Vinci Code book/movie lately. I finally hit upon the main reason I don't want to read the book or see the movie. If someone were to write a novel about my daughter, son, husband, or any of my family, that painted them in an ugly light, or slandered them, or was derogatory in nature, even if it was the best fiction around, I wouldn't read it. Why would I want to? How can I treat my Lord and Savior any other way? Why would I want to read such averse speculation about my Jesus? I don't, and so I won't. It feels very good to know and understand exactly why I don't want to have anything to do with it. Thanks, Lord.

I've got to go to work today -- I hope I have a pile of stuff to keep me busy, 'cause I know I'm going to want to get home and be with my Jocey!!

C'est la guerre!

Lord, be my strength today, please? I'm so irritable right now; and I'm not sure why. I need to lay it at Your feet and let You take over! Not me, but You. Not me, but You. Not me, but ONLY YOU!

Adieu!

:)

Friday, May 12


Progress is being made on Gather ye. Last weekend I loaded up the quilt and started on the the intense quilting that will cover the design. It was fun. The lines just flowed and I really enjoyed myself. Have to admit that it was a bit scary to quilt over the face and hands, but I just did it and the end result was OK. I tried to make it look like an old fashioned etching up close and I was happy with the result.









Here you can see the quilt on the Gammill in progress. The same thing could be done on a smaller machine, but the Gammill just makes it easier.







I have also been doing lots of quilting for customers. This is a detail of a nice one from Lyn P. She said - "do whatever", which was just great and I enjoyed playing with textures and fills

On the Easter weekend I put a bit more time into the Gather ye Rosebuds project. I finished off the face and hands of the figure, and made the sign. The sign was printed on ink jet fabric, and I hand-painted details and shading on the face. When I used to do stained glass with actual glass years ago I would have loved to be able to paint the glass and get it fired, like church stained glass. Fabric paint was a lot easier! This brings back memories of the stained glass window I used to own in the house I used to own! However, I am starting to like the quilt better than the window!






Detail of the face showing the painting. I have only one small leaf to iron on that I fogot to do and then I can quilt all the raw edge applique and have fun with that.

Now - here are some pictures specially for Nola. This is her beautiful double wedding ring quilt which I have just finished quilting. It is all done freehand on the Gammill. There are feathers in every space and lots of "Line Dancing" - a technique I learned from Diana Phillips (USA) at the machine quilters' conference in Mittagong NSW last year.

Nola hasn't seen the actual quilt yet - but I am sure she will love it as much as I do!

Pictures kindly printed with permission of quilt owner, Nola.

Well, it has been a long day so this it is folks! After rounding up an errant male cat who did not come in after dark and had to be found, I am dog tired! (To mix a metaphor or two)

April - quite a few projects are on the go and, as usual, too little time to do them all! However, by plodding away day after day and doing all the boring stuff like preparing meals and cleaning the house - there is usually some time at the end of the day to do something! It means giving up TV or stitching while you watch and not paying too much attention.

At left is the back of my first ATC (Artist's Trading Card) which I plan to give to a quilting friend soon. This was done on one of the fabric sheets you can get now - they are excellent! I made some fabric for the front by doing some raw edge applique onto a dark background. Then I stitched all over with decorative threads. Last, beads were added, and a blanket stitched border. These were a lot of fun to do and are a good way to use up any workshop samples of techniques that don't have a particular use. A larger piece can be created and then cut into the
3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch format.






The sample above left is another one I did at the same time which will be made into a notebook cover. This was so much fun to do and so relaxing that I want to do more and try different colour and techniques. I'd like to try fabric weaving next! On the right is the front of the finished card.















This is a scrap quilt I made for Keith, and it's in pieces here on the floor. The finished quilt is on the bed above - I quilted it all over in a Celtic design. The Blocks are quite simple, a square inside two borders, then cut again into four smaller blocks. Mixed and matched - it came out well. Keith is receiving it today and I know he will love it!

I forgot to take a photo of the quilt bag I made him - this is an idea a customer of mine had which I love. Make a simple calico draw string bag for each quilt you give away. Use left over blocks or fabrics from the quilt to embellish the bag. I also attach a quilt label similar to the one on the quilt. This means that when I want to borrow the quilt back for a quilt show it is all ready to go, and labelled. It saves gift wrapping , protects the quilt in transit, and people love to receive their quilt this way!

Next on the agenda I will retun to the stained glass project and the quilt book project. (But I also want to make a really simple and cosy flannel quilt for a friend who is not well.)

Gather ye Rosebuds....
Yesterday I put in quite a few hours on my project "Gather ye Rosebuds". I cut and vliesofixed most of the pieces for the central figure in the design. It was quite fun choosing the colours as I went along. I am really pleased with the overall technique. I was also so pleased that I went to the trouble of designing on computer using Corel Draw. It was painfully slow at times and it took me over a month in my spare time to do it. The end result is a design I can use again, if needed, and it can be scaled up and down to any size, with any size outline. I will use this technique again, and I think having done this quite complex design, anything else will be relatively easy to do.
Here are some pictures of progress to date

Today I thought more about the idea of making quilt "books". I thought of all the ways you could make a book from small quilts (about A3 size would be good.) You could use pieces of wood and wing nuts to secure several mini quilts along one edge. You could make a scroll, or a concentina book with ties. You could make a chart of quilts or a portfolio containing little quilts.

I decided to make my unfinished Egypt quilt into a concentina quilt book. It will be stiffened in the back with card, and ties will hold it together. This is great, because I had originally intended to make a large quilt as you go, but now I think a more personal, smaller thing to hold in your hands and look closely at is what I want to do. So out came the UFO box.

I also have another idea to make all my UFO blocks into little quilts with bits added and making them into a book like a carpet or curtain sample book. I could add all sorts of stuff to them. That's a later project.

Now I will add some photos of the bits I've done so far. You'll see later how they progress.

koolkats journey 13/3/2006

Here we go - into the Ethernet. Feels like opening the hatch into the great unknown. Scary! This is great because today I am about to start a journaling project to create a series of quilts based on a "little cat diary" I started 5 years ago. It went nowhere, but now I've just been asked to join a small group and we are putting together a project to trial an idea.

Guess this blog might replace or add to the visual diaries that I keep. This page will be a bit boring but I'll try and find a photo to make it more interesting!

Well - I found a photo to get started with. This is part of a work in progress called "Gather Ye Rosebuds". It is based on an Art Nouveau design for a stained glass window. This is one small panel, and I am using a technique where the dark background becomes the black lines. Later, additional black lines will be added. (Daughter Michelle's hand is trialling the shapes). Also, some beads will be added. I plan to finish this piece by September this year.

"Little Cat Diary"
This is my journalling piece of work. I may as well use this blog as my journal. (As well as sketches and photos in my notebook) How did it start? Well, there was a nature show on TV called "Big Cat Diaries" a few years back. I thought about my cats, precious pets, and then I thought about all the cats I have owned (or have owned me) since I was a child. Then I looked through photo albums and realized that the ownership of these pets represented various stages of my life. I wanted to make a series of art works about these experiences, and I remembered funny little anecdotes about each pet.

The idea got shelved and forgotten, but I still had the "Little Cat Diary" although I had only written out a few pages and collected a few photos. I did do one screen print, which I still have. then, when my friend Hetty invited me to join a journalling group to see where creative ideas could go with a small group, it came to me to pick up the little cat idea. Also, I wanted to make a series of 9 - 9 cats, 9 lives, and make it into some sort of book, series of quilts, or whatever, not sure. It could be cloth and paper or both. It could be a rag book, or a book like a book of carpet samples.

Here is a photo of one of my two Burmese cats. (Current pets)