Be Prayerful

"God is good all the time, 

and all the time, God is good."

His love is changeless, He hears our prayers. 

Life is Good!

It's Me...

This blog post is going to be more of a pictorial update of the past week than a word-filled one. I guess I have more time to snap pics than to compose. So, c'mon along while I fill you in on the happenings in and around Chez Goodneedle... and beyond!

Our oldest granddaughter represented North Carolina in the Southern Zone Championships in Orlando last week. 

We drove down to watch her compete; personally, she did incredibly well!  The thing that we're the most proud of is her sportsman-like character; she's such a great teammate and cheerleader for others, both in and out of the pool. 

What to do between events (back in the hotel room) and in the car to and fro? Hand finish bindings!

One of the sights from Orlando, near our parking deck. This INSANE ride (450' tower!) spins riders out and around as it ascends and descends; the number of similar attractions were mind-blowing. Thanks, but no thanks; not for me! 

Back home again: blueberries are abundant on the backyard bushes, we've enjoyed yummy, fruit-laden pancakes twice this week already. 

The Marathon Runner was quilted this week...

...under the watchful eye of my constant sewing room companion. 

Fruit Salad Quaker is fully stitched and awaiting assembly into a pinkeep. 

I tried this recipe for French Bread which is a winner; hands-down. I'll be making this again (and often)! 

Our youngest granddaughter came to spend the night before school begins again. We made this cute zipper pouch together yesterday afternoon. She loves to sew... and bake... and visit. 😊

 Dahlias are blooming like crazy right now!

This brings me back to the beginning... and the title of this post: "It's Me"~ do you remember the song: 

… It's me!
It's me oh, Lord, I'm standing in the need
I'm standin' in the need of prayer...

Right now I am asking for prayer for friends who are ill, friends who are hurting, friends who are facing health issues and uncertain futures as a result of recent diagnoses. Thank you, God knows their needs and your prayers on their behalf are deeply appreciated! 

Life is Good!

Calling All Prayer Warriors

This is Phyllis and her precious companion, Bishop. Phyllis is the mother of our daughter-in-law as well as a dear and treasured friend. Last Thursday she presented with symptoms that led her husband to think she was having a stroke. All of the appropriate measures were followed: 911 was called, EMTs arrived, she was transported immediately to the hospital. Unfortunately, it was determined that her symptoms weren't from a stroke; but, rather, from a brain tumor. No one saw this coming! For all intents and purposes she had seemed perfectly fine even hours before. Surgery is scheduled for this Thursday. This, the latest update from our daughter-in-law, follows:  

"Thanks to the steroids, the large amount of swelling in the brain has been reduced allowing Mama is to understand and communicate so much better. If you saw or talked with her last Thursday or Friday--she has done a complete 180º. She is understanding almost everything that is spoken to her, and she is communicating without any mistakes. This gives the doctors hope that after the tumor is removed, that she will not have any problems with aphasia. •Mama had a CT scan of her chest, abdomen, and pelvis to look for any other places cancer may be. That report came back CLEAN! •Mama is so thankful for all the texts, calls, visits, flowers, and most importantly prayers."

Now I am asking for the same, for prayers; prayers for Phyllis- for healing and for comfort, for the doctors and medical team entrusted to her care. Our daughter-in-law is asking specifically for prayers for peace and understanding for Phyllis' family, and especially for our mutual grandchildren. 

A friend shared this with me last week: "we never know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow." We certainly do; and we know that God hears our prayers. 

We love you, Phyllis!

💗

Life is Good!

A Dark Day

Yesterday was a very dark day in our community. The breaking news came in shortly after noon of another school shooting, this time it wasn't somewhere else, though, it was here; in a local high school. Fear and panic gripped the afternoon as reports of the gunman being at large surfaced, residents sheltered behind locked doors and frightened families rushed to pick up their students at a secure location. Sadly, late in the afternoon, it was announced that the victim had died after being rushed to the hospital. The suspect was apprehended late in the day after an intense search. Today, everyone who calls this community home is reeling. Please join me in prayer for all who are affected by this senseless act; pray for peace, for calm and for healing. Pray for all parents, grandparents and caregivers who send their children off to school every morning, pray for our students, teachers, administrators, security officers, law enforcement and first responders; lavish them them reassurance and gird them with strength that comes through faith in You.  Lord, have mercy. 

O blessed Jesus, give me stillness of soul in You. 

Let your mighty calmness reign in me. 

Rule me, O King of Gentleness, King of Peace.

I am reminded that even in the darkest of days,

Life is Good, 

because God is good, all the time.

Beauty Shots, Life Here at Home and a Prayer Request

I've got a new spot for quilt beauty shots, the porch; it's perfect, I can set up the stand without dealing with wind, weather and other outdoor hazards. If you've ever tried to set up a quilt for outside photography you know that even the slightest breeze will turn your quilt into a giant sail!

The location is perfect but the time of day wasn't-- I'll need to be careful in the future to make sure the sun is directly overhead and not back-lighting the subject (but, I have to admit that the stained-glass effect with the sun coming in from behind is pretty!). 

This might be one of my very favorite scrappy quilts of all time. The porch was a beehive of activity over the weekend. 

Not only was it the site for meals but for another another Chinese Checkers challenge (with yet another grandson!)...

...but it was also a bedroom for the night! Ever since the porch construction began, Gregory has been begging for a chance to sleep out there! Saturday night was his first chance, he told us that the birds were his alarm clock! So sweet. 

We watched this movie together on Friday night, I was unaware of the Brandon Burlsworth story until seeing this; what an inspiring story! I can recommend it, just know that you'll need Kleenex nearby. 

Sweet Sixteen ~ completely finished at last, measuring 65" X 80". 

Adapting in an upside-down🙃 world: I got my hair cut; (that was cause for celebration!) my dear stylist had advised me to wait in my car when I arrived, I sent her a text and she texted back when it was okay to enter. She met me at the salon door to take my temperature before I was granted entry! Life goes on~ one step at a time; and it's good, it's all good. I've seen plenty of blog posts and social media entries commenting on the state of the world, political and racial unrest, so many that I cannot even count them. You're not going to find that here; I do truly believe that there is good in the world, love and grace exist in abundance and that we have a faithful and loving God who's in control. This blog will continue to chronicle what goes on here, from our little corner of the world, a day at a time; without judgement, bias or political opinion from me-- not now, not ever. Now, a personal favor from me: would you please remember my mother in prayer as she recovers, in the hospital, from pneumonia? Her name is Harriett. She's doing well, praise God, but this is such a difficult time to be hospitalized and to be separated from loved ones, especially from my Dad. Thank you! In the meantime... 

...I'm working on a sundress for Lynnleigh from some super-cute Riley Blake Girl Scout fabric that her Mom  had sent to me; I'm using this pattern. I have made this for her before, this year I've had to go up a size, to a 7-- she's growing (they all are-- much too quickly!).

 I've found a wonderful chocolate chip cookie recipe! Here's the link, it's from Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Table cookbook; it meets my desire for a cookie that doesn't spread too much while baking. It just so happens to be delicious, too; pass the milk! 

  "...so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." Titus 3:7-9

Life is Good!

.  

Sorting It Out

With nowhere to go, and a stash of fabric and supplies on hand, it's like being on a never-ending retreat; these are the days we quilters have been stockpiling for all those years! But-- I need to slow down and sort this out. I have always been that person who's thinking of the "next quilt" before I finish what I'm working on now. With this current situation, for me, it's worse than ever. I tell myself that I'm keeping my eye on my guiding word for 2020 (VISION); with focus aimed at using up the fabric and precut scraps that I have on hand. But, that doesn't keep me from wandering onto Pinterest and "pinning" scrap quilts galore to my visual bulletin boards. "Oh, I want to try that one, and that one, and that one... " Pin.Pin.Pin. If it stopped there that wouldn't be so bad but I find myself obsessed with pulling out my rectangles to begin a Chinese Coin that I saw pictured and organizing fabrics for a Jack's Chain quilt all in shades of blue that someone made and posted. I need to settle down! I need to sort this out. In all honesty, if this quarantine went on forever and a day I would never got to all of those quilts that I have pinned, let alone those that I've already begun. So, to start; I am not clicking on Pinterest. I am writing daily lists, (I've always been a list-maker and daily planner anyway, this wasn't a stretch) I am putting on blinders to anything else. As a way to feel much more productive and in control I am cleaning out and organizing one thing a day; this can be as simple as a drawer or as labor-intensive as a closet; for me, this helps, it keeps me busy and helps me to stay in check with something to show for my deliberate attention to one thing.

While talking on the phone with my Dad this morning my eyes went to the design wall where my partially done "Which Way Now" is hanging and all of a sudden realized a secondary design element to explore with the HSTs; that's placing focus where it belongs-- on what I am working on; I don't need to be running in seventeen different directions! I'm continuing to sort out what it means for me to have nothing but time on my hands and supplies at the ready, I'm also sticking to a regimen of walking and holding fast to reading hour. These few minor adjustments are keeping me centered and better directed. It's all good!

Adapting in an upside down 🙃world: My well-check up scheduled for next week with my PCP has been reformatted-- to a video visit; okay, that's new! I understand the reason but question the value. I assumed when the office called that they were going to reschedule, not suggest this alternative. But, we're all adjusting; we'll see how it goes. Changes are happening so fast it's hard to keep up.

Update on the standing prayer request: Quiltkeemosabe's husband is continuing to improve following surgery, thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for him, for Quiltkeemosabe and for their family. 

"For nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37

Life is Good!

Up next: RAK

On The Plus Side

This is a re-post of sorts from the spring of 2014. I know that there are no shortage of quarantine sew-alongs and patterns out there to stitch up while we are sheltering at home. Here's one more. If there was ever a time to make a quilt oozing of positivity-- this is the time! These blocks were designed in EQ and are super quick and easy to sew; believe me, the hardest part will be selecting your fabrics and stopping-- making these little blocks are like eating potato chips! Your cutting directions are pictured below, these cute little "plus" blocks finish to five inches.

Here's the layout:

This quilt (my finished quilt is pictured below) as drafted finishes to 45" X 55" including a 2.5" inner border. Certainly the size could be boosted with additional sashing or extra blocks.

Have fun with this. 

Adapting to an upside down 🙃world: As I mentioned earlier, spring is coming on and there's no stopping that. Mr. Goodneedle and I have rebooted our outdoor walking regimen to right after breakfast (we're early risers); there's no one else outside yet and at this time of year we're serenaded by bird song and emerging foliage. We have a bluebird couple nesting in the nesting box right outside my studio space, this morning we observed them both sitting on top of the box in all their glory. I will check the box in a few days for any eggs. I hope that you're all well, staying safe and healthy; wash your hands!🧼

Prayer update: Thanks one and all for your prayers for Quiltkeemosabe's husband. He had surgery last evening and the best of all possible outcomes was realized. He's been moved to a post-surgical ICU at this time, things are really looking up for him and their family today! Your prayers are working!

"But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer." Psalm 38:15

Think Positive!

Life is Good!

Up next: Sorting It Out

Lifted On Wings

The Bluebirds are growing feathers at the speed of light; their daily growth and development is startling in its rapid progress! Before long those six little beaks will be clamoring for worms and bugs in a cacophony of frantic chirps and that nest will grow ever smaller and smaller. Soon Mama and Papa will beckon their bluebird babies to fly, to test out those God-given wings and set out on their own; it all happens so fast. This morning I am asking you to lift up prayers, as if on wings. I ask that you pray for my husband's sweet cousin, Kathy. Kathy has faced life changing illness head-on over the past few years and fought like a warrior; her road back to health has been littered by complications and obstacles every single step of the way. Kathy loves fiercely, she has the sweetest spirit, and unfaltering faith. She and my husband have always claimed, unashamedly, to be each other's "favorite"; they have a life-long history of being just that for each other.

Mr. Goodneedle with his sister (left) and his three cousins in July 2014, Kathy is wearing green, in the center.

While its always appropriate to pray to God for health and healing, our prayer now for Kathy and her family is for peace and comfort, if you're a praying person I ask that you join me in that prayer today; please lift those prayers up, as if on wings-- but not the faltering wings of a baby Bluebird this time; lift your prayers up on strong wings so that they will soar with strength and confidence, like those of an Eagle. Go ahead; God's strong, He is ready for the prayer bombardment. We love you, Kathy!

Thank you.
Life is Good!

Cultivating Calm

Today I am sowing, not sewing; my studio has been transformed into a cultivating ground for calm. I am diffusing Holiday Joy (a soul-warming, spirit-lifting scent: wild orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove mixed with Siberian and Douglas Fir) and listening to beautiful music while working on next Sunday's church bulletins. The news has been banished from my "garden space" for the time being, if you live in America you know why.  I remember the first presidential election I ever voted in, the year was 1972; I was a college student and embraced the opportunity, and the privilege, of voting that year. It was only the year before that the voting age had been extended from 21 to 18. Voting for me was a really big deal back then. It still is. The climate today is different, however; it literally breaks my heart to witness the civility that has gone missing in our country. The memories I have of friendly, and informative, debates over candidates and issues where two holding opposing views could agree to disagree, shake hands afterwards and remain friends are seemingly just that-- memories, distant ones at that. The serene environment I have cultivated begs for extended prayer time today. Join me if you will.  "O, God,  as a citizen of  your Kingdom I pray that my vote is right and truthful according to your law, recognizing that to be above any human law, that I may be a faithful citizen on earth."

Life is Good!

On this, the seventh day of November, I lift my heart in 

gratitude to God for granting me the privilege of voting. 

Prayer vs. Talk

There's much going on in my life right now; without a doubt there's much going on in yours too. I am thankful to God for all the many blessings that are bestowed upon me every day; but, I am guilty of not being as disciplined in prayer as I might be. I need to stop talking (as much) and start praying (more). I am even more grateful to have a heavenly Father who knows this about me and loves me anyway.

Life is Good!

Wait Time...

There is a great lesson to be learned here. I am a little short in the patience department and I know, that as a child of God, I continue to be a work in progress... every day of my life. The words that are especially important in this quote, for me, are "active waiting" and "enduring".  I tend to ask for patience in the form of a prayer something like this: "please grant me patience to... (insert whatever)..." and then am repeatedly disappointed when patience isn't instantaneous! Groan. So, as I learn to wait actively, and endure that active wait time well, my prayer is evolving; nowadays it sounds more like this, focusing on what is key: "please be patient with me, God; I know that you hear every prayer of my heart and that your timing is always perfect. Help me to grow stronger in my faith as I endure wait time and open my eyes and heart with gratitude for what unfolds as I do."

...and then, there was this, 

popping it's head up through the pine needles... 

the Sweet Variegated Iris that I planted

last spring and had totally forgotten about.

Life is Good!   

Sharp Advice!

Your sewing space is fraught with dangerous, sharp, objects; you already know that. We always think that we're exercising caution around our tools; but, as quilters, we're so accustomed to picking up and handling the rotary cutter that it's almost like an extension of our own hand. We use them without always thinking about the risk, we become mindless to the fact that we really are handling a rolling razor blade...herein lies the potential problem; believe me, I am just as guilty of this lack of respect for the rotary cutter as anyone else. I've learned something this week that has changed my thinking however, a lesson that will haunt me (and you, too) for a long time to come.

A friend dropped her rotary cutter last week, it innocently bumped (blade exposed) on the edge of  a table, causing her to lose her grasp on the handle, and ended up blade-side-down in the top of her foot, her bare foot.  What she thought was a superficial laceration has turned out to be much more. She has suffered a cut to a tendon; at this point she's not even sure if the tendon is severed, there's too much swelling to know that yet. In the meantime she is sidelined; immobilized and awaiting surgery with her foot elevated.  She's out of work while this waiting happens; adding insult to injury, quite literally.

I'm posting these three rules today as a warning. Why? Because this could happen to any one of us!
1.  Pay attention to your rotary cutter, only expose that cutting blade when you have your cutter poised over your fabric to make that one cut and then slide the guard back into position. Every. Single. Time.
2.  Wear shoes in your sewing space, real shoes... no more bare feet, sandals or flip-flops; it's not worth the risk.
3.  Clean up your sewing/cutting area frequently: you'd be amazed at how quickly those piles of accumulating scraps can obscure your workspace and cause you to lose sight of your rotary cutter or other sharp objects... if you can't see them you don't have control of them.

Develop a heightened awareness and exercise caution around all of your tools; remember: they stay sharp, especially when we don't!  Please join me in a prayer for complete and speedy healing for my friend; she is eager to get up on her feet and back to work soon.

Life is Good!