Monday's Design Wall

The past several months have passed in warp speed making me realize how fast life passes when engulfed in a crisis.  In looking back I have no regrets, only thanks and praise to the Lord that He gave me cherished moments with Mom.  But, now it’s time to get back to my dreadfully clean sewing room. 

Can you believe it? No fabric piles and pieces on the cutting board.  No little, bitty, threads all over the floor or partially started projects screaming for attention.  Wouldn’t you label this picture as “Shameful”?  Well, it's time to change it from sadly clean to a happy mess!

I want to learn to appliqué.  Can you give me any suggestions? Websites, books, what to do or not?  I do have Alex Anderson’s Hand & Machine Appliqué book and plan on starting there.  Where I have been really inspired is reading Happy Days Quilting blog.  Patricia does amazing work!

Sorry I have nothing to show you on my design wall, but brace yourself because I'm going to change that!

Taking one day at a time,

Penny

To Mom

My newly discovered life, as a baby quilter, was placed on hold in March... 

Mom's health was failing.  Fact is I don't have many memories of Mom living without pain.  She had RA and, as it goes, its crippling destruction was cast on her with a vengeance. She was once an artist, now unable to hold a fork to feed herself.  She was also an athlete, now unable to walk on her crippled feet.  

This nasty disease may have disfigured her body but it never crippled her soul. She never blamed God for her pain nor asked Him “why me?” My guess is that she really didn't have time for self pity and little patience for those that did.

Mom certainly was proof that “looks can be deceiving”.  If you were to have seen her, on the outside she was small, frail and disfigured.  Yet on the inside she was strong, courageous and full of life.

Lord,

May not my heart grow weary

            from this pain I’ve always known.

Perhaps without this present thorn

            I, spiritually, may never have grown.

The day I said my life is Yours

            You’ve walked this path with me

Each step I take, though pain be there,

            my goal eternity.

I plan to win this race and be greeted by You Lord

            Please carry me through, the road I’m on,

            with eyes focused only on You.

May not my heart grow weary,

            from the pain I’ve always known.

For soon, I trust, You’ll call my name  

            and angels take me home.

My Mother heard her name called June 26^th, 2011.

Mom, it's bitter sweet.  To know you are finally out of pain, but missing you as my Mother and my friend.