Blessings

I recently came across a book about blessings and after a few weeks of exercising 'blessings', I've got to say, it's a life changing way to see the world and the other people who share it with us.  A lot of the information wasn't new to me but the way the author brought it all together was reveolutionary. 

I think we often think of blessing another person in terms of the people we like or love but the author encourages us to bless those people who not only dislike us but who hate us just as Jesus did and he was the master of blessing the people who hated and mocked him.  

So in this election season which will dominate the media for the next year, step back and instead of taking part in the negative verbal onslaught, take the time to form your thoughts and words into blessings.  If blessing doesn't come easy because you feel like you might be condoning ideas or actions that you believe are wrong then remember that a blessing is speaking the favor of God over a person or situation and He only wants the best for all of His creation.  God can't bless that which is wrong or evil and He is certainly the best one to sort out which is which.  So when your co-worker, a crazy driver or someone you love, does something and you feel hurt or angry, take a moment and bless them instead.  Speak out God's very best for that person.  It's a start in the right direction and it's a blessing.

And by the way, the book is THE POWEROF A BLESSING  by Kerry Kirkwood. 

Machine Quilting Information and Update

A while back, during my last machine quilting class, I promised to post information about a very interesting online resource for machine quilters.  So, here it is.  The Website is daystyledesigns.com and is the work of Leah Day.  I'm sure you'll be amazed at her output of ideas for machine quilters. 

If you find it a bit overwhelming, remember that practice is important. Take some fabrics you're tired of or buy some just for the purpose of practicing, it doesn't have to be the 'good' stuff, this a good time to use up the uglies in your stash.  You'll have more control of the patterns if you can see what you're doing so try putting a solid or near solid fabric on the working side and a print on the backside.  You'll be able to see what you're doing on the solid and then how the pattern looks on the printed backside.  Be ready to go in advance so you don't have any excuses.  Assemble some practice fabric snadwiches or just some felt (2 layers) and give yourself permission to just play.

Good Quilting!