My Sewing Space

Have you ever had a night when you just cannot sleep? It is happening more and more to me lately :-(  So one night I was in my sewing room and decided to try to move a few things around.

The plan was to move my cutting table over by the window. Opening up the floor space.

After I successfully negotiated the table into the corner, I needed to move the chair that had been by the window.

Hummm, no room there.

Ok so the chair was over by the closet to where the cutting table used to be. It really did open up the floor space, so I can lay things out as needed.

Have you ever tried to figure out the best use of your sewing room? Are you satisfied with how things worked out?

Wedding bells

 Weddings are always a sign of a new start.

The bride loves sunflowers. The theme of the wedding.

The beautiful bride with my two sewing/ quilting buddies.

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

 

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is the debut novel by Sara Brunsvold. And by far the best novel I have read this year.

When I first glimpsed at the title of this book, I was hesitant. It was not very appealing to me. But once I read the story, it all made sense. 

Aidyn Kelley is an ambitious young writer for the Kansas City Star. After making a huge blunder by pushing too hard to get ahead, she is given the menial job of writing the obituary for an unremarkable woman, Clara Kip. But Mrs. Kip is still alive and living in a hospice facility. Aidyn soon learns that Mrs. Kip is anything but unremarkable. 

The spirited Mrs. Kip leans towards helping others.  Aidyn learns just how much Mrs. Kip's persuasion has affected so many lives. 

Mrs. Kip's words of wisdom -

"What did you do after your husband died?"

The old woman took a breath that sounded tainted with discomfort. "I did a lot of hard things. But hard things usually end in the biggest blessings." Mrs. Kip nodded at Aidyn's notebook. "Write that. That's gold, too."

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"I did nothing amazing, Miss Kelley," she insisted. "Despite what you've been told. I simply tried to love people as best I could for as long as I was privileged to be with them. We don't stay long in each others lives - that's the crux of our humanness. You have to be the friend people need while they are there with you, because it's the only chance you'll get."

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"The Lord hides his warriors in the most surprising places, Miss Kelley." 

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This was such a touching story. One that made me cry at the end. Miss Brunsvold writes with such heart. The characters and dialogue were extraordinary. I loved the humor and compassion. The writing was the best example of show don't tell. You must put this uplifting clean book on your must read list. It is about an assignment that changes two lives forever.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Across the miles

 

My beautiful daughter left this morning making her way across the ocean to the Asia Pacific region. Traveling 7,643 miles.  She will serve there for a year, training and equipping nationals and teaching English as a second language. Please remember her as she travels.  Thank you!

Doing the impossible

 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Quilting!

To Have and To Hold

Anniversaries are a special time of reflection. Looking back over the years, both the good ones and the not so good, and remembering that special day.

49 years we have passed together. It's wonderful to be married to your best friend.

Slip Slide

 I have been quilting for a long time. I sometimes struggle with my cutting ruler, especially if it is a long one. So I finally gave up and applied this.....

What a difference!!

No more slip sliding :-)