Spring is Coming...

And you know what that means!

Time to start seeds!

So I got out the grow light that Mr. Gardener made me last year out of PVC pipe.

Put down the insulation for my heat mats.

Set out my heat mats. 

And set up this nifty little Jiffy Greenhouse I got from Lowe's.

I'm not going to lie.

Lowe's seed starting selection was highly disappointing. They hardly had anything out yet.

Yes, I know it snowed today.

But we're starting to get behind starting from seed people. Let's go Lowe's! I don't care if Phil did or did not see his shadow. It's time to get started!

At least they did have these. I didn't order seed starting materials from Burpee thinking Lowe's would have their crap together. 

Wrong.

Now I know for next year.

But look how cool these are! Just add water and you get a little self-contained seed starting mix/pot. 

And you can plant them directly in the ground like this. 

So I'm thinking these will work well for plants that will be a little bigger come transplanting time, like peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins.

You just tear the top open a bit and get started. 

And they have a little lid to help keep the heat and moisture in as they get started. 

So this past weekend, I started Mini Harvest Blend Hybrid Pumpkin (just those little bitty mini guys) and Red Popper Sweet Pepper. They have little bitty fruits, too. About an inch or so wide and tall.

I'm really trying to keep all the planting in check this year. I am not confident in my ability to be successful in this endeavor. Time will tell. 

Next up with be tomatoes and petunias. (I do love me some petunias.)

And, of course, God can teach us in and through anything, so let's take a brief moment to reflect on how our work in the earth mirrors the Lord's work in us.

Luke 8:4-15

"While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:

'A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the bird ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other see fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.'

When he said this, he called out, 'Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.'

His disciples asked him what this parable meant. He said, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, 

'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'

This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that feel among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.'"

Let us plant in good soil and produce a crop for the Lord!

Happy New Year!

Mr. Gardener and I would like to wish you a happy New Year!

May your year be filled with fun, friends, and family!

And may we reflect on the abundant blessings that we have from God through Christ!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Merry Christmas!

Mr. Gardener and I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas this year.

May we all celebrate and rejoice in this season that is a reminder that God is Emmanuel, that He is truly with us.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[c]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:8-20

Good Morning Monday

The next couple of weeks will probably feature really little quickie posts.

I hope that you'll stick around until my schedule calms down a little.

Busy, busy at work. Good busy. Very good busy.

Work we've been waiting on this side of forever has finally come through and, as with many projects, the beginning is the busiest. There is a season for everything.

And (praise God!) this also equated to a promotion for me and a new position! It's nice to be in a company that really looks to advance your career and mentor you to get to new places.

But that's not what I wanted to post about today.

Just wanted a quick share.

As you know, I've been working on my Bloom Bloom Pow Quilt for a friend who is about to have her first baby. You may or may not know that I like to use (at least part-I'm being honest here, I'm FAR from perfect with this) time making things for other people to remind me to pray for them.

It's exciting to be able to pray for a new baby. For health, for the mommy and daddy-to-be, for their marriage, their faith, their ability to raise their new little one. For so many things.

Tonight, I had a few minutes to work on the quilt. (Piecing the blocks together is often the most frustrating part for me - more on that another time.) While I was sewing and praising God for this new little life, He reminded me of this verse:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek with all your heart.'"

He knows this baby.

He has plans for him or her.

And that applies to you and me, as well.

Even in this imperfect life, with all its bumps and bruises, our God is there. With a plan. A plan of hope, of salvation, of love, and of life.

How reassuring.

Hope you all enjoy your Monday!

3rd Anniversary!!!!

Today is my 3rd Anniversary with Mr. Gardener!!!!!!!!

These are the shoes I wore for our  wedding.

It's incredible to believe. It feels like I can't believe that three years have passed and simultaneously, I can't believe that it's only been 3 years.

I can't imagine life any other way.

It's also my parents' anniversary. We chose to honor them by also getting married on their anniversary. They have been an incredible example of how marriage should be. They are celebrating 36(!) years this year.

This is our beloved pastor, Pastor Smith. We met at his church and we definitely wanted him to marry us. He taught me so much about faith and God and the responsibilities associated with being a person of faith. (Side note: you really should check out City of Refuge - it is an incredible church doing God's amazing work in the community. Different pastor now - Pastor Smith is in Memphis. But Pastor Ikki is also awesome. Never met him, but his sermons rock.)

Pastor Smith gave us the best marriage advice.

I know I've only been married three years, but we've had our ups and downs, awesome times, and drag out fights, just like any other couple.

And I am a lot of things, but I'm no dummy, so I know good advice when I hear it. :)

He actually started out the sermon, like this: "Love does not sustain a marriage."

I think a lot of jaws dropped at that. And I loved it. Still do. 

It's true. And I also love shocking people. :)

Commitment sustains a marriage.

And it's so true.

I love Josh. So much. 

But sometimes he drives me crazy. Sometimes he makes me mad. And sometimes when he accidentally pushes me out the bed in the middle of the night, he makes me cranky. And in those moments, I love him, but it doesn't feel the same way that we usually describe love, at least in our Western society.

But I wake up everyday and I choose to love him. I choose to be married to him. I choose to walk with him.

And he chooses the same thing.

We made a promise. Actually, we made more than a promise, we made a covenant. Just like God made a covenant with us that He will always be with us, Josh and I have made a commitment to each other.

And that, along with growing together in Christ, will sustain our marriage.

I'm not saying marriage is easy. In fact, a lot of days it's not, which is why commitment is so important. And that sermon has had such an awesome impact on our relationship, that I believe it's absolutely worth sharing.

Here's to many more years!

My First Quilt!!!!!!!!!

I finally finished a quilt! Finished. Finished. Finished!

As in quilt top? Done. Quilting? Done. Binding? Done. And gifted.


If you really want to feel my excitement, you should read Molli Sparkles' write up about his first finish. I don't think anyone can really explain it like Molli can. You can just hear his voice in his writing. And naturally, he will make you smile.

Quilt Front

Yes, I did start quilting (sort of) over a year ago following Rachel from Stitched in Color's Beginner Quilt Along. And yes that quilt top still sits unfinished.

But this one had a little bit of a deadline...that I definitely did not make.  But it lit a little fire to finish it.

Actually, this one was finished back in March, but I've not really gotten to sharing it until now. 

Quilt Back

If you can't tell, based on fabric choice, it's a baby quilt. It was made for my friend and Phi Mu sister's son. She was also one of my bridesmaids and I made the guest book for her wedding. 

I don't remember the finished dimensions (I may have written it down, I'll look), but it's close to a twin size. I like the idea of a quilt that can grow with the baby and has the chance of being used longer. They can drag it around with them as they grow, make a fort out of it, or play ghost wearing it over their heads. (Other people did that right? Not just me?)

 

It was supposed to be "gender neutral." Marty and her husband decided not to find out the sex of the baby until it was born.

Fortunately, Henry was a boy because I definitely think it reads more "boy" than "girl."

I definitely did not finish it in time for Henry's birth. 

 

In fact, Henry was born in July and I finished it and gave it to Marty in March. I tried! I promise!

That darn broken sewing machine and just running up against time got me. But at least Henry isn't 18, right? :)

I really enjoy the chance to make something handmade for someone. First, I think it really shows them that you care and love them to take the time to make them something.

Second, especially with quilting, which can take awhile, it gives me the chance to slow down and remember to pray for them. This is not me saying that I am the world's best "pray-er." I'm not. At all. But it reminds me to take some time to spend with God and pray for the health of the baby, and the health of the family, for the strength marriage that created this baby, and just for my friends.

Plus, it gives me the chance to reflect on some of the things that God is teaching me through this love of crafting He gave me.

This quilt is far from perfect. It is my first quilt. There are plenty of mistakes.

But when I gave it to Marty, that's not what she saw. She seemed so genuinely excited that I made it for her, for her son. (Which really touches my heart, by the way.) She saw the love I put into it, not the places I messed up.

That's how God sees me.

He doesn't see my imperfections, my mistakes, all the ways I could be better (and there are many, believe me). 

That's because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for me. He makes me perfect in God's sight.

So now for the quilty stats:

I made the quilt using: various fabrics from the Urban Zoologie line by Anne Kelle for Robert Kaufman, Large Chevron in Orange from Riley Blake, Lion Roar by Robert Kaufman, and some random orange fabric I picked up from Joann's

The binding is: Bermuda from the Remix line by Anne Kelle for Robert Kaufman. I quite like how it looks.

My quilt design is based on this quilt by Holly DeGrout at Bijou Lovely. She has a pattern available now, but in the comments section, she also tells people that they can probably figure it out mostly for themselves, which is what I did. It's not a difficult pattern, but it shows off big prints quite nicely.

 I quilted it with a wonky chevron pattern. I can only straight line quilt so far - no free motion, yet. And sewing perfectly straight is still being perfected. A wonky chevron hides a lot of things and matches the chevron fabric. :) I used a variegated yellow thread from Gutermann. 

I have a serious case of what my family would call "squinty eye" going on in this picture. It runs in the family. My grandma had it, my dad has it, I have it. 

Mr. Gardener felt it necessary to take a picture of me attempting to hang the quilt on the branch.

Man, it feels good to have a quilt done. And I have to say that I'm pleased with the results. I have a couple more getting close. :)

To celebrate, I thought it appropriate to link up with my friend Molly from Still Being Molly's YOLO link-up. You really should, too.

Also linking up with All Things Pretty at My Fashion Forward

I'm Getting Addicted...

Actually, that's a lie.

I done been addicted. ;)  To sewing and quilting, that is.

I finished my very first quilt from start to finish last week.  I know, right?

I have the pictures on Mr. Gardener's camera just waiting for me...and beckoning me to put them on here with all my thoughts and excitement.

I also made my own little selvage block, which I turned into a pillow for my couch.  Pictures also coming.

But right now...I'm waiting for the internet to get a move on and finish publishing the second of seven online tutorial modules I'm trying to finish for work.  (It's been 20 minutes for a 6 minute tutorial.)  Yes, I know it's 10:30 on a Friday night.  Thank God they gave me a work laptop.  Maybe this is a sign to give it up until tomorrow.

But tomorrow I want to finish fixing up my flowerbed while it's halfway decent outside (isn't it supposed to be spring?) and finish sewing my dad's birthday present.  (He'll be 60 on Sunday!)

And I have to clean my house.... These are the signs that I'm closer to 30 than 20. ;)  (But I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Life is so much happier now than then.  Of course eliminating medication linked to depression will help with that.  Singulair is evil people.)

Anyway.... This is why Mr. Gardener dvr'd 36 tips for Adults with ADHD for me.  (At which I was very indignant until I started watching it....sigh.)  Which, I haven't finished.  36 is a lot of tips.

So...I'm definitely doing Lee's (of Freshly Pieced) Quilt-a-long, but I'm contemplating the Sew Mama Sew Block of the Month, too.  As though there aren't a billion things on my to-make list (we're not even going to talk about the to-do list, that's a whole separate issue.).

I do best when I'm busy. :)

Oh thank God.  Video's at 100%.

Speaking of thanking God.  Today is Good Friday.  Thank God for all He did for us.  He walked with us, felt our joys, pain, and suffering, and literally laid His life down for us in one of the more agonizing ways that humans have invented to kill and torture one another.  His standard is perfection and none of us can live up to it, but He stands in that gap for us, so that we don't have to be dependent on our own imperfect selves and our inability to bridge that gap to be with Him.  He took it all and asks only for our lives and hearts in return.

Thank You Jesus.

'Night y'all. :)