I took a little walk with GOD- by Daddy Dan

This poem was written by an email friend of mine,"Daddydan".



<:)))))>< I took a little walk with God I took a little walk with God this morning on this beautiful autumn day. As I walked down the avenue of red and golden leaves I felt the need to pray. I needed to talk to God and tell him about my love. And say thanks This is why I stopped under a tree of gold overlooking the riverbanks. I wanted to thank God for the splendor of this earth and all he has done for me. I felt the need to rest, to worship and praise God under this beautiful golden tree. As bowed my head and talked to God I felt so loved, such a feeling of peace. I know that God was listening to me and all my fears were released. I felt so secure in his love as he took my hand and we continued to walk I felt so overwhelmed with his presence I just listen and let him talk It's amazing how much we can gain when we just listen and know God is near What a wonderful feeling knowing who holds your hand, nothing to fear.

Autumn is both beautiful and sad, kind of an ending of a season and moving on
You and I are reaching the autumn of our lives as we age. Summer is almost gone.
But we have nothing to fear God is by our side, forgiving and loving us all,
So let's look around at the beauty of His creation and give thanks for this beautiful fall,
Daddydan November 7,2009

My Quilt

This poem was sent to me by someone at my church and I wanted to share it.

My Quilt

As I faced my Maker at the last judgement, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my Angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light,the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their live had been. My Angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgemental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what is was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes, He said, "Everytime you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn ,allowing Christ to shine through.

May God bless you today and forever.

baby quilt

I just finished this quilt for my neighbor's first baby. This is the first time I quilted on my machine. I am so proud of this quilt.

remodel of my craft room, it's Done! and it's awesome!

In the beginning I used anything I could get my hands on for storage and it was good. But I had a dream>

Some day I wanted cabinets to put my stuff in. I promise it will be neat and tidy!!!

That someday has come. Some friends Johanna and Craig saw my vision and came across some cabinets..

With their help, Well them doing most everything I saw my dream come true!

Gary did all the peg board work and I love it all!

My little piece of Heaven, til God calls me home=:)

Comfort Squares Dedication

At Church I started a new ministry with several friends. Joan Baumgardner, Robyn Crandell, Darleen Minnich, Beth Werner.The person I attribute our name : Comfort Sowers" to is Mary Ellen Brown

.

This ministry is based on 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 "praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God"

We have made Comfort squares, which are butterflies for women, signifying new life and Christian fish for men, signifying Fishers of men. There are prayer strings attached and each time a knot is tied a prayer is said for the person who possesses the Comfort Square.

6/13/2010 is the dedication ceremony for the squares being offered to the congregation for the first time, ( although we have already given out 6)

Sean Jr Spent the night

This isn't a new thing Sean has spent many nights at our house. He really likes it in the summer, because he can go swimming. So we did! Then we took him to a playground he had never been to, and we did some crafts, Always have to do crafts when you come to Grandma's.

Before he came over, he asked his dad.. "What time does Grandma's open?" He was very anxious. For all my grandkids, I am open 24-7 365!

back with the living

on April 19th I had carpal tunnel surgery on the right hand. Unlike in past times the surgery is much quicker and easier, and by all indications I should have been great by weeks end. however, I managed to get pnuemonia... two weeks later .. I was finally released to go to work and my comfort squares meeting.

HoorAY!!! IT FELT GOOD.

But i have to say without Gary I would not that surivived... He is such a blessing. Awesome Husband... Thank you Lord, for bringing Gary to me

New Ministry at church

Together with a few people at church we have started a new quilting ministry. It's called the Comfort Sowers, based on 2 Corthians 1:3-4. We are sewing comfort squares to people to give to church friends, family and anyone who has a issue that they need a prayer for. We have been working feverishly to build our stock and hopefully be able to start giving the comfort squares out in June 2010.

This squares at butterflies for woman and a renewal of life and Fish for men , Fisher of men. they each have string attached and a person can say a prayer for the reciepent and then that person will know each time the look at it a prayer has been said for them.

PW tea

Our church (Harundale Presbyterian Church) is having a Tea on Saturday as a fund raiser for the missions we support and I am hosting a table. I have made these cards and lapel pins for my guests.

ice cream soda using liquid fabric and liquid glass

Close up this is so cool. The top looks like real whip cream and the glass is glossy like real glass.. awesome technique, I am in love with the stuff

Neighborhood crop

Some nieghbors and I have been getting to together and having crops... See the new photos and look for Roberta, Diana, Sheetal and Manuela.. also add Karla( I need a picture of ) They have come over a couple of times and Roberta and I have been teaching the others how to make cards, It's been great fun...

Last week my great christian friend Tammy Michael, from West Virigina joined us..I was awesome. I hadn't seen Tammy in a long time and she is a demonstrator for Close to My Heart scrapbooking /card making/clear stamps, etc. She came mainly to scrap... We learned a few new things from her. She worked closely with Manuela and Tammy taught us about liquid fabric and liquid glass... Great stuff! See my samples . We started at 3pm and ended at 9:15pm.. We lost track of time...

I am looking forward to more time with the neighbors... on April 24th we are having out annual earth day clean up... I will be doing crafts, we have been painting flower pots for the last couple of years It is a great hit... We will do it again this year.

recent cards

This is a baby card for my new great niece due in July.( maybe a birthday present for me.. July 19th)

I love the technique using liquid fabric to make the wool on the sheep... this is awesome...

well I thought is was a good idea to set a resolution or two for the new year I was wrong... I not only didn't exercise I also didn't update this blog.. But I am back!

Dad's Short Fish tales

In dec 2008, Mom sent me Dad's boxer shorts, for christmas 2009 I made a lap quilt and entitled it Dad's Short Fish Tales. Of course I as in a rush to get it sent to Mom that I forgot to get a picture of the finished quilt.

MOM send me a picture!

I also made a walling hanging of one Fish each for my brothers and sisters ( the nieces and nephews are in production)

The back lable reads;

Dad's Short Fish Tales

In memory of Howard Ray Sheffield

He didn't tell me how to live, He lived and let me watch.

Judy kay Janis 2009

SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GO YEAR WITHOUT UPDATING!

We have a new Granddaughter, Nola Equinox Markland. 3/20/09

Beautiful baby girl!

Inlaws quilt

I made quilt for my inlaws for Christmas and Always after I take the photos I add something else. SO this one has 6 butterflies added to the back ( the green with stripes side)

Happy 2010

New Years Eve, we went to a neighbors home for a Formal Black tie optional party.
It was so nice to see all the men in thier Tuxes and the ladies in the finery.
Thanks to Russ and Roberta for hosting the party it was lovely!

Today on new Years day, another neighbor couple , Diana and Doug Perry hosted a Brunch for the partyers from New years Eve. Gary and I were not able to attend, because My Father in-laws Birthday is New Years Day. However, I did send over a party favor. I printed these pictures and made hand stamped embossed card frames for everyone!

I will update this blog with the card , once I get my scanner working again!

Happy New Year! 2010

Wow it is now 2010.. Can you believe I went one entire year and 3 months without updating my blog!
I can not believe. But last night as a was trying to sleep. I thought to myself. This year I need to make some resolutions. So here they are

1. Become closer to GOD- pray more, read more - We joined Harundale Presbyterain Church in Glen Burnie MD in October 2009 and We love the Church and the People
2. Become closer to my Husband, Gary. We have now been married 20 Years, Oct 21,2010 will be 21 years!
3. Become closer to my son and his family and my step daughter and her family!
4. Becomer Healthier- My Lupus is in remission, I want to keep it there and lose wieght.. I know, I know everyone says that, But I need to do it.
5. Walk on the tread mill, swim( in the summer) walk with Gary when weather permits
6. Do more crafts! Like I really have to work on that! I want to start a quilting group at church and I would really like to get my nieghbor friends crafting.
7 Update my blog, at least weekly.

I know this sounds like a lot, but it's doable!