Mini-Round Robin

I've been wanting to do one of these for a long time, so I quickly said yes when given the opportunity to join a group of ladies making a (surprise) round robin. I stumbled at the first hurdle - a paper pieced St Louis star, so in frustration substituted Lucky Star instead (from Quilters Cache). I sent my offering to Jeny in Scotland and soon received one in return.


This really was not as easy as I had imagined it would be! I asked Jeny what other colours she would like in her quilt apart from blue, and she said pink would be nice. I probably should have chosen a pale blue background for a more subtle effect as the white was a little bright! Off it went in the post and then I received Irene K's quilt.


Very pretty, and very pink, so looking at Irene's original colour choice decided on pale green. That turned out bright too!


Off it went . . .


The last round was for Irene B. Now this really was a challenge - I had no colours in my stash whatsoever to suit this one. Batiks seem to work well in these little quilts and I managed to buy a few small strips after much searching. I think Irene must have wondered if she was ever going to get her quilt!


And finally here is my delightful quilt made for me by these three lovely ladies. The finished size is 27" x 32", so do I carry on and make more borders or just keep it small and hang on my sewing 'room' wall?

If you would like the instructions for this quilt you will find them here:

Round One
Round Two
Round Three
Round Four

Thank you Katy for designing and organising this swap!

Fridays in Lent

In the evening Jesus said 'Let us cross to the other side.' A gale began and the waves were swamping the boat. Jesus was asleep, and the disciples called out 'Master, don't you care? We're sinking!' He woke and said 'Be calm!' And all was calm again. And Jesus said to the disciples 'Why are you so frightened? Have you no faith?' Mark 4:35-41

Storm in the Sea of Galilee - Rembrandt

Lord, like the disciples in the boat,
suddenly overwhelmed by the storm,
so panic can overcome me like waves.

Their boat was sinking
and the disciples cried out in fear.
You calmed the storm
and all was peace again.

Lord, save me, too!
lest the waves overwhelm me,
and I sink away from you.

Help my faith, Lord!
help me to entrust my whole life,
my whole being, my whole future,
to you and your loving care!

Help me to let go the things
that hold me back
from trusting in you.
Lord, calm my storm within.
Amen.

from: a Lenten Journey with Jesus in Galilee
The Prayer Trust

Fridays in Lent

Today's soup receipe is a great favourite of mine:

Spicy Parsnip Soup

• olive oil
• knob of butter
• 1 large onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
• small piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon garam masala
• 6 parsnips, peeled and chopped into chunks
• 500ml milk
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• salt and pepper

Heat a splash of olive oil and the butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and garam masala. Gently fry for around 10 minutes, until the onions are soft and sweet.

Drop in the chopped parsnip and stir together so that everything gets coated in the oil and flavours. Pour in the milk and stock, season well and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 30 minutes with a lid on.

After half an hour, check that the parsnips are cooked by sticking a knife in. If you’re happy, remove them from the heat and carefully whiz up using a hand blender or liquidizer. Taste the soup to see if it needs a little more salt or pepper.

From Jamie Oliver
www.jamieoliver.com

Mobile Phone/iPhone Case

Samelia's Mum has a great tutorial for this handy little phone case.

www.sameliasmum.com

Fridays in Lent

Galilee

Early in the morning, well before dawn, Jesus went off to some lonely place and prayed there. Mark 1:35

As I look at the hills and mountains
where you went to pray,
and imagine you climbing higher up
to some lonely place
away from the crowds,
I think how these times of prayer
were so precious to you,
these quiet moments in between
all the busy teaching and preaching.

And then I think of the many days
when I've been busy
and given hardly a thought to you!
Why do so many insignificant things
seem to occupy the day?

Lord, in this time of Lent
help me to make prayer a priority,
to find a quiet space in the day,
to share with you a sacred space
to enjoy your company.
Amen.

from: a Lenten Journey with Jesus in Galilee
The Prayer Trust






Theses photo were taken in Galilee by Pauline (my mother-in-law) last September on a pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

Fridays in Lent

Today's soup receipe, also from New Covent Garden's Book of Soups, though quite plain is totally delicious and quick to make. I shall be making mine with vegetable stock (cubes!!)

I'll post a photo later for you to see how it comes out.

Ros

Fridays in Lent

Dear Jesus, as I call on you today
I realise that I often come asking for favours.
Today I'd like just to be in your presence.
Let my heart respond to Your Love.

God is not foreign to my freedom.
Instead the Spirit breathes life into my most intimate desires,
gently nudging me towards all that is good.

I ask for the grace to let myself be enfolded by the Spirit.
I remind myself that I am in the presence of the Lord.

I will take refuge in His loving heart.
He is my strength in times of weakness.
He is my comforter in times of sorrow.

Jesus, you always welcomed little children when you walked on this earth.
Teach me to have a childlike trust in you.
To live in the knowledge that you will never abandon me.

from: Sacred Space
(See the button in the sidebar)

Fridays in Lent

Perhaps you'd like to join me for lunch today with a bowl of home made soup and bread, something which I will be doing during Fridays in Lent. This receipe is from a favourite, though quite old (1996), book of hearty soups.




And if you'd like to join in with Grace too, here's a prayer you might enjoy.

"Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts,

which we are about to receive from Thy bounty,

through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Ash Wednesday

Come back to the Lord,
With all of your heart

Joel 2:12

You can read last year's posting on Ash Wednesday here

Heart Swap

Here is my little vintage stitchery heart for the Heart Swap. The vintage embroidery is just beautiful with lovely soft flower colours. I made this for Marion (I don't think she has a blog?)

And a closer look!

And my lovely lilac heart from Anita with beautiful applique and bead embellishments.

I wonder, did we get our heart templates from the same place?!!

And finally, a little thank you for Katrien for being such a lovely swap host.

To see the other stitched hearts, please visit Katrien's photostream here.

Ros

Garden of India

Shruti of 13 Woodhouse Road has asked me to review her beautiful new pattern called Garden of India. First of all, Shruti, I would like to say well done on designing such a gorgeous quilt. It is stunning and the instructions are soooooo clear.

The pattern uses 16 Amy Butler Soul Blossom fat quarters plus white and yellow solids.

Ideal for a newbie quilter or a quick project for you clever gals.

You'll find the pattern in Shruti's Etsy shop.

Happy sewing!

Ros