Category Archives: Sewing/Quilting Projects

A Different Plan

We were disappointed when we got the call in June that we had been canceled out of our August SOWER project at Shoshanah Ministry in upstate NY. Apparently the ministry realized they did not have enough work for five SOWER couples, so the last two that signed up were canceled. We fell into that category. This was the second time we had tried to serve there, the first being the summer of 2020. (And we all know  New York wasn’t letting anyone into the state that summer!) We had been looking forward to serving there, getting to know several SOWERs we hadn’t yet met, enjoying many of the classes the institute offers, and exploring a new area. But (once again) it wasn’t to be.
We regrouped quickly, though, and signed up for High Braes Refuge – also a new-to-us project in a new-to-us area of NY. But we were going to be the only SOWERs there.
Turns out it was a practically perfect combination!

This is a relatively small ministry, with essentially one main building.
Untitled
And we were a small group. Just the two of us! They had one big project they were hoping we could accomplish – renovating a bathroom and repainting the guest room where it was located.
As sometimes happen, when Gary didn’t need me, there wasn’t a lot of other SOWER work for me to do. Sometimes that can be frustrating. I mean, after all, we came to help. But this month having a ‘modified’ work schedule seemed just about perfect. Some mornings I would go to work with Gary to see if I could help with anything, and some mornings I would just hang back at home and he would call me if I was needed. Once they got to the paint stage, my work hours ramped up.
Untitled
But still – it’s a small empty room so it went pretty quickly.
Untitled
Once the painting was done, then came the floors
Untitled
and then the trim
Untitled
and I think by the end of today, even the toilet was installed. But again – no photographic evidence of that! There’s always tomorrow, right? Lots of cleaning up was done today – along with gathering and organizing all the tools.  Due to some groups coming in over the next couple of days, we won’t be able to get the guest room painted, but overall I know our hosts were pleased with the work that got done.

But while the guys (Gary and Jeff (the host)) were busy in the manor house, I was taking full advantage of my mornings at home.
I got the SOWER newsletter put together TWO DAYS EARLY. I don’t think that has ever happened!
I got caught up with lots of computer/bookkeeping and housekeeping/clothes sorting chores and even put together a couple of bags of clothes to go to the local thrift store. That felt pretty good!
But my biggest joy was being about to pull out the sewing machine and work on a quilt for one of my granddaughters! She and I had shopped for the fabric when we were together in July, and those beautiful fabrics had been calling to me ever since!
Untitled
The top is complete, and I’m really pleased with how it turned out! It still needs to be quilted, but I’m excited that I was able to get it this far!
Untitled

So our August was different than what we had originally planned. But of course, our LORD knew just what we needed!

The heart of man plans his was, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Amen!

April Back-Track, Part I

Early last month, SOWERs had a 5-day party celebrating their 40th anniversary. Gary and I were the co-chairs of an amazing committee, which had been meeting for well over a year in preparation for this Rally. Just as our theme was Many Pieces, One Mission, so it seemed in planning this rally – the largest in SOWER history! But in the end, all of the pieces came together and from the opening concert to the final fireworks – it was a fabulous time of renewing connections, making new connections, and marveling at the goodness of God to this ministry since its inception in 1983.

I shared some details and pictures of the Rally, along with some SOWER history, in the April SOWER Newsletter which you are welcome to check out HERE!  It might give you a taste of what a grand party it was – thanks to the many, many hands that made it happen!

Real-Time-Update (RTU)

The rain continued here in eastern Vermont, and the temperatures hovered in the 40s. To say it was a bit frustrating to The Man with the (Treehouse) Plan is putting it mildly. But I think maybe it was just what we needed.
Untitled
A rare photo of the guy napping!
On the other hand, I found that a rainy day was a perfect excuse to start a little sewing project –
Untitled

The forecast is looking brighter for tomorrow, so I’m pretty sure there is a Lowes run in the near future!

Work Report

Let’s face it – January has been a pretty unusual month for us. We started it at the beach, took a 2400 mile road trip mid-month to meet family members that we didn’t know existed until a few months ago, and still had a good three weeks of work here at ALERT Academy!
And when I say a  Good Three Weeks I mean  a Good Three Weeks in the Sewing Room!
Untitled
I’ve done some sewing off and on over my years as a SOWER, but this was the first time I got to work in a designated Sewing Room! And while I wasn’t piecing quilts or making bags, I was sitting in front of a Bernina sewing machine with my foot on the pedal and my eye on the needle! What a delight!
I started off sewing on stripes and patches for the young men who had moved from Basic Training to 1st Responders.
Untitled
(Fancy nails courtesy of our mani-pedi day in Destin with the girls!)
Once we had all the shirts caught up, I was moved to Grill Bags.
Grill Bags? It’s actually pretty straight forward – the guys need these grill bags to carry their grills when they do their overnight hikes and the ones they had were in pretty bad shape.
Untitled

Untitled Untitled Untitled
Untitled Untitled Untitled

I finished up the grill bags today, and tomorrow it’s back to sewing on patches! This time it’s flags on a batch of new shirts!
Untitled
And the good news is – when the February project starts next week, I’ll still be right there in the Sewing Room. Ahhh…..
Meanwhile – Gary has been busy too! He’s been working over in a set of dorms (used primarily for Basic Training) repairing some tile work. Our schedule is different enough that I haven’t actually seen him at work, but there is this one picture of him that verifies that he is indeed working.
Untitled
I never doubted it – did you?

So January has been a very full – and very different month! Since we took our week off in the middle of the month (with our Find the Family Road Trip), we start right back up next Monday. But before we head back to work, we’re looking forward to a sweet Waco Weekend, visiting with our kids and their cowboys! I understand there will be chicks hatching on Saturday AND they have a couple dozen eggs they’ll be sending back with us! Now that’s a win-win!
Thanks for stopping by  and Happy February!
Steph

One More in The Books

No, no – the project here at Whispering Pines has another day (or two, depending on the concrete delivery!) before that gets wrapped up. What is ‘in the books’ – signed, sealed and delivered – is Alexandra’s quilt.
You might recall back in May I talked about the tradition I’ve been carrying on about making each grandchild a bed quilt once they’ve outgrown their crib quilt. Over the years my time-line goal has changed from when they move into a ‘big bed’ to hopefully before they turn 7! Well, it was sweet Alexandra’s turn!
This is where we were when we left Ohio –
Untitled
The fabric was purchased and the pattern had been chosen. By the time we were heading to the cabin to get ready for the Family Reunion, I had it cut out – which was a very good start! I even set up a little sewing corner at the Cabin to continue to make progress on it!
Untitled
I finished up the squares in West Virginia, and started constructing it Oklahoma!
Untitled
By the time we made it to Texas it was ready to get sandwiched. (Securing all three quilt layers before the actual quilting happens. Check out all those safety pins!)
Untitled
Pretty thankful for that big table at the SOWER office!
Finally – it was time to do the actual quilting!
Untitled
Man, that was a lot of straight(ish) lines!
Untitled
Got it labeled,
Untitled
and just a week after her 7th birthday this well traveled quilt that started in Ohio (then went to Vermont-West Virginia-Oklahoma-Texas) returned to Ohio!
Untitled
I think it was a hit! It was a joy to make it for her and pray over all those stitches before I sent it on it’s way!

Next up is Taran – he turns seven in February.
Untitled
Gulp. =) The clock is ticking……..

Being Crafty

I fear I have set a new precedent. As you probably know, I really enjoy sewing. And sewing for my kids always brings me joy. When there’s a new baby on the way, I usually make one for throw-on-the-floor use before the darling arrives, and then another more keepsake-y (though still sturdy) for after his or her arrival. (Of our 12 grandchildren, 6 were “wait until they’re born” before we knew if it was a boy or girl.) (Here’s a post about the last two I made!) Once we get past the baby stage, I do one twin size quilt after they move into a ‘big bed’. I started strong with our Ellie’s bed quilt – she got it for Christmas just before she turned 4.
e-quilt.1
The last one I completed was for Reis, who was 5 at the time.
Untitled
Next up is Alexandra (who will be 7 in October!!). While I was waiting to find the opportunity to go shopping with Alex’s Mom, I decided to make a Graduation Quilt for Ellie (the recipient of all the ‘first’ quilts!). I didn’t want it to be a big deal (since once I started this route there would be 11 others following) so I decided to do it a in a smaller ‘throw’ size, with nice cuddly fleece on the back. I found a fabric line I thought she would like, picked up a ‘layer cake’ (forty 10″ squares) in that line, and went about making my first Graduation Quilt!
Untitled
Untitled
See the cozy fleece on the back?
Untitled
So the sweet little girl holding the pillow in that first picture –
Untitled
is all set with a snuggle blanket filled with Gram’s love as she heads off to college!
Meanwhile….
My youngest niece is having a baby boy next month (her first), and I was invited to my very first virtual shower. Since I had some nice grays hanging out in my stash (and I knew his room was done in gray), I was able to put together a little quilt for this newest member of our family in time for the party.
Untitled
I loved the fun backing too!
Untitled
(I think there are some matching pajama pants in someone’s drawer from a couple of Christmas’s ago!)
At any rate, it was a joy to send off a bit of Aunt Steph love to this sweet family about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

And finally – I did get a chance to hit a fabric store with Lara when we were in Ohio last month, and Alexandra’s quilt has officially been started!
Untitled
It’s going to be bright and cheery – and hopefully will be on her bed by the time she turns seven!! I’ll keep you posted!

So the machine’s been out quite a bit lately – and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! It’s been good to get the quilting juices flowing again!
Thanks for reading through all this Show and Tell. I probably should’ve put a “Craft Warning” in the opening paragraph! =)

Steph