Finally Chickens!

I finally finished the chicken table runner.  I've had the fabric for months, and just about the time I'm ready to start, the customer would bring over more fabric.  I had gotten this far before the last drop-off:

She has seat cushions or something made out of the chickens and wanted me to showcase the chickens as much as possible.  I did a kind of log cabin style block-she said her curtains are red and white ticking stripe so I finished with the red.  The stripes are made with the bag of scraps she dropped off.

Then she dropped off this cute fabric-saying maybe I could use it for backing:

It's chicken wire print on white background.  Too cute to put on the back.  Instead I decided to make eggs to go with the chickens:

 

I stacked fusible interfacing with the fabric and cut out eggs.  I pinned them together, fusible side to the front of the fabric, and sewed all around.  (Don't leave a space for turning)  Make a slit in the interfacing and turn through the slit.  Use a point turner or knitting needle to turn it as well as you can-DON'T PRESS!  Place on your quilt where you want it and carefully fuse into place.

Then using your blanket stitch on your sewing machine, stitch around the eggs:

I

I goofed when I put it together to quilt.  I didn't cut the backing large enough-should be somewhat larger than the top because the quilting will draw it up.  Consequently when it came time to bind it, I almost didn't have enough.  I had to give up about 3/8" of the red that I really wanted to keep.  It was kind of a skimp!

A good seamstress's best skill is faking it so that's what I did!  I used the chicken wire fabric for the binding.

Finished chickens-finally!

I backed it with muslin-a much better choice than hiding that cute chicken wire stuff, I think!  Now I just have to take the time to drop it off at the customer's house. 

Happening Right Now

I almost caught the lightening arcing across the sky.  Then the sky opened up and it's raining cats and dogs.

Nice Reunion

This weekend Stan's high school class celebrated their 50th reunion.  Hard to believe it's been that long!  It was a lovely time, starting with a nice buffet dinner on Friday night, breakfast at the school's new atrium Saturday morning, then a drive to Gates of the Mountains-a place along the Missouri River where the mountains close in and form a "gate."  They give guided tours on boats.  Good trip, even though we had to drive about 90 miles to get there.  Then we met at a classmate's home for a burger fry.  Gave us lots more time to gab and gab.  Stan reconnected with his best friend from high school, Howie, and they are plotting fishing trips for the fall when Howie comes back to help his brother with the potato harvest.

It was great to see Howie-his wife passed away in January, and it's been pretty rough for him.  He almost didn't come, but he told us he's glad he did.  He's a retired school administrator who can't be idle, hence the potato harvesting.  It'll be super for Stan to get together with him again!

A few people who didn't graduate with the class were there, and it was good for them, too.  It's funny how 50 years can strip away all the pretenses and we can just relax and enjoy each other.  All the spouses had a good time, too.  They made us really feel like part of the group.

This isn't all of them, but there was a nice showing.  They've only lost two-pretty good for folks pushing 70!

A Small Change

I know I promised chickens, but I worked a 5-day stretch so haven't had time to finish it up.  Tomorrow maybe.  Anyway, I wanted to share my news.  A couple of weeks ago, our church secretary announced she was quitting to go full-time at her other job.  When I saw the announcement, I decided to give it to God for a week or so to see if I should apply.  A little background-I had that job before this gal did.  I was always sorry I had left.  The job I went to was way too stressful and even though it was a ministry as well, I never felt like I was really making a difference.

I am a deacon in the church and was a bit uncomfortable with the idea of being secretary also, but my three-year term is up in December.  I finally shot off a resume to the Council president, sharing my misgivings about what people would think.  Last night we had a special Council meeting to select a new secretary.  There were three applicants.  I announced that I wouldn't be a part in the selection process and left the room.  As I left, I told them not to worry about my feelings, just do what God wanted them to do.  I went into the office and prayed over the proceedings.  I didn't pray that I would get the job, only that God would put the right name in their hearts, whoever that may be.  Stan, who is also on the Council, told them he also wouldn't be voting-too close for comfort.  We did everything we could to keep it ethical and above board.

Long story short, they voted to hire me.  I am very happy about it, and the pastor has told me to be sure to do what I need to the office.  Actually I had been thinking of some things for a while-a lot of groups use that small office and it could be refitted to accommodate more things, such as when the deacons count their money.  Right now we count it standing up, around a tiny desk.  We could get rid of two desks and put in a small table that would work much better.  It will be fun doing that, and the pastor suggested a paint job would be a good idea, too.  Nice!

I will be staying on at Macy's but on a flex status.  I will log into the database on Sunday mornings and pick up a couple of shifts for the next week that will work around the 12 hours at the church.  Things fell into place so well I can't help but think God is in this.

There is a sad part.  One of the women that was not hired is now causing an uproar on Facebook because she and her family think it's unethical for me to have the job.  Most of her children have said things that Christians shouldn't say.  Makes me really sad-we were friends.  And Stan and I both worked really hard to keep things above reproach.

I'm just giving it to God and hoping that they will see what they are doing.  I know I have the backing of the Council and feel that I am not wrong at all.  I am going to work very hard to not get into any kind of row with them and only be discreet and loving.  Say a little prayer for me that this can be healed.