Journal quilt part 2 and we sheared sheep

Here is part two to making our journal quilt. 

Here are some of the old entries... my, how time have changed. 

Here we go. Yesterday we had the cutting instructions.  I picked a varied selection of fabric. 

It is a combination of blocks 4.5 inches.  I cut four sizes. 

4.5 x 3.5

4.5 x 4.5

4.5 x 5.5

4.5 x 6.5

Here are the blocks you need for one row.  

Then find your 23 blocks and mix them up, try not to have the same colors next to each other . Vary the sizes from your list above. 

Now we sew. Sew the 4.5 inch side to each block.  You want to sew it first because there is a seam allowance.  The first time I did this I wrote on the block first and then when I sewed it up parts of my words were cut off due to the seam. So, sew first. 

Here is the first row. 

Now let's do it again.

Sew it to your other row, don't pay attention to any seams matching. That's what makes it so fun. 

Here is the beginning of your quilt. Me? I am adding this to my existing journal quilt. 

Hope you give it a try and log your  thoughts, time, news of this time we are going through. 

Yesterday we did get our sheep sheared. 

peace

Let's make a journal quilt - first step cutting fabric .

We are staying positive here during social distancing.  Here we keep busy with prayer, chores, exercise, reading and of course, crafts/sewing.  

I love to journal and read books about old diaries. Back in 2008 to  2011 I found out my sister had a terminal disease. We were only a year apart in age and I needed something to keep the positive going in my life.     She was fun, funny and the life of the party.   My written journal already had all the sorrow.  So, I decide to begin a journal quilt but had to record quick positive hits of my day.  It has been fun to read it all these years later. 

Now that we are practicing social distancing I thought I would start a new one of our time during covid -19.   Hopefully, we will look back on this time and think WOW, this really did happen.

Here it is. 

Here it is on a Queen size bed. Like a lot quilts it didn't get finished due to life going so fast. 

Here are some of the things I wrote.

It is a combination of blocks 4.5 inches.  I cut four sizes. 

4.5 x 3.5

4.5 x 4.5

4.5 x 5.5

4.5 x 6.5

I put them in separate bags as I cut up fabric that wasn't to busy and could be seen if written on. 

Since I, too am starting again, I need to get blocks cut. 

Let's start there. I will show more blocks later.  Tomorrow I will have the sewing instructions and then you can just sew and journal along. 

peace 

Saturday March 21, 2020 , update, craft and mason jar instant mix

Like everyone else we are hunkering down as much as possible.  Most of my family have service jobs and have to still be out - plumbers(people! only flush toilet paper!), builders, metal companies, and delivery service such as FedEx (working 6 days and overtime hours daily). Each morning I check in with my sons to see how everyone is doing. They send the funniest stuff as we deal with stress with humor.  One grandson calls me at night, the others send pictures - it keeps the distance short and is the highlight of our day.  My mom sends all her adult children a trivia question at night. No cheating, no one can look up the answer but give it a shot... it ends up everyone laughing so hard we can barely get the answers out.

So what am I doing..... a lot of organizing... the sewing room, the pantry, the freezer. News fasts.  I am also making a list of what I would change or improve after this settles. Such as, I have been making a case the last few year for grinding my own flour. Dude would poo-poo it and I bought flour instead. I will buy a grinder in the future and wheatberries and such. Replenish our bleach - we use these in our toilets and had to stop to use for cleaning. I had vitamins, lavender and tea tree oils, elderberry syrup and dried berries, as well as Wellness Formula.  I can our food but plan on doubling it because canned goods  requires no adding water later.  Things I dried - carrots, tomatoes, celery, etc need water to rehydrate. 


Before the snow came Thursday night I was working in the greenhouse and taking stock of the seeds we have.  Right now we onions, garlic, lettuce, collards, spinach, carrots and beets all planted. Next week I will begin seeds if not tomorrow.  

I still find time to craft/sew.  Here is one you can try.  Let's make tiny Easter or Treat Boxes. 

Here is the pattern I made.   Cut out and trace onto decorative paper.

Fold at the dotted lines. 

Glue the end with tab to the other end. 

Fold and tuck in the bottom.

Tie the top. 

I did use a hole punch verses the long  hole on pattern. Either one works. 

 Mason Jar Instant Mix

Layered Lentil Soup Mix in Pint Jar

1 cup split peas

1/2 cup brown lentils

1/2 orange lentils

Season pack 

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried mince garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon sage

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Layer the peas and lentils a half cup at a time.

Mix the Season pack and put in a snack bag.

Attach these directions:

Empty jar into colander , pick over peas and rinse. (make sure the colander has small holes)

Place in a large pan with 7 cups of water. 

 Add one chopped onion and season pack. 

Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally.  Remove cover the last 15 minutes to thicken.

Stay safe and social distance yourself. 

peace