Thinking of you

I love sending and receiving mail. It means something to select just the right card, hand write a message and mail it to someone. I confess, I don't do so often enough, but when I receive one I post it on my fridge so I can look at it often and remember that someone is thinking of me. With the increase in social media, "snail mail" is rare. While I often use email or facebook to communicate with and share in the lives of friends, family and acquaintances and can appreciate the ease and simplicity of its use, I still try to make time for this practice. At Christmas time, I mail cards to friends and family (especially those not on internet), as well as from my church to local public servants. A simple note that we are thinking of them.

Each year, I look forward to receiving Christmas (and New Year's) cards. In the corn crib, I lined the wooden beams with the cards, letters and photos we received. In the new house, I don't have such a place, so I have tried a couple different ideas. This year I placed them on the "tree" on the wall of the entry way. I think it made a beautiful display and a frequent reminder of those we love. I left them up until February this year...just because.

How do you feel when you receive a card in the mail? Do you display Christmas cards or other cards in your home? I would love to hear about it!

Sewing: Star Quilt

One of the things I have loved about purchasing my replacement machine from West Side Sewing (a local shop in Cedar Rapids) is the amazing wealth of knowledge and instruction available at little to no cost. I never thought of myself as much of a seamstress or quilter, but the classes and advice I have received have really boosted my confidence and skill levels.

One of my favorite projects has been this gorgeous Compass Star quilt. I wish I had thought to take photos along the way as the rectangles transformed into these beautiful stars and night sky. The class originally intended for us to make a throw or wall hanging sized quilt, but I decided to make it a queen size with matching throw pillow.

I added crystal buttons in the center of each of the stars (all 30 of them) and have inspired others at the shop to "bling" out quilts.

I had originally intended to gift it to a friend, but that relationship has since dissolved and I am undecided what I want to do with it now. It needs to feel right (I know that sounds strange, but so much effort, time and money goes into making a quilt that to let go of one, it needs to feel like it is going home). So for now, it is hanging in my living room, looking gorgeous and reminding me that shining like the stars isn't always comfortable and pretty...sometimes living and loving hurts...but it is worth it to live a life fully alive.


* If you would like to try this quilt, check out the pattern here.

Languages of Love

Early in our marriage we became familiar with Gary Chapman's work on love languages and had discovered that we had different love languages (shocking, I know right?!). I have spent years helping him see how to love me through my love language and seeking to learn to love him through his...because that is the point, right? I mean if I am going to converse with someone I need to be speaking their language or they need to speak mine. But last year something new revealed itself to me and the more I have processed it, the more it is resonating as truth.

Ok, first, a quick review. Dr. Chapman recognizes five love languages, Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time & Physical Touch. Everyone has a basic need for all five, but there is typically one that speaks clearer and louder and through the chaos of life. That primary love is usually how we best love others, too.

But...what if growing in myself and growing in a relationship means I can accept love from the other person regardless of how they offer it? That warm, comfortable, loved feeling that I get when my language is spoken loud and clear...can I get there when the language is spoken softly or with an accent, or maybe when the other person is loving in their language?

Last year for our 15th Anniversary, my dearest husband decided to loudly and publicly speak of his love for me. And bless his heart, he even did so in my language. I should have been thrilled, right? But he added his own twist, accent, flourish (if you will) to it. He mixed the languages and added to them and was bold and crazy with it. And remember, this wasn't a private moment, he put this out there on facebook for two weeks! It was very public and often very uncomfortable and ended up frustrating both of us.

In tears one afternoon about half way through his endeavor, this thought occurred to me..."I know he loves me, I do not question this fact, so why is this such a big deal." I responded back to my self (in quite a childlike pout), "but it isn't what I wanted!" "So! So what? Do you hear how selfish that sounds? What is this doing to him and his heart to love and serve you?" Whoa!!!

Did you catch that? Do you see what just happened there? I was effectively saying his love wasn't enough, that unless he fit in this box, it wasn't good enough. (Sigh) Part of me can't believe I am writing this, but the rest of me believes it needs to be said. Maybe I need to learn to feast on my husband's love. Period. Regardless of what it looks like or how comfortable it is at first or how embarrassed I feel for one moment. (ok, I know some of you are snickering...but I chose the word "feast" because of its meaning - an amount or supply more than sufficient to meet one's needs - like abundance or wealth).

I believe it is okay for me to teach him my love language and discern the specific dialect. But I am coming to believe that it is just as okay for me to learn to receive his love in whatever language or dialect he is able to express it in.

I am a little scared to think how much I've missed out on by not seeing/hearing/realizing this sooner. But I am also excited for what the next 15 years will look like as I apply this...and how many others may be inspired to apply this practice, too!

So you remember my word for the year...Clarity...in this case, clarity in those moments when I mess up with my husband (or any relationship) and choose to check my ego at the door and come back to the table and go again.

Do you have a love language story to share? Or a word for the year? I would love to hear about it!


*For more info on Dr Chapman's work.

Sewing: Twisted Heart Quilt

About three years ago I purchased this cute little quilting ruler and a pattern for a small heart wall hanging with grand intentions. I was however in the middle of building a house and then settling into a new house and then just busy with life. Last month I saw a photo of a butterfly quilt made with this ruler and fell in love with the idea of making one myself using a gorgeous butterfly fabric I had purchased last year without a plan for. But....I was hesitant to dive into a project I would be designing without having worked with the ruler, so I pulled out the heart pattern and some leftover pinks and white fabric and put this together. I am excited with out it turned out and am pleased to share it with you!

First:  cut out the specified number of squares, for this ruler I needed 5" squares, lay out the colors in the desired pattern and assemble using 1/4" seams. Then add the specified boarder, in this case 3 1/2" white boarder.

Second:  Place the ruler on the quilt lining up the seams with the lines on the ruler. Cut all four sides without cutting to far past (or you will have slashes in some of the new squares, I speak from experience). Be careful to keep them in order so you can reassemble them in the correct order.

Third:  Piece the quilt back together (I sewed sets of two and then sewed those together to make squares, but however you need to so you don't get them confused or out of order).

Fourth:  Add boarders to personal taste and desired finished size. Layer with batting and backing and quilt as you like! I meandered over the heart and stitched a 1/4" inside each of the boarders.

Finish:  Bind with matching or contrasting fabric of choice. I used a gray in the same pattern as the pink and red I used for the heart. I also attached a rod pocket for hanging. I love how it turned out!

What quilting project have you been excited to try? I would love to hear about it!!!


* If you would like to try a quilt like this, the ruler can be found on Amazon.