Baby Steps in Quilting

As some of you may know, I have a desire to learn how to quilt.  I have always thought quilts are so beautiful, and each one tells a story.  They can be made with so many different fabrics, colors and sizes; no two quilts look quite the same.  I was in college when quilting first caught my attention.  My dear friend Megan is an excellent quilter and has made many quilts.  A couple years ago she gave me one as a gift, and it is still very special to me.  Well, this past week was my first baby step in learning how to quilt.  There is a woman in Sanborn that Dan's family knows, and she has owned a quilting store for many years and is an excellent seamstress.  I spent a couple hours with her, and she layed down the basics of quilting for me and recommended certains tools, fabrics and techniques to use with quilting.  She had me try several things and use her different sewing machines.  It was so fun, and I can't wait to buy a few things and get started!  She encouraged me to come back when I have the supplies and she can teach me a few more things.  Also, I don't have a sewing machine yet, so I won't be getting too far without borrowing hers :)

This is the quilt that Megan made for me :)

 Last week we had a few visitors to our apartment.  Rebecca, Alissa (our cousins on Dan's side) and Dan's brother Derek came to talk, play and eat cookies for an afternoon :)  And Alethia, Rebecca's daughter, came too!  It was great to spend time together and visit for awhile.

 

 

Rebecca and Alethia

Alethia had on the most interesting outfit.... bunnies and penguins :)
 

Today I made a loaf of beer bread.  It is very simple to make and has a sweet, soft inside with a light crust on the top.  Here is the recipe if you would like to try it:

-3 cups self-rising flour
(make your own self-rising flour by adding 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt per each cup of flour)
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 can beer (12 oz)

Mix ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.  Then remove and spread 1 T butter on top of loaf and put back in oven for 3 more minutes.

 

 

Beer Bread

Lastly, I would like to share a verse from scripture that has been encouraging to me over the past few weeks.  James 1:5-6 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."  Are any of us in need of God's wisdom?  I think we all are.  Then this verse stands as a command to look to God for his wisdom instead of relying on our own.  May we ask for this wisdom with confidence supported by faith in God's grace, for God surely does not back out on his promises.  By refusing to ask my heavenly Father for this wisdom, it shows that I think I don't need it, that I can figure things out on my own.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  It is my prayer that God will work his Spirit within each of us to ask daily for this wisdom.

With love,
Leah