I’ve been putting final efforts into preparation for a village show this coming Saturday. I hired stall space at last years Oakley Village Show and had a thoroughly pleasant afternoon chatting with passers by and listening to the events happening behind me in the little grassy arena. This year I’m teaming up with a jewellery making friend and we’ve been thinking of new things to make that might appeal to customers. Following a brain storming session in a coffee shop we came up with the plan for me to make fabric hearts with a ribbon loop while Mary went away and put together a selection of pretty charms to hang from the loops.

A selection of the fabric hearts, some quilted some not.

To make the hearts I quilted little ‘sandwiches’ made of backing and top fabrics with two layers of wadding between. I used masking tape as a guide line for the quilt stitches – quicker than some other methods and no marks to remove after stitching 🙂

I’ve been raiding my Grandmother’s button box for embellishments to add to the hearts.  I wonder if anyone reading this has any knowledge to share about buttons?  I think some in the photo below may be pre-1950s.  The pink, green and clear buttons to the right of the photo are all made of glass.

Mary and I are hoping to sell the fabric heart/charm combos for around £5 each.  I’ve found over the years that people browsing craft stalls at local fetes tend not to spend more than £10 an item.  My cushion covers and quilts attract attention (and admiring comments 🙂 ) but I rarely sell them.  As a result I try to add less expensive items such as tote bags, table mats and bunting to my stall in the hope of making some sales. On Saturday I’ll be adding some fabric baskets and the hearts to the items on the table.

As I sat at my sewing machine this morning I reflected on Jesus’ teachings in the chapter from Luke’s Gospel that I had read a few hours before.  I learned again the need to check my thoughts and words against God’s standards.

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”  Luke 6:45

I need to listen to what I’m thinking and saying and in this way check what is in my heart – what are my attitudes and motivations?  Much is revealed in the words formed in our minds and speech! A dear friend and I prayed together this afternoon – both out of sorts at the prospect of spending time with other people we find difficult.  As we meditated on Jesus’ teaching we found we needed to confess our wrong thinking and ask Him to give us the loving patience that these people need/deserve.  We parted sure in the knowledge we won’t meet the challenge perfectly but none-the-less much better equipped to rely on the loving mercy God showed to us and the people we find ‘difficult’.

Allison

PS. I think the fabric hearts count as ‘cute’ so I’m linking with Alyce for Sew Cute Tuesday! Press the link and take a look at some cute/square quilted goodies being made around the world…