New Pattern Release - Tennessee Trails

We arrived in Tennessee in August of 2022.  One of the first things I noticed at our campground was that it was green (in August) and there were no sprinklers.  Despite Vancouver Island being called a Rainforest, it's always brown and burnt by the end of June even with sprinklers.  Water restrictions have always been a thing in the summer, as far back as I can remember.  I looked up the annual rainfall in Victoria and in Tennessee.  That's when I realized that Tennessee gets almost double the rainfull of Victoria.  That explained everything!   And in Tennessee we get intense rain and then it gets happy again.  Whereas in Victoria, it's more moderate and you get more drizzle there.  

While we were still camping at the local KOA, I designed this draft quilt pattern and decided to call it Tennessee Trails, in celebration of the green surroundings we were enjoying!  From the draft pattern I calculated the yardage and shopped at a local quilt shop here in Cleveland (before my own shop was even a thought) and  started piecing the neutral background squares (outside while I enjoyed the fall temps).  Then I got busy with preparing the shop and planning the business and all the details and then the quilt sat and the star blocks came later.  It was briefly a UFO but I was determined to finish it!

When my shop opened and I had a new level of responsibility but I also had staff  to help so between the two of us, recently, we managed to finally finish the quilt top.  Now I could write the final border instructions and get them attached.  It came off the longarm a few days ago and today I finished the binding.  I'm so glad to have this one done.  I had the vision almost two years ago and now it's a quilt!  Yippee!!

Designing patterns is a joy for me.  I hope you enjoy this one.  While I've chosen green and neutral, I've also colorized the pattern is multiple colorways in the pattern...including scrappy!!!...and they all look great! So make it your own! And please share pictures.

The main part of the quilt is traditional piecing.  The inner border is paper pieced so that makes fitting it so much easier.  

INTRODUCTORY PRICING:  I'm offering 25% off the pattern for the next week as an introductory offer.  This price is good until 09/20/2024.  It's available as an instant download in my Etsy shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/dayspringquilter or on my website: www.thestitcherytn.com.  On the website it will be emailed to you upon payment.   It's also available in my store in print where you will also find some lovely fabrics to create your own.

Please use the hashtag #tennesseetrailsquilt if you post pictures so we can all see how you've decided to make your own.  I'm excited to see your interpretation of this quilt design.

Piece on!

Mavis

Martha...and functioning in your purpose

Oh man....the Holy Spirit was moving in a powerful way at our service today.  Once again our pastor was talking about the importance of functioning in your purpose...using our gifts for His Kingdom.  Not just saying "present" when the roll call is called, but using the talents and giftings that He has imparted to us and actually showing up, being invested, and not  burying our talents .

Matthew 25 is the Parable of the Talents

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

I want to use my talents for His Kingdom.  I want my life to have Kingdom value.  I find myself at this crossroad (again).... involved in a secular business, asking Him, how exactly do I measure in Kingdom terms, what I do on a daily basis as a business owner?

I shared this vulnerably in our service today during the Q&A after the service.  There were a couple of testimonies after I shared.  The consensus was that we may never know how we touched a life or made a difference for His Kingdom.  We are to use the gifts He has entrusted to us wherever we are, work, home, in the community .  It sounds simple.  We need to be surrendered and available for those opportunities to touch the lives of those we come into contact with. But it's so easy to get so overwhelmed with the daily to do list that opportunities to make a difference in someone's life slip away.  Heaven forbid!

A friend once said to me that what would be written on my tombstone would be "she was busy and she made great coffee!".  Please Father...not just busy...diligent yes!  fruitful, yes! faithful, yes! but not just busy.

I do find myself busy as a business owner, but my heart's cry and prayer is that it will all be used for His Kingdom and His Glory.

Shabbat shalom!

Mavis