'Q' is for Quarantine . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

On whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

'Q' is for Quarantine . . . OK, maybe not Quaker, but it is something that we are all living with at the moment. Whether or not we are in a hospital quarantine, mandatory quarantine or in-home self quarantine.

Friends around the world are reaching out in all sorts of ways - sharing how they, their family, their Meeting are spending their time and how they have changed their way of worshiping.

F/friends taking care of each other - calling, video chatting, standing outside the windows of care facilities and talking with loved ones over the phone while looking through the window.

F/friends making and distributing homemade face masks to those in need - family, F/friends, healthcare providers, first responders . . . whoever is in need.

I work for JoAnn Fabrics - and while we were closed to customers from April 8th through May 3rd of 2020, many of us continued to show up for work - filling BOPUS (Buy Online Pick Up in Store) orders, delivering to customers via curbside pickup, receiving deliveries, and stocking shelves. We were considered an "essential service" - providing the raw materials (cotton fabrics, interfacing, thread and elastic) and kits with the previously mentioned items (as available) with instructions and a pattern to make the homemade face masks - along with the raw materials that so many home crafters need to make their products to sell and bring in much needed income for their families.

I'm amazed at how generous JoAnn's has been with all  donations and concern/care not only for our customers but also for their team members. When I looked at the website and as of April 4, 2020 - company wide they had donated enough materials to make 5,000,000 face masks! In addition to that they figured that customers have purchased enough materials to make an additional 20,000,000 face masks! Customer donations to date (those that they are aware of) is 33,213,645 face masks. Along with this they partnered with Neiman Marcus Group to make thousands of scrubs and masks.

Over the last eleven months I personally made over 200 face masks and and about 50 scrub caps. Most of the face masks scrub caps went to staff at the local hospital's ER, a few scrub caps to my daughter-in-law, face masks also went to my children (including my new daughter-in-law and soon to be son-in-law) and granddaughters, along with friends and their family members.

Getting back to Friends, the need to stay connected as a faith body is strong, the need to be doing what we can to help those around us in need during this time is also great. Friends are always so good at doing what I call 'quiet service' - that is doing what needs to be done quietly and without the need for a think you. That being said, during this global pandemic Friends around the world have gotten creative! Learning how to worship safely and at a distance, sometimes thousands of miles separating those worshiping. We've learned how to use online platforms including email, ZOOM, Microsoft Teams, to conduct business and worship.

Stay safe my F/friends . . . and do what you can to make someone else's day a bit brighter.

                                     ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'Q' is for Quarantine . . . and as here in the United States we are supposed to  wear a face mask while out and about, if one must be, or while working . . . here's the pattern from JoAnn Fabrics that I've been using.

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Cotton Fabric – at least 12”X9”
• Lightweight Fusible Interfacing 12” X9”
• 1/4” Elastic
• Basic Sewing Supplies

DIRECTIONS:

1. Download the pattern (adult & child sizes available)
2. https://www.joann.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-joann-project-catalog/default/dw36b4f157/images/hi-res/project/pdf/042188731P321.pdf
3. Cut 1 pattern piece, on the fold, out of the cotton fabric and lightweight interfacing
4. Apply fusible interfacing to wrong side of cotton fabric using an iron.
5. Fold fabric right sides together, matching 9-inch (8-inch) sides.
6. Sew along the 9 (8) inch side, using 1/4” seam allowance and leaving a space 3” wide in the center to turn mask right side out.
7. Cut 2 pieces of elastic 7 inches long. Insert into the corners of the two open ends of the mask and pin into place. Sew across sides, backstitching well over the elastic, to secure the elastic in place.
8. Turn mask right side out and press seams flat.
9. Using pattern as a guide, fold up 3 pleats on each side, making sure the pleats are folded in the same direction. Pin into place.
10. Top stitch around the entire mask, securing the pleats and closing the opening.

JOANN HACKS:

• Substitute elastic with 4- 16” Fabric Ties at each corner.
• Any light-medium weight, non-woven interfacing is appropriate for this project. 

I've actually cut 2 rectangles, 6x9-inches each and sewn them together. I cut my elastic at 6-inches for each side - as so many were saying that they were too big. I use Pellon P44F - a very lightweight fusible interfacing for mine.

"P" is for Peace . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

At last weeks USFW (United Society of Friends Women) Fall Retreat we heard and talked about peace. We sang a lot of songs about peace, made peace flags/banners that were hung above the windows, moved to the music with scarves and collected things from nature that reminded us of peace, that we put into boxes to take home.

We had several exercises Monday afternoon, one was to write down "What peace means to me." We were then broken into groups of four and asked to pantomime a few of those words to the others in our group, and the others were to write down how that affected them - the cards were then given to the one who did the pantomime.

Our next exercise was to take those notes, the ones Friends had written about how our pantomime made them feel, and write a poem, I don't do poems, I not not good at writing poems, so I thought I'd just sit there . . . but then something happened and I found myself quickly writing on my piece of paper. Luck for me that the words just seem to write themselves.

So, here is my little poem on peace . . . 

Where There Is Peace

Where there is peace

there is no fighting

Where there is peace

we work together

Where there is peace

we care for each other

Where there is peace

there is LOVE.

Friends were asked if they wanted to share their poems, several did . . . including me.

Tuesday morning about half the group when on the "long walk" from Friendship Lodge out to the pillars (entrance to camp) and back to Friendship Lodge - before breakfast. Along the way several short pieces were read to us and we were asked to think about them as we walked. Most in the group found little pieces of nature to take back for the mornings craft project - I took a lot of pictures . . . the Scouter in me that leaves living things in nature be for others to enjoy, so I only picked up things that had fallen.

Our morning craft was to create a box with the items we had picked up or those that had been provided . . . it was rather relaxing.

I commented that I had originally planned this blog to be about the Peace Testimony, and that didn't get written. I tried several more ideas, but never could get anything finished . . . but I've returned to the topic of peace. So maybe this post isn't about the Friends Peace Testimony, but I hope it will get my readers to think about peace.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'P' is for "Pinwheel" . . . or in this case "3D pinwheels!" On one of our quilting days, at Mooresville Friends, a few years ago someone taught us how to make 3D pinwheels . . . they look a lot harder than they really are.

First, you need to decide how big you want your finished block to be, and then you will cut four background squares and four pinwheel squares (choose a fabric with a good contrast) half that size PLUS 1/2-inch (for your seam allowances). In the example (white and green dot) I happened to have a strip of white that was 5-inches, so that's what I cut my blocks - so my finished block will be 9-inches.

Start by placing your background squares on the table - face up, add your pinwheel fabric on top of each - face down. You will now have four pairs of squares.




Next, take the upper left corner of one of the pinwheel pieces and fold it over, right side up, so that it forms a triangle - matching your left and bottom edges to your background. Press. Do this for all four sets.





Now, take the lower left corner of one of the pinwheel pieces and fold it over so that the tip matches the lower right and corner. Press. Do this for all four sets.






Pin the pinwheel fabric to the background fabrics, matching the corners and edges. Stitch about 1/8-inch from the edge - just to hold the pieces together while you sew the squares together to form your block.






Twist and turn the four blocks so they form a pinwheel. Pin and stitch together in pairs, pressing the seams open when you're done.


Then pin and stitch the two pairs together, pressing the seam open when done.



And there you have it, a 3-D pinwheel block! That was easy . . . now, make a basket full and you've got a lovely baby quilt - just tack it in the center of each pinwheel or add some cute buttons in the centers.

This teal, peach and white baby doll quilt (OK, I got a bit carried away with the size of it) was a gift for my oldest granddaughter in 2016, I think for her birthday. Funny, IU don't seem to have a picture of the finished quilt - I put buttons in the centers of the pinwheels. Late one night as she and my daughter left a friends' house it was bitter cold out and the granddaughter grabbed her doll quilt and put in over her legs (she didn't like socks or tights back then, so bare legs!). She then commented to her mommy "My grandma makes the warmest quilts!" I got a text, asking if I was up . . . followed by a phone call with her comment. Made my night.

This purple one, shown here with the blocks laid out and the center block is missing . . . it's different from the others. After drawing the quilting design in the solid blocks I realized I couldn't stitch them on my sewing machine, so hand quilting those. Can't remember, but I believe it has two borders on it. And if I ever finish hand quilting the solid blocks is a gift for a special little lady!


The green polka dot block . . . well, it may very well be the beginnings of a new quilt for someone, sometime . . . 



A few more pictures from the retreat . . . 

Some of the 'peace' flags/banners
hanging in the window

Friends crafting their 'peace'
flags/banners

Friends moving to the music
with scarves

Friends crafting their boxes

"Ticked . . ."

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

As I got on the coach Wednesday morning at YMG (Yearly Meeting Gathering) the Friend from BYM standing by the bus said "You've been ticked." I chuckled and said "I know what you mean by that, but in the States 'ticked' has a different meaning."

This incident reminded me of the difference there are in our languages. Like the word 'ticked' - this Friend meant that she had checked me off on her list - in the US 'ticked' would mean that your angry, upset or 'pissed off!' I knew this Friend didn't mean that she was angry, upset or pissed off at me - or that I was at her.

There have been other words . . .

Tuesday as I was leaving one of the upper floors of the Humanities building, after my 'Scouting and Guiding Conversation' workshop, I decided not to walk down the stairs, but rather take the 'elevator' . . . ugh 'lift!' WHOOPS, I actually said 'elevator' in front of a couple of British Friends . . . I caught myself and corrected myself quickly.

During my quilting workshops I tried to remember that what I call 'batting' here they call it 'wadding.' 

In my Scouting workshop Friends talked about Remembrance Marches - which was something that British Friends had issues with. Which led to some discussion as to how Young Friends might still be able to participate - doing it in a Quaker way. I had to ask if they were 'marching' (giving demonstration of that) and I was told no, they were just walking, so it was more the manor of the walk.

So whilst I've been traveling through England the last couple of weeks, even though we all speak English - not all of our words have the same meaning and in some cases we use totally different words for the same thing.

Some of my favorite phrases are "Mind the crack" a "Mind your step." With Friends one might use the phrase "Mind your words!" In the US we would say "Watch your step" and "Watch your words."

I know that there are a lot of other words I could have used here, but being told that I had been 'ticked' kinda made my day!

 

Walking the Labyrinth . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

After breakfast this morning, I thought of taking another quick walk through the gardens at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, before getting my bags and heading to the car to leave. I did a bit of that and then found myself redirected . .  . to the labyrinth.

OK, why not? I had thought about walking it when I was here on Wednesday and again yesterday, but for one reason or another, I didn't. Someone else was walking it. I didn't know how to do it. It just didn't feel right. However, this morning something was different . . . it felt right to do so.

I found the beginning and started on my way. At some of the curves I stumbled a bit, as I sometimes stumble in life. Sometimes the path became a bit unclear, again as in life I thought.

Along the way I saw the morning dew on the grass . . .

I saw leaves . .  .

I saw tiny flowers growing - some were purple and some were white . . .

I saw one small white feather . . . and a few steps later, there was another.

It was quiet . . .

The labyrinth had a beginning and an end - just as my journey through England has . . . just as in life I thought.

Walking the labyrinth this morning seemed so right . . . Was it the right way to end this journey? Was it the way to begin a new journey? Only time will answer these questions . . . or will it?

It was time to slow myself down and to take a bit of time to thank God for all the blessings of the last two weeks.

A time to think of all my Friends - new and old, those I've met before and those I was meeting for the first time. Friends I have known online, Friends I've blogged with, Friends I met in Peru at FWCC World Plenary last year, Friends from an online course just completed through Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre . . . and oh so many new Friends!

Time to recall all the HUGS, conversations, laughter . . . and sometimes tears.

Thoughts of what does God have in store for me next? When I get home? Next week? Next month? Next year?

I'll wait patiently . . . and listen.



The Ministry of Tissues and Tissue Covers . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV 



Package of tissues

Before I went to Friends World Committee of Consultation World Plenary in Pisac, Peru in January of 2016 I decided that I wanted to make something to take with me that I could give to Friends I met at the Plenary. Nothing big, just a little something that they could take home with them.

I had seen several patterns for making small fabric covers for the travel sized tissues and I thought that would be perfect . . . OK, maybe not so much for the gentlemen, but the ladies could use them. I made about 80 or so from many different fabrics and even sewed a label inside with my name, Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting and FWCC World Plenary, Pisac, Peru 2016 on them.



 

A sampling of tissue covers

The tissue covers and tissues were a big hit! There were several Friends, from around the world that I knew were going to be there that I wanted to give one to, the rest - given out randomly to Friends that touched me in some way - Friends in my Home Group, Friends I had conversations with that I found very deep and touching, Friends that I passed and just wanted to share with. 



One of those new Friends that I met in Pisac, Peru who came from England has become a really good F/friend of mine. We connected on Facebook and chat both publically and privately there. When she found out that I would be coming to England this summer for YMG (Yearly Meeting Gathering) she said I needed to bring tissues and covers with me. OK, easy enough.



Gallon bag of 80 tissue covers

I made time during the year to stop and cut out fabric, stitch the covers, make labels with my name, Monthly Meeting, Yearly Meeting and YMG 2017 on them and sewed them in the seams. I made around 80 covers and went to the store and purchased the tissues to go inside.

I've been at YMG for five days now and I find that I have passed out between 30-40 tissues and covers to Friends. Friends I've only known through Facebook or the Quaker Alphabet Blog, a Friend I met this summer whilst taking an online course through Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre and Friends that I've met this week and just had a conversation with.

The first three recipients at YMG were the Clerks. Sunday evening after the business session had ended, I made my way down to the Clerk's table where the Clerk and the two assistant Clerks were standing. I put my tote on the table and took out three packages of tissues, handing one to each of the Clerks . . . the Clerk made a comment about expecting more tears, which I didn't quite understand. I had received the email from the YMG the day before I left to come across the Pond which encouraged Friends to bring something to YMG to share/give to other Friends. I explained that I did not make these after receiving the email that they had already been made and packed. Each Clerk was then able to pick-out the cover they'd like to have.

The Friends in the group I'm with this week got tissues and covers. Friends that have blessed me with conversations have received them. Friends I've seen as I've walked from here to there have received them. Friends I've been in workshops with have also received tissues and covers. This evening, several young Friends also received packages of tissues and covers . . . it just seemed like the thing to do!

Tissues in a cover

I attended a workshop Tuesday afternoon, put on by one of the Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre tutors on ministry. On the way back to my room and dinner I stopped at the corner, where two Friends were talking - one from England and one from Bolivia . . . I handed them and another Friend tissues and then offered them tissue covers for them.

As I said earlier, there is no rhyme or reason as to who choose to give the tissues and tissue covers to. Sometimes I choose Friends that I know or have known . . . but most of the time it's just random - call it a random act of kindness if you will . . . this evening I've seen it as a ministry. YIKES!!!! There I go using that "m" word again!

The faces on the Friends that I share the tissues and covers with are priceless, as I hand them the package of tissues first and then dig the bag of covers out of my tote. This brings joy to my heart!

So, last year Friends from around the world received the gift of a small package of tissues and a tissue cover from me . . . this year it's Friends at YMG in England - British Friends, Scottish Friends, a Bolivian Friend, a Friend from New Zealand, a Friend from Canada, a mother & her daughter from Germany, a Friend from Finland and some American Friends.

I traveled to England in part not to merely attend YMG as a visitor, but to participate as fully as I could . . .

I came to YMG to learn . . .

I came to YMG to share with Friends . . .

I've been blessed by Friends here this week . . .

Who's next????

How does this ministry touch those who are on the receiving end????

Where will this ministry go next?????

'O' is for Organ . . .

 "And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

'O' is for organ . . . Western Yearly Meeting is blessed to have an amazing pipe organ in the Meetingroom along with several talented/gifted Friends who play it during Yearly Meeting sessions and other times throughout the year.

As I sat in Yearly Meeting sessions, last July, looking at the organ and listening to Friends play it I decided that I would have to share it with you. The following is the organ's history taken from the posting next to the organ:

"The organ was built in 1899 by August Prante & Sons. It was first installed in the Assumption Roman Catholic Church on Blaine Avenue in southwest Indianapolis and served there until that church closed around 1990. The building was then taken over by St. Athanasius Church, a Byzantine rite congregation which does not use musical instruments. The bellows leather deteriorated and by 1996 the organ was unplayable. Because of a leaking window behind the instrument, the floor under the organ required repair and the instrument was put on the market. The organ celebrated its centennial with a move to its present location & a complete restoration in 1999.

The Prante family were organbuilders for at least three generations. The father, Joseph Charles Prante, emigrated with his family from the Westphalia district of Prussia in 1852. By 1856 the family was in Louisville, Kentucky. Prante built several instruments from a small organ shop at St. Meinrad, Indiana before returning to Kentucky and southern Indiana. By 1896 his four sons were also identified with the business. August died in 1900 and the sons continued the business into the 1920's. There are only four Prante instruments still in existence, all from August Prante's workshop. A twin to the Plainfield organ, also from 1899, is located in St. Phillip Neri Church in Louisville.

The moving and restoration of the organ was carried out by Goulding and Wood, Organbuilders, of Indianapolis. They remarked about the solid construction and good workmanship of the instrument. It consists of 896 pipes in 16 ranks or sets, five of which are of wood and the remaining 11 of zinc and pipe metal, an alloy of tin and lead. Two of the stops are for the pedal keyboard and seven each are for the manual keyboards. Two of the stops are reeds, the Oboe and the Trumpet. The swellbox is elevated at the back of the organ, allowing better projection of the sound. The action of the organ is entirely mechanical, called "tracker action" and the original hand pump projects from the left rear of the organ so that it can be played without any electricity being available. A modern Swiss electric blower is now attached. The colors of the exposed pipes and the stenciling designs, reminiscent of those used at the time the organ was built were selected and applied by Marilyn  Wittmer-Etchison. This Victorian era design and the oak paneling on the case sides allow the instrument to blend into the atmosphere of our 157 year old Meetinghouse."

This year I am not attending/participating in Western Yearly Meeting sessions as I am across the Pond traveling around England (see the blogs I'm publishing about that journey). Instead . . . I'll be attending/participating in YMG 2017 with over 1,300 British Friends and guests! So whilst I'll be missing hearing this beautiful organ being played this weekend . . . I'm enjoying visiting 1652 Territory/The Lake District and the beginning of my visit to YMG and seeing old Friends and meeting so many new Friends.

Western Yearly Meeting is truly blessed!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'O' is for "Old Maid's Puzzle" block . . . A fairly simple block, often taught to beginning quilters. This block only contains squares and half-square triangles. The colors you choose and how you arrange the blocks will have an impact on your finished quilt.

This block also appears to look a lot like the 'Fox and Geese' block. Perhaps this is yet another one of those blocks that has multiple names.

Making several of these blocks and rotating them in different ways can give the illusion of a new block. Adding sashing or placing the blocks on point achieves even more variations.

I don't have a photo of my "Old Maid's Puzzle" block with me, so I'll have to post a photo when I get home.

 

Ministries in Action . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

 

This morning, as we rode the train from Paddington Station (in London, England) on our way up to Heathrow Airport, I got to thinking about several situations that happened to us whilst we were out and about yesterday . . .

 

The first happened to us on the east side of London. After traveling some time by double decker bus and stopping for breakfast we walked around looking for a fabric shop that a Friend had found online. We arrived at the destination only to find that that shop had closed and that it wasn't believed that they had relocated. Bummer! BUT . . . we were redirected to the west side of London where we were told there was a whole street of fabric stores!

 

The second situation occurred during our train ride, to the west side of London. A young Asian man had mistakenly gotten on our train instead of another.

 

Not one, not two but three of his fellow passengers offered him help! All talking to him and pointing to the map above the windows several times showing him where we were and where/when he needed to get off and switch to a different train to take him to the airport. All working together to help this stranger get to where he needed to be.

 

A member of our group, who is familiar with the train system, offered him help. She knew where he needed to get off and told him to get off the stop after we did.

 

A young man sitting next to him offered help. He too was getting off before the other young man needed to get off and would have stayed to help, but would have been late to where he was going.

 

And a woman sitting next to him also offered help. After a while, she said she wasn't in any hurry so she would ride to the end of the line with him and make sure he got there. 

 

The third situation happened after we got off the train . . .

 

We arrived at our stop and looked down the street - yes, just as we had been told on the east side of London, this street was full of fabric shops! BUT . . .  where to begin?? I was the one looking for fabrics, specifically cottons that I could take home and use in some sort of quilting project or projects. The Friend leading our little group noticed the two Jehovah Witnesses standing nearby and approached one of the ladies and asked her.

 

We were told that we might find what we were looking for in the 'market' across the street or in one of the many shops down the street. We walked a ways through the 'market' and didn't see anything fitting what I was looking for, so we went back out to the street and started searching there.

 

After a walking several blocks and checking out several fabric stores, we found a very nice little spot to sit and rest and have cups of tea, coffee and bottles of water.

 

About two or three shops later I found some floral calicos that I thought I could work with and I purchased five and a half meters altogether for what I thought was a very fair price.

 

So, ministries in action??? Yes!

 

The young lady/ladies at the location of the original fabric shop we went to that redirected us over to the west side of London, shared their knowledge with us.

 

The three strangers on the train all working together helped the Asian passenger get to where he needed to be.

 

And the Jehovah Witness who gave us suggestions as to where we might find the fabric I was searching for.