Dear readers,
I find it very difficult to write to you this week.

Usually I can sit at this keyboard and a newsy flow of words and sentences rush from my fingertips. But not this week. I’m finding it difficult to be upbeat and optimistic. I feel so terribly helpless and impotent in light of the events of the past week.

I fully understand that crisis situations around the globe are complicated and not easy to resolve, and that some ongoing land issues have been going on for centuries, but how has it come to this?

I know I can’t make a difference on the global front but I can do something in my patch I call my community so I am resolving to do more for the people in need in my own neighbourhood; helping those with their own personal crisis happening behind closed doors. It might just make a little difference for someone suffering.

I wrote about Quilt guild challenge ideas last week , here’s the link to the article.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art183745.asp

I will give you an extra dose of goodies this week, in the hope that it will brighten our spirits and get us energised again.

http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2009/11/binding-tutorial.html machine stitching down the binding tutorial – a must for charity quilts that are going to get some severe washing!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Reversible-Soft-Slipper-Shoes/ I think these might be useful for renal patients to use when having dialysis – they get very cold extremities!

http://badskirt.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/japanese-x-and-scrappy-quilt-tutorial.html

http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2011/07/felt-car-mat-with-tutorial.html something so simple to make, so wonderful to play with

http://bubzrugz.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/cupcake-pincushion-tutorial.html a pretty pincushion

http://www.annamariahorner.com/love.emblem.pdf a terrific foundation pieced pattern

http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2013/04/circle-quilt-tutorial.html circle quilt tutorial – very lovely

http://www.themotherhuddle.com/how-to-sew-a-wood-handle-handbag/ a wood handle bag tutorial

http://exuberantcolor.blogspot.com.au/p/original-designs-some-wonky-mostly.html some quilt eye candy to enjoy

http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/identifying-fabric/ putting the burn test to the test to determine fabric types

http://www.patchworkposse.com/2014/04/all-about-quilt-fabric-and-printable-reminder-cards/ here’s some handy printable quilting cards for you

http://theparfaitcafe.com/?p=228 interlocking seasons quilt tutorial

http://allie-oopssweethappylife.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/magnetic-quilted-photo-frame-tutorial.html a magnetic fabric photo frame tutorial

I do hope you’ve found something in the goodies above to brighten you day. I’ll say goodbye for today and will be back again next week. Take care of yourselves and if you can smile to a stranger!
Cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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