Where did it go?

Have you tried the Disappearing Nine Patch quilting block? Oh my goodness! It is magic! I found the Missouri Quilt Company’s tutorial on YouTube a while ago and hadn’t tried it until this week. Absolutely love it! By the way, if you're wanting to learn how to piece quilts, or learn new/quick tricks/tips, I highly recommend their videos!

I did one thing differently than what Jenny shows us ~

I didn’t have nine different colors/prints, only six. I wondered what would happen, so I tried! I love how it turned out…

Three "Disappearing Nine Patch" blocks

This is the “recipe” I used, keeping the same arrangement before and after on each block made:

Prepare nine patch as normal –

Cut pieces into 3.5” squares (or whatever consistent size you prefer)

Stitch 3 squares together (using 1/4” seams)

Stitch the 3 rows together

You now have a 9.5” block with raw outside edges

Cut in half horizontally

Cut in half vertically

Flip the cut pieces around and arrange as desired. Sew the now four patches together! (You may notice, this is arranged differently than what was used on the quilt. That's okay because these "extra" pieces are going on another project!)

WARNING: The block will now measure 9” with raw outside edges (giving you a 8.5” finished block – which can throw you off if you’re wanting a finished 9”)

NOTE: I’m wondering… if I had originally cut the squares 4” – would it work out to be 9.5" unfinished? Maybe I'll try it again, just to see! I'm not good at math... 

Bottom line, don’t worry about having all different colors to make this cool disappearing nine patch block!

I think it turned out nicely, giving the splash of color I was looking for to lengthen this Quilt of Valor top I created for the Last Man Standing.

Try it! I think you'll enjoy the magic!

I Thought

Okay, I got it. God says, “No.”

I thought it was a good idea but with all the roadblocks He has put up, I get it now.

I now realize the problem is that “I thought” and it is not in His plan for me. Understanding the whisperings are difficult, then when He shouts it, I hear it plainly.

Sometimes the “No” answered prayers aren’t realized immediately, but this one I get – and before it’s too late. I may not understand the why, but it’s not my job to understand. It is my job to accept He has another plan.

Thank you, Sweet Jesus.

I’ll Be Still. 

The Differences

Someone recently asked me, “What do you think the difference is between faith and patience?”

My response in part…

For me, “faith” is spiritual and deals with God. My faith holds that God exists, without question.

I rarely (if ever) say (or think or feel) something like, “I have faith What’sHis/HerName will do the right thing.” Rather I will think/say, “I hope What’sHis/HerName will do the right thing.” And then, it’s when “patience” comes in to play.

[NOTE: I hope a lot!]

“Patience” is twofold.

One side applies to me, i.e. having patience with myself. Doing what I can, the best I can, and letting it go when I’m not perfect, or something I’m working on doesn’t work out the way I had envisioned. I can only keep trying to be a better person than I was yesterday.

Then the other side applies to my expectation of others when I’m also involved. Having patience takes deep breathing (rather than grinding teeth!) and the constant reminder I am not on the same timeline, or share the same priorities, and there is nothing I can do about it, no matter how hard I try and change things.

Which immediately brings to mind The Serenity Prayer, especially the part:

“…accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can…”

I’ve recently realized this same “side” of patience, that is, when someone else is involved, also includes the understanding of the situation. It also falls into the “things I cannot change” category. It’s not forcing someone else to be in the “real” world with me, but rather me be in their world.

How would you respond to the question?

Sometimes it’s hard for me to be patient with others.

It’s never hard to have faith.