Gifts to Mwanza

I mentioned and showed previously the fabric bought in Mwanza and the table runners I made. One of the table runners I had made as a gift for Tammy, the American Missionary couple we stayed with. I also made gifts for some other ladies there, that have a place in my heart, along with Tammy.

I made these needlecases, embroidering their initial on the front.

Also a Japanese knot bag each. I used the pattern from Mirkwood Designs where you can make it with or without a base. I used the one without the base. Also in the past have used this pattern from littlegemsession.

Another gift for Tammy was this County Carry Bag in the Australian HOMEMADE 2005 Vol 22 No 2 magazine. Which I posted about on March 1st.

These are the photos I received from Tammy after they were happily received. I was glad they arrived safely as it took nearly a month to get to Tanzania from Australia.

Tammy's photo with the table runner on her table and the country carry bag hanging on a bag hook off the table.

A Bag Sew Along on . . . MAKE

Kelly is having a Sew Along using a charm pack and a bit of extra fabric....

You can make your own charm packs by cutting out squares.

Drop over to Kelly's blog and read what you will need, to make a great set of bags and accessories. She has listed what you need to get together, to start sewing along with her over the next eight weeks.

I think the set she has made is just beautiful, so image the fun we can have using our own favourite colours and fabrics!!

HOME TOGETHER

My men have arrived safely home after their two month's travel. Just suffering the dreaded "dehli belly" which makes for discomfort at the moment. However, its great to have them home. They have amazing stories to tell of people and sights, and just a testimony of God's protection and direction all the way.

"Home Alone" - Part 2

Well six weeks have gone by with my husband and son being away overseas.

They had a very successful time finding our son’s birth parents, also his siblings (older and younger), grandparents and many uncles, aunts and cousins. A Romanian Baptist Pastor, that we came to be in contact with weeks before they flew out, was such a great help. He went and found them before my husband and son got to Romania. This Pastor took them to the village and was also able to do all the interpreting, which was such a blessing.

They have been through Turkey, seeing many Biblical places and enjoying wonderful friendships, hospitality and helpfulness from the locals. They also got into Syria, though it was a bit difficult at the border and organizing the visa.

Fortunately their airflights into Europe were before the Iceland Volcano, so didn’t get affected by the events of that. They were moving around on land by then, in trains and buses. They did however, get held up at Athens during the 24hour strike, which delayed them a day from getting into Egypt and thus they missed a connecting train, tour and flight previously planned. Hubby wasn't upset about this, as he had decided, financially, the train and tour would be a bit expensive. So they just stayed in Cairo. Here's a photo I got. My son is standing in the centre near the "wire thing".

They have also spent some time in Naples and Rome and now flying to Spain.

Quilt block for 60th birthday
I’ve mentioned the patchwork group I’m with, in regards to the centenary quilt. One of the ladies has just had her 60th, so all in the group made autumn blocks, as she loves those colours. This is the block I made for her

I did raw edge applique around the cornucopia, leaves and flowers, seeing as that was a new technique I learnt while doing the centenary quilt.

Next I filled in with some embroidery.

Finally filling in with yo-yo's using the Clover Flower shape yo-yo maker.

She was presented with this quilt last week, which looked absolutely wonderful, with the blocks done by everyone else.

The pattern was from an Australian Country Threads magazine.

Shooting practice
My brother is a registered shooter and he invited, my daughter and I, out shooting one night on his friends farm. We since have gotten together and had another afternoon, this time target shooting. This is the first time I’ve done this and was quite pleased with my efforts, as you can see in the photo. My daughter did very well also.

Almost "Home Alone"

Early Tuesday morning April 6th, my husband and son fly overseas for two months.

The primary reason is to visit Romania and see if they are successful in finding our son's birth mother. They will travel to many other countries including visits to many Biblical sites, such as the Seven Churches of Revelation and Mt Ararat.

Initially they fly from here, to Kuala Lumpar, to London, then to Poland for their first stop. They'll visit some of the concentration camps, before going onto Romania by train.

Would value your prayers, especially on Saturday, April 10th - the day he may see his birth mother.

From their they will catch the train across to Istanbul, Turkey, spending nearly two weeks in Turkey. Other countries will include Syria, Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Italy, Spain, Ireland and finally India, to visit one of our church families who have gone to teach at a Christian School for two years.

Over the coming two months, I will mention some of the places they visit and how things go for them.