Backpacks as a Threshold (and easy pattern)

A Threshold to the  world can be opened in many ways and education is one we can easily take for granted but education (especially for girls) is not so easy to obtain in some parts of the world.  I loved when I was young and it was time to get new school supplies.  I get the same feeling when I am making backpacks for Lutheran World Relief School kits and buying supplies to pack in them.  Each year my church inter generational project sees us bringing supplies, women/men sewing bags and children packing them.  This year I made 20 bags and bought supplies to donate for them.  Found sale material for $3.00 a yard and asked my local ACE Hardware to donate clothes line for stringing them and they did. Pic of two of them.  LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS  (Click to the Threshold)
The pattern for the backpacks is super easy and I have used it for gifts and made them for grands too.  I also made some for a women's retreat and they were a big hit packed with goodies. I love an easy pattern with a cute finish. 

Back pack pattern (click for pattern)

Threshold to Sewing/Quilting Studio

The threshold to my sewing/quilting studio is the room over our garage and the room  has been over the years transitioned through children ages and interests... when the  children were little it was the play room, as they became junior high/high school it was the band/music studio (new meaning of garage band so maybe it was the  above the garage band), off to college they went and it became a guest room,  they crossed the threshold back home and the room became a "studio apt" for their time to transition into their own work and apts.  Then it was empty nest and the room became mine...it became the sewing/quilting studio (it's been 15+ years now).  I cross the threshold most days to enjoy the thrill of fabric and currently have two projects on the design board that will be shown when all done.  Come with me this night into the studio...cross the threshold.

WOW it may seem (to the untrained eye) that it is a mess, but it is my mess that makes my creative mind dance for joy.  I see hanging on the chair white and red that is so close to being a wonderful quilt, the Babylock Tiara to free motion quilt,  bags hanging to carry stuff to a quilt retreat, a blue chair to sit in and sew on the machine,  a sign that hangs above the couch that reads "gone quilting", a hanging thread holder, and all the fun anyone could want to have in a fabric land...fabric is just around the corner after passing by the bags.  The design wall, the ironing station and storage that is out of the picture is also part of the process to bring creative things from idea to reality.  Crossing this threshold brings peace and joy. 

New writings on Spritual and Faith Thougts page

Starting the new year with Illuminating the Threshold/A Retreat for Women's Christmas by Jan L. Richardson.  My thoughts on this day on my Spiritual and Faith Thoughts page. 

New Year, New Word --- Thresholds

The new year came into the world and with family and friends we had our traditional Lobster and Dom meal with sparklers and poppers and all the laughter and love weaving through the evening. Thus it is that we all  pass though the threshold leaving one year behind walking into another year.

I would love to share some pics of the decorations but alas no one took any.  Helium balloons on the ceiling, sparklers on the tables set for 19 and black and gold new year tablecloths allowed everyone together...no kids table this year as all are young people ready to enter the world of adult table.     So, here is what did get taken...hehe

Final night of 2014 and all is well.  Blessings to each of you from us.  Happy 2015 from Texas.