More birds, Updates, and PIF Offer!!

I have been away from blogging for a couple of weeks due to many changes happening in our lives. The biggest one is that I was let go of my full time job at the end of June, and by the Lord's grace have found a new position already which will begin next Monday. My new job is Foster Parent Recruiting/Training in the Community Based Program of a non-profit agency here in Philadelphia. I am so excited to have an opportunity to serve in this capacity. There are 8,000 children in foster care in the city of Philadelphia and I feel so blessed to be a part of helping some of them find supportive and loving homes.

I really want to take this moment also to give God glory for answering prayer. It came as a big surprise to us when I lost my job and we immediately sought His guidance and provision and many dear friends in our church community began praying for us. Within two days I had interviewed for this job and within two weeks they had extended the offer. God does provide --sometimes, not always as we imagine, but sometimes in miraculous ways. :)

Now on to a little stitching news.

First of all, I have signed up with Tanya for her Pay it Forward offer and cannot wait to see what this multi-talented designer Super Mom will stitch for me. Tanya has creativity and hospitality oozing out of every pore and it has been a joy to get to know her online!

Here's how it works:
I will send a stitched handmade item to the first 5 people who leave a comment on my blog under this post. You will receive it within 365 days; you have my word. The only thing you have to do in return is Pay It Forward by making the same promise on your blog! Once you sign up, I will be emailing you for mailing address information and will keep an eye out on YOUR blog to see what designs, colors, designers you like.
Please do sign up; this will be my second time to Pay It Forward and I had a ball stitching for new friends last time.
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For the Birds Exchange Pictures


Here is my completed piece for the USEBB "For the Birds" Exchange; I think it is safe to share as I don't believe my partner reads my blog. I stitched this for Toni and selected a design by Bent Creek, changing a few colors. The text reads "One bird having some friends over." This is the exchange for which I solicited all your opinions on choosing a design; thanks to everyone for your input!

I made the bottom birdie a pretty green to co-ordinate with my backing fabric, and stitched the word "bird" in that color; then had the letters of "friends" match the colors of the bird's friends (pictures are clickable if you'd like a closer view). The fabric was a scrap from my Awake the Dawning Day 30 ct. Iced Cappucino by R&R; threads are DMC.

This was my first ever flat fold, and I have the lovely Vonna to thank for her awesome finishing tutorial.

........In other news, I had many comments asking for the Amitie freebie. I'm afraid that Echevette has taken it off her freebies pages, as I cannot find it. I also managed to discard my hard copy. If anyone happens to have this to share with others, please drop me an email (rachelvendsel at yahoo dot com).