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).

Comments

Anonymous said…
Congratulations on your new job! :)

Your For the Birds exchange is wonderful- I'm glad you chose that design and I love the way you finished it!

Now that you're back online and hopefully a bit more settled, would you mind posting a picture of the pillow you made me to the Finishing blog? We're trying to encourage people to share pics if they've used one of the class tutorials. Email me if you need any more info :)
Rachel V said…
Certainly, Karen! Thanks for your comment. :)
Ginger said…
Karen - did you get my comment?
I would love to participate in your PIF. Praise for the new job!
Ginger

http://dreamsofstitching.wordpress.com/
Sharon said…
Congratulations on your new job! What a blessing. Your exchange is gorgeous! Congrats.
jane said…
God is Amazing! Congratulations on your new job!
Andrea said…
Congratulations on your new job! I'm so glad that things worked out for the best for you.
Andrea said…
Oh, I forgot to say how much I love your birdies flat fold! That design is so cute, but especially with the changes you made on the colors. Very nice!
Katrina said…
Congrats on the new job! That's awesome.

Love the exchange piece, it's so cute.
Rachel,
I am glad you have posted again. It takes a special person to do your line of work. My husband prosecutes for the dept of children and family services here in Ga, and sometimes he gets so sad when he compares the children he sees all day to the spoiled rotten (but adorable) girls we have. He is adopted and has had the most wonderful adoptive family ever! I will pray for you and your job!

Michele
Vonna Pfeiffer said…
Many congrats on your new job Rachel!! And thank you for the nice words on my tutorial :) You're a DEAR!
Hazel said…
Ooooh an opportunity for a Pif. Okay then count me in if its not too late. My email is: hazelhenry@hotmail.com
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! What a great job too.
Here's a promise for you: Deuteronomy 8:18!! Stay blessed. xx
Nancy said…
Hi Rachel,

I missed you, and I'm glad you're back! Congratulations again on your new job, and what a welcome addition you will be to the program.

As always, your stitching is lovely. Those little birds are so cute!

Nancy
jane said…
Hello again - I see I am #5 and I would really like to participate in your PIF. My e-mail is crazyj49@charter.net. I will put this on my blog now, though I doubt if 5 people will even see it! But here goes!
Michelle said…
Congratulations on your new job! I love your For The Birds exchange piece - what a cute flatfold!
Sue said…
Your "For the Birds" piece is lovely. Congrats on the job ;)
It does my heart good to hear that you are active in the foster program. I wish there were LOTS more just like you helping these kids!!
Cheryl said…
Congrats on your new job!
You have done a great job with the flat fold, it's lovely
Cathy B said…
Rchel -so glad everything worked out for you and that you could find a new job so quickly! I'm sure it was meant to be!

Your exchange piece is really cute. Love it!
Jen said…
The exchange piece looks wonderful. I love the fabric you used for finishing. Congratulations on the new job. Sounds like you are very happy with it.
Wendy said…
Congratulations on your new job, Rachel! As a new foster mother, I well know how hard placement coordinators work in their jobs and how important a caring, considerate worker coming into our home can make a difference. I'm sure you will fit the bill perfectly!
Ruth said…
I ***LOVE*** your bird piece! I know I have that pattern somewhere and now I want to start it immediately! :) Great work and lovely finishing.

Thanks for very entertaining blog.

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