It looks like we finally got a little bit of winter here in the Pacific Northwest, at least enough to snow us in and make a good excuse to spend extra time in the kitchen making pumpkin doughnuts. We live at the end of a long gravel road and without a spiffy 4×4 (we dream of having one someday!) we were stuck at home. I loved it.
The last two mornings I have heard the cheerful chirping of birds coming home from their migrations. Even though the gardens are still limp and asleep, I like hearing the first birds of spring. It gives a little ray of hope, that spring will come. This morning I heard a little frog as well. You get to hear little pleasures like that if you get up early enough, before the chaos of breakfast and diapers and animal chores.
Animal chores are slim around here. All we have left are a couple of dogs and cats and a handful of poultry. I asked my daughter what she wanted for her upcoming birthday; she said, “Something in the barn.” I assume she meant other than the barn cats. I don’t blame her for her longings. I myself avoid going into the barn and pastures; it’s quiet like a graveyard, ghost-like memories of goats and their funny personalities and spring kids.
One night, my husband took the older children ice skating (here, that endeavor is an indoor rink). After herding the two babies left at home into bed for the evening, I had several hours of quiet. Quiet, other than at dawn, is rare in this house. I decided to sew a Bible cover for my newest Bible. I like using covers because it keeps the good Book in better condition for a longer period of time. I managed to get through a couple of sermons online while I sewed.
Maybe you’re looking for the process of how I got from cloth to cover. You can find it here. I didn’t bother with a pencil pocket or handles (those always seemed odd to me), and I didn’t bother quilting or using interfacing for this little cover either.
Instead of fully quilting this one, I stitched around some of the roses. The little bit of crochet and the button were hand stitched on after the cover was finished.
I added extra ties, too. The red ones were hand dyed and handspun by a friend of mine. I just like the feel and color.
Here is what it looks like on the inside. It’s very easy to take on and off if necessary.
And here are my two Bibles. You can see the very first quilted Bible cover I made here. That Bible really did fall apart and I couldn’t use it anymore, so it’s retired.
How many Bibles do you have? More importantly, are they collecting dust? I like keeping two. The smaller one I keep for taking with me to Bible study and church. I also keep it clean, not writing in it.
The other one I keep is larger, with fabulous wide margins for writing in. This is the one I use to study from. I have been long intrigued with using colored pencils to highlight. Here is a good blog post to learn about doing that. So perhaps the inside of my Bible will become just as colorful as the cover!
You *are* reading your Bible, aren’t you? How else will you grow? Don’t be as one drawing near the Lord with your mouth but with your heart far removed (Isa 29:13).
Maybe some time listening to a sermon and sewing up a pretty Bible cover, or gathering up some colored pencils, will invite you to open its pages today.
Blessings,
Beautiful! You did a great job on that. I look forward to seeing it in person today. 🙂
I have 3 main Bibles, all of which I write in. They are each different versions, which happened by chance… if one believes in chance. I rotate depending on what I feel like reading at the time. One is a Reformed study Bible with lots of theological commentary included. Another is more of a “how does this apply to you?” type study Bible. I read those notes with caution but they give good food for thought. My other, and perhaps favorite, has almost no notes at all, is small and portable, and travels with me to church, Bible study, trips, etc.
I would love to get down to having only one Bible, as many people say is wise. “Get to know one Bible!” they say. I have a favorite but I can’t bring myself to get rid of the others. Nor have I found one I want to buy to replace all three. If I ever find one, I might do that.
And yes, I’m reading my Bible… the “how does this apply… ” one at the moment. I’m in the middle of Genesis, Luke, and jump into Psalms now and then. My subscription Tabletalk is part of my reading as well.
How many Bibles do I have you ask?…and how well used are they?…Good question…so I went and counted them…..
1…a large print one with detailed study notes in my ‘quiet room’ with all my study/prayer notes and diaries…definitely well used and written in and with a home made cover on
2…Piled up on top of my book case five other bibles in various translations from the modern ‘Message’..which is not a particular favourite, including a Hebrew/Greek primer for further study help and several Concordances
3… by the side of my bed, a small one for when i am troubled in the night…well used
4… in the bathroom, a small one for reading when sitting…well used
5….one in the kitchen , very well used, written on, pages turned down, and with a dusting of flour
6…another large print version,with detailed study notes… with home made cover, pen pocket and all in the bag i take when i go out to Bible Study Group each Monday night…well used and written in.
I love reading God’s Word, and find that having two translations often help to make sense of a verse I’m stuck on, but I tend to stay with my favourite translation. God’s Word is so alive…you can read a verse one day and it makes no sense at all…but then go back to it some hours later and all becomes clear.
God’s Word is my favourite book to read…make no excuses about enthusing about it so , I just love it
“…and with a dusting of flour” LOL love it
this too: “God’s Word is so alive…you can read a verse one day and it makes no sense at all…but then go back to it some hours later and all becomes clear.”
So true!
Isn’t it just such a wonderful book
Oh, I miss your podcasts. I am listening over and over again. You are such an encouragement. God bless your week.
Love,
Rebecca
And thank you, too, for your encouragement, Rebecca. Isn’t the Lord so good to give us so many sisters, to encourage one another?
Not counting my husband’s many bibles or the ones we keep to give away to others, I have three: a mini one that I bring to church, and two digital ones, all ESV. I had been using my digital bibles in church but I found the light of the screen (turned down low so as not to be a distraction to others), and the low lighting of the high school amphitheatre that our church meets in, made my brain think “nappy-time” and I’d be fighting to stay awake (and our pastor isn’t boring, so I know it’s not him!). I’ve gone back to my paper one and taking tiny notes in the itty bitty margins, and that seems to keep my brain engaged.
Love the bible covers!
I have a new friend that reads her Bible on a screen, and it took me a while to *get* that she wasn’t just texting or whatnot during Bible study! So funny.
Keri, Very pretty Bible cover! I thought about sewing 3. One for my Concordia, my Study Bible and my leather bound Bible just to keep them nicer longer. my time is filled with so many other things I hardly have time to sew. Maybe soon. Thank you for sharing all your projects and what is going on in your life.
Blessings,
Colleen