Oh my!

My Santa knows what I like...looks like chocolate diet for awhile!  Can you believe they actually make a one pound Snickers bar????

My poor neglected blog!  Do I have any excuses?  A few.....time, and some horrible issues with fatigue.  It seems like I had to make the most of what spare time I had to get the things that HAD to be done before the fatigue would crash over me and that was the end of that.  Going to work, obligations at church, sewing a few gifts for the grandkids....doesn't sound like I have done a lot!  Hopefully things will start looking up soon!

  Look who got a new sewing machine for Christmas!  Jordyn is 7 1/2, and I could not resist this little machine.  Can't wait to have a play date with Jordyn!

The Pickle Gift was found by Caleb...a tradition that the kids and grandkids all enjoy!

And it wouldn't be Christmas without the cookies...I think he is picking out just the right one for Santa!

Hopefully I will have some "quilty" pictures to share next time!  

May the coming year bring you new joys, new beginnings, new blessings....and lots of time to spend doing the things you love most!

Great ideas for Christmas

Some really good ideas!

Just read this on another blog....thought it was something to share and think about.  Thanks to Michelle for sharing this on her blog.   Have a wonderful Thanksgiving...maybe I will get out of my funk and get something finished and posted...or not.  LOL!

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition



As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!



It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?



Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.



Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.



Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.



There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.



How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?



Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.



My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.



OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.



Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.



Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.



Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.



You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.



THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.



Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?

It's Halloween!

It's Halloween, and I actually have Gourdy's Gang finished and hanging up!  This was a fun wool applique to work on...love these little guys!

This is how a 3 year old decorates his pumpkin! 

Saturday night, we had our annual Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot.  Jim loves to dress up!

The kids always get a big thrill out of his costumes...he never says a word!

Jim and Grandson Caleb...mini-me!  Jack is not so thrilled with his grandpa in this costume! 

Happy Halloween!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

I love to decorate for fall...especially with little Max to supervise!  She is quite the "klepto-kitty"...when she thinks we aren't looking, she likes to drag the dolls around the house.  

A new little candlemat that I finished a couple of weeks ago.

And what would fall be without a scarecrow or two?  I just love the little "crow-shoes" on their feet!

The seasons are changing...time to drag out the sweaters, the corduroy jeans, and heavy socks.  Cleaning out the flower beds, raking the leaves, mowing the grass one last time.  We hear them before we see them as we walk around the lake...the geese flying south.  It has been a beautiful fall, the temperatures here have been warmer than usual, but today the cold front came in from the north...brrr!   Time to put on a pot of soup and light a fire in the fireplace! 

Hope your week is blessed and you find time to enjoy the changing season.

Twisted I Spy quilt

Sandra is sponsoring an I Spy Parade of quilts over at Sew in Peace.  A few months ago I participated in her I Spy Charms swap and this is one of the quilts I have made from the charms I received. The pattern for this quilt can be found here.    I wish I had a few more quilts to show, but my mojo has been seriously lacking lately!  This little quilt will be a gift for our little 3 year old grand-daughter, Ella.  Now to get it quilted!

If you like I Spy quilts, and want to participate in a swap, check out Sandra's blog.  She is sponsoring another one.  It is so much fun to receive the wonderful variety of prints you will get.  Hurry on over and check it out, the deadline is October 15th!

Piecefully....

Everything but the kitchen sink

Kim Brackett's book, "Scrap-Basket Surprises" has been one of my favorite scrappy quilt books.  When I saw this one, appropriately named "Kitchen Sink",  I knew I could utilize lots of scraps using the little pieces of fabric that were in my basket.  This was started several months ago, and this afternoon seemed like a good time to get the borders on.  Now it is ready to quilt...yea!

It's Labor Day weekend...where has the summer gone?  I have to admit that I am ready for fall...love the cooler weather.  Last night we went to the Kansas City Irish Fest...it was so stinkin' hot, very uncomfortable!  Then I went to the Sana-Cali-Gon festival this morning...lots of great craft tents, but once again it was way too hot.  After the 4th tent, I decided that it was not much fun and came home to my nice cool sewing room. 

Last weekend, the boys came over for a sleep-over.  Have to share these pictures of Jack...Gramma and Grandpa have to spoil them with donuts and milk for breakfast, right?

And then we can send them home in a sugar coma......

I wanted to share this link with you, it seems like I know too many women fighting the battle with breast cancer.   This is so beautiful.....

I'm Gonna Love You Through It

Lazy, rainy Monday

It has been raining all morning...a nice gentle rain with some thunder in the background.  Doesn't that make you want to curl up with a good book or do some stitching?   The rain is much needed and the temperature is in the low 70's, so much better than 2 weeks ago!  Saturday, I was able to work in my flower beds, but today is sewing room time!

Many of you have heard of Quilts for Kids,  if not check out their website.  This is my finished quilt that is washed and ready to send out.  I love the kit they sent me...the black and white striped border is something I would not have thought of.  Right now they are in need for quilts for boys, so I have another one cut out from some of my own fabrics...it has motorcycles on it.  The little quilts work up very quickly, and I do a simple meandering all over. 



The Farmers Wife Sampler blocks and the Civil War blocks are keeping me busy!  I like sewing on different blocks.  Some of the blocks are easy peasy, and some are a bit of a challenge.  I know I am going to like the finished quilt, samplers have always been a favorite of mine.

Farmers Wife Sampler blocks

It's still summer, but I am in the mood for fall.  I have dug out a little wool kit that I bought last year...it is so cute! It's a Pumpkin table mat by Lisa Bongean.  This afternoon I am tracing off the pattern, and will have it ready to sit and stitch while we sit on the deck this evening.  There are a some wool projects in the Primitive Quilts magazine that are inticing me as well, so I have been pulling out wool to make a few of these as well.  I feel like I always need to have something to do while watching TV, or I think I am wasting my time...what about you?  

Hope you have a pieceful week!

Absent from blogland

Time....sometimes there just isn't enough of it.  The hours when I am off of work seem to fly, I pack them so full...I'm sure most of you do the same.  It has been awhile since I have had time to visit blogland, and I have a lot of catching up to do!  My computer is running in slow mode, hope it is not on it's last breath...I have little patience for waiting for a page to load. 

Not getting much finished, so I thought I would at least post a picture of a quilt I made about 10 years ago.  A group of us traded 6-inch 9-patch blocks, and this is how I put mine together.  I love this quilt, as it reminds me of times shared with good friends. 

Look what I won!  A few weeks ago, Marlene had a give away on her blog...it was like Christmas in July for me.  And she added some fat quarters to sweeten the package!  The little candle mat is beautiful,  I know I will be using it when the holidays are here.  Thanks to Marlene, and if you have not visited her blog, you should...you won't be sorry!

It's hard to believe that 1971 was 40 years ago...

last Saturday, we attended a 40th wedding anniversary party.  The guests could dress up in 70's style...how fun!   Did you know that if you go to a "vintage" clothing shop...a lot of it will be the clothing of the 60's and 70's...when did I go from being a hippy chick to being vintage?

                                     

                                                                                                                       Peace!

Summertime friend

Look who came to visit while I was out watering!  Not too hot for this little guy!  I noticed that part of his wing was missing, wonder what happened?  I try to plant flowers that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds...so far this year, I have not seen a single hummingbird.  Usually I can get at least 2 or 3 interested in the feeders....no such luck this year!

It's sad when one thinks it is too hot to go to the pool!  So I am staying inside and trying to catch up on my Civil War blocks. 

And Penelope finally has a face! 

These are certainly the lazy, hazy days of summer...good for catching up on sewing and reading!  Hope everyone is enjoying the summer inspite of the heat!   I keep telling myself...remember last winter! 

I'm a Banner Girl!

The secret is out...my Crazy Hearts quilt was chosen to be included in the Stash Manicure Banner for July!  and it is in such good company,  all are beautiful, patriotic quilts. 

Crazy Hearts for Quilts of Valor

If you want to check out the other beautiful quilts in the banner, run over to Stash Manicure today!

I enjoyed reading the stories behind the seams, and I am sure you will too. 

I am off to mow before it gets any hotter, we are under a heat advisory again today.  Wishing all of you a safe and happy 4th of July.  We have loads of company coming, so starting tonight, we will start celebrating with family at the city fireworks show.  As one of my favorite ladies once said....

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every

 July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~ Erma Bombeck

Sundays are for catching up and naps....

Saturday, I attended Primitives of the Midwest at Quilters Station here in Lee's Summit, MO.  In the class with Lynda Hall, we made a charming primitive doll.  It was a fun little class, and I hope to have my youngin done sometime this week.  She still needs a face and a name....I'm thinking maybe Penelope.

This afternoon, I was able to add three more Farmers Wife blocks, Bouquet,  Country Farm, and Hovering Birds. 

And I am playing catch-up with the Civil War Blocks....this week's went together fairly easy.  If I were to make it again, I would use flying geese units for the star points and reduce some of the bulky seam intersections. 

Thank you for all your wonderful additions to my previous post...I have added them to my journal.

Here are what some of my fellow bloggers have added:

Relax, laugh and love.

Laugh hard and often.

Look at the stars, listen to the trees and smell the fresh air.

Smile at others.  Hold hands.  Laugh a lot.

Share good memories.

Sing with abandon.

Life is too short, take a chance now and then.

Look for the joy in every day things and everyday events.

Thank someone everyday.

Perform random acts of kindness.

and one more that I would end with....

perhaps the best way to apply the philosophy  of God's goodness

 is to constatantly live a thankful life. 

No willpower!

Friendship Block, Contrary Wife, Broken Dishes

Last week I went to JoAnn's...decided that if the Farmer's Wife Samper Quilt book was there and it was on sale, then it was my sign to join in on the quilt along here in blogland.  For the past 3 weeks, I have been tempted by the blocks that are being posted....telling myself, no, you do not need to start another project!  Truly, I have no will power! And if any jusitification is needed, I can use my collection of Jo Morton fabrics and not have to purchase a lot of fabric.  Actually, I think I will just entertain my inner child for now and do what makes me happy...playing with fabric and color and making little blocks.  You must keep the child alive...you cannot create without it!

"Plant impossible gardens.  Look forward to dreams.  Cry during movies. Swing as high as you can on a swing set, by moonlight.  Cultivate moods.  Do it for love.  Take lots of naps.  Take moon baths.  Listen to old people.  Entertain your inner child.  Get wet. Hug trees.  Write love letters. " 

What might you add to this bit of advice?

Quilts of Valor

This morning, I was able to finally get two quilts in the mail for QOV.   Go check out SewCalGal's blog for more information.  You still have time to send blocks that will be made into quilts for QOV.  So dig out your Red-White and Blue scraps and make a block to send in.  It will be neat to see how many quilt tops will be made from the Call to Action challenge.

This weekend, we are headed to Joplin, Mo for a family reunion.  I will be taking the Rock and Roll t-shirt quilt to my nephew...he graduated last Sunday.  Hopefully, I can get him to pose for a picture and show you how it turned out.  Off to finish sewing down the binding!

Hope everyone is having a great week...and getting some "me-time" in the sewing room!

Having a little whine

It's hard for me to admit, but I have been a bit whiny today and yesterday...being selfish, I guess.   This is Memorial Day weekend, a  3 day weekend with my hubby.  We had just gassed up the car to go shopping for a new grill and out to dinner with friends, and his mobile phone rang.  A big compressor was down at a Country Club...translating to no air-conditioning.  So back home we go, and off he goes to see if there is anything he can do to get it up and running.  The majority of yesterday and today have been spent running down parts, which are now being shipped and he will spend tomorrow working on it.   I am grateful for his dedication to his job...and that he has a job.  I spent the morning mowing, and venting about what a disappointing weekend this has turned out to be.  Fortunately, it came to me when I took this picture of a quilt that is being donated to Quilts of Valor...God has a way of showing us His grace, just have to listen.  (and I am not a good listener!)   It's Memorial Day weekend, a tribute to our military men and women, both past and present.  For those that are serving now, most of them will not be home for supper tonight, or home for a family picnic tomorrow...so what am I whining about?   Some will never come home.  Sometimes I just need to put things in perspective....and we are going to go out to the New Theatre tonight for dinner and to see "The Odd Couple"....at least he gets to come home to me at the end of the day.   

Piecefully,