Merry Christmas

It seems to get tougher every year to remember to slow down and truly remember the real meaning of Christmas.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." NIV Luke 2:11

My prayer for today is too keep Christ in Christmas. So from my family to your have a Merry Christmas and celebrate the reason.

Bren's challenge

Yesterday Bren posted this on her blog and asked the quilters to take it and post it on our blogs. So I had to prove also that quilters can step up and be noticed without being named. ;-)

I consider myself a quilter with oh so many UFO's of tops needing the finishing touches. Maybe now that my life is coming has all its pieces back under one roof maybe I will be able to find more time to work on those UFO's or WIP whatever they are called I plan on making 2008 the year for catch-up on them.

So I extend the invitation to other quilters to take and post the picture on their blogs.

Christmas wish already come true

My son had decided last year he wanted to live with his biological dad. So in April I decided to not give-up but to let my little guy fly. Well, it has been a struggle having my 17 year old live somewhere else and only seeing him every other weekend. But I knew that he had to live with what he wanted, and that I could not bail him out; how else would he learn. Anyway after months of watching his needs both emotionally and pyshically not being meet I started to ask him little things like why they had not bought him jeans, or taking him for a hair trim at least. It got so bad that I noticed when he was here he had a ravenous hunger, and this weekend he had no deodorant or shampoo. Come on this is basics that a child needs. So as of today he is back at home with his mom and my only Christmas wish has come true. I'm jumping for joy, now to get everything legally finalized again. So prayers would be nice that we have a smooth transition to a new family normal. He has not been here since end of April/May. So there are going to be ups and downs, especially since he now knows that his bio-dad has basically washed his hands of him and does not want visits. Makes me want to cry about the new hurt.

Busy, Busy

Been so busy with this kid functions, or school assignments that I was two days late getting my block for the round robin done. So I was happy when it snowed Tuesday, giving me a little more time to get it finished. The block was done late lastnight and I had to take a picture for the journal; decided to wait till morning when I was more awake.

This is Diann's starter block. And here is the grid with my wreath block added. I sure enjoy being creative.

I have one assignment left in this class then I start my next class on Tuesday but for all practiacal purposes I will be on Christmas break until January 8th Yeah! I plan on sewing and reading, maybe organize some more of my house since I will have more time free at home. I am done shopping, all presents are bought or made; now they just need wrapped.

I normally have everything done in October but am finding school and work play havoc on my schedules. So have been stressing a little about being behind schedule. We are so busy with family Christmas that I like to have things done early to give us a chance just to enjoy instead of rushing around.

More snow

We have had snow since Thursday. According to the weatherman we should have hopefully 24 hours before the start of the next front that will dump snow on us. So basically I get tomorrow to get out and take care of work and things before the weather turns tomorrow night. Been trying to catch up on homework, yet still doing the holiday stuff.

My daughter and I made Cookie gift jars yesterday from a book I received in a drawing from Mary Anne. Then I made the instruction labels. So tonight when I was taking a break from homework I covered the lids with a nice Christmas fabric and attached the instructions with Christmas ribbon. These jars look so festive.

Next challenge is to actually make some cookies that stay here. I have Christmas this up coming weekend and need to try to get a good majority of my cooking done. Not to mention final class team assignment. So I actually am praying for more snow so that I can stay home from work. Because when the roads are bad I will not even attempt to drive that hour to work slipping and sliding.

Snow has arrived

We finally have gotten our first snow fall. It was not alot but it still was more than a skif. I really hope this year we actually have some snow for Christmas. I so miss having a white Christmas. One year the kids and I made paper snowflakes and hung them throughout the house just to have a bit of white. Then we made paper snowballs and had a snowball fight in the house. We had so much fun. Granted it was paper, but it made memories for a life time.

Icy weather

We had an icy storm over the weekend. We did not lose power with this storm; my husband was a little bummed wanted to have a reason to turn on the generator. We did have a nice sheet at least 1/4 inch thick of ice on everything. I know have gorgouse ice bushes. Luckily with there being so much ice I was able to see how the car I got in July handles the yucky stuff. Wowser I have anti-lock brakes and traction control. That makes me feel a little safer, but even if my car and I can handle it there still are others out there that do not use their head and they are the ones that crash me.

We have another wonderful storm coming in Thursday the weatherman says; so maybe hubby will get a chance then to play with his toy. I hope everyone stays safe and warm with the storms that have been hitting us lately.

P.S. to see the icy just click on the picture it should enlarge making it easier to see. I took the picture through the screen door which made all the lines.

Christmas is Up

First things first. I finally finished a quilt for my daughter. I started it in 2003 as a block a month. And just got the binding stitched down the other night. But had to wait until she was in bed so I could get a picture. Oh and I got this great package in the mail from Mary Anne it sure brightened my day.
Well here's my cutting table. Right next to were my ironing board would be and here is the corner my sewing machine sits. In May we got Dennis Mom's china hutch and I have not been able to put anything in to it until now. It was still tough, but now my Nativity Scene has a safe place were the cats will not break it. Yesterday was very tearful there were so many great little trinkets and memories of Mom.

I was extremely blessed to have had her in my life and to know that she had gotten to know me like she did. I know as each Christmas passes that I will cry for the loss, but knowning full well she is better off. I will always have my memories and I will help keep her alive through the trinkets of love for my kids.

My husband has started to collect Nut crackers and it has managed to take over the top of another shelf. Oh well as long as I get it and my sewing room back after the holidays.

Getting ready for Christmas

I had to move my sewing machine today. Which is the start of putting up Christmas. My whole sewing room is actually just a spot at the end of my living room right in front of the picture window. Of course we put the tree right in front of that big picture window every year since we moved here 15 years ago. I do not mind moving my sewing machine and ironing board to make room, but then my poor dinning room gets really crowded. So the shifting of furniture and rearranging has started and with any luck I will have everything unpacked and in place by the weekend to come.

With my class starting last week I have had hardly anytime to sew. I did go to a quilt store yesterday though and of course picked up a couple cool quilt kits. One is a table runner by Sandra G. and the other one is a small Santa. I hope to have time just to think and maybe make some cookies. Then if there was extra time sew something together. It is always tough having classes go right up to Christmas, there is so much that just does not get done because of the studying but I know that when I'm done it will be worth the inconvenience.

Quilt top done

I finished piecing the monkey quilt top today. I have been fighting a neck ache that has been causing me a very painful migraine. I hope everything straightens up so I can get my monkeys quilted.

I have managed to also get a few small Christmas presents made this week. I still have a ways to go but its a start. I have been struggling to get in the holiday spirit. With so many changes in the house it really is tough to put on a smile and act like nothing has happened. But as my husband says we need to still continue on because we do still have someone who relys on us to provide her a great holiday. Memories are made by family activities, so I will try my best to get over my bahumbug mood.

Hi ho Hi ho its back to school I go

After taking a much needed month off of school I had to go back on Tuesday. I came to find out that I was not the only person who struggled with their last class and also needed the extra time off. There was two previous classmates that I had in my class on Tuesday, along with a few classmates from the class before. The consensus was that Programming II was the toughest class we have had to date in attempts to get our bachelor's. Thus all of us took two to four weeks off to recover and recuperate; so our brains had a chance to find a new normal instead of stressing over Java language. It was good to find I was not alone in the brain dead frustration of that last class.

So its back to school, to learn and in attempts to make something of myself.

My starter block

A group of quilters from my local quilt guild decided to start a round robin. One of our members then moved to Wisconsin; so it will now be a traveling robin; then her daughter wanted to join in on the fun. We bounced around ideas and decided to go with the grid idea from Pat’s Book “It’s Your Turn!”. I like birdhouses and just love butterflies. Butterflies I learned from my mother-in-laws funeral are a symbol of eternal life. I never knew that before the funeral; but now the awe and love of butterflies is even stronger. My grandma also loved butterflies which is what started to appreciate them when I would go hunting for a butterfly for a present.

Back to the grid. The only request for my quilt is that there is a butterfly or butterflies somewhere on the block added to the grid. I managed to finish the block shortly before guild tonight so that I could give it to the next person on the list. I have never been involved in a round robin before so I hope this one goes good.

Weekend in Review

I got a chance to make the charm bag using Sandy Garvis line called Holly Jolly. I started it lastnight and finished it this morning. It did not take long at all to make. I used the pattern from McCalls Quilting August 2007 issue and tweeked it by adding an inside pocket and putting a snap on the outside pocket so my cell phone will not fall out of it.

I mentioned a pattern that uses charm squares and a Jelly roll its called Butter charms and Jelly. I used the MonekyNRound that I got when I took my birthday quilting shopping trip to Lincoln. I started the quilt on Saturday morning and have just a little more to go and the top is done. Here is the start of the quilt making four patches. Then I had to trim them down. There was only 12 blocks so did not take long. Then added strips around the four patches and sewed them together. Then added the inside border. I have the top and bottom outside border ready to sew on then that just leaves the other two side borders. I hope to get this all finished tomorrow.

Oh lastweek Pat Sloan posted the new farmers Market block and I whipped it out using the extra large yo-yo maker. This block was so much fun and easy to do.

Sewing Sunday

I managed to get two quilt tops finished today. I got the Scaredy Cat charms on the Oct. 25 and decided to just sew it together. Then on Tuesday Oct. 3o I found the blue border I needed to pull every thing together. This other quilt top is from April Cornell's line called Decadent Victorian. I used a cool idea that I got from Wendy’s blog. Of course right after the picture was taken Sadie attacked the little pink foot that was hiding behind the quilt.


I have decided that I need to find the local Charms anonymous group. I really seem to have an addiction to these little 5" cuties. But they are so much fun to play with and yet make something usable for the family. Before I give up this addiction I better put together the other 12 charm packs I have left. Some of the charms I plan on making some bags with.

Sewing Saturday

I only got to fix the crooked lines and cut the next pieces for the quilt top. I decided it was time to start teaching Samantha how a quilt goes together. She is so proud of her master piece and I am too. The only fixing I did though was when the seem allowance was to narrow and I was afraid it would fall apart. There was one spot whe had that was so wonky that she begged me to help her frog stitch it, so she could restitch it. What a trooper we started at 9 this morning and by 4 this afternoon it was completed. I thought she would get tired or bored after a couple of hours, but no she needed to get this one done so she could start on the charity dolly quilt for my guild who donates them for Christmas of sharing. She is a true gem of a kid.

This started out a misc. blocks that we cut to the same size. She laid them out just like she wanted.We were ready to put on the last border. Then decided to add the red candy cane print all the way around the top. It was a great Idea to use the red all around the quilt. It sure made the blocks stand out better.

As you can tell she is very proud of her hard work for the day. Now I have to find time to quilt this so she can use it. So I was not allowed to do my personal sewing but her smile and attitude sure was worth the time given to help her learn the beginnings of quilting.

Under the weather

I seem to have managed to catch a cold, sinus gunk. Not sure which but it sure has put my head in a fog. So decided to take a longer break from school to give myself longer to get things done and now to get feeling better.

Happy Birthday!!!

Well today is the day another year older and non the wiser. I had lunch with my mom and husband then went and had my hair cut and highlighted in hopes to hide the few gray hairs that seem to be showing up. 35 what a very scary number, but it does not mean I'm over the hill or close to death.

I got a Ott-light for the dark corner of my sewing area, quilt kit, and a new Teflon pressing sheet. The most awesome pumpkin pie body lotion and sugar & spice from Bath and body works. All in all it was a good day. But really looking forward to my annual trip to Lincoln to spend my birthday money at the quilt stores there. My husband and I have been doing this trip for several years. It is great to get to the big city.

On the quilty front. I managed to finish my corn for the Farmers Market quilt. I found Angelina hair the fuses to itself then can be stitched down it made excellent silk for the corn. I also put together the bumble bee block for Times Remembered.

I have been working on a 5" charm quilt using the Scardy Cat line from Moda. I hope to find tomorrow what I want to use for the borders, then I will be able to finish the top.

Tomorrow also starts another class. Tough to believe that the two weeks I took off from class is already gone and I seemed to not get everything done that I wanted to do. But at least I had a chance to recoup and am now ready to study some more. Not really I could use a couple more weeks vacation, but then I would probably decide a permanent vacation from school was in order so I'll just go to class in the morning or evening (whenever I have time to get to class). Got to love class online, can go when you feel like it and is convenient for you.

Inspiration from Music

From the new album Point of Grace How You Live the song is How You Live . It seems to reflect on its not what we do but its how we live. This is how the chorus goes.

"Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances and let it all out

'Cause you won't regret it

Looking back from where you have been

'Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you live."

In my last class I had a classmate make this statement "As always, thank you for your patience, support, and everything. You are the best team member i have ever worked with and I am sure it reflects in everything you do in life." Now keep in mind we only communicate through an online class room. I feel that he truly got to see the real me, the one full of the Holy Spirit. Others have commented on things also; how do you seem so happy through lifes ups and downs. I have to remember its not what I do but "How I Live." This means not just our actions but the words we speak. This song reminds me that we need to live not sit inside our houses and hide, but spread the music in our souls to others which can be done online, over the phone or in person. But it says " This little light of mine I'm going to let it shine. Hide it under a bushel NO, I'm going to let it shine." Let's let our lights shine bright and turn up the music.

Quilt show pictures

I love it when a quilt show actually gives a person a book that has all the names of the quilts and creators along with important information. It helps when looking back to recall what a person liked.

As many already know I like fall. So it will not come of any surprise that I picked this one as my favorite in the applique division. This quilt is called "Fall Friends" by Connie Olson and is machine pieced, hand appliqued and is hand quilted by another guild member.

This other fall quilts use of batik in the border really made the design. This quilt is called "Autumn Glory" by Jean Mohanna and was hand appliqued and quilted.

Oh butterfly's they were my grandma's favorite. There were two great butterfly quilts and of course I forgot to take a picture of the other one. Linda Ebel made "Butterfly Dance" that measured 36"X45.

This next quilt is made by Cleo Skinner. It is the "Underground Railroad" made using Elanoer Burns book. Cleo has a small group in Hordville, that meets once a month and our challenge was to make two blocks for two quilts. One was auctioned for the Hordville's 100 year celebration and the other quilt was auctioned in Polk for their 100 year celebration. Of course we were also to make our own "Underground Railroad" quilts but so far I think Cleo is the only one to do this.

I found this Peacock to be extremely interesting, especially using really feathers. In my house the cats would be in trouble all the time trying to play with those feathers. I did not write down the number/nor did the camera catch it but I do believe this is by Debbie Krugman "Island Peacock."

The last quilt for the day is by Stella Schaffer and is a mini Lone Star measuring 15"X15".

I have to show you my Super Sadie.

Then the other night I was looking for Smokie and found him trapped by a little girls feet unable to move. This picture was taken in the dark using just the flash from the camera. I was so shocked that it came out so bright.

Finally pictures

The sunflower is by Debbie Beavers

I also have the witchy woman all ready to stitch down on a t-shirt. Both patterns came from the same lady in Iowa Bloomin’ Minds. I did manage to get my small quilt for guild quilted today and the binding stitched on I just need to do the hand work on the binding. So it for sure will be ready by Tuesday.

Ok enough pictures for today it has taken almost 2 hours to upload these two. Very frustrating.

I got through all 16 bags of fabric today. I have neatly sorted and filled 10 boxes that I did not want to keep and are ready for my friends to go through. Once they go through the fabric the I will start making cuddle quilts. I did keep roughly 3 to 4 large rubbermaid tots of fabric for myself and it is all in the laundry room to wash away all the cat smells from the previous owners home. Luckly it is just smells and nothing more. Then comes the fun of washing and sorting all of the fabric and trying to neatly organize it the newly purchased (garage sale) cabinets.

Progress pictures

I finally got the pictures taken of what I have been working on. And wouldn't you know I cannot get my pictures to upload.

Today I went to another local quilt show, Yes I took pictures, and picked up the perfect embelishment for the silt on my corn block from Farmers Market quilt. While at the quilt show I was asked if I wanted to join their guild. I politely declined because I already am in 3 local and 1 state guild. I do not want to stretch myself to thin. Of course had to do the grocery shopping while in town. Then finished piecing and stitching down the pieces on a small quilt for a guild auction being held next Saturday.

Tomorrow I have to get the small quilt, quilted and the binding on so that I can deliver to the guild meeting on Tuesday. Luckily it is a very small quilt 13X13. So it should not take very long to finish it.

I do plan on starting to go through the bags of fabric I received to get that done, and the extra fabric ready to give to the guilds for cuddle quilts. We make quilts and give them to Health and Human services for the kids when they are taken from their homes. It is a great cause and I know that there is no way I need all of that fabric given to me. I do want to get started on this huge task tomorrow.

Also I hope I can get those pictures posted.

Hope everyone is having a happy quilty weekend. ;-)

Thanks everyone

I know that I am tough on myself, but I have this silly perfectionist problem (which occasionally strikes me). I have been working on it especially with my quilting. I am no longer as picky if my corners do not align perfect, I will not rip and rerip. It is progress. Thanks everyone for the comments I do appreciate all the support. Now if I can slow down long enough to take the pictures of my accomplishments from the last couple of days. Instead I'll post some more of the quilts that were displayed at Threads across Nebraska.

I am still alive

I just finished my programming class, which took a lot to do especially this last week. I am still recouping, feeling like a semitruck ran me over and left me for dead. The instructor already has graded the our final programs (that were turned in Monday) and my great GPA will drop. I managed to get an A- for the class. My husband says that is a great grade considering 22 people started the class and by the end of the class 9 were left in the class and only 4 (including me) turned in the final program. It was a tough class and I should be happy with the grade, but I cannot get past the fact I was only 3.5pts from an A; which would have kept my GPA 3.96. I wonder if this is the correct path for me, I love computers and programming. Ok. I get stop the pity party I'm having. I did manage to see some yesterday as a reward for just getting the program written and turned in.

Check back later for pictures of what I got accomplished.

Farmers Market

I could not resist getting this Cherished Teddies Lila: Sweet & Colorful Just Like You to go along with the farmers market quilt that I am working on with Pat’s group. I have been collecting special Cherished Teddies for years and figured this one would commenurate the fun I am having and what got me quilting again after the loss of my mother-in-law.

New Iron

My darling husband told me to finally get a new iron. As the picture shows one of my naughty kitties has riddled the cord with their teeth. He orginally was going to get me one for my birthday, but realized I had two weeks off from school were I would appreciate having the iron before my birthday. Yeah me.

I really liked my old iron; but found one that has the retractable cord to prevent my new iron from having the same dismiss happen to it like my old one.

To find out a little more about the pumpkin swap thoughts visit http://groups.google.com/group/bloggerland-swappers?hl=en

Pumpkin swap

There seems to be a blogger land interest in doing a pumpkin swap. How many of us would want to do something like that? Just leave a comment or drop me an email so we can count the interest level. If there is enough interest I will get another blog/site dedicated just for the pumpkins and future swaps. Yes we would not have a long time to actually do this, but it still would be fun.

New Guild/pumpkin blocks

Well I choose today to finishing stitching down the pumpkin blocks that I am doing for a swap. I actually did get them done and ready to go in the mail tomorrow. I did take some pictures before they went into the envelope. As one can see Reese wanted to help me get the blocks arranged for pictures. I managed to get her to move briefly so I could get the picture taken. Below is the pumpkins being sent into the swap.I went to check out a new quilt guild that is starting in my home town. Not only do I think I am going to join but I plan on doing the Christmas fabric challenge. There was a raffle for an item and I managed to pull my own name out of the basket.