Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year 2009!

A New Year Blessing

May the road you walk be a smooth one,
May your troubles be few — if any,
May the days and years that lie ahead
Be healthy, happy, and many,
May you have friends in abundance,
May the sun shine bright around you.
May the world be a wonderful place to live,
And may God's love always surround you.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Monday, December 15, 2008

The Lions

My, how the time just flies by. The more I have to do, the less time I have to do it. This is just a quick post to let you know I am still around. Amanda is doing much better, and that makes me feel better. I finished the lions for the latest installment of the Noah’s Ark project. I liked the way this one turned out. They are all just so cute. Thanks again, Lynette.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Back to Blogging


I have never been a daily, or even weekly, blog poster, but this is ridiculous. It has been more than a month since I have made a post. I can say that there have been some legitimate reasons for this, but a lot of it is because of a lack of inspiration. Amanda has been back in the hospital during this time, and continues to have medical problems. She is home now, and seems to be feeling better, but I worry so about her. Please continue your prayers for her. On a lighter note, I have just finished the November block of the Noah's Ark series, and that reminds me that I need to check to see if the one for December is up on Lynette's site. We had a really nice Thanksgiving Day. All of my children and their kids were here, except for the son who lives in Houston. I know the rest of the month will be a busy time for everyone. I don't know how often I will post, but God willing, it will be more often than in the past month

Friday, October 31, 2008

Even More Mail



I just couldn’t believe it when I got this in the mail a couple of days ago. Another package from my Angel Stitcher! I am just so happy with the things she sent. There is a really cute pattern for a little bag and all of the materials to make it. Also a quilt label, more beads, and more cookies and some really yummy candy. Last of all is a beautiful bag!!!!!!!!! I wish you could see it in person. It is so beautifully made. I just love it! Now I get to tell you who the lovely lady is that sent all these wonderful things to me. She is Maria, from Denmark. She has a blog that I visit frequently. It is called allmomasquilt. I think you would enjoy a visit there. It is mostly in Danish, I think. Don’t know for sure because I can’t understand that language, but she also makes some remarks in English. I have really enjoyed making the Angel Stitcher projects, and have sent mine off to their new owner in Australia. I just barely got them sent before the deadline. Procrastination is my middle name. Wish it weren’t so, but it is another fault of mine. I will end this post with a little note to Maria. Thank you so much for the beautiful gifts and I am so happy that you were my swap partner. You made this a really wonderful experience. Hope your Angel Stitcher is as good to you as you were to me. I will be visiting you on your blog very soon………

Monday, October 20, 2008

More Mail


2 days ago, I got another package in the mail from my Stitcher’s Angel. What a nice lot of goodies. There was a folding thread catcher, a too cute little pincushion for my finger, a pair of scissors on a ???, you know, the thingy you put around your neck, and some cookies and candies. The orange wrappers were toffee candy. My favorite!! Those were gone before I got a picture taken! Thank you once again my Angel. You are a very generous and talented person. Please excuse the lousy picture. I had my 15 year old grand daughter spend the night with me. She loves to take pictures with my camera. I told her she could use the camera if she didn’t change any settings. When I took this picture, the flash wouldn’t work. Do you suppose she changed a setting? I’m thinking she did. I can’t find the book that came with the camera, and can’t figure out how to get the flash back to working. She is going to get her you know what chewed out when she gets home from school today.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Noah's Ark



I finished the eighth little stichery of the Noah's Ark BOM last night. It is hard to believe how many stitches you can get in a 2 and a half inch block. The backstitched lines around the outside of the block were straight before I pressed it. I will have to re-do the pressing later and get the lines straight. I wish I knew what fabric I wanted to use for setting these together. Oh, well, I have a few more months to go before I have to make up my mind.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Fall Gourds

I was thinking about decorating my mantle for fall, which got me to thinking about the fall gourds I have and I decided to make a collage of them and show them here on my blog. In fact the idea of even decorating the mantle started because my sister, Kathy, showed a picture of what she had done on her blog. Must give credit where credit is due! I haven’t done a new gourd in a couple of years. They were fun to do, but I just haven’t been in the mood to do a new one. Hope my gourds don’t rot before I get around to them again.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Why I have been away from blog-land

Amanda
On Wednesday evening, September 24th, my daughter had a stroke. She was in the hospital for eight days. She is almost back to normal now, thank the Lord. She is only 34, and this has been a real shock. The doctors say that it was probably caused by a combination of factors. She was taking birth control pills and she is a smoker. They said that some of the meds she takes for migraines could have also been a culprit. And then there is the “stuff happens” theory. She is at home now and being closely monitored. She has to take a blood thinner and has to have regular blood tests while she is taking it. I am feeling more confident that she will be ok, but I am still scared for her. During this time I have been so worried that I just couldn’t do anything. I seemed to be wandering around in some kind of fog. I feel like I am coming out of it a bit, at least enough to let those of you who read my blog know why I have not been posting or reading. In the next few days I hope to get more in the swing of things, and catch up on what you all have been up to. I want to thank those that have e-mailed me with your concern. Thank you for caring.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Needle Book



Cici from Sweden offered this little needle book pattern to the Stitcher’s Angels on Helens blog. I liked the one Cici made and decided to try to make one. I think it turned out very nicely, if I do say so myself. It is only about 2 1/2 inches wide, but it took quite a bit of time to make. I stitched all the writing on it and that is what took the longest. Would have used permanent marker, but mine were all dried out.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

I Got Mail!!!!!!!!!!





I got a wonderful surprise in the mail yesterday from my Stitcher’s Angel swap partner. She lives in Denmark and sent me all of these nice goodies. A beautiful needle book, a package of needles included, a cute little pincushion, 5 tubes of gorgeous beads, a lovely button, and last, but far from least, 2 chocolate candy bars. She did not tell me her name, but just in case she might see this, let me say thank you. You were very generous, and I will treasure the little needle book, but I am going to eat the chocolate right away!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Another Finish........and an Award


I finished the needle holder made from the pattern by Lynette Anderson. It was one of the patterns from the Stitcher’s Angel project. I think it turned out pretty cute. I don’t have any scissors that would fit in it, so it will be going to my swap partner.
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I have been choosing a favorite blogger each Friday for the last fourteen weeks, and now it is time to say goodbye to that idea. It was getting a bit boring to me and I don’t do boring. I am also too forgetful to do something that has to be done on a certain day each week. Yes, Myra, I forgot last Friday!!!
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This morning I found that Isabella from I Just Love to Stitch has passed on an award to me. Thank you. I can’t choose just 5 bloggers to nominate so I choose all of the bloggers on my lists. Just take the image from here and put it on your blog if you wish, and pass it along to whomever you care to. It is a very pretty little image.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Another Finish

I finished the pin cushion from the pattern that Karen from Cotton Spice offered to the Stitcher’s Angel project. I, of course, had to do things a little bit differently. I didn’t have any chenille, although my sister said she had some I could have. I chose to use regular quilting fabric for my pin cushion. I also used the stitchery pattern from Natalie Lymer’s project. I used a poly filled yo-yo in the center front with a button on the front and the back. I like the way it turned out. I won’t go into detail, but must say that I had to make it twice. The first time I made it, it was a pin pillow! Way too big!!!


Thursday, September 11, 2008

Danger!!!!!!!!!!!


A Woman's Week At The Gym

Dear Diary, For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.
My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY:Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!
Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!
Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit- ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!

TUESDAY:I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY:The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals.
Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.
Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other stuff too.

THURSDAY:Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes.
Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny b**ch to find me.
Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY:I hate Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.
Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the da*n barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY:Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY:I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!
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Carin make me do it! She has just posted about starting back to the gym, and I had just read the above story, so that is the way this post came about. I found the cartoon on the web somewhere, and it just cracked me up. The "Woman's Week at the Gym" story was in a news letter from an online quilt shop called Stitchin Heaven. I didn’t see any copyright info, so I suppose it is ok if I use this material. If not, well, I guess that I can delete this post if it is requested that I do so. Here is a link to their web site. Maybe the free advertising will make them feel better about me using their stuff!!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Finished the bag


Well, I finally got the bag finished. It is the pattern given to the Stitcher’s Angels by May Britt. Of course I had to mess with it just a bit. Added a frame of the contrast fabric around the stitchery, and made it too wide. The contrast fabric looks like it is the main fabric. I also did a little bit of quilting on the stitchery. It seemed to poof out from the batting. I didn’t have any cording, so I crocheted a chain with some ribbon yarn that I had and used that instead of cording. I think it matches the bag pretty well. All in all, I am very happy with the way it turned out. I wish I could take better pictures. I think I move just as I am taking the picture. I guess I need to set up a tripod and see if that helps. Tomorrow I am going to try to get started on the pincushion that is the next Stitcher's Angel patten. I won't be using chenille, because I don't have any!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Friday's Favorite Blog #14


It is Friday again and time to pick another favorite blogger. This week it is Claire from the Quilty Gal blog. She is another Aussie. Australia produces some very talented people. Most of the stitchery that I like is by Australian designers. I think you will enjoy a visit to her blog. She just finished a great looking bag for a swap she is in. Click here to go there.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Noah's Ark and.........



I got busy and finished the latest stitchery for the Noah’s Ark BOM. This one worked up quickly. I also got the stitchery done for the front of the May Britt bag. I am not going to point out a boo-boo I made. Hopefully no one else can see it!!! Now to the sewing machine and making the rest of the bag.

Monday, September 1, 2008

Finished the Caddy

Last night I finished the arm chair caddy by Helen of Hugs n Kisses. It is the first pattern that was offered in the Stitcher’s Angel project. I am happy with the way my caddy turned out, but the picture stinks. I took a bunch of pictures, but none of them showed the color correctly. You will just have to take my word for it that the striped fabric is more of a grey blue, not the bright blue in the picture! Click here if you would like to have the pattern. Now I must go and pick out fabric for another pattern. I think I will do the bag that May Britt has put up as her Stitcher’s Angel offering. It is so cute! I hope I can do the pattern justice. You can find the pattern here.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Friday's Favorite Blog #13


I can’t believe how absent minded I am. I breezed right through Friday without posting my favorite blogger. Hoping that late is still better than never, my pick this week is Jeanne from her blog, luv2stitch. She shows great pictures, you know I love pictures.
She does lovely work and writes an interesting blog. She has posted some blogs that are having giveaways. Click here to go there and visit. I am sure you will enjoy yourselves. Jeanne, I would write more about how much I like your blog, but I have to go check out some of the giveaway links you posted…………




Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Finished the Cottage

A few posts ago, I showed you a picture of the cottage stitchery I had begun. It is now finished, but I think I got too carried away with the flowers. They sort of hit you in the face! I think I should have used a bit more soft colors and maybe not so many different ones. Oh, well, It was just something to do while watching TV. I think I will make a throw pillow out of it. Maybe I can pick out some fabric that will make it look better. If I still don't like it, I will give it to my daughter. "In your face" is right up her alley.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Another Giveaway


Helena is having a giveaway on her blog. She is giving away a nifty project keeper thingy and also a free stitchery pattern. Go on over and check it out. Click here to go there.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Friday's Favorite Blog #12



This Friday’s Favorite Blogger is Finn from the blog, Pieces From My Scrapbag. She is a very nice lady and is always ready with a **VBS**. Great pictures, fun happenings, and interesting stories can be found on her blog. She has a secondary blog that shows pictures of quilts made with orphan blocks. She hasn’t posted in a few days. She said that she recently found the mo-jo that she had lost, so maybe she is too busy quilting to post. Click here to go there.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Another Giveaway



Carin is having a giveaway to celebrate her 200th post. Can you imagine.......... 200 posts! ...Click here to check it out. I hope she doesn't mind that I "borrowed" her celebrate picture. I don't like to post without a picture of some kind.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

After



Ok……Here is the after picture. I must say it looks a little more fit for human habitation. I am looking forward to some stitching this evening in my new de-cluttered space. All of the stuff I need to work on my current project is in the little box. Kathy, I will really try to put things back when I am finished with it. I know my life would be much easier if I would make a habit of doing that. Sheree, I hope this picture helps to restore your chi. Just in case I haven’t mentioned it before, Sheree is my baby sister.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Before


I am a slob. I have been working on some embroidery projects the last few days and I looked at my table today, and realized I am a slob! I have never been the most tidy person, but this is ridiculous. Kathy, my sister, will have a cow when she sees this. She is a total neat freak! But a wonderful person and my best friend!!!!! I just cleaned out that drawer a week or so ago, honest. You can't see it too well in this picture, but on the table there is a glob of floss with thread dangling everywhere. The remote to the TV does not belong there. There is a little dish with the floss I am using to make the Noah's Ark blocks. It could be put away. The mirror is out because I had to pluck my eyebrows and the light is good there. Of course, since I am a slob, I couldn't put it back when I was through. On the floor there are boxes of floss and bags of floss, some books and back there I see the cone of peaches and cream crochet yarn that I got out to make a dishcloth, and of course I didn't put it away when I was through. I am going to clean that area up and show you a picture of it tomorrow.........or maybe the next day. I don't want to turn over this new leaf to quickly. Have to be careful of my back you know.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Friday's Favorite Blog #11..and More



Today is Friday once again and I think Bonnie at Calamity Jane’s Cottage is an excellent choice for this week’s favorite blogger. She is a very interesting person and has a very nice blog. Pretty pictures and some very creative projects she has made. She also has a shop with some of the nicest vintage items for sale. I see she is also in the Stitcher’s Angel swap group. Whoever is chosen to be her swap partner will be a very lucky person. Go on over and check out her blog. I don’t think you will be disappointed. Click here to go there.
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The older I get the faster time seems to go. That is not fair. When you don’t have a lot of time left, it should go slower! I live a very calm but boring life, and you would think the time would drag, but no!!! It seems to speed up more everyday. This stinking computer is probably part of the reason this happens. I start reading blogs and it doesn’t seem like much time has gone by, but WHOA!!!!!, I have been reading for two hours. I don’t plan to change though, so I guess I will just have to shut up and deal with it.
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I will close this post with the reason it has been a week since I have last posted. Last Saturday My son and his wife from Houston came for a visit. We had a great time and Eva, my daughter in law was so kind. She did all the cooking while she was here. She even cleaned out my microwave, which was in great need of it. My back is still preventing me from doing many things. Reaching over my head, where my microwave is above the stove, is one of them. Tim, my son, brought his new toy with him. It is the Wii gaming system. I am not sure I have the spelling correct on that. The grandkids had a great time with it. My son Dan and Tim had a few cut-throat games of tennis and golf. They are very competitive and both hate to lose. Playing with that game leads to lots of NOISE. The games themselves have audio comments. The players add to the NOISE with all of the comments they make while playing. For example… Dang, You cheated, I am just better than you, I let you win, You have had more practice, On a real golf course I would have made par, etc, etc. Fun, but NOISY. We had a houseful one evening. My daughter Amanda and her family, Dylan, Ashley and Kiley, were here. With Tim and Eva, Dan, myself and my husband, my little house seemed just a bit crowded, and NOISY. We had burgers from the grill and all the trimmings. We had a great time. I feel blessed to have such a loving family. Wish my other son, Chris and his family could have come. Tim and Eva left for home on Thursday. They called in the evening to tell us they had arrived safely. I worry so when my family is on the road. So it is back to just my husband and myself. I love visiting with my family, but I gotta tell ya, It wears me out. My life is boring, but I like it that way. Boring and QUIET. I know in a little bit I will be wishing they were back, but for now I am happy to be back to reading my blogs and doing just the normal QUIET things.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Friday's Favorite Blog #10

This Friday I have chosen Rondi, at Rose Colored Glasses, as my favorite blogger. I very much enjoy reading her blog. She recently changed her header and this one is as nice as the last one, which I loved. She has a real eye for color. Something I do not have and wish I did. Her pictures are always so beautiful. She has a post on Thursdays where she tells of the things for which she is grateful. This weeks was very lovely and inspiring. Take a look at her blog. I am sure you will enjoy your visit. Click here to go there.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

I Finished Something



I got tired of being behind on everything, so I got busy and finished the latest stitchery from the Noah's Ark Bom. The colors don't look exactly right in the scan, but I thought it turned out well. I don't know if I have said it before, but I really don't like to do the satin stich. I am just not very good at it. I got the spots done and I guess they came out ok. Maybe I should just practice more. I was doing a running stitch as the border, but decided I like the back stitched look better. Have to re-do all the ones I have made so far, but it doesn't take too long to do. Getting finished with this one so quickly, makes for a long wait for the next one.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Computer Problem



I have not been able to make a post recently because of a computer problem. Our wireless router went on the fritz. It took my husband a few days to figure it out, but he got us back on the regular router and now I can get back on the internet. I didn’t get to post a Friday’s favorite blogger, but I think the world will survive. I don’t have any recent project finished, and since I can’t stand to make a post without a photo, I am showing you a pillow that my sister, Kathy, and I made for our sister, Julie, for her birthday a few years ago. It was our first attempt to print pictures on fabric. We used the bubble jet stuff. I thought it turned out pretty good, but it is a lot of work. I think I will bring this post to an end, and go catch up on my blog reading.