Tuesday, December 29, 2009

THANKFUL FOR OUR BLESSINGS



MySpace Glitter Graphics

I love the daily inspirational message on my calendar for December 28th:

"BLESSINGS
brighten
when we
COUNT them". - Maltrie Babcock


My husband and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary yesterday and I am thankful. Counting my blessings of the past twenty four years reminds me of the cute little advertisement on TV when a little child is reminded to:

"Pick stars and name then for all things you are thankful for".


I also find yesterday memorable as I finished sewing the top of my Uneven Star Quilt using the celestial fabrics I had collected almost ten years ago. I am happy to have used some fabric from my already too large stash!!! I had started sewing a paper pieced star quilt in 2000, however misplaced the blocks and patterns in my basement 'stash'. I can now count the millions of shining in the fabrics of my 2009-2010 quilt.


And I will share with you more of my quotes:

~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There is no need to reach high for the stars. They are already within you - just reach deep inside yourself. - Tas Soft Wind
~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"We CaN't AlL bE sTaRs, BuT wE cAn AlL tWiNkLe"...
~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thursday, December 24, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS...


My cousin just sent me this picture of me and my precious parents...(just taken recently...(C:)
If only time stood still. Here is another picture of my Dad several decades later.
It is almost two years since Dad passed away and I miss him immensely especially at this time of year, however Mom made this tribute to him with this wreath when she was decorating her home in November. Dad would have celebrated his 95th birthday December 3rd. I took the photo of him holding our puppy Marlee, and the bible verse on the frame reads:

"He shall be with you wherever you shall go."

Dad memorized this verse and I feel Dad is now in heaven with God whom he loves.

WE MISS YOU DAD AND LOVE YOU FOREVER!!!!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas for those of you who can share the magical wonders of the season and to those who are alone. If you are alone, I wish you comfort in your knowing that you are never alone (if you believe). My friend, Tatting Chic expresses her Christmas message very beautifully. I hope you will also visit her blog to view her beautiful tatted ornaments. Did I tell you I am registered for five tatting classes in January 2010, so hopefully I will be able to share some of my future tatting projects as cherish those lovely tatted items my blogger friends make?
My Christmas tree is too small to share with you, but I want to share these pictures of Christmas tree displayed at our conservatory had last year. Please notice the hand crocheted snowflakes on the tree below; this tree was my favorite of course!





AND FOR OTHERS WHO LIKE ME DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN TO CELEBRATE THIS SEASON WITH, BUT I LOVE TO SEW AND QUILT, WE KNOW WE NEVER WILL BE ALONE IF WE QUILT. Here is a poem you may enjoy.
The Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
The only one sleeping was a Quilter's dear spouse.
The Log Cabin stockings were almost completed,
"Just a few stitches left," our sweet quilter repeated.

"Then I can hang them and head off to
finish the pillows I'm making, fulfilling Mom's wish
For something quilted to put on her couch",
as she pricked her poor finger,our quilter said,"Ouch!"

When from out in the kitchen there arose such a crashing,
she sprang from her work, and she dropped all her sashing.
Away to the doorway she flew like a plane,
wondering just what was happening and who she would blame.

When what to her wondering eyes should appear,
but Old Mrs. Claus and her bag of quilt-gear...
With her elves bearing gifts, through the kitchen she came,
she directed and pointed and called them by name.

"Now Elna, now Pfaff, now Bernina and Viking,
the Hoffman and Mumm should be just to her liking.
To the sewing room - there, it's just back of the hall, now dash
away, dash away, dash away all!"

"My Dear," said The Claus (as she liked to be called),
"There really is no need to worry at all.
Your projects will all be completed this night,
I'm terribly sorry we gave you a fright."

"Sit down. Have some tea. It's relaxing, you'll see.
My friends and I've come a long way to help Thee."
She thought she was dreaming, our dear Quilter did,
In fact she quite feared that she near flipped her lid!

But the flash of the needles and twist of the thread soon gave her to know
she had nothing to dread.
They spoke no more words, but went straight to their sewing.
How the work went so quickly she had no way way of knowing.

The stitches, how fine! The corners, how straight!
This Claus-woman's talent was awfully great.
They finished the pillows, then started to quilt.
Before they all knew it, the whole thing was built!

Now old Mrs. Claus, she knew quilters real well,
and she knew they'd need help on this night most of all
So she said to our quilter, "Just move over dear,
I've brought my own needle. We'll get done, never fear.

I told dear old Santa about what quilters do.
How they plan all these projects but have other work too.
So he taught me his magic for doing things fast.
There, that pillows done. Now this is the last.

They tidied their thread snips, and picked up the scraps
and chased our dear quilter's six cats from their laps.
As they scurried away with their thimbles still gleaming
dear Mrs. Claus paused, her cap ribbons streaming.

"Merry Christmas, my dear, now just have a ball!"

Author Unknown - if YOU know, please tell us so we can properly attribute this poem

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS...

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Uneven Star block Tutorial


I started collecting blue fabrics with stars for my Millennium quilt in 2000, but the pattern and blocks were misplaced (yes, in my 'stash' in the basement), but having used a couple of the fabrics in my "A Tisket a Tasket" BOM project, I did not want to pack away these fabrics and found the perfect project to use up some of my fabrics, well at least one quarter of them! I did use a couple of fabrics that had floral print because they just seemed to work. When I started using this 'easy' Uneven Star TUTORIAL HERE for one block, I could not stop! I just LOVED the technique and kept sewing. In just five days I have assembled 32 blocks and am delighted with my results!
You can view more versions of these star blocks and quilts HERE.
Hopefully I will be able to start assembling these blocks soon to a quilt top and add to my WIP list for 2010!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Merry Christmas December block finished...now for the quilt!





Oh Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs, I am so happy to have found you back in March, 2009! I really feel sad to see this wonderful project come to an end and am almost in tears as I view your December block. With tears of sadness, yet of excitement, I wish to extend my sincere thank you, Anne for your fun designs provided to us so faithfully and generously this past year. As I expressed before, my participation in stitching these blocks forced me to discover the wonderful experience of hand applique! I have enjoyed your designs immensely, rewarding both mentally and therapeutically. I especially enjoyed sharing my last nine months with all the other talented and friendly members in your Flickr group... Flickr now seems to be just part of my daily survival mode as making these blocks has been the highlight of 2009 for me. Meeting all these wonderful and talented members who share their comments and ideas has introduced friendships which I hope will last my lifetime. Words seem inadequate to express my sincere appreciation for all the time and effort you have faithfully devoted to this project. Thank you for providing such a life enriching experience for me and I am sure I must represent many others also. I will now cherish my completed quilt for many years and forever, I hope. You are a very talented designer and I eventually hope that I will continue to stitch many more of your designs from your website when my financial situation improves.

May you and your family be blessed with the most wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year.

Monday, December 7, 2009

GNOMES, PIXIES, ANGELS, DOLLS AND MORE





Pay attention to your dreams - God's angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep. ~ Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

A beautiful Serenity Angel posted on my sister's website.

This angel portrays serenity. Made from weather resistant polyresin, and will bring years of enjoyment.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

GNOMES, PIXIES AND MORE




My sister just phoned me and she is all excited about her new website "GNOMES PIXIES AND MORE" featuring gnomes, pixies, dolls and more! Please check it out! This website is AWESOME! and I am very happy for her!

LISTING READS: Cast in quality, long lasting designer resin,this gnome will add whimsy and charm to any garden setting! Measures approx. 10' tall X 6 inches wide. They are often given as gifts for the home. Perfect addition to your garden decor. Excellent gift item. Made from resin. Every garden needs a little personality!

She has items from A to Z!!!! listed as follows...Do your Christmas shopping now!
Anthony Fisher Fairies/Faeries
Anthony Fisher Pixies/Elves
Candle Holders
Christmas
Clocks
Collectibles
Dragon's Den
Eden's Angels
Fairies/Angels/Faeries
Fairy/Faerie/Gnome Doors
Garden Decor
Garden Gnomes
Glass Sculptures
Latest Arrival Garden Gnomes
Metal Art
Moose, Bear, Wildlife
Nautical Decor
Photo Frames
Porcelain Dolls
Ring Holders
Victorian Doll Carriages


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Crazy Life
"Quilting is my passion...chocolate comes in a close second."

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