Life's Little Gems

This is my Great Aunt Ruby and the quilt we gave her for her birthday this year. Look at her! She is so beautiful. She sparkles. She always has.

I hope I sparkle like that when I'm 90.

A Basting Fit

My quilt tops runneth over.

Therefore, I must baste.











This is what Shelby did most of the time. After Christmas with the nephews, she needed it.

I even guilted my poor husband in to helping for a few hours yesterday morning. He was a good sport. Though, he did call himself a wimp after his hand kept cramping up from closing safety pins.

Yep, quilting is not for wimps. As a matter of fact, I would consider basting 12 quilts in a day and a half an aerobic activity.

Yeah, I know there are only 11 quilts pictured. I forgot to snap a picture of one. You'll see it later when it's quilted...maybe in a couple of years.

Blond Headed Boys

Between the two of us, Dave and I have four nephews, my brother's two and his half-brother's two. Christmas is always a time to spend a little time with them. There's never a dull moment.

The youngest entertained us Christmas Eve by getting on his mom's new exercise machine and going like a mad man. I wish this picture could show you. His little legs and arms were doing 90 miles and hour and so was his head...side to side like a big "no" nod. I would have gotten dizzy and fallen off.


Here he is in a little calmer state next to his big brother who is at that age all little boys reach...you know, where they can't smile without making a face.


Christmas Day was spent at my parent's house. There are two little blond headed boys there in the floor amongst all that Santa fodder.


But inevitably, they end up on the pool table.


My dad gave both boys a laptop for Christmas. Once those were opened, all bets were off. Here's Uncle Dave and Ashman glued to the Internet.

All in all, it was a fun time. Usually, we all spend Christmas Eve night at my parent's house. This year, the boys spent the night with their mother and didn't get to come to their grandparent's house until noon Christmas Day. My brother also decided not to spend Christmas Eve night at my parent's house. So, it was a quiet night, just the four of us. Dad and Dave sat in the recliners and watched movies. Mom and I did a little cooking and then hopped in the car and rode around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. THAT was fun. I love getting my mom all to myself. Laughter always follows.

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderous Christmas!

Love Me Some Snowflakes!

Mrs. Goodneedle finds the coolest stuff.

Go here and make your own snowflakes!

I have little people jumping in my snowflake.

And a heart.

And a long-sleeve shirt.

What will you have?

Spreading Holiday Cheer

A month ago I decided to try and get folks in our building to participate in a holiday drive for Bethesda Center for the Homeless. I sent out a list of items the center needed and as a little extra incentive, assigned points to each item and whoever turned in the most points, won one of my quilts. This quilt...


I didn't get as much response as I had hoped but several folks participated and we took a backseat full of stuff to the center on Saturday morning. The center was full of activity as it was their official holiday drive and fundraiser. It felt good to help out and to see the good work this center does. It is more than a homeless shelter. They have programs to help people get back on their feet again.

It made me think about the time when I lost my job not long after graduate school. What if I had not had family able to help me keep my bills paid? What if I had not had the opportunity to get an education in order to get another job? What if it had been now, when jobs are so scarce?





There, but my the Grace of God, go I.


Thank God for placing like Bethesda Center and the people that devote their lives to the service of others.

Thank God for the reminder of the gifts I have received and for the opportunity to use my talents in order to give back.

#4 Challenge

Mrs. Goodneedle issued a challenge. Here are the rules:

*Go to the fourth photo file on your computer
*Choose the fourth picture in that file
*post it and explain
*tag four people to do the same

So, here's the 4th picture in the 4th photo file. This was taken a few years ago on my dad's boat. The cute blond in the middle is my older nephew, The two beauties he has his arms around are the daughter's of one of the guy's that works for my dad. We used to all hang out at the lake together. (They were on the water; I was quilting in my room looking at the water.) I love the look on my nephew's face. It's like he's thinking, "yeah, I'm the man, baby!"

The reason the photo has a title on it is my dad needed brochures and posters for a booth space at a boat show like spring. So, I whipped up a logo and put it on some photos and made posters for him. If anyone needs a boat slip at Smith Mountain Lake, I know where you can find one.


Now, who to tag... I tag

Colleen
Carrie P.
Tipper
Karen F.

I can't wait to hear your stories!

Troll Sisters

I am a lucky girl to hang out with this group of cool ladies. If you visit Mrs. Goodneedle, Nane and others, you've seen this photo already. It was taken Monday night at our guild meeting. I wasn't supposed to be there but showed up anyway (I abandoned my poor husband) so that's one reason I'm not in black t-shirt and do-rag. I am sporting a "Born to Quilt" tattoo.

Thank goodness Mrs. Goodneedle had her camera and sent us all a copy of the photo because it is one of my all-time favorites.

Nane is selling the t-shirts to benefit the Women's Fund of Winston-Salem. So if you want one, drop by her blog. They are too cool to pass up.

Why Troll Sisters?

A couple of years ago our bee was at a retreat at a nearby camp. There were other people meeting in the same activity building and they would walk by every now and then. On the last morning, one woman stuck her head in the door and commended us on our work by saying "You all are SO busy! You're like little trolls sewing for God!"

We all looked at each other in confusion. Trolls? We're TROLLS? Sewing for God? Does God have sewing trolls? What do trolls have to do with sewing or God? Why not elves or angels or fairies? TROOOLLLLSSS?

Then we burst out laughing...and have been laughing ever since....

... especially when Rug Hooking Buddy broke out in song ...

"Hey, sister, soul sister, troll sister, troll sister"!

'

Y'all, I'm tellin' ya...never a dull moment.

Candle Tea

For as long as I can remember, every year growing up, my mother piled my brother and me in the car and drove us to Old Salem for the Candle Tea. Rain, shine or snow, we went. It was the kick-off for the holiday season for us. The long line was almost a given but it was always worth it. If you're ever in the area during the first two weekends in December, you should go. Here's the agenda:

• Stand in line outside the Brother's House for no less than one hour.


• Go in the front door and pay $4.


• Go in the anteroom where someone in colonial period dress will tell you about the Brother's House (built in 1769) and how the Candle Tea got its start in the 1920's.


• Go into the chapel where you sing carols and learn about life in the Brother's House and the beautiful organ in the corner of the room.


• Pass through the old business manager's office where you thank the Lord you never had to sleep on that rope bed.


• Go down one rocky flight of stairs to the dining room where they are making beeswax candles and teach you all about the process.


• Go into the kitchen where you learn about young Moravian boys and men taking care of themselves including their own cooking and cleaning...all while you are served the most wonderful Lovefeast coffee and sugar cake.


• Go down another rocky flight of stairs to the sub-basement which was once the food storage area (and yes, it is COLD).


• See the first putz which is a model of Salem Village circa 1900 (and it is an incredible sight to see..almost my favorite part of the tour).


• Go into the next storage area to see the second putz, a nativity scene built in 1941 and hear the story of Jesus' birth, ending with the group singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem"...which with a group of strangers in this dimly lighted chamber with the lights on the nativity, focusing everyone always brings me chills (and is my favorite part of the tour).


• Quietly go up on flight of rocky steps and out the back door of the Brother's House into the night filled with the Holiday Spirit.

For years we three - my mother, my brother and me - did this. I even made it through my freshmen year at college on crutches (broken ankle...different story). That is...we did it until I moved here. Isn't that funny? We will travel the world but don't do the things right in our own back yard.

So, this weekend, my brother and his new fiance (yeah, I said it...again, another story), came over and the four of us went to the Candle Tea. It was cold and we waited in line outside for two hours...and my brother is no more patient a waiter than he was when he was 4 years old but it was worth it. She had never been but being a California transplant, she has good excuse. My husband, who grew up just north of here, had never been. It was about time.

I am hoping to talk my mother into going with me next weekend. We need to take a break from the hustle and stress and renew an old tradition that still brings me joy in the memory of it.

Bad Computer! BAD! BAD!

Okay, I guess it's really not the computer's fault but it really should be smarter than to talk to strangers.

Our home computer has spyware and a virus that has rendered it useless. This is why I have been missing for the past week or two. No posts from me and no visiting other blogs..except at work...where I am now...trying to write this quickly before I officially "go on the clock".

Our friend who is a computer genius spent 4 hours working on the poor computer on Saturday and then took it home with him to work on it some more. He still has it. Not a good sign bu I know, eventlually he will get it fixed and we'll be back in business again.

That is, until, our poor little computer talks to another stranger.

What boggles my mind is that there are people out there who are so very smart that they can write programs to spy on innocent computers and plant viruses and do all sorts of evil, when they could be using their genius for good. It's sad really.

Surprises

Yesterday we woke up to find snow and fallen overnight. It wasn't much but any trace of snow around here is reason to get excited. I miss snow. We haven't had a decent snowfall since I moved here 12 years ago.


Shelby was not impressed with the snow.



Yesterday also brought another surprise in the mail. Quiltkeemosabee sent me this little book that I was coveting at retreat a couple of weeks ago. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!



This morning, Dave left to do a couple of errands. When he came back home about 45 minutes later he told me he saw the wildest thing. He talked me into getting in the truck and riding down the to elementary school a a few blocks away. (Keep in mind I'm still in my PJ's and robe.)

Look at the top left corner of the school's can recycling bin. See him?


We're used to seeing hawks around here but they are usually way up in the trees. This guy was at eye level and had been there for at least 45 minutes. He is huge! Much bigger than Shelby! We watched him for 15 minutes or so, wondering why he was still standing there on top of that bin. I was afraid he was stuck in the grate but after a few minutes it was obvious he had his breakfast up there with him. He would move his right foot but not his left...so I was still a bit worried. Finally, he moved his left foot and we knew he could fly away if he wanted.


What would we have done if we discovered he was stuck? Called the local raptor center to come rescue him. I'm not crazy enough to walk up to a hawk!


Beautiful, huh?

Random Roamings

I googled "random number picker" and found, of course, a random number picker. I love Google. Anything you want, you can find with google except socks lost in the dryer.

So, the random number picker tossed out #6. So the winner of the giveaway is Ann S in Ohio! I decided that since it's cold in Ohio and Ann isn't a quilter, she needed a flannel quilt. So, I'm sending her a little Sweet Potato quilt.


One of my favorite things about this quilt is I experimented with free motion leaves in the skinny border. It was a blast to do.


More randomness... I finished the binding on this little quilt the other day. This was a kit I bought at Good Wives Company in Marion, Ohio a year and a half ago. The flannels used in this quilt are like butter. I've never felt fabric so soft. I wish I had a hundred yards more!


A few months ago, Soul Sister was asked to fill the president's position for the guild when the former president decided she needed to step down. So, the next thing I knew, I became workshop chair. Yesterday we had a guild workshop taught by my friend, Rug Hookin Buddy. (This is what happens...when one buddy goes into guild service, we all go. I'm sure it's the same all around the world.)

So...this class... we made fat quarter bags or as another friend likes to call them "Granny Drawers Bags" (because they look like great big granny bloomers). I didn't need to take the class. I've made a dozen or so of these bags, but workshops are fun and my buddies were going to be there. Here's my bag...
These are great bags. You can fit a Volkswagen Beetle in one.

Post 101

It's hard to believe this is my 101st post. Blogging has added a new dimension to my quilting life, not to mention all the wonderful people I've "met". So, of course, to celebrate, I'm going to do a giveaway. I'm not sure what I'll give away yet but it'll be something I made. A wall hanging, a bag, a quilt...I just haven't decided yet.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post by midnight this Friday night. In the comment, tell me your favorite color and your favorite time of the year. That's it!

Good luck!

Hang on for the Bragging

I'm not usually one to brag on myself. Don't get me wrong. I like to show off but then when it's time for the recognition, I'd rather stand in the back of the room with a big blush on my face.

However, I've got to share this. It is too cool.

The little street where I work is the heart of the Downtown Arts District in our city. It is a really wonderful place to work. There are lots of art galleries, shops and restaurants. Across the street from our building is a little coffee shops, Chelsee's. They are part coffee shop and part gallery. Every month they feature a different local artist, hanging their work in the shop for a month. I am the artist of the month this month. We hung the quilts today and other than the one that insists on waving at everybody, I must say they look great in there!

This is also in conjunction with Community Arts Cafe, a local arts magazine. I'm their artist of the week! Check out this article. Now, you know I hate to have my picture taken but oh well, there I am...beside myself.

How did this happen? I owe it to my friend Karen. Her art quilt bee, the Beecassos, displayed at Chelsee's in May and she knew they were looking for bed sized quilts for a fall month. No, I don't think I can thank her enough.

Did You Vote Yet?

I took advantage of early voting a couple of weeks ago and I am so glad I did. I went downtown and got a parking space right across from the building and was in and out in less than 10 minutes! Was I lucky or what!? My husband, however, is a worse procrastinator than I am (which I really didn't think was possible but he continues to prove me wrong). He got up early this morning at was at the polls in our neighborhood at 6:30 a.m. Of course, it was cold and rainy. Isn't it always on Election day? He called me at 7:45 to let me know he was done. I told him congratulations and went back to sleep.

Here's the interesting thing...as he was checking in, he noted that the little sticker with my name was still in their little book. He commented. "That's my wife. She's already voted." The guy with the book laughed and said, "well, she could come down and vote again!"

I didn't, of course. But...if things don't go the way I want them to in the elections, I'm going to lose sleep over that one for a while.

My First Award

Janera gave me an award! It's my first. I feel so special to be included in her list!

"This is what the award stands for: 'These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.'"

So, now I must choose eight bloggers... that's tough.

Mrs. Goodneedle, of course because she got me started!
Nane, because she inspires me to do things other than quilt.
Tipper, because of her stories and music.
Dana, because she cracks me up and her photography is stunning. Dude!
Colleen, because every quilt she does, I want to do too!
Marlene, oh, she cracks me up and she makes me think.
Peg, because, everything she does, I want to do too.
Carrie, because just look at her applique, y'all!
Stina, because she is a sweetheart and I wish she could send me some snow.

(yeah, I know that's nine. I have a hard time with rules.)

When I started blogging over a year ago (yeah, I missed my one year anniversary), my reason was to help keep up with the everyday joys, quirks, and laughter of life that I would otherwise forget. I wanted to remember my quilting progress and other odd things that go through my head. I loved reading Mrs. Goodneedle's blog and it looked like so much fun to be able to go back and see the things that randomly cross your mind on an ordinary day.

At first, I thought "comments? I don't care if people comment on my blog. It doesn't matter if anyone reads it or not." At first... but then... I found out how much I loved hearing from other people. Janera, the Garden Hat Lady, talks about pen pals in her latest post. Remember pen pals? You, know, back when we used to write letters and put them in the mail and wait for weeks for a response? I find myself waiting for comments as well as waiting for new posts to my favorite blogs with the same anticipation of waiting to hear the mailman slow down at the end of the driveway when I was 13 years old.

My purpose in blogging is the same as when I started. I want to write. I want to remember. But it has become so much more than that. Blogging is a network of friends both near and far who care for me and for whom I care, who pray for me and for whom I have prayed, who make me laugh and who laugh with me.

What a wonderful world.

Out of Pocket

Yes, I've been out of pocket for a bit. Some people know, probably more than I realize but I've been low key about it. The low down? I had surgery last Monday. It was planned. I just didn't want to make a big deal to the world in general. I'm glad to be on the other side of it and I am doing great. In many ways, better than before the surgery. I'm just moving real slowly not sitting at a computer for long which will hopefully explain my lessened activity in blogger world. I haven't ventured to a sewing maching yet either.

I've got plenty of handwork to keep me busy between naps though!

As Mrs. G says, Life is good!

Big Decision Time

I made a bit of progress this weekend on my Southern Album quilt. I finally got the mitered border around the middle block done. I've never mitered a border before and was hoping to make it through my entire quilting life without mitering a border. I just knew it wouldn't be my favorite thing to do and, of course, I was right.

Now I need to decide which fabric to use for my setting triangles. What do you think? Should I use the lighter fabric on the left side of the quilt, which is the same fabric I used for my scallops in the four appliqué blocks? Or, should I use the darker fabric on the right side of the quilt?

I think I know the answer but want a second (third, fourth, fifth...) opinion.

A Beautiful Wedding

Dave has two surveyors that work for him right now, both smart young men who work like crazy. I think my husband is happier with these two guys working for him than any others I have witnessed in the 11 and a half years we've worked together. They work hard. They never complain about going out of town or the weather. They put their best into each day. This is extraordinary all by itself because so few of us can honestly say these things. I know I can't about myself.

What makes it even greater is both of these men are hearing impaired, Dylan 85%, Andy, completely. If you saw them at work, you would never know it. Their "impairment" does not slow them down one bit. In some cases their knowledge of a second language helps them in their work. They use sign language in the field where voices would not carry over the distance and noise.

Because of their presence, our firm carries on differently. When we have our monthly company conference calls, an interpreter attends. Associates are more aware of speaking directly to each other instead of looking away when speaking. Because of their employment, we, as a group, are better.

Last night, Dave and I had the privilege of attending Andy's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. The happiness radiating off these two people was contagious. The setting was gorgeous, an old Lutheran church, a huge wedding party all decked out in dark purple dresses and black tuxes with dark purple vests. The minister talked about the difference between a heart-shaped love which is the now, the fancy wedding attire, the honeymoon, the presents and a cross-shaped love, which is the enduring, the everyday, the service and the most difficult. She made you think about your own marriage, not just the one taking shape in front of your eyes.


After the wonderful service, we all walked a block down the street to the Presbyterian church for the reception which was a big bash complete with dinner, cutting the cake, trowing the bouquet and the chicken dance. We all had a ball. I got a chance to grab the bride and groom to open their present so they could take it with them to their honeymoon in the mountains. Several months ago, Andy asked me if he could buy a quilt from me for his bride. I asked him what she liked. Purple and plaid was the answer. I told him I'd see what I could do and never mentioned it again. I think they were both happy with their gift. I know I found a lot of joy in making it for them.

Much Better

Little Miss Shelby is feeling much better. When I came home from my errands yesterday she was all bouncy again. I am so very happy!