Here's Harlie!!

Here is Harlie and Daddy Brian, aren't they adorable. Mommy wanted to wait on her photo shoot!! She worked hard that day.

Brian is a daddy!!

Harlie finally arrived! 8 pounds 9 ounces and as you can see a head full of black hair. She looks a lot like her daddy. We are all so happy she is here and healthy. Since I "only" had nine months warning..I had to finish this quilt the day she was born. It will be a memory for me, while mommy was in labor...Granny was sewing away! She was born on her aunt Robin's birthday, Sept 22, what a birthday present. She is a beautiful blessing.

A Quilt for Lauren

This is a thank you quilt. I made it for my niece, Lauren and her husband, Dustin. He is a navigator in the USAF. Lauren was in the Air Force for a little while also. I wanted to make them a wedding quilt but I am very far behind so this became an anniversary quilt instead. I want to say thank you to them for sacrificing for our freedom. They are a young couple struggling to have a marriage in a time when finances are precarious and our country is at a war. They sacrifice to live in a place they may not have chosen, to be on call for a mission at a moments notice, and they do this for our freedom.......yours and mine. And I thank them. Honor all who serve and to me that includes their families.

What is a farm/garden?

I have a secret pal affiliated with my Dear Jane quilt, I received a wonderful gift package from her this week and she spoke of her garden. Where she lives her gardens are growing well. I am not a gardener of flowers or vegetables. I have planted and weeded, fertilized and watered to very little avail. I think we picked 5 tomatoes. Last year I sprinkled some wild flower seeds in my "flower garden" and this year some beautiful black eyed susans did come up. But if I calculated how much money I spend on my plantings each year I would certainly give up.


When I was a little girl in Missouri my father worked 150 miles away from home in the big city of St. Louis, we grew up in the country. Each Friday when it was time to make the drive home he would tell his co- workers or drinking buddies, he was headed to the farm. When asked what he raised, he replied,"Cats,dogs, kids, and h_ll." An appropriate answer.

Several years ago I went to Sears and bought 5 rose bushes $1.00 each. The next morning I worked very hard to plant them before I had to leave for the airport. I dug the holes, fertilized, and watered each one very carefully. I was digging the last hole when my ride arrived. I dropped the bush in the hole, kicked the dirt over it, and said,"This one is yours God, I have to go." You guess it! This was the only one that survived. This rose bush bloomed with the most beautiful, full , huge roses. Each flush of new roses would be a dozen or more. Everyone would ask for cutting from this bush and of course I would share because the name of the rose was 'Peace". God's Peace.

I am not a gardener but I know the Master Gardener and His crop is well tended. We have eight children and the seventh grand baby will be here next month. When asked what I raise I would have to reply Cats, Dogs, Kids, and praises to heaven. I want to plant seeds of anticipation, fertilize creative thought, weed out negativity, and generously pour out love. God will grow the crop, and a bumper crop it is.

Mariner's Compass

This past week I had the fun and pleasure of taking a class on Mariner's Compass from M'liss Rae Hawley. We had a wonderful time and I learned some more about color placement. I have never really "learned" the color wheel and have become inspired to do so. Color theory is a mystery to me. I "see" but i have no idea how it really works. She also challenged me to learn stitch in the ditch with my longarm. I am intimidated by this, it requires a steady hand and good eye sight. Two things I lack. I have so many gadgets to help with longarm quilting but I really do not know how to use the gadgets. So many things to learn.

I also had the pleasure of reading an article about her son Alex who is a Staff Sargent in the Marines stationed in Afghanistan. The article was very moving for me and once again I was aware of the sacrifice of others for us, for me, for freedom. This young man is the cream of the crop. I am in prayer for my nephew Erik and the soldiers in Iraq because he is mine. Suddenly I looked at each soldier as mine. I wish they didn't have to be there but I am grateful they are willing, and my prayers are more specific for them and their safety, comfort , and conviction. So many things to learn.

If you have the opportunity to meet or have a class with this wonderful lady, go. you will be blessed.

To The Good Life

I made it!! I have completed 25 Dear Jane blocks. I know I have 144 blocks left to make but I have reached this milestone. I am Silver! I want to make 50 by this time next year. These are Baby Jane steps, a little block at a time. This quilt is such a treasure. the original quilt was made by Jane Stickle in 1863 "In War Time". Brenda Papdakis drafted the blocks, published a book and Cd so that people all over the world can enjoy,dream of, and reproduce this beautiful, haunting quilt. It is spectacular, it is a history lesson, and it is a hand reaching through time to touch ours. When I set out to make a block I think of Jane and her life, in my mind I contrast mine to hers. She is teaching me to be frugal and extravagant at the same time. Conserving fabric but stretching my abilities, to learn, grow, and treasure. The people who are talented and persistent enough to finish this masterpiece are loving called "godess", the quilt is called a "Baby Jane". Jane's quilt is the Mother quilt. The journey through this quilt is fascinating and rewarding, I will enjoy each step as long as it takes and when I finish the last stitch I will pick up my crown and dance.

I also want to link to my Etsy shop. I really do not have it set up just yet but it is a beginning, Everything begins at the beginning so thank you again for helping me along my way and checking often to see my journey and progression. I am grateful for my followers and friends. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7036976

Webshots Link

Hi Again! I thought I would include a link to my webshots page. I do not have all my quilts on the page but I am trying to keep up to date now. Please feel free to check out the pictures at your leisure. I will be uploading more of my Civil War Love Letters blocks this week as I have been trying to catch up on those. I recently became enamoured with Sylvia's Bridal Quilt and have been anxious to receive my silver status with Dear Jane, So there are more pictures to come very soon. Keep on quilting! http://community.webshots.com/user/litemotif

I follow Rosa's World blog and learned of this give-a-way there, I thought I would share ...
http://faithfulquilter.blogspot.com/2009/07/45th-entry-give-way.html
If you are interested in the Quilter's Stimulus package check out this blog. Elaine is having a contest.

Today has been a pleasant day. I began the day at church. We talked about being offended and what we can do when we have been. The Good Lord knows sometimes we are the offender.

We talked about living above our circumstances. God is in control of our circumstances. Praise the Lord, I am so glad I am not in control, I would mess up everything.

After church I fixed lunch. My husband was astounded that I still know how to cook. (I could have been offended). It was a good lunch but I ran down to my sewing room to work on some blocks. This is one I completed today. I am only 2 months behind, this is the May basket. I used felt to make the cherries and leaves which I intend to felt to the fabric very soon.

A few years ago I bought felt at a quilt shop in Missouri and recently I purchased the tools for felting. I made my sister a pin cushion and proudly exclaimed .."It only cost me $50." We laugh about that often but really the cost of her pin cushion is reducing as I use these items for other things. I have far too many interests and am master of none.

I later went for a 1-1/2 mile walk in the park with my husband and our son. the sun had gone down so it was bearable as it has been horribly hot and humid for the last 6 weeks. We finally had a little rain and the temperatures are now a cool 90 degrees. It is amazing how much better 90 is than 100.

I have enjoyed the day, slow and easy, no big surprises, a little sewing, good company and a good lesson to ponder this week. I am blessed.

Tiny Tote Swap

I have been involved in a several swaps with my online groups. We make various blocks in multiples and swap with others all over the world. However, I think this one intimidated me most because I had one little tote bag to make for a specific person. I wanted it to be special. We were given the guidelines but freedom to do as we pleased. The blue background fabric is called Botanicals but I thought of "Starry Night" as soon as I saw it and wanted to make my tiny tote from this fabric. I purchased some (enough to make a whole BIG tote full of tiny totes), went home and printed my LeMoyne star using the free download from Inklingo. (See Links to Love) Then after a few cuts with the rotary cutter a few stitches this tiny tote was born. I was very pleased, so off it went to my tote buddy Jillian, filled with prayers for her and her family, and good wishes from an invisible friend. Check out the Inklingo blog and the Inklingo sampler blog you will find all the information for making this adorable little bag.

Basket Case #1

I am definitely a basket case when it comes to sewing. I joined a group of quilters of this name and this is my first block to finish for the online group. As I look about my sewing room I see that I am a basket case in many ways. I have baskets of fabric, thread, notions, scraps, and of course laundry some clean and folded, some clean not folded, and you get the idea. I have baskets of books , patterns, cleaning supplies, dog toys, candy, gum, and dust. may be I should get some shelves.

Wedding Cake and Quilt

I mentioned before, I learned a life lesson at my daughter's wedding, well a few really. The one to which I was referring involves the wedding cake. I made this little wallhanging of her wedding cake for guests to sign. We decided in lieu of a book we would have the quilt since that is what I do. I do not consider myself a "quilter" because I have seen some of the most magnificent quilts and I am not capable of reaching those heights. However I do enjoy the process of making quilts for family and friends, therefore when asked I say, "Yes, I quilt."

My sister on the other hand decorated the beautiful cake for the wedding. As you can see it was striking. the groom's cake was also made by my sister because she is a cake decorator. Her husband is the baker. Together they create the most delicious cakes, do-nuts, pastries and pies you can imagine. When there is an occasion in the family of course the cake will come from Banky's.

Now here is the lesson...my brother in law the baker is also a biker, he looks more like the biker than the baker so I NEVER thought he wanted a quilt of his own. He asked me..'how many cakes before I get a quilt?' My goodness I was shocked....His cakes are the best cakes ever, ask anyone who has had one and then my beautiful talented sister puts the icing on the cake, like no other can. I was humbled and needless to say I am now enjoying the process of deciding what his quilt will be. Touched by the fact that Banky the biking baker would like to have a quilt made me very happy indeed.

As a reminder to all in within a reasonable distance of Memphis TN... the very best bakery is located in Millington on highway 51. Banky's is the best.

Here Comes the Bride

And a lovely Bride she is. As I said yesterday, the wedding is over but the work is still going on. I thought I would sigh with relief but I now have to put everything away. Wash all the dishes, tablecloths, curtains...on and on. But it was so good to have so many family and friends here to enjoy the day. This wedding was truly a family affair. We have eight children, the bride being the youngest. All the rest pitched in a worked hard to bring about this beautiful day for the baby.

Details @ 10

I love how the news baits you into watching and waiting. They always tell you all the things they will cover but are careful not to give enough information that you may not bother to watch. I have decided to try this technique. I have so much to tell but I don't have time, so....details to follow. We had a beautiful wedding, I received my Siggies from the Big Swap, Civil War fat eights, and I learned a little lesson about life. Details @ 10.

Wedding Planner?

No I am not a wedding planner but I have been planning a wedding. 3 months ago my daughter said she was engaged and wanted to get married in June. I thought Okay I can handle this...then she added, "In the back yard." I have an unfinshed house and a yard filled with everything my husband has ever owned. So we have been working feverishly for these three months. We have had to move, hide, cover, paint and build. Now it is "three days man far out".

I have said, the people who have been to our house will see how much work we have accomplished, those who haven't will wonder why we didn't clean up the yard a little. Oh well. in three days our youngest daughter will walk out of our unfinished home into the backyard filled with family and a few freinds with some old cars, trailers, lumber and flowers for decorations. She will feel the love of a family who pulled together to get ready for her day. She will see the past as she steps toward her future. Praise the Lord for He is good. Peace, Love and rock-n-roll. Three days man....far out.

The Great Inklingo Give Away

It has been a while since I last posted. I want to be sure everyone knows of the Great Inklingo Give Away! Check out the link on the left and sign up to win one of the wonderful prizes offered by talented Inklingoists all over the world. What is Inklingo you say? One of the most innovative new tools in quilting. Inklingo is software programs which allow you to print your pattern directly on the fabric with no templates, your printer does the work. It is fabulous. I made the hexagons on the Kimono Garden using Inklingo. Check out the giveaway and the follow the link to the FREE software download for a 6" LeMoyne star. You will be glad you did. Let me know how much you love Inklingo and when you win!

Kimono Garden

Kimono Garden is a charity challenge wall hanging inspired by the Victorian Elegance fabric line. I felt the Victorian era also embraced Oriental themes therefore I chose the shape of the Kimono. I used the software program by Linda Franz, Inklingo, to print my Grandmother's Flower Garden to achieve the Asian feel. The neckline consists of three diamonds, also designed by Linda Franz in Quilted diamonds. The wall hanging is embellished with crystal stylized dragonflies on the waistband, and enhanced by a simple yet elegant freehand quilting design.

Today, I was able to upload five more of my Civil War Love Letters blocks designed by Rosemary Youngs. I hope you will enjoy taking a peek . I am uploading five at once so I hope to add more later in the week.

In an earlier post I mentioned my dear Christmas friend, her name was Rosemary. She was a wonderful, robust German girl I met when I lived in Indiana. We were fast friends because of her outgoing personality. I loved my friend. She called me everyday and talked for hours about??? I have no idea!!
We moved away and she and I kept in touch the best we could, I had 8 children she 6, but every Christmas eve for 20 years the phone would ring sometime after midnight and we would talk and laugh until Santa had finished his chores and left both of our homes. She was a devout Christian and a wonderful Mom, she loved 'folksy things'. She loved the work of the Amish and she would have loved my quilt. Rosemary died Easter three years ago. I feel her loss every Christmas eve when the phone no longer rings. A sadness creeps in where so much joy and laughter and friendship lived. I am thankful for the many years Rosemary blessed my life. I am also grateful we had a chance to meet one last time 5 years ago. Each Christmas eve since her death I look at the silent phone and I hang the house ornament on the tree that she gave to me to remember --and I do.

Pleasant Campaign

Jan 17, 2009 What a wonderful day..pleasant one might say. I have been sewing away and now am caught up on Civil War Love Letters blocks. I will now have an opportunity to work on Dear Jane BOW, and Heart-2-Heart swap blocks, then off to the park for a brisk 3 mile walk, and there are household chores to be done. The work is light when you have had the opportunity to sew. I am blessed.

No Serious Fighting

I love a day when there is no seriuos fighting And today was the perfect day for serious sewing. I enjoyed the day communicating with my sewing machine and and caressing my fabric stash!! Blessings to have such a peaceful relationship.

Skirmishing Cannon Firing and Uproar

Block completed 1/17/2009

Last night we had dinner at our son and daughter-in-law's house and afterward I played with my 2 1/2 year old grandson..he made quite an uproar! He jumps up and down when he is excited so cute...His baby sister, who is 4 months old, watched as he was laughing hysterically over a funny face his mommy made and the baby began laughing with him. Skirmishing--no cannon fire--but an uproar of fun was had by all.

At the time I finished this block "Severe Fighting", our country was about to inaugurate our new president, Barak Obama. I will lift him in prayer, he is to be our 44th President and he steps into office during severe economic problems and we have soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. He will need the guidance of Almighty God and I pray President Obama will seek His will in this nation's future.

This Block titled," Liberal with Furlough" was actually finished after Thanksgiving. We had a houseful and now it is quiet. Liberal with furlough I guess means everyone gets a chance to go home and visit with loved ones. At times like this we think of our children coming home but also of the loved ones who have gone home to be with the Lord. I miss my Dad, so often he is on my mind. He wasn't always the "best" Dad but he was certainly always "mine". I do not know if our family had any traditions at Thanksgiving, perhaps we blessed the dinner or maybe some watched football but I remember my Dad at the head of the table, shirt with big pockets, long john sleeves under his short sleeved shirt,(always made by Mom),carving the turkey. The night before the house was filled with the excitement of preparations, my job was always crumbling the bread for the dressing. I hope my kids remember something about our Thanksgivings and I pray they are thankful for those days. I'm grateful for special family days and I am proud to be the Mom who fixes the feast. And I am thankful for quiet days after when I can make a block or 2--not necessarily a shirt with big pockets.

Civil War Love Letters

Here are my first five blocks of the Civil War Love Letter Quilt designed by Rosemary Youngs. This quilt has a lot of foundation piecing which makes it go fairly quick. I have trouble deciding on colors for the blocks so they are random. When I begin to put the quilt together I may change some that aren't right. I hope to add the next ones soon.

I am encouraged along this path by the designer of this quilt via an online group and each week we are assigned a block and are also encourage to journal our progress. I have enjoyed this process too.

Sorrow of War.. My Dad was a veteran of WWII and he passed away 5 years ago. He was laid to rest among his comrades in a brand new veteran's cemetary. Each time we visit we are alarmed at how quickly the cemetary is filling. The men who served during World War II are almost all gone. If you know one, honor him, he saw the sorrow of war.
March in the Mountains.. I am quite sure they are referring to a hike through the mountains but I thought of family times when we were able to take kids to Colorado on spring break. We have been blessed in the mountains. One of our sons was born in Colorado, we found a son-in-law there and we were told of a new granddaughter on the way! March in the Mountains has been good to us.

Heathful region...I am thankful to be in a heathful region. I Chose the pink square for the center for breast cancer awareness. I lost three friends in an 18 month period and they are on my mind. I pieced this block at Christmas time and I was thinking of them. In a later post I will tell of my dear Christmas friend.

A Secession Ball... This block went quickly for me. It was nice to have a time of peace and simplicity for I know full well it will come to an end . I will have to rip out some of my sewing to get the block just right.

Enthusiasm...I chose red, cream, and blue for this block becasue I thought a little enthusiasm for our country would be nice. Patriotic quilts are beautiful and they make me feel proud.

My Motto

Yes, I would rather quilt than clean. Of course sometimes one has to do some housework, Christmas, Easter, when your Mom is coming to visit. That is about it. So now I am off to take a sweeping glance.

Weather or Not

I have been reading on line several posts about the weather. Some are freezing some are way too hot. A few days ago here at home it was 75 degrees...tonight it is predicted to be 18..now that is just rude! You cannot get used to one season before it turns into another, then back again. I will have to sit by the fireplace to keep warm. I have only been quilting about ten years, therefore I have given away all the quilts I have made to family and friends.

One person online said it was 108 degrees at their home today, guess what ? I think that is rude too. Now mind you, I am not complaining to the good Lord about His climate control. Believe me I am thankful He gave us plenty of fallen trees and we are able to heat our home and He gave us Willis Carrier, the father of cool, Inventor of the air conditioner..Praise the Lord.

It is funny, my husband grew up in the south without electricity. When he first slept under air conditioning he said he would spend his last dollar to have AC. I on the other hand will probably spend my last dollar on fabric to make a quilt. So where ever you are , snuggle up and stay warm....or Be Cool.

Upload

When I hear the word UPLOAD I think of laundry or dishes. I do not automatically think of pictures and songs, documents and power point. I still have to figure out how to Upload my images to my blog...how is that for internet talk!?! I have been working on my Fall Frolic Swap blocks and my Heart to Heart blocks. Hurray I am nearly finished. When I finish I will Upload them to a mailbox (snail mail), and wait for my return blocks. So much fun! In the mean time, I will learn to upload to my blog so you can see them too. Tootles everyone. God Bless You all.

In the Beginning

Where do we begin? At the beginning...Of What? The new year began and I, like many others have expectations of a more productive year. I want to not only start new things but finish some old. I have boxes of beginnings waiting to be accomplishments. Unfortunately these boxes are not only in my sewing room but in my mind. I hope to clear some of the clutter from both of these places and in doing sew make room for contentment and peace.

This blog is a new beginning. Hopefully a place to organize and share my thoughts, and the content of the boxes stored away. By the way...In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.....