Is it ever too late?

Hello Folksies

Long time, no see.  Or hear.  Or whatever.  I have been so erstwhile this year.  Fancy word for being formerly occupied.  OCCUPIED?  No, not that type of occupier.  Life has been so full of everyday stuff that for me to actually take the time to sit on my backside and talk to you has been, well, out of the question for me. A comfort for me is that when you are true friends, time and distance mean nothing. You pick back up like you did when you fell off that proverbial bicycle.


Let me fill you in briefly.  Spring came.  Spring went.  Summer came.  Summer's gone.  Waiting on Fall.  Yay.
My garden has been a source of true love for me this year.  I also spent much time, sweat, and laughter at my Mother's house, re creating a front garden entrance.  It is still a WIP, like the rest of my life, however, it has been so theraputic for me, my sis Cat and my Mom.  So many "girls day together" has been worth every drop of sweat, every ache in my back and shoulders.


I still haven't seen my grand baby, Nora.  I am indulged with photos on a very regular basis.  She is the obvious center of their universe.  Nana here has been busy making baby things to send their way on a regular basis.  (Y'all know that if I am not in the garden, I have needle and thread in my hand.  Or paper mache, or a chocolate chip cookie)

I've also been busy with some online quilting buds, creating pin cushions to swap, working on a Secret Santa Buddy Swap is going to be an amazing end to the year.  There is always time to make something for someone in need and trust me, the joy of my life is to really share what I create. 

And as you know, we be a real social family, so we get together probably far too often for cook outs.  I just love men who cook

Here are a few other things I actually photographed of what I have been working on. You know me. I always forget to take pictures of the important things. Sigh.

I will try to not be such a Walter Mitty.  I do create the best things in my head.  Look for me to be back soon.

FLASH! BREAKING NEWS!

Welcome sweet Eleanor Joy!  The newest addition to my family is my FIRST Grand!  Miss Eleanor joined us early this morning.  Her precious Mommy had a very short, sweet labor.  When my son, Paul, called me to tell me they had just arrived at the hospital at 7 a.m. - he called back less than two hours later with the joyful news.  He had tears and laughter in his voice as he told me that he cut the cord.  Can you tell I am busting my buttons?  She arrived a bit early, but weighed in at 5 lbs, 11 oz.  That is a nice size bundle.

God bless this little family - now to get busy with baby girl things in the making.  For some reason, I cannot concentrate on anything.  I don't know when I will get to see the wee one in person but I am hoping that the Lord will make a way SOONER rather than later.  And I suppose I will enter the ranks of those giddy, rabid grandmothers that I have never totally understood.  More than anything, I am thankful that the Lord has blessed this dear couple with the desire of their heart.

Never bored

Hello Folksies
I am never bored.  I cannot remember a time in my life when I have been bored.  Oh wait, I have been bored with people, tv, music, that kind of boredom but with my own self? Nope. This is recently being tested because  my sewing machine DIED on me.  I thought it only needed a good D and C.  Nope.  I was patient, cooed sweet nothings to her . . . nada . . . opened her up again and did another clean sweep and a teensy more oil . . . nada.  Rather than scream a steady stream of profanities at her,  (which would have felt so much  better than it sounded),  I carried her to the repair shop.  That was 2 weeks ago.  She is having issues with her timing.  I understand that it is a common enough ailment.  I would like to know HOW it happened so if it was me, I wouldn't do it again.
But boredom.  Hmmm.  Everything I do requires some modicum of sewing.  I even sew my paper crafting stuff.  I know, I am odd.
I finally pulled an old cutter quilt out of the cupboard and proceeded to make lavender filled  sachets, little hearts to hang in a garland and or alone in the windows. 

 I also decided to piece some old shirts into another quilt.

simple squares set on point with hand stitching in my favored multi colored threads. 

I have also made some paper hearts and cut out all sorts of stuff and even cleaned up my studio a bit.
I am not bored.  I am lonesome.  For my babylock.  Wah.

First project of the New Year completed

Hello Folksies
I have just completed a smallish quilt for a friend's daughter.  She is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of leukemia.  Little Heaven is 12 years old and since being diagnosed over Thanksgiving time, has been thrown into the battlefield.  Tomorrow she is scheduled to go to the hospital.  I quickly pieced together this coin style quilty and finished up the hand quilting Thursday night, the binding Friday night.  I will be carrying it over to their house hopefully this afternoon.

For the hand quilting, I drew circle all over and stitched them.  It was a lot of fun to do that.  Kinda wished I had done multi color floss but you know how my mind works.  I am happy with this quilt and expect the prayers said with each piece and stitch to bring a harvest of blessings for Heaven and her family.

Welcoming 2012

Has 2012 taken you by surprise?  Are you ready for a fresh start and new adventures, projects?  Are you a list maker ?   Do you plan on getting better at organizing ~ not only your sewing/crafting area, your time,  & in general,   your life ? 

Well, you can tell where I am going with this post I am sure. I generally do not make resolutions because quite frankly, I like being happy.  And disappointment in myself does not encourage me, inspire me or make me happy.  I generally like to make a list of things I have learned during the past year.  It is interesting to look back over several years and see the various things I have learned - some technical, some emotional, some spiritual.  If you have never done this, I highly recommend it. It can be quite an eye opener !

My thoughts and wishes and prayers for each of my online friends is for a healthy, happy, prosperous year ahead.  Be good to yourself and consider others as you would yourself, too.  God bless each one.