I DID IT!!

I have moved beyond a bag and actually made an apron! I figured I would try that before I moved on to the skirt. It really helped me to figure out how to use a pattern...all too new to me. This was quite fun, though I really missed not having a bow whip. I use to have one (3 actually all in different sizes) and I loaned them out! I do that alot and then never get things back. That is another post and I am not going to complain! It was a little more time, but worth the effort. So here is my apron in stages...you will see my beautiful daughter in law, Rachel modeling the final product....
Did you notice that fabric was for a quilt I had planned out a long time ago...pretty nice quilt shop fabric for an apron. I know I have plenty to make a matching apron for Charlotte.
Rachel has begun her skirt and has all the pattern and fabric pieces cut. She just told me she has never used a sewing machine, so a quick machine introduction will be first. This one makes me nervous...after reading the directions, if I can get Rachel through this one, mine will be a cinch!

My mom and sister came by yesterday. My mother started working on some pillowcases. They are beautiful. Good grief, do I look like my Mother!!! Her Lazy Daisy stitch is wonderful! I gave her my floral bag I made, since I have used nothing but the bucket bag Linda gave me. I found my mother's embroidery "stuff" in a plastic bag when helping her declutter. She is usually a very clean, organized person, so when I saw all her floss, needles, hoop and project all thrown in a plastic Wal Mart bag, I was a little surprised. We took care of that with a floss organizer, some cards and the floral bag! She is all organized and stitching beautifully!

Here are some other pictures I thought I would share...just because.

My nephew, Dominic after his ice cream treat!

Miya, all wrapped up in the quilt "Grandma" gave her.
Zach loving on Miya.
Charlotte and TJ watching a movie.

I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments. I feel like a blabber-mouth, most of the time chattering about things of no interest to anyone but me! I am getting close to my 100th post, (see...I DO talk alot!) and am planning 2 giveaways...I have many quilters who visit, but also some who are not quilters. There will be a giveaway for both! I am working on some special things to show how much I enjoy you all!

You Lift Me Up!

Karolee gave me this wonderful award. I am quite honored. Really because I find myself smiling when I read Karolee's blog. She has been very inspiring from the way she writes a post, to the way she challenges her readers to examine their relationship with God. Thank You Karolee. Now I am going to share what this award means.

From the author of the award:

The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading his/her blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell and I am grateful every day for each person whom I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers:Please grab your badge and wear it(with a smile) proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you.

So I can choose 10 bloggers to give this award to. Some of them Karolee already gave the award to but that actually frees me up to choose others equally as deserving.

There are 3 ladies who all have wonderful blogs..no wonder..they are all related. I spend every morning with my coffee and Cheryl! She posts almost everyday and when she does not I am a little disheartened. I also read her 2 daughters, Dani and Corin. Both wonderful young ladies and full of their mother's wisdom. So my first 3 are:

Cheryl of Copperswife
Dani of Ex-Goat Milker &
Corin of The Botzy Blog

Next in random order are:

Joni
Linda
Margaret
Darlene
Ann
Meggie
Lily
Libby
Sue

So I counted Cheryl and her girls as one...you will forgive me. Plus I have an honorable mention. It is a new-to-me blog I started reading about 3 weeks ago. I am really enjoying her. Her name is
Amanda and she is at Much Forgiven.
I find myself completely lifted up in my spirit when I read her blog. So here's to making someone feel good! Keep it up ladies.
I could have mentioned SO many more, but there would be no one left for the new award winners to give it out to.

It's Chilly! and It's Chili!

It is really chilly outside, so I thought I'd make a pot of chili and a loaf of fresh bread for dinner. I don't make chili all summer and felt a craving for it. There are some really picky eaters in my family, but the only ones who do not care for chili are Bud and Rachel. Since they don't live here, it was a nice treat to make something that everyone would eat.

So, I learned a new word today. Godet.

It is pronounced Go-day. Maybe you all have heard of it. Don't ask me what it is. It appears to be the name for the gazillion triangle shaped panels in my skirt pattern. I should have figured 5 yards of fabric was not going to be a couple of panels sewn together. I have been informed by Linda that my skirt is an intermediate/advanced pattern. Go figure! I had this image in my head of an afternoon of skirt making, after which I would be twirling in my newly created skirt around my kitchen preparing Chili and homemade bread for my family...can you hear the background music?? Me neither, cause it is not happening! But I am not giving up. It will just be a weekend project.

So it is a bump in the road, but not a total bust! I will have a new skirt! For now, I am off to do my 1 hour of reading that is for ME and not a 4th grade book. I am doing a study in the first few books of the Old Testament. It really gives great insight to God's desires and His thoughts toward His people. It is also very deep and takes much concentration and a clear head. A definite must is that the kids are in bed and they are on their way!! I will check in on the weekend and show you my godets!!

The Surface Of The Sun

It is NOT in Arizona! I could say alot, but I will not embarrass Sweet Hubby. I will just say that if you could see an actual hot flash, it would look like the above picture!

That said, I am embarking on a new venture...clothing. I know! I am so nervous, but the bag went so well that I just have this confidence...hang by the phone on Friday, Linda! Ok, maybe not that much. I am going to try a simple skirt for myself..elastic waist in a light denim. My daughter in law Rachel will make one for herself, though hers has a zipper...good luck with that Rachel! Just kidding hon, Mom will help you dial Linda's number! Here are my patterns.I am starting with the one in the middle. My goal is to make matching jumpers (dresses) and aprons for me and Charlotte to wear on Thanksgiving. Hobby Lobby had all their McCall's patterns on sale for 99 cents..YES only 99 cents! My 2 skirt patterns were normally 15.95. However, the light denim was $31.00!!! Not a great deal. It took alot of fabric because it is a very full skirt. We will see how it turns out.

I also received my books ordered from Hamilton Books. I saw the link on Finn's blog. They have an incredible assortment of wonderful books very cheap! Brand new and name titles! I got 3 "That Patchwork Place" books (2 were marked 21.95 and 1 was marked 27.95) all for 15.55 and that included S&H. Thanks Finn!!! Here are 2 of them...I can't show the 3rd one just yet as it is part of a surprise in the near future.

We have experienced a couple of bloggy treats here in the past few days. First, Charlotte received her first letter from her pen pal Maddi. Maddi's mom is Rose of Thread Bare Creations in Tasmania. Charlotte was thrilled and thinks Maddi is "so cool!"

Plus, I "met" a sweetheart of a lady who makes the most beautiful hand pieced, hand quilted quilts. I just wish she had a blog, but she e-mailed me through mine and I was privileged to see pics of her wonderful quilts. Thanks Gale!!!

And, I spent some time chatting on the phone today with Quilting Kate! Her computer is down so she has been off her blog lately, but plans to be up soon. She wants you all to know she misses her blog and every one of her bloggy friends! She is a darling! Hurry back Kate!

Oh, one more thing...look what I found while searching for a missing Child Craft book in the basement...These are the books that taught me how to become organized and keep a clean orderly house, circa 1984. (I still have to work at it, but at least I know how) I love Sandra Felton..she is actually quite funny. The first book, The Messies Manual is the book to have. I was so excited to find these to bring up to my own personal library. I really want to add "Home Comforts" by Cheryl Mendelson. It will be my next book buy. Do any of you have it?

Well, it was nice chatting with you. I will be back with an update on the skirts tomorrow..if I don't show up, it did not go well.

Mid Week Already!!!

There is alot going on around here. I have been planning a post for several days and something always trumps it. Oh well...it will keep. First I want to introduce my new grand-puppy. Her name is Miya. She is VERY tiny. Those are 5 inch squares on the quilt.

Cute! She will not get very big, maybe 4 pounds. Big ol Carly was scared to death of the little mite, but did warm up. You can see the big baby backed up under the table with Miya terrorizing her! Remember, Carly is not quite 6 months old...a puppy herself.

I went to lunch today with my Aunt and Cousin. They had some things from Grandma's house they wanted to bring for me and my sister. Rachel came with and we had a nice time. Here we are...Aunt Pete, Me, and my cousin Sheryl. (She made the scarves I showed.) Sheryl is heading back to Florida in another week or so.

They found a beautiful picture of my Grandmother when she was young and made a copy for us.I had never seen the photograph before, so it was a nice surprise. I have it matted and framed already. There were 2 boxes of mostly pictures, but also 2 aprons my Grandmother wore when she did house work and baked her pies. She so loved to bake. She was very tiny, so I could never wear them myself, but they are a treasure to have.

I made her a quilted tablerunner years ago, and it was the only thing I asked my Aunt to pull for me. It was always in use, though half the time it was flipped upside down as she proclaimed it "reversible". I see Zach's toes!! The runner looks much better in person.I was given 5 knitted cotton dishcloths by my mother a year or so ago. I LOVE these dishcloths. My plan was to learn how to knit just so I could get more! Well, I got 5 more from my grandma!!

Now I can put off knitting for a while! 10 should be enough, though an even dozen would be better ;) Another embroidered tablecloth was included and will be put back for my great niece.

Did you all see the new Zachary?? If not, head over to Joni's blog and see Violet's new baby, Zach. He is adorable! Now she has a Charlotte and a Zachary! Who knew I would be able to relate to a COW???

A large part of yesterday and today in my home was spent baking bread. It seemed every loaf I made was either given away, or eaten before I could get another one done! My servant (the bread machine) kneads the dough, and then I form it and let it do it's last rise before baking it in the oven. I am not crazy about bread machine baked loaves. Well, I could share lots more, but it will have to wait until tomorrow, or maybe Friday. More dough is ready to be formed for tonights dinner. Thanks for stopping by ;)

Update: After seeing this on a couple of other blogs, I just had to share it with you. It is about the most POWERFUL thing I have ever seen. Click HERE to see it.

Tackle It Tuesday & Meme

Shoot it is almost Wednesday...depending on who you are it might already be Wednesday! Well here is my tackle for the week. I will make this quick...just some before and after pics of the job that found the wonderful pictures of Kyle yesterday. This is a cabinet and drawer in my eating area on the other side of the kitchen. Why it is here, I have no idea. It is a catch all.

The drawer before and after....

The cupboard before and after...

Slow but sure, things are getting in order. This was just in time, as I store all my holiday platters and seasonal dishes in here. To see other tackles, you can go to 5 Minutes For Mom.

I also want to thank Yvonne for the beautiful sympathy card she sent me. It was so touching. Quilters are the nicest bloggers!

Joni tagged me for a couple of meme's so I will play them here...

The first one is a middle name meme. RULES: You have to post these rules before you give the facts. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and to read your blog. My middle name is Lee..I don't care for it, but it is short so I will use it.

L...Love..I love my family deeply.

E...Excellence...it is what I strive for.

E...Eat...gosh, I like to do it!

Now the next one is a 10 question meme.

1. If you could have super powers what would they be and what would you do with them? (Please feel free to be selfish, you do not have to save the world!) I would be happy just being able to work my sewing machine...is that a super power?? Super Seamstress!!

2. Were you to find your self stranded on an island with a CD player...it could happen...what would your top 10 bloggers island discs be? I would choose mostly Praise & Worship, with a little Country thrown in.

3. If you were a smell what would it be? Fresh Baked Bread...actually I smell like that right now!

4. What bird would you most like to be? An Eagle

5. If you were a bird who's head would you poo on? If I'm an Eagle, I can hit two at once...Paris Hilton AND Lindsey Lohan.

6. Are there any foods that your body craves? Once in a while I crave Bread and Butter pickles. It must be a salt thing.

7. What's your favourite time of year? Autumn

8. What's your favourite time of day? Early morning.

9. If a rest is as good as a change which would you choose? A rest.

10. If you could have a dinner party and invite any 5 people from the past or present who would they be? (Living or deceased.) The Apostle Paul, Mary Magdalene, Martha (she could cook), Solomon, and David. (Why wouldn't I just invite Jesus? He is already there!)

So I need to tag 3 people. I will tag:

Karolee, Rose & Nadine all for both meme's.

9/11

As a tribute to the lives lost on 9/11, I am dedicating this blog post to

Brenda E Conway

who died at the World Trade Center on 9/11/01 at the age of 40. To leave a message in memory of her you can go here. I did not know her, but I did not personally know anyone who lost their life that day. I chose her because we share a name and I was her age at the time of her death. There is a connection.On that day, everyone in the world was affected. The world actually became a very small place on that day.

"There will be on every high mountain and on every high hill rivers and streams of waters, In the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light if the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold as the light of seven days. In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people and heals the stroke of their wound." Isaiah 30:25-26

"If My people who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14"You shall know that I the Lord am your Saviour and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob....Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; But you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise." Isaiah 60:16b, 18

No matter your stand on the Iraqi war, or our President, we all share a common thread... our desire for peace. Some of us have sacrificed MUCH while others have sacrificed little. Some have lost sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, mothers and fathers. Others have their families separated for a time. One such family is among my blogging family. I lift up Christina and her children today along with her beloved husband who is in Iraq this very day, helping to "heal a land". Christina, your family's sacrifice is much appreciated by us all.

According to my Godson Steve, who just finished his second tour in Iraq, here is a song that is a wonderful tribute to our soldiers and how they feel about what they are doing.