Setting things Straight and Kid Pics

Isn't that sweet? TJ made that for me in Sunday School yesterday! He was very proud of it.

My weekend was full, but I made sure my Saturday was a nice "down" day. Lots of hand quilting and movie watching. I did spend some of Saturday setting things straight.Yeah, I could not take that wonky looking border, so I ripped it all out and put in a nice, miniature, paisley print. That right side looks a little off in the picture, but don't fret....I just did not smooth it out before I took the photo. It is all perfectly straight looking.
TJ and Zach spent a good part of Friday afternoon making a snow fort. TJ was not willing to pose in it, but he would sit on the porch for a photo op..... Zach was more than willing to show you their creation.....it was complete with swords (baseball bats), cannon balls (basketballs), and shields (pop tents and a wagon).When they were all done, after a good 2 hours, they came in for some warmth. Zach gave a big sigh and said, "Ahhhhh, it's great to be back in my natural habitat." I agreed!!! heehee
Emerson and TJ both loved the doll house and accessories that "Old Grandma" (my mom) brought them.Their Daddy took it all home for them on Saturday, and they played for hours and hours.....Daddy included. They had such fun!!
Sunday we met them for church and then they headed home for the afternoon with their Dad. They came over for homemade Lasagna, and a couple of hours of play, before heading back to their other Grandmother's house. These next pictures are not the best....blurry and out of focus, but you get the idea. I loved this cute little dress Emerson wore to church. (that blur behind her is Zach running)She looks so grown up! Not too grown up to be Paw Paw's "baby girl".We sure did enjoy them. Divorce is not a fun thing. It feels almost evil in how it is played out and my most earnest prayer is that my grandchildren are not affected. I know that is extremely foolish to think, but I pray that God, Himself, would guard their hearts and minds. I know that they are loved deeply by both sides of their family and I know that God loves everyone involved. It is my only thing to hang onto in the midst of all of this loss.
Gosh, I didn't mean to end this on a down note.
Monday is a favorite day of the week for me....everything seems fresh. Now, I am off to begin my week. Be blessed!!!

Friday Night Sew In

I had my Friday Night Sew In planned from the day I signed up, a few weeks ago. I would head to my sewing room around 5 pm and Sweetheart would take care of dinner and the kids....he agreed. I would spend the entire evening and into the wee hours, pounding out the Hidden Star! By morning it would be a top!
Somewhere along the way, I remembered that the 19th was the night I would have my grandkids. This changes everything. I LOVE having my grandkids and would give up a Friday Night Sew In to have them here, no questions asked! Still, Emerson goes to bed by 8 and TJ and Zach could watch a movie with Charlotte. That was the new plan. Then I started getting a sinus infection and knew my plans of wee hour sewing were doomed. That was ok, too. I could hand quilt the evening away! I planned to get a section like this completed.....This plan completely changed yesterday when my mail came. A year or so ago, I saw the book "Prairie Children and Their Quilts" on Libby's blog, "A Simple Girl". I wanted it right away! It has been on my "list" ever since. I have enjoyed seeing Libby make a few of the quilts and fell in love with them. There are 14 and I want to make them all and do an entire wall in my home of these little quilts. Anyway, I mentioned this desire to Libby....not "Simply Libby", but "Hand Wash Only" Libby! Are you confused, yet?? She had the book and wanted to send it to me. I was too excited for words. Yesterday it arrived..........along with a couple of fat quarters that I plan to use in one of the quilts. Now my Friday Night Sew In plans had to change yet again. Sinus infection aside, I was going to piece one of those quilts!!! I got Emerson to bed and the boys at the computer on Lego.com....my sewing time would not be alone time, but that is ok.I picked the quilt and the fabrics and my night began at precisely 8:15!!!I did not think I could do the entire top, but I would put a good dent in it! Cutting is not my favorite part of the process, but it needs to be done and it needs to be done exact! These little quilts call for tiny pieces....2 5/8" squares to be made into triangles.....1 1/4" strips for borders.....all little bits.By 9:45 I had all the Bear Paw blocks put together and sashed.In trying to stay true to the colors and style, I pulled a dark blue plaid (which is what they called for) for the first border. I do not use plaids in borders.....and rarely in anything other than applique, or triangles. I don't like "wonky" looking, and plaids can do that even if you are precise in your piecing. That is exactly what happened.....still I am not changing it. It will stay the way it is.I chose a gold, instead of a brown, for the outside border. I like how it turned out! By 10:30 it was a finished top measuring 19 1/4 X 19 1/4.
The illusion of a "wonky" border aside, I think it turned out cute!! Maybe I can quilt that wonky corner out!So that is my Friday Night Sew In. I think I will call these my "Libby Quilts". One Libby introduced me to the book, and another Libby gifted me with it. Seems fitting!