Sunday, December 6, 2015

I am back, kind of......


Hi everyone.  Life, it gets busy.  there is happiness.  there is sorrow.  there are adventures and there are quiet times......

Yesterday, we buried our 7 year old granddaughter.   Sorrow...... My daughter in law was driving a truck.  a semi carrying a load of scrap metal blew a tire and lost control. crash it crossed over in the oncoming traffic and hit the truck.  Our Maddy died in the crash.  Our daughter in law, sustained a bad ankle injury.  The grands, minor scratches and bruises. It was a miracle that Elena and the children were spared.

How thankful we are.  How sad we are.  There have been so many tender mercies shown to our son and his family.  there is a go fund account set up for them.  dinners brought in, projects finished for them,  presents for Christmas, and the list goes on.  the community has been wonderful.

In all of this, we have felt our Heavenly Fathers arms wrapped around us.

Yesterday as we drove to the cemetary the national guard were marching along the road.  the stopped and stood at attention while we passed.  It touched my heart.

at the service the primary children sang a song.  we sang I am a child of God , one of my favorite hymns.  This song will have a new meaning for me now.

We are Mormon.  We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Our faith gives comfort and time will dull the pain.


thanks for listening......

hugs.....

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Quilt Stores

There was only 2 stores I wanted to visit on the way home.  Primitive Gatherings and Temucula Quilts.  Amazingly, they were only about 6 miles apart.

We first went to Primitive Gatherings in Murrieta, CA.  Oh my gosh!!!! I wish i took pictures of the inside. Absolutely amazing.  Beautiful.  I could have bought one of everything!!!  I did not buy fabric.  I bought a couple of kits.



I have wanted to do the kit on the right for so long.  the price was really good and it jumped into my hands!


This one was a kit too.  very reasonable.  there was enough to cut 2 of the red strips and muslin.  I just cut a square of blue for the 2nd flag. it says land of the free because of the brave.  love it! one of them might end up as a present for my son.  But I am keeping the other one.

then on to Temucla Quilt Co. Totally different.  I got to meet the owner.  Very nice.


She has a wonderful blog and a summer sampler is coming up.  Free!  On her blog she has been talking about these little boxes.  they are so dang cute!  had to pick up 2.  she has 3 different sizes.  She also has some wonderful wool.  oh my!  and a really cute container for toothpicks.  to use while appliqueing.  


Her bulletin board was sooo cute.  if you click on the picture, you will see thread spools used a magnets!  brilliant!  She has the cutest small quilt patterns.  I was a good girl and didn't buy any fabric or patterns.  


We then went to lunch at a little Mexican restaurant.  Aztec Tacos  Oh my goodness!!!!  I had rolled tacos - very good!  and Bruce had pasole


He said it was the best he has had.  I tasted it and yes, very yummy!  

From there we took the backroads to Indio, then home.  we didn't stop anywhere to take pictures.  I would compare the ride to driving Salt River Canyon. lots of switch backs and you can see 3 rows of the road.  

It's nice to be home and sleep in my own bed and my pillow.  and home to fold more fabric! hehehe....

hugs....


California!

I mentioned that Hubby and I had been traveling for business.  We went to Anaheim, CA.  no, not to Disneyland.  there just wasn't time.  I love Disneyland!

Core-Mark had their semi annual vendor party.  I am not sure what to call it.  because it kind of is like a party.

it's where Hubby and our son in law, Glen can meet with all the different vendors and order for the stores.  we get LOTS of samples.  Then we come home and have a loot party with the grands!



That is lots of loot!!!!  but one more thing I have to show you....


Can you see the weight?  that is 32 oz, 2 pounds!!!  I have never seen a treat this big.  the grands eyes are going to bug out when they see this!

As the party goes on, for every purchase that is made, your company's name goes into the raffle.  They have drawing every couple of hours or so.  We have never really won much at all at these things.  but they are fun.  However......  We won this time....  an iPad Air 2.  I was beyond excited.  Glen went up and got it, then Bruce grabbed it and I grabbed it from Bruce.  Now before you start thinking, Glen already has a iPad.  Bruce is not a fan of technology, so in my book that's mine!!!!!


Later we won the  - which glen has


We also won 2 boxes of wafer cookies.  I am sure Glen and Melissa's boys will love that.  we waited around for the last drawing - a 70 inch flat screen TV.  I just knew we would win it.  Just before the announcer pulled the name, they found another prize.  the prize?  An M &M folding chair.  we won that, not the TV.  we were sooooo close!

We also got to spend some time with Bruce's brother and his family.  They live in Yorba Linda.  We didn't get pictures, darn.  Then Katrina and some of her family came down to visit.  They live up by 6 Flags in Santa Clarita.


We didn't get to see everyone.  But it was wonderful having dinner with the guys!  Love those faces!  

Next blog will be about the quilt stores we visited on our way home.......

Monday, June 1, 2015

Stash Report 16

June 1st, amazing!  also my little sister's birthday!  Happy Birthday Cindy!  

Well, we were gone most of the week for a business trip - more on that later.  so not much got done.  but I sure enjoyed the time with my sweetie.....

bobbins used this week: o
bobbins used year to  date: 36
Thread spools emptied this week: 0
Thread spools emptied year to date: 3
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date:  34 yards
Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 23 yards
UFOs finished year to date: 6  Wool finishes: 9
New start year to date: 7

before we left on our trip Iprepped a few things.  I had to work on this!  All the hand stitching is finished.  I just need to quilt it.  


And I prepped July's block of Angels among us.



while gone I worked on this....


I just have to add the backing to it.  Love how it turned out.

I am still folding fabric.  I had no idea how big of a job this was when I started.  My goal for this week is to finish it up.  it's driving me crazy.  but I truly am loving how my closet is looking.

hugs......

Monday, May 25, 2015

Stash Report 15


Hi everyone!  can you believe it's the end of May?  Where did it go?  

bobbins used this week: 
bobbins used year to  date: 36
Thread spools emptied this week: 0
Thread spools emptied year to date: 3
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date:  34 yards
Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 23 yards
UFOs finished year to date: 6  Wool finishes: 9
New start year to date: 7

I had to make 2 blocks for a birthday swap.  she wanted red civil war and kona snow.  the pattern is HERE  Bear Tracks.    I loved making this pattern.  I have always wanted to do a bear paw quilt.  I have done several variations of it.  but never a bear paw.  I need to change that.  I think they turned out great!


   

I cut a few more bow ties from these reds.  they will be so pretty.  I now have 240 bowties!  

I finished the little banner I showed last time.  Now to decide where to hang it!  



sorry about that, can't figure out how to turn it.  everything is acting weird right now.  

I have June's prepped and ready for me to do the hand stitching.  

hugs.....

Friday, May 22, 2015

I am trying.....

Well, I want to be organized.  I really do.  My system of organizing my fabric is not working.  Or rather how I fold it.  Several of my friends fold their fabric around a ruler.  but they leave it flat

I did that and then folded it in thirds.  that really takes up a lot more room if it is yardage.  I sort by color.  then I also have 30s, batiks, holidays, christmas, civil war, nancy halverson and patriotic, and solids.   I have done that for years and seems to work well for me.  anything smaller than a FQ goes into strips drawers, or into squares.  I can't tell you how many scrap quilts have been made from my scrap drawers!  I always check those first.  I do find I do not use my strips as much.  I need to figure out something there......

there is a girl from my ward wanting to earn money for a mission.  so I asked if she wanted to fold fabric!!  It was worth every cent I paid.  But it's not finished!  I didn't realize there was sooooo much.  that is kind of scary.  Plus my hubby saw it since fabric covered every flat surface in my house.  Oh dear!
  from this.....

to this....


Morgan folding


to this.....

 I haven't got my closet done yet, so I will take a picture of that later.  Oh dear, I have a after graduation party Thursday night.  I have to get this all put away....  anyone want to come and help me??  

hugs.....

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

4 Generations

Last week we had our enrichment meeting for Relief Society.  This is a meeting we have once a month during the week at night.  Normaly just for the women 18 years and older.  this time it was for all the girls too.  I invited my daughter and granddaughters.  So sitting at our table was my Mother in law, one of my daughters, 2 granddaughters and myself.  4 generations!  I think that is awesoe.



Of course no picture of the 4 of us.  shame on me!!!  Thanks Melissa, Zoe and Lexi for coming.  Loved having you there!!


Monday, May 18, 2015

Stash Report 14

Hi everyone!  we are gearing up this week for graduations, birthdays and life stuff!  So a bit busy around here.

bobbins used this week: 1
bobbins used year to  date: 36
Thread spools emptied this week: 0
Thread spools emptied year to date: 3
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date:  34 yards
Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 23 yards
UFOs finished year to date: 6  Wool finishes: 8
New start year to date: 7

Here is a quilt top I finished this week.  it may or may not have an owner.  we will see......  




I know this pattern came from a magazine.  can't find it though.  the squares were 6.5" and the corners were 2.5".  really easy to put together.

 I finished the easter rabbit wool penny rug!



this is a new project.  Mardi, Cyndi and I are doing this.  it is from Buttermilk Basin - Banners through the year.  I have to find some thread to match the darker part of the flowers.  everything else is done!  This is May's.  i just have to layer and quilt, which I will do on my machine.


this is July - Angels among us by Nancy Halverson.  Just have this prepped.  So this week I will do the handpart.  And prep August!  


So that's it for now.  Today I loaded a quilt.  I just have to have it quilted and bound by thursday.  Mercy, I  am cutting it close.  it's a lap top so easily done.  

hugs...

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Here we go again.......

You know I have been making vanilla and lemon extract with vodka.  Well, a few years ago I gave out pressing spray - made with vodka.

My Thornberries group decided we needed more!  I 'm game!  So here is my recipe for pressing spray:

3 cups distilled water
3 oz vodka
6 - 12 drops essential oils (we used oils from doterra.  but I would think any essential oil would work)

Well there are 6 of us.  so we doubled it to make it faster.  We did not add any oils at this point!  after all was said and done.  we had 6 1 gallons and 6 half gallon containers.  That's a lot of pressing spray!

When all was divided, then when started adding what oils we wanted.  for myself, lemon/lime and bergamot in my 2 containers.  others brought spray bottles and made each bottle a different flavor.



So I think I am good for the next year!  Thanks gals, it was great fun.  I can see this being a yearly thing......

hugs...

Monday, May 11, 2015

Stash Report 13

Hi everyone!  You know last week we had triple digits temperatures!  oh heaven, please.....  we waited till May to do this.  Thank you Mother Nature!  It's been a while since this has happen.  it seems we have those dreaded triple digits in April, sometimes even in March.  But the last few days have been so wonderful.  in the 70s.  What?  It has been wonderful.  I don't know if I should be worried about how the summer will be.  I just know it will be HOT!  but I am sure enjoying the weather now.....  

bobbins used this week: 0
bobbins used year to  date: 35
Thread spools emptied this week: 0
Thread spools emptied year to date: 3
Fabric used this week: 0 yards
Fabric used year to date:  34 yards
Fabric added this week: 0 yards
Fabric added year to date: 23 yards
UFOs finished year to date: 6  Wool finishes: 2
New start year to date: 5

I kept putting off things I shouldn't be putting off this past week.  Shame on me!  I was focused on 2 Easter wool projects.  Why? I have no idea.  But I sure had fun making these....

I just need to find a lavender button and put the backing on this.  It was from a recent quilts and more magazine.


This one was from a Primitive magazine.  a local quilt shop made up a kit for me.  This one is finished!  Yeah!.......  



Now I have to tell you about a wool shop I found online.  Nutmeg Hare  Their prices are really great!  very prompt with mailing.  Everything was wrapped in tissue.  This first photo is a set of 6 - 6 1/2" squares I bought.  The second and a set of 2 FQs.  go check them out!  This is my own opinion.  I just happened to find them and lucked out.  I will definitely order again.   I think I want to do a patriotic one next.......



That is my only finishes this week.  I am happy!

hugs....

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day everyone!  I do not know about you, but Mother's day has never been one of my favorite days.  Please don't get me wrong,  I love having my children around, I love having my husband taking care of everything for the day.  I miss have breakfast in bed made by my children.  Now they have their own children making breakfast for them!

Mother's Day has always made me feel inadequate as a mother.  I can think of all the mistakes I made while my children were young.  the things I should have done.  But you know, Mother's Day is not about that.

It's the joy of children doing something special for their moms.  It's giving service for someone who gives service all the time for others.  It's really not about the moms. It's all about family, and love and service.

Friday I had the chance to go to my grandson's Mother's Day Tea Party. his mom - my daughter, was sick.  really sick.   so I substituted.

Each child escorted their Mom/Grandmother into the class room.  Our chairs were pulled out for us, and each child went and got treats for each of us!  Then these precious kiddos recited a poem, and there was a little slide show.  I promise you, all their eyes were twinkling, with big smiles on their faces.


Here are some the women in my family. Two of my daughters, My Mom and her sister.  My Mother in law.  My sister and 3 of my granddaughters. and 1 of my sister in laws.

All strong, beautiful, courageous women!  As for the grands, I know they will be strong women too!
there are a lot of people missing in this photo.   due to distance - they live too far away, and those who have passed on.

I am so thankful for each and everyone.  the influence they have all been in my life.  I am so grateful for my Mom.  What a wonderful example of being an elegant lady and her example of a loving mother.  I am grateful for my Mother in law.  For raising a fine man who loves me.  And each of my daughters and my daughter in law!  Oh how I love them all....

So today, I won't be dwelling on what ifs.  I will be concentrating on all these beautiful people in my my life.  How fortunate I am that I can call them family......

hugs and Happy Mother's day.......

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Fun testing a pattern!

Hi everyone!  a couple of weeks ago, Linda of Ugga Bear Cottage asked if anyone wanted to test a pattern.  hmmmmm, YES!!!!

I love testing patterns.  But I have to tell you, that by the time I am sent the pattern to test, there is very little for me to suggest.  Linda is a very good pattern writer.  And Pictures?  about a gazillion.  So if I had a question about a step, the picture showed the way!

She sells at Craftsy in the USA and Pattern Spot  for outside of the USA.
she has a hexi little container that I bought and can't wait to try it.  soooooo cute!


do you see the little dots on the blue?  Blood.  My blood.  didn't even know I had done that till much later.  Poop!!!!  And my spit didn't take it out!  Poop!!!!  



This was the first time I had used soft and stable.  I love that stuff!!!!  Where has it been all my life?  This is perfect to stick in your purse.  I didn't add the handle on mine, because in my purse it goes.  Someday I will have a grandmother's flower garden quilt.  It's on my bucket list.  now I will prep some hexies and pack this baby up!  There is some traveling in my future and this is coming with me!

Thanks Linda for letting me play with fabric.  all come out of my stash but the zipper and soft and stable.

Go and check out Linda,  promise you will love it!!!

hugs...

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

FS: Lil Woolies Patterns - SOLD

Hi everyone,  I have decided to sell my Lil Woolies patterns now that I am finished with them.

http://tinyurl.com/ltp2ff3  this is a direct link so you can see each individual pattern.  I will not sell separately.  

They are originally $78 for all 12.  I am selling for $45, which includes shipping.  I prefer paypal.  

I am also including the chart of suggested wool color fabrics.  




This is September and October Lil' Woolies.....

just drop me a email if you are interested!  or leave a comment.