Abundant Blessings!

Here's Mason on Saturday following his fifth birthday party, it was a wonderful morning spent with his friends (and their parents) from preschool, and our family at their neighborhood swimming pool. In lieu of gifts this year he requested school supplies to donate to the local Boys and Girls Club for children who will soon need them. I couldn't be prouder of him or his generous spirit! Look at how happy he is with this plenteous haul. These abundant blessings will continue to bring smiles!

Galatians 5:22-23

Life is Good! 

Audition

Sturbridge Strawberries ~  56" X 68"

I decided, on a whim, to remove this quilt top from the "waiting to be quilted" queue and audition it (stick it up with masking tape) on an otherwise bare wall in the family room; I never had really given too much thought as to where this quilt would end up. I finished the piecing on it back in 1997; hey, it's already a classic! Well, the audition went well... so well, in fact, that Mr. Goodneedle suggested putting a sleeve on it and hanging it right away; he didn't realize it wasn't quilted yet! I guess I already know which quilt is next for a date with Sundance!

Life is Good!

Studio Stars!

I spent the day yesterday with three of my favorite people, in my favorite room of the house... the studio! My daughter in law came to sew and concluded the day with more than half of Lynnleigh's baby quilt top pieced! She did an awesome job! During Gregory's naptime I hung out with the girls and personalized a few T-shirts for little Lynnleigh on the embroidery machine;, here she is modeling one. Of course, Nana had to make her a strawberry shirt! I can scarcely believe how quickly she's growing, she was showing off her skills all day too... sitting up unassisted is her latest trick!
                         
I didn't get a photo of the flurry of paper snippets that covered the floor and rug after Gregory woke up from his nap. A pair of child-scissors and a sheet of paper provided oodles of fun for the longest time. If any of you are in need of hand-cut confetti let me know, I can put you in touch with a skilled craftsman!

Life is Good!

FIVE!

 There's been lots of news lately about the little Prince "across the pond" who had a recent birthday... with all that hoopla you might have missed the fact that there was another little Prince (he has the crown to prove it!) who celebrated a birthday much closer to home.

Yes, Mason turned five years old on Tuesday!
FIVE!! Oh, my.

Wasn't this picture taken only yesterday?
Life is Good!

Where Have All The Flowers Gone?

Some, well actually most, of my flowers have been devoroured by our resident deer. I have posted about this subject before. This was the scene alongside our driveway Thursday morning at breakfast time (theirs). Once the buds and blooms are gone the deer will eat any and all (seemingly) foliage. The only remaining flowers, those planted in small flowerpots on our patio, are fair game for the squirrels. They love the taste of Million Bells and when they're bored they gnaw down the rims on the pots too; okay, so maybe they're not bored, maybe they're just being spiteful! When I chase them off the patio they make a mad dash for the birdfeeders; they run up the trees and fly through the air in an attempt to land on, and empty, the sunflower feeders. Their success rate in attaching themsleves to the feeders is about 50%. But... they never tire of trying,  apparently they think it's their life's calling to "entertain" me!

When I chase them off the birdfeeders they hide among the tree branches and peek back at me.

I saw this game in Target the other day, it's almost like I can't escape their presence. I did, actually, pick up the game to read the objectives (I know,that's hard to believe). As Mr. Goodneedle so accurately pointed out: "where's the fun in playing... we already know that the squirrel always wins!" So true.

I hope you have beautiful flowers and lush gardens at your house this summer.
We have very well fed varmints at ours.
Life is Good!

Flitting

Like this butterfly I've been flitting lately. From here to there, from thing to thing. It's all good. I've wedged in plenty of quilting time on Sundance today, you'll have to stay tuned for the reveal on that one, it's a surprise quilt and it's turning out nicely.

Another BOM has begun at my LQS and for some reason I told Quiltkeemosabe that I'd do BOTH colorways this time.. of course, why not, I don't have last year's done yet!

Little Miss Lucy Ann is getting a second pillowcase, as you can see; but, this isn't exactly the pillowcase I had planned. I had chosen a precious striped fabric to coordinate beautifully with Tinkerbell for the cuff. I embroidered her monogram in fuschia (to match the background of the main fabric) and attached it, carefully inserting the white piping accent at the same time, it looked great. I folded the unit lengthwise, right sides together, to stitch the side seam and I suddenly realized that the monogram was in the side FOLD! When I centered the cuff strip for embroidery placement I should have centered the midpoint of the front half, not the midpoint of the entire strip. Groan. The precious striped fabric was removed and replaced with the fabric shown above, from my stash. I think she'll like it anyway. I should be teaching graduate level courses in "Live and Learn", I'm certainly well qualified.

I stitched up a few burp cloth orders this week,
thankfully those went off without a hitch!

The kitchen is taking on a decidedly richer look with the new stone backsplash going up.  After we placed our order we were notified that the accent strip we had originally chosen was unavailable. Back we went, to the tile store, and after much deliberation, and many samples, we chose this random slate strip border. I love it combined with the bricks. Once this is "enhanced" (sealed) the colors will be richer and bring out the tones from the granite on the countertops and the cabinetry. Mr. Goodneedle makes an excellent tiler, I can't wait to see how it looks once it's sealed and grouted! Yes, many different things are competing for my attention these days; I'm still piecing away on my row-a-week "Light of Day" quilt and basically living in the studio. So, when you don't hear from me for a day or two (or three) just remember the butterfly and know that I'm here, staying busy. Summer will be over before we know it and my schedule will become much more regimented again; so, I'm flitting while I can, and enjoying every minute!

Life is Good!

 

My C.O.W.* Moment

I don't normally use this forum as a soapbox, indulge me today. I do enjoy technology and I am in favor of communication, those are facts.  I don't think of myself, normally, as a C.O.W. (*cranky old woman) either; but I suppose that personal appraisal is subjective. The thing that I do NOT enjoy is the proliferation of people everywhere, in all situations, texting and giving little if any regard to their present company and/or surroundings. I don't appreciate sales people waiting on me in between texting on the job. I don't like students in quilt classes constantly being interrupted by texts coming in or even begin to understand the immediate need to respond on my time! I believe that texting at the dinner table is beyond rude.  I cannot tolerate texting in the pew during worship service on Sunday morning. In my humble opinion there needs to be a class for texting etiquette and everyone, everyone, needs to enroll!

Thank you, I'm stepping down now.

Moo~

Life is Good!

*COW definition compliments of Nancy, thank you.

Table With A View

I met Clara in 2002, she had recently moved to town to be closer to her daughter; she joined our church, and our Quilt Ministry. She was 84 at the time. We became quick friends and, eventually, I began picking her up at her apartment, and taking her back home, on Thursdays for our weekly quilting sessions at church; I enjoyed those times and I believe that Clara did too. I learned a lot from Clara, especially not to count on spring arriving and staying even though the daffodils might be blooming.  "No, she'd explain, we've not been through Blackberry winter (or Dogwood winter or Redbud winter) yet, there's more cold yet to come" she would caution. One time she invited me to visit her so that she could show me her quilt collection. She had prepared delicious little orange cookies and sweet tea for us to enjoy while she entertained me with wonderful stories about growing up in Tennessee, and about being a schoolteacher there. She told me all about her husband and how he was paid in quilts for some sort of job he did when they were newlyweds and about the adventures that she and her husband had enjoyed while searching out antiques from estate sales all over the East coast after he had retired. They bought, and ultimately sold, specific antiques to customers who would use them in their homes or places of business; she loved the hunt, and the travel. She told me about a day that they had driven to Maine to pick up a load of items and, as was her habit, she had asked the man  ahead of time, over the phone, if he happened to have any pieces of certain antique china pattern. This was her own personal request; she some pieces from that collection and she wanted to complete her place settings. He told her that he did and she asked if he would lay them back for her. When they arrived at this man's place they made short work of loading up the goods that they had driven up there for and Clara inquired about the china. The man looked pleased with himself and asked them to follow him; he walked back behind his barn and started off across a field, they kept right up with him. Clara told me that she was somewhat perplexed until she looked off in the distance and caught sight of the most beautiful ocean view extending beneath the bluff where they stood; and there, right in front of them, was a table spread with a cloth and set with all of the dishes she'd ever imagined in that pattern!  She could scarcely believe the sight before her. When she told me the story her eyes sparkled and her face beamed with joy. She wanted very much to communicate the very same joy to me that she'd felt on that day; at that was she most successful! We laughed together when she related how, her husband realized he'd just met a very skilled salesman and had little other choice but to buy every bit of that china right then and there!

Clara's health began to fail a few years back; she no longer joined us at quilting; and, over time, I didn't see her anymore at church for worship. She passed away early last Friday morning. When I received the phonecall from a friend at church informing me of Clara's death all I could think about was that story of the china being set out on a table with an ocean view and Clara's beaming, joy-filled face. I know that is how she looks now, in His kingdom, free from pain and suffering and joined together once again with her beloved husband; I imagine that they're sitting together at a table... one with an absolutely spectacular view!

Life is Good!

Something To Take To Phoebe White's Party

Have any of you ever heard of Phoebe White's party? When I was a little girl I remember my parents, as well as my grandparents, breaking the news gently to me at bedtime that it was "time to go to Phoebe White's party"!  This was the signal for brushing teeth and crawling into bed for the night. Phoebe White's party was sleeping. I've researched the term and come up short, maybe it was only used in my own family, I don't know. I bought some fabric on Thursday while on a quick shopping trip with my sidekick, Quiltkeemosabe, for pillowcases for Lucy Ann. I had a few travel-sized pillows in the cabinet and thought that she'd enjoy a few pillowcases in her favorite colors. (What little girl doesn't love pink and purple?) My plan was to make them for her, embroider her name on the cuffs and slip them to her sometime during her brother's  up-and-coming birthday party so that she wouldn't feel too left out; I have a few weeks. But then, things happen and an abrupt fall into the coffee table at her house sent her to the hospital last evening, she came home with four stitches above her eyebrow. I could just cry thinking about her going through this; SEW... I got busy! Pillowcase #1 was finished and boxed up (with the pillow) and is winging its way to her in the Capital City right now. She can take it with her to Phoebe White's party, she'll need it as she rests and heals.

Life is Good!

Forty Days and Forty Nights...

I was going to make a joke about my recent absence and tell you that we've been building an ark! But, it's not all that funny in reality! I heard on our local television station this morning that these last six consecutive weeks have been the rainiest on record... that's OVER forty days and nights! Our rain gauge had four inches in it this morning, that's what we received overnight; enough is enough!  The Hosta are chewed down to nubs and the Daylilies have been denuded of blooms. It's pointless to spray the deer deterrent as there hasn't been a long enough dry spell for it to stay and not be washed away. I'm not quite gathering up pairs of animals yet, just Hannes; and I'm not heading for an ark, but for the Studio instead. At least that's my plan for now...

...and hoping for drier, sunny, summer days ahead!
Won't you cross your fingers along with me?

Life is Good!

Which Are You?

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved, a new one arose. 

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word. 

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She then pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. 

Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me, what do you see?" 

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. 

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. 

The granddaughter then asked, "What does it mean, Grandmother?" 

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity -- boiling water -- but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. 

"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?" 

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity? Do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? 

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? 

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of your life. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? 

How do you handle adversity? Are you changed by your surroundings or do you bring life, flavor, to them? 

ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?

Life is Good!

Flag-Waving Deals!

So, I've been waiting for quite a while to find my package from Zulily in the mailbox. My daughter-in-law had been singing the praises of this online, daily deal, shopping service for months before I listened and actually tuned in to what she was saying. Sign-up was free (did I really want one even ONE MORE e-mail?) to receive membership and access to the discounts. The way that this works is simple: you grab a deal while it's there (if you wait they go away, typically within a day) from new items reduced up to 90%. I had been looking for a pair of casual, summer shoes in navy blue and really didn't need another pair of flip-flops; these slip-ons looked cute, they fit the bill, and had only one pair remaining, in my size! I decided to go for it then and there as a way of satisfying my own curiosity: at $21.99 + shipping, the price was certainly right.

What I didn't know is that after the deal closes it takes a few weeks for the orders to be transferred from the merchant for bulk shipping; this wouldn't be a good idea if you were in a big hurry for your merchandise. Luckily, I wasn't, I was looking on this more as an experiment; and I am here to tell you that my own results were extremely positive! My shoes fit well and I love them (a good thing, as there are no returns but I decided the price outweighed the risk). I can take a few minutes and scour daily deals whenever I have time! The products change constantly, but if you're open minded, and don't mind waiting, you'll find great prices on all sorts of quality products, delivered straight to your own mailbox!

Happy Fourth of July~

Life is Good!

Texture Wins (Maybe)!

Mr. Goodneedle and I decided we needed another DIY home improvement project ( after all, the outside logging/ sawing/ burning tornado clean-up can't last forever!). When we built our home twelve years ago we had our granite countertops installed but left the back walls up under the cabinets simply painted; the installers added a backsplash strip around all the edges. We have wanted to improve this area of the kitchen for quite some time. After much discussion, and endless deliberation, we've settled on the tile combination in the after photo, above. We looked at smoother glazed tiles but  we kept coming back to the texture of the natural stone every time. (For photo purposes these samples were taped up, the real deal will be grouted!) Okay, so making that decision was simple(!?!) enough; but, now, a real dilemma has presented itself. We have four areas in the kitchen where these backsplash strips run along the cabinetry.

Up until last evening we thought that these strips were caulked along the base but not attached to the cabinet walls, we were wrong. Now we're researching construction adhesive solvents, not sure if we can find anything that will successfully soften the glue (it's been curing for 12 years) and allow for a smooth release without damaging the cherry cabinetry underneath. Groan. Are there any DIY projects that don't come with their own set of built-in problems? If so, we've never found any! If worse comes to worse we can always run a strip of the accent base tiles along those areas; but, I'm hoping that we can avoid that as it would look so much better to stop short of that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can come up with a smooth solution to this one and avoid any broken, splintered, wood surfaces; that conclusion would provide just a little bit too much texture for me! Wish us luck.

Life is Good!

Sowing (Sewing) Seeds

 Last week was spent sowing seeds. After a long, very long (5 year) hiatus my daughter and I were back at our church camp as C3ARE leaders once again. C3ARE is an acronym standing for the 3C's~ Christian, Camp, Community and then the A,R, and E:
Area Resource Enabler. What that means is that we do age-appropriate Bible study with the campers during a pre-arranged  block of time in their daily schedule. This year we chose First Campers (1st and 2nd graders) who opted for a short half week on camp. Sunday through Wednesday sounded like a good plan to our daughter as far as introducing Mason and Lucy Ann to a camp experience that only encompassed three and a half days. It was the perfect amount of time; for them and for us.  While sowing camp seeds among the youngest of participants during the day I found myself "sEwing" seeds after hours... strawberry seeds; on wool! The handwork on this project has become my latest obsession; it's coming along nicely and will be done before long! It's the perfect portable.
And one final, funny, Masonism. While sharing living space at camp with my grandchildren I found myself closely observed in the mornings when I was getting ready and putting on my "face" for the day. I use an eyelash curler which likely appers to be some sort of archaic torture device to my almost 5 y.o. grandson!

Mason: "Nana, what's that?"

me: "It's an eyelash curler, it curls my lashes before I apply mascara. I place my lashes inside and squeeze it."

Mason: "Oh. Does it hurt?"

me: "No, not at all."

The next day he reached into my makeup pouch and presented the eyelash curler to me with a smile.

"Here, Nana, don't forget to use this" Mason happily prompted.

 "Thank you, Mason", I responded, "do you remember what it's for?' I asked.

"Yes," he chirped, "it's the tool for rolling your eye out"!

Life is Good!

Happy July!

 Happy July, everyone! I have a year's worth of precious little window quilts that were made for me by a friend approximately 15 years ago. I treasure them still, and look forward, each month, to changing them out in the bay window that  surrounds our eating area in the kitchen. I did just that this morning. These small (6.5" square) quilts are happy remembrances, every day, of  my dear friend and all the good times that we once shared.

The window quilts, stacked; August (shown) is next up!
Quilts and friends... they warm our lives,
our hearts, forever.  

Life is Good!