Saturday, December 31, 2011

Sewing

Sewing but not on quilts. Our daughter, Amanda, along with the kids came yesterday. And brought Aimee's new sewing machine Santa brought. Yes, Aimee has her first sewing machine.  They hadn't even taken it out of the box yet! So we figured out how to thread it and did some test stitching. Got all familiar. Wound a bobbin with pink thread and away we went. Aimee likes skirts. She doesn't like jeans I have recently been informed. So skirts it will be. There are lots of free tutorials online for tiered skirts and skirts made with elastic waist. Perfect! Would you believe I was so busy I didn't EVEN think to take pictures? Of course, you do. It happens all the time. LOL

I had to clear out the bedroom where I sew when my sister and brother in law spent the night when they were in Texas visiting. I have this table/chair/bench type thing that Larry's brother made in high school in woodworking shop. I have it in the extra/guest bedroom and most of the time it is in table mode with tons of stuff stacked on it. Lots of my UFOs and PIGs (and we're not talking about the four legged variety-LOL) to be exact. I had to find a home for all this stuff so I could make the room presentable. LOL I set aside one of the projects I ran across and thought I just need to work that up and get that out of here! That's what I have been saying a lot this year. So after I got the room all tidied up and all ready for their visit I set up a machine on the dining room table and finished up that project. Dixie from quilt club had brought a shopping bag one day and said "If anybody wants to take this home and finish it they are welcome to it." She had started a fabric basket made from cotton clothesline covered in fabric and it just wasn't working for her. I had made a couple of those baskets and thought -- why not? Well, needless to say it turned into a UFO. Like I was saying I got it out Christmas Eve and started. She had already done the wrapping and had tried sewing it and she said her machine just wouldn't sew it. I took out what she had sewn and thought I'd make quick work of it. Not! For what ever reason I couldn't get the beginning of the coil to work either. After several attempts and unsewing--gggrrrr-- I decided to cut the cord and start at the other end. No more problems. Got it done.

Then I was still on the "basket kick" so found some narrows strips I had been putting back for making baskets and started another one. A scrappy purple one. I added the flower to cover my ending.  I still have to work on my ending. It's not as neat as I'd like.  I like the scrappy ones. I sat and wrapped some more clothesline while watching TV.
I found the tutorial for the flower here.
Instead of a button for the centerI appliqued a circle to both the front and back.

Speaking of Dixie-- a couple of years ago I had posted about Dixie's husband being in a small airplane crash and asked for prayers. He passed away several days after the crash. A year later she met a man at church. They started seeing each other and married last February. They have been so happy. She has said that he has been so good to her and she really knew what a good marriage was like. Her husband suddenly died a week before Christmas. He had been sick the week before with upset stomach and sitting on the potty and lots of pain in his abdomen. She took him to the doctor. Long story short, he needed his gall bladder out. Surgery went fine. There were complications. He already had a weak heart. Poor Dixie! She is comforted by her faith in God and that He will see her through this.

Blessings,

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Checking In

I thought I would check in. It has been a busy month hasn't it? Also nerve racking for us. We've been waiting by the phone for a surgery date.  The call finally came! Late January Larry will get his new hip joint. Yay! It has been a long wait and now just a little bit longer. But the end is in sight.  Praise the Lord.

I didn't get hardly anything sewn up for Christmas gifts. I just couldn't concentrate. Instead I did some cleaning and straightening.  I think I tend to do that sort of thing when I am feeling anxious. I need to do a whole lot more cleaning and straightening. LOL Some sorting and tossing, too.

I went ahead and took the Christmas decorations down and put them away yesterday. Probably the earliest ever.  I want to keep things in order and stay busy getting as much done before Larry's surgery.
I will miss the quilt retreat. It is scheduled the same time as his surgery. There will always be quilt retreats

So I have a pictures from Christmas parties I will post soon. I just wanted to check in and let you know I am still alive and well. LOL

Blessings,

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

I wish everyone out in blogland a very Merry Christmas. May you have a blessed time with your family and friends. 

Blessings,

Monday, December 12, 2011

Rain

We have had rain what seems like every day.  Not complaining mind you! It's just that when there are clouds there is no sun. We do need the rain so very much and hopefully all the lakes and ponds will be full soon. Thankfully the temps have stayed in the 40s and 50s. No icing.

This week is dull compared to last week. Three quilt group meetings with fun and food! Oh, my! I didn't have my camera at Kraz-z Quilters on Wednesday so I will just have to describe as best I can for you. We had agreed to all bring a finger food type dish. I took pumpkin dip, molasses cookies and apple slices. Others brought hot apple cider (it was a cold day and this was much appreciated!), cocktail weiners in sauce, sandwiches, crackers and cheeses, soup (not really a finger food but much appreciated on that cold day), candies, and more. It was delicious.  A couple of years ago we had decided one Christmas to exchange a yard of fabric Chinese style. So every year since we have enjoyed this tradition. It is always fun to see the different fabrics as they are opened and the stealing! And we always have a little time to do some hand quilting! Got to have our "fix" for the week. Excuse me, I meant therapy!

On Thursday I drove to Post Oak to the Post Oak Quilters or Busy Bees. And they are busy and prolific! They had invited some ladies from Blue Grove so it was a full house.


Bernice (Blue Grove), Marilyn, Lois and Nelda.
I enjoy these ladies so much. It's always like a reunion -- catching up on what's been going on with each one.
Elsie, Peggy (Blue Grove) and Susan.




Eunice, Virginia, Susan and Gena with the "festive" and fun head gear.



I took my store and several helped me set up and take down. Thank you to Gena, Virginia, and Susan and all the others who offered. We had a wonderful meal of baked potatoes and fixings, salad, and DESSERT. Oh my! Then the tables were cleared and the dishes taken care of and out came the demo. I showed them how to make a disappearing 4 patch. Such fun. Then they shopped. And shopped some more. Thanks, ladies, you are wonderful.
Carol and her 4 Patch Stacked Posies. Lovely!
 
Helping in the kitchen. Thanks, Carol and Clydene.









Then came Saturday! Wise County Quilt Guild Christmas party! We had sew much fun last year when past and present members gathered we decided to do it again! And guess what several have joined again! We had 38 in attendance. I am the program chair so I was responsible for the invitations, games, etc.  I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. I had asked everyone in their invitation to bring a fond or funny memory. While we were eating we shared our memories. It was just lovely and fun. And did I mention FOOD. Yes, third party and more food. Elastic waists are the only way to go! LOL

And of course we had show and tell! Mary W. showed us what to do with our bits and pieces left from Christmas fabrics! And of course when you live in Texas you make Texas quilts. Love it! Trish R. on the right is a new member who joined after going on the bus trip. Hey, Trish.



Here's the link to the Wise County Quilt Guild blog with more from the Christmas party.

I was so hoping to tell you that Larry was having his hip replacement surgery before Christmas but we still do not have a date. As they say "paperwork".  His file must be on somebody's desk who has gone on vacation or are busy covering for someone who is on vacation. We will be patient and wait. Til Monday when his case worker comes off vacation and he can give her a call and ask for HELP. LOL

I have really not known what to plan for Christmas for our family.  I have done some cleaning and put clean sheets on the guest bed. I've put up the Christmas tree, candles, and other decorations. My first time to "assemble" the tree by myself. It goes together in three sections and is one of those pre-lit ones. I'm sure if you had been a fly on my wall you would have laughed. I twisted this way and that way and 'purt near stood on my head. I got to looking at it last night and realized it was leaning! Oh, my. Almost reminds me of the days when we had the "real" cut trees. I unscrewed and rescrewed and hopefully it is straight. LOL

The plumber is here. We had a rocking toilet. That's one thing that doesn't need to "rock around the Christmas tree"!  Bless his heart -- having to go back and forth to his truck in the rain. 

Here's wishing you get all the shopping, gift sewing, decorating, baking done. And remember to rest and enjoy the season. Because Jesus is the reason for the season.

Blessings,

Monday, December 05, 2011

Snow!

It is snowing this morning. This is looking out my dining room window to the south at our crooked pine tree. Weird, huh?  I heard sleet hitting the window earlier in the wee hours and then when I got up and looked out--it was snowing to bit the band.  At almost 8am it is still snowing a little. They are predicting for it to come to an end soon. Our poor pigs need web feet. It has been raining for days and now with the snow they have some sloppy pens. Poor things. But we are so grateful for the rain. This will nourish our trees and grasses after this long hot, dry summer.

I have a busy week planned. Two quiltey group Christmas parties and a trip to Post Oak to take my store and do a demo.

Ya'll stay safe and be blessed.

Marilyn