A Funny Thing Happened....

...on the way to post on my blog.

I sat down to post some pictures of what's going on in my sewing room today. I was about to post a picture, when I noticed that the cord (don't know what else to call it) to my camera was missing. I have a new Canon camera and in order for me to transfer pictures, I need this white cord. I looked through the drawer where I store my camera paraphernalia, looked through the box where I tossed all the stuff off of my sewing table for Christmas. I looked in drawers, cabinets, nooks and crannies.

So, next, logically, I called my children. First my Younger Son, he has no idea. He didn't move it. Next, Older Daughter, she doesn't know. She takes my "card" out of my camera and steals my photos for her website! She doesn't need my cord. Now, my Older Son is a tech wizard. He doesn't live here. He just came home for Christmas. He has lots of cords, cables, and stuff...so much, that there's no reason to think that he might have my cord. But I call him anyway, and guess what? He has a Canon camera and while he was home, he "borrowed" my cord! And then he politely packed up all his stuff and my cord and drove back to his ministry home. (This is not permanent, so I'm not calling it his HOME.) Oops! He feels badly. He'll mail it. But, he's leaving tomorrow to make a drive to Georgia and then on to South Carolina, where he will be meeting my other two children. They'll be gone until the 6th!

Being a nice mom, I don't want him to go to the Post Office on Saturday afternoon or drive around on his trip trying to find a P.O. So, I 'll wait until my other children bring the cord home on the 6th. So, you know what that means? Yep, no pics....because I don't have a cool computer that I can insert my memory card into! Oh well!

Christmas

Merry Christmas! Celebrate Jesus!

Thank you for visiting my blog!
See you after Christmas....

Country Stars

I found myself with some extra time yesterday and today. So, what did I do with that extra time? I sewed! Fun, fun, fun. I made up quite a few of my large HST's for my Country Stars quilt. Once they were pressed and trimmed, I had to lay them out to see if I would like them all together. I loved them! Then, this morning, I started sewing the blocks together as four patches. I think I am really going to like this quilt. I still have lots of stars and HST's left, so this is going to be a big quilt!

The thing I like most about this top is that I used up quite a few of my 2 1/2 inch strips making the Sawtooth Star blocks. No new fabric for those. I did have to buy the two brown fabrics since I really don't have large pieces of fabric in my stash. When I first started quilting, I bought 1/4, 1/2 and 1 yard pieces of fabric...not realizing that you have to have larger pieces to actually finish a top! But, I have learned and it's really been kinda nice. I have excuses to go out and buy large pieces of fabric, but still get use up my stash!

JOY

I've been thinking about Christmas. Usually, Christmas is a time of gift making, cookie baking, shopping, decorating, planning the big meal, sending out cards, Christmas concerts, and hectic schedules.

This year, for us, things are a bit different. Our family is suffering through the trials of life.....not just our "immediate"family, but our extended family as well. In each family, there is a trial. A death, a difficult pregnancy, a chronic illness, an impending move, financial struggles, life adjustments. It's all there. And, for me, Christmas isn't looking like the fun family holiday it has been in the past.

Sure, we've decorated, and the meal is planned, I'm even attending a Christmas get together with my quilting friends....but Christmas isn't the sparkle and sunshine time it once was. I am not alone. We know so many who are suffering, and usually, this time of year causes us to reflect on what we do have and to give to those in need. They are all around us. Maybe "they" are us.....do you find yourself in need this Christmas season? Maybe, if we really think about it, we all have needs, some of which we never share with others.

I suppose what we all need is a dose of JOY...not fleeting happiness, not a fun time for one night, not another trinket or toy to add to our collection, but genuine JOY.

How can we find JOY this year, in spite of difficulty, in spite of the needs we see all around us? How can we find something that brings joy to our heart and puts a song in our heart? There is only one place....

As the old Christmas hymn states:

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

JOY to the WORLD, the LORD is come! JOY can only be found in arms of the Christ-child. Jesus is JOY!

Matthew 1:23 reads, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

This Christmas, my focus will be on Jesus. In Him alone, I can find JOY. God with us, JESUS Himself, JESUS alone.....

This Christmas Season may you be reminded of His presence, GOD WITH US.
May you find the JOY of JESUS.

Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God. - Robert Schuller

Any one can sing in the sunshine. You and I should sing on when the sun has gone down, or when clouds pour out their rain, for Christ is with us. - Anon.

Happy Birthday Erin!

Today is Erin's 23rd birthday! Erin is a bundle of energy, and always has been. She's never been one to sit still and hasn't stopped running since she was 13 months old! She's become a friend, a great grocery shopping companion, a run here or there with me daughter, and a gal with a lot of ideas!

She's daring, bold, adventurous, organized, loves children and babies, and can clean faster than anyone I know. She can always find a way around an obstacle and is a great person to talk to when you can't figure out what to do. I remember times when she was 11 or 12, when I was stuck on what to do next, she would come up with ideas, make a list and get everyone motivated to complete the task! I didn't ever tell her, "Let's get this done and then we'll do that", unless I was REALLY wanting this done NOW!!!!!!!!!! Not one to put things off, she would have all her chores and home school work done by noon, "So I'll have time to play!". She loved to sit in a tree to read, eat lunch and just imagine things!

Erin has become a wonderful woman who is now a great friend. Now, if I can only get her to sit still long enough to tell her this!

Happy Birthday Erin!

It's Cold Outside!

Ok, I know that cold is a relative term.....but here in Southeast Texas, this is a cold spell. It's 38 degrees outside and it's feeling like winter. We won't get snow and we haven't really seen any white stuff since 1978, but I'm feeling like we're in the middle of winter. The cold spell will probably only last a few days, but for just a moment, I can pretend that we may get snow!

These little snowmen, just like me,
are hoping for a nice cold winter!
Merry Christmas and
Happy Snow Days!

Trees on the Table Completed!

Can you believe it? My Trees on the Table Quilt was just returned to me.....FINISHED! Yippee! It's done and it's beautiful. Thank you Ms. H, you did a great job! I absolutely love it. Here is a picture of it in it's new home on the sofa table. I replaced that small little tree quilt and it's wonderful!

Turning Twenty Around the Block

Here is a "Low Fat" version of the Turning Twenty Around the Block quilt that I made last year after the International Quilt Festival. My Dear Sister in Law has a website where she sells her hand dyed fabrics and she calls on me to help her get her sample quilts ready for Show. I used her fabrics called "Bold and Beautiful" to make this "Low Fat Version" little quilt. It is 34 x 42 inches.




I also used this book to make Dear Friends tote bags for Christmas last year. They were a hit and while a bit time consuming, not difficult at all. Here's a picture of the one I made and kept for myself!


(Back and Front, Thirty's Fabrics)

Noodle Quilts

What, exactly, are noodles you ask? I'll tell you. Noodles, in the quilting world, are 2 1/2 inch strips of fabric. Noodles are great for making beautiful quilt tops. I'm not sure about actual quilts, since I haven't quilted a noodle top yet.

I was reading through the quilting forum recently and read up on the noodle swaps that are coming for 2008. It reminded me of the swaps I participated in for 2007 and gave me a bit of a thrill thinking about the ones I hope to participate in for this next year.





I thought I'd share some pictures of tops I've made from noodles I received in several swaps. I participated in the Brights Swaps (2 different ones) and in the Brights Tone on Tone Swap and lastly, my favorite the Thirty's Swap.



Hope you enjoy the pictures...

Busy, Busy Bee

Just to squelch the questions that have been raised concerning my whereabouts....I am here. Most people are busy decorating, buying gifts, preparing party foods, going to parties, attending plays and concerts, but not me. I am sitting here, in the sewing room, in the recliner, on the couch, even sitting in bed, working on Christmas gifts. No, they aren't hard, but they are time consuming. Hand quilting takes time, no matter who you are, no matter how fast you are. So, until Christmas Eve, you'll know where to find me! LOL

I did have to make a run to the quilt shop this week. Dear Mother is making Dear Sister a baby quilt, and we needed some fresh fabrics to work with. So, off we went to a very nice quilt shop nearby (ok, 25 minutes away, but worth the trip) and I happened to find a piece of sale fabric which complements the fabric I picked up last time I was at a quilt shop!


LOL....these two pieces will be used for the alternating HST's for my Country Stars Quilt! I am so excited that I found them both, and at different shops. Here's a picture or two for those blog readers, who like me, love pictures.

The fabrics I chose and then a HST, just to be sure I liked them together!

Where's Paula?

So, have you been wondering where Paula is? Well, she's here....busily working on her Christmas gifts. I'm making two different things right now, 9 of one and 5 of the other. 1 out of 9 are done and 2 out of 5 are done! Yikes. I gotta hurry. I love making gifts, but WHY DO I WAIT TIL THE LAST MINUTE! My goodness. Nothing like a deadline to get you in a hurry!

Since blogs are boring without pictures, I thought I'd show you something I made many moons ago. Yes, I made the pattern myself, and that is why is seems a little out of balance. One word sits all alone. But I fancied myself a great artist at one time. LOL I have learned a bit more since I first made this. Please no ugly comments on this poor little top. The words are true, even if the presentation isn't all that great!

I suppose a virtuous woman would be better prepared for Christmas! Oh well.....

Thanksgiving? At Christmas?

You Are Thanksgiving

You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job

I think that the interesting thing about this blog test is that Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday. The reason??? It is because this is the holiday that I get to see the majority of my family. We have great times together. In my heart, nothing means more to me than relationships. They are the REAL gifts of life. My favorite relationships?

1. My relationship with Jesus Christ
2. My Dear Hubby and Dear Children
3. My Dear Extended Family
4. My Dear Friends
5. Dear Friends I have yet to meet!

Thanks Sweet P for sharing this on your blog!

Christmas Decorating

Last night, two of my children (22 &19) started the Christmas decorating at our house. Dear Older Daughter and Dear Friend took care of the inside and Dear Younger Son took the outside all by himself. Dear Younger Daughter ran from room to room and outside "helping" everyone!


Sounds of Christmas music playing in the background and people calling out, "Do we have more lights?" and "Where are the stockings?" filled the air. I pitched in once in a while, but as little as possible. I just don't have the Christmas decorating spirit I once had. I must say, it is wonderful having adults in your home. Young, energetic adults who enjoy making huge messes and will even clean them up!


The finishing touches were done tonight. The house is all decked out and the yard is draped in lights. Now, we can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and take in the sights, right in our own living room. If only we could find those stockings!

Primitive Christmas Quilt

I am spending my "free time" working on Christmas gifts. I can't show you what I am working on, but once the gifts are delivered, I'll post some pictures. When I make gifts, they have to be small in order to actually complete them. It's not like I think ahead and plan or anything. I just get a thought at the last minute and go with it! LOL When I get tired of that, I pull out my Off Centered Log Cabin Blocks and complete one more block. I'm moving along with them, I just can't concentrate on one thing for too long!


Marcie requested a better picture of my Primitive Christmas Quilt. I'll pretend that the reason it's not quilted is that in Cheri Saffiote's book, 301 Country Christmas Quilt Blocks, she did not quilt hers, but framed it. I really like the way it looks, but honestly, I don't know that I'll hang a framed top at Christmas....maybe I should just quilt it! Oh well, I'll think about that tomorrow.

And, BTW, no comments on the fact that it looks crooked. It's primitive and I really worked hard to get that quilt top crooked. Not easy when you've been trained otherwise! It was fun to make. I just love looking through her books. I want to make one of everything in them.

The Christmas Season Begins

For me, the Christmas Season began tonight. I had the privilege of going to a Christmas concert this evening. The very best thing about it though, was the fact that three of the singers were dear to my heart. Dear Older Daughter and her two friends who have become members of the family (well, their parents may argue this point....) sang with a not so local church choir.

The orchestration was beautiful and it reminded me of how much I truly miss live orchestra music. I really should do things like this more often. The choir was exceptional. The wonderful Christmas hymns and carols made me ready to "deck the halls". So, to the three of you wonderful (adult) children, I say, "Thank you, it was a very special evening."

Left to right: Erin, My Dear Older Daughter, Tim, and Kristin