Thankful Thursday

Good morning! I pray you had a restful night and are up and ready to meet the day and be a witness for Him. I did not sleep well and got up with a headache, but otherwise, all is well. I want to tell you a few things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for:
1. Jesus dying on the cross for me and rising again. Saving my soul at a young age.
2. My family. God has blessed me with a great husband who loves me in spite of my faults which are many. He also blessed me with beautiful, healthy children and a great son-in-law and daughter-in-law. And a fantastic grandson! He took my heart when I first saw him the day he was born. I love all of my family so much!
3. Being raised in a Christian home with great parents. We didn't have much and Daddy worked hard most of his life, but we loved each other and made sure we told each other.
4. Thankful for my two brothers and my sister. We have had our issues with each other, but what family doesn't? I love them.
5. Thankful for God's Word. It can teach us so much if we only take the time to read it. It is one way that God speaks to us and leads us in the way we should go.
6. Thankful for my dog. She is so sweet, but also a handful at times. She is part Great Dane and part American and English bulldog. She can definitely be bull headed at times. I had a basset hound for 12 years and missed him so much after he died two years ago June 18th. Roscoe you are missed!

I think that is enough for today. Wishing you a blessed Thursday. Share with me what you are thankful for!

Wednesday WIP

I am so bad! I haven't put up a new post in several days. I had a RA doctor's appointment yesterday, so I didn't get the chance to write a new post. Found out that I have RA in my feet, so he upped my RA medicine which is actually an immune suppressant. I have an MRI scheduled today on my cervical and thoracic spine to see if I might have a pinched nerve that is causing me so much pain in the area down my neck onto my left shoulder. Hope it shows something where maybe I can get some relief. I have been hurting since March and have had cortisone shots, prednisone, etc. but no relief. It does impinge upon my sewing, and I don't like that!

I hope you checked out the Beginner Quilt Along site listed on my sidebar. I still have not gotten a chance to get started on the blocks, but I still plan to do so. Also, at Sew We Quilt, July 1st they are starting a Christmas project. Hope I can get some ideas from them. What I am doing as far as sewing goes, I am doing the hand sewing part of the binding on this quilt:

I still need to finish quilting and binding this quilt: 

And I am planning a baby quilt. I have an idea, but just can't get my mind wrapped around it and get it cut out. I really want to get it made before Friday, the 7th. That way maybe, just maybe, I can meet the baby and deliver it to him in person. :D Keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I can get this together!!!

What are you working on? I would love to hear and see your ideas and works in progress. 

Share with your friends and family about my blog. I would love to build my blog friends and maybe make a difference.

Love to all!

Plum Jam And?

In the picture above you will see what DH and I did yesterday. This was our first journey into jam/jelly making. We added another trick to it by making it with Splenda instead of sugar. DH is a diabetic and so is our daughter. We try to use as many sugar-free or low sugar items as possible at our house. We have a plum tree that has the large plums on it in our yard. Actually there are two of them. I hated to see the plums go to waste. I love to eat green plums, but I've already had to make a dentist run because of them in the past week. UGH!! I have a bridge on the top and two of the teeth have lost their porcelain and had to have it replaced. Because of my bite, I have to be very careful or the porcelain just pops off. I won't go into detail about what I will eventually have to have done with the bridge. You would cringe. LOL Well, back to the plums, they were ripening fast and the birds like to eat on them, so DH and I decided to try our hand at making sugar-free jelly using Splenda. The first batch which is what you see here, needed a little more Splenda. It is tart as all get out, but tasty. DH loves tart, so that is good. We used Sure-Jell with this batch.

The batch we just finished today (five jars) we used Ball Pectin and Splenda. It tastes much better to me. DH hasn't tried  it, yet. I spooned a little in a bowl for him to taste before I washed the pot we cooked it in. I think it is really good. :-D DD has already asked for us to send her a jar. She loves plums, too. My MIL and FIL used to make plum jelly when they were alive. We all loved it. So, this journey brings back some fond memories. Both of us, DH and I, were trying to remember how to do different parts of the procedure from what we did or saw them do years ago. They are both gone "Home." We sure miss them especially since we live in their house.

I know I've said the last few posts that I plan on sewing, but to be honest, I have not been able to get in there to do anything. Today, that is my goal for this afternoon is to sew the binding on the Desert Mirage quilt. Then at night, I will have something I can sew on while watching TV.

I also plan to start the Beginner Quilt-a-Long I spoke about on Thursday. The button is on the sidebar that leads you to the site. It is not just for beginners. I think it will be fun. One of my BFFs from high school is doing this even though he is not a beginner. He said he was excited about me joining up. I also have another blogger, Richard Healey, who is participating. Or, at least I think his wife may be. They are both new to quilting. Of course, he has shamed me with how many quilts he has made and finished in the short time he has been having fun. I have Gene's blog button on my side bar and will see if I can add Richard's, too. That way you can check out their blogs and see their beautiful work.

I hope you are having a beautifully blessed day on this Saturday. We sure could use some rain because our garden is drying up. It is too far for our hose to reach, so we depend upon God to send the rain to water it. Hopefully this storm system in the Gulf will bring us some much needed rain. I pray so.

May God richly bless your journey as you walk through this life. May He shine His light upon you. If any of you have prayer requests, feel free to post them in the comment section. I will definitely let people know to pray for you and will do the same.

Yours truly,
Teresa

Beginner's Quilt-Along

I am adding a button to the side bar of my blog to advertise a beginner's quilt-along. I believe I am going to get involved with this even though I am two weeks behind. It is not just for beginners. Anyone can get involved. Pat Sloan is the one who named the blocks that will be created. The first block was a nine patch. The second one is called Two by Three. It resembles a rail fence block. We don't know what the next one will be, but I am sure it will be fun to make. Check it out and get involved if you wish.

Good luck! They are also giving away charm packs to a winner each week.

God Bless!

Tuesday Morning Musings

Well, I don't have a lot to say today. My DH and I went to Tuesday Morning in Gadsden yesterday, but to be honest, I was very disappointed. They had two jelly rolls and one 12" square layer cake and one fat quarter pack. I wanted none of this. My quilting money is tight, so I want to be choosy and get what I really want. I went around the shopping center and made a stop at Hobby Lobby. There I bought three yards of muslin, one pack of magnetic snaps for the next purse I make and a crib sized pack of batting. Not too much to speak about, but I needed the muslin.

I have a baby quilt I need to make for a friend of my son's and his and his wife's new baby boy. She really likes green and I have some pieces of farm animal fabric that I was given that I want to use. I am trying to design it, but I don't have a quilt design program, so I am trying to do it in my head. I want a farm/pasture scene.

No sewing has been done around here in the past few days. I've either been busy, celebrating my DH's birthday, or Father's Day. I also am not feeling the greatest. I hope to get to sewing some today.

I added a button on my blog about a Christmas Blog Hop you might want to check out. Sew We Quilt is one of my favorite blogs for tutorials, etc.

Have a blessed day,
Teresa

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's out there! My daddy passed away in September 2008 and my FIL passed away in May 2005, so I don't have a daddy here on earth to wish Happy Father's Day to, but I wish it to them in Heaven. We always made sure we sent a card and called them when we lived away to let them know we loved them. Now I have my DH to wish Happy Father's Day to and my SIL. We have one grandchild, Jackson, who is six years old. He has a wonderful Daddy, and we have a pretty great SIL, Bob. I just called and wished him a HFD. I appreciate all he does for my daughter and grandson. He is a great provider for them and works so hard.

Our children weren't always happy with their daddy especially when he wouldn't allow them to do something or go somewhere they wanted to. Of course, that can be said for any daddy who cares enough about their children to say the word "NO." They have remarked to him as they became adults how mad they would get when he seemed to use that word all the time. LOL He was and still is a great dad and loves his daughter and son very much. I am so happy he is their dad. Thank you, Joey for loving us and caring for us. He has always made sure we were provided for. Unfortunately, he was not with me when either one of our children were born. He was in Spain with the Navy when Jennifer was born, and he was working in Texas having just started a new job when Joe was born. I was here with his family in Alabama when Joe was born and in South Carolina when Jen was born. We both hated that he could not be with us, but thankful he was there the rest of the time. We love you Joey!

I tried to upload a photo, but it never would load. Sew, as it is I will show you my honey another time.

As far as sewing goes, I have quilted all but the border of the donation quilt. Doesn't look as good as I wanted it to, but I am still going to donate it. I want to improve on my sewing and quilting skills! I also trimmed the Desert Mirage quilt getting it ready to sew the binding onto it. I may work on that today.

May God Bless each and every one of you. Make time out today to spend it with your dad if he is still with you. Make sure you let him know you love him. There will come a time when he is will no longer be with you.

Phillipians 4:13
Teresa

Wordless Wednesday

Have a blessed day!

News for the Day

Good morning! I am excited today! In a little while, I will be heading to Bama Belles, my quilt group, that I have been a member of for almost a year. I love my ladies who are so willing to teach me what I need to know to do a good job on my quilting. We are scheduled to practice machine quilting today, so my machine is in the car with its implements (forgot them last time), my fabric/batting sandwiches, thread, etc. I am also carrying my Desert Mirage quilt where I can show them how it looks quilted, and I will also trim it to get ready for binding. I am carrying my new fabric purchases to show, also. As you can tell, I am excited. I enjoy the time we spend together; just us girls/ladies. I am the youngest one who comes, so I feel we are still girls. LOL We will be eating sandwiches, salads, deserts, etc. today, too. Potluck as we southern folks call it. 

Yesterday, I finished up the donation quilt top I've been working on lately. I am taking it today where I can get batting from our closet and maybe have time to get it pinned where I can do the quilting on it. I have had several compliments on it. I am glad that this part is done. My next project is binding the Desert Mirage quilt. Yeah!


Sunday was decoration day where my parents and my dad's parents are buried. Since the weather was nasty, we who came placed flowers on the graves, visited with aunts, uncle and a few cousins for about thirty minutes and then went to my sister, Judy's, house for lunch. All four of us siblings were together, which does not happen very often, and our significant others. My niece, Becca was there also. We had great food and great fellowship with each other. It was a good day. That is the reason I did not post anything over the weekend because of getting ready for this day. 


This is all I have for today. Need to eat in a few minutes and get ready for the day. I have the car packed, just have to get a shower, get dressed and get on the road. Hope you all have as much fun as I anticipate I will have today. Sew, be good, be blessed, and make some creative today!

New Blog to Check Out

Here is a new blog that my daughter has created to promote the crafts she, her dad and I make. She makes jewelry and hair clips with yoyos on them and necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Her dad, Joe, makes jewelry using semi-precious stones. I make quilts, purses, and wallets. We are joining on this venture together to see how it will go. Let us know what you think and join us as a friend. Promote our blog if you will. We love to create beautiful projects and hope you enjoy them.

Click here for Our Crafty Creations.

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Thursday's Doings

Sew, this is all the blocks for the donation quilt I have been working on. I don't have the blocks turned exactly the way they are supposed to be, I don't think, but at least I came out with hourglass blocks where they are supposed to be placed. LOL I have the top two rows sewn together, and the next two sewn together, and will be sewing the four rows together when I finish this post. Then on to the last two rows. I sure hope some child will enjoy this when it is given to them. I love the colors even though some of the yellow doesn't show up as bright as I would like it. I am still not sure about a border to put on here. I have some mottled yellow I could use, then again I have some blue already cut, but I'm not sure if there is enough. I will see when I get to that point. I believe I may make a run to Hobby Lobby and get some muslin for the backing. I can get a pretty decent amount using my 40% coupon. Still mulling it over in this brain of mine.

I should have been done with this top by now. Yesterday, I sewed a little on it before breakfast, but then I was hurting and not feeling well. I went to buy groceries with the DH even though I didn't feel up to it. When we returned, ate lunch, and sat down to cool and rest a moment, I could not make myself get back up to do anything except help feed goats and cook dinner. I have already sewn some this morning and after I finish the dishes I will go back in there to work. 

I need some suggestions. I have always had problems with setting goals. Most, if not all, of my blogger friends have goals listed on their pages of what they plan to do. I want to do that myself. Can you help me? I want to make a Christmas quilt, a lap quilt for myself, more donation quilts, I have been asked to make a baby quilt for a friend of my son's, I have so many things going over in my mind I need some kind of organization tool. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I want to wish everyone a blessed Thursday. I will be sewing and planning today. I pray that everyone has a safe and fun day. Whether you are at work, at play, at home, always keep God first in your life. He will guide each step of your day.

God Bless,

Teresa

Works In Progress

 Good Morning! I know. I have been lazy and have not posted in a few days. :-) I  have been busy yesterday and this morning, and need to get back to the sewing room. I will after I post this. I don't want to leave my fans hanging. The above picture is my one and only bed sized quilt so far. I got it from the quilter last week and have the binding cut out, but not sewn together, yet. I am anxious to get onto it, but dread it. It measures about 100 x 100! I think it will be quilt the adventure to bind this. Thank God for my Janome! It will be much easier to maneuver on that machine than my Brother. I want to finish what I am working on (below) first, because I would have to change the thread for the binding. I am using a cream/ivory colored thread for this pro bono project, and will need a darker color for the binding on the quilt. The backing on the quilt above is gray and the border is a dark mauve. The binding is a dark burgundy color, so I definitely don't want to use what I have loaded right now.

I am praying I will get the pro bono top finished today. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I am still trying to figure out what I want to use as a backing for it. I know the Bama Belles, my quilting group, uses a variety of backing on the quilts they make. Very scrappy quilts and backings are what most of them make. This one is scrappy, but I don't want to use a babyish backing, because I feel this will be more for an older boy. I will peruse my stash to see what I have. Maybe I can pool together some fabrics and make a scrappy pieced backing. We will see. I will post pictures of the quilt when I finish it. I know the lay out I have for the blocks below is not correct, so I am working on that, too. I've never made a Jewel Box pattern, so I have to juggle some pieces. I was just trying it out here. More to come!

I hope all of you had a crafty weekend and made lots of progress on your projects. I saw on Richard Quilts that he won several giveaways. He has really been blessed with these. I had signed up for a giveaway he had for some beautiful batiks, but another follower on here, Bea from Beaquilter won them instead. Congratulations, Bea! I know you will enjoy creating with the batiks. I want to make a quilt using batiks, but I need to be able to turn loose of some money to purchase some before I can.

I love reading blogs and seeing what everyone else is working on. I hope you enjoy mine. I promise it will improve as I learn what to put on here. I also love learning from the tutorials and examples you all post. I want to wish you all a blessed and creative day! Work on those projects, and share with the world!

God Bless,
Teresa

First Weekend of June

I am having a wonderful weekend! Below you will see two pictures. The first one is of the wallets I think I showed in an earlier post. I finished putting the yo-yos on these wallets for my daughter to take to Florida with her to sell them for me. That is I hope someone will want to buy them. I think they turned out cute. I have gotten addicted to making yo-yos. I had never made them before I purchased my first yo yo maker in May. A fellow quilter friend of mine, Bev has many yo yo makers and showed us how to make them using the yo-yo disk by Clover. I didn't think too much of it at the time, but, after seeing how she embellishes her quilts with them, I got excited about learning to make them and putting them on wallets, purses, quilts, hair bows (maybe), etc. I can't wait to learn more uses for yo-yos.  

This is our awesome grandson, Jackson. We call him Boo Bear most times. He is spending last night and tonight us. We don't get to see him often because he lives in Florida. He just turned six years old in May. He is smart, sweet, and very compassionate. We are very proud of him. His mama home schools him, and he does very well. Loving our time together. He really likes the goats in our pasture and enjoys petting the ones that will allow him to. LOL

I met with the quilter this week and picked up the only bed sized quilt I've made. It was a project for husband and me to put on our bed. It is posted on my blog in the tab of quilts I've made. When I get the binding put on it, I will post a picture of it quilted. It is so pretty!

I haven't done a lot of anything else this week. I am sorry that I haven't posted much lately. I am working on pro bono quilt using Toy Story scraps and various colors. Researching quilt patterns I want to make. I have so much going on in my mind, that sometimes I can not sleep! I want to make hexagons and put them into a quilt,  a log cabin quilt, nine patch quilt, etc., etc. I just wish I felt like getting all of this done. My first project once Jackson is heading back home is to sew the binding onto our Desert Mirage quilt designed by Liz Porter. I have already been told by my Bama Belle friends to bring it to our next meeting. I hope I can get the binding at least most of the way done.

I have so much to do this next week! Work on the binding, get ready to have a yard sale next Friday and Saturday with my sister, Sunday is  the homecoming/decoration day where my parents are buried. What family comes usually brings food to have lunch while visiting with each other. We put flowers on the graves and catch up with what everyone is doing, and so on. I know. My DH thinks it is weird to have a "family reunion" at a cemetery, but that is what my family has done since my granddaddy passed away in 1956. In other words, since before I was born. LOL There are only three of the children, my dad's siblings, left. None of them are in good health, so we cherish the time we get to spend with them. I just wish all of my cousins would come. We played together and our families got together a lot when we were growing up. Now, we don't know some of their children, and our children don't know their children. Most of us have grandchildren who don't know each other at all. It is so sad. Oh well, I guess life gets in the way. I want to encourage each of your to cherish each member of your family. Spend time together. Don't let life get in the way. Don't let grudges get in the way either. There will be a time that you will wish you had taken that first step to make amends, or to go see that family member. When they or you are gone, then it is too late.

I guess, I have said enough. I pray you are all well, and God has been good to you. May God Bless you and your family. Hold to His hand, and He will carry your through.

Teresa