From Russia with Love

Julia from Astra-scraps and I just completed an ATC and altered matchbox swap.

She sent me a lovely tag with a note written on it and she signed it from Russia with love.

Our theme was summer memories and just look what she sent!

I just love everything Julia!  Such beautiful work!

Here is the direct link to her blog  http://astra-scrap.blogspot.com/2010/12/sweet-summer-memories.html so you can visit and view my part of the swap.

She put treasures inside the matchbox as well as sending along the lace and little Russian dolls!  I love getting little treasures in the mail.  The little bottle is great!

Thanks for swapping with me Julia.  This was fun!

Happy Holidays to you!

Peace, Be Still

Sometimes that's difficult to remember this time of year, with all the busyness, shopping, decorating, wrapping, and yes, frustrations.

But when I read "Peace. Be still." in Mark 4:37,  I am reminded to take a breath and remember that Jesus is indeed the reason for the season.

And if He can stop the wind and calm the sea with these words, then He most certainly can help me through the holidays to keep my heart in the right place.  A place I don't go nearly often enough.  A place of worship and surrender. 

A place of complete, utter peace that can only come from on High.

Thank you Lord for your love and for my place in your heart!

There is no one greater than you.

I Won!

I won!

I won this great recipe tag in a giveaway from Cindy Adkins over at Whimsical Musings.

If I can actually part with it I'm going to give it to my wonderful daughter-in-law, Shandy on her Christmas package.

These are a few of my other Cindy tags.  As you can tell I can't pass up a sewing theme and I love pink!  So there you go!

To those of you who may not have met Cindy yet, go visit her blog and get acquainted.  She is an outgoing, kind and generous person with a delightful sense of humor!

I hope everyone is moving along with their Christmas preparations.  I think I actually have a grip on things early this year.  We are almost done decorating and shopping which means I get to sit back and enjoy the season. 

God is good!  Life is good!  Bliss!

Shabby Vintage Junk Giveaway!

I just found out that Shabby Vintage Junk is having a 100th post celebration giveaway.  There are some really fun items to be won so head on over and get signed up!  I love the vintage child's bowling pin!  Too cute!

http://shabbyvintagejunk.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-100th-post-celebration-time-at.html#comment-form

Giving Thanks!

I wish you all a beautiful and happy Thanksgiving weekend with your loved ones.

Sometimes in the chaos of everyday life we forget to slow and down and enjoy the simple things,

the good things,

the beyond precious ones (grandsons Andrew, Taron & Casey).

Always remember to tell those you love that you do.

It will fill their heart with joy and yours as well!

Wishing you all loveliness and peace.

Thank you for taking time to visit my blog!

Bird's Nest Spoon

Good Morning!

I want to share this adorable Bird's Nest on a spoon easel.  Isn't it cute?

I had Barbara Jean over at Treasures from the Heart make it for my Mom's 83rd birthday.

Of course Mom loved it!

We were lucky enough to visit Barb's shop in Eugene, OR recently and these are some little treasures I found there.  I just love little things!  The book I've had for years but all else I got at Barb's.

Her tea bag roses and baby shoes are wonderful.  She has great tutorials for both of these on her blog.  I also couldn't pass up the finial, small frame and the old thread box.

And then we have a tiny jar of buttons!  A must have for me!

Mom and I had such fun that day. Good memories. These little gems are just a small portion of our treasures.  In fact we filled up the entire back portion of the Jeep and it was only the beginning of our trip.

I can't wait to go back!  Walking into Barb's shop is like taking a step back in time. 

Pure pleasure!

My Dad & the Wooden Bear Paw

Today I want to share my wooden Bear Paw quilt block with you and also the man who helped me make it.  It's made with two different kinds of wood and is 18 inches square.

This block is special to me because it's my first woodworking project of any significance but mostly because my Dad helped me make it.  I come from a family of woodworkers so when I called Dad and asked for his help, he was all for it.  We had a great time and he taught me a lot...stressing again and again how to be careful around saws.   I'm sure I made him very nervous! 

Dad had a wonderful shop where he enjoyed spending his days of retirement.  He crafted many a Christmas gift in that shop which I am so grateful to have to this day.  Unfortunately he passed away in 1991 but I'll always remember the times we spent in that shop, the laughter we shared and the things he taught me.

I miss you Dad!

Blogger's Quilt Festival!

Today I'm joining up with the Blogger's Quilt Festival

 over at Amy's Creative Side blog.

Last spring there were over 500 entries so this should be fun.

This is a lap size quilt I made for my sister-in-law, Patrice for Christmas.

 I wanted to make her something special as she is not only my sister-in-law but has been my friend for 45 years.  I decided to make it in late November so I didn't have time to do anything very involved with lots of piecing.  I wanted fabric with a bold but soft look and I found the perfect one at my local quilt shop.  I just love this print....

It's one of those 'I Just Can't Cut It' fabrics.  I've tried to zoom in on the machine quilting but it's not showing up well.  It was long arm quilted by Amy Smith in Richland, WA.

Above is a close-up of the border.  And below is the pieced back.

Patrice was happy with her quilt and I'm so glad I decided to do it, even though it was barely done in time for Christmas.  I purchased enough fabric to make myself one also so we could have twin quilts.  Of course you know how that can go.  Mine probably won't get done for awhile!

  Be sure to click on the Quilt Festival Link above (tried but couldn't grab the button for you) and check out all the other quilts.  I'm sure there will be lots of yummy eye candy!

Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave a comment as I would love know you visited.

Outdoor Quilt Show

Wow!  Did we have fun!

Several ladies from my quilting group and I went to the Buggy Barn's

Annual Quilt Show and Vendor Mall.  Talk about blowing the budget!  Gad!

But let's start at the beginning.

Quilts were everywhere!

On just about any available surface

If you're a cat person you'll probably like this one!

Buggy Barn is located approx 20 miles east of Spokane in Reardan, WA. 

There is a darling quilt shop which is open year round.   The vendor mall is open for the quilt show only.

If you're ever in Washington's beautiful dryland wheat country be sure to stop in.

I don't think you'll be disappointed!  We had such a good time!

I'm joining Outdoor Wednesday today.  Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and pop on over and visit some of the links.

Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave a comment that you were here!

I'm A Guest Artist!!

I'm so excited!  I've been featured as a guest artist and one of my quilts is on display over at Cindy Adkin's I Owe It All to Him blogspot.  Please check it out and look at her lovely art on Cindy Adkin's Whimsical Musings.  She has the cutest tags, nests, and spool art  for sale among other things.

I'll be displaying some of my other quilts over the next few weeks so please check back.  I have been quilting for 25 years and, to me, there is nothing more peaceful than the hum of my sewing machine!  The little quilt above is 18" square.  I didn't make this one but I love it just the same!

Home of A Needleworker

Last year I had same day surgery with instructions to mostly stay down the first week.  The second week was to gradually be up more every day.  What on earth had I gotten myself into?  I'm not one to be still for every long and always have a project to do when I'm sitting.  But this happened suddenly and I had nothing prepared.

Of course, my ever helpful Miss Drama Queen kicked in assuring me I would perish from boredom.

I can always count on her to provide the correct response for any particular situation!  Not!  Where does that fear of 'the dreaded boredom' come from anyway?

My son Ben has it too.

My dear Hub was taking very good care of me but I'm sure getting weary.  Then the mail person delivered a cross-stitch kit I had ordered.  Hub couldn't bring me my sewing basket fast enough!  Bless his heart, he was so relieved I had something to do.  I'm sure I heard him utter a prayer of thanksgiving as he left me with my project.

The good news is I healed speedily and finished my cross-stitch in record time!  I just love it and it is now hanging in the family room.

Miss Drama Queen will have to be silent for another day!

Cindy Adkin's Art

Happy Monday Everyone! 

I'd like to share one of my favorite blogs with you and a new Etsy shop.

I met Cindy Adkins on her blog Cindy Adkin's Whimsical Musings a few months ago.  She recently opened her new Etsy shop, Her Whimsical Musings so of course I had to visit.

What a treat!  Please check it out if you haven't already.

I just had to buy this wonderful wooden spool nest and tag. I'm a nut for wooden spool art.

And there were more surprises when my package arrived.  This gracious woman really blessed me!

Look what else was in the box.

The nest is truly wonderful as is the sweet tag. 

And I just love the little spool!  It's only 1 inch high!  I had such fun opening this box.

Isn't this a sweet package?  I love my new blogger friends.  Thank you Cindy!  I am truly blessed!

Crazy Hearts Quilt

Today I am finishing my Crazy Hearts quilt!

Just 4.5 inches to go on the seam binding and I'm done!  Hallelujah!

I love to finish quilts!

Never mind that I have 2 more to go per request by cute little granddaughters.

The pattern is called Crazy Hearts and is by Buggy Barn.  This pattern goes together in a unique and fun way.  If you haven't tried one of Buggy Barn's patterns and you're in the mood for something different, I recommend trying one.  Hint:  You'll need 3 pizza boxes.

Now off to finish my quilt!

ROOFus & Whiney Monday

This is ROOFus.  ROOFus sees we are going to town and is sure he'll get to go.

This is ROOFus after being told he can't go. 

He's as big as a sofa and there isn't room for him and the water heater we have to buy.

ROOFus is sad.  He looks exactly how I felt.

I had worked all week getting everything organized so I could have a crafting weekend, but Saturday morning we woke up to a flooded kitchen floor.  The water heater was leaking and had to be replaced.  Thus, the weekend was spend dealing with sogginess.  Grrr!

I do however, realize that this is the minorest of blips in the scheme of things and am getting over myself.  Not sure I can say the same for ROOFus.

 

From Los Angeles to...

a 160 acre farm in Washington state.  Wow!

Culture shock galore!

But now...

15 years later

I wouldn't trade this for anything!

Our farm is the clump of trees furthest in the distance on the left.

Thanks for visiting!  I'm linking up with Outdoor Wednesday.  Please

go visit.  There are all kinds of things going on to inspire and delight you!

A Treasure from Barb's Shop!

I was able to visit Barbara Jean's Treasures From the Heart shop this summer.

What a treat!  Mom and I picked up lots of goodies.

One of my favorites is this.

It is 26" x 17".  The perfect size for almost anywhere.

And as you can see, it now holds some of my treasures.  Many of these little items

are from both my grandmothers.

Thanks for stopping by and have a good Monday.

If anyone is having trouble with my blog loading slowly, will you please email me?

I'm still trying to get the weight on my pictures right.  Thank you!

Always Pause to Smell the Flowers

Just a note to wish you all a happy, relaxing weekend.

I will be back to posting on Monday.  I took a short (thank goodness) tumble off a

ladder so have been laid up a bit.

I've hooked up with Favourite Things Friday at Quilting in my Pyjamas and Vintage Inspiration Friday over at Common Ground.  Please go visit.  There's lots fun to be had!

God Bless!

My Woodworking Days

Yesterday I was tackling the unending job of organizing my digital photos.  Hopeless I'm afraid!

But I did find this picture and wanted to share.

(Not the best pic but the only one I have.  Excuse the wad of wires please.

We were Christmas decorating.)

I built two of these little beauties out of oak in a carpentry class at the community college 5 years ago. The joints are mortise and tenon which was quite an experience.

I found the pattern in an Arts & Crafts Furniture Era book.  There was no coffee table pattern so I drafted my own to build the next quarter and the carpentry program was discontinued. 

I was so disappointed!

 I have made a few other items and refinished antique mirrors and picture frames, but for now my woodworking days are over.  Fabric is much more forgiving and I love forgiveness!

Don't you?

Bird's Nest Sachet Pillow

I was browsing through my daily reading list of blogs (which has gotten quite lengthy of late) when I came across this great tutorial from Katie's Rose Cottage.  If I could, I would buy one of everything in her store!  Knowing I wouldn't have time in the next little while to make one from the tutorial, I bought this little bird nest pillow sachet.

It is so sweet! 

In the back of my mind I thought I would use it to have on hand for a quick gift and then make my own from the tutorial.  Uh-Uh!  This little beauty is mine!  It smells delightful and I love it!  If I need a little gift, this will be one of my go-to tutorials.

Have a great day!