For Those Who Serve

Sine today is Memoirial Day I thought I would post this picture..   I did this for my nephew shortly after he was shot in Iraq when the war first began.     This was a kit by Jannlynn .  I did this and the Liberty Bell for him and he loved them.  Let's not forgwet the sacrifices of our Service People on this Memorial Day.

Have a Happy and safe Memorial Day.     Until next time Happy Stitching!

A Fun start

I said my next piece would be a fun and funny piece.   It's called Gardener Penguin.  I'm doing it for a Character Animals Quilt being doing at Love Quilts.   Now that the head is in on the penguin I think the rest of the piece will go quickly.    

I think the sun is finally trying to sneak through the clouds.   I thought today was going to be a nicer day out than it was.   But the rest of the weekend is suppose to be great.  At least there was no rain today so those camping this weekend are having a good weekend.  Tomorrow our Sunday School Class is going to have their class outside to be different, so hopefully it won't rain, it's not suppose to.  

I haven't mentioned my cat , Whiskers in a while.   He's still doing really good for his old age.   He loves to get on my lap and curl up especially in the afternoons.  I love it as at 18 1/2 I really don't know how much longer I'll have him.

Today is my niece's husband birthday.   So if you read this , Michelle, say happy birthday to Scott.   They are camping for the weekend.   She was wondering how she would do sleeping on the ground in a tent being 34 weeks pregnant.  That will be interesting.   They live in CO.   They also have a 20 month old little boy.  They have already had him skiing which he loves, and canoeing which he tolerates.  He's following in his parents footsteps being an outdoor person. 

Well, until next time Happy Stitching!

Finallty Finished

I finally finished this piece today.  Of all the Precious Moments pieces I've done this was the most boring and tedious.   It took me forever.   I can't wait to start my next piece tomorrow.  It is a funny piece and going to be fun to do.  It's a whimsical penguin.
    I am determined to start doing pieces from books I have here rather than buy new books this year.   I think I did buy a couple of new projects and did the one (The Birds and Flowers).  But now I don't even want to buy any for Love Quilts or to do as gifts, I'll chose from my stash.  
    I hope all of you that are in the areas of the storms are safe.  You are in my prayers.   My brother is getting delarious from all the storms, he could swear a cow went flying by his house and he wanted it to land in his yard so he could have steak.   Of course he was being funny.   He said all the years he's been in St. Louis area this is first year he's seen tornadoes, and none like this year.
    It's been a rainy few days here but we are north of the storm so we didn't get them just the rain.  Nuts, I love a thunderstorm at night.   It's been cool too, but tomorrow is suppose to  warm up and even hit 80's this Sunday.  It'll be a nice weekend.
   Well until next time Happy Stitching!

So Why am I Stitching This?

I knew those hearts would give me fits.   I knew there would be some improvising so why did I choose the most tedius and boring PM piece I've ever done.   Because it seemed perfect for the little girl.  Her story touched me.   That's not easy to do.  I think the rest of the way will be smooth sailing and I really think I'll have it done middle of next week.  I have my next 2 projects all picked out.  I'm getting anxious to start something new I've never had a PM take so long.
   
 I think our cooling spell is over (it lasted over a week), we are now enjoying some warmer weather   It may be rainy at times but oh well....I love good storms at night.

Tomorrow my sister will be in town for a few hours.  So we'll probably play our favorite games, Mexican Train Dominoes and Push Rummey.   I doubt we'll do any shopping.   She's basically on this side of the state to see her daughter and family so she's spending most of the time with them but tomorrow they had made plans not knowing she was coming so she's coming here.   After all when you promise your 3 year old daughter you are taking her to a dance recital you take her!   We think Addie will be in all her glory and be dancing the rest of day tomorrow.   She gets to take Dance Lessons in the fall as she's old enough now.

Well until next time....Happy Stitching!
    

Some Progress on Precious Moments piece.

I haven't had a lot of time to stitch this past week.  It's just been one of those weeks.  

Last Sat. I was doing my laundry at my brother's when we got a call saying my second dad, , died a few hours earlier.   He was in an accident with his wife Friday afternoon but it was a minor accident and so he went home.   That night he started bleeding in the head so he took him to the hospital where he died.   They are not sure if the accident caused his death or a pre existing condition.   He was 84 and had a bad heart.  .  His first wife Katherine, is the one I was close to.   She died of Alzheimres and a blood clot a few years ago.  Katherine and Bill became my second parents years and years ago when I was a young child and they were home on furlough from India.   After his current wife's first husband died I started praying Bill and Ruth would get together and they did.  For a few years Bill lived right across the parking lot from me, but after Bill and Ruth married, he moved to Ruth's house.   I saw him a few times after that.   The last time I saw hime was at the funeral of another long time friend.  He gave me the biggest hug he  had in years.    I wonder if he knew back then he would die so soon.   They say he had a preomonition so maybe, but like I said he was 84.   I have missed Katherine and will miss Bill.   I will always be greatful for the role they had in my life and for the  example they set to so many of us.

Because Bill's funeral was Wed. I didn't make it to our last BSF session this year.   It''s a sharing session anyway but is usually good.   Next fall we will be studying from the book of Acts.   That will be interesting.
Wonder if a lot of the history of the church will come with that.

Well.....until next time Happy Stitching!

My "second dad"

I met Katherine and Bill in 1961.   I was a young girl and they were missionaries to India home on furlough.   We struck a great friendship that lasted  for many years.   They were my 2nd mom and dad.     Katherine and I were expecially close.   Katherine died in 2004 of Alzheimers and a blood clot.   Bill  lived across the parking lot from me so we kept that bound although had drifted apart.   The last time I saw Bill was at a funeral of another life long friend and he had given me the biggest hug.  One I hadn't had from him in years.  
Through all the years we knew Katherine and Bill they were great examples for us to follow.   Always putting the Lord first and they never quit serving the Lord.
I could go on and on so many good times, so many pranks, so much laughter.   I'm sure Katherine and Bill are sourounded by children  in heaven as they were on earth.   Katherine and Bill loved children but were never able to have any.   I also wonder if Bill is being allowed to pull some of his pranks up in heaven.   He loved to pull them on earth.   I'll always grin when I think of that mischievious grin he would get when he was about to pull a prank or successfully pulled one or his hearty laughter at things.   He will be missed.   But it's not Goodbye to Katherine and Bill or so many in Katherine's family but it's See you in heaven!

Precious Moments Start

Not sure why the shaddow happened, maybe the scanner is getting old.   Anyway this  is called "You Have Touched so many Hearts."   I had to do this for little Lola.   Her story really touched me and it was sort of sad how her parents had to leave the Mission Field because of her illness.   Hopefully she and they will be able to return some day.   It will be sort of a tedious and borning stitch but PM's are really cute.   I think I've done about 25 of them down through the years.   And I signed up for a PM Princess one to do after this one.

Busy day lies ahead.   A friend and I are going shopping for the Food Pantry.   We want to get some things that are hard to get from Feeding America and Love Inc.   At one time it looked like we had an overflowing pantry now it's emptying out and we have the money so there's no reason we can't build the stock back up.   We are amazed at how God has come through for us.  He seems to make sure we can replenish the food once we start getting really low.     Sue is really good at finding the good deals to make the money stretch even further.   Me?  I'm one who.  unfortunately grabs what catches my eye and worry about the price later.   I shouldn't be that way.  We akso have discovered evidence of unwanted guests in the pantry so we are going to get some tubs to put the sugar, flower, and anything else that draws those little critters to food in.

I went to the dentist yesterday, got my teeth cleaned and only have one cavity.  I was surprised the problem I'm having with my jaw is not a dental problem.  Here I convinced myself I had lock jaw, or at least a bad infection in my gums, but nope.   I also was blaming it on to the vertigo problem.   Oh well....I go to the ENT Monday and then Thurs. have an asthma check with my regular dr and say something about the jaw then I guess.   Man!   It's no fun to grow old.   My mom says I have arthritis in the jaw.   Well....why not, I have it in the shoulder, hip and ankle so why not shoulder too?

Later today I'll go to see my brother.   Actually do my washing there and spend time with their dog, Autumn.   Autumn is my special pal.  Makes my cat a little jealous but oh well..

Well....I better go until next time Happy Stitching!

Happy Dance It is Finished!

I finally finished this piece!   I enjoyed doing it but it is really not a piece I would normally select.  That's the thing about Love Quilts though, You find yourself doing pieces you would never do otherwise!   Anyway I am happy to have it done!   Now unto the flowers for a coule of days anyway.  Well maybe I'll finish the Wildflowers.   I mislaid the book!  Grrrr    Hate it when I do that!

Tomorrow our little Addie turns 3!   She's growing too fast and is now a sweet little girl.  Still insistent she is having a brother in June.   We;'ll see.  For her sake we hope so.

Until next time!   Happy Stitching!

It's almost done

Hopefully I will have this done on Sat.   Then I'll go back to the Wild Flowers at least for a dady or two.  There is a child at Love Quilts having Precious Moments or Angels as theme of their quilt, so I want to do a square for that one. I just have to look and see what type of angels people are stitching as I have a couple of cute cherub books I'ld love to do a piece from.  Otherwise I have lost of PM books.  While I do enjoy stitching this piece.  It is sort of a fun one, it just isn't one I would normally pick out to do.  It will go on a Western Quilt at Love Quilts..  I made a lot of progress on this this past week.

    It's been a fairly quiet week so not much to say.  We had  a birthday get together for our mom's birthday last Sat.   It was a fun and noisy morning.  Johnny, Addie, and Katelyn can make a lot of noise!   But they are so cute.   Addie will be 3 this Sunday so I better get her card in the mail!  I met to mail it out today and forgot to!

Until next time Happy Stitching!
   
     

A week's Progress

Hello everyone!  Happy Good Friday!   It was on Good Friday 27 years ago my nephew Jake was born only that day was Apr. 1.    It's a little rainy today but it will clear out, and I think Spring will finally be coming to stay!   It's about time as it is getting to the end of Apr.
     The next few days will be busy.   My sister will be in town today and tomorrow.   Today we'll do some shopping and play Mexican Dominoes and Push Rummy later.   We love those two games and whenever my sister is in town we have to play them.   Tomorrow my brother and sister in law is having us over for brunch to celebrate mom's birthday.  She will be 78 on Tues.   So two of my nieces  and maybe a nephew will join us for that.  Can't wait to see Johnny, Katelyn, and Addie again!   Addie will be 3 May 1.  Can't believe it.  She is still very ademant that her mother will have a baby brother for her in June.   We're not quite sure how she'll respond if Heather has a girl.   But like I said to Kay when she was expecting Bryan Michelle and Heather then 6 and 8 were determined to have a sister.   When Kay wasn't looking they would put their doll clothes on Bryan to make people think he was a girl!   Fortunately they didn't harm Bryan he turned out to be pure boy and today is happily married with a 3 month old son who looks an awful lot like he did.
   I have gotten quite a bit of work done on this piece.   It goes fast when I work on it.   Now you can see what it looks like.   I think it will go to a Western Quilt later.   I seer it more Western then Music and Dance.   Another lady said she would fill my second spot on Taylor's quilt.   I already had the Treble Clef on it that I did last August.
     This week really has been a rough week with my Vertigo.   In fact I really have been nausiated a lot.  I finally got my ENT appointment moved up, and then did end up going to the Dr. on Tues. as I was trying to work in the Food Pantry at church and it was awful.   I ended up leaving early and seeing the Dr. later, he gave me a different prescription that helps a little bit.   Still not gone but at least I can function.  l  just have to be careful and lay down a lot is all.

Last weekend we had our first Easter Egg Roll at church.  Because of rain and my vertigo acting up so bad I didn't get to go, but I heard a lot of good reports and they were very happy with the success of it.  It'll be something they'll do every year.   I also think just on Trunk or Treat the nieghbors are going to be asking the church to do it.     Have a great Easter Weekend!   I love this time of year.   Easter really is my favorite Holiday as we celebrate the death and ressurection of Christ and have hope and peace in Him!  

Need Opinions Please and be Honest

Okay here is my dilema.   I said I would fill in for Love Quilts to do a Music Square.   Had the pattern all picked out and laid it aside and can't find it.  In my search for my music pattern books (which I only found 2 or 3 of the 6 or 7 I have) I found this piece and thought "it's easy, cute" I'[ll do it for Taylor."  So away I went stitching.   It's going fast as you can see as I started it 24 hours ago.  So this is only about 5 hours of stitching.   Anyway, the further I get the more convinced I am that this is not Taylor.  No I don't know her but it just doesn't seem Taylor to me, and it says more for a Western quilt square.  I have 3 options 1) to go to another piece Stoney Creek which is all I have outside the one I want to find.  Which will take a while, and I am struggling with Vertigo so hard to stitch long periods of time.  2) just keep stitching this one and hope it's okay  3) there is someone who might be willing to stitch a second square, I might just ask her to do one.   It'll be her 2nd square for Taylor but this is my second square for her to.  Treble Clef I did last summer is going on her quilt.   What would you do?  I love doing this piece, and will keep at it.  Then I'll go back to the flowers maybe, or find another music piece.
 
     Like I said I am really struggling with Vertigo.  It's so frustrating.  In fact it's been so obvious that people at church really notice it bad and have helped me out a lot.   I had hoped to wortk at the Easter Egg Roll tomorrow but doesn't look like I can now.   Maybe next year.   Someone did give my dad a suggestion that worked for their mother in law, the dr. had told her to do taking Vitams B, C, & E for 10 days, taking less every 3 days.   Anyone ever try this?  Anyone with Vertigo have any suggestions.   It is the lightheadedness I'm having problems with not the dizziness.

   Well, until next time.....Happy Stitching!

Easter Finish

I just finished this piece not too long ago.   I loved doing this piece and it provided a nice break from Wild Flowers which I will go back to doing tomorrow.  This will probably go to a young girl at Love Quilts who chose Christian as theme of her quilt.

I rhink I passed the instpection today for my yearly rent.  This is the first time they have done an instpection for this.   It's to see if there are any damages, and if there is then I'll have to pay for them .   Hopefully they didn't find anything.  I did tell them this is first time this particular inspection was ever done and they said they realized that I wasn't the first person to tell them.   We'll see.  They have a major nspection being done by the city and the state coming up so they want to take care of what they can ahead of time.   Thji is there first year of going through this and last year we had all different people in the office so this team is very nervous.  Good as that may work for them.  This place is pretty good about keeping up on reapirs though so I don't think they have much to worry about.

This Sauturday we are having an Easter Egg Roll for the neighborhood children at church.   It should be fun.   The children will hunt for eggs and then come inside to hear the True Easter Story.  

Well, until next time Happy Stitching!

A New Start

I laid the Wild Flowers to do this piece.  With Easter coming around the corner and we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ I wanted to do this piece, and I may try to find another Easter piece too.   I love the Easter Season.   It's my favorite.  I love the colors in this piece.   It's not quite half done, but I started it only yesterday so you can see it's going really fast.  

 Today is a beautiful day outside, in the 60';s and we're loving it!   Tomorrow is suppose to be 80 in land, us a little cooler but severe storms are coming in too.   Of course they will be at night.  I love night storms.  When we were young my sister and I would shriek with delight at the thunder and just giglle as we lay in our bed.  Awww the memories.
  
 Tomorrow after church we are having lunch with my brother and his wife.  They said they just felt like having mom dad and I over.   I work at the Resource Center after church tomrrow but that only takes a few minutes. 

Well --until next time   Happy Stitching!

Isn't it Beautiful?

I didn't fall off the wagon as when I stitch it it'll go to my sister-in=law.   She took me out to Jo Anne's and I saw this pattern couldn't refuse it.   I have since looked at the pattern, it's not going to be an easy stitch.   I did tell Beth I would do it for her, no guarantees when it would be done.
    Well, until next time....Happy stitching!

Slowly but Surely

I don't have that much more left.   Hopefully by end of next week it will be done providing I don't decide to add more to the bottom.  I lvoe this piece it is so pretty.   I'm just anxious to get it done and do something else..
   Today seems to be a descent day with the Vertigo.  It's not acting up as bad as it has been.   Good as I won't be able to see the ENT until mid June.   That's a long time to put up with Vertigo.   Although last time I put up with it 3 or 4 months.
   It seems so nice to have the spring weather popping in.   I know they say this will be a rough year for allergies and I'm feeling it.   I finally got an Air Purifier to help and surprise it helps a lot.   What took me so long.   Actually my sister bought it for me for Christnas at the suggestion  of one of our sister in laws.
    Thank you for reading my blog honest this piece will be finished some day!   Until next time Happy Stitching!

Slowly but surely it is getting there

I don't thik I'll get this done by Apr. 1 like I had hoped but oh well.     It is slowly getting there though

My stitching time and  time on the computer has been limited.   I am having major problems with Vertigo again.   So I am sleeping a lot as I was told that was the best thing I can do.   I have found when I am really light-headed and lay down, when I get back up I am better for a couple of hours.   I am not going to let this go on for months like I did last time.l   If I'm not better by end of week I'm going to at least call the Dr. for an appointment.   I don't like going through the exercises he does but they do help.

Thank you to everyone who has been ready my blogs and leaving comments.   I really appreciate them.   They are really encouraging.  

Lots of Stitching-Lots more Progress

I've done a whole lot of stitching the past few days and got the big yellow flower in and decided to do the purple flower after all.   I'm just hoping that didn't put me over the 9 inches across.   By my measurements it's barely 9 inches but I can't get it all on the scanner so I don't know. Hopefully it is just barely over 9 inches.
Hopefully this will be done early next week.   I love stitching on it but am anxious to have it done.   Then I want to do a couple of  Easter pieces.

Well....our nice weather has come to a temporary end.   Rest of today and tomorrow are suppose to be nasty with sleet and ice and snow.   It's going to be upper 30's the next several days.  It is still March.  We won't have spring to stay until mid April at least.  If we are lucky early April.

Until next time Happy Stitching.

A week's progress

I didn't get quite as much done on this as I wanted  there are some slow spots to it but I'm still enjoying it.   The  stems do go a little further to the right but I'll catch them next week.   The only thing I don't like about this piece is it is spread out over several pages  but it's working out fine.  

 Today my niece, Melissa is 30.   She was the one who got my very first Cross Stitch piece that I actually finished.   It was a birth sampler and to this day she still has it.   In fact about a year ago she asked her mom to take it out of the frame and make it into a quilt with some pieces her mom  made for her when she was a baby.   It really turned out nice.   

Tomorrow my great nephew, Ashton, turns 8.   We are going rollar skating.   I have not rollar skated in years and the verdict is still out if I will try it again.   I use to love to rollar skate so in a way I want to.  We'll see.    I need to get him a birthday card.

We are enjoying our spring like weather.   It's been 40's, 50's here.   Next week is back to 30's but it is still March.   And 30's aren't that awful.   I just can't wait for mid April and then spring might be here to stay.

Well, until next time Happy Stitching!

Almost twice as far!

I absolutely love this piece.   I think in 5 days I've gotten twice as far on this.   It's coming together really well.  Since there are no half stitchings and no backstitching to speak of it is moving fast.  

The sun is shiniing bright today hopefully will melt more of the snow.  Slowly but surely the snow is melting.
I know spring isn't great for those of us with allergies, but I still love Spring.  Everything is so fresh and new.

So far I think the Food Pantry transition is going fine.   Clif hasn't met with us yet but Tuesday him and I will meet and then he'll meet with all of us.   There were some things I asked him to discuss in the meeting.   Right now we have a well stocked food pantry.   I used some of our grant money for Feeding America and plus put in a food order from Love Inc.   Love Inc always goes above and beyond what we ask for.   We really appreciate them.    I just love how our food pantry is looking.   Everyone has worked so hard on it.  

I am praying for those of you in Japan and those of you who are under the Sunami watch.   I can't even imagine what the people are going through.  

I want to thank everyone for reading my blog and making comments.   I really appreciate it.   I've even noticed I'm getting more followers.   So I welcome you and thank you for following my blog.

Wildflowers Progress

I love stitching on this piece and it is going fairly well.   I can't wait to get even further along and get some of the pink flowers in.    I am having to cut the size down to meet the Love Quilts 9x9 guidelines so cutting off points are sort of hard to determine.   It is such a pretty piece though I absolutely love stitching it.

     Today is a nice sunshiny day.  The snow is once again starting to melt.  This is the time of the year where we have nice days then nasty days.   But on other hand we really don't want the snow to melt too quickly or we will have a flooding problem and beleive me this year a lot of snow means flooding.  Fortunately this part of the country doesn't have a big flooding problem.  It just seems nice after a long winter, to see little signs of spring start to come in.

     I'm sorry but I have to tell this story about my 4 year old great nephew, Johnny.   I'm an animal lover but I laughed so hard when I read it on his father's face book page.   It was a conversation they had at their kitchen table yesterday afternoon.   Johnny:  Daddy, when I get big  may I have a gun to shoot some birds?"
John:  What kind of bird, chicken?, turkey?"   Johnny:   "No that goose on the lake (they live on a lake).  John  "But what if she has babies.   You don't want to leave the babies without a mommy do you? "   Johnny:  "Okay....I'll just shoot one of her babies then!"   That little stinker!   Out of the mouth of babes!

Well on that note....Until next time......Happy Stitching!