Old Keys

One person’s trash…another’s treasure. This was what I found in an old Ziploc bag in my church mailbox. Old-keys…a valued commodity in my heart. In today’s world on push button combinations for pass keys and card scanners for door openers…they are becoming more and more scarce. I even love the old keyring attached. They remind me of my Mom…I can remember as a kid playing with her keys with a key ring just like those.

No quilting in this post because I’ve spent the past two evenings ripping out stitches on the project I’m working on. You know it happens. I get frustrated because I want to complete my quilt and begin another. But I step back and tell myself it’s a hobby. It’s supposed to be fun--- low stress. So with Ransom on one side and Bruno on the other and a seam ripper in my hand I work.

Spring is so close in the U.P. There are parts of Lower Michigan that have had more snow that we’ve had. I’m tired of snowmen, mittens, and anything brown and gray. My Mom always taught me the merits of cloth napkins. I could say I doing my part to take care of the environment, but I love them for the simple reason that they’re made of fabric --- having plaid ones is a perk. Chelsey has been trained well to hit the clearance table and scarf up the markdown napkins. Even the out of season ones… Because sooner or later – the season they fit will come around….

Gratitudes:
People have patience with me at work—learning new things
No cavities—the dreaded dentist appt
The warm puppy in my lap

Angels to watch over me.......

I’m still here. I’m older. I had a birthday last Monday. It was a special week. That’s right, in our house, they’re not just birthdays—they’re birth festivals…just to make them last longer. I was queen for the week.

In the mailbox, Darlene sent me a gift “just because”—it was perfect timing. These angels have to make you smile. With the tiniest of stitches, I have a tough time picking out my favorite. I’m just a little partial to the Angel with grapevine wings, but they are all beautiful.

Flowers were left on my doorstep by some close friends…The card, “Because you believe in happy endings…”
My family gave me dishes….I know it’s a sickness, but I’m completely in love with them, and food tastes better in them.

On the quilting front¬- I completed my bluebird wool project.

A week ago we went to Green Bay for the day. It was cloudy, windy, and wet. Might as well be in the stores. We came home at the end of the day and it was like someone had hauled off all the snow. It had vanished. It’s dirty and kind of lifeless outside. But the sun shining puts a brighter twist on it. It’s a rare year to have spring come so early in the year. We had a week of 50 to 68 degree temps. I’ve had some long work days, but I’ll take what I can get.
I better get to quilting. I’ve got a project on the frame.

Gratitudes:
Birth Festivals
Grilled Green Beans
Sunshine

Baskets of Life Completed

It got up in the upper 40’s today as predicted. I went out while it was still below freezing to the back part of our snow shoe trail. There’s been on old fallen pine tree there all winter begging for a quilt opt.

So with camera and clothes pins in tow, the pups and I went on a mission.

The photos do not show the details of the quilt well. It figures.

As I was sewing the blocks into one piece last night I realized that other than the last five blocks I’ve sewn since Christmas, I didn’t even remember the others. 2009 was a tough year and many parts of it seem kind of like a blur in time-- but I'm realizing everyone has times in their lives like this and hey-- at least I got a quilt out of the deal....

JoAnn Mulally did a great job in designing the piece. The Country loft did an excellent job in packaging it with beautiful fabrics and the instructions were like receiving a gift every month.


I’ve done two of her block of the month pieces. I did not sign up this year. It’s a snowman quilt--- I’ve got too many of the real thing and just didn’t want 12 months of them. But I still recommend it to others, It’s a darling quilt.

Close ups show more detail. Where her Seasons BOM was mostly browns, this quilt has brighter colors with wool stars sprinkled throughout.

I have one quilt on the frame now, but it won’t be long till this one is quilted. I can’t wait to use it.

Gratitudes:
Hot Water Heater
My daughter dating a nice guy (for the moment)
Phone call from Florida – Needed prayers are always a blessing

Basket Blocks

If the quilt blocks really grew on trees….. I have to work late tonight, so I opted for sleeping in and traipsing through the snow for some photos.

These are the last of the Basket blocks for the Baskets of Life BOM. I got behind (life happens).

So after Christmas I drew out all six blocks and got busy. I counted myself complete when I finished the stitching, but there’s still lots of work sewing on the borders.

This one is my favorite.

I’ve been sewing almost 30 minutes a day.

I have this mindset that sooner or later Don’s going to get a job and I need to have this stuff completed.

But there’s always one more quilt to make.
Here are photos of my assistants in to snow. Nothing slows them down….

Working late, there probably won’t be time for fun tonight.

Kids are doing well. Life is good.

Blue Birds in a Row....

I’ve about had my fill of winter. The novelty has worn off. We’re at the part of the season where your vehicle stays in a state of permanent filth. You’re pretty tired of your winter clothes. And realistically, we’re still talking about six more weeks of winter. Suck it up..right!?!?

Have you ever seen a quilt that the pattern cover just didn’t do it justice? Colleen showed me in her posting Bluebirds in a Row—I thought ‘cute’. But I didn’t give it much thought. But I went to Primitive Gatherings last Wednesday and saw the display….

I knew it meant an end to winter. Maybe it was the colors of their hand-dyed wool (lots better than the pattern photo). I kind of have the Cabin- Northwoods thing going on in my house so I thought it was perfect. I traced it and cut it out tonight. I needed a handwork project since I finished my Baskets of life stitching.

I guess quilts are like books…they shouldn’t be judged by their covers---(even pattern covers..:)

Gratitudes:
The dishwasher
New Needles
Cheese Toast

F A I T H . . . . . .

I needed a reminder a few months ago--- so I got this for myself.  I'm not a big jewelry wearer. I think I have four pairs of earrings total.  Every piece of jewelry I own means something.  It's
F-A-I-T-H... as in...'Never lose it...'... I guess at the time I was thinking, " As long as it was around my neck-- I wouldn't..."  Don still is not working, but I have optimism and hope...enough for both of us......

This has hung in my sewing room just like this for a while.  It was a friendship gift from Amy.  She even included scraps so I could make it bigger.  Chelsey has decided that hopefully she will have her own place next semester and wants a brown couch for a pink and brown living room.  This was the first thing I thought of.  I guess there is always a reason for a quilt.  So I took my scraps and added a couple of fat quarters and created

16 more blocks.

It's a nice size now.  I found some fabric on clearance for backing--- maybe tomorrow I'll post it.  I'm thinking a brown patchwork border and it will be ready for quilting.  It looks like Chelsey.

I had a great weekend--- It just wasn't long enough. 

Gratitudes:

Pink thread

Mackinac Bridge - Makes it easier to get to Eric

Never losing...Faith.

Baby Blankets

I have to work late tonight…. The bright side is I don’t have to go in so early. The pups wake up at the usual time so I leave Don sleeping and get up with them. I’m a morning person anyway so no complaints. A friend over at V & Co. is requesting baby receiving blankets

so I printed out the instructions and made a couple this morning to send. I just love working with flannel. I’m in no hurry--- but I’m going to be an awesome gramma one day….

We’ve missed out on the last two snowstorms that have hit the Midwest. I guess there is a perk to living in the “Way Up North” of the U. S. .

I’m finishing up a 2009 BOM project with only 1 ½ blocks left. Hopefully it will be completed by this weekend. We’re having dinner with friends Saturday night and a quilter will be there. We usually slip off unnoticed and share the projects we’re working on right now….

Chelsey’s learning life lessons--- the Radio station she’s working at was sold. The new owners came in and fired everyone and rehired some (including her). Tough lessons….hard lessons, but life lessons she’s learning first hand. I told her she needs to write down ' Life lessons they don’t teach in college textbooks.' But she presses on…..

Eric's is learning cool stuff -- has a class on herbal remedies. I just love talking with him. We're going to see him in March. The weather is too unpredictable for him to come home right now. Plus the heavy load of classes. I stress over him, but he and Chels talk daily so she's the thermometer for Eric--- "Mom, he's fine..."

I better load up the jeep and get to work…..

Gratitudes:
Baby flannel
Ruffles—my new thing
Phone call from a friend

Her Birthday----

Chelsey turned twenty on Thursday. The two radio stations in the college town she lives in announced every hour throughout the day. The entire city had to of known it was her birthday---- she ate it up…..


Wow… she’s twenty….no tears. It’s not what you lost it’s what you had. I loved the little girl….Managed the teenager…And completely adore her as an adult.

We celebrated last weekend, with a girl’s day out to Green Bay and Appleton. No quilt stores or department stores—except Kohls. We laughed about fun “on a budget”. Our first stop was a meat market. Only Chelsey would Reggae the “happy dance” over a Smoked Chicken and her own pound of beef brisket to take back to school. The market is huge and there were 30 people—literally ---in front of us--- but we picked out son-in-laws while we waited…..

Like her Mother—ruled by her stomach—we had lunch and started shopping. She had Christmas money left over and a ton of birthday money from relatives. Being the only grand-daughter on both sides of the family, she’s completely spoiled.

With dreams of having her own apartment this summer, we had our shopping focus. We purchased things for her bathroom, a shower curtain, rug, toothbrush holder. While she’s completely the “UP TOWN” girl, DNA proves without a doubt we have a link. The obsession with dishes(she’s picked out solid yellow ones), dishtowels, and cloth napkins is an undeniable link. She purchased some and I threw in a couple.

A great day—we sang in the car all the way home….

I sent her this for her birthday --- Telling her when she one day writes for the New York Times, or A Great American Novel she’ll remember me.

I did some sewing for her—that she’s coming home for today. I don’t know that I can picture her carrying the purse, but I definitely see it hanging on a hook in her apartment. The journal is a pattern from V and Co. I just made it an inch bigger than the directions and added batting for some quilting.

The fabric….I know Chelsey, while she appreciate my colors, has a style of her own. Looking in the quilt cabinet I seemed a little lean on her “colors”.   I had some Moda Faded Memories in a Miss Rosies Quilt Co. kit that I had saved for 3 years for a dream of making that “Southern” quilt my grandmother would have exactly made—colors and all. I looked at it. And Looked at it again. Time, a place shop and $$$ were all factors. I dove in and used the fabrics. The Pastel quilt would have to wait….it wasn’t even on the list anyway…

I think my Grandmother would have approved…….

Happy Birthday Chels----

Gratitudes….

Pups sleeping in until 7 am
Covered buttons
Chinese Takeout

Thank You-----

--- for the pattern below…

I had a fun coffee break, studying the photo and going over the instructions more than once. A friend from Lower Michigan sent it to me. I’ve tried emailing her again and again since Friday and Yahoo keeps sending her email back to me. I’ve even replied to emails she’s sent me and they come back. I finally decided this was the best way to get the message across. I never want it said that quilters are ungrateful. Many times, I've stated that I read more about quilting than actually using the needle and thread. But it’s all worth it…
The history lessons you learn,
the warm covers you make,
and the friends you meet along the way---
Denise keep in touch….I’d love to see photos of your progress….

Pinwheels

Thanks for checking on me….I’ve been busy. Life has been in the front seat lately.
But I have been quilting. It all started with a friend losing her father suddenly. How many times have I wanted to quilt something for someone to sit back and say, I don’t have time. I can’t get it done fast enough. Well, the familiar responses crept up again on this occasion.

But I took a different attitude this time. I told myself she’d have tons of people offering support at first. She’d probably need the quilted piece later--- after everyone else’s lives had gone back to normal and she was still there, without her Dad.

So I opened up the quilt cabinet and took out this and a couple of fat quarters, along with some muslin. I stitched away. I backed out on giving it to her two or three times. It wasn’t perfect…. Mistakes in it stood out like sore thumbs. But I continued on working on it daily for 15- 20 minutes a day.

The minute the binding was complete.

I stamped a card and left it along with hot chocolate mix on her doorstep. I knew if I kept it a minute longer, I feel like it wasn’t good enough to pass on. “ Just do it…. Melanie… just do it…” And it was done… no regrets.

I’d been to her house a few times, but for the life of me I could not tell you what colors her house was done in. I settled on red, thinking she could use the piece, Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Summer, Christmas.

Karen found it when she got home and …loved it….
Stressing over nothing, I was.
It was worth it….

Gratitudes:
A gift that cost nothing but time – I even used scrap batting.
Working late, but learning new stuff
Don, that loves me.

Baskets of Blessings

Monday Morning --- early…I enjoyed another three day weekend…..the last one for a while.

I have a friend that just had double knee replacement surgery. She owns a florist, so something inside me just won’t let me send flowers to her. A neat lady, she’ll go to a nursing home for two weeks for extensive rehab. It’s close to work, so I plan on visiting her this evening. I spent the weekend quilting a couple of things for her.

The table runner is called Baskets of Blessings from This N That. And I used Kansas Trouble quilters, A Quilter’s Garden charm pack for the design. It’s a little darker than I would have hoped, but I think it will go well in her kitchen at home. The journal cover is made from Thimbleberrries fabric left over from another project. She’ll have something to make her lists on -- lists of projects to do when she gets home.

The label on the back is my favorite part. The fabric on the backing puckered just a bit, but no one will ever know because it is hidden under the label.

Gratitudes:

Good health over the holiday.

Warm covers at night

A Refrigerator stocked full of leftovers (No cooking after a hard day’s work…..

Happy New Year

My first completion for the New Year. I’m going to make a frame, but couldn’t wait to share. It was a free pattern I had printed off on a whim. I don’t remember the site, but it was drawn by Dolly Cook. A scrap of muslin and leftover batting backing made of a project that didn’t cost a dime. After it’s framed it’s going to stand on the corner of my hutch as a good reminder…..


Resolutions – I’ve got the usual, more exercise (mine has fallen out of the picture completely), less television, less food – especially the processed stuff that is not good for me.

Quilting – I’ve got great hopes. I want to do 4 donation projects. I’ve never done that before and the dawn of a new decade is a great time to start. I have 3 BOM projects that I want to complete from past years. They are all well on their way so this is an obtainable.

I’m taking my first quilting class this year, sort of….I’m learning how to punch needle with a friend at Primitive Gatherings. Lisa Bongean is teaching it. I’m really looking forward to it.

Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself……putting past sins behind you is one thing, but letting go of hurts from others is even better. Anger and hurt are heavy loads to carry, and frankly my shoulders grow weary. So make the New Year a time for fresh starts. Whether it’s that person that cuts in line at the store, or that family issue you are really working through… you owe it to yourself to find peace.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours... We're taking time out to count our many blessings.  Winter storms are on their way and we're all tucked in at home.

Christmas Gifts

I’d always said my job provided for my Sunday School class, my quilting and my kids going through college. Well, now it provides for everything else too. I’m not complaining--- quite the contrary, I’m incredibly grateful. While, Christmas may seem “leaner” I have complete faith it will be just as special.

Inside our church, we all have mail boxes with our names on them. Letters and memos from the church office and congregation are swapped back and forth and it says a ton in postage. A few Sundays ago a wad of bills with a note signed “the Rat Pack” appeared in our box. After the initial shock, I just sat back and thought about the gesture. Gratitude didn’t come close to how I felt. Also, thoughts of so many folks more deserving of this present crept into my head. I knew I couldn’t waste the money. So every year previously, I’ve purchased a hardcover book for each kid in my Sunday school class for a gift the season. I want them to love all the traditions of Christmas and still focus on Christ and the true meaning of the holiday. I used the funds to purchase this book for my kids and put the rest of the money back in the offering plate.

It can be a gift re-gifted to someone else….
Yesterday after “family” housecleaning…(Eric’s home), I went and worked in my Sunday school classroom an hour. When I got home the guys had grilled burgers. After the Mandatory afternoon Saturday naptime, the guys left for the movies and I danced down to my sewing machine. After 3 hours that include a snow shoe break with the pups—I came up with this gift for my Mom.

It was a free pattern from the Moda bake shop and fabric from my stash. If it weren’t for football games today—I might be down there making myself one. Great instructions --- easy. Now I have to pop it into the mail Monday with a prayer hoping it gets there my Christmas…..

Monday Evening....

I worked on Christmas gifts this weekend. The second stitchery was a freebie designed by Judith Tetley.  It's one thing to have talent--- but when you share it with others freely, it's a blessing to many. We’ve just about finished our Christmas shopping. Life feels sort of normal again. We made our first snow shoeing treks this weekend. Now that we have Chelsey’s little pup with us, we’ve got to overcome a few obstacles—namely deep snow…. He’s pretty much a trooper. He’s figured out that he doesn’t go if he doesn’t put on the sweater…He’s realized that if you’re tired, stay in Mom’s footprints….and Hang with Pop if you want to have the most fun…... I’ll get a snap shot or two and post real soon.




We’re having dinner with friends tonight, so no cooking for me…..feels like the holiday is just about upon us. I just love the music.



Chelsey came home for lunch Sunday to have lunch and visit for a couple of hours and left like the tornado she came in on….. I worked off and on all weekend on a new company project, but no complaints. It’s a job.



Eric’s stressing over finals…keep him in your prayers….. I can’t wait for him to come home…



Gratitudes –

My new snow tires for the Jeep--- Picked out and purchased by your truly.

Christmas cooking…. Homemade fudge never tastes the same as it does at Christmas.

My Sunday School Kids --- I love Christmas through the eyes of kids….

Catch up...

Thanks for the emails... It really lifted by spirits .  But anger, hate, and hurt are wasted feelings and just make you old fast.  It's just a lesson I learned and I posted to save someone else from the same mistake.....

Thanksgiving coffee Don brought me home from an Airport in his travels. Coffee is pretty sacred in our house. I knew he was thinking of me when he pulled it out of his bag.




We have frigid temperatures here as I woke up to 8 below zero. One thing about it, the pups don’t spend too much time nosing around. They take care of business and get back inside.

Our anniversary was back in June. Life circumstances kept us from really celebrating. So at the risk of everyone thinking I’m more of a dork than previously noted--- Tuesday night--- amidst a blizzard--- Don & I went to see Kenny G in his Christmas concert in Green Bay. Quilt shops closed for the weather…but his concert went on. The talent some people have… and to see the performances in person was outstanding. He’s an incredibly personable guy. He plays with his band that has members that have been with him since high school. I completely recommend it to everyone. We were fifth row at the Weidner Center.

We’ve got a couple of Christmas dinners throughout the season and I’m been sewing away on something to bring. We’ll show the finished product later. I’ve pulled the fabric for a gift for my Mom too.

This weekend, I’m hoping to paint my sewing area. Eric will be home in a week. He’ll probably want a place to sleep. So the sewing machine will go back to the basement. The Pellet stove is on down there and so it’s a cozy place to work throughout the winter.

I finally decided  on borders for the confetti cake Harvest Home quilt.  I'll post a complete photo when it's all together.

Gratitudes:

Charter Commission—really helped with Christmas shopping
My kids studying hard for finals
Mittens to keep my hands warm on cold mornings

Well, Now I know....

I learned the hard way…..Information you put on the internet is read by everyone not just your friends. Don is doing some consulting work but we are not moving. We’ve got high hopes of it turning into something permanent and one company wanted him permanently but, truthfully, while I believe there is good everywhere, it was a place we were for the long term not comfortable with.

All I can think of is I innocently showed someone at work a quilt, or a photo of my kids . They’ve been stalking my journal ever since. I never mind people reading. Lots of people quilt, have kids that make them scream occasionally , or just enjoy reading. That’s why we post (We're on the internet for God's sake!!!)… Never once did these people at work acknowledge to my face that they were reading my journal.

I thought it was odd the day the day my boss walked in my office, shut the door and out of the blue had said, “your circle of friends…. My circle of friends…. One common denominator--- and I would appreciate a 2 week notice before you left….” No more, no less. My boss asked for a two week notice when I left--- my response…”two weeks… I’ll give you two months notice…”

Never once did they say, “Your quilt sucks --- throw away the scissors before you hurt someone.” Or Hey – congrats on your kid,” or “ Hey – Hang in there with those kids.” Or “Cute pup picture”.– Well, they took it as an opportunity to inform my boss before I could -- ….Once moreover, started preying on my job.

When you are the breadwinner of your family (right now) you get a little sensitive about it. Every ounce of ‘Sunday School Teacher’ I had in me went out the window. I really regret how I behaved. But I have never been so hurt as to when my boss turned his laptop around to show me my weblog this person sent….and to listen to another apply for my job with me in the same room. Our family has been through a lot. And small towns don’t make it any easier.

But my neighbor said it best,

“It’s kind of like when I went through my divorce…. Many of the people you thought were good and your friends turn their backs on you. It hurts…But in the big picture, aren’t you glad you know. Would you rather go through life not knowing…”

She’s right – I could type countless stories that this small town has said about them--- But I will not.

I started to give up my journal… But the friends I’ve made outweigh the vindictiveness of these people. Let them read ---

My husband –the mature peacemaker---tries to present a fair opposition to what happened to me. But all I say… is why didn’t they come to me??? And I’d never walk out on my job without notice. My job would definitely take more than two weeks to train someone. My job has been good to my family---I owe that to it in return.

I’ll live… and be smarter for it. No comments for this post... but life happens....