Happy New Year

My best to all of you in the year 2009......... I hope you had a blessed Christmas and all your dreams for 2008 came true.

A little of this, a little of that

I voted first thing this morning!

I've been busy working, reading, crocheting, working and also trying to get some table runners finished. My youngest was home over the weekend from university. We had a few good visits between both of us working.

The crocheting is a large afghan for one of the boys girlfriends. It was to be her high school graduation gift. She's been a patient young lady! I'll have it ready to give to her for Christmas along with another little something. Pictures will follow in the next 2-3 weeks. I know I will be finished by then...lol Only 4 skeins to go.....and counting!

Once again I have an overdue book from the city library. But, I should be finished in the morning with the latest book by Nicholas Sparks.... The Lucky One.

As if I don't have enough to keep me entertained................. I broke a toe on Sunday night. Getting around is a challenge, but I'm managing! Who would of known that something could hurt so bad and make the biggest bruise!!! It's a lovely shade of blue, purple, pink, gray.... A nice color for nail polish or eye shadow! I think I'll remember to turn the light on next time I enter a room!

Work is still progressing on the table runners................ I have a constant reminder that I need to get them finished. Thankfully they aren't gathering dust...lol

Have a great day. Fall is definitely in the air. I've taken more pictures..... and, have a great story to share about the primary school children in my next post.

Made for a friend

This is an afghan I crocheted for a co-worker of mine. She is one of the assistant managers. She has a new granddaughter born a couple weeks ago.... The baby's name is Penelope.... I have a picture of her with the blanket, but don't have permission to post.

Finally!

I was beginning to think I'd never be able to blog again! I've had so many issues with my computer. Today is the first day since September 12 that I could add a picture to this.

I went and spent the day at the university my son goes to last Thursday. I took some beautiful fall pictures while I was there. I'll be sharing them with you in a few days.

This is a picture that I took a couple years ago just a few blocks from my home.

It's good to be back!!

Laundry and College

Truer words have never been spoken!!

There isn't a child who hasn't gone out into
the brave new world who eventually doesn't
return to the old homestead carrying a
bundle of dirty clothes.
-- Art Buchwald

...and it happens every Friday night right now...lol My son stays the weekend.... works at his job on Saturday and returns Sunday afternoon to college. He loves it! Track practice starts today..... it's so exciting!

I've been doing a little sewing, but back to working my two jobs now. So takes a little longer to finish something. I have been crocheting tho. Hopefully during the next few months I will get some of those projects finished. There is an afghan in a basket where I sit to watch t.v. and I usually manage a row or two a day. Doesn't sound like much, but it's making steady progress!

Oh boy! ......... have you seen the 2009 Thimbleberries block of the month? It's so awesome! I want to make it, but with so many other projects.... ho hum ...........

Debi Is Having A Drawing!

Debi has had 200 posts to her blog! Celebrate with her as she has a giveaway at Quilting With Debi...

Congratulations Debi!

Nearly College Bound

The youngest of my four........... nearly college bound. He's a sophomore this year and has transferred to a college 30 miles from home and will be living in the dorm. He's left with a car load this morning. Tomorrow morning he and his girlfriend will each have their cars full and then he will only be coming home on the weekends for not quite a month. Then track season starts... He's a decathlon (does 8 events) and is so awesome. I will be updating you all to where you won't want to know anything else!!

Already I have been crying 'puddles'.... he says, "come on mom, it's only 30 miles away. We will be okay".... yeah, right; speak for yourself Ü. What I will miss the most is our late night talks.

New fabric

Thanksgiving is a ways off, but I saw this cute 'turkey' print and I'll be making a table runner for myself! I've been making them for everyone but myself the past few years. ( I did get enough to make two however!)



And, I got a yard of this last week thinking it would be a pretty fall runner. I got so frustrated worrying about the lines in it that I decided maybe I'd make just a table cover and wouldn't have to do more that straighten the edges. Now, I think I'll just take it out every now and again and just look at it! (huge sigh........) (I will more than likely cut it into fat quarters so I'll quit fussing about it...lol)

A Lot Of Reading Going On

Not much quilting going on at my house........... I've been reading every spare minute I can get it seems. I'm catching up on all of Nicholas Sparks books.... and, everyone a tearjerker! My favorite's will always be the Notebook and The Wedding. If you get the chance tho you should read Three Weeks With My Brother.... it will introduce you to Nicholas Sparks the person and his family. I have two more on hold at the library and will no doubt finish another one tomorrow!

I did manage to read the latest book by Danielle Steel a couple weeks ago.... The Rogue.

And, I got a piece of fabric to make some table runners for Thanksgiving. I will be getting back to making them before long. And, making some more of the blocks for the batiks and black stars.

I found a new place to go for my walk.... and, not far from my own house. My oldest son and I discovered it last night. I'll take some pictures when I go again. (I hope you enjoy the pictures I'm putting in the heading of my blog.... I take them myself ... except this latest one is one my youngest son took).

I've received an award!

Sunny has nominated me for the BrillantWeblog award! Thank you so much Sunny! I'm honored to say the least! Now my part of this is to:

1) Put the logo on my blog

2) Add a link to the person who awarded me ....and

3) Nominate at least 7 other bloggers (I will get to this part in the next couple days)
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I knew if I didn't do this today it might not get done for a while! Here goes my list... Thank you ladies for inspiring me! I look forward to reading your blogs each day!

Quilter Jan (always making something beautiful!)

Quilting With Debi (she's getting all her tops finished!)

Scraps From Sheryl (enjoying her granddaughters.... and the woman can applique' gorgeous quilts!)

Gr8dame's Place (getting settled in a new home)
Quilt Escape (inspires me to get my ufo's finished!)

Penny Quilts (beautiful dogs!)
Quiltville's Quips and Snips (her patterns make you want to always quilt!)

All you need to do is add the logo to your blog, add a link to my blog and then nominate 7 more people who inspire you by reading their blogs.

One year has gone by...

Today it is one year since my daddy passed away.... I miss him more each day. There are so many things that have happened the last year that I'd like to share with him.

...I'm sure it will always be like this tho.... something always happening and something I'm always going to want to share.

edit: Kris.... It's a good thing you asked me to wait to read the card and poem..... What would I do without you? Truly a beautiful card and poem. One of the first things I thought of this morning was all the hours we spent together at the hospital during his last week. It's a time that will always remain in my heart.... It's only right that we were together as he was 'our' father. And, I know that he always considered you a daughter in the true sense.

More stars finished!

Another set of stars! ...I have another group I will probably finish today!

Batik and Black Tessellating Stars

Here are the first pictures of the batik and black tessellating stars. I finished nine more yesterday and cut out some more this morning. So expect more pictures soon!

Peggy Loves Teddy

....the mailman brought me a very special box yesterday from a friend. And, all I could do at the moment was cry after I opened it. And, I was still crying when I called to say thank you. And, she was in an elevator leaving the hospital after having visited her new granddaughter which was also born yesterday Ü

Sheryl (Missouri) and I belong to Quilting Passion Forum (we have never met in person btw) (we have only visited on the phone and emailed). We head-up a group of us that make quilts for Project Linus. Sheryl had made one about a month ago and I went to her blog to see a picture of the quilt and said I wish I was a little girl again so that I could have a quilt like that. Little did I know that I would get one for my very own Ü My name is even embroidered in the little red heart!

And, it's all my favorite fabric... you know the 'fossil fern' I mentioned in my last blog! It is also a favorite of Sheryl's. I wish you could see all the hand quilting she did... oh my goodness! All the tiny even stitches. My son asked me last night how come I didn't do things like the teddy bears. uh, cause I don't think I could!!

Sheryl is the kind of friend that asks how you are and waits for the answer.... Thank you Sheryl! Someday we'll sit together and visit.... I just know it will happen! In the meantime I will get friendship hugs from Teddy!

(pictures of me always remind me of that 'deer in the headlight look'...lol)

Tessellating Stars

Quilting friends of mine know of my love for fossil fern prints by Benartex. I made this quilt three years ago using 63 of the different prints. The only thing that could of made it prettier would of been if I had used the 150 colors available at the time. Since then the variety has been downsized to 100!

I'm also making one of these tessellating star patterns using 'batiks' and black. I'm thinking I should be able to make this one a little bigger. I will share pictures of the ones I have made for this quilt in my next post.

I have no affiliation with Web Fabrics.net...... it just happens to be one of my favorite places!

"Why" and Pandora Radio

I've been on the phone with one of my sister-in-laws for the last hour and a half. Yes, the woman can talk! ....but, then so can I!!!!!!!!! We've been chatting about all kinds of things... such as the need for us to diet and why, the need for her to quit smoking and why. And, why aren't I going to a family members wedding tomorrow night. Then during the course of this conversation that covered everything she tells me about Pandora Internet Radio. Why would I want to listen to this I ask?.... because you can listen to it and do whatever it is you do on the computer. And, best of all you get to choose your own music and have your own radio station! What more could you want I ask?!! Did I mention that it's free?

So this is where I've been for the last 45 minutes.......... and it is awesome!! More than likely most of you already know about it. I always seem to be the last to know about most things. Why?!

I need to get the four table toppers finished. I'm running out of time.... my friend will be home with her mother on Sunday and one of them is for her mom to take back to Chicago with her. And, why I didn't ask is beyond me..... which one? It could of saved me the pressure of getting all of them quilted at once. Only one more top to make. It is cut out and I'll have it together on Saturday evening. Why do I do these things? .....because I love my friend...

Independence Day Table Runner

This is another table runner I made this past week. It was requested by a friend of mine. I think I could do this runner in my sleep; I've made so many different ones...lol

Fathers Day

I've been missing my daddy a little more than usual today. He passed away in July 2007 and this is my first Fathers Day without him.... I have some special memories of him.

He would of enjoyed watching golf with me today. It was the final day of the U.S. Open.... except there was a tie and 18 more holes will be played on Monday! I love Tiger Woods! I'll be anxious to get home from work to see if he won!

And, then this evening the Los Angeles Laker's played in the playoffs against the Boston Celtics. I'm enjoying Kobe Bryant and the Lakers! The Celtics are leading the series 3 games to 2. Next game will be played on Tuesday.

I hope you were able to make a special memory with your father today...

Invisible Mom

Invisible - It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of

response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the
phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see
I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or
cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner,
because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible; 'The Invisible Mom.'

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you
tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even
a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide
to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right
around 5:30, please. 'I was certain that these were the hands that once held
books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa
cum laude ­ but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be
seen again.

She's going, she's going, and she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a
friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and
she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there,
looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to
compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress;
it was the only thing I could find that was clean.

My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could
actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when
Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought
you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly
sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte,
with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one
sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover
what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could
pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals ­we have no
record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they
would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God
saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the
cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird
on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you
spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by
the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God
sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost
as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the
sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of
kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is
too small for Me to notice and smile over. You are building a great
cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease
that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own
self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep
the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the
people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on
something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so
far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because
there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's
bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the
morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three
hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a
shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And
then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna
love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're
doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel,
not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the
world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

-Anonymous-

Mom

I wanted to share a couple pictures I took of my mom and my youngest son. These were taken on Mothers Day. My mom turned 74 a few days later. I'm hoping to have a huge birthday party for her this next year when she becomes 75! My grandmother will be 95 years young this year. Makes me wonder how old I will be...lol

Another center stage takes shape

Another fabric idea of mine takes "Center Stage". I will be working on two more like this for a friend over the weekend.

It amazes me to see how one pattern can look so different with all the fabrics available.

March of Dimes

I will be walking in the March of Dimes walk in my hometown on Saturday March 31, 2008. If you would like to sponsor me you can do so here. Thank you for your consideration Ü

My personal web page for March of Dimes is:

http://www.marchforbabies.org/PeggyG6

and you can also click on the title of this post to go to March of Dimes web page.

Center Stage

A friend at the school I work for part-time asked me to make a table runner for a friend of hers. Her only request was that it be 24" square and remind her of Summer! The rest of the choices were mine!

The pattern is a Pieced Tree design and I made the one called Center Stage. (I have about 15 of the patterns I believe) I had so much fun making it for her. And, it got me 4 more orders for the same pattern!!

If I only had more hours in my day. :(


I have to attend a funeral for a family member on Saturday and then work that evening. Any plans I had for the weekend will need to be rescheduled.

Fall Quilt / Debbie Caffrey Mystery

This is another Debbie Caffrey Mystery that I have done. I've been doing these thru my guild. We get a set of directions anywheres from 4 - 6 months each quilt. The backing is the same as the border. I've sewn the binding on and need to stitch it to the back. I love this one!!