From Me to You: Amanda Longoria

From Me to You: Amanda Longoria

Simpatico by Michelle Engel Bencsko

You will never know true happiness until you have truly loved, and you will never understand what pain really is until you have lost it.

Binding the quilts

The past couple weeks I have been working on binding some of the quilts I want to get finished. I also have some cheater panels that I have been putting binding on. (there are several babies due in the next few months and I don't have time to make a quilt from scratch for everyone!) I dvr a lot of the shows I watch and it's relaxing to tack those bindings while watching television.

Today I Remembered I Have A Blog

I'm not sure who's reading, or I should say not reading.... as it's been a while since I posted something. I did notice that the counter has gone up significantly! I get wrapped up so much in my day-t0-day that I don't have to much time for 'me.'

I will try to be better with this. Leave a post if you're reading! Some quilters have been saying they can't post on my blog......... I don't know the reason.

New Life

Over the past few months I've been constantly reminded of how precious life can be. Those that know me are familiar with my personal journey the past couple of years. I had a life change experience 2 years one month and 3 days ago. I decided the best way to get thru this was to not make quick decisions and to focus on the daily and not to far into my future. That has helped me I believe to make more positive decisions that effect my life. It's not been easy road to follow and I still have a long ways to go. But, I'm seeing things more clearly now. One of those things was my decision to go back to college for a while and take a class that could better be. I've had an enormous support group and grateful for the family and friends that are cheering me on! This would be less of a challenge if I was younger...lol

Also, I'm still working on believing that I have a postive influence on those around me.

This all brings me to sharing with you the news that I have a new granddaughter!! Today she is 22 days old! And, she's as beautiful as my daughter. I had the privilege of meeting my gd on Monday. I can't begin to describe to you how this felt. Just know that I have softened some and will be better for it! As will those around me. I wish the best for this tiny life and know that my daughter and son-in-law have many years of once-in-a-lifetime moments ahead.

Out of respect for my daughter I won't be posting pictures on-line. But, I will share a photo of the first quilt I made for her baby!! This is a quilting blog after all..lol

Simple Little Runner

I followed a link from Quilting With Debi to the Moda Bakeshop. And, while I was browsing around in there I found this little simple little runner. I could imagine all kinds of fabric I could pull out and use! I came across this packet of fat quarters someone had given me as a secret sister gift.

I think this will make a pretty fall table runner. I believe I will have enough to make two of them with these fat quarters. I'll put mine away for next fall and give the other one as a gift!

First Day of Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring! At least that's what the calendar is telling us! Our temperature is calling for 61 degrees today. Sounds like a good start for putting winter behind us.

St. Patricks Day

This is a runner made for a friend. She's requested 3 more holidays and then she will have a runner for each of them! This is an Adkinson Design called Waffle Time. The size is 18" x 18".

Her request came to late to finish her Valentine's one and I will also be making a Happy Birthday one for her.

Just a little information I found about St. Patricks Day.

It snowed again this morning...... and, it's >>so close<< to spring I can taste it! Of course I missed taking a beautiful picture of the hillside to share with you 'cause I was in a rush. And, the snow was melted when I had the time. So........ instead I'm sharing some pictures of some things I have made the past few months.

These are some scarves and a hat I've made for a friends at work.

Another friend of mine loves tablerunners. She has one for every holiday and then some that I've made for her! This latest one is some madi gras fabric I found.

A Person We Call Friend

Each of us has a hidden place
Somewhere deep within ourselves;

A place where we go to get away,
To think things through,
To be alone, to be ourselves.

This unique place, where we
confront our deepest feelings,
becomes a storehouse of all our hopes,
All our need, all our Dreams,

And even our unspoken fears.
It encompasses the essence
of who we are
and what we want to be.

But now and then,
whether by chance or design,
Someone discovers a way into
that place we thought was ours alone.

And we allow that person
to see, to feel and to share
All the reason,
all the uncertainty
And all the emotion we've stored up there.

That person adds new perspective
to our hidden realm,

Then quietly settles down
in his own corner of our special place,
Where a bit of himself will stay forever.

And we call that person a FRIEND...

~Author Unknown~

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).