Heaven Crystals

Here is a quilt that I made a couple of years ago for a quilt guild challenge. I took a pattern that I found from Coffee Time Quilts, by Cathy Wierzbicki  and tweaked it just a tad.
I learned a bit about EQ5 at that time and how not to stretch the bias.
This is one of my grand-daughters favorite quilts that I have made and it will be hers when she is older.

It has won two places in two different quilt guilds.


This is the QUILT FESTIVAL requirements that you may want to check out for yourself.

http://amyscreativeside.com/2011/05/13/bloggers-quilt-festival-spring-2011/

Mother's Day

 This is a message that was written by Cathe Laurie , and I liked it and wanted to share it with others..

Mother’s Day is Sunday, and all the good restaurants will be filled with reservations for every table. Florists will be busy filling and delivering orders. And hopefully every mother out there is going to receive the honor and love that she deserves. Although Valentine’s Day is a huge event on many calendars, not everyone has a sweetheart. But when you count up all the mothers, mothers-in-law, and grandmothers out there, most everyone will have someone to honor.

Having said that, if your plans don’t include a meal in a fancy restaurant, a bottle of favorite perfume, or an extravagant flower arrangement, that doesn’t mean you’ll have failed in honoring her the way she deserves. It is sad to realize that, for many, this day is more about overpriced gifts, or cards that drip with excessive sentimentality, than it is about genuine honor and love. Children who ignore and dishonor their mothers by what they say and do the rest of the year sometimes try to band-aid their guilt by making a hollow celebration of this day.

I can tell you from a mother’s heart that what we really treasure is the unexpected phone call when it isn’t a special occasion, the sweet expression of a hug and kiss that delightfully interrupts an ordinary day, or the moment when a child, out of honest concern, asks, “Mom, what can I do for you? How can I help?”

Mother’s Day is practically impossible to miss with all the commercialism and pressure to spend more than necessary. But mothers everywhere know when they are appreciated . . .

It isn’t the size and of the card, the cost of the flowers, or the meal out that we treasure. It is those special tokens of love throughout the year that tell us the hard work of our mothering and grandmothering is appreciated. My advice to those who want to honor their moms is to tell them on Mother’s Day, but don’t forget to tell them all year long.

crookneck squash 

I really did think that this was good and this is not really how my day went. But I really did have a great day. 

new plants added

I really had a productive weekend in all. My garden is growing and producing and I think I have saved what plants I did have and I was given more to replace what was lost. I was able to plant them all this weekend and get them going before it is to late to try. My husband helped me put in zucchini, watermelon and a couple of squash. we will call this the 'Melon Patch'. Then I was able to replace some bell peppers in the 'U'bed where I lost a couple of tomatoes. Also I worked the 'Ole raised bed (really not old)that had some lettuce and broccoli and garlic growing in.                      

melon patch

That is where the carrots are growing now. Anyway, I added two tomatoes, four bell peppers, one which is golden yellow, and three purple. Plus a chile and of course another another basil. I put the basil under a butterfly net so that the bugs may stay away. Got to try.

basil under net

carrots that earwigs didn't eat

I got some sun rays and had a really good time relaxing in one of my favorite places in all the world. My backyard.


 How was your mother's day? Where did you spend it?

1st Quilt done this Year...

I can not believe that I have not been sewing quilts this year due to the load I have put on my table.
I have been on a journey with my grand-daughter in homeschooling. This is a whole knew thing for me, as is this blogging. But anyway, I was on Easter break/ spring vacation and I was inspired with some of my stash. So I pulled out an old favorite pattern, "Yellow Brick Road" by Adkinson Designs and away I went cutting up the little pieces of fabrics that I have saved, for a someday project. This is the day that I have been looking for all year. I finished the quilt top and used up stash and am pleased with the results. As well as having it done with in a two week period and still teaching. An Amen to that.
The year is almost over and I am able to go on a retreat this summer with some friends who have been doing this now for a few years. but is has been made possible by a friend. God Bless her, Lois Thank you.
So with that said, I need to get with the work load that has a awaited me all afternoon. More gardening.

How many quilts have you completed this year so far?

Garden Blahhhs...

was basil

I feel like I am spinning my wheels and getting no where fast. Last week we had super strong winds for three days followed by  Hot heat. Now my plants have something eating them to nothings and if that isn't the pits, the ones that have survived have some terrible fungus. Blah blah blah, and more.
I cannot give up. I know it is trial and error, but can I get a break here. My garden is worse than the one in Eden. Sure it looks all nice until you have to work it. Then all the uglies come to the surface.
No, we didn't get hit with a Tsunami or floods or tornados, but by golly I have been hit with the garden blahs, and they are bad.

It has grown

Maybe things will look brighter in the morning.

this is gotten worse

corn has silks 

How is you garden so far?

Phone Calls..

Yesterday was a really strange day for me. I was excited about Punkin being in the play at our end of the year bible study.
While I was in the moment of the joy, I guess I got a phone call. Phone being on silent I didn't know it had come through. A little while later I received another one. Well it came through again only to go to voice mail.
What is going on?
I realized as we were headed home that I had gotten these calls. Both were from family and both were strange. They were about what was happening in the mid-west. Again about family. I had no idea the sooooo many tornados were touching down and that they were HUGE.
I got home to find another one from another family member to tell me that all was good.
So Happy to hear that my loved ones are safe.
Hope yours are too...

On another note, we went to the local quilt show. IEQG. Great time seeing all my friends who I have worked with, served while working in local quilt stores. Quilters are the best people in the world. So loving and sweet. I so miss these ladies and was blessed to be around so many today.Oh the quilts were nice also.

Best of Show

helped put this one together

taught this one in a class

Karen in the shot is the owner, hand appliqued

wonderful friend, wonderful quilt

Fabric in my Stash

This weekend I was able to get into the stash fabric of long awaiting. I have been so busy this year with homeschooling, that I have not had the energy and desire (at the same time) to do anything with any of it.
This week after all the must do's were done. I went in to play a little and get inspired. You know to get ticking again.
Well I was able to find something that has kicked me in the pants and for three days now, I have been cutting for a old pattern favorite of mine. 'Yellow Brick Road', from Atkinson Designs.
 I am having a good time and hope that it will continue.
Anyway, It has been a good Monday being back to school and having Punkin here again, but I am so glad to touch and feel and smell the fabric in my stash again too.

When was the last time you were in your stash ?

Easter with Punkin

hibiscus are lovely

my best friend and me

Just want to share some of the best parts of my day.

Punkin in Sunday school with grama

spring with all the colors

Wish we could have SPRING in the air all year around. I just love Spring. Life comes back to the ground after all the dead cold days pass, and the air is crisp in the morning hours and even Jesus came back to life after being dead, before He rose to the heavens to be with God the Father. 

Sometime we will go to all lengths to get what we see and want. My pray is that 
whatever it takes
you  will seek the truth and go to all lengths to find it. The truth of this Holy holiday, and why we who believe, believe.
Do you believe in Jesus? Have you asked Him in to your heart? You can, today.

Spring Break....

This week we had Spring Break. Easter vacation as I knew it in oh so long ago. But anyway, we took this last week off to regroup and do a few things that I haven't been able to do , due to time restraints.
Wow was there so much to do and I know I only touched the surface.
But I did do some things that took all my days and left me exhausted.
I scrubbed my kitchen floors. That was so what was on the very top of my list of things that must be done.
Then I did set up my embroidery machine and stitched out two, count them two, labels for the bags that my daughter and I have been making for selling purposes. Wow did I sew, or did I just sit and watch the machine do it all. You might have guessed it right, I supervised.
But I sat in front of the machine .
Well on the other note, I got all the windows inside and out cleaned. Now I can see all the spring green and beautiful flowers that grow around here.
I was then left to the dreaded bathroom. I had a big mess last year in there. In October my husband finally buckled down and did the repairs. He had to take out and replace the toilet, cause it had a leak and it was Old. Then he had to remove the flooring and even go farther with removing the wood subfloor. It was wet and rotten. So he was able to get that taken care of, and at the same time he had to go into the walls to replace the shower fixtures so that they would not leak anymore. When he was done, I was relieved to know he can do so many things around here. He really is a Great Handy man. So with new fixtures and a new potty (porcelain seat- the queens throne), and new tile flooring and a trap door in the wall. I had to do the finishing work. Wash all the walls and then paint. Well with the time it required, I had to put off that  part for awhile. Thats where this week came in to play. Three days in the bathroom will do anyone in. But it looks all New now and I am popped, but relieved. That is glad that that is done!
The vegetables in the garden are growing in this wonderful weather we are having. Roots are digging deep and getting grounded. I have added some more tomato plants and inter placed spinach in the spare shaded areas of the bed. Potatoes are been eaten by sow bugs and I can't help them, the potatoes that is. Did I mention I added some of my seedling of bell peppers to the garden, well I did. I put them under bottles for protection. Kind of like little green houses. It has worked so far. Another great idea from my hubby.
Corn is growing like weeds and tassels are there for pollinating. Strawberries in a garden salad are a great addition.
Punkin has been visiting her daddy this week. She did get to go to the Griffith Observatory with her mom though. COOL.
Well with the remaining time I have I think I will go play around with some fabric and see if I can get some real sewing in, before this vacation is over.
Hope you have enjoyed your spring start.







 Hope you have a wonderful Easter celebration, for

"He has Risen".

Something from hopenmotion.....

Just wanted to share what I said in another blog, that My daughter and I are involved in. Check it out from time to time. There may be something that you would like that we have made.You can find the link on the side column. Have a great evening and I'll be back after the spring cleaning is done. I'm pooped.

Meet Mom.....

Alright then... I'm Mom... :)

Meet Mom!

It comes to mind that in this season of the journey I'm on, it's not all about me. It's about those around me, and those whom I can help. The Lord provides all my needs, and if at possible, I want to share 'em. This is one of the most interesting chapters in my life as to date, for I can actually see the hand of God working.  I am excited about the end results, for only He knows them. But I am a servant, who is willing to do His will in order to glorify Him.

I am excited to be a part of this vision, Hope 'n Motion. Sewing makes me tick, and if I can make something that makes someone else tick, so be it...

Bags, Books, Bibles...

Punkin helping in the harvest

I want to share. I hope I can give. I want to give. And do it all with LOVE!
Love of the Father God, who gave his son for me.

Aside from the Lord, who is my priority, I love to sew. And not everything, but I like to make quilts, and bags, aprons, fun things.. Well things I think are fun!!

Apron making! 

I love to garden! Hearing the birds sing... feeling the dirt in my finger nails... the sun on my back... the warmth in my soul....

And then to end a day in a good read, yaaa... thats what I enjoy! All the while of knowing that there is a good meal somewhere able to be cooked from the things I've grown... And me and Bambi together, well we are creating some good tasting foods...

Marmalade, from home grown oranges
Jan 2011

So with all that said, I am kinda the domestic women, who is trying to be an example.

With all this I hope I can show Punkin' how to love the Lord, how to be a woman of God, and enjoy what God has created her to be... (Fyi, Punkin' is my grand-daughter :))

And well, that's just a little bit about me!

Spring is in the Air

We began our spring break last Friday and was it so much needed.
We had a sleep over with a cousin and then we went to a Veterans Parade which was cool, followed by a Butterfly exhibit here in town.
It was cool too. Ever had a butterfly kiss. I can honestly say I have.
I am looking forward to doing a few things this week , like
Scrub the kitchen floor , ugh,
Wash the bathroom walls, ugh,
wash windows, ugh...
Sew , sew, sew, and maybe sew.....
read all night long, if the eyes will remain open, and plant more stuff in my garden.
I got more DIRT...
I was able to get my 'U'bed filled with my compost dirt and I put some seedlings in it. Remember this is all trial and error. Not right or wrong at this point, just learning. So this evening I did a little gardening.
Now I am headed to read if I still have the energy.






 Just wanted you to know that I am still in the game and trying to keep up. Are you?