The bleak weather isn't gonna keep me down!

Wow, it is amazing the little things we learn every day in blog land. I have a slide show of today's pictures. Yea me for figuring it out!

I have been feeling a bit off for the past several weeks but I think I have worked it out in my mind. I have been busy and physically feeling tired, sick and not able to eat and work out like I had. I put on a couple of pounds, boo. But I am back on the downward trend for weight loss. I have been worried about the annual creative financing that happens in Nov/Dec for emergencies, car repairs and other unforeseen events. I have decided today to just STOP IT!

I have started to get back to sewing, pic is of a recent block I made for the CWDQ. I have been crocheting funky ruffle scarves. I fired up the long arm. I am getting back to doing what brings me peace and happiness. I have decided the expectations I put on myself and the season is not what it is all about. Note to self-don't you do this every year, when will you learn?!?!

I am making a commitment to doing the important things one at a time. I am making a commitment to take care of my mind, body and soul. I am making a commitment to relax and enjoy.

The picture of my hair shows the new color on it, the hair matches my glasses. I feel much better.
Thanks everyone for your support, Merry Christmas!

Snow Day!

It has been very cold and snowy. The cold artic blast is here and makes it difficult to get around. We did have about a foot of new snow with tons of drifting. The kids are happy because it is a snow day and they can stay home. I want a snow day!

I haven't been sewing much since Thanksgiving. I have made a couple Civil War Diary quilt blocks. This is paper piecing time for me the winter brings out the tedious projects. This is definitely trying my patience.

I have the CWDQ and a Victory quilt started that needs to be finished.  I am quilting my yellow and green quilt. Plus a few other tops waiting.....

I have also finished my granny square sampler (crocheted). I am making a funky scarf. I have plans to get a few small items done for Christmas.

I need to organize my house. It is getting bad. I just can't find anything anymore. I need to straighten out the file cabinet. Get important papers together instead of all over the house etc, etc etc. When????, then I wonder- Why???? I would rather be doing fun stuff, ya know?

Design Wall Monday

I have worked on this for several weeks. It is 6inch paper pieced blocks of my own design. It is 44x58 or so.

I have been thinking about Christmas. We have a foot of snow and cold. It has been a time of mourning for my husband. It has been a time of victory for my Son in wrestling ( a medal, good job!). A time for reflection of my core values, they never change and how they are a source of comfort and peace. Mostly it is a time to think about where I want to go from here. It is a great time.

It has been a long couple of weeks.

My life has been upside down for a couple of weeks. My father in law died and it was difficult with my husband travelling back and forth 4 hours one way to the hospital. The memorial is Saturday.

The craft show was a bust. We sold 4 small items and broke even on the cost of the booth. I did make connections with other quilters who may need a longarm quilter and that may pan out.

I have been taking a bit of a break from long arm quilting. I will get going on a Christmas gift tomorrow. I pieced a top for a contest. Pic to be shown at a later time. I am tired and a bit discouraged.

On to work, living, loving and laughing!!!

Design Wall Monday

All of the above were worked on in the past week for a craft show my Mom and I are doing. I think we have a nice assortment of thing. I am going to make something with the yo yo's but not sure yet.

I made four of these blocks over the weekend and I need 2 more then I can start joining the top.

It has been a little overwhelming. They say bad things happen in threes, so I am hoping I have had my quota. My  father in law had a stroke and DH has been gone for 4 days trying to sort it out. I am coping by lots of sewing, playing violin, football and washing clothes.

Thanks for stopping by and check out http://www.patchworktimes.com/ for other design walls. Check out my long arm blog for the latest update on http://www.finishedstitches.blogspot.com/.

Happy Veteran's Day

I  have the day off and was able to spend time with my special vet, my husband. I did work in the studio and finished a quilt top. Check out Finished Stitches for an update on all the quilts Mom and I have done.

Today I finished another customer quilt. I sewed. Cleaned up the messy house and visited with Dad and Uncle Lonnie. I was treated to lunch with my husband and we had a great time at Walmart and Subway, lunch didn't break out eat plan. I love days like today, they really are special.


I am on the countdown to the Black Friday Craft show. I am getting nervous, but we have the booth layout done. Now to make price tags, hmm, better yet I will see if my son has time to make them.

life is good

I had a wonderful weekend. I bought this fabric in Canterbury Village. We got info for my husband kilt. The car had a wheel bearing go at the beginning of the trip. We are waiting to order after the holidays. Love the stores here.

Here is my design wall. Not any changes here.

A runner for the craft show.

While on our trip to south east Michigan, we went to Henry Ford museum.

Pretty cool stuff. I am in the diner. We also went shopping in food markets, malls and ate out tons. Diets weren't shot too badly out of the water. Buddy's pizza, and Macaroni grill were hits. I didn't buy tons but looked for gift ideas and was dazzled. We also went to a cider mill. Great time.