Greetings from the Central Valley. I'm looking out my window at snow floating from the sky. It is so cool. It started about 7:00 am and as I stood under the patio watching it float down, I was amazed at the stillness outside. It was so peaceful, I love it. I've never seen it snow in Stockton, although I know it has. I took some pictures but I'm not sure how they will turn out. When the snow hits the ground it melts so there is no evidence there, you just have to see it. I feel so blessed that this happened when I was home to enjoy it. Thank you Lord.
I've been in a funk for the past two weeks and every day has been a struggle to get things done and take care of business. I spent yesterday shopping for Christmas gifts for grandchildren. I don't enjoy shopping, especially when I can't find what I want. Today I will probably sit in front of the window until the snow stops. I can type and watch at the same time so that's good. It's not so good for the quilt I should have finished two weeks ago. Oh well.
It's been 46 minutes of snow and it looks as if it over. I can get busy on the quilt. I feel great.
Peace be with you.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
author unknown.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Estate Sale
Greetings.
My Mother called Friday and was bouncing off the walls because of an Estate sale listed in the paper. I have never been to an estate sale before. She and Tami acted like I was from another planet. Why shop if you don't need anything and you don't even know what's going to be there to purchase? Did you know that my Mom knows how to get my attention? She pointed out that lots of quilts and fabric were for sale and that got my attention. I'm on vacation and there isn't anything on my To Do List that can't wait. Tami gave me the address and directions and off I went. The front door and garage were open and people were going in every direction. As I walked into the front door I looked around at dishes, pots and pans and trinkets everywhere. A women asked me what I was interested in and I said quilts and fabric. She said up stairs and to the right, you'll be in heaven. As I started up the stairs I saw quilts hanging over the rail. They looked old and hand made. They seemed prices a bit high and I kept going. The door to my right was a small bedroom that must have been used as a craft/sewing room. There were drawers stacked on table tops and boxes of "stuff"on the floor. There was a pile of six lap and baby size quilts that were pinned, basted and ready to be quited. As I looked at this pile I started thinking about my quilt tops piled high waiting to be finished. The boxes had lace, ribbon and trims, some used and some that had not been opened. It was starting to become an out of body experience as I looked at the variety of must have just in case stuff. As I watched people going through all her things I started feeling a bit obtrusive. Was it her wish that strangers go through her stuff? There was an embossing template that hadn't been opened and it looked like something I would use so I picked it up and moved on to the next room. This too was a small room with a daybed that had a SOLD sign on it. Her closet was opened and I could tell from her clothes that she was a petite women who occasionally dressed up. She wore a size 5 shoe. There was a box of greeting cards on the dresser that she had saved. As I read some of the notes written in them I felt guilty, like I was reading somebody's mail. It looked as if she kept in touch and had lots of friends that did the same. As I proceeded down stairs I noticed a small book case. There was large family bible and various Christian books. I felt saddened by the fact that her family didn't want that beautiful bible. I thought about purchasing it but such a heart ache came over me I just couldn't. Her family tree was written in it and various other family notes. There was a small pocket size New Testament that I picked up and because there wasn't any personal notes in it took it. Downstairs there was silver, crystal, cook ware and appliances for sale. I wasn't interested in any of that so off to the garage I went. There were boxes of oil paintings. It looks like the lady of the house was interested in painting. Some of the paintings were good, not that I would know good from bad. I thought about purchasing a few of them for the frames but talked myself out of it. There was a box full of costume jewelry so I look through that. There was a small black butterfly pin with gold etching on it and K24 engraved on the bottom half of a wing. I didn't notice that until I got home and looked at it under a magnifying glass. The area between the wings is gold and has delicate etching on it. So I picked it up and went to the cashier with my big purchases. It consisted of the butterfly pin, embossing template and the small New Testament Bible. She looked at me said, "how does $1.75 sound?" I gave her the money and walked around a bit more. There was a walker in the yard with a $10 for sale sign on it. There was also had an electronic Singer Sewing machine and a Serger for sale. I noticed a small framed dress form but no dollar amount on it. I wonder about the lady that at one time owned and used all that stuff. I wonder if she intended to have strangers going through everything. After going through her home I feel like I know her. She was a Christian lady who liked to paint, sew, and quilt. She must have enjoyed entertaining because she had beautiful silver and crystal. There was a couple of boxes full of wine being sold too. I didn't check that out. I'm not sure that is even legal. So my first estate sale turned out to be a sad experience. I thought about that lady for the rest of the day.
When I got home from church today I did some organizing in my sewing room. I found some great decorative buttons I forgot I had. I will use them on some of my wall hangings. I need to make a list so my family knows what to do with my stuff. I don't want strangers picking through it.
Have a blessed day.
My Mother called Friday and was bouncing off the walls because of an Estate sale listed in the paper. I have never been to an estate sale before. She and Tami acted like I was from another planet. Why shop if you don't need anything and you don't even know what's going to be there to purchase? Did you know that my Mom knows how to get my attention? She pointed out that lots of quilts and fabric were for sale and that got my attention. I'm on vacation and there isn't anything on my To Do List that can't wait. Tami gave me the address and directions and off I went. The front door and garage were open and people were going in every direction. As I walked into the front door I looked around at dishes, pots and pans and trinkets everywhere. A women asked me what I was interested in and I said quilts and fabric. She said up stairs and to the right, you'll be in heaven. As I started up the stairs I saw quilts hanging over the rail. They looked old and hand made. They seemed prices a bit high and I kept going. The door to my right was a small bedroom that must have been used as a craft/sewing room. There were drawers stacked on table tops and boxes of "stuff"on the floor. There was a pile of six lap and baby size quilts that were pinned, basted and ready to be quited. As I looked at this pile I started thinking about my quilt tops piled high waiting to be finished. The boxes had lace, ribbon and trims, some used and some that had not been opened. It was starting to become an out of body experience as I looked at the variety of must have just in case stuff. As I watched people going through all her things I started feeling a bit obtrusive. Was it her wish that strangers go through her stuff? There was an embossing template that hadn't been opened and it looked like something I would use so I picked it up and moved on to the next room. This too was a small room with a daybed that had a SOLD sign on it. Her closet was opened and I could tell from her clothes that she was a petite women who occasionally dressed up. She wore a size 5 shoe. There was a box of greeting cards on the dresser that she had saved. As I read some of the notes written in them I felt guilty, like I was reading somebody's mail. It looked as if she kept in touch and had lots of friends that did the same. As I proceeded down stairs I noticed a small book case. There was large family bible and various Christian books. I felt saddened by the fact that her family didn't want that beautiful bible. I thought about purchasing it but such a heart ache came over me I just couldn't. Her family tree was written in it and various other family notes. There was a small pocket size New Testament that I picked up and because there wasn't any personal notes in it took it. Downstairs there was silver, crystal, cook ware and appliances for sale. I wasn't interested in any of that so off to the garage I went. There were boxes of oil paintings. It looks like the lady of the house was interested in painting. Some of the paintings were good, not that I would know good from bad. I thought about purchasing a few of them for the frames but talked myself out of it. There was a box full of costume jewelry so I look through that. There was a small black butterfly pin with gold etching on it and K24 engraved on the bottom half of a wing. I didn't notice that until I got home and looked at it under a magnifying glass. The area between the wings is gold and has delicate etching on it. So I picked it up and went to the cashier with my big purchases. It consisted of the butterfly pin, embossing template and the small New Testament Bible. She looked at me said, "how does $1.75 sound?" I gave her the money and walked around a bit more. There was a walker in the yard with a $10 for sale sign on it. There was also had an electronic Singer Sewing machine and a Serger for sale. I noticed a small framed dress form but no dollar amount on it. I wonder about the lady that at one time owned and used all that stuff. I wonder if she intended to have strangers going through everything. After going through her home I feel like I know her. She was a Christian lady who liked to paint, sew, and quilt. She must have enjoyed entertaining because she had beautiful silver and crystal. There was a couple of boxes full of wine being sold too. I didn't check that out. I'm not sure that is even legal. So my first estate sale turned out to be a sad experience. I thought about that lady for the rest of the day.
When I got home from church today I did some organizing in my sewing room. I found some great decorative buttons I forgot I had. I will use them on some of my wall hangings. I need to make a list so my family knows what to do with my stuff. I don't want strangers picking through it.
Have a blessed day.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A Relaxed Day
Yesterday was fabulous. I had a facial, made a loaf of cranberry walnut bread, cooked a roast in the crock pot and whipped up an apple crunch dessert. I cut some templates out for a snowman applique block and today I'm gong to search for my steam-a-seam light so I can fuse the pieces on to the backing. I'm not real organized and it bothers me that I have to spend so much time hunting for stuff. Sometimes I get frustrated and just go buy more. I need shelves and storage compartment to organize everything. It will probably be March before I can focus on that project but I'm collecting pictures and ideas of other quilters organized areas.
This is my daughter Tami and her precious little Jelly. I'm not sure where the name came from. Jelly is decked out in her suede "Diva"coat ready to party. Tami talks to Jelly and Jelly talks back. She even sings. When Tami goes to work there are a number of family members waiting in line to babysit. That would include Paul. The only problem Paul has is Missy and Herkie get tired of her real quick. She has too much energy.
This is an up close picture of a few of the blocks in my Bro's quilt. Now that we are starting to have cooler nights he will have something to keep him warm.
These bears are a bit mischievous.
In keeping with the theme the blocks are bear paws and log cabin.
Today I'm going to start a new quilt. It's actually going to be used as a wall hanging. It's a pattern called Turtles N Tidepools designed by Patricia Pepe. You need her X-block rotary cutting tools. I might be teaching his technique at a retreat in Oregon next year. Check out her web site www.quiltqueendesigns.com.
This is an up close picture of a few of the blocks in my Bro's quilt. Now that we are starting to have cooler nights he will have something to keep him warm.
These bears are a bit mischievous.
In keeping with the theme the blocks are bear paws and log cabin. 
Today I'm going to start a new quilt. It's actually going to be used as a wall hanging. It's a pattern called Turtles N Tidepools designed by Patricia Pepe. You need her X-block rotary cutting tools. I might be teaching his technique at a retreat in Oregon next year. Check out her web site www.quiltqueendesigns.com.Time is slipping by so I must get to work and have some fun. Vacations are good.
Wishing you a blessed day.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Greetings
I'm Back. I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted. I have been going non stop for three weeks. So much to do and so little time. The upside is that I accomplished all my goals. Now I'm making a new list and feeling a bit overwhelmed. I've been catching up on my favorite blogs for the past three hours. I'm off work for two weeks and I just want to have fun. Catching up on blog reading is fun.
I started a class on Stephen Ministry training. It's a 50 hour training and we meet from 7:00 pm to 9:00 on Monday's. It's been a challenge because I'm usually in bed by 9:00 and up at 4:30 am. I'm so tired at work on Tuesdays I end up going to bed early to make up for lost sleep and I don't get my Tuesday evening tasks done. If that's not a sign of getting old, I don't know what is. That would explain why women shouldn't have children after 50. There are some quilts I want to get quilted and I plan to organize my quilting room.
At a quilt show I attended last month I met Connie Mantini. She wrote a book called Shatter and Sew. It's an introduction to the Shattered Image technique. You can check out her website for details. www.shatterandsew.com I bought a few yards of this beautiful fall fabric that I think would be perfect for this technique. I'm hoping to work it into my two week schedule.
I got a new camera for my BD and I will download some picture and post them tomorrow. I finished my brother's quilt and presented it to him on his birthday. I think he liked it. I have some pictures of some great quilts to share too. For now, I'm off to the grocery store.
Wishing you a blessed day.
I started a class on Stephen Ministry training. It's a 50 hour training and we meet from 7:00 pm to 9:00 on Monday's. It's been a challenge because I'm usually in bed by 9:00 and up at 4:30 am. I'm so tired at work on Tuesdays I end up going to bed early to make up for lost sleep and I don't get my Tuesday evening tasks done. If that's not a sign of getting old, I don't know what is. That would explain why women shouldn't have children after 50. There are some quilts I want to get quilted and I plan to organize my quilting room.
At a quilt show I attended last month I met Connie Mantini. She wrote a book called Shatter and Sew. It's an introduction to the Shattered Image technique. You can check out her website for details. www.shatterandsew.com I bought a few yards of this beautiful fall fabric that I think would be perfect for this technique. I'm hoping to work it into my two week schedule.
I got a new camera for my BD and I will download some picture and post them tomorrow. I finished my brother's quilt and presented it to him on his birthday. I think he liked it. I have some pictures of some great quilts to share too. For now, I'm off to the grocery store.
Wishing you a blessed day.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Color be Beautiful
Two days in a row, how about that? I just couldn't wait to share this. Today is Columbus Day and a holiday for me, but not for my dentist. I had an appointment this morning and then I had clothes to take back to Penney's and I wanted to pick up another memory stick for my camera. I usually keep my eyes on the road and on the other drivers around me but, every once in a while something will catch my peripheral vision. Check out the color. I just happened to have my camera with me so I though it only fair to share the beauty of color; Bright, bold color. The blue is a triplex among triplexes and for the most part the area isn't kept up. It wasn't too noticeable before but now you can't miss it.
Down the street a few block we have this. I have never seen a tangerine colored house. I'm wondering if this was trim paint gone astray. There are houses on both sides of this one that are conservatively painted and landscaped. That might be why this house stands out now. I must say, it's just in time for Halloween.
As I drove through my neighborhood I noticed the leaves are turning yellow, orange, and brown, in keeping with the autumn season. I love the colors of Autumn. Tomorrow we are supposed to have a storm with high winds and lots of rain. I'm looking forward to it. I just wish I could stay home and enjoy it.
Down the street a few block we have this. I have never seen a tangerine colored house. I'm wondering if this was trim paint gone astray. There are houses on both sides of this one that are conservatively painted and landscaped. That might be why this house stands out now. I must say, it's just in time for Halloween.
As I drove through my neighborhood I noticed the leaves are turning yellow, orange, and brown, in keeping with the autumn season. I love the colors of Autumn. Tomorrow we are supposed to have a storm with high winds and lots of rain. I'm looking forward to it. I just wish I could stay home and enjoy it.Color your world and have a blessed day.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Checking In
Greetings. It's been a few weeks since I posted anything. Truth is I've been as busy as a one armed paper hanger. I'm starting a class on Monday nights that requires homework. I have bible study on Wednesday nights and there is homework (reading) in that. I have a quilt guild meeting on the 3rd and 4th Thursdays of the month. I'm working full time, which will be ending in five months. It seems I have two days out of the week that I have time to sit at my computer and read emails and post to this blog. I miss reading blogs and sometimes I spend too much time doing that and don't have time to post on my own.
Today I had to break down and go shopping. I have never enjoyed shopping and today was no different. JC Penney is across the street from Church so, being the time management person that I am, I stopped in before heading out. I found some really good buys but most were too small. Okay, I know, that's my fault and I need to do something about it. Now for the clothes that are my size, I wanted to try on. On the day I choose to shop, Penney's decides to paint their dressing rooms. They had one dressing room area for the entire first floor and their was a line. I hate waiting in lines so I just bought everything and I will try them on tonight and those that don't fit or look right will go back on Wednesday.
I've been looking to upgrade my camera. Best Buy had something I felt meet my needs and the price was right. My issue was the battery. The salesman was no help. He couldn't answer my questions and he would leave to check with somebody else and it would appear nobody else could either, so I left. I just figure it wasn't meant to be. I had to stop in at Office Depot and pick up pencils for Saturday so I thought I would check out the cameras too. A young man asked if he could answer any questions. Oh my gosh, what a concept. I asked, he answered, and even provided written documentation on some of the questions I was asking. I was so excited I wanted to buy two. Their price was $50 more than Best Buy and he said no problem, we match any competitor's price. Thank you Lord.
Then if was off to Joann's with my 50% coupon. Since I'm intentional about spending I couldn't use that coupon. There was nothing I needed that wasn't already on sale. Oh well.
I'm finishing up my brother's quilt. When the binding is done I will take a picture, with my new camera and post it.
Tuesday we have a storm coming. My daughter-in-law laughs when I tell her that. She lives in the mid-west and said we don't have real storms. I love the rain and I'm really looking forward to the "Storm". It will be clear on Saturday and I'll be headed to the Pacific International quilt show with 52 other people on a bus. I'm so excited. I will be taking lots of pictures and I will share them with you all.
Have a blessed week.
Today I had to break down and go shopping. I have never enjoyed shopping and today was no different. JC Penney is across the street from Church so, being the time management person that I am, I stopped in before heading out. I found some really good buys but most were too small. Okay, I know, that's my fault and I need to do something about it. Now for the clothes that are my size, I wanted to try on. On the day I choose to shop, Penney's decides to paint their dressing rooms. They had one dressing room area for the entire first floor and their was a line. I hate waiting in lines so I just bought everything and I will try them on tonight and those that don't fit or look right will go back on Wednesday.
I've been looking to upgrade my camera. Best Buy had something I felt meet my needs and the price was right. My issue was the battery. The salesman was no help. He couldn't answer my questions and he would leave to check with somebody else and it would appear nobody else could either, so I left. I just figure it wasn't meant to be. I had to stop in at Office Depot and pick up pencils for Saturday so I thought I would check out the cameras too. A young man asked if he could answer any questions. Oh my gosh, what a concept. I asked, he answered, and even provided written documentation on some of the questions I was asking. I was so excited I wanted to buy two. Their price was $50 more than Best Buy and he said no problem, we match any competitor's price. Thank you Lord.
Then if was off to Joann's with my 50% coupon. Since I'm intentional about spending I couldn't use that coupon. There was nothing I needed that wasn't already on sale. Oh well.
I'm finishing up my brother's quilt. When the binding is done I will take a picture, with my new camera and post it.
Tuesday we have a storm coming. My daughter-in-law laughs when I tell her that. She lives in the mid-west and said we don't have real storms. I love the rain and I'm really looking forward to the "Storm". It will be clear on Saturday and I'll be headed to the Pacific International quilt show with 52 other people on a bus. I'm so excited. I will be taking lots of pictures and I will share them with you all.
Have a blessed week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)