Cold Days and A Quick Project

IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!

If I'm not mistaken, the temperature only reached 21 degrees today in my little area of Upstate New York.  Even if the house is warm inside, my bones certainly make sure I'm aware of how cold and damp it is outside.

Prior to my trip to Tennessee, I had loaded the backing fabric on my longarm for the late wedding signature quilt gift.  It's only been about 1 1/2 years since the wedding.

The backing stayed loaded, ready and waiting for only a couple of months....that's all. :) :)

As we were driving back home earlier this week, I made the decision to prioritize this project to the #1 slot and get the batting measured, cut and loaded along with the quilt top so that quilting could begin FINALLY!!

Not only did everything get loaded, I even got a couple of rows of quilting done.  I'll give more details on this in my next post.  Due to my bad hip, I'm not able to quilt more than a couple of rows each day....not even sitting on the saddle chair helps.

After I'd finished quilting for the day, I started searching for a quick and easy project.  The decision was made to make some much needed bibs for my Ava Jean.  She is teething, which means we can't keep up with the amount of drool this kid produces on a daily basis.  I've lost count of how many bibs she can go through in a single day.

Ray is madly in love with her and whenever she is here when he gets home from work he can't change out of his work clothes fast enough to get in the floor and play with her.

I've been excited to try out this Sizzix Bib Die.....

I'm always trying to figure out the easiest and quickest way to get something done. Just like in quilting when cutting out half-square triangles to sew together...the idea popped into my head that if I placed the flannel bib fabric face to face on the die...the pieces would be cut, and would automatically be face to face and ready to sew around the edges.

Second piece of flannel placed on die facing the first piece......

I went ahead and placed 6 layers of flannel on the die to produce 3 bibs in one cut.....

Don't they look cute?  This is so much easier on my partially torn rotator cuffs than having to cut them out myself.

Because of all the curves, I thought it best to use several pins to keep everything in place.  I decided to leave about a 3 inch wide opening on the left side since that was really the only straight place to do it.

In my excitement, I forgot to take a picture of the bibs sewn together before turning them inside out. 

After turning them inside out, I pressed them really good with the iron, then simply did a straight top stitch to close up the side opening and give them a nice finished look.

This project also gave me the perfect opportunity to experiment with using snaps put into place with this handy dandy snap plier set.

Wow!!!  That certainly was fast and fairly easy (once I put the right parts in the right sections of the pliers that is)!! :) :)

This will be so much nicer than the Velcro that's on all her store bought bibs.

There's actually a second bib made from the Sesame Street Flannel.  I now know that 1/2 yard of 44" wide flannel will produce 3 bibs using this Sizzix die.  I only had an odd piece of the Sesame Street...just enough for 2.

Not too bad for a day's crafting....a total of 5 new bibs.  This has been a good day indeed!

Until next time!

New Year, New Goals

Hello friends!  It's been awhile since you last heard from me.  Sometimes life is hard, and sometimes it gets harder before the sun starts to shine again.  The last few months have been rather dark but I do believe I'm beginning to see some sunlight starting to peek through the haze.

The loss of my 37 year old son-in-law back in late September, 2016 has taken a toll on all of us but especially his wife, my daughter Shannon.

She has dealt with health issues of her own for many years and they just seemed to multiply combined with deep depression after the truly unexpected loss of the love of her life.  Just coping with every day life has been difficult for her and she has had to rely on family quite a bit.

Since I live approximately 12 hours (by car) away from her, helping her has somewhat turned my own life upside down during the past few months.

Shannon had surgery on January 6th and is doing very well now with that particular health issue.  I've just returned this week to New York and am hoping that life will settle down now and we ALL can get back to at least a semi-normal life.

While I was in Tennessee caring for her and my three grandchildren, believe it or not, I actually got some sewing accomplished.  The only spot I could claim as "mine" while staying in her home was a portion of her kitchen table. :)

Where there is a will, there is always a way. :)  Sewing and quilting has always been my "therapy" and I knew that I would NEED some of this therapy to cope while being away from my own home, husband and family in New York.  Before leaving New York I packed up my double decker Stanley Tool Box with one of my Singer Featherweights, iron, rotary cutter and mat, fabric and tons of notions.  Sewing at her house reminded me of all the years that I had no designated sewing space to call my own and had to use my own kitchen table.  This experience has made me truly thankful for the space I have now. :)

My youngest grandson kept me entertained as I sewed.  (Oh to be young and nimble enough to fold my body inside a remote control truck box!!!!!

During my time in Tennessee, my oldest grandson (facing the camera) celebrated his 16th birthday! It's truly hard to believe all the years that have gone by since I witnessed his birth in the delivery room.  Being in Tennessee also allowed me to be near my youngest daughter, and her new boyfriend as they attend college near by.

After looking through the photos I snapped I realized I never got a good photo of my granddaughter.  That is her red hair between my youngest daughter and her boyfriend. :)

Being with my grandchildren during this time also allowed me to be a part of special school days....like "Senior Adult Day" when my youngest grandson had to dress up as a senior adult!  Isn't he the cutest "old man" with that gray hair, glasses, button up shirt and vest!!!!!!

Being in Tennessee also gave me the opportunity to visit my Aunt Brenda and her Miniature Schnauzer Sophia Loren (aka Sophie).  This dog is very special to me because she was sired by our own Scamp back in the day when we bred Miniature Schnauzers.  We lost Scamp to cancer over a year ago and his daughter Sophie is the "spitting image" of her daddy.  Sophie is getting up in age herself and I just pray she remains healthy and has many more years to give companionship to my Aunt.

The sewing project I worked on was Bonnie Hunter's 2016 Mystery quilt.

One of the clues finished.....

Another clue finished.....

And another.....

And another.....

There are a few more clues finished that I must have forgotten to take photos of as they were sewn together.  I was able to complete all of the clues while there but didn't attempt to start assembling the top together.  It would be less stressful to do that part once I was back in my own sewing space and could make use of my wonderful design wall.

It's truly awesome being back home....even if it is snowing and much colder here!!!!  Hopefully, life will settle down now and I can get back to quilting and blogging on a more routine basis.

Blessings everyone!!!!!

Babies + Halloween = PRECIOUS

Meet Little Miss Ava Jean!!!!!

Less than two weeks before we took our youngest daughter to college 12 hours away.  This precious little one was born....on August 6, 2016.  I probably should have introduced her much earlier.

Ava Jean entered my life just at the right time!  I can honestly say that she has kept me from going insane now that we are "empty nesters" and my house is much too quiet.

I'm not comfortable being alone.  Having been a homeschool mom for the past 20 years has left me more comfortable in chaos versus complete silence.  (Not that having a day or two here and there to myself is a bad thing.)

A picture to remember her two month birthday!  Isn't she precious!!!!!

I think all I've done is transfer my energy from my own daughters to this little one.  This is a new little person that gives me an excuse to make cutesy, little adorable things. :) :)

Both of her parents wore little white bunny rabbit costumes for their first Halloweens and were having difficulty finding a white bunny costume for Ava Jean. 

Oh NO!!!  I couldn't let that happen!  Google is a wonderful thing!  After only a few minutes of web browsing, I stumbled upon a few patterns for these two pieces.........

Bunny Hat and front of diaper cover......

Now the backside of the diaper cover!!!!

TA DA!!!!!  Come on....you have to admit that this is adorable!!!!!

The Bunny Hat crochet pattern can be found here:   http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2013/01/crochet-bunny-hat-pattern.html

The diaper cover crochet pattern can be found here: http://flowerscreations.blogspot.com/2012/05/free-diaper-cover-pattern.html

Such a happy little Bunny!

It was chilly here in New York last night and her parents were not really taking her door to door for candy...just visiting friends, etc.

They got her a long sleeved white onesie and a pair of white fleece pants.  She wore the crocheted diaper cover on top of the white pants.

Prior to dressing up, the poor little baby was placed inside a carved pumpkin for more photos....bless her heart! :) :) :)

When she was first born, I made her this.....I know they shared a photo with me of her wearing it, but I can't find it right now. :(

Then to celebrate her one month birthday....I made her this little onesie.  (The quilt she happens to be laying on is one I made and gave her as well.)

I thought she needed a crocheted baby afghan......

And a matching hat.....

Now don't tell me that you wouldn't do the same thing if this adorable little princess lived near you!!! :) :) :)

I'm in love!!!!!  I'm sure you can understand!

I'm so thankful that even through the storms and dark times we all must travel now and then, God always brings us a ray of sunshine to make the load a little lighter!!!!

More quilt related postings next time....I just couldn't resist showing off this little angel today.

Until later....keep warm...and keep quilting (and a little crochet is okay too)!!!

Back Home in New York

It was hard to leave my grand kids and daughter but she feels ready to continue (without my daily help) finding her family's new "normal" after the passing of her husband and the children's father on September 28, 2016.

Only if you have experienced loss yourself can you understand that although your grief and pain doesn't end, there is no choice but to continue on with life, step by step, day by day. 

My presence didn't "fix" anything, but I strived each day to put a smile on the faces of my grandchildren and to simply let them know that they weren't alone.  My hope was to help them know that it is okay to smile, laugh and enjoy their lives....as I know my son-in-law would want them to do...even through the tears.

We visited the local Dairy Queen for ice-cream on a frequent basis.  Sometimes we all would go, but other times it would be just me and my youngest grandson.

I had the awesome privilege of taking my oldest grandson to his ROTC Marksmanship Competition and sitting on the sidelines with pride, watching him compete less than two weeks after his father's funeral, knowing his heart was heavy because of his huge loss.  He didn't feel like he did as good as he should have, but he did get two bull's-eye shots in the prone position.  His father would have been very proud of him!!!!!

Another blessing was having my granddaughter ask me to French braid her hair one evening.  I've NEVER French braided before but I told her I was willing to give it a try if she could get me started on the right track.  The first attempt had us both laughing and me taking it all down.  The second attempt wasn't so bad!  I told her it wouldn't hurt my feelings if she took it down but no, she wore it that way the rest of the day.  The fact she has extremely thick and naturally curly hair certainly helped my feeble attempt.  The thickness and curls cover up a bunch of my mistakes.  :)

Not long before my son-in-law passed away he had converted his youngest son's bunk beds into a loft bed.  The plan was to give Liam a clubhouse underneath using the novelty "Paw's Patrol" cotton fabric they purchased for curtains.  I count it a blessing to have been able to take the fabric and make the curtain panels to go around the front (on hooks, easy to open and close) and a fixed panel on the one open end of the bed while I was with them.  I still had one yard of fabric left and have brought it home with me to make a window valence for his bedroom to match his clubhouse.  I like to think Greg is happy knowing that his project is finished for Liam to enjoy.

As well as sewing the clubhouse curtains, I went shopping and purchased yarn, borrowed crochet hooks from my mom, and found a free pattern on Ravelry for some cute beanies with beards.

First I made one for Liam, thinking it would be the only one I made......

Then much to my surprise, my oldest grandson asked if I'd make him one as well....and requested a red beanie with a black beard.  Off to Michaels I went to buy more yarn!  :)

Both of my grandsons sporting their new fashion statements.....

Another of my four daughters arrived in Tennessee this past Thursday (and brought me home yesterday).  She took the kids out to pick pumpkins and then carved them the night before we left coming back to NY.

This trip also allowed time to spend with our youngest who attends college in East Tennessee.  It was difficult saying goodbye to her again, but she will be home for winter break in mid-December.

I left Tennessee still surrounded by green....although the leaves will soon be turning there.

As we neared New York and the temperatures dropped, it was strange to see that the fall colors had already begun and was almost in it's full splendor of reds, golds, and orange color.

The view of my front yard from the porch....

My side yard....

Aren't the leaves gorgeous on this tree!!!

It's good to be home.  Show love each day and appreciate each and every morning you wake up!  Life is precious!  Family is a treasure!

Until next time!

Broken Hearts

Wednesday morning, September 28th, only five days ago.  Our home phone rang a little before 6 a.m.  No one calls that early, we were still asleep, the alarm was set to go off just a few minutes later than the ringing telephone.  I sat up on the side of the bed, fumbled for my glasses but couldn't find them, grabbed the phone and could barely make out the blurry 423 area code.  Tennessee, but could be my parents, my brothers, my oldest daughter or my youngest who is now attending college there.

My voice was probably a little sharp from my fear as I said hello.

My daughter, my eldest, screaming "Momma!  Momma!  Greg died!  At least that's what I thought she said but it couldn't be true!  I know I screamed "what did you say", and she said it again through the tears, Oh God....please NO!

Her husband, our son-in-law, father of our three grandchildren, Austin (15), Abbi (14) Liam (6) was gone!  How could that be, he's too young, only 37 years old.

Greg has suffered from chronic Pancreatitis since he  was 9 or 10, a young child. Dealing with this for so many years had been too hard on several major organs, so much damage that in the early morning hours on Wednesday September 28th, he suffered a heart attack in his sleep and never woke up.

The word heartbroken doesn't even come close to the pain, shock, unbelief and grief that our family is experiencing.

His funeral  service was yesterday. We all went through the motions of what was expected from us.

My pain, my loss, my grief doesn't begin to come close to my daughter's or my grandchildren's.

Greg and Shannon are high-school sweethearts. From the time they were 14 they have been a couple, a team.  For 23 years he has been a part of a family.  I can't remember a time when Greg wasn't there.

I'm in Tennessee, taking one step, one day at a time. I'm not sure how long I'll be here.  I'm not sure when I'll be back home in my sewing room, so I truly can't say how long it will be before I start writing regular blog posts again.

In the meantime, will you please just remember our family in your thoughts and prayers.  Especially pray for my daughter and grandchildren.

I'm going to close this post with a few pictures.  The first picture was taken only 2 years ago when I designed and made Greg his very own quilt for his 35th birthday.  For several years prior he would say "Maw, will you make me a quilt of my own so I don't have to share with anyone?"  :)  Thank you God that I didn't wait until it was too late to surprise him with HIS quilt!

Love your family!  Make them things!  Don't put off doing special  projects that you know would make them happy and feel loved.

I appreciate each and every one of you!