Gracious how time flys when life gets busy.  It has been two months since I've been on my blog, but I have posted pictures on my Facebook of quilts I've quilted.  I just need to figure out how to connect the two.  I'll have to call up one of the grandchildren for their advice.  And speaking of grandchildren we will be increasing our number to six grandchildren! Yikes!  Somewhere around December 6th.  So guess I'll have to make a new Christmas stocking along with a quilt of course.  Our daughter Kristen (who is expecting) had all five of the children with her to a recent doctor visit.  Audrey Kate ( #1 granddaughter) took a video as the doctor was listening for the baby's heartbeat.  You could hear all of the grandchildren talking in the background, but as soon as the heartbeat could be heard there was silence on the room.  (Kristen might want to run that video at home the next time she wants to get the children's attention.).   The doctor then asked Kristen if she wanted to find out the baby's sex.  Kristen said no she wanted to wait until the baby was born and be surprised. Jacob, who is 11, asked the doctor if she could mail him the results!

During my break from blogging I turned 62.  I'm still processing that little tidbit and keep asking myself where did the time go.  My answer, living each day the best that I can, and always with God's grace.   Of course I've been working on clients quilts each day of the week which I am so thankful that I am allowed to do.  As of June 6th I am now starting my 14th year of Longarm quilting.  I just pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming when I typed that bit of information.  Fourteen years of doing a job that I still get excited about doing.  Thank you to my clients for allowing me to quilt your quilts.  Each of you is a blessing to me.

Blessings to all.

Back side of Mary's quilt

Front side of Mary's quilt.

I used patterns by Nancy Haacke digitizedquiltingpatterns.com.  This quilt has a zen quality which seemed to keep me in a "zen" state while I was quilting it.   Mary made this quilt for her granddaughter's graduation.  Lucky girl.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you special ladies.

Blessings to all.

Happy Thursday, April 24, 2014 to everyone.  Even though it is a bit cloudy here in beautiful Monticello today the quilt I took off of my machine has brought a ray of sunshine to me.
I love it when I plan the quilting for a quilt in my head and the quilting looks even better than I had planned.  Here is the quilt (below) that brought sunshine to me today.  Thank you Elaine for allowing me to quilt your quilt.  Blessings to all.

Here are just a few of the quilts I've been working on this week. The first quilt  was done by Karen and each of her appliqué pieces were done by hand with the buttonhole stitch.  I can only dream that I would one day be half as accomplished as Karen.

The rest of these quilts were pieced by Mary Jo.  I've had a great week working on Mary Jo's beautiful quilts.

Blessings to all this joyous Easter season.  I am always amazed at how God works in my life.  My bible study with my dear friend Kristie has taken us on the journey of the Book of James.  The study is written by Beth Moore and I highly recommend any study that Beth Moore has written.  As I was working on my study on Tuesday I came to a section that referenced Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and his resurrection.  I had no idea on this Holy Week of Easter that my bible study would lead to speaking about the death and resurrection of Jesus.  My heart was touched that God brought me to this reference. I did not take this as a coincidence.  I knew God had his hand in my journey.

Blessings.

Happy Tuesday April 8th, 2014.  I keep telling myself it is spring as I'm sitting here with a heavy sweatshirt on.  I am so ready for at least 70 degree weather.  Okay I'll stop whining.  At least the sun has been shining all day.  Maybe I just need to take a walk outside and breath in some  fresh air.  I've been inside all day working on a beautiful quilt.

Thought I'd pass this little tidbit on my bank had posted.  Here it is, did you know when you lick a stamp you are actually consuming 1/10th of a calorie?  First of all I'm saving calories since the stamps I purchase are all self-sticking and secondly who figures these things out?

I hope you enjoy a few pictures of some quilts I've been working on by Joann (gray and yellow) and Carol  (peach and tan).  Great quilts aren't they!

Blessings to all.

Happy Spring everyone.  At least the weather person said spring arrived at 12:47pm (EST) today.  I just put my nose out the door and I'm really not so sure it's spring yet.  Oh well at least it's not snowing, although, that may come next week.  I hope it feels like spring wherever you are at.

I'm posting a few pictures of some of the quilts I've been working on.  I mean how could you not be having a good day after working on these quilts.  From a baby quilt to snowmen to a desert quilt I will say I am never bored.  Some quilts are more challenging than others but all have been given a special touch by their quilter.  I also realize I likely will never be at the level of quilting some of these  ladies have achieved.  Their expertise and creativity never cease to amaze me.

Blessings to all.

Happy Worldwide Quilting Day all of you happy quilters.  May all of your quilts be as beautiful as you are.  I cannot imagine my life without all of the beautiful quilters I have had the privilege to know over the years.  Next to my family my quilting friends have renewed my spirit that there is love and kindness abundant in this world.  I have been allowed to share laughter and sadness, faith and grace,  birthdays and anniversaries with these wonderful quilters.  They have blessed me with their friendship and brought joy to my heart.  Thank you beautiful quilters.

Blessings to everyone.  Treat yourself to a day of sewing, quilt shop shopping or both.  It's your day to enjoy.

Greetings this Tuesday, March 4th, 2014.  Let's see Saturday was the first day of March and I think it came in like a lion so hopefully it will go out like a lamb.  It really has been a snow filled and cold winter here in beautiful Monticello, Indiana, USA.

I started back on the treadmill today even though my mind kept saying you really don't want to do this walking thing do you?  But I did persevere and did log 15 minutes.  Yes, I know no big deal, but I decided I had to start somewhere and 15 minutes was a start.

I have to brag on our third grandchild, Abigale.  She is the first of our red headed grandchildren.  Last Saturday Abigale who is eight years old played her second basketball game.  This was the first game I was able to attend so I had no idea what to expect.  Well to my total surprise Agibale scored 18 points.  I was stunned and excited for her.  Way to Miss Abigale.

I have been quilting and here are a few of the quilts I've been working on.  Blessings to all.

Finally, the last day of February for 2014!!  Surely spring can't be far off. I really could do without the possible 6-10 inches of snow we could get Sunday-Monday.   Oh well it's just so much fun living in Monticello, Indiana, USA.

Look whose at Grandma and Grandpa's today.  Isn't his mustache of ice cream and cookies cute on his face?

And I really have been quilting this week.  This beautiful table topper by Shelley is so sweet.   She has a double topper since she used a plain backing which really shows the quilting.  I hope she likes the quilting.

Blessings to all.

Moda's Jelly Roll Race Olympic style....

Moda's Jelly Roll Race Olympic style....  What a great idea from Moda to encourage the Olympic spirit by having a go for the gold jelly roll race.  All of the teams showed the Olympic spirit but I had a special spot in my heart for the Sew She team.  Thanks Moda for encouraging the Olympic spirit and all of your beautiful material.  Blessings.

Happy February 17, 2014 everyone and a happy birthday to my sister-in-law, Judy.

As I was walking through my house today I saw a clap of light, heard thunder and when I looked out the window I saw snow coming down heavily.  You gotta love Indiana in the winter.  Let's see how many days until Spring?

Here are a few pictures of a quilt that will soon be going home to its owner, Joann.  I loved the new pattern I put in the black border.  The pattern matched some of the patterns in the material.  Beautiful quilt, Joann.

Blessings to all.

Happy February 13th, 2014.  I hope you get a treat for Valentine's Day tomorrow. Tomorrow would also have been my sweet mother's 99th birthday.  Mom always received many birthday cards from family and friends.  I even have many of those cards in a basket my Dad gave to me after Mom passed away.  Dad just couldn't seem to throw the cards away and now I can't seem  to throw them away either.  Funny what we hold onto.

Listed below are pictures of a new cutter/ruler I purchased from Nancy's Notions.  Also have to thank Nancy's Notions for their friendly staffer, Sharon, who took my order over the phone and their prompt service.  The ruler/cutter is made by Sew Easy is called Ruler Cuter and is 4 1/2" x 27 1/2".  I bought it hoping it would be easier on my hands when cutting strip pieces.  I must report I am very happy with my purchase.  There are videos on YouTube showing the ruler/cutter if you are interested in seeing a demonstration.  I've only cut 4 layers (2 strips)  at a time, but I'm pretty sure I could cut 6-8 layers at a time.  Some might consider $44.99 a little pricey, but I am very pleased with its ease of use.  It takes a standard 45mm rotary blade.  It is easy to line up the ruler on your fabric and just push the handle to have a perfect straight strip.  I would sometimes get an hourglass look on my straight strips using a regular rotary cutter.  This product has eliminated that problem for me.  Happy Valentine's Day to me.

Blessings to all.

I didn't forget to show you a few pictures of some of the quilts I've been working on. Even though I love what I am allowed to do by quilting my clients quilts, it is a job/service that does require a lot of preparation and perseverance.  I've heard some people comment to me, "oh, it's so nice you have a "hobby".  I must admit I've had to bite my tongue when I've heard this remark and not retaliate back with a comment I know would not make Jesus smile.  Which has made me pause and to look within myself and ask how many times have I prejudged someone's line of work when I've had absolutely no experience for that profession.  So I will be trying my best to make Jesus smile at me and not frown and to ask how would Jesus want me to act.
Blessings to all.

Morning everyone from cold and 10" of fresh beautiful snow Monticello, Indiana, USA.  It has turned out to be a winter to remember.  We have had more snow this winter than we have ever received since we moved to Monticello in 1998.  I am so very thankful that I don't have to drive to work on the snow covered, icy roads.  My email, Longarm friend, Jude, who lives in Australia is experiencing hot weather right now.  I wrote her and suggested she send some warm weather our way.  I'll keep this post short for now,  but will post pictures of the quilts I've worked on this week later today.  Stay warm or cool wherever you are today.  Blessings to all.

Quilting on Circle of Life quilt.

Happy January 26th, 2014. And just a friendly little reminder Christmas 2014 is less than 11 months away. And thank goodness Spring is only 53 days away.  It has really been a humdinger of a winter for us here in beautiful Monticello, Indiana.  It's so cold here we haven't seen the open lake since I don't remember when.  At least the snowmobilers are enjoying that Lake Freeman is froze over.  I really don't mind winter since I don't have to drive to work.  I really am so thankful that I can just walk down my basement stairs and go to work.  Some people don't mind driving on icy, snow covered roads, but I am not one of them.   Just be careful everyone if you are out on those wintry roads.

Here's an absolutely stunning quilt I just finished quilting for Susie.  I just know I would not have the patience to make this quilt, but I did have fun quilting it.

Blessings to all.

Here is the quilt I just finished placing the binding on.  I hope this quilt can somehow bring some peace to my cousin and his wife.  Be sure and take some time today and hug your loved ones.  Blessings to all.

Gracious, can it really be since November 20th, 2013 since I've posted!?  Well let's see what have I been up to since that last post.   Basketball games for our granddaughter and grandson, celebrating Thanksgiving, celebrating our son's 31st birthday, decorating the house for Christmas, had my colonoscopy, basketball games, preschool and elementary school Christmas programs, basketball games, celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary, celebrating Jesus' birthday, and quilting six days a week.  I think that about covers it.  I must confess it had been so long since I was on my blog that I forgot my password.  I'm not feeling sorry for myself  or making excuses but the day after Christmas I started to come down with a respiratory infection that put me to bed for three days and I finally am feeling like myself again.  So much for getting a flu shot.

We really had a beautiful Christmas with our family.  The grandchildren oohed and aaad as each person opened their presents.  It gave me such a warm feeling that each grandchild was excited to watch their sibling open their present.  For the last four years I made each grandchild a pillowcase and then put their new pajamas inside the pillowcase.  Our youngest grandchild, Eli, no sooner had his pajamas out of the pillowcase that he then changed into his new pajamas.  Each of the grandchildren followed suit.  Besides our old tradition of doing the "fish pond" presents we started a new tradition, we sing happy birthday to Jesus and then blow out the candle on the cupcake.  I am truly thankful for being able to celebrate Christmas with my family.

As I am writing this I am sitting in my sewing room, in the rocking chair I used to rock my children to sleep in when they were babies.  My children are now 33 and 31 and I wonder where did that time go?  How can it be that they are adults now.  My mother always told me to enjoy my children when they were little because before you know it they will be grown.  Thank goodness for grandchildren.  I can spoil them and then send them home.

I have had pure joy today because I was able to spend time in my sewing room applying the binding to a quilt I will be mailing to my cousin and his wife.  You see my cousin's wife lost her two sisters and their husbands in a plane crash last fall.  I can't even begin to understand the depth of sadness