Greetings from beautiful Monticello, Indiana.  It is such a glorious day here on Lake Freeman.  It's not too hot or cold.  There are a few boats on the lake with the occasional noisy (whoops did I say noisy) wave runner scurrying by.  Thank you, Lord for this day.

I have to toot my own horn today since it is the 12th anniversary of Miss Smith coming into my life.  I'm sure you are wondering who is Miss Smith and why is she so important to Marilyn.  Miss Smith is my Gammill Classic Longarm quilting machine.  Miss Smith was named after my high school home economics teacher who gave me the confidence and instruction to sew and to love sewing.  My mother also encouraged me and maybe pushed me a little bit, but little did I realize how much sewing would be a part of my life.  I really don't know what I would be doing with my life these past twelve years if it weren't for sewing which led of course to quilting.  And the rest they say his history.  I thank The Lord that I have been able to have a profession that I have a passion for, but more importantly a ministry that I use to pray for all of the quilters I have come in contact with these past twelve years.  I have made friendships with many of these ladies that fills my heart with joy that is immeasurable.  Each quilter is so unique and special just like the quilts they make.  I have had the opportunity to share laughter and joy, sorrow and tears always knowing that God is in the midst of us.  My heart is truly overflowing with thanksgiving.

Blessings to all.

Please continue to pray for all of the people affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma.  There are not enough comforting words  to say to the people who lost everything and/or loved ones.  All I can say is please God be with all of these families.  Blessings to all.

Blessings to all.  As I start to write this post today my thoughts have been with the family of Becky Lockett who passed away on May 14th after battling cancer.  I met Becky and her sister Moni at quilt camp at Camp Tecumseh several years ago.  Becky always had a smile on her face and I enjoyed hearing her describe the quilting project she was working on at each camp she attended.  Becky was always trying a new technique and at last September's camp she gave classes on sun painting material.  Her enthusiasm was contagious as she described and showed everyone her method of sun painting material.  Becky was also learning how to machine quilt and she and I would talk about how to freehand quilt.  I felt a closeness to Becky and Moni because in one of our conversations we discovered that they had grown up in the same town my mother was from - Streator, Illinois.  I will miss that Becky will not be attending quilt camp at Camp Tecumseh but then I know she will be watching us from above and probably guiding us along the way.  My deepest  sympathies to all of Becky's family.

Happy Mothers Day to all of you beautiful mothers.  But what does beautiful mean?  I looked up the word in Websters dictionary and it said - very pleasing to the eye, ear, mind, etc. Syn. Beautiful is applied to that which gives the highest degree of pleasure to the senses or to the mind and suggests that the object of delight approximates one's conception of an ideal.  And here all of the time I thought beauty was only skin deep.  But really when we think of all the beautiful things our mothers did for us as we were growing up those are what to me made my mother beautiful.  I remember one fall admiring a winter coat in the window of a dress shop in Lowell, Indiana where I grew up.  My Mom worked part time caring for an elderly lady so I knew she didn't make very much money.  But when Christmas came and I opened this rather large box under the Christmas there was the coat I had admired.  My Mom passed many years ago now but she left me with beautiful memories of a mother who so unselfishly gave to her daughter.  Happy Mothers Day, Mom.

Blessings to all.

Happy Tuesday, April 30, 2013.  Can you believe it is the last day of April?  I must admit I am experiencing spring fever today here in sunny Monticello, Indiana.  I mean can you blame me?  It is supposed to be in the 70's today.  I am inside working  on a quilt though, even though I really want to be outside.  I'm just glad I can look out my window and see the sun shining brightly and an occasional boat moving along on Lake Freeman.

I have a few pictures of some quilts I've been working on by some very talented quilters, two Pam's and Shelley.  I always admire the patience the ladies I quilt for as it shows in their beautifully pieced quilts.  Please enjoy these beautiful quilts.  Whoops, now how did that picture of Eli get in there.
Blessings to all.

Greetings everyone.  I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  Life has shown me once again just how blessed I am.  God put his blessings on our family with my brother John having his eye surgery last week with a successful outcome.  I keep being reminded how blessed I am to be able to see, hear, walk, breath and have my family here.  In the last week two different families I know have been in car accidents and I am thankful that God's angels were with all involved and those friends are still here on this earth.  When I was eight years old my father was involved in a car accident.  He was hit by a drunk driver, yes even 52 years ago people were driving intoxicated.  God's angels were with my father that day and even though he had broken ribs, a sprained ankle, cuts requirying stitches, bumps, bruises, etc. he did recover.  But his accident left a life long fear in me and I always pause a breath when a friend or loved one is in an accident.  Life is so fragile and each moment is precious that we are allowed to be here on this earth.

I am ready for a quick lunch and then down to the quilting studio where beautiful quilts are awaiting my arrival.  I will post pictures this week of the lovely beauties that have been made so lovingly by their makers.  I can hardly wait to start quilting.

I will also add prayers to everyone who is traveling this week to Padudcah, Kentucky for the 29th Annual American Quilters Society show.  I am sad that I will not be attending, but that's okay I have beautiful quilts here that I will actually be able to touch since the white glove ladies aren't here.  I can touch these quilts that is as long as my hands are clean. Happy quilting/sewing everyone and have a great week.

Blessings to all.

Happy Tuesday everyone.  I haven't been on vacation or anything like that, but life threw my brother John a curve Sunday night and he landed in the hospital.  So Gary and I made a mad dash to Crown Point yesterday to be with John and my favorite sister-in-law Jane.  John is still in the hospital as the doctors try it figure out what caused the pulmonary episode. I spoke with him a little bit ago and he sounded like his old self again.  I don't take life for granted as I'm sure most of you don't either, but sometimes events happen that do make us pause to realize how blessed we truly are.  When you have your loved ones still with you that really is all that matters.  Gary and I have lost several of our loved ones over the years and we still miss them terribly but our lives go on they are just not the same.  So I say to you to take a little time and pause to remember just how blessed you are that your loved ones are still with you.

Blessings to all.