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

Blessings to all.  No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I have, however, been very busy quilting all of the beautiful quilts I've been entrusted to quilt, attended volleyball and now basketball games, celebrated Gary's 65th birthday, done some Christmas shopping and oh did I mention quilting beautiful quilts.  I've also tried to stay focused and realize the blessings I am empowered with each day by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  My life has ups and downs, peaks and valleys as we all have, but I am able walk through the downs/valleys with hope knowing knowing Jesus is by my side. The ups/peaks are even sweeter because of the blessings Jesus has presented to me.  As the bible says, "I have learned to be content in whatever state I am."

Here are a few pictures of a sweet quilt I quilted recently.  I used a new pattern and I was thrilled with  the results.  The pattern is by Nancy Haacke digitizedquiltingpatterns.com called Modern E2e.  Isn't the pattern so fresh and modern?

Blessings to all.

Happy Saturday everyone well actually I should say happy Saturday evening.  We've been on the go today watching the volleyball sectional of the North White girls team.  The ladies made it to the final round of the sectional but were defeated by Pioneer.  It has been a pleasure to watch these young ladies this season and that they welcomed two freshmen girls to play on their team - our granddaughter Audrey Kate and Hannah.  When you watch young ladies give their best you feel their is hope for the future.  Our young people are our future and seeing these girls come together as a team, working together, encouraging one another, whether they won or lost a game just makes my heart sing with joy.  Thank you ladies.

Here are a few more pictures of quilts that were made at the Threads of Mine quilt retreat last week in Shipshewana, Indiana.  Enjoy and enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Blessings to all.

Happy, happy Wednesday everyone.  It certainly was a crisp morning here in beautiful Monticello, Indiana.  The sunshine was a welcomed warmth, but then sunshine always makes me feel better.

We have had a fun evening with our granddaughter, Audrey Kate.  She is spending the night and Grandpa Gary is taking here to an 8:00 am orthodontist appointment.   Geez I hope the dentist is wide awake before he starts changing AK's wires.  Audrey got her first report card for her freshmen year in high school.  All A's and one B+.  She is such a joy to be with.

Below are a few more pictures of quilts made at the Shipshewana 2013 retreat.  Enjoy.

Blessings to all.