Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Farewell Quilting Year 2014

Trying to cram in a lot on this last post of the year.  Haven't done my totals for the year.  I wasn't too good about keeping the finishes list current, so I am going to have to backtrack through the blog.  I do know that I got quite a few large quilts finished, some of them UFOs many years old.  All said, what I got done was okay.  Would like to finish more UFOs and pare down the stash a lot more.....but hey, it is a hobby, not a job.....and I want to enjoy what I do.

This was probably my largest finish.  It is Comfort and Joy.  If you recall, I started this one the first of 2014 and was thrilled to have it finished and in use by Christmas.......it was close.

 
Whirling Stars is a You Tube pattern from the Missouri Quilt Company.  I actually finished the binding on it a couple of months ago, but never shared the finish.

Nines and Vines, an oldie from AP&Q,  finally got it's binding done this week.  Another UFO finish.  I love this quilt.  Makes me wonder why it took so long to finish it.  The fabrics in the nine patch blocks are early CW reproduction fabrics and it is so much fun to look at them.  Wish there were still a few of them in the stash now.

Another UFO finish .......hopefully the last of the pieced LQs SS Samplers.  I learned so much about machine piecing from the several years of participating in this program.

Ashley with Snowmen A-Z.  She loved it.  Actually, I did too, even though it was a push to get it done.  She has the top border folded down so that I could see her face.


Bad photo, but this is the label and the backing fabric for Snowmen.



My favorite quilting activities this year were collecting materials for and stitching these dog beds for a local rescue group..........how can you not love these sweet babies?????  And, of course, our QOVs that I shared in an earlier post.  The Sew Crazies rock!!!  Dog photos were lifted from Sandy's FB page.

I still have a couple of quilts to bind, but it will be nice to have a couple of UFO finishes to start the NY.  And I am working on my Lucy blocks.  Got a two more finished and put the background around one of them.  I love the way the background changes the blocks and makes the designs pop.  I will share those in a day or so.

Have some thoughts about the NY and what I would like to accomplish.  I always want to be more focused.  But mainly, I just want to love doing what I do.  That seems more important than how many things I finish at this point in my life.  Funny how your perspective can change when someone you love is fighting for the privilege of life itself.

GRATITUDES:
Hobbies that lend to doing something greater in the scheme of things.
Reflection.
Plans.

Take Care,
Jennie

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Merry Pumpkin

Okay, I know you think I am losing it....and you are probably right, the way things have been going lately.  But....I am behind on my Christmas posting, and I knew that if I put off posting these it would not get done.


In an effort to clear my cutting table the day after Christmas, I came upon everything to make these guys, including the wool which had already been cut to size and the sides stitched. Why I didn't finish them in October was because of the deadline for Snowmen A to Z.  They are finished now, and I will pack them away until next Fall and enjoy them then.

Sweet old Roxie snoozing on her mama's slippers. Love this old girl.

GRATITUDES:
My family who forgive me when my brain cells take a break.
The promise a new year always brings.
Dogs.

Take care,
Jennie

Monday, December 22, 2014

Peppermint Forest

Sometimes it pays off to covet someone's creation. When Debi showed me her adorable Peppermint Forest wall hanging I was in love with it.....imagine my surprise when I received my very own version for Christmas!!! So cute....note the fussy cutting.


Last week was busy with performances by five of the seven grands. We are so fortunate to be able to attend so many of these activities.

Jackson and friend at his school performance.

Macy and I after her school chorus performance.

Robert and Sara Ashley performing at O Holy Night in the NFUMC Youth Choir.

GRATITUDES:
All of those dedicated people who work to make these special performances possible.
The excitement and innocence of the little ones.
Twinkling of Christmas lights.

Take care,
Jennie

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Merrie Winter

It is hard for me to believe that Christmas is nearly here. Honestly, I just got my decorations up this weekend. As a child, we always decorated a week before Christmas and took them down the day after. Decorating on Thanksgiving is just not going to happen here.  My shopping is done, and this week I will wrap the gifts.  I have two quilts to bind and a small gift I might make, so I am in good shape.

I hooked this little mat for my friend, Debi.  It is a pattern by Robin at Bird in the Hand Primitives.  I love all of her designs.....you buy them as line drawings and they can be used in so many ways.



Yesterday we visited my sister at her assisted living residence.

Christopher made his first ever trip to visit Santa.

The Estes made their annual trip to Perimeter Mall to see Santa.

And had a booth for Can't Never Could at the Bedford Dasher.


Meanwhile, Blake, Buddy and Daisy enjoyed some lap time .

GRATUITUDES:
The simple things.
Handmade gifts.
Warm memories evoked by Christmas decorations.

Take care,
Jennie












Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Lucy Boston 8

I took a break from things Christmas this week and finished my eighth Lucy Boston block. I do love these blocks and this is one of my favorite color combos.



Matt celebrated his fortieth with the usual birthday dinner here....Chicken Enchiladas and Strawberry Cake.

Old Roxie has never wanted much lap time.  Seems that the example of Buddy and Daisy has changed all of that!  100+ pounds of dog.....
Only Poppy isn't interested. Okay, I have to admit....I love it.


Take Care,
Jennie

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Hooker's Christmas Celebration

Last night was our annual Hooker's Christmas Celebration.  Good food, good friends, happy sharing.

We always have a fun gift exchange, and this year was no exception.  The gifts can be handmade or store bought, but are supposed to be wool or hooking related.

This was what I made this year.....

This sweet cross stitch pattern is Time to Start by Teresa Murgida (Primitive Acorns on etsy).
It was a fun stitch....just enough for an evening of football on TV.

On to the next Christmas gift......

GRATITUDES:
Friends who love receiving handmade gifts as much as I enjoy making them.
Unexpected days of perfect weather.
Annual Christmas shop till you drop day with my sweet daughters.

Take Care,
Jennie


Monday, December 1, 2014

Snowmen A to Z

Finally! Finished the Snowmen quilt top on my self-imposed deadline, and it is already in Debi's hands for quilting. What a relief.  I have got to put an end to projects with deadlines.


Close up of one of the blocks.

Looking forward to gifting this one to a very special family.

Now I have a couple of other things that I want to do as Christmas gifts. Then I am going to do something without any pressure involved!

GRATITUDES:
Lunch and girl talk with a good friend.
A near finish.
Blue skies.

Take care,
Jennie

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving Blessings


Feeling so blessed and grateful.....Hope all of you can also count your blessings on this Thanksgiving day!

Take Care,
Jennie

Friday, November 21, 2014

Turkey Time

In keeping with the holiday spirit, and with the guidance of the oh so talented Debi, the Sew Crazies crafted turkeys on Tuesday. Laughter, wool, pine cones, glue.....it was great fun. And we all had something to take home!!





GRATITUDES:
Giving thanks in even the little things.
Acorns crunching beneath my feet.
An old dog learning to play.

Take Care,
Jennie

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Grandparents' Day

Yesterday was Grandparents' at Macy and Jackson's elementary school. That means lunch and the Book Fair. How clever of them to schedule the Book Fair in conjunction with Grandparents ' Day...LOL. Anyway, I was privileged to be the "chosen" grandparent to attend for both of them. It was a fun day of memory making.

Jackson looking over his new books in the car.....looking so handsome with his new haircut.

Macy chose a craft book with supplies to make little Pom Pom animals. How cute is this!

Macy also had to write a three step essay about how she would save the Thanksgiving turkey from becoming dinner.  Here it is......

Got to love this girl......who knows her Mimi so well :-)).....and perhaps thinks a bit like her.....

GRATITUDES:
The innocence of childhood.
Sharing in little lives.
Nurturing schools.

Take Care,
Jennie




Tuesday, November 11, 2014

God Bless the USA......

And all of those who served and continue to do so.  Thank you seems far too little.

My dear husband, Blake, retired from the US Army after 22 years of service. He was awarded the Bronze Star while serving in Vietnam.  When you ask him what he did, his response is unfailingly, "My job".  And that is his attitude, humble, service oriented....a gentle giant with an unexpected sense of humor. I am blessed to live my life with this man.


These are the recipients of the Sew Crazies' Quilts of Valor that were presented locally.

 Mark Allen, Veteran of Iraqi and Afghanistan wars and injured in Afghanistan.

Richard Morris, Korean War combat veteran.

John Stanish, a Merchant Marine veteran of WWII.

David M. Cola, a Veteran of the Vietnam War,

I feel so blessed and humbled to have had a small part in being able to honor these American heroes.
Has me busy planning the next QOV.

GRATITUDES:
Each and every one of the men and women who have served and presently serve this great country.
The USA.
The Great God upon whom this country has its foundation.

Take Care,
Jennie



Sunday, November 9, 2014

Nothing Exciting

Nothing exciting happening here. I am keeping my nose to the grindstone, working diligently on Snowmen A-Z.  I am working on block K/L now. The next block, M, is the halfway point.

Last night when I was unable to sleep, I caught up on Little Letters, and then added the "S" after it posted today.

Prior to starting the Snowmen stitching marathon, I had started "Donder and Bitzen". It was a kit by Jan Patek purchased several years ago. I lack part of the first border, and the second one, which has appliquéd stars. Should be able to finish it before Christmas.

This cute little wool pumpkin was a gift from Laura and Kathie, who made about a gazillion of them as table decor for the Hook In.

This is what Roxie spends much of her day doing.
At 15 1/2, I guess she is due. She has learned to play a bit with Daisy....which is surprising. She has always been one of those dogs who really didn't play much....with people or other dogs.

Buddy has learned to eat in the presence of the other dogs, which is something he never did in the eleven months at his foster home. 

Sara Ashley and her dad love to go hunting together. She got a large doe last weekend. She knows to spare me the details, but I understand that she is a good shot.

GRATITUDES:
Love nudges from Buddy.
Roxie's old body snuggled close in the bed.
The splendor of Fall.

Take care,
Jennie

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Dogwood ATHA Guild Fall Hook In

A week late getting these posted, but the offerings were too good not to share.  Our home group, The Wool Gatherers, were hostesses for the event.....and even if I do say so, was a great day.

The theme for the event was "It's Not a Rug".  Here is our table of hooked items which are not rugs....



Dear friends Diane, Laura and Kathie were among our vendors.

One of Diane's gorgeous coverlet rugs.


Her newest design, using reverse hooking in the background. This technique is taught in Kathie Meyers' new finishing book.


Two rugs of Kathie's design which also use her finishing techniques.


Laura's adorable burlap bags with her wool appliqué.



Following are a few of the members' rugs. I will credit the ones that I remember, and apologize for those I don't.


German Santa by Shirley Dillard.




My Aquarium by Chris Johnson.


Vermont Village by Diane Gill.


Hooked by Sheri Bennett. I believe the pattern is from Need'l Love.


Unsure of name of pattern, I think this was hooked by Barbara Springer.


A Lib Callaway pattern by Nancy Diegal.


Hooked by Barbara Estridge.


Maggie B design hooked by Paula Wexler.


Chickadees, Pris Butler design, by Caroline Warren.

These were just a few of the wonderful rugs displayed. Wish I had photos of all of them. Hope you enjoyed the Hook In!

GRATITUDES:
A day of rest.
Warm cookies, fresh from the oven.
My Sunday School class.

Take care,
Jennie