Thursday, October 30, 2014

Fall Ball

Jackson played baseball in the Fall League.  This team was a step up from his T Ball experience in the Spring, and he did a great job. 

Team Photo:

These are little guys (4-6 yrs. old) with great spirit.

Jackson is a super hitter and first baseman.

Jackson with his trophy, along with dad, Matt, who was also a team coach.


And the team with their trophies.

GRATITUDES:
Team spirit.
Little boys.
Parents who give of their time for others' children as well as their own.

Take Care,
Jennie









Thursday, October 23, 2014

ER Lunch Bunch

Us old folks had our quarterly lunch at Chylaca's yesterday. I always look forward to this day.  Lots of sharing and catching up on life's ups and downs. I think it's pretty special that we keep in touch after all these years.

Left front to back: Lynn, Kitty, Kay, Angie
Right front to back: Pam, me, Dave, Geneva, John

GRATITUDES:
Memories of our old ER days.
The comforting arms of friends.

Take Care,
Jennie

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

This and That

Haven't been terribly productive over the past week.  I guess I just needed a bit of a break, between recovering from the retreat and trying to fight the allergies off.  I am feeling much better this week though, so maybe I will get a few things done.

This is Jack O Lantern Moon by Need'l Love. Got him made into a pillow today.


I decided to add a little piece of fall garland to hang Lil Punkin Guy and I am pleased with the way it worked out.


Tonight I made this commission pillow for a customer of Can't Never Could. I had made a similar one when we had our booth at Market Days and the customer had seen a photo, but it sold before she got to town to purchase it. I hope she will like this one.


I am working on Snowmen A-Z, but find when I have something on a deadline that I am easily distracted. Not a good thing.

Blake, Becky, Christopher and Dillon enjoyed the re-enactment of The Battle of Brown's Mill while I was at the hooking retreat.


Guess I'd better get busy on Snowmen.

GRATITUDES:
Cool nights, windows open, snuggled under a quilt.
Soup and cornbread.
My daughter's message at the Laity service.

Take Care,
Jennie


Sunday, October 12, 2014

Throw down at Tennessee Rug Retreat

It was a perfect weekend at the biannual Tennessee Rug Retreat at Carson Springs Conference Center in Newport, TN.  Lots of laughter, good food and hooking.  

Here are the photos from our throw down last night.........

Robin's footstool cover and Charlie Brown Christmas Tree mat.

Becky's Hunter rug that will be her husband's Christmas gift......started at Barb Carroll's.

This is Vicki's own pineapple pattern.

The beginning of Kathie's big floral rug.

Rhonda's six cut paisley.  Lovely colors.

Becky made a good start on her Lori Brechlin pumpkin man. Love his stockings.

Great spooky colors in Nancy's witch.

Gail's fall leaves.

Katie's original bird houses.

Original design drawn by Diana's granddaughter.

Prancing Pony....Kathy is making this for her grandson.

Sheri is going to put wool lambs tongues around this nice scrap mat.

Sheri's Sunshine and Shadows from her worm bags.  It literally glows.

Rhonda's leopard.....not so much to go.  Love those eyes.

Georganna's eagle that she started at Barb Carroll's.

And, finally, my American Fancies went from 6 finished squares to 12.  Only three to go!

We are already looking forward to next Spring together.

GRATITUDES:
Fellow hookers.
Inspiration.
Sharing.

Take Care,
Jennie


















Monday, October 6, 2014

Smiling

Sometimes the simpler a project, the happier it makes me. Such was the case with these.....all easily finished and ready for the season.

Jumpin' Cat Flash from Spooky Threads by Needl' Love.  Wool appliqué with flannel backing.

Witch Silhouette, a free design from http://thelittlestitcher.blogspot.it. All project materials from stash. The floss was part of a leftover skein of Eggplant from Weeks Dye Works.

Little Punkin' Guy by Maria Barton of Star Rug Company. He was a quick hook in mostly leftovers from Turkey, Turkey.  How can you not smile at this silly guy?

On the serious stitching front, all of the Snowman A-Z blocks are prepped and one is stitched.  Good to get moving on this one.

Will be leaving for hooking Retreat on Thursday and have lots to do in order to get ready. Only wish these seasonal allergies would tuck their tails and run.

Rob went in for his bimonthly MRI today and got a great report. God is good.  You can catch up with them at Christi's recent Caring Bridge post, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mightytosave/journal/view/id/5433239b8b5cd34b38a8a5c9

Rob and Robert at the UGA Homecoming game on Saturday.

GRATITUDES:
Life, every single day of it.
Hope.
Miracles, big and small.

Take Care,
Jennie









Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Country Threads BOM



Finished up the Country Threads 2014 BOM through September, including piecing the second large section.  Not sure where each section will go on the completed top, so I didn't join them.  Supposedly these two sections represent three quarters of the quilt. It is going to be a large one.  Over all I am satisfied with it. When you have no idea where you are going, it makes color choices a bit difficult.


I couldn't resist this new one of Daisy and Buddy. My, how she has grown!


GRATITUDES:
A love that never fails.

Take Care,
Jennie



Monday, September 29, 2014

Little Letters

My friend has been doing all of the Temecula Quilt Company's adorable stitch alongs since last year.
Every time I see one finished, I regret not playing along......but it just seems it would be something else to incur guilt because I wouldn't keep up. So, I have passed on each.  You know where this is going.
When said friend mentioned the new quilt along, Little Letters, she said.....you can do them in just a few minutes, and they come out twice a week....you should do it. Well, she is right. They only take a few minutes to cut and stitch. And they are pretty darned cute. And I can use my scraps, though, trust me, this project, aside from background, will not put a dent in your stash.


Quality vs. quantity and convenience have become an issue for me in my blog.  There was a time when I blogged completely from my laptop using photos from my very nice camera. It was quite time consuming and I didn't blog as frequently because it was more demanding.  But the photos were better, nicely aligned on the pages, the same size, etc.  The blog was prettier. Then came the ability to blog from my pad or phone, using photos taken from the same. I can even do a little photo editing. But I can't do links and some of the other nicer functions. What to do?  Well, my blogging is mostly for fun and sharing in a limited community. I am not about making money, selling products or growing readership to thousands. So, forgive me if it isn't as pretty, but convenience is the route I am taking.

GRATITUDES:
Choices.
Conveniences.
Rainy days.

Take care,
Jennie


Sunday, September 28, 2014

Autumn's Call

Autumn's Call by Crabapple Hill........started last year in a class with Debi.....is now a finish. Just looking for the perfect hanger to display it now.

It looks a little off in the photo, but it is really nice and square.  The original pattern shows it framed, but Debi designed this quilted border for it.  The vine and leaves are wool, blanket stitched with wool thread on the machine.

The hit or miss rug is progressing, although the worm bags show absolutely no evidence of this.

I am trying really hard to get "light, bright, dark and dull".......and to spread it around.  That white light is REALLY light. I will add some more and then decide if it can stay or not.

Have started prepping SNOWMEN A-Z.  Lots of work to be done on that one to get it ready before Christmas.

GRATITUDES:
A warm visit with an old friend.
A good night of sleep.
Puppy silliness.

Take Care,
Jennie


Saturday, September 27, 2014

Teens

Both of the Estes grands are now officially teenagers. So hard to believe. I will share a few new pics and you will see!

Sara Ashley, Jackson and Macy at her family dinner at Olive Garden.

Her birthday party this year was a horseback riding day with friend Bella....on her favorite horse, Bucky.



Robert and new girlfriend, Christine, getting ready to go to NHS Homecoming.

Robert, Rob and Sara Ashley on Rob's birthday.

Sara Ashley's choice of birthday cakes......seven white layers with chocolate fudge frosting by yours truly.

GRATITUDES:
Being chosen to make birthday cakes of choice for the kids....and hopefully creating special memories of a Mimi who loves them all so much.
Time to do special things that pleasure others as well as myself.
Reliving the growing up of these now teens.

Take care,
Jennie








Thursday, September 25, 2014

Smiling!!

For a very good reason, I am smiling.  Comfort and Joy, started the first of the year is ready to go to the quilter.....Debi, who has also finished her version (we started these together, hers was done first....of course). We gave each other permission to forego the appliquéd borders, deciding the allowed borders were too small and the quilt is quite busy enough. Besides, we were both ready to move on.

All the fabric for this top was pulled from stash. A nice feeling, even though it failed to make dent in said stas.


The weather has cooled a bit and it is back porch swing time once again.  Last year, I lost my best swing buddy, little Rascal....

And though no one can take his place, someone else is a good candidate for companionship in her own special way....
Note the sad state of the slipper. It seems this special somebody also has quite the affinity for her person's shoes.....the more expensive the better.

Off to whine, wheeze and hack for the rest of the evening.  My favorite season brings on the nastiest of seasonal allergies. Whine, whine.......

GRATITUDES:
The freedom won by a long term project finish.
Strong medicine and good medical folk.
Sharing my favorite chair and nap time with furry friends.

Take Care,
Jennie


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

More Dog Beds

Today was the first Sew Crazy day for September. In addition to a lot of catching up, yummy dessert and a generally fun day.....we turned out a dozen dog beds for Tenderheart Rescue.
And that makes our hearts feel good!!


We stuff these beds with all kinds of scrap from t-shirts and soft clothing to quilt batting scraps and fabrics. If you have anything you think we might use, let me know and we will arrange for pick up....assuming you live locally.


GRATITUDES:
Parents who teach their children this very important lesson.

Take Care,
Jennie

Monday, September 22, 2014

Lucy Boston #7

This Lucy block was prepped awhile back and put aside. Finally stitched it over the weekend.....while nursing my seasonal allergies.


It might be my last for quite some time, as Snowmen A to Z requires my immediate and reasonably undivided attention if I plan to get it finished in time to gift it to the Hornes for Christmas. Nose to the grindstone!!

GRATITUDES:
A tidy sewing room after several days of chaos.
The prospect of stitching with the "Crazies" tomorrow.
Seeing a bit of Roxie's spunkiness return after a not so good week. 

Take Care,
Jennie

Monday, September 15, 2014

Whew!!

Turkey, Turkey is ready for blocking and binding. He was just so much fun that I couldn't stop working on him.


Not wanting to sort the leftover worms from the turkey into the overflowing worm bags I recently organized, I decided to start this pattern. I had specifically set it aside with the intent of using up some of those worms.

The pattern is My Way by Hooked on George. I bought it years ago from the store at Caraway, and have always liked it. Did I need to start another rug?? Of course not.....but it will be fun to use up a few of those worms.  I know, they just multiply, right?  I am saving my Fancies rug to work on at an upcoming retreat....that is a "sort of" excuse for starting this rug. The real reason.....I just wanted to.
What can I say?

I have also been working on Comfort and Joy.  All of the pieced blocks are done except two paper pieced blocks.  Hoping I can get this one out of the way this week.


My busy weekend is done.  Family reunion for Blake's Adcock Family....check.  Can't Never Could Georgia Cup Sporting Clay Fundraiser at Big Red Oak.....check.  Deep breath.

Truett's Chik Fil A Luau furnished our lunch on Friday.  L-R: Christi, Rob, Mariah, Cyndi, Ryan (from Chik Fil A) and yours truly.  Many thanks to the all of the folks who worked together for the success of this event.

Big Red Oak is a gorgeous location.....acres and acres of beautiful, wooded land, wildflowers, streams and wildlife.  We got to see a pine grove where the new Hunger Games was filmed....

And, no, Jennifer Lawrence wasn't there.

Guess that catches me up for the moment.

GRATITUDES:
Prayer.
And Max Lucado, who helps us to understand that we don't have to be eloquent. God simply wants to hear from us.

Take Care,
Jennie