Kody, the Teenager!

Kody turns 13 today! Hard to believe my first grandbaby is a teenager! What a great kid. He has proven over and over how great he is. He loves his sisters and does well in school. He helps his mom with yard work and Ava. He's getting lanky and clumsy and pimply and teenagery! Oh, the wonders of being young. Love this boy!

My Flower Pot Quilt

I joined the quilt festival and needed to choose a quilt I wanted to share as one of my favorites. Usually my favorite quilt is the one I am working on at the time. But since they aren't finished, I chose this one. I made this quilt a couple of years ago. It was one of those that I pieced and basted and just set aside while I worked on something else. I pulled it out one day and started quilting it. It is machine pieced and hand quilted. I added a sleeve to the back and hung it in my living room. The state fair was coming up and I decided to enter it. At that time, I noticed that I hadn't quilted the border. Seemed like it needed some quilting so I added it. I think it turned out pretty good.

Richard

What can I say about Richard? We have been married nearly 27 years. Not a day goes by I don't thank God for him. We have been blessed with two beautiful daughters and five grandchildren. Here he is hunting for bunny rabbits with Ben and Julianne. He recently retired from the Post Office with more than 25 years in. Now that he is retired he has time to play all the golf he wants. (Although, he did play a lot of golf before he retired.) He loves spending time with all the grandkids. He gets them riled up and when he is tired of playing he is done. Somehow the kids don't always get that he's done. He helps the girls out whenever they need it. He watches Misty's kids once a week while she works. Kody, Kaitlyn and Ava stayed with us last night while their mom was working. He helps them with plumbing or car trouble or whatever they might need.

Richard does most of the housework at home. He always lets me know how much he loves and appreciates me. I really do know how lucky I am. I am truly blessed.

Blue Ribbon Winner

If you've read my blog then you know about this quilt. It's the one I made completely by hand that took me over a year to make. I decided to enter it in the state fair. I entered a quilt a couple years ago and didn't win anything. So this year my expectations were low. I mean, you should see some of the quilts people enter. Awesome! So when I entered it, I was thinking it would be nice to at least get an honorable mention. Never did I imagine I would win first place! One of my customers on my route went to the fair bright and early Thursday morning when it opened to see all the pretties. She had several items entered. Anyway, she told me my quilt won a blue ribbon, before I could get to the fair. I asked her several times if she was sure. Later that evening my grandson's other grandparents went to the fair and said it was in a glass showcase. My husband and I were planning on going Sunday, but when I found out I won, I had to go sooner. I am so proud!

Amy's Quilt

Amy's living room is red and she has a lot of black and white accents in there too. I thought she would like this quilt. I made it from a charm pack I got from a swap on craftsters. I had to add a few squares of my own. I also added the black and white solids. I threw in a red block and binded it with a red polka dot. I quilted it on my machine. I normally quilt by hand but decided I would try it on the machine. It isn't great but I think it looks pretty good. Amy loves it.

Steven

Time is funny. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday Steven was here calling me Mamma and giving me one of his wonderful hugs and other times it seems decades and decades ago since he was with us. Eleven years have passed and not a day goes by I don't think of him and hope he knows how much I loved him and how I never really gave up on him. I am happy he is at peace and doesn't suffer anymore. I wonder if he knows he was a hero for all the families that benefited from his death. His death didn't just change our family, it changed the lives of all the families whose loved one received one of his organs. When I think back to the memories of my son, I am not sad. I am happy for the time he was here and that he doesn't have to be here anymore. Be at peace, Steven and know that you are missed.

Memory Bears

All these teddy bears where made for a friend of my daughter's, Amy. A girl she worked with father had died. She was really having a tough time of it, as would be expected. Amy told her I had made memory bears before and she volunteered me to make one for her. They are made from shirts that her dad her worn and brought back favorite memories of him. I am happy to help ease the pain of someone grieving a loss. I hadn't expected to make so many, as I do it at no cost to the recipient. However, I couldn't say no. I do think from now on I will do the first one for free and charge a small fee for any more they need. Aren't they sweet? My dad died fourteen years ago. He and my mom had been married for over forty years. Mom was really grieving for him. My sister suggested I make one of these bears for my mom. She had heard about them from a friend of hers who worked for Hospice. When Mom died four years later, my sister got the bear. I was happy she could take a bit of solace in it. Seems like a great way to honor a loved one.

Grandmother's Flower Garden

I can't believe I haven't written a blog about this quilt! I have always loves this pattern. Looks so complicated but it's only one pattern piece. Before I started working on this I figured it would be simple enough. Boy was I wrong. First of all, I decided to make this quilt for me since I normally make quilts for everyone else. I wanted to make it for our bed and for some silly reason my husband had to get a kingsize bed. (He claims I have restless leg syndrome and kick him all night. However, I have yet to see that first bruise!) Anyway, of course I had to piece this beauty by hand. I know a lot of people use the paper piecing method, but not me. The more flowers I made, the more it seemed I needed. Finally after many months, I had it all pieced and ready to quilt. I tried it on my bed and it fit! Next came the quilting part. Now I am truly afraid of machine quilting. I have only dabbled in it a little bit. Of course I had to hand quilt this bad boy. First, I hand basted it. I know of lot of people like to baste with pins but for some odd reason, I still do this the old fashioned way. With needle and thread! Next came the hand quilting. I love to hand quilt. When I do this I do it in my lap. No frame, no hoop, just my lap. After months of quilting it was time for the binding. Some people may call me stubborn, but I prefer strong willed. I figured since I had pieced and quilted the entire quilt by hand, I should make and add the binding by hand too. I finished it and put it on our bed, and let me tell you, I slept really good under this quilt. A few months later, I decided to enter it in our state fair. So again, I added the sleeve to the back. (by hand) The fair is later this month. I'm kind of excited and certainly proud of this accomplishment. My fingers have developed lovely callouses because, once again, I am strong willed and do not use a thimble. I would say this quilt took me well over a year from start to finish. Of course there were many periods of time that I put it done and didn't pick it up for a while. Now, I'm getting ready to take it to the laundromat to put it in one of those triple machines to get it ready for the fair.

Ava, Ben & Their New Super Capes

These little cuties are the proud owners of new super capes. You know how kids love to be super heroes? They like to tie blankets or towels on their necks so they can be the next super hero. I decided I would make them their very own super hero capes. These capes do have super powers. As soon as they put them on they instantly stop whining and start smiling and running and being super sweet grandbabies. It's easy to see that these capes were a big hit with the little ones.

St. Mark's Bascilica in Venice, Italy

A few years ago, Richard and I took our first trip to Italy. (I say first because I'm really hoping to return one day!) We went on a tour with a company that knew all about the wonderful places and Bascilicas to see. This is the floor of St. Mark's Bascilica. It's not a real great picture because they don't allow flashes inside the bascilica so I had to take this without a flash. I was so inspired by this floor, I came home and got back into quilting. My plan is to one day create a quilt that mimics this beautiful floor!

Yard Sale Quilt

As I was delivering the mail last Saturday, I came upon a yard sale. You know, one of those community yard sales. Now, I don't normally have time to peruse these sales, cause the mail must be delivered. But, I mean, they're right there. When I got toward the end of my route, sitting right there near the front porch, on top of a suitcase, sat this quilt, all folded up and looking lonely. I happened to have a little money on me that day, so I figured, what the heck. I asked the little old lady how much she wanted for the quilt thinking it was more than I had on me and to my suprise she said, "I was asking $25, but what do you think?" And, I thought wow! So, I offered her $20 thinking she would probably take less, but I didn't want to steal it. And she said YES! She told me a friend of hers had made it and she just didn't need it anymore. Well, to be honest, I didn't need it either, but I wanted it. So, she put it in a plastic bag and I put it in my mail bag and finished delivering that loop. I love this quilt; it was machine pieced, hand appliqued and hand quilted. Beautiful!

Julianne

Julianne is really starting to get some personality. She is definitely a momma's girl. She is at that wonderful stage when she stares so intently when you talk to her and tries to mimic your voice. And she has the most beautiful smile. I adore being a grandma!

Ben Singing and playing . 2 years old

Ben Singing and playing . 2 years old
Originally uploaded by Ward G.

Quilt made in two seperate parts of the World

This is a quilt I got from a post on an online crafting community I belong to. Sweet Pea decided she didn't really like the way this quilt was turning out and asked if anyone was willing to give it a good home. I pleaded my case to her and she graciously agreed to send it to me. She had already pieced it and had quilted one square of it. I just finished quilting it in the same way Sweet Pea had started and added a binding.

I think it turned out great! Ben thinks so, too. (Notice how I never miss an opportunity to showcase the grandbabies!)

Me, Ava and Kaitlyn

Me, Ava and Kaitlyn
Originally uploaded by sandyb72357

Here we are. Me and two of my precious granddaughters. Ava is the little drama queen. Kaitlyn is our future model. She is such a sweet girl. She is eleven and starting middle school in the fall. That just seems crazy to me. I am so lucky that these sweeties live on the next street over. Wow, life doesn't get any better than this. We are truly blessed.

Kody, Ava and Julianne

Here is Kody with his new baby cousin, Julianne. Kody is twelve and the oldest of our grandkids. He is in middle school and finishing sixth grade. He has two little sisters that look up to him. He likes skateboarding, video games and playing on the computer. He is growing up way faster than I think he should, but I guess I don't get much of a say in that. He is a real sweetheart! I am really proud of him, he is polite and well mannered. He is a good big brother and a good son and grandson. I love you, Kody!

These beautiful babies are two of my grandkids. We have five, and each one of them are absolutely darling!

Ava Grace and Julianne Marie are cousins. Ava just loves Julianne. She always wants to hold her and kiss her. She is so sweet and gentle with her it makes me feel so good watching her. She found this little elephant rattle and wanted to share it with Julianne. Julianne was intrigued.

Pinwheel Baby Quilt

When I found this pattern for this baby quilt, I knew I had to make it. It is from McCalls by Eleanor Burns. I made it with retro fabrics to give it an old time feel. I added the yoyos. The original pattern had just plain white squares but I thought they needed something. And I like the way it turned out. I just happen to know a brand new baby girl who's momma will love this quilt. In fact, my oldest daughter has put in an order for one of these in a lap size. I pieced it by machine and quilted it by hand. I am just not brave enough to try machine quilting yet. Think I need to practice on something small and insignificant. Anyway, I love the finished product here.

Mother's Day

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's and all the ones who make them mothers! It has been nearly ten years since I lost my mother and not a day goes by I don't think of her. She was a stay at home mom back when it was the the "popular" thing to do. She raised six kids on one salary and one car. No microwave, computer or cell phones. No cable TV, no video games or VCRs. I wonder how she did it. Life was much simpler then. Plenty of kids in the neighborhood to play with. No sitting in the house all summer. We played outside until the streetlight came on and didn't want to come in then. In the winter, on snow days, we sledded on the neighborhood hill and had to be told to come in because we were too cold. Mom was always home when we got home from school. She always cooked our breakfast in the morning before school and our supper was served at 5:00 everyday. We had structure in our life and discipline when we needed it. Thanks Mom, for all the memories and all the love you gave us! I miss you!

Let's strip swap

I joined a swap on one of the online craft communities. This swap was kind of unique. Each participant made strips that were 44 inches long and 12 1/2 inches wide with at least four different fabrics. We mailed out to five different people, fabrics of our choice. What's really fun about it, is, we make a quilt top using these strips and post them on the site. We all vote and the winner gets a fat quarter from everyone else. It's going to be fun to see what everyone comes up with. These are the strips I got from everyone. I'm ready to get started but I have to come up with my own unique design. I need to let my creative juices flow.

Today is the day Julianne was due. She was two weeks old yesterday and went for a check up. Not quite back to her birth weight, so mom has to supplement with an ounce of formula after each time she nurses. She is doing well; it has been a challenge to find a bottle she will drink from. She is a wonderful addition to our family. We are truly blessed.

Beautiful Babies!

Can you tell the difference? No doubt these babies are brother and sister. Both pictures were taken in the hospital. The main difference is the hat. Ben and Julianne look so much alike!

Welcome Julianne Marie! Misty delivered her via unplanned c-section, April 7th at 10:23 am. She weighed 6 lbs. 3 oz. and is 19 inches long. Mommy and baby are doing well! They came home yesterday with a bili lamp. Big brother Ben loves his new baby sister!

Here's our beautiful daughter, Amy. Doesn't she look cute with her new hairdo. I think it really suits her. Amy is in school to become a nurse practitioner. She is an RN and works in the ER on the weekends. She has blessed us with three absolutely, adorable, wonderful grandchildren. I hope she knows how proud we are of her. Her independence and talent for working hard for what she wants make her a special person. Good Job, Amy. We love you!

Here's Misty. Thirty-five weeks in this picture. And baby Julianne is breech. So Misty is trying to decide if she wants the doctor to try to turn her or schedule a C-section. There's always that slight chance that she will turn on her own. The thought of a C-section makes her concerned because of the recovery period. If she didn't have Ben already, I don't think it would worry her so much. It's been a really rough pregnancy but the baby has done well. Wonder when baby will get here. We're excited to meet you Julianne!

Here I am having "a cute as can be day"! It was a beautiful day and I was looking especially cute that day so I didn't want to let this cuteness get away. I took this pic myself with my camera set on timer. At least I thought it was a cute day, until I noticed my big belly in this shot. I guess this is what happens when you're off work for eight weeks. Hopefully, starting Monday when I go back to work, I'll start losing this extra flab.

Saturday, one of the local quilt shops was having a sale on their fat quarters. When, I got there it seemed like all the shoppers were on a mission. They had a plan and they were sticking to it. When you walked in the door, one of the ladies who work there met you at the door and handed you a shopping bag to load. Me, I had no plan. I had no projects in mind. I was just there with a shopping bag and a pocketbook with a little cash in it. Once I started gathering up the fabrics, it looked like there actually was a rhyme behind my reason. I gathered a few retro pieces and some oddball pieces and just started jamming them in the bag. By the time I finished, I had thirty-five fqs. I love each and everyone of them. I still am not sure what I'm going to use them for, but whatever I do, I think I'll be happy

Whirly Giggle

Whirly Giggle
Originally uploaded by sandyb72357

Here's what I decided to do with those dot fabrics I've been collecting. I saw this quilt and tutorial for this quilt on blogger. I love the simplicity of it and the whimsy, too. Can you find the block I made that is different? I like to throw in an oddball block in all my quilts. This one is for my sweet granddaughter, Kaitlyn. She wants her bedroom done with dots so I thought this would be perfect. Now, I just need to quilt it!

Wow! What a day! Ben was a little wild man this morning. I went to the OB with Misty for her appointment and it's a good thing I did. We were there for two hours. Dr. wanted to make sure the baby was growing so he wanted an ultrasound. So we waited and waited. Poor little Ben, he did really good being confined to his stroller for about an hour and ten minutes, then he needed up. Did you know two year olds can run fast? I mean really, really fast! As soon as he got the opportunity, he was down the hall and checking into the surgery scheduler. He did not want to be held. He did not want to sit in his stroller, he did not want to do anything but run. Finally, we went back for the ultrasound and he was not one bit excited to see his baby sister on the computer screen. By the way, baby is fine. At 33 weeks she is measuring 4 lbs. and 5 oz., up from 3 lbs. 6 oz. just two weeks ago.
After we left the Dr.'s office we went to lunch and headed to BabiesRUs. On the ride home, I looked back at him in his carseat and his eyes rolled back and the next thing you know he was snoring! I wanted to join him but I was driving. All in all, considering how long he had to be restrained, I thought he did really good.

I love dot fabric. I have been considering what I should make with these wonderful fabrics. The more I see them the more I love them. And the more dot fabrics I need.

Julianne's Room

My daughter, Misty, is expecting a baby girl in April. This is her second baby, she already has a two year old, Ben. She asked me to make the bedding and window treatments for the baby's room. I am pretty proud of the way the room turned out and I know Misty loves it, too. She says she goes in there and just stares at it. I still have a few things to finish up and then it will just be waiting for Julianne to join it!

I've been reading a lot of different blogs on here. Especially, the ones by quilters. It's amazing the amount of talent there is out there. I love quilts. I have made several of all different sizes and styles. I think the ones I am most proud of our the ones I have made completely by hand. Like the grandmothers flower garden I finished about a month ago. Wow, that was labor intensive. But, you can't imagine the pride I feel every time I look at it. It took me over a year to piece it and quilt it but, hey it is king size, so I think that's pretty good.

So, I've been trying to start this blog for a while now. Not real sure what I'm doing, but I will keep trying til I get it right.