Phew, Where To Start?

First of all let me start by saying that I hope everyone has had a great new year so far. I am still shaking my head realizing that it is already January 10th. And here I thought I was going to be better at posting in this new year. Hmm. My bad. I have been reading though. Just not doing alot of comment posting. So please know that just because I haven't got anything much to say right now that I am still reading and following along to all of you out there in blog land that I have come to know and love.

Second, please let me take the time again to thank each and every one of you who do stop by and visit and hear what I have to say and see what I have to see. I realize it's not much but the comments and visitors that do take a peak mean the world to me. Thank you, Thank you. Please keep coming by. Sometimes this is just what a girl needs to perk her spirits a little. Lord only knows how many of us could probably use that right about now.

Third, I just am amazed at how much talent and get up and go that this little circle of blogging buddies I have has. I have to tell you, I'm a little jealous. No matter what my New Year's intent was, I have not been motivated to make anything much. First few days of the new year I was working on some little hearts. Just little stuffed hanging hearts. The fronts are patchwork and the backs are solid. I played with using lace for the first time and had some fun but wasn't thrilled. I made a couple of little pillows for that doll quilt I put together and believe they need thrown in the trash. lol. I just have to tell you, I have no confidence in my skills at all. If it's not perfect, I am convinced it belongs in the garbage. I can't get around that. I haven't had any sewing lessons EVER in life. Never used a sewing machine up until about three years ago. I know basically nothing and feel by now I ought to have the hang of it and be producing nicely sewn items or forget about it. Will I ever get it? Will I ever have confidence in my stuff? Anybody else have this problem? How do you handle that?

And last but not least, right now and probably since shortly after the first of the year, I have been in a funk. I was so looking forward to putting the holidays behind me and moving on and having a fresh start to a new year. I wanted to blog more, sew more, be more productive and find some joy and peace. At the rate I am going, I think I'm worse than I was towards the end of the year when things were like crazy hoppin' mad around here. Truth be told folks, I am scared that I am going to have to go back on my anxiety/depression medication and I totally hate that but I also know that both are starting to creep their ugly little heads back into my life with a vengeance and I cannot, will not allow myself to get out of hand feeling so scared and sad and wanting to cry all the time. It's like the panic attack Christmas Eve started a vicious little cycle for me. The worse part of it that concerns me is that I get so quick and ill tempered. I don't mean to be mean but it's like I have little time or use for nonsense and triffling. And sadly, I guess I am at the point where I make it very obvious when someone is annoying me. Not a good trait to have when working with the public. I've been praying everyday for the ability to make it through one more and that's not the kind of start I had planned for this year. I won't let it go on much longer before I see my doctor. They say counselling may help me deal with some reasons I am anxious and depressed but I don't do the sharing thing that well with folks like that. lol. That's what my blog is for. lol. Seriously, it is something I've considered but I just can't do it. I am not convinced anyone has the power to help me and they are only guessing at what the reasons are and could only possibly make me more of wreck than I already am. Please, if you all wouldn't mind, if you think of it say a little prayer for me regarding this problem. There are days I don't know if I can stand anymore. It scares me and I don't like being so weak. I wanna be like all of you guys, full of pep and gumption and making projects and living life.

On that note, I know kind of a downer, I am going to sign off. Sorry to be so long winded again today. I can't say or write anything quick. lol. It's all about detail. lol. Have a great weekend everyone. Happy Stitching.

Renee

All Is Not Lost

I actually was creative this weekend after the Christmas holiday. Saturday I started work on that crayon bag I got an order for and on Sunday I finished it up and started a little doll quilt just for fun. I'm working on my technique and this was a great way to play around and I got a little something cute out of it. lol. I want to make some pillows to go with it and it might go on etsy. I have nothing on there currently. My items I had listed expired and I just don't think I want to re-list some of them and others I want to re-do so I just thought I'd get through the holidays and take another look at my etsy store. I, of course, want to add items and maybe one day actually sell something. lol. With this economy though, who knows what will sell and what won't. And I figure places like etsy will be one of the first and hardest hit. Handmade crafts aren't essentials and not many people I know are going to be spending for the fun of it in the near future. I remain hopeful that we'll pull out of this economic crisis. I'll certainly be cautious but ever hopeful. lol.

I better take this time to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year. I'm not as faithful at posting as I'd like to be and I just don't want to miss the opportunity to wish everyone out there a safe and prosperous new year.

I'll be working at 5 a.m. New Year's Day. Yippee skippy. Hubby and the boy have the day off but I'll be working 8 full hours. Grrrrrr. I hate to complain about my job, primarily because it is a job right now and they are so hard to find in this town, but it is about to drive me crazy. It's not at all where I want to be or what I want to do but it's the best I can do right now. My hope and dream would be to work from home doing anything, anything at all just so I don't have to leave home. I don't like the outside world much. lol. That's why I sure would love to make a go of etsy. There's just so much competition there. And craft shows and fairs are a problem for me since I don't much like being "out there". lol. If my hubby would go do them with me, I'd do everyone I ran across but he can't and won't so it's not much of an option for me right now.

Well, I wrote a book last time I posted and I don't want to do that this time. lol. So, I'm signing off for the night and am gonna catch up on all you all's blogs. Have a great night. Here's some pics of the weekend progress.

crayon bag


doll quilt front


and the back


Happy Stitching,

Renee

A Christmas Morning Photo

Well I See We All Survived

Phew!!! Man, I do hate to say it but am I glad that Christmas is over. I love Christmas but it always sneaks up on me because I lead my life unprepared and never with any foresight. I love being caught up in the "feeling" of the holidays but unfortunately each year that excitement gets less and less and I'm always wishing it was over and then I feel guilty because I feel that way. And right now as glad as I am that it is over, looking back, I don't think I heard very much Christmas music this year. We didn't have any parties to go to or school celebrations, etc. And now it's over and we won't be doing any of these things we longed for, not for another year. Every year I vow to make it better so I'm not caught up in this dread and money worry during the season too. That vow hasn't worked so far but it doesn't mean I can't try harder this coming year right? Right!

Now, with my whining aside, I have to say, we had a wonderful Christmas. Everyone got what they wanted and we have very few returns. Tony, our oldest doesn't like the way his new blue jeans Santa brought him fit so he wants to take those back. Shawn, the youngest may have to take back a few wii controls we bought him. We didn't know what to get so we bought one of each and we haven't figured out yet which ones we need and which ones we don't. lol. Our daughter in law had been wanting a double heart pendant necklace from Kay jewelers. Tony helped us find it and put us wise to the idea in the first place and after waiting three days on next day air shipping, we did receive it and she was so, so happy. I thought she was going to cry. So, I guess we done good. lol. I have to say I did cry when I opened the gift from Tony and Steph that was for hubby and I. It's a lovely framed 8 by 10 photo of all five of us from the wedding. It is precious and priceless.

For the first time in over 20 years, we did not make our annual trip to good old Killbuck, Ohio on Christmas Eve this year. We used to go to see hubby's momma and his family every year. His mom passed in 01 but we continued to go every year to see his Grandma. We weren't sure we'd go this year because last we knew his Grandma was in a nursing home up in Michigan where she took ill when she went for a visit last year. He called down to his sisters there on Christmas Eve and spoke to his neice who told him his Grandma is in a nursing home right down there in Millersburg. He was a little upset as we have been worrying about how to afford to be able to go see her in Michigan, finding a time we all could go and borrowing a car capable of making the trip. She just celebrated her 90th(we think, if not, it's 89) on December 23rd. With her age, he was so worried something would happen and he has wanted to go see her before that time comes. He still has no idea how long she's been back in Ohio yet but they did tell him she is doing good and is still right with herself mind wise. There's one son she refuses to eat in front of so if he's there at mealtime, he will leave so she'll eat. lol. So sweet. Aggravating at times I'm sure but still so sweet. We love her and want her around for many, many years to come. A trip to see her is in the works, maybe tomorrow afternoon. Our car will make it down there. No reasons or excuses not to go.

I'm sorry to make this so long winded but there is so much I wanted to talk about. We had a new first this year on Christmas day. lol. For my family gathering at my brother's house, they opted not to have a turkey for the meal. Just a ham and some sides. Well, no problem with me, we coulda had pizza for all I cared as long as we were all together. Anyway, hubby just had himself a little bitty baby cow about it and said he'd either not go or fix his own turkey. lol. So, Christmas Eve all we could find we thought would thaw in time was a nice turkey breast. Ran all over Wal-Mart cause I don't grocery shop there looking for a bag of stuffing mix and potatoes and rolls. But we put that breast in about 8:30 Christmas morning and in two hours it was done. I made some mashed potatoes and brown and serve rolls. I was going to make some homemade stuffing that I ran all over wal-mart finding and hubby said he didn't even need it. Just some mashed potatoes and gravy. So, that is what I was going to do but then I decided Shawn and I needed some stuffing so a mad dash across the street to the market where I work for a box of Stove Top and whalah, we have a complete turkey dinner for Lunch!!!!! Tony and Steph had left already as those poor kids had five places to go on Christmas Day. So there we sat, honey, Shawn and me, eating a full course Christmas Turkey dinner at about 12:30 Christmas Day. lol. I don't know why but that makes me chuckle. lol. Our get together at my brother's wasn't until 4 so we had time even to get in a quick power nap before we had to get ready to go out there. Bliss. I loved it. It was the first time in almost 23 years that I have been a mother that I got a nap on Christmas Day. Wow!!!!!

The gathering with my family was awesome. I was real tired so we left sooner than we should have from up there and now I wish we had stuck around a little longer. They were fixin' to play wii bowling when we left. But, I was bushed. I guess I probably had a panic attack of sorts on Christmas Eve. I worked from 5a to 1p that day. We stood around over there with our thumbs you know where looking for something to do to pass the time. Well, don't you know that at noon, one hour before I was scheduled to get off, pandemonium broke out. Check cashings out the gazoo, lottery tickets being pulled as long as your arms could pull them. Cheese trays flying out the door, phone ringing off the wall to see how late we were open and if we were open Christmas day, etc. I was there til 25 after 1 and felt bad leaving then but I had to scoot. I had three places to go to shop and gather the last minute stuff all before six pm when all three of them closed. Worse part was, hubby wasn't home with my wheels so I could go until almost 3:30. I was already in hyper activity mode as I had sat around two hours waiting on him to get home so we could go. We decided to do all the shopping at wal-mart. We wouldn't have made it to all three places, no way, no how. We still got what we needed but the rolls weren't the kind my one son loves from the one grocery store and I had a gift card from another grocery store that I wanted to use and save my money for shopping. Well, as it turns out, we had a wal-mart card worth fifty bucks that we even forgot to spend there to help save some cash. Duh!!!!! But that trip about got me. I got sick to my stomach, my heart was racing and so was I. We went to get the gifts first. Not too bad. Then we headed to the groceries where we had to split up and I didn't like that at all. I felt like a lost kid. I was so glad to see honey again and I never left his side again. After we got our groceries, I wanted to take one more look for gifts so back across the place we trek for nothing. Didn't find anything the second time that I hadn't noticed or looked at the first time. lol. We exit with my knees knocking and the pit in my stomach growing larger and larger due to the amount of money we just parted with. lol.

But wait, it's not over. We decided not to go to Killbuck so Shawn took off for his girlie friends house. We think "awesome" so we can wrap his presents. Had all of that to do yet. We go over to our bedroom where we had them stashed and when we come back to the livingroom, no lights, no t.v., I shouldn't say no lights because my lamp I had on when I left the room had a real, real faint orange glow, it was still lit but there was so little juice going to it that it was just so slight you barely noticed it. Yet, my kitchen lights were working and my bedroom lights were working and the upstairs lights were working. We lost half the power to the livingroom, half the power in the kitchen, the lights worked but the frig didn't. We lost power in one bathroom and my sewingroom. It was the weirdest thing I ever seen. Hubby went right away and checked the breakers which were fine. Hmm. We're stumped. Hated to but I call brother and interupted his holiday gathering. He said he'd be in after bit to have a look see but I guess I freaked as I was envisioning my house burning down Christmas Eve when we went to bed because of some weird electrical problem we must have. I'm calculating in my head how much it would cost to have half the house re-wired, etc. Oh woe is me. lol. We decide to try and make the best of it and use the kitchen table to wrap presents on. We got those done but my heart wasn't in it at all. All the classic panic signs were in full swing already. We had noticed though that the vcr kicked on and honey tried the tv and it worked but it had this weird whistle coming from it. All the lights that were either out completely or barely glowing were getting a little stronger. All good signs in hind sight but yet it made me worry that much more that we definately had some sort of electrical problem within the house. I was sure I'd not sleep at all that night. We decided after the presents were wrapped to walk over to the store across the street which was fully lit by the way and get some goodies for that night and Christmas morning. I am so glad we decided to go as the gal working asked if we were having trouble with half our house losing power. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I literally just felt it go when she said that the neighbors up two and three houses from us were having the same problem. Phew. At that point I knew it wasn't a problem with the house and that I didn't have to worry about paying an electrician. Thank You God!!!! On our way home, my immediate next door neighbor pops out as me and the big ole Ohio Edison truck both approach out front of the houses. He was having the same problem and the Ohio Ed guy parked right out front of the house here and went up the pole right in front of my house to fix whatever it was. He shut us all down about half an hour but when he turned us back on, all was well and my brother didn't have to leave his gathering to come and fool with it. That was the best part. Contrary to what I had expected and prepared for sleepwise that night, I slept like a baby cause I was exhausted from being so keyed up. Man.

And last but not least, I wanted to mention those silly little crayon bags I made for the kiddies. They loved them and started coloring right away when we gave them to them. lol. I even got an order for one from my sister-in-law for her friend's little boy. Yeah! I hope to get my nasty house cleaned back up and start on that project this afternoon.

Thanks for listening to our holiday antics and I hope everyone had a great and wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. God Bless. All please take care!!

Happy Stitching,

Renee

Three In A Row

Got these all done last night but the pink one. Had five minutes left on it to finish today. Needed a thread change and noticed it probably wasn't gonna line up last night so I quit. Sure enough, it didn't. So, I had to rip the bottom row of crayon slots out cause they didn't line up and I lost one altogether in the side seam. lol. So, it was fix it somehow or throw it out. I wasn't throwing it out and starting over again. I fixed it but it's not as nice as the boys'. I had to go through to the inside of the bag when I put that bottom row of slots back in. Oh, well, good thing I didn't intend it to be reversible. lol.

I'm done now. No more projects for me. lol. I hope to be back to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. In case I'm not, God Bless everyone. Have a safe and happy Christmas.

See You:

Renee

Why Do I Gotta Always Wait Til The Last Minute?

One down. Two to go. Needed Christmas Day. This is the first, hope the rest turn out better. See you after bit as I got alot to do today. lol.







Tah, Tah

Renee

50th Post

Wowie!! This one sure snuck up on me. I had hoped to be able to do a give-a-way at such a momentus time in my blog career. lol. Sadly as I realized this after my last post the other day, here I am during the holidays broke as a joke and nothing "neat" spare made up at the moment either. So, my apologies for having a party with no gifts but I'm kind of tickled I've got 50 posts already. lol.

I've waited to post to make sure I had something to talk about because I realized shortly after my last post that the next one would put me at fifty. Unfortunately I do not have anything really important to yack about. Can't believe it's one week from now until Christmas. I've started seeing alot of folks on blogs and in forums starting to go ahead and send out Christmas wishes to everyone in case they don't get back before then. I sure hope to but in case I might not, I really want to wish everyone, everywhere a very, very Merry Christmas!!!! Hopefully I will be back before the new year anyway so I'm holding out there. lol. Please remember to share with your loved ones the real meaning of Christmas and praise God!

I also wanted to let everyone know that I did not get my long anticipated and needed haircut the other evening. lol. Nope, I figured sure I would have at least until 6 o'clock on a Sunday to go somewhere and get a haircut but Nooooooo!!!! Fiesta, Best Cuts, Great Clips, ALL closed. I run to Wal-Mart to their in-store place, yeah, they're open but booked til close at 6. It was a quarter til. Dang. We didn't get to leave the house until about 5:20 and we went right down the line to all these places to only find them closed and my last hope with Wal-Mart was getting me pumped and boy did I get my balloon popped when she said she was booked. I think hubby purposely drug his feet that night just so I couldn't get one. He likes me hair long and it can look alot better if I have time to let it air dry and poof with it a while then but that's just it, I don't have time. I pull it up soak and wet everyday into a hair clip because I do deli work and so when I come home and take the clip out, it's still wet and there is nothing you can do with it then. So alas I am still looking like a sheep dog but I won't go get one now because of Christmas coming. This is the last pay to shop for that so no haircut for me. lol. When I do though, I'll let you all know. lol.

Hubby went on his way home last night from work and got the big gift for the boy last night. That alone makes me feel alot better. Just knowing you have that one thing your kid wants whether they get much else or not always makes me feel better. I won't say what he's getting just in case he'd decide now would be a great time to finally check out mom's blog. lol. Let me just say, Best Buy is not my friend. lol. They take entirely way too much money every time we go in that place. lol.

I wish I could go get the shopping all finished up tonight and be done but I think hubby has plans to be in a card game tonight. I don't know if you ladies enjoy poker (texas hold'em specifically) or you have a mate that does but I can't stand it. I have no interest in watching it, learning to play it, playing it or anything else. It's kind of like football. Just not my cup of tea. lol. But, my old man, he's a freak. Can't pass up a good card game. lol. He told me the other day, we'll go Saturday. lol. I just looked at him. I told him if he wanted to be out there the last Saturday before Christmas trying to shop to go right ahead. Of course, I'm sure it's just as bad out there right now tonight as it will be Saturday. That's what we get I guess. Every year I vow to not be in this boat but year after year right here is where I find myself and it just about sucks the life out of me. I think I could actually enjoy the time more if it weren't for all this shopping and money worry.

I've been kind of sick here lately and it got to the point I just stayed home from work yesterday. I left early Monday but Tuesday I was okay and then yesterday morning, man I felt like sin warmed over. I've had this horrible heartburn feeling, and gurgly stomach, kind of watery sounding since last Saturday. It's getting to the point where it is making me sick to my stomach and I think I would feel better if I were to get sick. I've thought of everything under the sun it could be, even thought because my chest has been hurting that I was having a heart attack or something maybe. But I've also had a cough for about 2 months now that I think was causing the chest pain cause now I'm fine. I've though of acid reflux, I've thought of my gall bladder and now I have to stop and wonder if it's not just my nerves. Hubby threatened to send me to the doc if I don't start feeling better so now for all intents and purposes, I am fine. No problems. lol. I have felt pretty good today so far but it wouldn't take much to put me down either. Just feeling kind of punked. I hope everyone else is doing okay. It's no time to be sick.

Well, I have some stuff to do here so I will end for now. Thanks for coming by and visiting on my 50th post. Sorry it wasn't something grand. lol. I hope maybe for the 75th to do a give-a-way. That should be after the New Year when I vow to make some changes for the better and on the positive side. Which means, much, much more sewing and quilting and creating for me.

Hope you all have wonderful and safe holidays.

God Bless,

Renee

Gee Whiz, I've Done It Again

I have not posted again in a week now and for that I am very disappointed in myself. I just kinda feel like if I post it ought to be quilting related in some way and lately I haven't quilted anything to post about. lol.

Just been working and under the daily increasing stress of this holiday season. My friends I must admit that while I'm not letting myself get down this year, I am not exactally full of the holiday cheer as of yet either. My family this year has no interest in decorating so it is a task I must undertake myself I guess. If it were not for my son being here, his last year at home maybe, I probably wouldnt' even bother. That makes me feel terrible. May I ask for some thoughts and prayers maybe of some sort of uplifting for this family in that regard that we might have reason to be happy and not let the blues get us down. I would like for this year to be kinda special for Shawn. He'll be 18 in April 09 so who knows? He may have his own place next year and yada, yada. I'm being silly perhaps but it haunts me regardless. So I need to get motivated for his sake I feel. Despite my best efforts in the past few weeks to get the tree up, I hope to get the decorating done tonight. We will see.

I must, absolutely must go get my hair cut today. It is too long and it is so bushy and I dislike it very, very much. lol. In fact I am thinking of going to the extreme maybe with my haircut choice, I dislike it that much. While I'm out I wouldn't mind getting started shopping. I guess we know one gift already that we want to get Shawn and there is no reason to stall. Might as well get it done. Our oldest boy Tony has told me a few things he wants and I don't think they will be a problem to find. It's Miss Stephanie, my new little daughter-in-law that has me stumped. I just absolutely have no idea what she would like for Christmas. Not a clue. lol. Of course I haven't been able to shop as of yet so I haven't asked but I'm anxious to see what she would like. I definately need help. lol.

Shawn's been working since about mid-August and has been saving back a hundred bucks every pay and he is at the point of having saved five hundred dollars. Yay for him. I am so proud of him. He was kinda proud too as we both had to participate in a few picture taking opportunities of him with his newly saved fortune. lol. Sad thing is his car desperately needs tires and a new set will take most of his savings. I am so upset at myself for not being able to help him out with that right now but on the other hand, his brother footed the bill for everything to do with his car and things he wanted to have. I really admire both of my sons and respect them as responsible individuals. I am proud to be their mama. lol.

Here's a few pics of his fortune. He traded me his hundred dollar bill for twenties so he would have more to fan out. lol. lmao. He's so sweet.





I see everyone has been very busy themselves right now this time of year. Lots of pretty projects and food photo's to die for. Lovely homes decorated to perfection. I so enjoy my visits to all of your blogs. They keep me coming back for more. And thank you to everyone who stops by my place here. I love having company. The more the merrier.

Hope to be in touch again soon. Trying to get in the spirit!!! Ho Ho Ho!!!!

Happy Quilting,

Renee

Where Does Time Go?

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a week since I last posted. I am sorry about that. I've left you with the same old boring stuff to read and look at for too long. lol.

Looking back it doesn't seem as though I even came here to wish any of you a Happy Thanksgiving. For that I apologize too. I hope you all had a great holiday with your family and friends. We sure did. It was a nice little gathering. Can't wait to do it all again for Christmas. I know some of you had an awesome holiday as even though I haven't posted, I have been stopping by to read all your blogs. I've seen some lovely projects and wonderful photo's of food and Christmas decorations and such. I love how everyone here shares their holidays with each other. Seeing a face with the name means so much. It's always fun to run down my blog list and visit everybody. lol.

I haven't been so crafty and I don't know if I will be much more before the holidays. I just can handle so much and it's getting hectic around here. The stress is something else. I'm already looking forward to the fresh start of the New Year. It's less than a month away. Wow.

I hope everyone is enjoying the season. Sorry I haven't been around awhile. I'll try to fix that. lol. Got to get going. Happy Stitching to everyone.

Renee

Monday, Monday!!!

Blah Blah-Blah Blah Blah Blah. I know there's a song in that somewhere but all it is to me today is Blah Blah Blah. lol. It is a rainy, cold, yucky, dreary old day round here friends. Yesterday kind of sucked big time. Just one of those days I guess. And for a Monday, today wasn't so bad at work but now that I am home, I can't wait for someone to get here to lift my spirits. It seems I sat right here just a while ago and downloaded a "malware" to my computer under the guise of a spyware detection/update. NICE!!!! Microsoft seems to have a cure here but it could take 80 plus minutes for their scan to do it's thing. So, here I am. lol. And I will quit whining now cause it's just nothing but a thing and it could be so much worse. lol.

My main reason to write today wasn't to whine anyway. It is to say "Yeah"!!! Even though yesterday could have been a better day, I did get some sewing done. I had two pair of jeans for a friend that needed patched and I've had them plenty long enough so when my son brought in two more pairs in dire need of emergency fixin', I figured I might as well do those others while I was at it. Done! Four pairs of repaired blue jeans. Not pretty but still wearable. lol.

Then Shawn, my youngest boy has had a t-shirt he said needed sewn up in the back, also been on my agenda some time, so I dug it out and man, what a mess. Of course it wasn't just undone from the collar or something, it was ripped just below the collar seam. I just hand sewed that gouged mess the best I could and told him it wasn't lookin' good. I would have liked to have the time, know- how and material to have patched all of these items and replace the bad area's completely but I am not that brave and these pants are nothing more than work pants that can't look much worse anyway, so all I did to them was put in a patch behind all the ripped and torn mess and sewed around it two or three times to make sure the patch was good and secure under it all. We'll see how it works out.

Also, hubby had a pair of long johns that had lost the elastic in the waist and I swear they were about two feet wide where it was all stretched and floppy. lol. What? They're probably 10 to 12 years old anyway and spending four bucks last week at the dollar store for a new pair almost killed him so I took a crack at fixin' these mile wide ones. lol. I know my elastic is old but I think maybe I stretched it too far too and so while they at least stay on his hips now, they are still large around the waste. lol. But wait, I'm not giving up on them yet. No sir, I have another idea I can try to save them. lol. Talk about using the life out of something. lol. I'll let you know how that goes. lol.

I know it doesn't seem like much but it just cleared my plate a big old bunch to get those little piddly things out of the way. I'm still stuck on what to use on my Christmas Present wallhanging. What do you think of lace bows? Anyone? I'd appreciate some input on that one. Does anyone know of any photo's or tutorials on lace bows? lol.

Other than that, I'm pretty free to start on a quilt project. While I still haven't finished the cursed Flower Garden Quilt, I just do not want to deal with it anymore just yet. I have a really cute baby boy quilt already cut out and a special flannel backing for it and all. I was going to make it for a friend at work who was expecting a little boy last spring but I decided to go with the cowboy theme for his. It's listed as Koltin's Quilt in the photo gallery of my quilts way down yonder on the page. lol. This one I'm wanting to do now is a football theme with a red background and then I have solid bright white and royal blue blocks to alternate with. The back is this really, really thick flannel I got somewhere and it is solid white with these little blue and red diamond like design. Really nice piece for a little boy's quilt. I absolutely refuse to use anything with even a shred of pink in it or a flower for a boys quilt. I don't know why but it can't have any girly stuff in it. lol.

Well, I have a bunch to get done around the house here before honey gets home. My boss gave me two really neat lamps today. She got new ones and was going to throw these ones away and decided to bring them to work for anyone who wanted them instead. Yeah, I am so glad she did. Now I have to put those where I want them too. We did re-arrange our livingroom yesterday to make way for the Christmas tree and these "new" lamps will be just great in there. So for now, I will stop yacking and start working. Hope you all are getting lots of quilty things done.

Have a Good Evening!

Renee

It's Me Again

I just wanted to see if everyone is ready for the upcoming holiday yet? I can't wait. My brother and his wife have decided to host this year. This brings a deep sigh of relief for my sister and I as she isn't feeling the best and I have to work awhile on Thanksgiving. Ordinarily, I like to have Thanksgiving but I'm not arguing this year. I hope everyone's plans are coming together and you have great holidays with your famlies and loved ones.

I wanted to post about that Christmas wallhanging I am working on. I am at a standstill until I can get some ribbon. Turns out what I had, I had to cut it down to size and of course, it frayed. I thought about forgetting about the one piece of ribbon and just using bows on it made out of what I have here on hand but I'm not sure I like the way it will look. I just had an idea. I could use lace or ric rac in place of the one ribbon and I could possibly live with the bows I have if lace or ric rac will work. Hmmm. Now I'm pondering. Anyway, that is what I have on that. When I decide which direction to take it, I will post some more current photo's.

I got all the presents made up for the girls from my forum. Still no covered calendar books yet but I think I've decided to just use what I have. I think they'll be happy with the coffee cozy's and tissue holder. I would be.

My table runner I started still isn't finished. I have to finish tying off the ends and it's done. That's all that's left. I just about go blind every time I try to work on it though. I need new glasses in the worst way. It was just for me to see if I could do it so that's no biggie if it gets done or not.

Still got a couple of corn bags to do but I'm switching over to rice this time. I am having bad luck with the field corn and I'm just going with rice from now on. I had my son's ready to go the other day and I pull out the corn, fill the sack and when I moved the collander the corn was in, there were little, tiny, black bugs all over my ironing board. I pitched the whole entire mess right outside. How gross!!! lol. At this point I am just going to make him and my daughter-in-law one each for a little Christmas gift. He's waited this long, what's another month? lol.

That's about all that's on my plate right now. I do want to get some drapes made. We're really starting to feel the draft with the cold weather setting in. I thought it would be a great way to use up some of that upholstry fabric I have and it would look at least a little better than the Cleveland Indians blanket over the windows. lol. What's everybody else got going on?

I'll call it a night for now. Hope everyone is stitching away.

Night, Night

Renee

Got Inspired and Got To Sewing

I saw something today while blog reading that inspired me and I threw some stuff together this evening with some blocks that were already cut. Another batch from some my sister gave me. Woo Hoo. I am excited to see how it looks. My inspiration came from Susan. In her Tuesday, November 10th posting titled Turkey Day at Guild, the second picture of the wall hangings with the gifts on it was just the cutest thing I've seen in awhile and it inspired me to use up those blocks sister gave me. Here are a few photo's of my version so far. I got interupted to play a game of rummy with the old man and the boy. It was a good interuption though. Didn't mind putting it to rest for the night for that reason at all. He spanked the hubby and me. Had the lead from the beginning and left us both in the dust. lol.







So, I hope to get these ribbons all on and some strips/rows put in tomorrow when I get home from work. Gonna get ready for bed though tonight. Hope to be back tomorrow.

In case I haven't mentioned it lately, thank you to everyone who stops by. I sure appreciate it and it's so fun to read all your blogs and see all the beauty there is in this quilting world. So, thanks for coming to My Quilted World. lol. Sorry, couldn't resist. lol.

Happy Stitching

Renee

A Productive Day Off?

Do those even exist anymore? lol. I haven't found much lately to make me be productive on my days off but today I do have some things I need to get done. I just finished up number one on the to do list. I dragged out what I call an oldie but a goodie and added it to my etsy site today. It's something I've been doing now for about 13 years. This will be the second attempt on etsy. Wish me luck please!!! Here is the link to the new item: Hand Painted Personalized Photo Christmas Ornaments.

I also intend to work on that Flower Garden quilt today if it kills me. I am glad to be done with the stuff on the computer this morning so I can get to the sewing room. Bad thing is as soon as I'm able to get over there one of the boys will show up on their daily trips in and out of the house. I hate working on something when they are home. It makes me feel like I'm ignoring them. But if they nap or go upstairs and play videos, I'm sewin'. lol.

Here's hoping we all have productive, creative days today!!!!!

Happy Quilting!!!

Renee