Laying My Father-In-Law to rest today

Often called "Pappy Tom", Thomas Merrick was born March 1, 1925. He was one of 13 children and now the third one to pass from this life. Mr. Tom, age 86, died on Thursday, December 22 at his home. He was a farmer, member and deacon at Donaldson Missionary Baptist Church. He leaves his wife of 63 years. Remember Mrs. Georgie in your prayers today.

 
                                             

FNSI--Results

I changed my mind and decided to work sew my Christmas Cards! I love this new die for my Big Shot (all available from Stampin'Up). These stockings would be awesome gift card holders too.

If you are interested in Stampin'Up! products, we are having an On-Line sale (some items only available for 24 hours) beginning Monday the 21st. You can access my site by clicking on the Stampin'Up! badge located on the right side-bar.

FNSI

Friday Night Sew In sign up has been posted--click the badge on the side bar to join in. I was going to work on my tee-shirt quilt top BUT it is finished. On it's way to be machine quilted for my daughters birthday. I plan on working on gifts for the girls @ work for this sew-in. Hope to see you there!

My first EVER!

I have been searching for one of these my entire life--finally at age 52 I found my first!

I am going to make my grandkids an ABC book and will be using this picture for the "F" page. What is so funny about clover hunting, is that my daughter can find the only 4-leaf clover in a 50 acre field but could NOT find an Easter Egg in the back yard LoL!!!!

Finally Finished

It is done! I vowed not to start another project till this unfishined one was completed. I didn't realize that I was so close to the end. I am not a great quilter, I could really use some classes to make sure I am learning the "right" way to do it all--but--I try. It was great covering up with my handi-work on the couch last night!

 

FNSI

My first FNSI was not as productive as I had hoped. I got a call from my son saying that my 2 month old grandaughter has had a cough and they took her to the doctor. While listening to her chest, something alerted the Dr and after more tests they found that she has a leaking valve in her heart. The doctors are hopeful that since she was a premie, the valve should seal off, but more tests are in her future. That being said--I did not get much accomplished. I did straighten my sewing room closet......

and I came upon my first attempt at quilting. I bought this quilt top at a yard sale and thought it would good for me to learn on. I was so close to finishing it but was totally overwhelmed by too big of a project for my first try. I put it away and moved on to other things. I have drug it out and vowed not to start any other projects till it is finished!

all I lack are the red stars around the edge--

FNSI 10/21/2011

I have been following some gals that participate in the Friday Night Sew In (FNSI) for quite a while now. My spouse is in the fields harvesting so what better time to join in for my first time. I may do more watching and learning but I gotta start somewhere. If you want to check it out, I added their badge on the left side--click and join in too!  I am #118

Quilted Table Runner

I did not participate in Shawnee's Fall Table Runner Swap, well, because I did not want to commit to 2 Day priority mail (I'd rather put that extra $10-$15 inside my package than on it) and I really don't use table runners (I'd rather have a tablecloth) but, I really wanted to make a quilted table runner that I saw on Amy's blog Dairy of a Quilter----so I did!

Here is a close up of my finished project!

Since I won't be using it as a table runner I added some ties and Whalaa--totally cute, stinkin' adorable thing that keeps my stuff from rolling out the back of my SUV

Outside looking in

then inside looking out!

Thanks Amy for a great project idea. You can hop over to her blog by clicking her badge on the left side of my blog. 

Charm Swap

Instead of my usual apron swaps, I joined in a Charm Swap. 56 ladies each with 2 yards of fabric equals 112 charms!

 I cut my squares today and plan on getting them in the mail this week!

Waterloo & the Zoo

Me and Jayden took a rode trip this week!

 

 I introduced him to my Aunt Sue and some of her beautiful daughters

 Jayden loved my Aunt Sue and blessed us all with his sweet smile! 

 He loved the fountain at the zoo entrance 

  

  He visited the goats with his second cousin

& pet the fish

We had a wonderful trip packed with fun.

 

My Canning Closet

I have started the deep cleaning that I put off in the spring. After finishing the kitchen cabinets I did my canning closet from                                  
                                                                            TOP

 

TO BOTTOM

AND LEFT

TO RIGHT

I had a neighbor build these shelves inside of a utility room closet to hold my tomatoes, peaches, pears, beets, pickles, pepper hash, bar-b-que sause, salsa, relishs etc...... The shelves for the quarts are 3 jars deep.

A lot of hard work but it sure is pretty!

  

Can you smell my 4'Oclocks?

I love the smell of 4'Oclocks, the old fashioned dark pink ones! Thanks to a big wind one night they are not standing up real pretty but the aroma is awesome!

Introducing Madelyn Grace Jones

This little lady decided she did not want to wait till her due date of August 26th to make her entrance into this world. Her proud parents, my son Bob and his wife Audie, are doing great and little Madelyn is just perfect!

I shipped today

Partner, your package is on its way. Expected delivery August 1. I hope you have as much fun opening it up as I did putting it together!

Baby Time!

The due date is almost here (August 26, 2011) and my son will be a Daddy. I am going to one shower today and another one next week. We are expecting a little girl. I came across a great tutotial  by Karen at Sew Much 2 Luv for Flannel Baby Wipes. They turned out so very cute. Here is a picture of the finished product and a card I made for the shower today.

Yard Sale Find!

Look at this treasue I found at a local yard sale. I almost felt guilty for paying only $20.00 but then I thought how proud the lady who handmade this gem would be if she knew one of her quilts brought $20.00.

Cool Drinks for Hot Mama's Apron Done!

This apron reaks (or quote from Val "We call it horking....retching, ralphing, spewing, barfing, puking (hate that word)....amongst others......" of coolness but my very favorite part is how the package came together! Here a couple little peeks--don't want to spoil her surprise.

Shipping deadline is August 6th---gonna try to hold out a bit longer before mailing--

New Fabric in the House!

I got my partner's information and headed for Hancock's to pick out the perfect fabric for her new apron. Here is a peek!

Now that is a cool drink for a Hot Mama!

Fried Banana Peppers

Cut top off peppers, cut lenghtwise and remove seeds. Take 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1 cup rising flour, 1 egg then add enough milk to make a thick batter. Coat peppers in batter and deep fry!

Cool Drinks for Hot Mama's

I signed up to do another apron swap--spots are limited, so not sure if I will get one or not, but here is the badge! Scroll down and click on Hot Mama Apron Swap to read all about it.

Jayden's Toy Tote

I found this little toy tote at Lowes and had a friend cut me some vinyl letters to personalize it for Jayden's first birthday. I am sure he will still NOT pick up his toys in the days to come but the tote is super cute just the same!

Sweet Tea & Lemonade!

Saturday was the 2nd Hart reunion. It was a perfect day--great breeze--good food (all prepared by the hostess)--lots of laughs and my favorite Sweet Tea and Fresh Squeezed Lemonade. I saw this idea in a magazine ?? and thought this would be a great time to try it out! I took a dozen jars of tea and a dozed jars of lemonade. They were all drank and no broken jars--Yay!! 

Quilt Show & Izzy

I got to go to the Quilt Show in Paducah on Saturday--considering all the flood waters, the relocation of the quilts the vendors and tourists I had a great time. A Co-worker Micki and I went. It was her first quilt show! She jumped in with both feet and came away with a template and enough fabric to make her first quilt top! She treated me to a new friend name Izzy--a wonderful & colorful Sock-Monkey who is now overlooking me while I work.

I came away with a smaller version of the template that Micki got, 3 sizes of ruler gripers and a new apron pattern. Here is a pic of the one on display

Maybe this pattern will be perfect for my next apron swap!

Easter Basket Swap

I received my Easter Basket from Paula! she did a great job of stuffing it full of surprises. It was packaged up in a crocheted bag
(I am a bag lady)--lovely work.

There is an awesome tin box with candy, eggs, little rabbits (that are now on my desk at the office), fuzzy chicks, a carrot, stitched tea towel, homemade tag, cards, cookie cutters--

Oh My Goodness so many things--just take a look.

You definitely spoiled me on this one.

Thanks Paula!


 

Easter Basket Swap!

Yep--that's right, I joined in on an Easter Basket Swap!. I decided to make some gift tags to put my gals basket since she also participates in many swaps. I used Stampin'Up's Two Step Owl Punch
(ain't he a cutie)--I hope she loves him!

Fried Pies

I need a tried and true (just like your Mamaw made) fried pie recipe--One that will work with any fruit filling please.

Perfect Timing!

Not only did my partner receive her package from me yesterday I received my package from her also! May I share my goodness with you ladies :)

First the main attraction--
A wonderful Chicken Lovin' apron.
It has a pleated ruffle and extra long ties


Rhonda made me my very first Mug Rug which will be going to the office with me on Tuesday. The little zipper bag is already filled with personals and in my purse as we speak. The tea towel is precious. I now have chickens in the house! Two new recipes to try in the near future a small journal, quilt patterns, clips in baggies---Wheeeeew Thanks for making this a great swap :)

I finished my Chicken Lovin' Apron

Crow Baby Crow!

From this:
To This:

My first apron of this type and it turned out great! Can't hardly wait till mailing day--

Flirty's Cutie Pie Swap Thank You!

I was so glad to see that my Cutie Pie apron recipient Mary F liked her new apron. Here is a copy of her post from the Flirty Site.

Thank you, thank you, Thank you!!

I was totally Spoiled by my

Sweet partner, Debbie!

Just look at this Gorgeous apron!

Cutie Pie..Indeed! (apron not me;)

Now..take a look at All of my treats!

A Darling set of handmade cards, Beautiful Vintage brooch, Fun rubber gloves,

Cookie cutters, spoon rest, red dish scrubbers, sandwich keeper full of Kisses, two Strawberry Shortcake

tins & a Lovely set of 9(Ashton & Drake) little decorative shoe ornaments!!!

I was Most definitely Spoiled:)

Thank you for Everything, You are a Swapper that

goes above and beyond & I hope everyone will have a chance

to be partnered with you!

(posted by Laura G. for Mary F.)