Letter to Twins

Dear Cadance and Callie:

I want to tell you:

On November 12th, in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten, I welcome you to your world. I am blessed to know your Great-Grandmother, Jean. I want to tell you this day that you are blessed to be a descendant of a very special woman. I hope some day she will write her story. She is a wonderful storyteller and her story is for her to write as only she can.

I want to tell you, your Great-Grandmother, was a friend of my Mother-In-Law and through that relationship, I’ve come to know her. She is one of the most spiritually faithful women I know. She has a fun, animated personality that draws you into her life and leaves you feeling blessed to have made her acquaintance. I want to tell you that your grandmother, Sherrie, and your Great-Grandmother Jean were present at your birth. This is a treasure beyond your full understanding at this time but realize there were four generations of amazing women in one room on the day you were born. I want to tell you God is good. I want to tell you that your Great-Grandmother has had more than her share of hardships but she has never faltered on her faith in Christ. It is her strength; her character and her faith that I hope you take, cherish and carry with you all your days. I want to tell you, you are loved. I want to tell you to be kind to your enemies it will drive them crazy. I want to tell you to stand up for yourself, and more importantly, stand up for someone that needs a friend. I want to tell you to have fun, to be strong, to laugh, to dance, to cry, to love.

I want to tell you to remember your Great-Grandmother; she is the one that asked me to make your baby quilts and I made them with love for you and respect for the long line of women who came before you.

With Love,
Dava

Homespun ornaments

Unexpectedly, I am spending my Holidays in West Tennessee. All of my normal Holiday decorations are in Florida this year so I've decided to borrow a few ornaments and make the rest.

When we moved into this house there was a Christmas tree, in a box, in the back room. I decided to keep it, that was about 5 years ago. A few days back, I opened the box for the first. I found a nice little four foot tree in perfect condition. Up it went on top of a blanket chest, centered nicely in the front window for the World (well for the residents of this small town) to see.

I strung it with lights and a few glass balls that I borrowed from next door. My Sister In Law recently visited here from St. Louis, so we bought a few bags of cranberries and her and I got busy stringing them up for my tree and some for her own tree. Then, I borrowed a dehydrator, sliced up some apples and oranges and in two days I had some nice dried ornaments. Finally, I strung up some stale popcorn (must be stale otherwise they will just crumble as you string them up.

Over the next few days, if I get time, I'll string up some more popcorn and I may get in my fabric stash and make a few primitive inspired ornaments to round out the whole Tree.

May you all have a blessed Holiday season.

Frosty Quilt

Cute Cute!!! Frosty The Snowman Quilt top. It measures 69X76. I still have to layer and quilt it. Somewhere between organizing a Fall Festival, completing two baby quilts (for twins), visiting Mom-In-Law in the Rehab center, and Art Classes, I hope to find time to finish this in plenty of time for the upcoming Holiday Season. It's been a crazy few weeks.

Hum of the Cotton Gin

I find myself a bit melancholy, as the Summer wains in West Tennessee and the colorful Fall Season has set upon us with cool breezy nights and pleasant day temperatures. As I write, I can hear the Cotton Gin echoing a familar hum accross the town telling its residents harvest time has arrived in small town America. My husband says it's the sound of money. If the farmers have a good harvest they can buy new cars, new clothes and patronize local restrauants. The whole county benefits. I just think how much I love a great pair of blue jeans or the feel of a favorite cotton blouse.

I am thinking of how much I love this town and its people. What I cherish the most is its imperfections. I've never been one to like perfect people, homes, places or things. If a building is perfectly manicured with clean lines and spotless paint, I feel it lacks character and history, which is boring and frankly there is just something unnatural about the appearance of perfection. Observe an older building and I pause and wonder of its history and the people that dwelled within its walls. This can be said too of people.

I have digressed a bit so I will turn back to my original thoughts of being downhearted. Why am I so melancholy as the busy Fall season approaches? My beautiful, strong, independent Mother-In-Law had a stroke on September 17th. By stroke standards it was a small one but, it is always difficult to see a loved-one struggle. We remain hopeful for a full recovery as she fights, in rehab, to regain her mobility. Sometimes hope is all we have so we cling to it like bees to honey, enduring the sting and looking forward to tasting sweet victory.

Her stoke has reminded me that all things and people must change over time. I just don't want this town to change, neither its imperfect people, that I love, nor its imperfect buildings which I've grown to appreciate. So I will sit here awhile and ponder the changing season and the ever-changing life around me. Soon I will find a comfortable place where I can delight in the present gifts from God, rejoice in victories as they come, grieve for losses and always be amazed at this thing called life. Until I find that comfortable place, I will listen to the hum of the cotton gin and allow it to lull me into a more peaceful state of mind.

All Modern Giveaway

Like to see a Gator in a pond of Duckweed? Check out my Sister's blog at: http://appliejuice.wordpress.com/author/appliejuice/ It's actually a cool blog site with lots of educational stuff for home school and good stuff for learning even if you are not a home school mom. Got healthly recipes too (-: Ymmmm.

My sister has implemented a well organized marketing strategy (aka a sneaky ploy) to get more readers. She is currently hosting a free giveaway until Sept 25. All I have to do is post about her blog on my blog for other bloggers to read and blog about. Yep, she has shamelessly gotten me to plug her blog on my blog to get more blog readers. As long as I win the giveaway this will be worth it. If I don't win I hope she gets more readers. (-: Seriously it is a good blog to follow. Check it out before 9/25 and enter the drawing for yourself, you may just win.

Now for the freebee drawing..the giveaway is for a $45 gift certificate at allmodern.com. How cool is that. They have lots of really neat items designed with a modern flair. Lots of the popular large prints in blues, browns, pinks and greens for bedding and home decor. Check out the Crib bedding, it's awsome. http://www.allmodern.com Favorite item for me would be the Morning Glory Organic (yes organic) sheet sets, who can resist a comfy set of cool, high quality sheets.

Frosty Quilt updated

Frosty the Snowman was a happy jolly soul with a corn cob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal...o.k. I know you know this tune. (-: Who can forget a childhood favorite tale of a jolly snowman and the children that befriended him one Christmas season. Confess, you sill watch this delightful tale every year don't you...

For the next step in the Frosty quilt, I've "fussy cut" some Frosty fabric showing Frosty and his friends flying through the snow and mixed them in with the traditional snowball quilt blocks.

Frosty Quilt Progress

I've added a sparkle snowflake, a dark blue and a red w/holly border to the Frosty Panel. I thought the red gave is a pop of color. Currently measures 40X48 or there abouts. Stay tuned to see what I have planned next.

Frosty The Snow Man Project

My next project will be a Frosty the Snowman Quilt, full size. Here is a picture of some of the fabrics I have picked out so far. The top left is a snowflake fabric which has a bit of sparkle to it. The large Frosty measures 26X33 inches so I am thinking of putting him in the center, border with sparkle snowflakes and add a star block border (or something) in shades of blue and the final border will be the sparkle snowflakes. Final size should be around 68X75.

Baby Banket

Hey Hey for the Monkies...

Friends and family anxiously await the arrival of Baby Boy Holden. (My sister's first grand baby) He is due to grace the world on November 3rd.

I have finished Baby Holden's quilt which measures 35X56 inches. It features hanging monkies on blue/green fabric backed by browns and light greens. It is layered with Warm and Natural batting. On the back I put a soft, fuzzy fleece so it will be warm and cozy for the little guy.

Memorial Wall Hanging

Completed another memorial wall hanging in loving memory of PFC Brian Lee Holden. This one will be given to a young man that served with Brian in Iraq. May God bless all our military and their families. Their sacrafices are beyond measure.

Baby Quilt for Great-Nephew

Our family is blessed with the coming of a new grandbaby. My sisters son's wife is expecting her first baby, a boy, on November 3rd. I am working on his little quilt. The parents to be like blue and brown colors. I found this wonderful monkey print fabric with browns and blues and greens. Unfortunatly, I could not find any blue that would work with the fabric so I chose a light green. All of the sewing will be done by machine so it should not take long to complete.

Simple Life Gone By

I dream of a small wood frame home nestled in the hills of West Tennessee. I can almost hear the clicking of the old rocker against the wooden planks of the front porch as Granny quietly hums a familar tune from the morning serivce. Cotton growing high in the fields under the heat of the July sky. No rain in sight for days and the heat is oppressive. The old woman's fingers work swiftly and skillfully as she pieces scraps of fabric together to make a cozy quilt for her new great grand baby. She recalls her own children being born in this very home. A home built by her beloved husbands own hands. Through hard work, long hours and some difficult years, her children grew up strong, healthy and loving the Lord. They now have their own families and she has her precious memories of an amazing life....Simple...Beautiful....

Cookie Monster Doll Quilt

Finished the Cookie Monster Doll Quilt. It measures 12X15 inches. Cute Cute....Cookie Monster will stay snug and warm, comfy, cozy under this sweet little quilt. It features a Cookie Monster patch in the center surrounded by cookie monster blue and white checks. Bordered and binded with pink sparkle fabric. It is layered with Wam and Natural Batting and backed with chocolate chip cookie fabric.

Cookie Monster II

Finally got a new camera so I can start posting again. I have been hard at work on my Cookie Monster and Big Bird quilts.

I am sure all three of my lovely followers, as well as those that may stop by my blog, have been anxious to see the new Full Size Cookie Monster Quilt. I've surrounded adorable Cookie Monster with his favorite snack, chocolate chip cookies. I stayed with the pink pinwheels so that the quilt will match the curtains I previously made. The quilt top measures 65 inches X 84 inches. Next step will be to layer with Warm and White Batting and quilt the layers together.

Tomorrow I will post the twin Big Bird, it's absolutely adorable and you won't believe the bold border I chose for the delightful quilt.

Strawberry Jam

A while back my neighbor, down the street, wanted to make a deal with me. He had the nice plum tree and asked if he provided the supplies, would I make him some Jam and I'd keep 1/2 and he would get 1/2 of the finished product. Since I don't mind making Jam, I agreed. One day I received a 5lb bag of sugar and a few days later I'd gotten a dozen pint jars delivered to my door. Every few days I'd get a few ripened plums and now I have about 4 cups of fruit. My recipe calls for 6 cups. I'm not sure how long the fruit will stay fresh. Not wanting to disapoint my neighbor (he really loves Jam) I tried to buy some additional plums, at the store, but could not find any.

So I decided to make some Strawberry Jam. I had all the supplies except the berries. Today I made four pints of straweberry Jam and I have enough Strawberries for another batch. Yes, it's yummy!

I will try to make the plum jelly with what fruit I have available, I'm hoping it will set o.k. but I 'll do the best I can.

Cookie Monster Quilt II

Big Bird and Cookie Monster continue to occupy my time. Here I picture the beginnings of my current Cookie Monster project. The previous quilt was a toddler size and this one will ultimately fit a full size bed. The pictured portion measures 39X48. I am making it very simular to the previous quilt so that it will match the curtains as did the toddler quilt. I think Cookie Monster looks a bit lonely in the center so I will most likely go back and add some cookies to the center of this one. The next step is another row of pinwheels with added smaller Cookie Monsters in the corners.

Beautiful Day Gone Wonderfully Awry

How many times have we woke in the morning with our day planned. Oh how we were going to achieve so much in a few short hours and end the day pleased with our efforts. Today was such a day, laundry, house cleaning, and sewing was on the agenda. By days end, not one item on my agenda was completed, or even touched, but my day was perfect in every detail.

My day started with a knock on the door. My 10-year old neighbor stood there on the door step, ready to spend her day with me. Now a choice... do I look at this as an interuprtion of my perfectly planned day or is this a gift of her time to me? It was certainly a gift.

We decided to make her a matching Wolf pillow to go with her other pillow she had made a few days ago, which was her very first sewing project! She sewed it all by herself and did a wonderful job. (ohhhh I so want to teach her quilting some day!) After Spaghetti & Meatballs and peanut butter moon pies for lunch we sat around awhile wondering what to do next. Then we had a great idea...we went fishing, yes fishing. We spent the entire afternoon on the water. We didn't catch a thing but had a great memorable time. Taylor baited her own hook (something to this day I have not personally accomplished), and drove a boat for the first time. She swam in the lake and chased a few Candian Geese as well. Needless to say I didn't sew one stitch or clean one room today but I can't imagine a better way to spend a Summer day.

Pumpkin Patch

As Charlie Brown awaited the arrival of the Great Pumpkin, I too await the arrival of the colorful Fall Season and my Great Pumpkin Patch. Though it has meager beginings, it has great potential.. I planted the seeds this evening and already the good Lord has sent rain and I have no doubt tomorrow will bring plenty of sunshine to greet the little seeds as they struggle to emerge into the world.

Watch future posting to see how the grow (-:

Big Bird Quilt Project

Dear Readers, I am finally back on the Blog Circuit. I have been enjoying the Summer in beautiful Tennessee for a few weeks and recently completed a Tinker Bell Toddler Quilt which is listed on my Etsy Shop. While going through my fabric stash, I found these cute Big Bird panels and have decided to make them part of my next project. If you love children's quilts, you will love this project. Final quilt will fit a twin bed. The picture shows the beginnings...stay tuned for regular progress updates.

Cookie Monster Shams

Finished two standard size Cookie Monster Shams with Pinwheels and a border of Cookies (-: Backing is a solid Pink fabric. I think I'm done with this project other than getting it to it's eager owner (-:

1 toddler quilt

1 toddler bed skirt

1 pillow case

2 curtain panels

1 valance

2 shams

Cookie Monster Shams

Cookie Monster looks pretty happy surrounded by all those cookies. Wonder if a little girl knows what Cookie Monster should do with so many cookies? See tomorrow how the shams take shape.

Cookie Monster Toddler Bed Skirt

Finished a cute little toddler bed skirt adorned with Cookie Monsters (-: Next items are Pillow Shams which I have already started on. I want to quilt the top of the shams so I may have to run get some batting (always looking for a good excuse to visit a fabric store) but otherwise should have the shams done today as well.

Cookie Monster Pillow Case

Well no Cookie Monsters on this pillow case (I wanted to keep it soft for a sweet little face to sleep on) but it has lots of pink and pink polk dot fabric (-: It will match the Cookie Monster Room perfectly.

Cookie Monster Curtains

Finished the Pink Polka dot curtains with pinwheels and a Cookie Monster applique which match the toddler quilt perfectly. So that my readers can see the entire curtain panels, I took a picture showing the full panel on my wide 72" window. I "crunched" it up on the second picture to show how it will hang on the more narrow window. The rod pocket is 1 1/2 inches wide to fit a standard curtain rod. The curtain has a second fabric panel/lining to give it plenty of weight and fullness.

I hope to have the bedskirt and pillow case done tomorrow with the Sham and Valance completed by then end of next weekend. (-:

Cookie Monster Bedskirt

My project continues with my friend and neighbor, Jennifer, http://havenintheoaks.blogspot.com/ We worked today on pink polka dot curtains and a matching bedskirt. Picture shows the side panels pinned to the platform piece. It will have cute pleats on each side and I will then applique Cookie Monster for an added touch.

Cookie Monster Curtains

I have ventured on past my Cookie Monster toddler quilt onto a new project. Handmade Curtains for a little girl with...Cookie Monster (-: I am using the same pink/polka dot as in the quilt. An appliqued Cookie Monster is centered between pink and white pinwheels to border each panel, which go perfectly with the pinwheels in the quilt. Since I am using a cotton quilt fabric for the curtains, I will be adding a pink lining to give the curtains more weight.

Completed Cookie Monster

Five Cookie Monsters surrounded by a sea of pink and white pinwheels with cookies on each corner. It's layered with Warm and White batting. The back and binding are done in white. The toddler quilt final size is 42" wide by 60" long. To cute.

Cookie Monster Update

The Cookie Monster toddler quilt is taking shape, I completed the quilting process today and hope to finish the binding tomorrow. I will make the binding myself before applying it to the outer edge. Depending on my time, I hope to have it completed in the next day or two. Unfortunately I have to work for a few hours tomorrow , tax season has us buried so it's been a busy few weeks with four weeks to go. My husband is wanting fried fish for Sunday Supper, and I plan to make a pot of chilli for the neighbor as well soooo Sunday will be busy indeed.

(-:

Cookie Monster

What would a Cookie Monster quilt be without cookies? I finished the quilt top, adding a pink border with chocolate chip cookes in each corner. I believe chocolate chip is Cookie Monster's favorite. The next step is to layer the top with a 100% cotton backing and Warm and white Batting. I hope to have it quilted this week.

(-:

Cookie Monster Update

Finished the pinwheels, added four smaller cookie monsters and added another polka dot border. Right now, it measures 35 x 54. I will add an outside border which will bring the final size to 42 X 62.

(-: cute.

Cookie Monster Project Update

Added a polka dot frame around Cookie Monster. Pinwheels in pink and white with four more cookie monsters (can't have to many cookie monsters) will border the polka dots and another border of polka dots. Lots and lots of pink (-: too cute.

Contest Winner Prizes

Completed the prizes (StudioCherie Design Tags) for my two contest winners. Winner #1 wanted matching tags for her Black and Pink luggage. She will be fashionably trendy sporting a matching pink and black tag for her pink bag and a pink on pink tag for her all black bag. She will be the envy of all travelers. Winner #2 wanted something girlie. Since I had the pink out, I went with a black and pink Polka-dot tag and a purple and pink tag to round out the set. How excited the recipients will be when they receive their new tags.