Hopping Away Winter Doldrums

If your mood is as cold and dark as your landscape, your creative abilities are probably in a seasonal slump also. Madame Samm has a great remedy for us...two upcoming blog hops.       

 First: 

Brooke Nolan  is a wonderful illustrator and designer of stitchery.  She has created four vintage designs to choose from and stitch onto one side of a lovely Tammy Bag.  The Tammy Bag pattern is a Madame Samm design.  

For the back of the Tammy Bag, Cori Blunt has designed four patterns for pinnies to hold all your small stitching notions.  Cori is an excellent appliqué artist who will also show you how to make box pleats and embroidery.  

Join the fun!  Click on the Tammy 4 all Seasons on my sidebar or contact Mary for more information.  She is our Cheerleader for this Hop.

To join us in this blog hop, Mary will need the following from you:

email SUBJECT LINE....

I can support YOU....

YOUR NAME

YOUR BLOG

YOUR LINK to your BLOG

If you choose not to join this blog, consider supporting our independent designers by purchasing some of their patterns from their individual websites.  Just click on their highlighted links above.

And another chance to chase away the Winter Blues: 

We all have had friends or family touched by cancer and  have  wanted to offer support in some way to help ease their journey.  All cancers are devastating, but as women, I think we feel a closer bond to those battling breast cancer.  This blog hop is a chance to let all those in your circle know that you are supporting the fight against cancer.  

You can get all the information on this blog hop by clicking on the "We Support You" button on my side bar.  

Or,  to join us contact  Pat at  scrapatches@gmail.com

Pat will require the following from you... 

email SUBJECT LINE....

I can support YOU....

YOUR NAME

YOUR BLOG

YOUR LINK to your BLOG

If I don't talk to you again this month, I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a bright New Year.

Twas the Night

This blog hop has given me tons of new ideas for gift-giving and I expect to see many more great ideas this week.  Though, I must say this has been a difficult assignment for me...my mind doesn't work for quick gifts AND I always wait until December 15 to start, so those become Valentine gifts.

 Thank you Madame Samm and Marlene for pushing me to get started SEW early.  Now with all the great ideas I have seen this past week, I am really on a roll.  Let's see, if I make one gift per week...at least two dozen handmade gifts to give.  Love it!

Look what I received from Selina.  It came packaged in this cheerful sack with these very clever gift cards made by copying and printing on her computer.  She said the yellow ones were computer malfunction, but I think they are great.  Needless to say,  I have used up all my computer ink copying and printing many different fabrics.  Never too old to learn another skill.

I have to admit that I did not know what these were.  Thankfully Selina included a nice card of explanation.  But, my husband used one last night to keep his soup warm and declared it a winner.  The gift, not the soup.  So, thank you so much, Selina, for the microwave bowl warmers and trivet.

They will be used often.

Now on to my own quick and some not-so-quick gifts.

A Kindle cover made from upholstery fabric.

A wool penny rug hanging.

This next is actually for a November birthday.  A hobo bag purse with attached keyring wristlet and an included zippered "whatever" bag.

Set of four homespun fabric placemats and napkins.  The napkins are loosely tied with fabric strips printed with Christmas greetings.  I love homespun fabrics.

Ummm, remember this fabric?  This was supposed to be a cell phone carrier, but I was interrupted in mid cutting and didn't recheck measurements when I resumed.  So,  the birthday girl doesn't get a coordinated cell phone carrier for her hobo bag, but someone gets a sewer's helper to wear while working.

I have a disabled relative that loves all the casinos we have here in Oklahoma.  He should enjoy this card case for some of his casino cards.  It is made of a fake leather material.  

And for chairside sewing while watching television....an Armchair Sewing Caddy.  My first try at machine quilting.   This pattern is from Maureen Greeson.  I tried to link with her website, but it must be an old pattern..the link didn't work.

This is a tiny Treasure Box ...3.25" x 3.5"...probably will hold a special piece of jewelry.  This pattern came from Quilting Arts Magazine, but I made this one 25% larger than the original pattern.   The first picture is with the box opened flat.  The second is fully closed.  I love boxes and bags, so had fun with this.

This folk art mantle scarf is from a 2006 issue of Love of Quilting.  It was intended as a gift for someone, but may stay in my home, since it looks like the mice in the barn celebrated their own early Christmas in my Christmas ornaments and decorations. 

And, last...lots of yo yo decorations.  These will become tree decorations, or package decorations, or with a little more embellishment,  lapel pins.  This was my evening de-stress activity and I was enjoying it until I learned there is something called a Clover Quick Yo Yo Maker.  

Be sure to visit the rest of today's bloggers and cheer them on.  

Monday, Nov. 17

Bea Quilter

Selina Quilts

Lakeshore Stitches (this is where you are)

Lixie Makes It

Cucki Stitching Cove

Sew.  Darn.  Quilt.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Lucky Me!

I delayed writing this post to show you all the luck I have had this past month.

    Remember the See You In September Blog Hop?

Thank you Deonn S.  for providing these great patterns (and even the center panel and embroidery thread for one)  for your Giveaway.  I won!

Hope to start the tree skirt today.

How about the Rush Hour Blog Hop?

I won another Giveaway!  A coffee cup sleeve and two seasonally appropriate fat quarters.  Additionally, I saved the stamp from the package, since it came from Norway.  

Thank you Anita S. for your Giveaway.

But, wait....another Rush Hour gift.

In my comment to Linda J, I mentioned that I was going to try to find this pattern that she used on the Rush Hour Blog Hop.  She graciously offered the pattern to me....her actual words were..."I am done with it, like really done with it".  Is she trying to tell me something?  

Thanks for the gift, Linda.  I love challenges.

Yesterday, my husband dropped me off at a quilt show and said he was going to a hardware store.  As I made my way around to all the vendors, I came upon a gentleman selling Singer Featherweights...and his customer was my husband.

A 1946 Singer Featherweight 221-1...and it isn't even Christmas, yet.
How much luck can a girl have in one month?

And to end my day, another great gift.

Book Review: The Grave Robber, by Mark Batterson

Go next door to Lakeshore's Library for my review of The Grave Robber, How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible...by Mark Batterson.  Then, read the book for a faith kick start.

My Rush Hour Has Arrived!

No one I know epitomizes Rush Hour better than my twenty-one year-old granddaughter.  She is a college student who also works 32 hours per week as a cocktail waitress at a large casino resort.  She works from 6 PM to 2 AM, then RUSHES to 8 AM classes, then back to work at 6 PM.  Since both school and work are about 40 minutes from home (and each in a different town), she spends a lot of time in her car.  And, it looks like she actually lives in her car.  It greatly resembles a large blue trash can strewn with remnants of fast food meals, multiple uniform and clothing changes, college books and papers, ....and a Rubik Cube??  I thought about posting a photo of the interior of her car, but decided it was too depressing. 

I purchased only one yard of Rush Hour fabric and combined it with the aptly named "aspirin dot" print...always need aspirin for those Rush Hour headaches.  The remainder of the black, white and grey fabrics were left from The Ghastlies Hop.  And, of course, my Quilts of Valor stash always yields red fabric.

First a divided organizer box:

A bag to rush off to the gym with...."aspirin" print on the back side:

A coffee cup cozy for a strong espresso...lined with Insulbrite to help hold in the heat:

 And, finally a ruffled wristlet keychain.

 All packed and ready to go:

 BUT, as I was carrying this out to her little blue car, I noticed my own little car....

Sorry, Kat, this car organizer kit belongs in my car.

Thank you Carol at Just Let Me Quilt and Madame Sam at Sew We Quilt for making this blog hop possible.  Lots of fun.

Please visit the rest of our Rush Hour participants and tell them what you think about their projects.

Thursday, September 25

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Kwilty Pleasures

Selina Quilts

A Stitch in Time

It Seams To Be Sew

Pig Tales and Quilts

Lakeshore Stiches

Tea Time Creations

Friday, September 26

The Quilting Queen Online

Quilting Quietly

Vicky Myers Creations

Grammie Q’s

From This to That

Quilted Delights

Coeur d’Alene

Sew at Home Mummy

Monday, September 29

Grandmama’s Stories

Kris Loves Fabric

Jane’s Quilting

Life, Quilts, and Cats, too

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Creatin’ in the sticks

Bquiltin Studio

Tuesday, September 30

Lily Patch

MooseStash Quilting

Words & Stitches

Karma Willow Designs

Kwilt Krazy

How arT you?

Sew We Quilt

Rush Hour Has Arrived

Tuesday, September 23

Just Let Me Quilt

I piece 2-Mary

Marjorie’s Bush Corner

Quilt in a not-Shell

The Slow Quilter

The Blended Blog

Quilting Bias

Wednesday, September 24

Stitchin’ By The Lake

Buzzing and Bumbling

Lixie Makes It

Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Living With Purpose

Madly Mid Mod

Coral Canyon Quilting

Thursday, September 25

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Kwilty Pleasures

Selina Quilts

A Stitch in Time

It Seams To Be Sew

Pig Tales and Quilts

Lakeshore Stiches

Tea Time Creations

Friday, September 26

The Quilting Queen Online

Quilting Quietly

Vicky Myers Creations

Grammie Q’s

From This to That

Quilted Delights

Coeur d’Alene

Sew at Home Mummy

Monday, September 29

Grandmama’s Stories

Kris Loves Fabric

Jane’s Quilting

Life, Quilts, and Cats, too

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Creatin’ in the sticks

Bquiltin Studio

Tuesday, September 30

Lily Patch

MooseStash Quilting

Words & Stitches

Karma Willow Designs

Kwilt Krazy

How arT you?

Sew We Quilt

Book Review of Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun

My review of the Young Adult novel, Thunder, by Bonnie S. Calhoun is posted AND there is a giveaway of a copy of the novel from Family Christian Bookstore.

So, go next door to Lakeshore's Library.  Be sure to enter the giveaway (Christmas is coming for your teens) and critique my review (I can take it) and I will make a random selection for a winner of a  CD by Christian Rap Artist, KJ-52.

A Blah Day

Today was going to be a busy and productive day ... until I woke with another UTI.   Thank goodness I am retired from teaching and from farming.  Neither my students nor my animals ever gave me a break when I wasn't feeling well.  Now, I just send my husband out on a daylong errand while I lounge about and play with my books, blogs and blocks (now why didn't I come up with that as a title for my blog?).

As some of you may know, I am very active in Quilts of Valor Foundation.  For about 1 1/2 years, I was the State Coordinator for Oklahoma.  Now that I live only 20 miles inside the eastern border of Oklahoma, I have downgraded my position to Northeastern Oklahoma Coordinator. 

This quilt and presentation bag were created by Jeanette and Lydia, sisters from Weleetka OK.  Tomorrow, I will deliver this QOV to a gentleman in Poteau, OK for a presentation to his uncle, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq,  during a family reunion this weekend in Arkansas.  

Another Quilt of Valor:  This quilt was created by donations of a block pattern designated the Quilt of Valor Tenth Anniversary Block.  I received blocks and blocks by mail from generous Quilt of Valor volunteers all over the nation.  I put them into kits and distributed them to more volunteers attending the Oklahoma Home and Community Education District Meeting in Claremore.  This particular top was completed by the Muskogee Area OHCE.  It is a tad smaller than QOVF wants, so I am adding another border and the backing material.  Then it is off to Jeanette in Weleetka for her magic touch on the longarm machine.
I Love Teamwork!

I am also working on a book review for Family Christian Book Store.  I had hoped to have it posted today, but this is my first review in their format and I still need instruction on exactly how to post.  But, it will appear on my blog, Lakeshore's Library.  The book is Thunder by Bonnie S. Calhoun....a Young Adult novel.  There will be a giveaway of one copy of the book sponsored by Family Christian Book Store via my blog and I will also have my own giveaway of a music CD by Christian rapper, KJ-52.  Hopefully, it will be posted tomorrow.

Hmm, for a Blah Day, I completed quite a bit...just no housework or cooking.  I should have called this a Day of Freedom.

Sharing an Inspiring Blog

Today, I am sharing a post from Tallgrass Prairie Studio about a wonderful cause that needs to be publicized.  I have shared this on my Facebook pages to a potential audience of over 500.

In Jacquie's words...the mission of Action Kivu is to "provide the Democratic Republic of Congo's victims of violence the opportunity to  rebuild their lives on a foundation of hope, dignity and economic self-sustenance."

Follow the links on her blog to learn how you can help these women and please share with all your social media contacts.

Blogging Without Obligation

I spent my blog creation time today reacquainting myself with the blogs on my reading list and I was dismayed to see so many that apologize for not posting more often....which was exactly what I intended saying.  Why do we feel OBLIGATED to be a frequent and popular blogger?  My blogging community has become my circle of friends and I hope they feel the same about THEIR blogging
communities.  And, as friends we accept each other as presented...no expectations, no obligations.

So, since this 68 year old barely survived two miles on the treadmill at the gym this afternoon (tried to post a funny cartoon about that, but still stumbling through the posting process), I will leave you with some words from "Down the Rabbit Hole", http://www.tartx.com/blog/?page_id=233... encouragement to Blog Without Obligation.

• Because you shouldn’t have to look at your blog like it is a treadmill.

• Because its okay to just say what you have to say. If that makes for a long post, fine. Short post, fine. Frequent post, fine. Infrequent post, fine.

• Because its okay to not always be enthralled with the sound of your own typing.

• Because sometimes less is more.

• Because only blogging when you feel truly inspired keeps up the integrity of your blog.

• Because they are probably not going to inscribe your stat, link and comment numbers on your tombstone.

• Because for most of us blogging is just a hobby. A way to express yourself and connect with others. You should not have to apologize for lapses in posts. Just take a step back and enjoy life, not everything you do has to be “bloggable”.

• Because if you blog without obligation you will naturally keep your blog around longer, because it won’t be a chore. Plus, just think you will be doing your part to eradicate post pollution. One post at a time. . .

My Quilt of Life Has A New Block

I have been missing from Blogger for three very stressful and busy years.  During this time I have served as a State Coordinator for Quilts of Valor Foundation, suffered with my two sons during their illnesses and life changes, sent my granddaughter into the adult world, supported my mother through her heart and macular degeneration problems, learned to cook for my diabetic husband, learned to accept my own limitations due to Lupus, .... and sold the farm.

So, now we have downsized from 112 acres and 2600 sq ft, 90 year old house, to 4 acres and 1800 sq ft house.  We traded the seclusion of woodlands for the tranquility of watching the lake from the back porch.  We are still struggling with the downsizing part...where to put STUFF, what to get rid of, missing the animals, (husband bemoaning the loss of his big-boy tractor), but loving all the new found freedom.

I have reduced my commitment to Quilts of Valor to being a coordinator for only 1/4 of  the state, until I find a younger volunteer to step up.  All the family health issues have stabilized.  And, I love my new 4 year old house...no repairs!   We are looking for a fishing boat, joining a gym, hiking, and traveling.  My Itty-Bitty Studio is almost finished.  My old blog, Parsley Creek Farm, has been retired and  Lakeshore Stitches has been born.

Exciting days ahead!