New Swap 2010

I started a swap group a couple of years ago, and now with all the free time I will have with working one job, it is time to re-open the swaps. I will do a fat quarter swap every other month for 2010. If you would like to join please join my swap group, Precious Angel Quilts, The name was derived from when I tried to open my quilt shop. It didn't work but that is ok, I had a lot of fun doing it. The pic is a direct link to the group and can also be put on the sidebar.

The name actually has a special meaning for me. I feel everyone has a precious angel who needs a quilt. And we all know a quilt is a hug filled with love.

Have a great day, The roads are still slippery here, and this is what I see when I open my front door. Big thanks to my son for keeping the driveway clear. Bless his heart he was so tired he slept all christmas eve and woke up at 10pm and said guess I am going to be up for awhile.

God Bless all of You!!!!!!

Christmas Advent Swap and NPNT blocks

What a nice Christmas. I didn't feel well today and have a tooth that is bothering me, so I stayed home today. It was so peaceful. I really needed the vegetation time from working 2 jobs all year. Not fun to be sick on Christmas, but the peace and quiet was well worth it.

My son presented me with a beautiful set of angels for Christmas and later I received the photo album from Stephanie. I just love the little snowflake angel. My son said you know they spell JOY!!!! He is so cute. Steph said we can put all our pic in the little album, it looks like it has you can add and remove pages. I just said I guess I will have to develope some. LOL :)

Here are all the gifts from the advent swap. Thank you Valeria for all the cute gifts the blackboard and book are adorable. Here is what I sent Valeria. I actually goofed up so it is showing up as a short video clip. I must have been really tired that day.

Here are the latest blocks I have finished in the Nice People Nice Things quilt. They are turning out pretty nice. Hard to see with the choice of fabric, but I have this new magnifier with a light on it.

Have a great rest of the Christmas Weekend and remember He is the reason for this joyous season we celebrate.

God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

I am sorry I haven't blogged in awhile, work has been exhausting, and I just haven't felt good. BUT....Now I have 4 days off and until I ended up sick last night I was really excited about this. I feel a little better this morning, I had to get up early as the Culligan man is coming out to change the water filter. Lucky me this is the good looking one I think that is coming out. To bad I don't look gorgeous after having a major migrane and being sick last night. :)

I will be posting pic of my advent swap gifts later today, and I have 2 more Nice People Nice Things Quilt done.

My goal this weekend is to finish Dad's book's and create a sewing room in the spare bedroom that is filled with wall to wall stuff. Some of that STUFF is actually fabric and patterns and a lot of UFO"S. I should be able to find all the pieces to my UFO's to finish them in 2010. I will have most weekends off with tax time, and managing 2 offices I will have to keep most of my weekends free. Pics will follow on the progress of this event.

With the major snowstorm here I will have lots of down time, cleaning time and hopefully some sewing time. Pic's will follow this afternoon also. A good 6 inches fell last night.

Well have a great day and watch for my pic's, I also have a swap I will be doing and the details will come out sometime this weekend.

God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!!

Advent Swap gifts and NPNT pic

I am sorry it has been so long since my last post. I am still at a loss but am finding ways to fill my time, with journaling, catching up on christmas movies and I have done a little stitching. The only other time in the last 5 years my friend and I haven't talked in several weeks was when he was sick 3 years ago. It is hard filling the void as well as when I go online and open my chat boxes there is his name, this was one of the links in life we shared and enjoyed to the max. Bear with me as I work through life without him. Some days go by and others I might as well have the box of kleenex close by.

Here are all the goodies Valeria sent me so far in the advent swap. There are chocolates, an angel, shower gel, lavender, a sachet, some basil seeds, a placemat, ring holder, cupcake tins, more chocolate (a whole bag just for ME!!! :) ), a massager, cinnamon room spray, orange blossom aromatiche. Thank you Valeria, everything I have opened so far is wonderful. I still haven't heard if my package has arrived yet. I hope so, I called the post office and they said it left the United States on Nov 25th.

Now that I do not have any homework and am not completely exhausted, I am focusing on some small stitchery projects. Here are 3 blocks I have finished this week for my Nice People Nice Things Quilt. They are not perfect but then neither am I. God knows I am trying to do a good job on them. I hope the red iron on pen washes out.

Have a great day and God Bless all of you!!!!!!!

Praise the Lord for our lives and our families no matter how imperfect things seem to be.

"Friends are like angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly"

Advent Swap and Thank You

I want to say thank you for all the support at the loss of my best friend. I still miss him but the pain is turning into happy memories.

I received the cutest gift from my swap partner Valeria. She still hasn't received my package and I hope it isn't lost. Hopefully she will have it in the next day or so. I can't contact the post office until it is at least 10 business days so...Friday my first call will be to the Post Office. It is a good thing I have the insurance on it.

The shoe I opened first and is a ring holder I just love it.

The little box I opened today and it is CHOCOLATE!!! Yum :)

Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and Memories

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. This Thanksgiving is a little different than the last couple. With the angels coming to take him home, Iam a little sad this year. We always would try to connect sometime in the early morning on Thanksgiving, and Christmas via Yahoo and MSN messenger to wish each other a very special day. I am missing that this year and trying to be strong for I know he doesn't want to see me cry and be sad. I need to enjoy the day with my family and remember Don is no longer in pain and free of all the earthly cares.

This is not meant to be a sad post, the holidays always bring the memories of present as well as our past loved ones. Remember they are all thinking about you and know that you miss them. I cherish the memories of the holidays we shared, some we couldn't connect very well but others we spent the whole day on the internet sharing our families with each other.

Don I will miss you always and cherish the memories we had together, as you watch over and protect your loved ones from above. I will watch for you in the stars above and you will always be a ray of sunshine shining over me.

Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!

Busy and sad news and a giveaway

I have been so busy and haven't been able to blog much. The good news is that tax classes are done and I am back on a regular schedule. I am almost done with the things I want to give away. My Advent swap has been mailed out and I have received my box from Valeria. She is having a giveaway as well.

One of my very dear friends passed away this weekend. We were very close, and I will miss him greatly. Please say prayers for his family as they go through this hard time.

Have a great day and God Bless all of you!!!!

A little trouble with my machine and a giveaway

My 100th post giveaway will be delayed for a little while. I am having a little trouble with my new machine. It like to break needles. I went through 5 of them last night. Ugh!!!! So I decided to give it a rest for a couple of days. I have Friday and Sunday off so I will finish that and hopefully my Advent swap gift. I have an eye dr appt. tomorrow as well (say lots of prayers the anxiety is already happening). I have to go, tomorrow, as I have had a few problems, hence the anxiety. Oh well I just have to learn to let go and let God!!!! which is sometimes very hard for me in my human body to do.

Well it is another day and I better get something done today instead of sit at the puter all morning. All that nervous energy has to be good for something, right?????

There are a couple of giveaways:

Jaybird has a cool giveaway.

Poppyprint has a cool giveaway.

Helen has a great giveaway.



Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!

This is my 100th post and I won :)

This is my 100th post. I am having a giveaway this week. I just have to finish it so I can show what I will be giving away. Stay tuned.....I have a chiropractor appt after work so it may be Wednesday before I can post the giveaway.

I won a prize at Creative Studios check it out, cute little charms. She is also showing a preview just for today of her new stitchery for Easter. This is so cool I haven't won anything for awhile. :)

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!

2nd post of the day

Carin is having a awesome giveaway.

Feedsack Fantasy has a cool giveaway

Make sure you read all my other giveaways for today in the post from this morning.

Well I had a slow show. Really boring, no one in the mall until the cute little goblins came in. Then when I was leaving the mall, the rear door wouldn't shut so.....what do I do.....I slam the stupid thing. LOL This was the wrong thing to do, as the window wouldn't go up and I heard this crunch. It was failing anyway, but lucky me, my son said I was the one who did the damage. Was a cold ride home. Fortunately he was able to tape the window shut, so I don't have a cold ride to work tomorrow. Son just came in and said it looks like it can be fixed. What a blessing to have a fireman/emt/auto mechanic in the house. Now if I could just get him to figure out to get him to clean his room. One thing at a time my dears.....

I will be announcing my 100th post/1000th visitor giveaway this week. Not sure what it is going to be but I think it will be very cool.

Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!

Steph's Learning my D1 and a Giveaway

Stephanie has just finished her first machine embroidered design on my DIt was fun watching her with such concentration try to thread the machine, pick a design and the smile when she said I can pick my own thread colors.


We are going to make a dresser scarf with all the little samples we do.

Judith at Creative Studio's has a giveaway, and some very nice pictures of a Market in Australia.

Willowberry has a giveaway to.

We Love Quilting has a giveaway tooooo.

Natalie Ross is having a giveaway.

Lots of giveaways lately, the prizes must come just in time for Christmas :)

Everyone has been coming to my classes sick, and now I think I have caught the bug UGH!!! I didn't want that. Guess will have to rest up next week.

Well it is Hi-Ho its off to work I go.

Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!

Happy Halloween Everyone

It was a fun Halloween. I worked today and the mall had trick or treating from 4 - 6 pm. It was so much fun. The kidlets seemed to prefer the stickers to the candy. Now that is different. Then I had 8 little goblins, fairies, bumble bees and super heroe's at my door.

Now as long as I don't remember to turn my clock back tonight I will be on time for work tomorrow. :)

Have a great rest of the day and God Bless all of You!!!!!

More Giveaways :) Blogtoberfest :)

It would be so AWESOME to win one of these giveaways.

Kimono Reincarnate has an awesome giveaway.

Just-a-Mere has another awesome giveaway.

Needles of Iron has an awesome giveaway.

Canton Village has a wonderful giveaway.

Good luck in the draws.

I am almost done with my classes and homework. Just the teaching now :) I will have some free time to start creating.

Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!

Awesome Giveaway

There is an awesome giveaway at the Stitching Cow blog. I have followed her newsletter for awhile.

Won't be long I see I now have over 1000 visitors to my blog just a few more posts and I will have my 100 posts/1000 visitor giveaway. Details will be soon, just have to finish all this working and classes I am doing.

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!

Giveaway

A jelly roll giveaway at Blueberry Buckle.

Almost to 100 posts and 1000 visitors this is so exciting. :)

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!

More Giveaways :)

Giggle Buttons is having an awesome giveaway for some Noah's Ark buttons. They are so cute.

The Quilting Cat is having a Happy Birthday giveaway.

I will be having a giveaway soon, not sure if it will be my 100th post or my 1000th visitor.

It's coming soon.

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!

It's a Halloween Giveaway

Really awesome giveaway at Pumpkin Patch Primitives. Not to be selfish but...I really like this giveaway I think it has my name on it. LOL I could probably find you a nice island in the dessert to. Just kidding. Have to be positive and who knows I could win, but she needs 350 entries so blog on over there.

I might just write more tonight, who knows. I went to the chiropractor today so I am just a bit off balance and tired so....maybe will write more. Only 4 more tax classes I am taking and only 10 more for the students I am teaching. If I could get over the major anxiety about the teaching I think I could really enjoy it. :) They are really a great group of people, and I think they are learning lots. I graded their midterms (no real grade just showed them what they did wrong). I think they have learned a lot. Not many errors.

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!!

Awesome Weekend

This weekend I worked a craft fair. I was originally going to take the weekend off, but either my dad or I had put a deposit on it. I could have cancelled but...I figured I can use the money. There was a fluke at the show and the fire marshall came in and said 2o spots had to go. Well of course since I didn't get there I was one of the crafters that did not have a spot. Well I did suggest I could share a spot with someone.

The promoter did finally find a spot for me it was 6 x 6, very small. I sometimes have help with this show and there is barely room for me and my tables. I have been reading Granny's (see link on sidebar) blogs and how inspiring she is. She is also a woman of great faith. I especially liked the post about her new sewing machine. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me. I had forgotten this verse, it was one my brother said to repeat over and over when I was struggling with no job, until I found this one. I have another on my dashboard from the girl at the chiropractor's office. God will never take you where he will not keep you. As well as if God brings me to it He will bring me through it.

I witnessed first hand the grace of God this weekend. I have been focusing alot on Phillippians chapter 4 when I do my reading lately. But...it was the best show I have had since July. I guess God has not forgot about me it is I who has forgotten to rely on Him and His plan for me.

I think this week as I near the end of my tax class (a few more weeks for the ones I am teaching) to end. Which also means I will have some time to work with my sewing machine and finish up a few quilts before Christmas. I realize God has a special plan and I just have to quit using my free will and messing it up.

Have a great week and God Bless all of YOU!!!!

MckLinky Blog Hop

This sounds fun. See the Mcklinky Blog Hop on my side bar.

My Day in a Nutshell (a large nutshell)

I woke up to THIS.....




Now I really think this is a little early, it isn't even Halloween, and I still have 2 bald tires. Please pray they cover them under warranty. I will find out on Friday, and it is supposed to be 60 degrees here on Friday.
The first pic is on the way to work, the second is the Rum River in Downtown Anoka.


This is an awesome fundraiser for Breast Cancer. My roommate is a survivor. My son's piano teacher, a very Godly woman did not. Check out the link on my side bar and visit Julie to enter and see all the goodies they are giving away.

I saw this on Cleary's blog. It is all about making quilts for children, through Downy fabric softener. This is definitely on my todo list when life allows me to quilt more.

There is a birthday giveaway for Granny she is going to be 96, loves the Lord and still is quilting. May we all be so blessed. Reading the stories of Granny brings back memories of my grandmothers.

I came home from work today and my son was just a crab!!!! So.....not being able to resist.....I just said do you need a hug....well when they are 23 they are not just going to come up and get a hug from mom....DUH!!!! so....I just went up and gave him a big hug from behind. Now you have to realize my son is almost 6 feet tall and I am just barely 5'2". Well he was still cranky so...I just told him when he was little I would give him a hug and then (sick aren't I) I would tickle him. After 3 hugs he was finally laughing and smiling. So remember to share a hug with your kids today, even if they don't want one., and call you wierd. They really need one and we have them around for such a short time.

Have a great rest of the day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!

A Giveaway

Sue at Blueberry Buckle is having a wonderful giveaway. She will only give it away if she has 20 entries or more.

2nd post in one day lol and it is now bedtime.

Have a great week and God Bless all of YOU!!! :)

Fall in MN, Terry's Block and I love my D1

Driving down to my dad's on Friday I saw the most beautiful fall colors. The first 4 are on the way back from the Chiropractor. The next one is in downtown Jordan. The last one is near Shakopee. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. To bad it is short. The snow we had yesterday turned out to be ice, and my poor little car with the 2 bald tired in the back(just found out they were bald on Thursday) did not drive very well in it. Nothing like helping to promote the anxiety I am trying to deal with.

I have finished Terry's Block and will try and mail it later in the week. I think it turned out really nice and definitely has a country look.

The last set of blocks are for Kolby. These are only 6 inch blocks, unlike the fairy blocks, there are many more. I will show them as I finish them.

I love the D1 and what it will do. For me it brings me back into a place where I can still create something on a limited time frame. Along with the ability to make quilt blocks to mix with pieced blocks. Working 2 jobs I don't have time to do a lot of handiwork. The other thing it does for me( as the chiropractor put it...I am surprised you can do the hand embroidery...most people with your injuries can't do it...I just looked at him and said I am not giving this up) allows me to do the craft work I enjoy. I still do the hand embroidery but it is very slow and my hands fall asleep alot. Life has been so busy with the new job and teaching classes and homework and and and, well you get the picture.

Have a great day and GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!!!!

A Little of This and That

What a dreary weekend in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I did the Cranberry Festival in Stone Lake, Wisconsin this weekend. Quite a turn-out for the weather being so cold and rainy. I even came home with the cold that went with it. LOL I did a little sight seeing on the way home. The river is called Namekagon. It was a very pretty sight. I forgot to take pic yesterday, I was so tired. 3 hour drive home I am extremely tired today. I will cook chicken, make dinner and start the D1 to do something for Kolby.

Isn't this house cool. I saw it in Earl ,Wisconsin. The 3rd floor is actually a sun porch on the roof. This is what I have wanted to do to the top of my garage. Might need to install an elevator. ;) if I do not add one on soon. LOL

I am finally posting a pic of one of the flour sack towels I did with my D1, sadly to say the other two that were finishes for September were given away as birthday gifts before I thought to take a pic.

Aren't these little fairy's just adorable. These are for little Haley. She is 3 months old now and the newest addition to my son's family.

Well off to homework, cooking and trying to get my D1 to read a disk. Wish me luck, seems it never wants to run right for me. Oh well...maybe it means I am to do other things instead....BUT!!! I will conquer this machine.

I finally finished all the stitching on my Christmas tree skirt/tablecloth

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!!!

Wizard of Oz Giveaway and a Swap question and... a quilt block for a tragedy

There is an awesome giveaway at We Love Quilting. Wizard of Oz Fabric, I have the charm square pack and it is just gorgeous. I have put it in a safe place to use for something special, as it is all I have of the fabric.

Well still busy with Tax classes, both teaching and taking. Thanksgiving will be here soon.
Off to check the laundry and the dishes then to work.

Is anyone interested in doing a 6 inch charm square swap of I spy novelty fabrics? I am thinking of running a swap that will close around the end of November. I would open this up to international as well as the US. Please leave a comment if this is something that would interest you. I used to do a fat quarter swap with the novelty fabric years ago and I really enjoyed it. It was theme based on the month. Let me know if this is something that also interests you. just leave a comment on my blog.

I found this while surfing. What an awesome gift a quilt can be to someone. It is a hug from many. On Laurie's blog a friend of her's, Terry's husband was in an accident. There is a giveaway for a free Jellyroll in exchange for a 9 - 1/2 inch block. They are going to make a quilt for the family from all the bloggers out there. I may have to try out my new to me Viking Designer 1 on this project. No time for pieced blocks this week.

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!

Giggle Buttons Giveaway

Awesome giveaway at Giggle Buttons. I love the buttons I receive in my Giggle Club Stitcheries. I haven't completed all the projects, one is half way finished. Great winter projects.

My Advent swap collecting is going very well. Almost ready to start my handmade project for Valeria.

Not much new this week. Just work and more work and....well you get the picture. The left shift button is no longer working on my laptop, so if you see words that should be capital. lol Know that I was so engrossed ;) I forgot to use the right shift key. Guess I make a trip to Best Buy this week, well next week I need the puter this weekend.

Have a great week and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!

Fiddle dee dee lol and a giveaway

I was just going to post today to say hi to all my fellow bloggers when I stumbled upon an awesome giveaway. http://www.gumtreedesigners.blogspot.com/ see the link on my side bar.

It is by 9 Australian bloggers, and I heard my favorite word. FREE!!!! right now they are having several giveaways as well as having free patterns on the blog.

WELL.... my classes are going ok. I get so anxious I have to pray (not a bad thing) for God's peace and strength before each class. He has been good though, no anxiety in class, although last night a girl fell off the chair. it has wheels and on the mat on the floor it seems to go out from under you. I had to catch myself a few times.

I am thinking this job is where God wants me to be at this point in my life. Since my second car accident I have had anxiety about ambulances and squad cars. I am thinking it is from riding in the ambulance to the ER. It so happened that this building had a room rented for the ambulance crew and every day they would park right across from the door. Funny thing happened a couple of weeks ago...they were no longer there. I kept joking (since I haven't quit smoking yet) they were just waiting for someone to work on lol ME. Then this week I noticed the ambulance signs were gone and the room was vacant. It seems I need to depend on HIM more and let it go and let it go lol. It seems he is taking care of all my worries.

No time for stitching this week with my taking classes, working and teaching classes. I don't feel well today. I went to the chiropractor, seems the neck just doesn't want to stay in place. I can't take a nap because I am going to help Dad at a craft fair tomorrow. Hopefully my second wind will come before I go to bed at 9 tonight.

Well my life this week in a nut shell. Happy surfing at http://www.gumtreedesigners.blogspot.com/ .

Have a great weekend and God Bless All of YOU!!!!! :)

Be Careful What You Wish for LOL

I have been so busy no time to blog. But...be careful for what you wish for. I wished for full time work. It is a blessing, but soooooo busy. I do taxes and the firm that hired me as office manager, wants me to "TEACH" so...for the next 10 weeks I will be teaching tax classes to all the eager and knowledgeable students. I am working through the anxiety of the new job. There is a lot more to the job, teaching, hiring and firing, preparing taxes (yes there are still a lot of people out there who for various reasons still have not filed thier taxes yet---go figure), signing up and placing ads for the school. I think were almost ready.

I did with my new sewing machine finish 3 flour sack towels this month. I will take a pic of the two, have already given one of them away already. I did an embroidery design on the corner. The machine works pretty good except for when I get half way through a design it just decides to break needles and break thread. Any ideas welcome. I have bought new needles, re-threaded, re-wound bobbins and even have gone so far to take the little sticky labels off the thread spool (the girls at the Viking sewing center said that anything can get hung up)

I am getting excited about the advent swap. I have a few things collected. Hard to find a lot Christmassy stuff right now, it's all Halloween. I will post pic next weekend. I am off today so laying low from the visit to the Chiropractor (were talking MAJOR adjustment here). Which means it is time for more ice and naptime. (I like naptime) LOL.

I did finally finish my Christmas tree skirt/table cloth just need to put the backing on it. I am thinking next weekend as well. Next weekend is significant because I am taking the whole weekend off. This weekend I am helping Dad, but next weekend is my time to get caught up on a few things as well as maybe find the kitchen or the living room. Hopefully my new sewing machine will be working with the new needles otherwise I will have to take it in. Grrrr I still owe 150 dollars on it.

Well just a little update, pics will follow soon.

Have a great week and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Advent Swap and Jewelry give away

This year I joined Fiona's advent swap. I think it will be fun collecting little doodads to brighten someone else's Christmas Holiday.

I have posted the link to the swap on the sidebar.

I also found a jewelry site that you can enter to win. The jewelry is beautiful. I have also posted a link to that site on my sidebar as well.

Well I survived the second week at work. I am still a little unsure of some of the operating procedures but I am not quite so nervous this week. I think the ambulances outside the door (they park at the building) are a little intimidating. Everytime I go out for a smoke (yes I know I do have to quit, just waiting for a little reprieve in the business) I know they are watching me and thinking....our next victim. A little sick I know, I think I am just reliving my ambulance ride 3 years ago from the car accident. I guess I just have to learn to relax.

Speaking of relaxing, I took the weekend off to work on my dad's books. Say lots of prayers the paperwork I wanted to look at is not in the box from the accountant.

I hope to make a big dent in Dad's books as well as taking a little time to relax and maybe clean and sew.

Have a great weekend and God Bless all of You!!!!! :)

Survived the first week

Well I survived the first week of work. I am still a bit confused on some things, I think time will tell. So far I have 4 people registered for tax school. I just have to get the office procedures down pat.

The nice thing about this job is that I will have some weekends off. I am so excited. This week I will work on my dad's books and play with my new embroidery machine.

The cleaning is really going to take some time, but.....I did have Steph take some very embarrassing (2 - 3 jobs for 5 years) photo's so I will have some wonderful before and after pictures to show at a later date. You ask how can I let my house get so bad. Well....being out of town or working in town on weekends as well as a regular job, there is no time to clean or sleep a lot. As well as a car accident 3 years ago did not help my energy levels.

I am starting a new diet and work out program in the next couple of weeks. I have gained around 30lbs with each car accident so I have around 60 lbs to lose. What a challenge. I am planning on working on the first 10 and then do it in increments of 10. I really don't want to get discouraged. Wish me luck. :)

I let my son take the camera to Wyoming for his visit with his dad. I hope he brings some pic home of the grand babies (even though he is 11). :)

Have a great tomorrow and God Bless all of YOU!!!!

Long time no blog

Seems it has been a long time since I have blogged. I have pic of my christmas in July gift from Cleary

I have 3 finishes (3 necklaces)

I saw an angel in the clouds.

It has been a busy month with all the county fairs I have worked. Maybe I over did it a little as the first week I start my new job I get the flu. Oh well. I am feeling better, am finally not having the queasies. I have one more finish that I will report later in the month. It is the candlewicking table cloth and is really turning out to be very pretty.

I am looking forward to taking a break from the craft fairs. I will drop down to mostly one day shows. WHICH MEANS!!! I will maybe have a little time to use my new sewing machine I bought off of Craigs List. It is a Viking Designer 1 embroidery machine. The lady was so nice and threw in 180 rolls of embroidery thread. I have aleady made a sample red and pink strawberry and helped mom make a butterfly on a dish towel.

Well have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!

Christmas in July Swap and a few odds and ends

Please visit my Christmas in July swap partner http://cieangel.blogspot.com/2009/07/christmas-in-july-swap.html

I forgot to take a pic of what I sent her. She has some nice pic of the package.

The job search is going well. I think I am starting a job full time in the next couple of weeks. I am excited yet scared.

Jeremy was really sick this week. He had a tooth pulled and then the infection worsened. He is doing much better. I was really worried for him. I put out the prayer request and God in all His glory healed him with the right medication and no surgery.

I have almost finished my candlewicking table cloth I started in March. Wow that will be 4 finishes this month. My show this weekend is so slow. Hardly any sales, which means I finished one book and almost one craft project.

I think this would be fun, but it will have to wait until I am working full time with the weekends off. I will be free in the evening to sew at least one. (I am thinking....) http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2009/07/anyone-up-for-round-2.html

There is a Christmas in July giveaway at http://barbscreations.blogspot.com/2009/07/christmas-in-july-giveaway.html Awesome giveaway

An awesome giveaway here from Freda



A couple of exciting things have happened I bought a beautiful jewelry armoire and she bought a bracelet from me so I imagine it is a trade. The only problem is it is still at my dad's 2 hours away until my car is empty in August. But....it is soooo pretty. Now I will be able to find all my jewelry and stop losing the earrings. I also found a Viking Designer 1 sewing machine, used for $1300.00. I will look at it on Tuesday. Have to pray for some sales since the show this week is soooo slow, no one is buying. I won't be able to get it if I don't sell 10 bracelets tomrorow. Maybe she will take a payment plan. :)


Have a great week, God Bless all of you.

Looking for input

What do you think of this the hearts are many different novelty fabrics as well as the different fabrics for the background. The center strip is the sashing fabric. I have some ideas on embroidery I have doodled for the sashing. I thought little butterflies, flowers and lazy daisy's. The border fabric is the paper doll fabric and a butterfly fabric, and I have a scripture panel I am going to intersperse either on the border or inbetween a row or two.

One of my questions is do you think it will look alright as well as not to hearty it is for my aunt but I think it might be overpowering for my uncle. LOL!!!! or do you think it will be pretty the way I have described it.

Have a great week and God Bless all of YOU!!!! :)

Happy Birthday to Me and Happy 4th of July

Wishing everyone a safe 4th of July Holiday. I will be working, remember to support your local craft fair vendor. LOL

It is also my birthday. I will be working, but my son and his fiance had Dairy Queen Blizzards in honor of my birthday. Thank you Stephie, it was YUMMY!!!

God Bless all of you

Giveaway's

Awesome giveaway at http://cactus-needle.blogspot.com/



and another at http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2009/06/giveaway-time.html

Giveaway's

Jackie has a giveaway at: http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/2009/06/its-time-to-celebrate.html

Kimberly has a giveaway at: http://bittybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-mbs-project-another-giveaway.html

Check out these awesome products.
Texture Magic
Superior Threads

Helen has a giveaway:

http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/2009/06/twas-the-night-before-christmas.html
Sorry I haven't figured out how to make a link on the picture. LOL Little lazy today will work on that another day.

Sheree has a giveaway: http://shereesalchemy.typepad.com/sherees_alchemy/2009/06/sewing-is-so-much-fun.html#comments

Quilt Qua has a giveaway: http://www.quiltqua.com/giveaway/

My Birthday is on Saturday maybe I will win :) not holding my breath I haven't won on the blogs yet. But surprises are always fun.


Today is the first day off since last week, where I could just be lazy, and all I have done so far is sit at the puter for a few hours.

It is just an awesome day, beautiful blue sky, breezy and not even going to hit 80 degrees. It has been so hot in my house since the heat wave struck a week or so ago. It is nice to have a lazy day when the weather is beautiful even though so far all I have done is eaten breakfast and watched movies. The first movie that came on was Zoom, such a cute movie. I became interested in the second movie, called Flicka, because it takes place in the state of Wyoming. Brings back many memories from when I lived out there.

Well I have found a part time job. I did not get the job I applied for last week, my last day of work was Wednesday. I guess this is the first chance I have had to relax since I have been working 1 job and 2 part time jobs for 3 weeks. My part time job is telemarketing from home. I like the job but it seems my puter doesn't like being moved from room to room. My son (bless his heart) bought me a 50 foot cord. End the frustration of being disconnected and not being able to get back on the wireless. The telemarketing isn't bad but it only pays $9.00 an hour, so I guess I won't get rich. The other drawback is I can only get 2 days a week, but there is a show on Thursday in Wisconsin, just have to find the contact info online.

No finishes this month been a little busy but looks like I will be creating tons and job searching again next week. Say lot of prayers.

God bless all of you and have a great Sunday it is gorgeous here in East Central Minnesota.

My Quest and Current Project No Finishes for May

The first thing I want to do is thank my future daughter-in-law In love with a FireMan (stop by and say hi :) she is awesome. for the very nice post about my son and I as well as all the prayers from my family and hers. You see I am not the only one laid off in my family. My sister is also laid off and my dad's girl-friend will be soon. They are lucky in a way, they will get unemployment as well as qualify for the different programs available to those who qualify for unemployment. I will know in 6 weeks if I will qualify, but if they go back a year I will get nothing. They are not offering me a severance either. I did find out I can pull out my meager retirement which should carry us to August. But life with out any money coming in is really scary.



In my search for emplyment, I have found all sorts of things about the job search. They all want to know your credit score, as well as your college transcripts for a few. There are tons of work at home jobs, that one can pay to get into and then of course can't figure out how to do the work involved. There are a few legitimate work at home jobs, I have applied for a telemarketing job I did a couple of years ago. Not sure how it will work now but it will be a minimal income that will carry me through until full time work appears.



I have almost finished my Christmas Tablecloth/Tree Skirt see...isn't it pretty just have to finish the embroidery and add the gold(I am thinking silver maybe silver and gold mixed...what do you think).

On the upside, I think I may have a little more time to sew. I won't have a 2 hour commute every day.

Have a great day and God Bless All of You. May all your prayers be answered today and angels appearing out of nowhere with many blessings for you.

Happy Mother's Day

I would like to wish all mother's out there a Happy Mother's Day.

I know this is a happy occasion for many, but...there are those who are carrying many burdens this mother's day. In some way's mother's day is a bit over rated. I cherish being a parent. This year I guess I am thinking of women who have empty arms this year. My friend who lost her child, those empty arms of women who were not blessed with children.

This year we should do something different for those with empty arms and women who have never had children for various reasons. We mother's are blessed with joy and sorrow every day of the year by seeing and holding our children. Maybe...we should share the joy of our children with our dear friends who long for a hug and a big sloppy open mouth kiss of a 6 month old baby (have to be careful of that one sometimes the baby just seems so full of love their kisses come in attack mode zeroing in on a target).

I am working this mother's day, for some reason I thougth it was next week. This will be my chance to bless others, I have put my bracelets on sale today as an affordable gift for those in pain. Magnetic therapy really does work for most people.

A mother's love is one of the greatest gifts we can give mankind-sharing it with others- priceless!!!!

I previewed my blog on this post and wouldn't you know, the daily bible verse for today was:
Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Special Prayer for Today

Dear Lord, bless all the mothers out there holding them in your hand as they raise their children. Cherish those who for various reasons do not have children with them (only you know the why and the reason ) this mother's day. Bless all the women reading this, blessing them, giving them strength and provide everything they need, carrying the burdens they bear. Thank you Lord for blessing me with my child(children), teach me to teach them for they are our future. We know you have a marvelous sense of humor Lord and if we teach these children it may make a difference of which nursing home they put us in (the island paradise or the spare room in the basement).

Thank you Lord for lighting the path.

Amen

God Bless all of You

Giveaway and an update

There is a really nice giveaway here: http://welovequilting.com/blog/2009/05/may-give-a-way/

I still haven't found work yet, but they are so nice to let me do the job search at work as well as give me references and letter's of recommendation. Wish me luck.

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!

Rough Week - Kind of Depressing

My week started out pretty normal. The craft fair last weekend was not the greatest. Work was going fairly well....until Tuesday. I am called into a meeting with the Pastor and the acting CEO of the church. The first words the pastor said to me is I am so sorry but...we have had some major budget cuts and the two salaried positions are to be cut. Imagine my shock when my position was one of them. I have a job until June 30.

Wednesday rolls around and I find out that I am not eligible for unemployment(I was banking on this). Churches in Minnesota do not have to pay unemployment if they do not want to. It was really hard going to work yesterday.

Thursday I am having extreme anxiety and having trouble getting to work. I check my bank account as it is payday and lo and behold the paycheck is not there. Evidently the treasurer goofed up the direct deposit. I also find out that unemployment only goes back for 1 year, not 5 as I was told. To make my day even brighter I may not be eligible for the displaced worker program because I am not eligible for unemployment.

Needless to say things at home should be going allright, right. Wrong...the dryer doesn't work now ( I do have a clothes line outside) that will help and gives me 3 months to get one. Jeremy looked at it and found it is the motor, which are very hard to find at the moment. The rear brake on the car is squeaking. We ran out of heating oil. (Thank God it is April and I have space heaters.)

I know God has a plan in all of this but right now I can't see it. It is good I work 2 jobs so at least I will have a tiny bit of income coming in from the craft fairs. I will be working at the Red Hat convention this week. It should be a lot of fun. I will have Sunday off so that will be relaxing. Say lots of prayers my shows pick up. I will start the job search next week when I am a little more rested and not quite so anxious. May need to go to the Dr. before this is all over and get treted for Anxiety as I will have to find out about COBRA or the state health insurance, that will end on June 30th as well.

Maybe someone will click on my Google Adsense and I will make a penny a month lol.
I will also have a lot of time to clean my house and do a lot of sewing.

Have a great day and God Bless All of You

A moda giveaway

Wonderful give away at: http://midohioknitter.blogspot.com/2009/04/one-pretty-thing.html

My Fairy Name

Your fairy is called Hex Iceshimmer
She is a bone chilling bringer of justice for the vulnerable.
She lives in places hexed and tainted by black magic.
She is only seen when the first flowers begin to blossom.
She wears black feathers and rose petals. She has icy blue butterfly wings.
Get your free fairy name here!

Guaranteed Smile here

@ Yahoo! Video

This is kind of Scary and a giveaway

http://aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf after seeing this on another blog, (sorry I forgot the blogger), this could be the wave of the future. I don't want it do you?

Last day for the purse giveaway at Sheilas place http://blessingsshelia.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-giveaway-time.html

Home tonight, Fargo was not as good as I expected guess I work next weeked. :(

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!

My Lucky Day

What a surprise today to pick up my grocery order from the local store. Doreen sent some flowers home with me.

And then I get the mail and the new Giggle Club pattern is here. It

is so cute. Has an adorable little cat button.

Well I am off to Fargo this weekend. Hope I make lots of sales so I can take next weekend off for my God-daughter's daughter's birthday party.

Have a great day and God Bless all of You.

HAPPY EASTER, a giveaway & my poor puter & pic

Happy Easter everyone, It is a beautiful day here in Minnesota. Sun is shining and He is Risen. May everyone have a blessed day.

I have a couple of invites for dinner, but I have decided I will probably stay home and relax. After working on taxes for my family all day yesterday and fighting with the clothes line, finally getting four loads of laundry out (I really over did it). BUT!!! today is Easter and I have decided I am going to stay home and take care of myself, a little sewing, a little cooking, a little resting and blinders so that I do not see the mess from working without a day off since February.

Best Buy has messed up my laptop as they did my son's computer. The webcam now works but I still have no microphone. They said to install only the updates that I need and if I install all the important and recommended updates the computer crashes. I was able to get it to system restore to restore it and set the settings to before the updates. I am so frustrated. So...hi ho its back to Best Buy we go.

Here are a few giveaways enjoy, very nice blogs.

http://www.pigtalesandquilts.com/2009/04/give-away-time.html

http://mylittleraggedyblessings.blogspot.com/2009/03/give-away.html

http://tozzscorner.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-fabulous-giveaway.html

Even though time did not permit me to sew as much as I wanted to this weekend. (and here I sit blogging :) LOL) All I have to do is to cut the sashing, cornerstones and borders, then I can sew sew sew all week after work. I will also be doing a little stitching. Should be a very pretty quilt.

I have looked at this kit for the last year and finally decided March 1, I would start it. I figured it would be finished in a month. Silly ME!!! but it is turning out so pretty. It is either a table cloth or a tree skirt. I figured I would make it as a table cloth, because I can fold it in half and use it under a tree. It is all candlewicking french knots, satin stitch and back stitch. Just very slow for me. I did hear a word of encouragement from the chiropractor. He said most people with my injuries can't do the stitching. (I am not giving this up!!!) I just stop when my hands get tired and come back to it in a little bit. Now if I could get all the walking I started 2 months ago stop the aching muscles I can add more time to my walk. I will be thin in no time.

I am sorry the pic's are not the best quality. The battery cover broke on the bottom of my camera so I took these with my cell phone. Now where it that duct tape.

Have a great Easter everyone. Remember He died so that We may live.

God Bless You All and thank you for stopping by.

New Giveaways

New giveaway at http://welovequilting.com/blog/2009/04/april-give-a-way-surprise

Was a beautiful day here. Mall show this weekend. Hope to make lots of money ;), then I can take next weekend off. That would be so nice maybe get a little sewing done and (you didn't hear this from me) and maybe a little cleaning done as well.

Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!!!!

More Giveaway's

There is a giveaway for some really yummy fabric at http://coffeetimestitches.blogspot.com/.

Another giveaway at http://www.greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/ for more yummy fabric.

Kind of a dreary day here. Blizzard up north and rain in the south. Tomorrow is to be sunny and warm 45 a heat wave. I have to take a picture of my project I started in March. It is a candlewicking christmas table cloth. I have had the kit for 10 years and have finally started it. Well off to stitch for a few minutes before I go to bed.

Have a great day and God Bless All of You

Giveaway

There is a giveaway at http://deathbydenim.blogspot.com/2009/03/artfire-give-away.html look at her store http://deathbydenim.artfire.com/ she has a beautiful patchwork skirt.

You can win 2 yards of fabric here http://wondermommy.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/good-folks-giveaway/#comment-1720

Well my computer had to go back to the shop. Seems after they installed the new hard drive windows wouldn't load up. So....I only have a computer available at night, and on weekends when I am working the craft shows I am going through blog withdrawal. Happy surfing everyone.

Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU :)

Beautiful Day Here

It was a beautiful day here in Minnesota. Sunny and Warm had to be almost 60 degrees. I can't say that is unusual but....it is normally a little cooler this time of year. Even with the beautiful day, there was a fair number of people who came to the craft fair I worked at today. The snow is almost gone just one tiny spot in my yard.

The economy is really showing at the shows that I do. Even though sales are down, the turnout is down as well. I do see the people being a little more selective as I am when I shop the shows. (I try not to shop all the shows, I would have no money left :). )

Have a great Sunday and God Bless All of You!!!! My puter maybe back tomorrow, I am excited.

Would You Believe....

My computer is still in the shop. Last night my future DIL dropped off the start up disc, I called this morning and they said it still isn't loaded. Now...I know they are busy but even I can load the startup disc and have it running with in 8 hours. Oh well!!! To top it off they have my new Terabyte hard drive as the cord is loose.

Good thing we saved this old puter. Not much stitching going on. Still helping a few family members with their taxes. I have Sunday off this week so will be nice to just pick up and relax.

I have gotten a little done on my table cloth, it is 1/5th done. Looks very nice will try and post a pic later next week.

Happy Stitching and God Bless All of you!!!!

Computer Update

Well...looks like it will be 2 - 4 weeks before I have my puter back. So far I have tried 2 computers and have been unsuccessful in getting online, one will connect but is soooooo....slow. The other is not reading the monitor - you ask would that be the same monitor that worked for a few minutes on the laptop then wouldn't work - well hopefully will get that working and the modem software for the wireless. Wish me luck!!! Otherwise I will send small updates when I can.

I have another project to hopefully finish for March. One thing nice is that I actually do have time to stitch, clean a little and follow a movie without the computer taking all my time.

'til next time. God Bless all of You!!!

Computer Troubles

What happens when the laptop screen goes black. It goes back to Best Buy for fixing. I am really thankful I bought the maintenance plan for my computer. It has come in handy more than once. I bought a 1 Terabyte external hard drive last night, and spent 3 hours backing up my computer. I wouldn't have normally done this but my last computer I lost most the data. My son's computer Best Buy (where ever they sent the computer to) actually damaged the hard drive so bad he can't get any of his information off of it. So....now we are covered and anyone I know who would like to store information (just in case always helps to have a back-up plan).

Lot of fun swaps out there right now. I am hoping with out the laptop. (I do have an extra desktop I can use when my son gets his puter back) I may be able to get a little stitching and sewing.

So many things to do and so little time (and money lol).

Have a great day and God Bless all of you.

My First Attempt and I Finished

It is a small accomplishment, but I have many customers asking for magnetic necklaces, so I (silly ME!) thought I could make a couple. I made 4 of them as a trial run. I took a mental health day today and played cribbage with a friend. One of the tournaments we entered I place 3rd. Kind of exciting as the first round I lost, the second round I had a bye and the 3rd round I lost. But as fate would have it I placed third, It is exciting :) even if it was by fate. I may make up a couple more necklaces and see what happens, otherwise they will make great gifts.

I think they turned out very nice for a first time project, what do you think?

I am not sure why they are turning yellow maybe I should check the camera settings for the next picture I post. Either that or take them in the daylight and replace the bulbs in the dining room.

Have a great day and God Bless all of you!!!

It's Not Much But It Is A Finish!!!!

Well it was quite the effort. I just finished this towel I started in November. The pic isn't the greatest but I have already given it to the birthday girl. Busy month between shows, taxes and work. There is not time to craft.

God bless all of you. :)