Patience young grasshopper patience....

Do you ever have one of those projects that do not come together quite the way you want it to? Well I am making this Irish chain quilt and I must have been in a haze...well actually I had the wrong foot for half the blocks....yes the seam ripper and I have an awesome relationship right now. As you can see from the photo I have no idea how I mixed up all my pieces as well....some are in the right order others still have to be ripped and re-sewn....so I am starting over again.

I know there is a story or a lesson here and I am thinking that God has a bigger plan for me to hurry through my sewing and projects. In these instances I need to slow down pause and realize it is ok and will hopefully be ok as I should hopefully be the only one to see the havoc until it is finished then it will be something to be beautiful and cherished. Just like me I am a work in progress that God has not given up on, even though I make mistakes the end result will be a person with the insight that God has great plans for me. If I can weather the storm and learn to be content in a 1 room apartment AND I might add still be able to create beautiful quilts...I shall have no worries or fear...for the plan I can't see is far greater than my need to be perfect.

So today I have learned patience and my sadness in this mess will be replaced with determination knowing I am up to the task. Have a great day and God Bless you ALL!!!!

 

 

 

I am back

It has been awhile since I have blogged. I have not been able to do much sewing or quilting as I finally found full time work 2 years ago. I moved over 200 miles away from my home which finally sold. I think the hardest part of the move is leaving all my favorite people behind as well as moving into an efficiency apartment, which has proven to be more of a challenge. I will try to share my creative ways of having a sewing area, that I can leave up. Right now the overtime is about done so I will be having lots of evenings to start working on projects. I went to a retreat in January and created this Minnesota quilt from a kit. Turned out very nice I had a little help sorting out the layout.

Just an update

I finally found full time work in January through March, that did not work out. I found a temp job in April and have not been able to do any crafty things. My new job makes my arms very painful and muscle spasms in my neck and chest, which enhances the anxiety because the nerves are hyperactive at the moment.. So....I am going to start blogging again but focusing on maybe some different thoughts, ideas and tangents.

I think God brought all of you into my life for a reason, which I am thankful for each and everyone of you. I think that by focusing on being positive and developing a closer relationship with Him...maybe my thoughts will help someone else going through many frustrating parts of life.

I am also a Reiki practioner and I send Reiki to several people who love receiving the energy. It is a healing energy that can help anyone from illness to making decisions or just finding peace.

I want to keep my blog open so, even though I am not able to do the crafty things at this time, let me know if there are any topics you would like me to research or just chat about.

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

Festival of Trees 11-19 to 11-20-2011

This weekend I will be a vendor at the Festival of Trees in Duluth Minnesota. It is an awesome fundraiser for the Twin Ports area. If your in the area stop by and shop. The festival of trees is the prelude to a huge parade in the evening marking the beginning of the holiday season in Duluth.

And of course the Kidlets need to come as Santa will be there as well.

Life is topsy turvy in my world this week. Lots of prayers needed for a job, as the unemployment ended and the craft fairs will end in just a few weeks. Kind of a scary time, but this is one of the fun shows I do. On the upside I get to spend quality time with my nephew taking him to his driver's ed classes, and have started going through stuff again, I can actually find the desks in the sewing room. Just a few more boxes to go through, then sort and organize the fabric. Give away the huge tv in that room. I will be able to sew, scrapbook, and write all in one room :). Although I may just leave the cutting board on the old dresser in the kitchen as it is tall enough to cut out fabric without messing up my neck.

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

Goodies

This year at the Minnesota shop hop, my brother went with me to a couple of stores. Little did I know when we had the family Christmas party last week, that he had bought me a couple of goodies. Aren't these little pins just adorable. The fabric, one of them has a border that says Minnesota on them. I may not use the pins and just look at them because they are sooooo adorable.

This pic didn't turn out so well but I bought this little pot and it has dual purpose, a hot pot that will heat up food as well. My dad has one he uses at the craft fairs to heat up stew/soup/water for tea. Well I was sold when last we (his girlfriend and I) heated up my bbq pork. The trick is it has to have enough liquid in it to not stick to the cooking plate inside. A hot pot has coils, this is a hot pot deluxe. So....I just washed it and heated up my tea water, it works awesome. My next venture with the pot other than to take to the mall for the craft show this weekend, is to use the car plug adapter and see if it will heat water off the lighter jack in the car. How fun and healthy this could be, limited to stews and ultra moist hot dish but, when the seal a meal is working I can have other things. :) And I will be saving lots of money by not eating the mall and fast food.

Today I started my sewing room and have found the two desks in the room. It will probably take me a little while to get itall under control, decluttering making the room useable for something other than storage, but I will feel so much lighter to get all the extra stuff out of my house. Clutter free is the goal, not working 2 jobs it is a little easier to get organized. I had a couple of interviews but they didn't pan out. I have another one I would have to stay over night but it pays really well. Wish me luck.

Well hope all is well in your world....Have a great day and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!

Thrift Store Fingdings

Aren't they just adorable. :)

I found this fun little rub on set and iron on transfer at a thrift store in Detroit Lakes MN. The price was right and I just had to have them both. I am not sure what I am going to use the rub on's for but they are so much fun to play with.

I also had a job interview today, this would be in my line of work with very good benefits and a payscale I could live on. The job is a couple hours from where I normally work, but it would be work, which I have been looking for, for a long long time. Wish me luck.

I stopped at a little park in Buffalo, and had lunch with this cute little fellow. He posed for me twice :).

It was a beautiful day here in Minnesota. The snow storm that was to hit southern Minnesota went towards Wisconsin (sorry, even though we are 5 inches below normal for precip. I am just not ready for snow.)

Today I am thankful for God providing all my needs, for providing the jobs I go on an interview to, even though I am a basket case and full of anxiety. I have this little network of peeps who I send a txt to and they all pray for me. I am so blessed and thankful for all of you who stop by my blog, it may not be as exciting as other blogs out there, but I do enjoy writing my musing's and showing the fun things in my life.

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

Funky Pillowcases

Let me know what you think of my fun little pillowcases, it is a great stash reducing move and time wise not being able to work on any quilts right now I still get to sew. I figured I would put a couple on my table and if they sell, great, if not then I will donate them to the pillowcase challenge.

It has been quite awhile since I have blogged. Things have been a bit different here. I just quit a part time sweat shop job because it messed up my neck and arms. I had such severe pain, so.... I am back to doing craft fairs with the magnetics.

We had our Christmas party on Halloween weekend ( both mom and dad are going to Texas and dad possibly Arizona for the winter), I made up several flour sack towels with Stephie's help and funky pillowcases for the kidlets. I was so busy I forgot to take a picture of them, they did turn out very nice and definitely funky.

Let me know what you think of them. I just finished 3 of them and am going to see if they generate any interest at the craft fair this weekend.

This party was so....AWESOME....No I did not meet the man of my dreams, but my grandson was able to come to the party....and it was the first time he has ever been able to come and visit me. He will be 14 in a couple of weeks.

Well I am off to another craft fair, so....have a great day and:

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July and Happy Canada Day

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy holiday weekend. I will be working this weekend, there is a big 4th of July Celebration in Spicer, Minnesota. Should be a lot of fun.

It is so hot here and my house is torn apart from decluttering 20+ years of collecting, all going to my sister's garage sale. Tomorrow should be a lot cooler and with no air conditioning it will be a pleasant change.

I haven't been doing anything crafty lately with all the shows on the road, when I am home I have just been trying to find the house, with all the boxes I have pulled out. I am bring my little snowmen embroidery blocks, which will be used in a quilt with all the snow flake material I bought at the state shop hop last year. I have to rearrange my show schedule so I will be able to go again this year.

Have a great Canada Day, 4th of July and a wonderful happy birthday to me. :) (I had to throw that in there...even though I share my birthday with the nation... I still like to pretend it is just my birthday. Little childish I know but we only have one birthday a year.

Thank you for stopping by and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A couple retreat photo's

Just a quick post of a couple pictures from the retreat. As is the way of things all good things must come to an end, Today is the last day of the retreat. I have had an unbelievable time. So much creativity in one place. Then the 7 hour drive home....not looking forward to that, but it will be evening so will be much cooler of a drive.

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

AccuQuilt Retreat

I have to say I am really enjoying the retreat. Tomorrow I will get to have Eleanor Burns new Barn Quilt book signed. There will be a tour of AccuQuilt as well as lunch. Then back to County Traditions for open sewing. It is taking me much longer to cut the fabric, so I maybe finishing my drunkard's path at home. I am gleaning a lot of information and hope to retain it all.

The Accuquilt and Country Traditions staff are the nicest people.

Well I am having an awesome time and really wish you all could enjoy this with me. I will post pic hopefully next week (if I can stay home long enough lol). I really did need a fun get away just focusing on what I want to do and learn.

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

Updates and AccuQuilt Retreat for me

I have to apologize for not updating my blog. I have been working a lot where the internet isn't so great. I have several small finishes that I need to upload and have just not had the energy to do so. The job search is not going as well as I planned, so I will be hitting the road again this summer. It is hard because most of the projects I can bring are embroidery or small crocheting projects. The heart quilt for my aunt is still sitting on the table waiting for my inspiration on how to quillt it to come, as well as needing to be home a little more. I have had this terrible pain in my face and the chiropractor is working on it but since this has affected my sleep, I hate to work on it while I am exhausted. Working on a quilt when I am exhausted means lots of errors, not pretty ones either.

In light of my not being able to work on my hobby like I planned, I am still going on the Accuquilt retreat. I am so excited. I can't believe it is next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I received the itinery, but not the class instructions until today. Which means I only have tonight and Monday, part of Tuesday to get everything together. Good thing I have lots of fabric....I just have to move the boxes, to get to it. Eleanor Burns will be at the barn raising. This is just so exciting, I was going to take her class a couple of years ago to be a certified teacher and the money didn't come in. But!!!!!!!!!!! she will be there.

If any of you in Blogland are going to be there let me know, would be awesome to meet some of the people, whose pages I read.

Well my posts will be sporadic over the summer, unless my ship comes in, so....with that in mind have a great summer and as soon as I can I will post pic's of my retreat and finishes. I do so miss keeping up with everyone here in blogland, but when the time is right I will be back more frequently.

God has a great plan I just have to wait and see what it is.

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lander, Wyoming 4th Annual Pink Ribbon Society Extravaganza

May 14th Held At: Lander High School Field House
Breast Cancer fundraiser with Craft booths, informational vendors, bake sale, silent and live auctions, games, door prized, goodie bags, lunch and more!

I have been doing a bit of traveling and just had to do a show. This one is an awesome fundraiser. So far I have seen my grandson, god-son (whose wedding I am able to attend on Sunday), my son, my ex's parents. Taken a few pic...to up load later. A few finishes to upload later.

So far on my trip I have run into hot weather, snow on the mountain, rain and beautiful sunny skies. I saw a moose, a deer, a big boulder that had fallen down the mountain. Driven on a road that had construction and was just like slime, this was really scary, especially after I saw a semi being towed up the stretch of road.

I have had so much fun, seeing family and friends I haven't seen in over 10 years. We will have a special reunion with four of us who used to play cards and have lunch every week. Then I moved, then Anna moved, then Cheryl moved and Karrie still lives here. This will be the first time we have been together in 25 years or there about.

I love the mountains and maybe God will call me back out here some day, right now we just try to survive from show to show. I had a job interview last week and still no word on if I have been hired. I have to keep the faith, so far my expenses have been extremely low. I have wonderful friends and family who have provided food and lodging.

Almost retreat time for Accuquilt!!!!!!!!! I am so excited. I can bring my baby go and extra fabric for the dies that they will have available. I get to see Eleanor Burns at the barn raising!!!!!!!!! This is just turning out to be the most awesome spring and summer.

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

Craft Fair Miller Hill Mall and Eden Prairie Mall

This week the craft fairs are at Miller Hill Mall and Eden Prairie Mall. I am in Duluth this weekend for the craft show and it is so Windy up here. I need to post the pic I took the last time. Lake Superior has the strangest shades of color in it. I called the City and they referred me to the tourism office. I guess when it is really windy it stirs up the bottom of the lake. So today it is just way to windy to tell the colors, but 2 weeks ago was a beautiful calm day. From the Copper top church lookout one could see the blue water with strips of brown and green streaks in the water. All my pic are on the big laptop so will have to post some pic after Easter. I also got a wonderful early birthday pressie from Jeanette pic will hopefully follow in the next couple of weeks. Her blog is http://jeanettespatch.blogspot.com can't seem to get the link to link it to her name. The mall has been busy but I was able to finish repairing and redoing the quilt label on Tyler's quilt. His dad stopped by and now the quilt is on it's way home. Not much getting done in the stitchery/sewing I am putting edging on a couple of towels for gifts, but so far today the computer games have won out. Well have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!

Craft fair HarMar Mall and Burnsville Center

There is a craft fair at Burnsville Mall and HarMar Mall. Should be a fun time and lots of fun things to see. Today at the mall is fairly quiet, so will do a little surfing, little stitching, a little crocheting and a little reading in between the mass of customers I will serve today. Hope all is well and bright sun shiney in your world today, it is a gorgeous day here. Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!!

My New Go Baby and Die and a giveaway

I finally received my Go Baby and I sat looking at it all week. Today I went and bought a die, I know I shouldn't of, but.....how can one just sit and look at the Go Baby with all the possibilities. I can now make butterflies, bees and dragonflies. It took a couple of minutes and two of us to finally figure out how to do it, but once the die went through, it was amazing and so easy to turn the crank.

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To bad I am working all weekend or I would probably have a ton of butterflies, dragonflies and bees laying around the living room.

Still no leads on a full time job yet. I will be really pushing it after Easter. I want my sewing area and house in a fairly organized state when I go back to working 2 jobs. Although I have to say I am not getting much done up until this week. I made a table cloth for my table at the craft show and have started sewing bits and pieces. I can't wait until the week of Easter I am hoping to have the house fairly clean and things moved around a bit so when company comes on Easter Sunday I am ready then I can sew all week. :)

Awesome giveaway at Raggedy Stationhttp://raggedystation.blogspot.com/

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

Craft Fair Burnsville Center and Miller Hill Mall

This weekend there are two craft fairs we are participating in. One in Burnsville Center in Burnsville Minnesota and the other at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth. Turned out to be a beautiful day here in Central Minnesota. I guess there were 4 inches of snow on the ground this morning in the north country. Not much going on in the sewing world, seems everytime I cut even a corner of fabric I end up being gone for 2 weeks on end. Well this time I am able to leave it on the table for when I can cut the rest of the vignette bom out. So hard sometimes when I am working 12 hour days to just keep up on everything. I have 3 more weeks until Easter weekend, when I will have Easter dinner, and hopefully a fully organized sewing room. :) My Go Baby has arrived, I won't see it until Sunday when the craft fair is over, but it is here. I am hoping to be able to buy a die and a cutting mat on the way home so I can play with it a little. If not then the following week I should have enough money to buy the dies. I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy April Fools Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!!!!

World of Wheels Duluth

An awesome car show will be in Duluth MN this weekend. It is called the World of Wheels and has something for everyone.

Not much quilting done this week, finishing up the families tax returns. It is so nice working one job, and as long as the shows stay constant I can do this over the summer. Hello house and quilting. it has been 6 years since I have been able to do a lot of anything other than work.

Have a great weekend an God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I won a Go baby!!!!!

If you like Accuquilt on Facebook, you can enter Friday Fun. Well I did and for some reason today I just had to check out my email on the forum first. Usually I go to the last page and see who won. Well.....this was in my in box:

3/18 Friday Fun Winner

Congratulations! You are today's Friday Fun winner! Please submit the following information to us so we can ship you your GO! Baby Fabric Cutter:

Is this not awesome or what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Instead of 2 people without a Go cutter at the retreat there will be just 1 as I will have one after it arrives.

Long day at the mall today. Not a lot of shoppers. Tomorrow should be a busy day.

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

Northtown Mall Craft fair

There is an craft fair at the Northtown Mall, in Blaine Minnesota this weekend. Lots of cool goodies!!!!!.

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

Pray for Japan

I have been away from the computer and news pretty much all day. I just caught bits and pieces. After watching the news this evening, the devastation is something we just can't fathom. All I can do is Pray and ask for Angels to protect all those who need protection and help in being found.

When something like this happens even though it is far away, it makes us so much more thankful for our family, friends and that we have not had to live through anything as horrendous as what many countries seem to be seeing right now.

God Bless all of you and Keep you safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Craft Fair Blaine Sports Center MN

If your bored this weekend, there is a craft fair at the Blaine Sports Center. I am going to find some new crafty ideas.

So far not working 2 jobs has been interesting. I worked on family projects all last week and this week I have been sick all week with some sort of Virus. Let's see what next week brings. Hopefully the backing on the heart quilt, A log cabin quilt finished (both girls are coming over to finish their quilts next week). They are really close Jen (no blog) and Dusty (no blog) have all their squares almost finished. Good thing my living room is picked up were going to lay out the blocks and see what pattern they would like the log cabin to go.

I have decided to just do one job for now, hopefully my weekend work will continue to blossom and provide all my support.

Only 3 months until my retreat. I am still excited and it is paid for so, when I start looking for work after Easter, I can still go, just need gas money. :)

God is truly doing some amazing things in my life. So far my neck hasn't been off, as far as the dizziness goes. Back still hurts but then I am trying to build up to an hour a day on the Wii, I guess that will do it. So far almost 12 lbs down, trying to make 25 by my God-son's wedding in May.

Have a great day and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Yesterday there were 9 spots left, today 6 now 5

I saw the GO retreat advertised and my wishful thinking was oh how I really, really, really want to GO. WELL....I am GOING!!!!!

I have wanted a GO for a long time. The retreat will give me a chance to learn all about it and see if it will work with my neck problems. Then next fall when I have more extra money I will be able to buy one.

Just an update, since I have not posted in a lonnnnnnnng time. I quit my job, with all the changes and mis-information directed towards me. The stress level was unbelievable. I am now down to 1 job and that is the craft fairs. This will give me a little more time to exercise, focus on spiritual growth (I just keep forgetting to rely on God, for He truly has the best in mind for me), finding my house and QUILTING :). Sometimes we have to let go of something important to move on to bigger and better plans that He has instore for us. Psalm 91 shall become my prayer during the next couple weeks of transition.

I received the most awesome package from The Quilting Pirate. I am still on the road a bit so not sure if I will get a pic uploaded. Thank you for picking me. :)
And on her blog I found the most gorgeous BOM, obviously I am a little behind just finding it today, but have a look.

Not much new in my little center of the Earth, but transition and change is always hard. I have a different kind of anxiety (any prayer would help), as this is the first time I will have to rely on the craft fairs to support me until I find permanent work. The nice thing is in 3 weekends I can make up the difference in pay. LOL just have to stay away from the quilt shops and Joann's on those weekends.

Beautiful day here in Minnesota!!!!!!!!! All that snow (and more on the way)and a bright sunny sky.

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

I am so excited, I know time flies and it will be June before I know it, hopefully the weekend will not pass in a blurrrrrr. I have to remember the camera. :) have a blessed day, for we are servants to all masters to none.

Merry Christmas!!!

I know it is a little early but since I have been so busy with work and now cleaning the house for a party on Jan 2. (I think I may find a little time to put the backing on my Aunts heart quilt. I found something called pond hopper it is sage green with flowers, dragon flies and butterflies. Kind of reminds me of a fairy garden. I think my Aunt will love it. I figured LOL Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends.

We in Minnesota are having way to many Currier and Ives moments, and there is more on the way for Thursday. I think this will be the snowiest December on record, since winter starts officially today.

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

Weekend Snow In!!!!!

Technically I am snowed in at the motel. I chose to stay Friday night so that I could work on Saturday. After finally getting out (I am only a block away from one of the entrances to the mall) of the motel parking lot, I finally arrived at the mall at 11:00 am. The mall actually closed at 3 pm today. Sooooo...... I thought I was smart with my laptop LOL I just realized I have left the plug in at the mall. Hopefully it is still in my booth.

I thought I would share a couple pic from the mall door. The one was actually plowing the parking lot and 2 hours later it still did not look plowed. The other is from the one door the garage door is a loading dock. You can't read the words on the entrance behind it( can't see it barely).Woodbury had 20 inches, Shakopee had 15 inches. Not sure how much I have at home but it has to be similar to what St Paul has.

Well have a great rest of the weekend. I am off the puter until I get back to the mall tomorrow.

God Bless all of YOU!!!!!

Tyler's Quilt

front, back, signature square

I made this quilt in 1997 and finished it in 1998. One never knows the impact of a gift. This year our Christmas party was at dad's motel and the main party was held in Tyler's apartment. The subject of I still have the quilt you made for me and can you fix it. When I make the quilts for people I hope they are used and literally worn out. At one time (pre-divorce) I figured I would be able to make many of them and all the neices and nephews and brothers and sisters and....anyone else who needed one would get one. I figure a quilt is a hug made from love.

I also found out that David, Tyler's brother took the quilt when he left home. Now David loved the quilt as much as Tyler. When Tyler went to visit his brother he found the quilt on David's bed. Well he did what any brother or sister would do...he took it home. I should have gotten a pic of Tyler with the quilt. I know I have one . but it is pre-digital 35 mm and of course I still haven't gotten organized from the painting of the kitchen and sewing room, because I am still working 2 jobs and blah blah. LOL :) (I just have to remember it is in baby steps).

As the story goes that evening when Tyler asked me to fix the spots the quilt is coming apart, he proudly showed me and told his brother see it really is mine. The wording has faded and I will trace over it. It says Made for Tyler by Aunt Kim finished 2/97, given by Uncle Arnie (my ex) 12/97. Now I have to tell you the quilt is a little small now as both boys are 6 feet tall.

Ahhh the memories I remember one little boy Shane cried when he received his quilt, of course he was only 4 or 5. Now it is a prized position. Funny how life turns out.

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

Miller Hill Mall and Finishes for Nov 2010

I did finally finish the last of the fleece quilts. They are for gifts but :) not exactly who they are going to. I saved a fleece one for me but it is a different type of fleece quilt.

If your in Duluth this weekend there is a huge craft fair at the Miller Hill Mall. I am hoping to be there but am not quite sure. Working 2 jobs sometimes I just have to take a weekend off just to regenerate.

I still haven't put the batting and backing on the heart quilt, that should be done over the Christmas break. Mom borrowed me her quilting kit for the Designer 1, I am so excited. I do not think the handiquilter will work with the designer 1 and have not tried to see if the old machine will even sew right now.

Work is busy right now getting the office ready for Tax Season, I am now teaching a second set of tax classes. I did have a job interview 2 weeks ago, but was never called for a second interview. I figure I will just have to work 2 jobs for the tax season and then start looking again in March. Maybe something will open up this spring. There are so many people out of work and unemployment benefits right now. It isn't unusual for an employer to receive 500 applications for 1 job.

Remember this holiday season all those who are silently suffering, remembering those they have lost, memories of happier times. Share a smile with them or call them and let them know your thinking of them, for at this time of year some of them feel all alone, even when surrounded by loved ones.


Well have a great weekend and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!

Finally almost finished

Well it just needs the backing and the batting then it is finished. I can't believe it, it has taken me 5 years to finish this quilt. She will be so happy to get it. Here is a not so great pic of it. Then I am off to bed as it is late. I couldn't get the lighting right but I wanted to share it. I am liking having a little free time. Although I haven't unpacked my suitcase from the last time I was out of town. I figure with the family christmas party this weekend I am just going to leave it packed and add to it. LOL Now I just need the higher paying job to make the traveling more fun and I can venture out and explore the areas rather than stay at the house (when I go to dad's) or the motel.

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

Where did all my posts go!!!!

I am thinking this will be a test, as when I went to view my blog, there was nothing but the added side bar pics.

Just out of curiosity has anyone elses posts disappeared???

Well my last tax class will be on Wednesday. I have been informed I need to teach another one and it will start in 2 weeks. There are still openings if anyone in Minnesota is interested.

On the quilting side :) I think I will get my heart quilt top finished and the last of the two fleece quilts done this week. Then I just have to quilt and bind and lol mail it, unless she comes home over the winter to visit.

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

From Summer to Winter

This is the scene that greeted me this morning. What a pretty sight, what you don't hear are the cracking of the tree branches and the plows. I tried to make it to work today but, by the time the roads were clear enough to travel and with more snow coming in I ended up staying home all day.

I started taking out the sewing machine but instead played catch up with the dishes, I found the kitchen table, took out all these vhs tapes to give to my sis for a family with an autistic son, only to hear my son say lol "keep them". He just doesn't realize I can't keep all this stuff, in order for life to open up new things sometimes the old must be passed on or tossed.

It was not so a relaxing day as I thought but I did get a few things done and a nice dinner made.

So now that I am set up to sew here again, half a table just for me, my puter and sewing machine. Last week I was able to cut out the fabric for my sis's triple irish chain and have just 1.5 borders left to put on my Aunt's heart quilt. I also ripped out the last of the fleece quilts, just have two of those to finish.

Even a tiny bit of progress is hopefull.

I may have a job interview next week. This place has free ice cream on break (not sure if it is every day) and a workout room. The way I see it is you go on break eat the ice cream and then go for a long walk on the treadmill. I don't want to get my hopes up to much but just a tiny bit of income would be ever so nice. I really think I should have full time work. LOL especially if I want to live in the style I want to be accustomed to, and I live very simply just have a few expensive habits like food, shelter, LOL.

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

Computer Issues

I have been trying to post to my blog, but the computer has decided not to give me a publish button on blogger. I have a pic of the almost finished heart quilt and will load pic as soon as I can get the dang thing to work. Although I haven't prayed over it or sent it Reikii yet, Best buy thinks I need to bring it in. I deleted the one virus and the new virus program messed it up. I can't publish here and my facebook page comes up blank.

And I really wanted to win the Go that was being given away today on another blog. Oh Well!!!! Maybe I will get lucky and get full time work so that I can get caught up on the bills and buy myself (well after I buy my kidlets and the grandkidlets pressies) a pressie!!!!

And did I tell you when AccuQuilt sent out the questionairre on a part time position demonstrating the GO, they really liked my quilting skills and asked me to send an application in. I figure it will be awhile before I hear anything as they are just back from Market (be awesome to go to Quilt Market one day, to bad mom and dad don't go to Texas until after it is over).

My Posting will be sporadic until I figure out what my puter is doing, although my son will let me use his and I have the dinosaur desktop which might work as well.

Well have a great day, thank you for stopping by and God Bless all of YOU!!!!!

I won I won lol just a little bragging!!!!!

Thank you so much for the chance to win your prizes. :)

I won these really cool patterns from Quilter's showcase aren't they just adorable

.

She is having another giveaway this week as well. Quilter's Showcase

I also won the hop into Fall blog hop giveaway at The Quilting Pirate. I have put the link so you can see the pictures of what I have won. The patterns are so cute. I love the kitty fabric. When the prize arrives, sometimes I get so busy, it is better to post my thank you' s right away.

Tonight it is so windy. The weather channel said this storm is worse than the one that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior back in the '70's. We have an record setting barometric pressure, with hurricane force winds. This is really eerie. I heard a crack but did not hear the tree fall. My son went out back to check, so far no down trees in our yard. I may have to stay up way past my bedtine every time I hear the cracking of the branches. The trees are only next to the house on 2 sides but the other sides the top will reach the house if they fall. I guess this is the spot where I ask the angels to put a cover over my house where my roomate and son and I sleep. (I am such a Wuss).

We lost cable around 10:00pm, which wasn't good as I wanted to watch the news for a story on a family from Minneapolis who the father and 3 of the sons went down in a plane. The news was going to show the recovery efforts on what they will do to try and track down the plane. So far we have electricity, but I did get the oil lamps out just in case, the power is out in several areas all around us (Linwood, East Bethel). My son also said if it goes out nothing will happen until morning to fix it. Not much to read by LOL but if the flame is high enough it can be done.

Still no full time employment on the horizon but there is another job that has opened up a little over an hour south of me. It takes awhile on some of the county jobs, because they have the test date, the job isn't available for interviews until after the testing is completed.

I did apply to accuquilt to be a demonstrator. Talk about a fun job!!!! I will just have to make sure I leave most of my money at home. The quilt store I picked up my shop hop prize from August had an end of bolt sale and if you took it all it was 2 dollars a yard. I bought a cute pattern instead of the fabric. Since I forgot my suitcase at home and was staying at my dad's all weekend I ended up going to the Goodwill and buying a change of clothes. The Goodwill has come a long ways. Some of the clothes I looked at still had the tags on from the store that donated them. Remember to support your local charity by shopping at the thrift store. Lots of cute clothes for next to nothing prices. The tan and green labels were only a dollar that day.

My sewing room is starting to take shape, I will post pic when it is done (I was to embarrassed to take before pic 6 years of working 2 or 3 jobs well...you get the picture.) right now I only have 1 day a week to work on it. Seems the others are taken care of by 2 days at work, 3 days working the craft fair, 1 day vegetating and trying to get caught up and 1 day of running errands and gone all day with the magnetics.

I am trying a new chiropractor, say lots of prayers, the anxiety is rampant. I am hoping this will help, I don't want to be comfortable for the rest of my life, so I am seeking and looking for alternatives. When he said disk degeneration though I am a little nervous for the 1st appointment on Thursday. God has a way of helping us through all of this. He blessed me abundantly with the prizes and another blessing that I messed up royally. But He still loves me.

I also looked at the preview and seems blogger is showing no paragraphs, so if it is all messed up. LOL I did double check the spacing. So strange the things we have no control over which really bug us. Guess this is God's way of saying RELAX!!! something hard for me to do.

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

It is now Wednesday :) and a new giveaway

Hard to believe it is Wednesday already. Well just barely it is actually 12:34 am. I really should be in bed, but....then I talked to Mom on the phone, I straightened up her blog,( looks quite nice actually), and then she came back online...well you know what that means...I had to show her, her blog and chat a little more. I am so thankful that I still have both my parents. They are such fun people. Mom and I quilt and hang out, Dad and I do the craft fairs. I am so blessed. Then my son went out on an emt call so I of course had to wait up for him. Well now he has gone back to bed and mom has gone to bed... wish I could be an early to bedder and early riser.

Well the job search is slow. God keeps closing the doors and opening new venues to put my resume out there. I am just about done taking the county tests, will see if that leads to a job. So far the one that is open is 2.5 hours from home. Definitely be a new adventure there. On the upside my students are doing really well, They are a great group of people. Midterms will be due around October 18th, that is 3 completed (on paper) tax returns. I only have a couple that have no experience at all, the others have either done their own taxes or were prior employees of the company I work for.

Glenna over at Hollyhock Quilts is having a awesome giveaway for some Moda precuts. Seems she has an abundance and is going to bless soneone or someone's with some beautiful precuts. I would love to win that.

I actually won a prize from one of the bloghops. This is a book from Canton Village and it has the most awesome patterns in it. I haven't received it yet. I did the blog hop when I was doing my mini retreat at my dad's on the September 1st post. I showed the book to my sis and told her she (she is a libarian - need spell check here-) has to have this book for her library.

No finishes for September was just to busy. I am finally getting most of the boxes out of the living room. My sewing room is being filled with all the sewing goodies and fabric. Did you know the pants hangers will hold a quilt that is not batted. It will be so awesome having everything in one area. Hopefully no more lost blocks and I will find the ones I have misplaced when it is organized.

Well kidlets it is time to go to bed, unless one more person wants to chat. I don't have to work until 5pm today so I can stay up a tiny bit later but I do see the sandman around the corner.

I had a busy Saturday at the Stone Lake Cranberry Festival. Lot of people there, such a beautiful drive. As I was going down a hill Dad called and said look to the left sure enough there was a big black bear!!!!! To bad I had someone on my tail or I would have been able to pull over and take a picture. But!!!! I did get some really pretty scenery shots, sun wasn't shining but most turned out ok. Will post them when I am not falling asleep. (lol time to hit the hay)

Have a great Wednesday and God Bless All of YOU!!!!!!
Yall come back now ya here. :)

Go giveaway's Halloween and Edge blog hops!!!!

I am hopping are you????
Both are starting next week.

I would love to win a GO!!!!!

It is Monday and a Giveaway

Jaybird is sponsoring a giveaway.

It is definitely Monday. Mistakes, problems and just plain flustering day. So glad it is over. Teaching the tax classes is coming along, just seems to take time to train them in on the computer program.

On the upside though my spare bedroom has been painted and is just awaiting the arrival of all the fabric that is stored at this moment in the living room. I also have tons of boxes I am going through to de-clutter. I just pray that I will get rid of all that I will never use as someone else may enjoy it more. :)

Well God Bless all of you and have a great day. I am off to bed, I am like my children tonight when they have a bad day, CRABBY!!!!!!, so I am sending myself to my room. :)

Giveaway

Chris over at We Love Quilting is having a early Halloween giveaway.

Prayer request and my weekend away

Please pray for my friend's son Zack he was stationed over seas and has been injured, they are not sure if he will be able to stay in the (I think he is in the Army) service. Pray for healing and that God will send an angel to hold Leanne through this trying time. Better yet maybe I will just say the prayer here:

Dear Lord, Bless Zack and hold him in the palm of your hand, guide the surgeons, dr's and nurses to give him the best care and treatment he needs. Hold the family especially Leanne in your care, give them strength in everything as they are miles apart from each other. It is every mother's nightmare to receive any call such as this. Calm the fears, sending angels to tend to all of their needs.

Thank you Jesus for your truly are the great healer and none of us know when we will be called home, knowing you are there for us is a great comfort when we realize it is your will not mine.

AMEN!!!!

Also if you have time please pray for my sister (she has a son and has not been able to find full time work for a long time) and I we are desparately trying to find jobs. I have an interview next week, but alas it is part time not full time, and will conflict greatly with my craft fairs on the weekends. As it is not a real high paying job I will still have to work 2 jobs to make ends meet.

I have a family member who is also stationed somewhere (lol confidential) and we all worry about him as well.

As for my weekend retreat I really needed this. I have the quilt top for my aunt almost finished. I shouldn't have turned on the computer but....I am weak, and needed a break. It has been fascinating watching the storm clouds roll over the lake. Sometimes in the evening around dusk it is like a fog rolls in and I can't see the light house then all of a sudden in the distance I can see the light beconing safety. My sister also came down from Silver Bay for a little crafting time(she makes cards) and she made SMOOTHIES they were just YUMMY!!!! Strawberry, cherry, blueberry, raspberry (dad did say I could eat anything), raspberry yogurt. When they were finished I told her I like the strawberry hot fudge sundae at DQ, so....it needed chocolate and lo and behold there was chocolate in his fridge. They were so good and we had so much fun!!!!!! Now if I can organize a sister/mom event with my siblings up here....thinking smoothies will be on the menu.

I also saw a yearling and later in the evening saw 2 does and the yearling, It was awesome. I was able to come within 3 car lengths from them. Actually I just walked really slowly to the end of the deck. Would have pic but I had left the phone and camera in the house.

Well as all good things must come to an end tomorrow I will set up and do the early bird part of the show, but on the way I am taking some fabric to exchange to the quilt store in Floodwood. This fabric was damaged and we didn't find out until we brought it home. Actually it is my mom's but I will be buying 2 yards for me exchanging her and getting a yard for my sister. It is so cool a batik with loons, pine trees and the words Lake Superior written on it.

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

Remember we are all special in His eyes.

August Finishes and my special retreat weekend and a giveaway

I finished just two embroidered towels for the month of August.

I am also bringing two projects to finish then it will be off to a show. It is not really a retreat but I will be staying at my dads and enjoying a wonderful view of Lake Superior. Should be a creative rest of the week. Then on the weekend I will be working at Wild Rice Days.

With the summer being so busy, I am taking just a couple of days of quiet time.

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

Canton Village Is having a giveaway. Star Struck just beautiful.

And The Winners Are!!!!!!

What a beautiful day here in Minnesota. Only problem is it going to be almost 90 degrees today. So I am just taking a lazy day. I have been thinking of sewing but just have not gotten around to actually picking out a project.

Have a great week, congratulations to the winners and God Bless everyone. :)

Only 3 people have entered the drawing, so I have blessed them all.









Allie is the grand prize winner of the beautiful Sunrise pattern.





Jeanette is the winner of a pattern I have just purchased called Snow Mamma and Little Flake table runner.










Stephie is the winner of some cute little cat stickers and an angel rubber stamp.

Giveaway's

Awesome scrap giveaway at Melissa's.

Another scrapbooking giveaway at Creative Cowgirls blog.

What a beautiful day here in MN 6pm and it is 73 degrees with very low humidity. Tomorrow I am going to make a date with my sewing machine and try to finish a ufo for my aunt.

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

AccuQuilt Giveaway

There is an awesome giveaway at Canton Village Quiltworks. She is giving away an AccuQuilt.

I would love to win one of these cutters. They are so awesome.

I have been doing a bit of stitching when it is slow at the craft fairs. Only problem is I get tired of the ones that take forever so I ended up starting a cute little snowman for a table runner pattern. Hopefully this fall I will be able to start doing some seriously sewing and quilting. Seems my fabric is ganging up on me and the spare room is just a walkway until I am home long enough to pull it all out, reorganize as well as toss and keep what I need.

Been awfully hot here again but looks like the geese are starting to gather, which means fall is in the air. Blanket weather and very good sleeping.

Hopefully soon I will get caught up on all my pic to post. I have the Minnesota quilt shop hop, the package I won from...and I so apologize I am so tired I just can't remember. A couple of finishes I actually remembered to take a pic of. Nothing spectacular but they are cute (a couple of dishtowels).

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

Giveaway

Jaybird is having a wonderful giveaway in conjunction with Fat Quarter Shop.

My Summer

It has been a very interesting summer doing shows and fairs. I had to be creative with working only one day a week.

This summer I went to Wisconsin, Iowa and did shows in Minnesota. I also did the Minnesota Quilt Shop Hop was so much fun I took several photos of quilts and patterns I would like to buy when I have the money and time to work on a lot of crafty things.

I have several more pictures and have not had a chance to take many at the Brown County Fair. There are several beautiful quilts in the building. I will have to post the pictures later.

Also don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY, sometime after Labor Day I will do the draw. This is my last fair, I am still looking for regular work as well, but will have a little bit of a break.


Wyoming 2010, I went through hot beautiful weather on the way out there and then on the way back was nothing but rain on the way home and snow over Powder River Pass. It is so pretty up there when it snows but even though it was June it was cold with the snow








Corn Palace Mitchell SD, I love this place. It has a different design every year and all done out of corn husks.

Not Much happened at the Crow Wing County fair. The square dancers didn't show up. But I got all my favorite vendor friends to pose, Mike in the bottom row didn't want his pic taken. This was a unique trip I stayed in the camper with no running water and out in the middle of nowhere. My sis borrowed me her lantern so I could at least have light when I went back to the camper every night. I had a 45 min drive every night.

Shop Hop

Shop Hop

Shop Hop

More Blue Earth County Fair pic the quilt on the far left was made by a 4H girl who told me all about it.

Scott County Fair

Wisconsin Dells Car Show

Wisconsin Dairy Fest

This is a real Amish cart the horse was not parked near the festival buildings. The Amish like the magnetics.

Wyoming to see my grandson
We had so much fun.

Amana Iowa Cajun Fest

Blue Earth County Fair

Virginia Minnesota Mall Show

I have tried to get the pic to go in a line but always one that doesn't work, the titles are pretty close to the pictures.

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

People, the fair and tornado's OH MY!!!!

Around 6:30 this evening at the Sherburne county fair where I have a booth, the tornado sirens went off. As we prepared for evacuation, the fair committee said this was a mistake and it was for a different area of the county. About a half hour later over the loud speaker we hear: please evacuate the fair grounds, in an orderly fashion.

This is the 2nd time this has happened in my craft fair history. The last time I was in a tent, this time in a pole barn. I had 5 min to get my tent down (my son the fireman, sister, future daughter in law, and a couple of the firemen (son's friends) helped tear down the tent and throw everything all went in the car, this time I cleared off my tables, walked to the car and tried to find the government center or fire department (thank you to the Sherburne Cty Sheriff's department for the wonderful directions). Because it was booster day they had bingo in the community center, some crafts and food, this time I was either in a hall way or room with chairs. Nothing spectacular happened when I left the community center for Booster days, but...when we (there were quite a few of us) left the government center the sight was a double rainbow.

My son was with us during the last storm, this one I just stopped at the fire station (they had to report and stay as long as the danger was there) and told him I just wanted to let you know I am ok. I also said the thing we need to say more to each other as life can be taken in an instant...I Love YOU. I was reminded even though we were in danger God was in control, everything just seemed to fall in place, and He protected all of us.

G0d really works in strange ways one of my fellow vendors said do you suppose the rainbow means something and I just smiled and said YES - it means everything is going to be ok.

So much for my excitement for the day.

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