Now that Christmas is over, I can share the quilts I made for Christmas gifts this year. :o)

For Haley and Jason...

For Brooklyn's Grandma Loretta....

For Brooklyn's Daddy and Mommy...

Now that Christmas is over, I can share the quilts I made for Christmas gifts this year. :o)

For Haley and Jason...

For Brooklyn's Grandma Loretta....

For Brooklyn's Daddy and Mommy...

Christmas in Virginia

We left the day after Christmas at 2:00 am and began a 19 hour journey to VA to visit Haley and Jason. We had bad weather heading out and it was iffy at one point in IL if we were going to have to turn back and come back home, but God was merciful, the weather cleared up and the rest of the trip was uneventful. It was wonderful having all my kids together again. :o)

A few highlights from our whirlwind trip...

Sunspots Studio - We watched an artist make blown glass ornaments and a drinking glass. Amazing!

P Buckley Moss museum - I purchased this darling print called, "Lambs, lambs, lambs."

Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house -  The view was breathtaking!

Shopping at Short Pump Mall - And getting to meet my Swappie sister, Elaine.

And my precious children...

And, one more important addition...My new grand dog, Mr. Huey Biggens. Holden adopted one of Haley's basset hound pups. He is the sweetest thing ever!

We left the day after Christmas at 2:00 am and began a 19 hour journey to VA to visit Haley and Jason. We had bad weather heading out and it was iffy at one point in IL if we were going to have to turn back and come back home, but God was merciful, the weather cleared up and the rest of the trip was uneventful. It was wonderful having all my kids together again. :o)

A few highlights from our whirlwind trip...

Sunspots Studio - We watched an artist make blown glass ornaments and a drinking glass. Amazing!

P Buckley Moss museum - I purchased this darling print called, "Lambs, lambs, lambs."

Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house -  The view was breathtaking!

Shopping at Short Pump Mall - And getting to meet my Swappie sister, Elaine.

And my precious children...

And, one more important addition...My new grand dog, Mr. Huey Biggens. Holden adopted one of Haley's basset hound pups. He is the sweetest thing ever!

Yesterday Liz and I took a road trip to the big city to meet up with Brooklyn. Do you think she liked her Christmas present?

My hubby, being the sweetest man on earth, filled my car with gas and programed my destination in his new toy....a Garmin Nuvi. When he first purchased Mr. Jack Garmin, as I have come to affectionally call it, I thought it was silly, but I have since changed my mind. He...It...Whatever...is awesome!! I know how fast I am driving, my ETA, and where the closest fabric store is. All kinds of important things. Mr. Garmin is very smart. Mr. Garmin says he likes my van better than Russ' SUV. Just sayin'...I do have one small, teensy issue with Mr Garmin. When he gives me my directions, he tells me to turn left or right, but he doesn't clarify which of my lefts or rights he is talking about. Is it my left-left or my right-left or my right-right or my right-left?? Yes, I am on of those that gets my lefts and rights mixed up. I'm pretty hopeless in that department. Even so, Mr. Garmin got Liz and I to our destination and we had a wonderful time with Brooklyn and her family....

However....

We did have one small, teeny, tiny incident at the mall. It's almost not worth mentioning, but I will. :o) It was potty break time. Liz and I were jibber-jabbering down the mall hallway on the way to the ladies room. We were admiring each other's newly flat ironed hair, thanks to a lovely young lady who was trying (and failed I might add) to persuade us to buy her steal-of-a-deal $99 ceramic flatiron. Into the doorway and around the corner we go, with me in the lead and suddenly I stop dead in my tracks. I take a look at where I am....My eyes pop outta my head and I twirl around to head the other way...quickly like...You know, so as not to look conspicuous, but it was too late...I lead Liz straight into the mens room!! How did I know I was in the mens room?? There was a poor older man using the facilities. We both fell into hysterics and laughed so hard at ourselves that I washed the "waterproof" mascara right off my lashes!! Our antics had gathered a crowd outside of the women's restroom....Okay, it was only one man, and not the one I interrupted in the mens room, but he was looking at us with a bemused expression on his face.  I have a feeling he knew about our faux pas...

I'm fully convinced that even Mr. Garmin couldn't have saved us from such an embarrassing and much needed time of laughter...

Yesterday Liz and I took a road trip to the big city to meet up with Brooklyn. Do you think she liked her Christmas present?

My hubby, being the sweetest man on earth, filled my car with gas and programed my destination in his new toy....a Garmin Nuvi. When he first purchased Mr. Jack Garmin, as I have come to affectionally call it, I thought it was silly, but I have since changed my mind. He...It...Whatever...is awesome!! I know how fast I am driving, my ETA, and where the closest fabric store is. All kinds of important things. Mr. Garmin is very smart. Mr. Garmin says he likes my van better than Russ' SUV. Just sayin'...I do have one small, teensy issue with Mr Garmin. When he gives me my directions, he tells me to turn left or right, but he doesn't clarify which of my lefts or rights he is talking about. Is it my left-left or my right-left or my right-right or my right-left?? Yes, I am on of those that gets my lefts and rights mixed up. I'm pretty hopeless in that department. Even so, Mr. Garmin got Liz and I to our destination and we had a wonderful time with Brooklyn and her family....

However....

We did have one small, teeny, tiny incident at the mall. It's almost not worth mentioning, but I will. :o) It was potty break time. Liz and I were jibber-jabbering down the mall hallway on the way to the ladies room. We were admiring each other's newly flat ironed hair, thanks to a lovely young lady who was trying (and failed I might add) to persuade us to buy her steal-of-a-deal $99 ceramic flatiron. Into the doorway and around the corner we go, with me in the lead and suddenly I stop dead in my tracks. I take a look at where I am....My eyes pop outta my head and I twirl around to head the other way...quickly like...You know, so as not to look conspicuous, but it was too late...I lead Liz straight into the mens room!! How did I know I was in the mens room?? There was a poor older man using the facilities. We both fell into hysterics and laughed so hard at ourselves that I washed the "waterproof" mascara right off my lashes!! Our antics had gathered a crowd outside of the women's restroom....Okay, it was only one man, and not the one I interrupted in the mens room, but he was looking at us with a bemused expression on his face.  I have a feeling he knew about our faux pas...

I'm fully convinced that even Mr. Garmin couldn't have saved us from such an embarrassing and much needed time of laughter...

Let's face it....Life is hard. In the background scenes of my life, I am going through a time where I am learning to trust God at a whole new level. I know that Amanda's family is, too. On this side of the Master's plan, it looks like a mess. Things look "wrong", but things are not always what they seem when God is doing His work. May today's Grace Gem bless you as it has me...

"He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around Him." John 13:4-5

"What I am doing, you do not understand now--but afterwards you will understand." John 13:7

At this time Peter did not know why the Messiah he really needed--was a Messiah with basin and towel. He was thinking of a Messiah with throne and crown and scepter and earthly pomp! He did not understand it--until after the blood of Calvary had been shed. Christ referred to these days by "afterwards."

This saying of Christ, however, may be used in a much wider sense. There are a great many things that He does, which at the time we cannot understand; yet in due time--all of them will become clear. As they appear to us, while we are passing through them, they are unfinished acts; when the work is completed--it will appear beautiful. This is especially true of many mysterious providences in our lives. One time Jacob thought and said, "All these things are against me!" But he lived to see that the very things which he thought were against him--were really all working together for his good.

So it is always, in the providences of God with His own people. "We know that all things work together for good, to those who love God."

The back side of a tapestry appears to be a mystery of tangle and confusion--but there is a beautiful picture on the other side. Just so--we are looking at our lives, largely on the back side. We cannot see the Master's plan--until 'afterwards'.

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

Let's face it....Life is hard. In the background scenes of my life, I am going through a time where I am learning to trust God at a whole new level. I know that Amanda's family is, too. On this side of the Master's plan, it looks like a mess. Things look "wrong", but things are not always what they seem when God is doing His work. May today's Grace Gem bless you as it has me...

"He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around Him." John 13:4-5

"What I am doing, you do not understand now--but afterwards you will understand." John 13:7

At this time Peter did not know why the Messiah he really needed--was a Messiah with basin and towel. He was thinking of a Messiah with throne and crown and scepter and earthly pomp! He did not understand it--until after the blood of Calvary had been shed. Christ referred to these days by "afterwards."

This saying of Christ, however, may be used in a much wider sense. There are a great many things that He does, which at the time we cannot understand; yet in due time--all of them will become clear. As they appear to us, while we are passing through them, they are unfinished acts; when the work is completed--it will appear beautiful. This is especially true of many mysterious providences in our lives. One time Jacob thought and said, "All these things are against me!" But he lived to see that the very things which he thought were against him--were really all working together for his good.

So it is always, in the providences of God with His own people. "We know that all things work together for good, to those who love God."

The back side of a tapestry appears to be a mystery of tangle and confusion--but there is a beautiful picture on the other side. Just so--we are looking at our lives, largely on the back side. We cannot see the Master's plan--until 'afterwards'.

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book--a Year's Daily Readings")

Cheers for Amanda

Cheers for Amanda

 As I told Amy, the worst part of the bag was putting on the fringe. The best part of the bag is the fringe.

 As I told Amy, the worst part of the bag was putting on the fringe. The best part of the bag is the fringe.

Today my daddy brought me box and said, "I want you to have this..." It was all I could do to not bawl like a baby when I looked in the box.  For as long as I can remember, this sweet tree has been part of the Christmas decorating of my childhood home. I thought she was long gone....

Here she is in all her glory. She makes me smile on this snowy, wintery day.

Today my daddy brought me box and said, "I want you to have this..." It was all I could do to not bawl like a baby when I looked in the box.  For as long as I can remember, this sweet tree has been part of the Christmas decorating of my childhood home. I thought she was long gone....

Here she is in all her glory. She makes me smile on this snowy, wintery day.

We have a winter storm warning in effect for our area. They are predicting 9"-12" of the white stuff. We have the cupboards filled with food, the snowblower ready to go and I have a sewing project all ready for me to start. Amy, a young mom from church, asked me if I would make her a diaper bag. After scouring the internet, I found a free pattern and tutorial on Sew Much Ado. We met at the fabric store and had a ball trying to decide what fabric she wanted as her bag. I think she made a great choice...I'm anxious to start working on it!

We have a winter storm warning in effect for our area. They are predicting 9"-12" of the white stuff. We have the cupboards filled with food, the snowblower ready to go and I have a sewing project all ready for me to start. Amy, a young mom from church, asked me if I would make her a diaper bag. After scouring the internet, I found a free pattern and tutorial on Sew Much Ado. We met at the fabric store and had a ball trying to decide what fabric she wanted as her bag. I think she made a great choice...I'm anxious to start working on it!

Tis the season...

...to be busy. Fa la la la la la la la la la

Most of the Christmas shopping is done. I'm waiting on a package or two to arrive in the mail. After they get here I'll wrap them up repackage them, along with the other things I've purchased and send them off to some of my favorite people. Yeah!!

We have a major snow storm heading our way. We are expecting 8-10 inches! Today will be spent getting prepared to be snowed in. I have some sewing projects planned. Being snowed in is a perfect time to settle in and sew. :o)

...to be busy. Fa la la la la la la la la la

Most of the Christmas shopping is done. I'm waiting on a package or two to arrive in the mail. After they get here I'll wrap them up repackage them, along with the other things I've purchased and send them off to some of my favorite people. Yeah!!

We have a major snow storm heading our way. We are expecting 8-10 inches! Today will be spent getting prepared to be snowed in. I have some sewing projects planned. Being snowed in is a perfect time to settle in and sew. :o)

The first snow of the season is so magical. :o)

The first snow of the season is so magical. :o)