Sunday---Precious Promises

Merry Christmas

Sunday---Precious Promises on Monday

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, 

during the time when Herod was king. 

 Soon afterward, some men who studied the stars 

came from the East to Jerusalem and asked, 

"Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews?  

We saw his star when it came up in the east, 

and we have come to worship him."

Matthew 2: 1-2, Good News Bible

Sleep Deprived

Sleep deprived, sick Short Stuff and it's snowing outside.  My past two days have been crazy.  Friday night, I'm not sure why I just could not sleep.  Nothing on my mind--just could not get to sleep.  Saturday was a day of big plans and they were great.  We took Short Stuff to see the Air-Force Band Christmas Concert.  It was wonderful, he had a good time.  At the end of the concert they called up all the children to conduct the band in Jingle Bells.  Short Stuff did great and felt really special.  Fixed a fun dinner and we all settled in--for what I thought would be a quiet evening of sleep for me.  Wrong!!  At about 12:30 Short Stuff comes in our room crying his ear hurt.  I spent the rest of the evening doing ear first aid.  Maybe, 3 hours sleep add to my 4 hours the night before.  I'm feeling great.  Urgent Care opened at 8:00 this morning, we were the first in line.  With it being a weekend and St. Louis is scheduled to have up to 4" of snow today and tomorrow, I knew we had to get that ear taken care of ASAP.  Entered Urgent Care with a temp and a ear pain, left with no temp and feeling like his old self.  He's had a breakfast, now watching TV and had a dose of his meds.  I'm making a pot of Chili and letting it simmer, then heading for my recliner and I hope some shut eye.
Hope you have a great Sunday.  Familypatchworks Happiness!

Sunday---Precious Promises

The Lord gives strength

to his people

and blesses them with peace.

Psalms 29:11, Good News Bible

Sunday---Precious Promises

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

By understanding He established the heavens.

Proverbs 3:19

Shop Restock

With the gift giving season upon us and with my personal ongoing downsizing projects, I have decided to restock my shop.  I have a handful of Mini Quilts that need new homes.  Perfect for that little something for someone special.  I have given many of my little quilts to friends as Mug Mats, Blessing Flags/Prayer Flags, and Knob Ornaments.  

All orders will be mailed the next day, with the last day for delivery before Christmas being Thursday, December 19, 2019.  I offer Free Shipping and all items are $15.00 or less.  You can click on Patchworks Shop button on the side bar to go directly to my Etsy shop.  Thanks for stopping by the shop and as always Happy Quilting!

I Don't Have That Soup

Have you ever had an idea for dinner and when you looked in the pantry,  you didn't have the ingredients the recipe called for?  Well, that's what happen to me tonight.  It is cold, damp and windy outside and I thought soup would be perfect.  I looked up two recipes on Pinterest and had a good idea about what I was going to put together.  Didn't happen.  I ended up combining and substituting to come up with a really good Chicken Soup. It had a Chicken and Dumpling taste.

32oz. Chicken Broth

Cooked Chicken (left over from a Crock Pot meal)

1 Carrot sliced

1 cup Frozen Peas -- Didn't have Celery

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup -- Didn't have Cream of Cheddar

1 can Skim Milk -- Didn't have Evaporated Milk

Parsley to taste

Pepper to taste

1/3 cup Instant Rice

Hand full of Egg Noodles -- Didn't have another  1/3 cup rice

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until veggies, rice & noodles are ready to serve.

I made a fresh fruit salad and Hawaiian Wheat Dinner Rolls.  Everyone loved it.  May try that again.

Familypatchworks Happiness!

Sunday--Precious Promises

Quilt National 2019

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed a small family dinner and lots of football.  Short Stuff is now a #1 Football Fan.  Of course, that does not bother hubby at all.  Today,  we decided to go to Quilt National 2019.  I love seeing all the wonderful art quilts.  Short Stuff was with us.  The plan was for hubby and Short Stuff  to do a child friendly activity while I admire the quilts.
The quilt show was wonderful and I highly recommend seeing it, if near you.  The child friendly activity turned into hubby waiting in the parking lot with a sleeping Short Stuff.  We were able to drive through the quaint Old Town St. Charles and Short Stuff woke up and was able to see all the street activities that go on during this time before Christmas.   Short Stuff is still coughing.  The insurance card is now active again--so a doctor's appointment may be in the works for next week.  Familypatchworks Happiness!

Sunday---Precious Promises

The light of God surrounds you;

The love of God enfolds you;

The power of God protects you;

The presence of God watches over you;

Wherever you are, God is!

I've always loved these words,

my Grandmother sent them on a little piece

of paper to my Father when he entered 

WWII

I still have that little piece of paper

Found--Feed Sack

With the help of a quilting friend, I found some feed sack fabric.  I've started my project of repairing  my Grandmother's Double Wedding Ring quilt.  I've run across some of the feed sack fabric that brought back a memory.
My family always spent Christmas at my Grandparents farm.  It was a magical place.  Grandpa would cut down a Christmas tree from the woods.  Grandma was a seamstress for Rawlings Sporting Goods, St. Louis, MO (back in the day).  So she could do unbelievable things with scissors, fabric and thread.  Anyway, she would cut from magazines and entire winter scene made of paper.  She would put together a village under the tree.  I remember it being so unique, as a child I could sit for hours creating stories around her little village.  One Christmas my Grandparents gave me twin dolls and Grandma made them both a matching wardrobe of clothes.  Some of that feed sack is in this quilt.  My Grandmother was great as she would say "making something out of nothing".
Wishing you a great weekend and Happy Quilting!

Have You Ever Had One Of Those Days?

Yesterday was one of those days for me.  I don't think I ever had one so crazy in a very long time.  First, of all I had my day planned (in my mind).  Maybe my first mistake.  About 5:30am, Son knocks on the bedroom door, telling me that he thinks Short Stuff needs to go to the doctor, for a cough that he has had for a couple of days.  He tells me he will call.  Personally, I think it's allergies and will run its course.  Short Stuff has no fever and is acting just fine.  Coughing every once in a while.  So, here goes the day.

*Pick up, clean bathrooms, dust, make beds, vacuum, sort clothes and put in one load of laundry.  Because at 1:00 an appraiser is schedule to arrive to appraise the house.
*9:00am Realize I have not heard from Son, so text him about the doctor's appointment.  He says "can you do it".  Fuming a little, I make the appointment for 10:20.
*I had sold a Christmas Ornament and was packaging it for the mail, when I drop it and it breaks
*Then while trying to email the person about the broken ornament.  I get a phone call.  Breaks my train of thought.
*Look at the clock it is 10:00.  Hustle Short Stuff to the car and we are off.  Half way there I realize I did not download and copy his health insurance card.  His Dad has a crazy policy that has to be renewed every couple of months.  It is always a pain.  Anyway, no card--I'm just hoping the one on file will work.
*Wrong, the card does not work.  I'm totally frustrated, besides my arthritic knee is starting to pain me.  I make an appointment for 1:00, thinking I will just run off that card and we will be good.  Also called appraiser to see if we can change times.  Now he is coming at 4:00.
*Then we, run to the Post Office to mail some packages and stop by grocery for a couple of items.
*Get home, log on to the website.  Son's insurance ran out 2 days ago, and of course the reminder was over looked.  So, now I have to cancel the 1:00 appointment.  I'm so thankful Short Stuff was not horribly sick.
*Appraiser arrives, fix a light dinner for just Short Stuff and I--everyone else is working.  By this time my knee is feeling awful.  I'm feeling awful.  Short Stuff is yawning, it's 5:45pm.
*So I make the decision that neither of us can handle being vertical any longer.  Short Stuff takes a shower, brushes his teeth, takes some cough meds (over the counter), we read a book, he has his evening snack and is in bed watching PBSKids.
*I put on my pj's, let the dog outside for her evening run of the back yard, dog comes in, jumps in bed with the now sleeping Short Stuff.
*I texted my hubby and told him of my day and that I was going to bed.  It's 6:30pm!  Familypatchwork Happiness!

Life is a Patchwork

First photo posted August, 2009

I started this little blog in 2009.  I wanted to keep a journal of all my quilting activities.  I've done that and continue to do that, but things have changed in 10 years.  Besides being older.  I'm having to reinvent myself.  Ever been in that position?
Hubby and I both retired months apart in 2007.  Did some traveling, enjoyed meals out with friends, shopping, evenings at the theater.  Just nice retirement activity.  But, it doesn't last forever and life is a patchwork of ever changing parts .

In 2014 our Grandson Short Stuff was born.  Our first and probably our only.  We were so very excited and of course he is wonderful.  We baby sat a lot.  In fact, at times he was with us more than his parents.  His parents were trying to make a go of this new family and they were both struggling.  So, Hubby and I stepped in whenever we were needed to take some of the pressure off his parents.  But, as time went by we noticed that the new family was not doing well.  Our life started to center round Short Stuff more and more.  The new family did not make it and in 2017 Mom and Dad shared joint custody.  Which really meant when Short Stuff was with Dad (our son), he really was with us.  Dad was trying to start his own business and was always on the job. We worked out an arrangement. Hubby and I took on the role of substitute parents.

As time went by and our home started to become to large, the upkeep just to much.  We decided to downsize.  Was that ever a job.  You can check it out in my earlier posts starting around February 2019.  We are now located in a smaller 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch with a privacy fence yard (which the dog loves).  The place is just easy.  Easy is what we all need now.  As our life style changed dramatically in June of this year.  After a long illness our Grandson's Mother passed away.  It was a shock to everyone.  Now our son has total custody of Short Stuff and they have moved into our little 3 bedroom ranch.  Even though our larger house in the woods would have been more spacious for 2 families, we did not have the access to the many activities a growing child needs.  Short Stuff is now able to play with the neighborhood children, walk to the bus stop and enjoy soccer, swimming and T-ball easily.

Life for me has changed.  I'm now a Mom again.  The everyday schedule and activities for Short Stuff is left up to me.  Arthritis has crept into my life these last 10 years, but running after a 5 year old keeps the old joints moving--sore, but moving.

 Familypatchworks has now taken on a new meaning.  Oh, I'm still quilting, but now I'm reworking myself and this little blog/journal.  So expect to see more conversation about raising a Grandchild, easy kid friendly meals, play dates, and living a not so quiet life after the age of 70.  Our family is a true patchwork of change and adjustments.   Familypatchwork Happiness!

It Sold!!

The closing bids have been posted and our Lydia Circle quilt sold for $450.00.  The high bidder had seen a photo of this same quilt in a magazine, admired it, walked into the church hall and there it was.  How great for her and wonderful for us.  We also had 3 Whole Cloth baby quilts that sold for $45.00 each.  Our stitches netted us $585.00 for missions.  It has been a good year.  Looking forward to another great quilting season.  Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Now who will harm you

 if you are eager 

to do what is good?

1 Peter 3:13

Lord Jesus we trust your word 

and instructions. 

May our lives reveal your

love and grace.

Amen

On Display

Each year the quilting group at my church, Lydia Circle,  offers a quilt for silent auction at the annual Turkey Dinner and Bazzar.  This year our offering is a queen size Double Irish Chain and Star quilt in Red and White.  Perfect for the holidays.  Or with it's crisp and clean look perfect all year long.

I completed the binding a few week ago and chose a red on red print.  Love the way it blends with the solid red.  Presently, our highest bid is $275.00 hope it brings a little more.  As always, Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Sunday---Precious Promises

Work in a manner

worthy of the Lord,

to please him

in all respects,

bearing fruit in 

every good work and

increasing in the knowledge of God.

Colossians 1:10

It Was Returned!!

Every year my church quilting group, Lydia Circle, places a quilt for a silent auction during the annual Turkey Dinner.  The money we make on the quilt then goes to support local missions.  To our surprise we had a quilt completed many years ago given back to us to auction off again.  This quilt was done long before I joined the group 10 years ago.  It has never been used and is in perfect condition.  After much discussion we decided to offer the quilt on an eBay auction.  So I placed the quilt on eBay with a minimum bid of $115.00 plus $15.00 shipping.  If this great quilt sparks an interest you can view it Here

This years auction quilt at the Turkey Dinner will be hung in the next few days and I'll post pictures as usual.  It is a great Irish Chain.  As always Happy Quilting!

Prairie Points

Machine Applique

Sunday---Precious Promises on Monday

Keep alert, 

stand firm in your faith, 

be courageous,

 be strong. 

Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"Lord Jesus, 

your love covers us

 in every way and 

for every situation.  

Thank you."

Memories in a Basket

Since we have made our downsizing move, I'm going through boxes and making even more decisions about what stays and where I'm going to put it.  I opened up my boxes of quilts.  I have a small collection, mostly family quilts from my Grandmother and Mother.  This Double Wedding Ring was made by my Grandmother in the early 1950's.  The quilt is 90% feed sack and was used and much loved.  It had been packed away for years and I decided to give it one more bath and then do some much needed repair.
Some of the pieces need to be completely replaced.

While others just need a few stitches.

The binding is in terrible shape so I will rebind the entire quilt.

 The really great thing about this quilt is that it has so many memories.  The feed sack fabric used in the quilt was also used to make aprons, and most importantly doll clothes.  My Grandmother made me the greatest doll clothes and they were all from feed sack.

My grandparents lived on a farm and I was raised a city girl.  Going to the farm was just wonderful for me.  I always said I was blessed with the love of the city and the country.  I would spend 2 wonderful weeks with them every summer, Christmas was always at the farm.  Besides the Spring and Fall weekend trips.   It was great.  Anyway, the dolls clothes were so special.  Working on this quilt is going to be a real treat.  To stitch were my Grandmother stitched so many years ago.  I have some feed sack which I will use where I can and the remainder I will try to add muted fabrics to blend with the aged feed sack.  The quilt is for my family to cherish and my grandson loves my quilting so the story of this old Double Wedding Ring will be handed down to him.

I plan to add a detailed label to all the quilts in my collection, so Parker will have the history.

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend.  I'll be working on this heirloom and checking out the great quilts at Off the Wall Fridays and Whoop Whoop Fridays.   Happy Quilting! 

Sunday---Precious Promises

Trust in the Lord forever,

for in the Lord God you

have an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:4

Lord, we don't always

see or know

what will come

but I trust in you to be with 

us in all of it.

Amen

Sunday---Precious Promises

It's Great To Be Included

It is always fun to be included.  A few months ago I answered the Call for Entries by Curated Quilts magazine entitled Stars.  Curated Quilts wanted Star themed mini quilts with a specified color pallet.
I was thrilled to get the email saying my little quilt I entitled Cosmos was selected.
Not only was it featured in the mini challenge gallery, but it was also used in the table of contents.

 

 

The magazine is a wonderful display of modern quilts and inspiring articles.  Check it out and Off the Wall Friday

Have a great weekend and as always Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

 

Let the same mind be in

you that was in

Christ Jesus

Philippians 2:5

"Yes Lord, I want

to think and

live like you.

Amen"

Sunday---Precious Promises on Monday

His divine power has give us

everything needed for

life and godliness, through

the knowledge of him who

called us by his own

glory and goodness.

2 Peters 1:3

"Lord Jesus you call us

to a higher standard

and

provide the tools to success.

Thank You!"

Sunday---Precious Promises

Sunday---Precious Promises

Sunday---Precious Promises

 

Iron sharpens iron,

and one person sharpens

 the wits of another.

Proverbs 27:17

Lord God, you provide the means to make us better.

May our service please you.

Amen

Sunday---Precious Promises

 

"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. 

 For with the judgment you make

 you will be judged,

 and the measure you give

will be the measure you get."

Matthew 7: 2-2

"Lord Jesus you are right and just.

 May we be like you in all matters of life."

 Amen

A Quilting Bucket List

I realized a few months ago, I have a Quilting Bucket List.  Do you?  When I started quilting, about 20 years ago, it was to fill the many hours I would be alone.  My husband had become an Assistant Fire Chief, his duty time increased dramatically and our 20 something son was doing his own thing.  Then it was to learn all I could about quilting, basically teaching myself. 
As the years went by I became interested in Art quilting and was a regular contributor to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.  During those days I had a sewing room and I was able to go there and created.  Loved it.  When the AAQI reached $1,000,000.00 and ceased operations, I was lost. I loved making mini art quilts, but who would want a mini quilt, now? 
I continued working with my students on quilts for hospitalized children.  Even wrote a grant and received sewing machines and supplies for the kids to continue to make quilts until my retirement in 2006.
Upon retirement, I continued to make quilts, some minis and some throws.  I joined the church quilters and made a trip to Paducah for the annual quilt show and of course toured the museum.  It was during that tour that I became even more interested in miniature quilting.  I started making prayer flags for family and friends.  Even sold a few.  I participated in  a few challenges and submitted quilts to a couple of shows.  Won a few ribbons. 
Sold a few of my larger quilts, what a thrill.  Does that make me a professional?  I don't think so.
My latest, being published, so to speak. I'm thrilled to have a mini art quilt selected by Curated Quilt to be in their October issue.  It was then that I realized that I had a bucket list and that is was almost completed. I have done about everything on my list, except be accepted into the Paducah Quilt Show with a miniature quilt, place more quilting ideas on my blog---be a regular blogger and open a productive internet shop. 
Since we have downsized and our 5 year old grandson lost his mother in June.  My sewing room and time available for creating art quilts has changed.  We have our grandson 99% of the time and keeping up with a 5 years old has put quilting on the back burner.  My sewing room is no longer.  It is now taken up with a bed, dresser and toys.  I'm thinking of moving into more hand work, so that I can keep on creating quilts.  I may call them message mats.  Similar to prayer flags, but more along the mug rug theme, pleasant thought while you have your morning coffee. 
We are working hard to get our life organized and into a routine, I'm working to continue quilting as I have more ideas.  I hope you have been crossing items off your quilting bucket list too and as always Happy Quilting!

Sunday---Precious Promises

Sunday---Precious Promises

"So do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will bring worries of it own.

Today's trouble is enough

for today."

Matthew 6:34

Yes Lord, each day holds all I can handle.

you know me so well.

Thank you Lord.

Amen

Sunday---Precious Promises on Monday

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you,

and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,

and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

"Yes Lord, we ask for your peace and

presence for those affected by

recent violence.

Amen"

Sunday---Precious Promises

You ask and do not receive,

because you ask wrongly,

in order to spend what

you get on your

pleasures.

James 4:3

Lord Jesus guide us in

our thoughts and prayers.  May

our lives honor and praise you.

Amen