Fun times with family and friends even during the bad weather....See what's happening with my friendship group the Sew What's

Last Friday, I took off work to go to the doctor. After the doctor, I went and picked up a friend and we went for a small shop hop. We drove up to McKinney, TX, which is about 35 miles north of us and went to three quilt shops that my friend had never been to. She had bought from the shops at the quilt show but never had been to two of the three shops. The third shop she had been to but it had been years ago and they had moved locations. This was her first time for the new location.  She was looking for some fabric for a project. It didn't have to be the same fabric just in the same family.  She found something at the last shop we went to....We also stopped by to see my sister and took her to lunch.  Saturday was her birthday and I wasn't going to be back up there for that so Suzette got to meet my sweet sister and shop too.  It was a great day.  On the way back home, we stopped at the Antique Mall in Allen, TX and walked around there.  We found a few items that we liked but only a few things went home with me.  It was a fun day with a sweet friend and family too.

We went to Happiness is Quilting, the Quilt Asylum and Stitched with Love. All three shops are excellent shops and the staff are all wonderful.  If you get a chance to go to McKinney, try to visit these shops...

Friday night, I was going to go sew at the church but my kids scheduled a last minute birthday party.  I went to watch my granddaughter and 12 other kids celebrate her 10th birthday.  They had her birthday party at Urban Air.  It is an indoor trampoline place.  Great place for parties for kids.  It was a lot of fun....I might have to go back and try that place out when my foot gets better.

I went and sewed with friends on Saturday and had a great time there as well. My husband and son went to a car swap meet up in Decatur, TX so I had to go somewhere!  Anyway, they had fun and so did I...

I also got to stay home Monday and Tuesday due to icy weather in my area. It was too scary to drive. I stayed in and stayed warm and sewed both days.  I was not bored at all!  Kind of like a retreat but I had to do my own cooking.....anyway, I got my 48 blocks ready for swapping with one group, my 30 blocks ready for another group and one quilt top ready in strips. Now I just have to sew the strips together.  When the top is together, I'll take a pic and show you what I did.

I don't know if you know it but I also do another blog. This one is for my friendship group.  I publish it once a month after our meeting.  We are called the Sew What's.  There's a button on the right side of my blog or here's a link. http://sewwhats-mesquite.blogspot.com/
Check out the heart pillows we did for breast cancer last Thursday night.  I brought them all home to package up and get ready to take to the two places.  (There is a sheet underneath them but you can't see it. ) We did 130 pillows!

Gotta go for now and get busy, have a great week and stay safe and warm. 
Happy stitching!

Wedding preparations, oh my!

We had a birthday earlier in the week and the rest of the week has been shopping and preparation for the upcoming wedding on Sunday. My youngest son is finally getting married and last minute decisions being made. I made two ring bearer pillows last night after the Valentine dinner with my husband.  Well, I actually finished them during my lunch break today...

I made two because both of my granddaugters are going to be in the wedding.  One is 20 months old and she is the ring bearer but my other granddaughter is walking with her to help her with her task.  I made two so when she gives one to the preacher, she won't be screaming to get it back or not give it up!!  My oldest granddaughter will give her the other one to replace it!  I hope this works.  It's going to be a small family wedding so it won't matter if it doesn't.  This will just be more memories to love! 

Here are the little ring pillows I made. 

I have to thank Beth from Love, Laugh, Quilt for the idea about the ring pillow. I copied her idea about the handle on the back... Thanks so much, Beth!

Family time and tatting.

Wow, I need to stop time so I can catch up!  It was a very busy weekend and I got a little bit done but most of the time was spent with family.  Friday night and Saturday I kept my youngest grandbaby so I didn't get any sewing time in.  I took her with me Saturday over to my #1 son's house to help pack.  They have bought another house and are starting to move this weekend.  They can't officially move in until Monday when they close on the new house but the sellers have agreed to let them move their stuff into the garage starting Saturday.  The house they are selling has to be cleared out by Monday so the new buyers can move in.  It's a lot different now since we bought our house 20 years ago.  Anyway, this week will involve helping the kids move.  Saturday night I had both boys and their families over for my #2 son's birthday and his fiance's birthday too.  Her birthday was Friday and his is not until the 28th but with the moving and everything going on, we decided to celebrate early.  It's not like we have a party anyway, my boys are grown. But, we gotta have cake and ice cream, right?!   After everyone left, the hubs and I watched a little TV and got to tat a little bit.  I made some more earrings.  These are so simple to make and go so fast.  I made one of them Saturday night while watching TV.  I finished the other one Sunday afternoon and made another little pair too.  Here's the pair I made. It's the same pattern as last week.  This pattern is so quick and easy and fun to do.  I just love this color...This was made with Lizbeth size 20 thread.

Here's the other pair I made Sunday evening.  In our Tatting group, we like to use up bits and pieces of thread on the shuttle.  I made a little tabletopper out of left over threads. Nancy is currently working on a piece that this little pattern came from.  She is also making a tabletopper but hers is made using this pattern.  I've been kidding her about this one.   It's easy to remember this little pattern.  I have teased her about it and called it Damien because it uses a 666 pattern....For those of you that are old enough, you might remember back in the late '70's, the movie, the Omen. The little boy in it was named Damien.  Anyway, it's kind of a standing joke with us and it made it easy for me to remember the pattern...

I'm calling this pair: Dear Damien

Here's the pattern if you want it...

It takes 30" of thread wound on the bobbin, don't cut your thread from the ball. I put 5 beads on the ball thread before I wound my shuttle and placed them where they were called for in the pattern from the ball thread.  You can put them on the shuttle if you want to but since the bead is on the chain, the bead shows up better if used from the ball thread.  I tried it from the shuttle and didn't like it as well.  Just so you know....

Put  5 seed beads onto your ball thread.  Push them down and  pull out approximately 30" of thread and wind your shuttle. 

R6-6 cl,RW (this first picot needs to be a good size because all of the rings will be joined into this...)

Chain 6 B 6 RW  (B means bead. After bead is in place, work 2nd stitch (to lock it in place), then do your 6 stitches as normal.  I like to lock the bead like this as I think it looks better. If you want to leave this step out, it's ok too....

R6+6

Continue in this pattern until you have 6 rings. The last chain, is ch6 - 6. Join in base of first ring and cut and tie. I do not put a bead in this picot space but you can if you want to.  Add the earring finding that you prefer and you have a cute earring to keep or give to someone. These are quick and easy.

Family Time

Hey guys, sorry for the delay in posting. I have been busy with family and still more coming...

I have not been sewing this past week as I've been at the hospital with my MIL. She had to have surgery for a mass.  I'm really happy to say that it was not cancer and we are so relieved.  She is recooperating at my house and I'm watching over her.  She is doing very well but is very weak.  She's in her 80's but you wouldn't know it.  She gets stronger every day.  We did not have the grandkids over for Easter because we needed some rest time.  They went over to the other grandparents house to look for Mr. Easter Bunny and I sure missed them. 
Tomorrow is the due date for my new grandbaby.  The proud parents go back to the doctor tomorrow to see just how far along the little mother is.  If there's no changes, the doctor is talking about inducing.  Anyway, I will have my hands full this week as my MIL and the new baby and parents will be staying with me too. So, as soon as I know about the baby, I'll post it.  You will either hear from me or I'll show new pictures.  Anyway, I must dash for now.  Have a great week and do some sewing for me.  Hugs, Linda

Relaxing time with my sister

My DH and I went to Lake Fork last night and stayed with my sweet sister, Peggy and her DH, Jerry.  The guys were playing golf today at Lake Fork Golf Course for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Golf tournament.  They didn't win but had a great time playing golf together.  The weather was pure perfection!  They got up early and my sweet sister fixed breakfast for them while I slept in.  I was lazy and finally woke up at 9:30!  Wow, I slept great! I usually don't sleep at all away from home but I think I actually slept all night.  The bed was perfect.  I got up and she fixed me breakfast too.  We laughed and talked together while the guys played golf.  I gave her a mini knitting lesson and we talked about her crochet project.  She has decided she likes knitting better than crochet and I left her some needles and yarn and a pattern for some washcloths.   When the guys came in, we took off and went to eat a late lunch at their favorite Mexican restaurant.  We came back to their house for coffee and Boston Cream cake.  What a wonderful, relaxing day.  We just got home and I'm now trying to catch up on all my email and reading my favorite blogs.  It was a great time and I had a great visit with my wonderful sister.  I love family time and I don't spend enough time with either of my sisters and I plan on changing that. I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend and you are enjoying this wonderful fall weather.  til next time, happy sewing.

Amy's BOM, Crazy Mom Quilt's is back! and My sweet sister, Judy

Ok, I can't stay on the computer and get any sewing time in but I just wanted to let you know that Amy's BOM is up and ready for May. Happy May Day everyone!!!!

Also, Amanda from Crazy Mom Quilt's is back to blogging again and she has the cutest little bird quilt ever. Go check her out.

Welcome back, we've missed you! Now, gotta go sew, I'm about 30 minutes away from finishing up the 2nd quilt for Judy and it's so cute. Stay tuned as I'll be posting pics of it today and all my Friday night, Saturday sewing...Amy, I'm right there with you for some sewing time this weekend.

Lastly, but certainly not least, my sister, Judy, is home and doing fine. I'll be seeing her later today or tomorrow. Can't keep a good woman down! Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes.

Now, off to sew!

My sweet sister,Judy, Cutting out the second quilt and a future quilt I want to make

My sister is still in the hospital but doing ok. They have run all kinds of tests on her and determined for sure it was a stroke. Her body fought it off and it did not do any damage to her brain or heart...They are keeping her because they are giving her medications to see which one is best for her. The first one they gave her made her have a very bad migraine. They tried it again and it had the same results....so, now, they are giving her other meds and watching her. Hopefully, she can come home tomorrow and be ok with medications and everything. Thanks for thinking of her and praying for her...

I did come home and cut out the second quilt. I didn't get anything sewn but maybe I can tomorrow. I am using Steam a Seam to do the applique and I ran out so I'll have to get some tomorrow to finish up. No pictures to show yet but maybe tomorrow. I know posts without pictures are boring, right? So....I'm going to post this one-it belongs to a friend of mine. We had a 6 1/2" square exchange (I love these, you make your favorite 6 1/2" block) and this is how she put her quilt together. I want to do mine this way so I had to take pictures...anyway, please enjoy and come back to see me soon.

My sweet sister,Judy

I talked to my sister and she said it was a mini stroke. They are starting her on two different medications and running a few more tests before they release her tomorrow. She said the doctors said she was lucky this time. She acted quick enough and did the right thing by heading to the hospital so quickly. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for her. til next time...

Dick Jane and Sally Look Quilt and my sweet sister

Here's what I worked on Friday night and finished up Saturday. This little quilt was very easy and fun to make. I made this for my friend, Judy. I'm making another little quilt for her too but will probably be this next week. I'm also finishing up some hand quilting for one of her students. The quilt was started by her grandmother that passed away. It only has one or two more blocks to finish quilting, then some quilting on the border...I'll probably bind it for her too. I gotta get busy. She's doing some quilting for me and I'm doing these for her. Here's the little quilt, I hope you like it. I think it is really cute. She's had this little kit around for a while. I'm glad to bring it to life.



I watched my grandkids last night and didn't get to sew as long as I wanted. I was going to sew again today but got an upsetting phone call from my brother-in-law this morning. He had to take my sister to the hospital with a possible stroke. My husband and I left the house and drove to the hospital to check on her. Luckily, it was not diagnosed as a stroke but they are not sure what exactly is going on with her. They are keeping her overnight for observation and more tests...We are keeping our fingers crossed and sending up prayers that it's nothing serious. I'll try to let you know what's going on...

Happy Easter and visiting with the grandkids

I spent Good Friday through today with the grandkids. We had a great time. We colored Easter eggs, went to an Easter Egg Hunt and hunted eggs at the house today. It was fun but I am so tired. My arms are sore and my upper body is tired from lifting the youngest baby all these days. I stayed at their house and have not had a chance to do any sewing this weekend. I missed my sewing time but I'd trade it any day for time with my grandbabies. Here's some pics of the grands...I hope everyone had a blessed Easter.

I never noticed it but Brandon looks like a litle frog in this picture, his legs look so long with shorts on! I guess I should call him, the Frog Prince!


My husband, my youngest son and the grandkids


This is my youngest grandbaby. He is such a happy baby and so much fun to be with. This was the other day at Walmart, but I just had to share this sweet picture.

Yeah it's Friday!

This has been a LONG week. I haven't been able to sew but one night this week. I went to tatting on Tueday and Wednesday night I sewed. The rest of the week was either house cleaning or errands. I will have to do some major sewing tonight cuz I'm keeping the grans all weekend. I'll have all three of them this weekend and I'll be watching them at their house. My son and DIL are headed to Africa and they'll be gone for 14 days...