My Christmas Gift

I got the most amazing gift from my husband for Christmas! A Go Cutter! (actually I got the Go Baby). Not only is it cute (really it is! It even has a little pink carrying bag), but I know it will save me so much time with my quilting. I can't wait to try one of the many free projects that came with it. The New (sewing) year is looking very bright!

Mannequin (pin cushion)

I finally got around to sewing these beautiful mannequins! They're supposed to be pin cushions but these are just to look pretty in my girls rooms. They're so easy to make with only a fat quarter, candle stick , button and mini ornament. There's a wonderful video tutorial here. I made mine from candlesticks that were my husband's grandmothers. She was my dear friend and always had these candlesticks sitting on her kitchen table. I spray painted them to match the girl's rooms. The buttons are also from her collection. Now my little ladies will have a gift made by mom but full of memories of great-grandmother.

Wholesome gifts

Every year I struggle to decide what to give to the dance teachers, vet, neighbors, etc. I love making sweets but wonder if people aren't overloaded this time of the year . This Christmas season I decided to bake bread to give away. I mixed hard white wheat and Kamut to make my flour. The result was some yummy bread to share.

Homemade ornaments

I'm having my annual ornament exchange party today. I'm so excited. This year I decided to make some ornaments to give away as door prizes. So easy and so cute!

Christmas Crafts

Emma had such fun making these tonight. She plans to give them to our guests at our ornament exchange party this week.

Views from Canada

Why do we keep returning to Canada??

Here are just a few reasons why:

I love to watch our dogs 'work'. They are truly amazing animals.

We get to spend quality time as a family with no outside interruptions (TV, computer, phones, etc.)

SNOW!!! We certainly don't get this in south Alabama!

A simpler life. Mrs. Marion runs a small store which is also the post office. She sells home-baked goodies including breads and tarts. Every time we go in she insists the girls pick out something to take as a gift from her. She always has time to visit with us.

The main reason I keep returning is to see my buddy Cheryl. 2 weeks a year is just not long enough to spend with her.

More baskets

Each year when we go to Canada I like to take handmade gifts for my friends. This year I decided to make everyone more of these cute baskets. I found the tutorial on Ayumi's blog. I loved using all the different colors and patterns. Once we arrived in Canada I baked cookies to fill each basket.

WIP

School day in Canada

We arrived in Canada a few days ago. So far we've been to a volleyball game, ice skating twice, shopping, carved pumpkins and visited with several friends. Today one of Grace's friends invited her to go to school. She was excited to go along. I can't wait to hear all about her day.
The picture shows Grace about to leave for school at 8:30. We're always surprised at how dark it is here in the mornings .

Living each moment

Lately several people we love have experienced loss. It hurts my heart deeply to watch them grieve and to grieve with them. At the same time it's a wake-up call for me. Life can be short. I need to love more, laugh more and enjoy my family and friends more. God has blessed me abundantly . I must slow down and cherish my blessings.

More birthday sewing

This gift for sweet Candice took me a while. Not because the sewing was difficult but because I couldn't decide which fabric to use! Lol! Finally I settled on her favorite college team-Auburn University . I made a basket for her like the one I made for Sandy along with handmade soaps. Then I tried, for the first time, to make a mug rug. I'm pretty pleased with how this one turned out . It really was fun to make.
Next on the list is sewing for my northern friends. Suggestions are appreciated. :)

Birthday sewing

October is the month when 2 of my dearest friends have their birthdays. Here's what I made for Sandy- a little basket with handmade soaps and a pin cushion/scrap bag to sit on her sewing table. One gift finished-one more to go.

Cathedral Windows-WIP

Here's my feeble attempt at Cathedral Windows. Don't laugh! It was actually easier than I thought. Granted I haven't perfected it yet, but I did have fun trying. Thanks to this blog, I had step by step instructions.

When I showed my husband my work, he showered me in praise. This should have made me smile, but instead tears flowed down my cheeks. Why? Because I have regrets. You see, my Granny used to make these squares. The last few years I've wondered how they were made and what the name was. Granny passed away 11 years ago. She did all kinds of little sewing projects-quilting, clothes, yo-yo's, etc. She taught me how to hem but that's all the sewing I learned from her. I just never asked. I'm sure she would have been glad to show me. At the time I had 2 little girls and just wasn't interested in sewing. Now I am. I so wish she was here to show me how to make these squares. To smile when I finished one correctly. To help me choose fabric. But, at least now I've learned. I can make something that my Granny worked on. I can teach my girls. I know my Granny is smiling down at me. I know she's proud.

(here are a couple of Granny's Cathedral Window squares)

Sewing Saturday

This has been one of those days where so many things have gone wrong. Major things. Sometimes you have to laugh so you don't cry! In my case, I decided to throw myself into sewing. Sewing makes it all better. I had been wanting to try this tutorial. It was so fast and easy! Now I have one Christmas present made. So many more to go.

Logic or literature ???

Maybe we could classify today's school project as logic. Lol! Yesterday we purchased this Jane Austen puzzle at our local book store . This morning, after Bible and chores, it sat on the kitchen table beckoning. We couldn't resist. The four of us jumped on it before the school schedule could be opened. What a happy Friday morning! Now to frame it and put it in our school room. You know, maybe we could count this as literature. After all it is Jane Austen!

Dresden...skirt?

So, I want to be a quilter. I honestly thought this would be an easy task. I've sewn for years now. Some little quilting projects I've attempted have turned out pretty well. Not perfect mind you, but workable.

This past week I've spent a lot of time drooling over my favorite quilting blogs. I happened upon a tutorial for a Dresden plate. How beautiful! All the pretty fabrics with rounded edges carefully placed together to make a circle. As I read the instructions, I thought "I can do this" . She really does make is look easy.

Saturday was the day. I pulled out my scraps and started cutting. I was amazed at how smoothly it was going. Then I sewed the sections together. Hmm...it wasn't quite laying flat. Maybe if I sewed a bit more here...Nope. Finally in frustration I put it all down. I couldn't believe I'd spent all that time and had nothing to show for it. I hate to waste time and I really dislike wasting fabric.

This was still on my mind Sunday afternoon. Another thing about me-I don't give up easily. I went back to my sewing room and started again with this little piece of fabric. The result...

A Dresden skirt for Emma's doll! I think it looks just lovely!

Now, if anyone can give me pointers on how to make my Dresden plate properly, so that it will lay flat, I would greatly appreciate it. :) Until then I think I'll stick with the 9 patch!

Falling...into peace

I received some news today that shook my usually secure world. For a brief moment in time, I felt the weight of it and let myself start to fall-to cry, to worry, to fear. Then I was given some hope.

"Strange how that it is-that sometimes something has to fall apart-for something better to fall together."

"Jesus calls me to surrender and there's nothing like releasing fears and falling into peace. It terrifies, true. But it exhilarates. This, this is what I've always wanted: this utter trust, this enlivening fall of surrender into the safe hands."

Early morning

It seems that the older I get, the less sleep I need. I'm usually the first one up at our house. I cherish the time alone in the quiet. Some mornings I wake a little earlier than I'd like. :) I hate to sit in bed and waste time. If I can't sleep, I get up and find something to do. On this particular morning I was awake about 3:30am. I caught up on email and blogs, did some laundry and cleaned in the kitchen, patiently waiting for the sun to come up. I'm a big chicken and don't like to go outside in the dark...alone. At daylight, I headed to our dock at the creek to mail a card. The view I was presented with caused me to slow down...to look around...to listen...to praise our wondrous Maker!

I was in awe of the beauty! We've had this property about 12 years and it never gets old. I sat on the dock and watched the fish jump, saw the blue herons hunting their breakfast and listened to the frogs sing. I was also frightened by an alligator making his way into the water. I remained still observing this magnificent place God has placed right at my door.

When I finally walked up to the house I was blessed once more. This time by numerous hummingbirds fighting over my feeders. I stood still, listening to them buzzing over my head and watching with awe as they hovered around me.

As I entered the house I was filled with so much happiness. There's no other word for it. So I missed a bit of sleep. God had blessed me ten fold with the richness of His creation. I would rather experience this than sleep till 9:00 any day!

A good find

I love to shop at thrift stores! My girls and I try to go every week. We've managed to find lots of good deals on everything from clothes and everyday china to toys and sewing supplies. Our latest find was this little doll bed for Emma. It was only $3.99! It even came with the mattress. We cleaned it all up then went through my scrap fabric. In a short time I had whipped up this bedding that perfectly matches Emma's room. Emma loves it and I think her doll does too!

Nice to meet you!

I love to visit other blogs and 'get to know' other people. Lynne has come up with a wonderful way to connect us all-especially those of us with small blogs (fewer followers). Go on over to her blog and check out the list along with all the beautiful creations she has.

Little tags

One of the fun things about girls is that they love to be surrounded by friends. It seems we're always planning playdates or going to parties. Sometimes I run out of ideas for gifts for all the different parties and holidays. This time we decided on a little purse (what girl doesn't need a new purse) with a bit of a spin.

I love to sew these little tags. Usually I attach them with ribbon. This time I decided to add a ring so that they could be removed and put on different bags. Emma has one that I keep on her backpack but can change it over to her dance bag or even her duffle bag when we travel.

I made this cute 'paperdoll' tag for a baby shower. The fabric was some I'd saved after making a dress for Emma when she was a toddler.

Have I shown you this???

Welcome friends to what I think of as the loveliest room in my home-my little sewing room. Some people call there's a studio but mine is a plain and simple sewing room. I wanted it to feel like you were walking into your Grandmother's attic. My love of old things is evident. I especially cherish those pieces with lots of memories. Around my room you'll find a quilt my grandmother made, a quilt made by Mark's great-grandmother, linens from Mark's grandmother, a table my father-in-law used for years and refinished for us and the christening gown I made.

The cradle at the foot of the wrought iron bed holds years worth of sewing magazines that I just can't part with.

If you happen to be counting, yes there are 3 sewing machines in my room. You see I share this room with my girls. I love to have them come in and sew with me.

I adore having pretty things to store all my clutter in. :) Around the room are hat boxes, baskets-both wicker and metal and an antique armoire that was my grandfather's.

I treasure my little room with the warm, yellow walls and the big window that lets the afternoon sun shine through. It's a perfect space to create in-surrounded by my girls and so many memories.

My favorite place

I serve such a wonderful God. So...why does it always surprise me when he blesses me? A while ago I started praying that He'd help me rise early to be with Him. He's been so faithful. I wake up early, before the rest of the house and the first thing on my mind is being with Him.

I go to our place-my dining room table that has windows overlooking the water, facing the east. Almost always, as soon as I finish my Bible reading, the sun shows it's face above the trees. Just as I begin my prayer time I feel the warmth. I feel the embrace of our Lord who is always, always there for me. This summer has been kind of tough for our family. Over and over again God has shown His faithfulness-in the big things and the small. I still worry about a lot. But, I know that every morning He will meet me there and take the load that I carry. What an awesome God I serve!

First day of school

The public schools in our area started back on August 15. That's a bit too early for us to jump into a full schedule. This year we're easing into it. August 16 was the first day of co-op classes for us. We haven't participated in a co-op in several years. I signed up this time because so much of what they offered was what we were going to be doing anyway. Plus it's just fun for the girls to be with their friends at least one day a week.

So, here's our official '1st day of school 2011' picture:

Emma is 2nd grade, Grace 8th grade and Mary is 9th grade.