Sunshine and Family

Floral Quilt continued

2011-01-17T21:27:00.001-06:00


Floral Quilt Top Finished

Still have my work cut out for me tomorrow but today I turned all those blocks into a quilt top and then bordered it with fabric like my friend wanted. It looks pretty cute I think. Tomorrow I get to pin it and quilt it, then trim and bind, so probably a couple more hours of work until it is done. I thought ahead and pre marinated the chicken for tomorrow's fajita dinner, made two different types of beans and a small pot of soup so that my husband and daughter have food for their lunches this week. That means I might be able to tackle the kitchen wall painting in addition to the quilt, will see how my day works.

Floral Quilt Day 2

2011-01-14T17:52:00.000-06:00

All the Pressed Half Square Triangles for the Quilt

Example of how I put them all together. I lay out a batch then gradually pull from it and piece them into blocks.


All the Pressed and Trimmed Blocks ready to be sewn into a quilt. All in a long day's work. I forgot how tiring it is.

New Floral Quilts

2011-01-14T14:28:00.001-06:00

Working on two new floral Quilts.

It will be a pinwheel quilt with a border around it. This is just block one that I finished tonight. Have so many blocks to make in order to finish both quilts but I think it is going to be very pretty if they all turn out as well as this one did.

New Tshirt Quilt Order

2011-01-13T06:26:00.001-06:00

Thankful to my husband who picked up the flannel and some last minute stabilizer- I was short 4 shirts for this order. Also thankful to my friend who will leave on her lunch hour to get me so I can mail this quilt order today. We are still a family with one vehicle until we can afford to get a battery for the car, and do some other stuff to get it street legal again, or he fixes the truck. Funny to have three vehicles and only be able to drive one.

Thankful Thursday

2011-01-12T22:31:00.001-06:00

I am very thankful this week to have a house. I think about the cold outside and it seems to be a very cold winter everywhere. I found myself praying a lot this week as Texas really has been hit hard with cold. It is not normal for us to get to the low 20's. Without indoor heat our house gets very cold, we do have one space heater we run in my room during the day to help with my quilting orders. I worry sometimes about the kids while they sleep because the house gets down to the low 40s at night. That is what has lead me through alot of prayer this week.

It made me think of famous bible stories like in Numbers where they wandered for forty years in the desert.

The Lord continued to provide for them, even though at times they complained and were not appreciative of His provision. Think about the fact that they were not in "homes" like we know homes. They were in the desert, probably cold, sometimes probably wet and life was not glorious by any means. There were times where the bibles states they had no water- like when they were in the desert of Sinai- they had no water for three days.

It made me realize that yes we are cold but every morning the kids can leave and go to school and be warm and protected. That they are not sick- they are healthy. They have food and water and a roof over their heads. So even though it was easy to get discouraged and worried I found comfort in realizing that our situation compared to the Israelite's is Glorious.

Tackle it Tuesday

2011-01-11T15:12:00.001-06:00

For My Kitchen

I made these today. Just six basic white bar towels for $5 at Walmart. I had this scrap material in a pretty butterfly that I love because it has an autumn feel to it. Then also this pretty white bluebonnet fabric. My towels all have holes and are really more rags now a days. I wanted to make these today so that I had something for myself for a change. Hopefully next week I can make some pretty pot holders, then the following week make some placemats. Got to dig into my stash of fabric and see what I have left to match these.

Fast and Easy Pinwheels!!!

2011-01-11T13:22:00.000-06:00

Growth in God Blog

2011-01-10T07:14:00.000-06:00

More and more over the last year I have written on my other blog called Growth in God or New Growth Starts with God. I truly felt a calling last year to share more biblical principles on my blog, rather than just quilting and things that happen around the house. This Decemeber I decided a new direction for my other blog.

I will be doing the following every week.

Menu Mondays- this is a great idea for those who want to save on money, stay organized and use our time wisely. I look at it as a basic Proverbs 31 principal. It is my job to know what we will eat, be able to prepare it and have what I need on hand. This helps me out a great deal.

Tackle it Tuesday- Most of the time I admit this is a quilting project or house project. I hope this year to tackle some organization issues with our house on these Tuesdays. Its just time I set aside for a project for the most part. This coming week I hope to make some towels, potholders and place mats for our kitchen. We really need all three again.

Word Filled Wednesday- the idea about this is to really dig deeper into the Word of the Lord. Take a scripture, look at the definition of those words and write some thoughts about it, maybe how it applies to our family, lives etc.

Thankful Thursday- this is one of my favorite posts of the week. I have much to be thankful for- such as having Christ as my personal Savior so that I can come to the Father and have eternal life. I enjoy reflecting on what I am thankful for each week.

Proverb Friday- Looking at a verse from Proverbs and digging deeper into it.

Psalm Saturday- Same basic idea but taking a verse from Psalms each week.

Recipe Sunday- sharing with you some basic family recipes- hopefully with pictures. I wish I could do this more often. We make some pretty yummy stuff.

So please feel free to follow my other blog. I currently have a giveaway going on, and plan to be writing some reviews etc for certain products in the near future.

Tshirt Quilt and Bed Roll

2011-01-10T07:01:00.006-06:00


42 by 60 Bedroll for my friend's daughter to use at Daycare.

The bedroll is flannel on one side and fleece on the other. It has a layer of Warm and Natural batting in the middle. I had tried to attach the below pillow but it didn't want to work for me so she can just use it by itself

Newest Tshirt Quilt Order. Measures 63 by 63. I love this color blue, it worked great.

First Quilt I have done that contains a Scrub. It worked really well, at the bottom of the square is part of the pocket on the right side. Then you also have the pocket that was on the scrub itself.

Sewing Machine Giveaway

2011-01-05T17:22:00.001-06:00

WHO NEEDS A NEW SEWING MACHINE?

Okay, better question… who doesn’t? Craft Gossip is giving one away! Head on over to see how to enter, and I hope you win!

I know me personally this would be a wonderful thing to win!

Warning about Gift Cards

2011-01-03T19:01:00.000-06:00

You know I love gift cards. I think they are a great way to give something to someone and let them enjoy it even more than a gift at times. I got a great gift card for Christmas. I decided to use it for our anniversary. I was a little bummed to see that there was only $2 on it. Someone had scammed the card. Not the person that gave it to us but rather someone got a hold of the number and used it. I have had it happen before at Walmart. I talked to them before and they recommend that you use gift cards that are sealed and they have started offering them. They come in little packages, like cardboard envelopes. From now on that is what I will do. It is so sad that someone would be so rude to write down a number off a gift card then use it online, for a take out order etc. and thus cheating the person receiving the card. So next time you buy a gift card keep that in mind, that your hard earned spent money on someone else may not even become theirs to spend.

Recipe Sunday

2011-01-02T13:35:00.001-06:00

Chicken Pot Pie

I make my pot pie a little different then most.

I place a package of Chicken Breast in a crockpot (it is normally about 4-5 breasts)

Then i add 2 cans of Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup and one can of Cream of Chicken and Herbs Soup along with 3 cans of water. I then cook this all day.

Later that evening I take a third of an onion and saute it in a pan with 1/3 cup of butter (real butter)

I then add 1/3 c flour to it, along with 1/2 tsp celery seed, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper.

I scrape this into my crockpot and add a bag of frozen mixed veggies- mix well and break the chicken up- it becomes stringy like if you cooked it all day and looks kind of like noodles.

I take a Pillsubury pie crust line my round baking dish with it, pressing the edges to the side of hte container as I move the bowl in a circle and press the bottom of the crust to the container.

I then fill the container with the mix, I usually have some left over which I just add to a container and bake with some biscuits on top- this my husband takes to work the next day.

You then add the top crust, push along the sides- and trim the excess.

Bake at 425 degrees for 35 min or so. If you like a lighter crust you can cover the edges for 10-15 min when you first start baking with foil.

Here is a link to another version that we have tried. Chicken Pot Pie

I will post my own picture next time I make it, I forgot last night.

New Year's Eve

2011-01-01T12:49:00.001-06:00

New Year's Eve at the Well's House

Our Menu consisted of lots of fried foods. Chicken Tenders, okra, zucchini, onion rings, french fries, pickle slices, jalapenos and probably something else I am forgetting. We had got the kids a couple bottles of sparkling cider to enjoy with our meal.

Then we played a game of Phase 10- this was Zekaryah's choice- we had to persuade Jakob to play and Mekenzei and I were a team since she really didn't understand the game yet, and neither of us felt very good. After tonight we realized we really need to get a couch or at least a chair. the loveseat just doesn't work as well anymore for a family of 5

Paul and Pilsner- Pilsner wanted some attention and we got this picture of Paul being a goof ball along with it. Too cute

Paul had won a couple of hands and Jakob was way behind. This did not make him happy. He was writing/drawing on a page- GAME OVER. He really wanted to quit. Seems he is not a happy looser. He did enjoy the game off and on though, so I am glad he just continued playing.


And the winner was Zekaryah- He did really good. He is still trying to get the hang of the game but it was neat to see him beat Paul, since Paul kicked our butts in Yahtzee the night before- only because he scored two Yahtzee's during the game, otherwise I think Mekenzei would have won.

After the game the kids and Paul went outside to enjoy a handful of fireworks. We did not buy much. We were blessed though as the lady at the stand gave us three goody bags- one for each kid. They contained some little tiny firework stuff, some candy and some smoke bombs. It was so nice of her to do that. It rounded the evening well. Then they all came back in and we watched Kindergarten cop. Of course by that time I fell asleep.

End of 2010

2010-12-31T06:47:00.002-06:00

As this is the last day of 2010 I wanted to focus on bible verses that deals with the past and the future
“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

You know I think often people get stuck in the past. I have been known to do it. We can easily focus on how people have wronged us, how our childhood was, how such and such affected us. The list can get very long and tedious. I think its ever so present in our early adult years when we are really struggling to decide who we are, what we want to be, where we want to go in life. I know one obstacle I have struggled with was being adopted- for various reasons. It was not so much being adopted just the whole situation around it and how there was a constant turmoil between parties involved. Another obstacle was my marriage. We sure did struggle. Rightfully so though- we did not always LET GO of things- both of us being guilty.

I think the Lord wants us to forget the former things so that he can continue to open doors in front of us- its hard for him to shine light through a window if we are always looking behind. Hard for us to see the true blessings he has in store if we are full of negative emotion and pity. For me I don't want to miss an opportunity he has because I can't get past some hurt that happened yesterday or even years prior. I often say that there are many things in my life that I would not change because it truly has made me the person that I am. To this day I stick by that. My past has allowed me to embrace the challenges we currently face daily-
How to put food on the table, how to manage children- having a close family and working, the list goes on. Most importantly how to work to have a good marriage.

The Lord never promised for Life to be easy. He never said we would not stumble, that we would not feel pain, that we would not be wronged by someone else. He did say that
He has a plan:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Jeremiah 29:11
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

We should have hope:
but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Eternal Life:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

Forgiveness
Matthew 26:28
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:38
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

So simply put- Choose Christ, Repent your Sins, Ask for Forgiveness, Receive Eternal Life - move on from yesterday- put it behind you and look forward to the blessings of today as He prepares for us a Tomorrow.

Have a very Blessed 2011

More on Mekenzei's Room

2010-12-30T22:06:00.002-06:00

Staining the baseboards- had to come inside because it started to rain. I was not getting delayed again

I love how the shot Jakob took of me doing the sides. Almost looks graceful or something.

The newly installed baseboards on the floors I refinished recently. I LOVE IT! I can't wait to put the poly on them tomorrow. Her room is coming together so well

So one thing we noticed was how shotty the trim around the windows look. We can't really replace the old windows just yet, so we are just going to frame the two sides and top of the 2 windows she has in her room. Looks like Paul will do some more cutting and I will do some more staining. Then I want to find some nice outlet covers too.

Thankful Thursday

2010-12-29T20:44:00.001-06:00

I am thankful for such a wonderful year. I have much to be thankful for as 2010 comes to a close.
I have a healthy family, we really did not have any major illnesses for this year. That is wonderful since it has not always been the case. I have once again made it through another year with no bipolar or seizure medicines.
Kids have done wonderful in school. Paul still has a job. I have started to sub as the year comes to a close.
I sold 30 items just on ETSY alone this year, some small some not so small. That is not counting all the local sales, the gifts given and donations made to the school during the carnival time this past May.
Yeah for couponing and stockpiling- it has really helped us a great deal. Yeah to family time, I am so thankful for time spent with the kids and my husband. We even managed a couple of dates, one where I got to spend the entire day in Galveston with him alone without any kids. That was AMAZING! Now if we can get a night away that would be wonderful.
I am thankful that my house is coming along- thankful for the additional Ac unit we were able to get, thankful for the heater we just picked up. Thankful for all the cheap fabric I was able to buy to do some crafty things for the kids and the house.
We have had some losses this year, we lost a dog- that was heart breaking- as someone hit him and the kids found him while I was not home, nor was Paul. Trying to get home to them was very difficult and seemed to have taken forever. Then of course loosing my mom this summer. That was rough, but I am thankful that she knew Christ as her personal savior and that she is celebrating her eternal life with my 3 grandfathers, mother in law and my son. I am also thankful that she is not sick anymore. I am thankful to her for all the time we had together this past year, for her believe in me and my business, for her faith that I would be a good mother and that I had such a wonderful example of what a Christian should be.
As this new year approaches I have several goals for our family.
1. A constant menu every week- I want to try really hard to include more veggies, its just so hard to get them on sale or with coupons so it really adds to my already very limited grocery bill.
2. Exercise- my husband and I really want to walk- I need to do some step aerobics or something like that.
3. Keeping a better planner- I have a binder I am starting- it will contain recipes for the month, my weekly menu, my cleaning schedule, my coupons, bills and reciepts. My husband and I were brainstorming the idea of filing this binder each year. I think its a great idea to better track what we are REALLY doing/spending.
4. Do some give aways on my blog. I need to reach out to my fellow blogger and see what she uses to pick the winner. In January my goal is to giveaway a towel and potholder set.
5. FAMILY TIME. It is very important to me. I want a game night and a movie night each week. This will take more planning and a creative menu. My back up plan is to rotate them and have each twice a month.
6. Date Night- we used to do this more. Tonight we are ending the New Year with one, My husband rented a movie and we plan to have our date night as the boys are entertained. Hopefully we can get some out- maybe go fishing, go for a long walk something fun.
7. A clean and orderly house- I plan to set up a calendar of the month and choose one month for each room, where I can pick more than one room. Some might take two months- like the kitchen. I want to do repairs and fix some things- I know we need some ceiling fans and simple stuff. Even coats of paint. I also want to go through all my old fabric and make a donation of everything I do not plan to use in the next year.
So that is my basic starting plan. It seems pretty easy and we will see how much really comes to be.
I am praying for a very prosperous New 2011. I am praying that the Lord will continue to grow my business. That he will continue to use my Blog as inspiration to others, that he would bring offers my way like one that was just presented to review an item or do giveaways. I really want to be more of an instrument to Him. I am thankful that I have worked through my grief over my mom in a timely matter and I am truly ready for this next chapter. May he continue to give us health and a roof over our head and may he overflow our cups as we continue to follow him.
May the Lord bless you and your family in 2011.

Tackle it Tuesday Pt 2

2010-12-28T21:44:00.001-06:00

Railing in the loft- Zekaryah did not like the lack or privacy- I did not like seeing a mess in his room either

My solution- upholstery fabric- hemmed and then stapled to the inside railing

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-12-28T17:13:00.002-06:00

This week's Tackle it Tuesday. I had hoped to finish some more crafty things today but so far this is all I have gotten done. I am hoping I can whip out Zekaryah's curtains. The Fabric needs to be trimmed and hemmed, I have it freshly washed. Then I can just staple it to the railing in his room to provide some privacy and hopefully some warmth. For now here are the pillowcase Christmas gifts I still had to finish.

Andrea's Tinkerbell Pillowcase to match her bed set

Liz's Pillowcase to match her new Twilight Bed set which is hot pink and black

Another Handmade Christmas Gift

2010-12-23T10:07:00.001-06:00

A friends Christmas Gift from us. I had made her husband a Tshirt quilt for free, then I am making her daughters pillowcases. I felt a little bad that we had not planned to make her anything, so I came up with this. I might try to include a jar of Ragu, some pasta and some french bread in a basket for an Italian themed gift.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-23T08:39:00.000-06:00

★Merry★ 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚★Christmas★ 。* And a Happy New Year 2011!
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_。˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */__/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜田田｜門｜ ˚
............God Loves You & So Do I.. As always, be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Christmas Pillowcase Gifts

2010-12-22T21:18:00.002-06:00

Mekenzei's best friends Christmas Gift

Zekaryahs Best Friends Pillowcase

Fraternity Quilt

2010-12-17T11:02:00.000-06:00

Last Christmas 2010 Tshirt Quilt Order

What I am Learning Friday

2010-12-17T10:58:00.001-06:00

I learned alot about myself this last week. Some as a quilter, some as a mother, some as a wife and some as a friend. First off as a quilter- I do pretty good under pressure. Sometimes when I felt there was no way to get an order turned around in a day in a half I found myself praying even more for God's Guidance. I also learned that my husband while very supportive can be my stumbling block by convincing me I need to take a break. However, honestly I know that sometimes it is good to not push quite as hard as I have been lately.
As a mother I learned that my children don't always do as I ask when I am very busy. I think more because they know I don't have the time to follow up and see if they have done what I ask. This made me start something knew that I hope is temporary. They are doing their own wash. I feel like Zekaryah always wants his friend * over and then Mekenzei always wants to go to *'s house. However, I feel like they gripe if I ask them to unload the dishwasher, clean the bathroom or put their clothes away- which by the way I washed and folded. Several times since this summer I find that pile of clothes no longer folded, not put away and on their floor needing to be washed again. Last night- maybe partially due to stress- I said enough is enough. They were not going to friends houses, friends were not coming over and they were to clean their room and they now do their own wash. It was a funny site.
Mekenzei found herself cleaning Jakob's room-which she has shared with him since the summer- I hope to correct that this Christmas Break. I asked Jakob to go help while I was working on a quilt, once I realized she was cleaning what I already asked him to do- while he was on the computer! Her response- I want to do it myself. So in retaliation I had Jakob unload and reload the dishwasher. I was not letting him not clean- because at that moment I realized that Zekaryah was also CLEANING his room. Wow so friends are important huh? Mekenzei did her own load of wash and folded it and put it away. Jakobs room is half way clean, it looks nice and organized and swept- he will finish the rest. Zekaryah washed and dried his clothes- I admit I folded them and they are waiting for him to put away. His room is better but not to my standards just yet. Paul also must have realized how MAD I was because he did a load of his own clothes this morning. Too funny!
So as a friend I am learning sometimes its best to put things aside. My friend * asked me to go to her daughter *'s geography bee, she asked me early in the week. At the time I was waiting on Tshirts for a rush Christmas Order so I did not know if I could make it. I worked all day Wed subbing, came home finished Stabilizing shirts, cutting them and piecing them into rows. I wanted to finish the quilt top but my husband made me hang it up for the night. The next morning I finished it, went to the geography bee and was very thankful that I did. She only made it through the second round and missed a question about a state quarter but it was neat to see her willing to try against many 5th graders while she is only a 4th grader. What was better was that I was there supporting her and her family. I did need to be home and piecing the backing for the quilt on my table, and also pinning it- however to be honest I did it and had it ready just as my husband walked in the door - so it all worked out fine. I just had to set my priorities and remember the Lord wants us to be good friends too, not just good servants to our work. Now if I can get the funds to do the Tshirt quilt for her husband for Christmas- as a gift I will be set.
So as for my own husband. I have not heard him complain once about how FILTHY my house is, our house. I have not heard him complain about having to cook after a long days work because I either subbed and came home to work on a quilt or worked on a quilt all day and was still doing so. I heard him praise me Friday night when I became super stressed and needed a break from Tshirt quilts. I was feeling guilty because it appeared that once again my orders were coming before my own children. They really wanted stockings this year and I was afraid I would disappoint them again. He was supportive and allowed me to work on them and let my orders wait, knowing that all week I would be swamped trying to catch up! I admit the one order I had set aside was a gift order, but i still felt trememdous guilt, esp as when I started to work on it again, my iron went out, then the next day my rotary cutter broke- which delayed me even more. It will still arrive in time for Christmas though.
I am so thankful as I look back on the last couple of months. I miss my mom so much. I still find myself crying at the most inopportune times. Its so hard to not have her here to talk to, to share with, to laugh with, and most importantly to pray with. I am so thankful for her prayer back in June. My family life was unfocused and not going so well. Her death has made us all refocus a great deal. Just like the stockings- the kids quilts, gifts to friends who might not have provided items for their loved ones without my talent, time and treasure. I am thankful to the Lord for his provision and protection. For his many blessings and for this Holiday Season. I am thankful for friends and family who are far away. May everyone have a wonderful week as the remembrance of the birth of our Lord approaches this coming week. For without him much would not be possible and would for sure be meaningless.

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-12-14T22:15:00.001-06:00

A Tshirt Quilt Christmas Gift 50 by 68

This quilt means a lot to me because I had a nagging feeling about asking a friend of mine to allow me to make this quilt for her son. it turned out that God really was talking to me about this quilt because it was an actual "need for the family" I don't really mean that they needed the quilt as much as they kind of needed the gift itself. I have been following her blog for some time and was very proud to see how hard this particular son had worked and it meant something to me to do this quilt. So it was a pleasurable Tackle it Tuesday..

My prayer is that his life be full of blessings. That the Lord open any doors that are to be opened, that his path always be well lit and that his life be full of joy, love and peace. I also pray he will always treasure this gift.

Rock Band Tshirt Quilt

2010-12-12T18:15:00.000-06:00

84 by 68

Christmas Crafty Stuff Part Two

2010-12-12T11:07:00.001-06:00

My Christmas Stocking. I wanted fabrics to remind me of my mom. The blue is the almost exact color of my moms wedding carnations. Her and I had loved butterflies and I often see butterflies now in my yard and think of her. I did not put a name on it because I wanted to showcase the inside butterfly fabric too. I think she really would have liked this stocking.

All of our Stockings. I am hoping to find some after the season stocking holders for the mantle for next year. I looked around this year they are very very expensive. I really would like some type of silver cross I am thinking.

Paul's stocking. Anyone that knows him knows he is a die hard camo guy. He chose the fabrics and the font/thread. I thought it was interesting that he chose this chunky font. But it so makes sense looking at it finished. I am sure I will never have to make him a new one.

Crafty Christmas Stuff

2010-12-11T00:38:00.001-06:00

Started my morning making Pillowcases.. The Dog with the name Hope is an actual order for a little girls Christmas, then the monkey one is for my cousins little girl- he requested Green, monkeys and purple.. so I hope this works.

Then I made this pillowcase because my friend Diana saw the earlier ones and decided she wanted one for someone she knew. So took an order for it tonight, made it and have it ready to ship for Christmas tomorrow.

My night continued with starting some pillowcases. This one is Mekenzei's. I wanted everyone to have patchwork type pillowcases in Christmas fabrics, well that didn't go over well with Mekenzei. We were at Hobby Lobby and she loved this blue fabric. I found the lighter swirly blue to match it, she then picked her thread and fancy embroidery font.

Zekaryah loves the beach, he loves sea life and water. It was interesting when he picked this fabric. I thought he would pick a more tropical fish looking fabric. Then we found this cool star like fabric that matched the whales perfectly. When I was choosing the fonts for the stockings he happened to be in the room and informed me he did not want that Swirl fancy font that Mekenzei chose. So there went my second decision on everyone at least having the same font..Too funny. So he chose this, and in green because that is his favorite color.


Jakob loves games, any type of games really. This fabric suited him. We did go look for some other fabrics. I felt a little bad because I had purchased new fabrics for the other two kids, and Paul, but Jakob could not find anything new that he "really liked" so he "settled" on this. Now that the stocking is done I think it is perfect. His favorite color is blue, so we used that for the thread since we both agreed that the green fabric matched better for the top and inside of the stocking. All three stockings have batting and are quilted by various stippling. They also have a binding across the top and a little hanger thing that I made. Eventually I need to find some of those stocking holders people put on their mantles because for now they will go up with little thumb tacks.

I still need to make Pauls, and mine. Paul chose Camo fabric, surprise surprise..I have not decided what to use yet for mine. I might make one especially for this year out of some butterfly fabric that my mom loved. I just don't know. All in a days work, and now that it is 12:30 its also time to head to bed.

Animal Quilt

2010-12-02T21:53:00.001-06:00

New Christmas Quilt Tops

2010-12-02T11:17:00.000-06:00

This is an order from my friend Connie- its for her husband. I got the quilt top done the other day. I have it pinned and hope to quilt it tonight. It has the best flannel backing for it. Her husband will just love this. Measures about 60X60

This one is for my friend Diana, also a quilt order. She loves snowman so even though it is similar to a quilt I made for Connie it has two different fabrics. One a snowman collage type fabric the other a blue with nativity like star. It will have this really nice snowman flannel for the backing. I am hoping she will use the quilt and not just hang it because it is going to be beautiful! It also measures 60X60

Thankfulness Countdown

2010-11-27T11:46:00.001-06:00

Today's Thankfulness countdown- today I am thankful for my mother, Sharon Unger. I had a wonderful example of Christ in my home growing up. She was kind and giving. She was generous of her time and expected the best from us. I am grateful to have had her as my mom for the time the Lord granted. She helped make me into the woman I am today.

Today's Thankfulness countdown-I am thankful for my dad. He adopted me when I was very little and I am so grateful for his loving decision. I am thankful he taught me the importance of taking care of others through his many years of caring for my mom. I am thankful to always have someone in my corner even when I make mistakes and that he also lets me know how proud he is of the woman I have become. I love you DAD!

Today's Thankfulness countdown- I am thankful today for my husband. I could not ask for a better friend. We enjoy spending time together and I am looking forward to a day in Galveston on Tuesday while the kids are at school. He is also a wonderful father to our children. I am very blessed.

Today's Thankfulness countdown I am very thankful for my son Jakob. He came very quickly after we got married and has been such a blessing to all of our lives. He is bright and talented, loving and kind. I enjoy that he bakes wonderful brownies and tries to always achieve more in life. I cherish the next four years of school he has.

Today's Thankfulness countdown I am very thankful for my son Zekaryah. He struggled at the start of life and I am very thankful the Lord allowed me to keep him. He is so loving and caring toward others. A child with a heart of gold. He works very hard, harder than most to get what he wants and I am very proud a...ll his hard work. My favorite thing about him is his hugs, they can warm anyone's heart!

Today's Thankfulness countdown (early) I am very thankful for my daughter Mekenzei. She is such a treasure. I enjoy her bright shining smile, the way she laughs. I love that she tries anything she finds interest in. My favorite things are cuddling up with her during movies in my bed and listening to her sing.

I am very thankful as Thanksgiving approaches to have Christ in my life. I am thankful to be able to trust in the Lord and know that he will continue to provide for us. Especially since Lately we seem to have so many things go wrong and quilt orders did not pick up for Christmas.. He is there to carry us right now and... we will to continue to be a blessing in other peoples lives, despite the struggle in our own.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. We went to our Paul's brothers house for the lunch meal then went to his sisters for snacks and desserts that night. It was a lot of fun. Zekaryah joined in on the poker game this year- only a $2 game..he actually was in fourth place. Pretty good.

I think the best part for us was this little bop it game the boys and I played. I had never played before. It might be something I actually try to find and purchase for us as a family game to own. I enjoyed yesterday as I finished a quilt and then worked on another- it is almost complete as well. We cooked our own Thanksgiving feast. I had to laugh because Mekenzei only ate some corn, green beans and mac n cheese. I made this huge meal and that is all she "liked". Not quite sure how I will handle her as next year approaches it becomes more difficult to feed her, as she doesn't like anything. As last night rolled in and the weather dipped to 29 degrees I was thankful we have a home in general even if we do not have heat. Just to go get the dog outside was unbearable. Zekaryah slept in a sleeping bag with a hooded sweatshirt on. I think that was a brilliant way to deal with our very chilly house.

Making Sausage

2010-11-21T16:36:00.000-06:00

Last year Paul and Mekenzei took a deer, this year he got one when he went hunting by himself. The kids and I spent time cleaning the den, throwing stuff away, going through clothes etc to declutter. While we did that Paul worked at taking meat off bones. Once he was done I helped him grind it with 2 pork butts and some lard. We then packed it into the sausage maker machine thing. I cranked as Paul helped it slide through the casings. You do about 5 lbs at a time, so now I am waiting for the smoker to be heated up so he can throw the first batch on and we can finish making the rest. I think we will get about 30 lbs of it. It is great in some soup. I use chicken broth- 6 cans, about 10 or so potatoes, one stalk of kale and one lb of cut up sausage- I slice in half then in chunks, I also throw in half of a large onion. The kale you add towards the end- like the last 15 minutes. It is very yummy.

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-11-16T18:25:00.001-06:00

What I got done today, in addition to working this morning at the school- the interior blocks were all done from last week, but I had to add the green and red borders.

Christmas Quilt Order- the top is done, it is a play on Sudoku. I scrambled the blocks on accident. I love the outside border fabric. It will be great on some white towels.

I hope to quilt it tomorrow night. I have to piece the backing later.

Menu Monday

2010-11-15T16:52:00.000-06:00

I am very thankful to be back with the living. Last week I was in bed three days, it made it a little crazy around here. I think the kids ate cereal for the entire time because we went through five boxes. So I am thankful to say everyone was excited to pitch in for this weeks menu. We are continuing with the idea of everyone helping out since everyone seems to think I don't do anything around here. LOL!

Monday- I work half day so Zek and Mek are cooking and Jakob is doing dishes

Baked Potatoes

Tuesday I work half day again- Jakob cooks M and Z do dishes

Tostadas

Wednesday I cook- J does dishes Z helps with wash and M does bathroom

Tuna Helper and brocoli

Thursday Jakob cooks, Z and M do dishes

Spaghetti, Garlic Bread and Green Beans

Friday Z and M help me cook, dad does dishes

Chicken, Mashed Potatoes Corn and Spinach

Saturday- Mommy Does dishes Dad Cooks

Bbq Dads Choice

Sunday Everyone pitch in

On Your Own

My Tshirt Quilts 2010 8x8

2010-11-10T13:18:00.001-06:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-11-09T05:42:00.001-06:00

I got an order for three pillowcases for a customer that I have made quilts for. These are for her nieces. I think they turned out adorable! I did not post full views of every pillowcase just the one. This is for my PreTackle it Tuesday. I am learning that I have to be flexible because for this Tuesday I am working half day in the afternoon at the Jr. High. This morning I will tackle a Christmas Quilt order, but I doubt I will get the whole thing done today. I am off tomorrow so I hope to finish the Christmas Quilt then. I think the little girls these belong to will treasure these for a while. They are all flannel and super soft.

Two New Quilts

2010-11-04T07:02:00.000-05:00

Recent Quilt Orders

Baby Genius Quilt with Matching Burp Rags- 30 by 35

Personalized Pink and Brown Elephant Quilt with Matching Burp Rags- 42 by 60

Thankful Thursday

2010-11-04T06:56:00.000-05:00

We have much to be thankful for this week. I started subbing on Monday. I came home from work on Monday to see a job at the same school for full day on Tuesday as well. Paul was able to login and find me a couple more sub jobs on Tue, so I was able to work on Wed morning and then today full day teaching 5th grade. I admit Jr High was a little rough. I guess I don't care for talking in the classroom. So it was quite different.
This week we had someone call our agent who is selling the land we have and ask some questions about it, they also wanted to see it, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
Paul was able to work for his brother in law so we got some extra money this week. That is a huge blessing because we have three bills we could not pay yet and I don't get my first subbing check until the end of the month. I took orders for three pillowcases last week as well as a Baby Genius Quilt. I also got paid for the Elephant Pink Quilt I just finished- that gets mailed tomorrow. It has been a good week.
I got set back a little emotionally as I went to call my mom yesterday to tell her about the land. Had to take 30 minutes or so to regroup. This morning I feel a little worse as I had this horrible dream. I dreamt that we were in this place, my mom and I. That there were some church people there with us. Funny cause they don't even go to my church. I dreamt there was a huge storm and for some reason I went outside. I rushed back in and some of my friends and the pastor of the youth ministry were not letting me back to where she was. I could see this leaf blanket I have on my bed on the ground covering something. I rushed through the barricade because my dad was already gone and I could not stand to have her gone too. I remember pulling the blanket back and just staring down at her. I woke up breathing so hard and rushing in tears. Of course then Jakob woke me up. Our alarm did not go off this morning and the kids were already heading out for the bus.. So very interesting yet upsetting morning. I did not realize how much I still missed her. I took great comfort in the idea that I know the Lord does not put these dreams in our minds, that it is Satan trying to undermind all the blessings and glory of the week, even though the pain is just as real.
So as I close on Thankful Thursday, I ask you to pray for those that are going through trials, whether they be marriage, financial, job insecurity, or sickness. I also ask specific prayer for my friends family as their grandmother passes on this week. They spent all day with her yesterday. It is not an easy time for them.
May He watch over all of us as we approach the new week and Thank Him for all he Blesses us with daily.
Amen

I will carry you - Michael W Smith

2010-11-03T17:31:00.000-05:00

"Your Name" by Phillips, Craig, & Dean

2010-10-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

Holy Spirit and Blessings

2010-10-20T16:51:00.002-05:00

I always feel so blessed when someone is pleased with my work. Today I found my heart incredibly touched as my last customer on the boy/girl Tshirt Quilts sent out a personal email to a few that she knows sharing my "talent" with her. I got into quilting for others in order to be a Blessing in other peoples lives. True it does provide some income but not as much as one might think, it is more for the pleasure that it gives me to meet someone else's needs. To be able to use a Talent that the Lord has provided to me.
I have been studying the Holy Spirit this week. It is amazing how easy it is to miss that HE is part of us. That it is a relationship. Its so easy to think of the Lord- the Father- someone who comforts us, someone who answers our prayers...Its easy to think of the Son- the one whom with we would not be saved as HE gave up His LIFE for us.. so that we may come to the Father clean. Often I think we forget about his ever present Spirit within us. The one that helps us feel close to the Lord. The one that works through us.
It makes me think of the song This Little Light of Mine.. then i think of my business. I was brought to tears and humbled by this woman, whom I have not met. Her order was placed on my Mother's Birthday, a day I struggled with as her death had been so close and my heart still so raw. The Lord worked in Mysterious ways that day and the order comforted my heart as the Spirit worked through me to complete it.
I was able to give her something that she can now hold onto, to cherish, to provide memories of places, events, times whatever it may be. Things that I have no knowledge of yet things that mean so much to her and her children, her family.
So on this day I give thanks, as I continue to seek His face, to feel his Spirit within me, to do His Will and follow His Path.. may everything I do be of Glory and Honor..

Track Meet

2010-10-18T13:57:00.000-05:00

First Track Meet- Oct 15th 2010

The younger two have just joined track this year. Its odd because the 6th grade campus really does not have a track team- they more practice with the Jr High kids a few days a week. Mine cannot attend all four days but do go most of the time Tue-Thur. That will become more difficult as choir now is meeting after school tue and thur.. So will see what happens from here. For now they competed and did very well.

Mekenzei and dad after the meet- she won 4th place out of 50+ girls

Zekaryah running- sometimes I feel like he is not trying hard enough- he is not quite like Mekenzei- she has the desire to win, he more just likes to participate

He did well 13 out of 30+ boys that ran. When you run nearly by yourself I could see how it is harder to push because you are not running against anyone..

After the meet, they were very tired

Okay so I made Jakob join in the picture.. He didn't like it, but I am so glad he did. Its hard to get photos of him these days. I was also glad that he tagged along. Most of the time he misses their events.

This was not all of the 6th graders but it was the ones that had stuck around at the end. I think they should have taken a picture at the beginning so you could see just how many of them are interested in doing track next year. It was a good meet.

Early Thankful Thursday

2010-10-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

So my post is a couple days early. I just feel like my cup has overrun with Blessings so I want to Rejoice now and not wait till Thursday..
Today I went to orientation for subbing. I am very excited to say that is something I can do in the very near future. It will pay $60 a day so that is not too bad. I have been waiting nearly a year to get the opportunity. As much volunteering as I did last year its probably good that it took a while.
I came home very excited because my husband decided I could go back to school. He wants me to find out what I have left, the details on cost, classes- have a plan.. but I can go back. I do have to sale some quilts to pay for it but hey its great news.
I checked ETSY today to find two conversations where potential customers were interested in Tshirt quilts. If all goes well I could have 4-5 Tshirt Quilt orders!
That would be wonderful. Esp since we just got our taxes on the land for nearly $1400, we have none of it! The land still has not sold so it would be great to see some extra money come in before they are due Jan 31st.
So all in all its been a very roller coaster but blessing full day. Nothing of specific answer but I love the idea of opportunity, for with it the Lord can open so many doors.

ETSY sales and donations

2010-10-12T16:46:00.000-05:00

I am really excited that I can finally mail my dad a check to help with expenses that occurred with the passing of my mom. I have sold enough quilts to send him a check for $50. I have been donating ten percent of every sale to my PayPal account, so I made the transfer to my regular account to be able to send him a physical check. I really hope this is just the beginning. I admit 10% is not much, but its what I can afford to do. I really pray the Lord will bless me with more T-shirt quilt orders. I am thinking after Dec I might be able to start giving him 20% on just those orders. I know that would help him a great deal. It will really soothe my heart to be able to help him.
I also just wanted to update- the lady who ordered the two youth Tshirt quilts from me really loved them. I am praying about the blessings from this order, she might know some people who would be interested in the same type of quilts. It is always so wonderful to see how the Lord uses others to bless our lives. Word of mouth is the most powerful way to really grow a business. I do love doing these quilts. I like that I have something to contribute to our family in doing them, that I typically can combine part of the money made from them with coupons and continue to build our food storage. I am not sure what I would have done without it this last year. When there are no sales where I can get food at a price we can afford we have learned to rely on the "FOOD CLOSET". What is really nice is when I can turn around and donate the week of Oct 25th to the local food drive and then bless others from my wise shopping.
So my prayer is that the Lord continue to overflow our cup between quilt orders and the possibility of substitute teaching- orientation is tomorrow so we will see where that leads my family.

More Progress= Mekenzeis room

2010-10-09T21:35:00.000-05:00

Mekenzeis Floors just as we started them. They were a mess after we pulled the carpet up, between glue, paint, water stains etc..

This is the floors now that they were finished with all sanding. They look so pretty. We were tempted to leave them their natural color, but I really liked the stain I had already picked out.

This is the floors after I stained them. Took a couple of hours. I love it. I am letting them sit all night so that I can put the first coat of poly on them in the morning, then all going well the second on Monday- the kids are out of school so this should work fairly well. I love that her room is coming along. Really makes us want to try our hand out at the ceiling. SO that it is really done, maybe even find two new windows. I decided to make a blue and white pinwheel quilt for her bed. Just need to start collecting the fabrics.

Youth Tshirt Quilts

2010-10-06T13:50:00.000-05:00

Two New Tshirt Quilt orders Completed. Youth Shirt this time instead of adult. Quilt one- girls is roughly 46 by 59. Quilt Two- boys is roughly 50 by 60. Gray material chosen for all fabrics of the quilt- border, binding and backing. Warm and Natural quilt batting used for warmth and durability.

What Faith Can Do- Kutless w/lyrics

2010-10-05T15:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2010-10-01T08:10:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Daddy!

(Dad and I at the San Diego Zoo)

I am so thankful to be blessed with a wonderful father. I think this year, this post is probably the hardest of all, because the blessing means all the more this year, with the passing of my mom a couple months back. I would say I have probably always talked to my mom more as an adult because she was very Tech friendly, meaning she used email a ton, texting and then also facebook in the last couple of years. My dad- well he is not so great with all that. However, that being said I never feel unloved even though we don't pick up the phone as often as we should. Neither of us are phone people. I had the opportunity to spend the entire day at the Zoo with him in July when I went out for my mom's funeral. It was so nice, even though I was very cold! Who would have thought you couldn't wear shorts and a tank top in San Diego- a beach city in the middle of summer. Not me, but I know if we ever do it again. I think the best thing about being a kid was all the time we spent at the swap meets, car shows, junk yards and chili cook offs. It was great to spend the day with him.

(Dad with Jakob just a day old)
Love always came pretty easy for us. First he fell in love with my mom and then me, later my sister (cause she was not born yet). My mom and him met on an Airforce base in Colorado. We lived up above him in some apartments on base. Soon he took me to be his own daughter after my sister was born- by then we had moved to California where he was from. I would remain there until I got married and moved here to Texas.
I am very thankful that I had him in my life. He was and is always there for me, if ever I were to need him, and I know that he realizes the feeling and actions are mutual. He was supportive of every pursuit I had whether it be girl scouts, music (band and choir- which annoyed him at times), school stuff and later holding a job so I could pay for my own car, insurance and other things- because I was way to INDEPENDENT!
I remember my baccalaureate ceremony in High School- I got up on the stage and sang the Lord's Prayer- among a couple other songs but some lady in front of him said Man, does she have a great voice. My dad (according to my mom) leaned forward and said, "That's my daughter" and grinned from ear to ear. It's so nice to know that I am loved and cherished! He never failed to have me realize that. (dad with Zekaryah- just a week or so old)

He was always there to pick up the pieces. Esp after breaking up with this guy in college. I had really thought I was going to marry him and was terribly crushed to end things. He never did like him, but he wouldn't tell me until later. That's the kind of dad he is. He gave little hints, now that I look back but He let me make my own decisions and brushed me off when the first love thing was over.
As an adult he has been there more times then I can count. I have not had the easiest of marriages, some my fault, some natural causes. Through the loss of a child and later a miscarriage he gave me comfort and words of support. He didn't necessarily understand but knew that I needed time to heal. Through the ups and downs of my marriage, He stood by me and helped me talk it all out. He listened a great deal and helped me realize I had let go of myself and that was something I needed to work on.
He helped me heal after the deep loss of my mother in law Joyce. Caring for her had exhausted me body and soul. Her death shook me to the core and caused me to move back home for a while. He built me a bedroom in their home, so I would have a place of solitude. We would go on walks and talk, enjoy the beautiful mountains and fresh air. I started to heal and find myself again. The best thing was going to Santa Barbara with him and my mom that October. We hiked up to a little waterfall, we went to some gardens, traveled through wonderful old shops in a small city and went to the missions. I needed that trip, a reminder that life was still in front of me, if I wanted to grab a hold and take the reins.
(dad, mom and I after his 50th birthday party)
I know I surprised him once by showing up in CA for his 50th birthday. Everyone helped me by keeping it a real secret. The look on his face when he came to my brothers house for dinner and I opened the door was PRICELESS. The love spoke a thousand words just in his facial expression.
He is always so loving with his grandchildren. They drove out to Texas for each birth- both Mekenzei and Zekaryah they were a little late, cause I had them early but they were still here, even with the horrible heat with Mekenzei since she was born in May, it was a long drive but it didn't matter, since he knew it was important to me.
(Galveston Beach - after Mekenzei was born)
I think the most admirable quality I can think of is his care for my mom all the years they were married. They had some rough times like everyone else. He always stuck it out and made a way where often there didn't seem to be one. She always had health issues from the time I was in first grade on. Sometimes they got better, then she would have something pretty massive happen. In the end he cared for her with such love and compassion. I won't say it was easy, I won't say that often he was tired after a long days work and walking the dog. He did everything he could to provide a life that was comfortable for her in those last few years. They traveled more this year then any other. It was something that gave her great peace. It brings tears to my eyes to think of the true love they had. Its such a testament to us kids to see his love for her, even now really- though it is not spoken of. Its a great inspiration to me as I try so hard to be a Proverbs 31 wife. To be there for my children and my husband. Provide them with a home of love and care. He is a great example and for that I am truly blessed.
(Our Santa Barbara Trip- I am so thankful I took this picture now!)
I know with the passing of my mom, he allowed me to help him get things settled. It was something I needed to do, something that helped me feel useful. Even through my own grieving I am thankful that I could spend some time with him and just be there. I know the road ahead won't be easy for any of us but I feel blessed to have been able to for once pick up the pieces for him.
It is often so hard to be so far away. I look forward to him retiring, in hopes that he will travel here to see us some. For now I wish him a wonderful birthday. I pray that the Lord will grant him many more years on this earth. That his heart will be glad. That He will be surrounded with love. That the Lord will return the blessings upon him for the care and love that he has shown my mother as well as myself. I am so thankful that HE CHOSE to be my dad. For I am the person I am today, as a result of that choice..I love you!

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-30T12:21:00.001-05:00

This week I have much to be thankful for. One a bike that was stolen from us was returned, it was not returned undamaged but I am hopeful that we can fix it. This pleased my son Zekaryah very much as it was a gift from Angel Tree last year to him for Christmas. Second on the same note Zekaryah's grades continue to improve. I was very impressed to see him score an actual 90 on his PREAP Math test, and a 100 on his 5 science project combo. Very good work!
The younger two have joined track practice, that seems to be going well.
I continue to work in Mekenzei's room. I thought I had the floor completely sanded but Paul felt it still needed some more work so...more to be done I guess.
Tshirts arrived so I can start the two new orders I had gotten a couple weeks back. I am excited to see them become quilts. I hope to get them in the mail next week if all goes well.
The most important thing this week is today I go to get fingerprints done in hopes that I can sub teach here in the local district. It was expensive- $51 to be exact. However, I know in time if I can get a couple of jobs it will pay for itself. I am a little worried as to how I will pick up kids by 4 but I know God has a plan for that.
So today I have leaned on some verses..

Psalm 22:19 (New International Version)

¹⁹ But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

Psalm 70:5 (New International Version)

⁵ Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

Psalm 86:5 (New International Version)

⁵ You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.

Psalm 54:4 (New International Version)

⁴ Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.

I hope you have had a very blessed week.

AccuGo Giveaway

2010-09-27T14:32:00.003-05:00

Millie at Millie's Quilting is giving away an Accu Go- I would love one of these. It would make things like placemats, table runners and small wall hangings an easy task!
Go here to enter your chance to win http://milliesquilting.blogspot.com/2010/09/accuquilt-go-cutter-giveaway.html

Thankful Thursday and Happy Birthday Mom

2010-09-16T16:31:00.002-05:00

Today did not start out so well. I will be the first to admit. I did not sleep well knowing that my moms birthday was today. I was so incredibly sad. Been crying a lot the last couple of days. I just miss her so much. Its strange that the emptiness has grown recently and not decreased. I think part of it is being alone so much. Makes me think way to much. In some ways though I am finding that may be God's Plan. To allow me time to heal, to think, to meditate, to turn fully to him in this time. Even though I prayed that she would finally go in those last 24 or so hours, it is not easy to realize this is it, at least until I one day go to heaven and can see her again.
I am so thankful for the time I had with my mother. Things were not always easy. We really had some rough patches. I think more than anything because she was so young and also just the fact that I am super independent. I also tend to think way to much and that caused us much distress.
I am so thankful that she always expressed how wonderful I did at being a mother. She never ever questioned that once. I take comfort in that knowledge, as I strive so hard to be the best I can for my children.
She was very supportive of my quilting. She truly believed that one day I would have my own company with my own employees and that my calling to teach would be in quilting and crafts. I used to laugh at her but I can see it. My quilting business has grown. Just today I find myself so so thankful when I get an order for a quilt- that I just posted yesterday! I had made the quilt for another customer, who I do not know- online. I had just finished it and posted the pictures and today- on my mother's birthday a woman bought that exact quilt for me to make for one of her two children- with a request for details on how to purchase a second quilt for her other child. How Wonderful! I still have four other inquiries I am waiting on- not always so patiently I admit.
God's timing is amazing. I was so down today- went and met my husband for lunch because my two friends had plans today and could not do anything. Even though I only had 45 min with him it was nice that he spared the time from work. I wanted to pick up flowers on the way home but i felt so guilty about it, so I passed on it. I come home check my ETSY account- and there was a new order.
It made me smile, knowing that the first thing I would have done- Call my mom. I would have been so excited she would have prayed a thanksgiving to our Lord and we would have awed in that moment. So instead, I played her favorite songs, sang along and praised the Lord for his continual support in my life. Knowing that she would have been so grateful to just hear my voice singing and spending a quiet hour with her.
I still pray for my dad, as I can't imagine the pain he is still enduring. I pray for my brother, sister and grandmother also.
For now I will remain thankful in today, not worry about tomorrow and Praise God for the time I had with her, even if it was much too short.
Psalm 139:13
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

Job 1:21
and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Proverb 23:25
May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!

Psalm 71:6
From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.

Chris Tomlin-Indescribable-lyrics video

2010-09-16T15:52:00.000-05:00

Praise You In This Storm w/ Lyrics!!

2010-09-16T15:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Mom Love you so much

2010-09-16T10:48:00.000-05:00

Ohio Tshirt Quilt

2010-09-15T13:03:00.003-05:00

New Tshirt Quilt order- 16 shirts- request gray fabrics. Finished size approx 64 by 72.

Soft Gray flannel backing- with a darker grayish black cotton handmade binding.

Do Not Worry about Tomorrow

2010-09-15T07:34:00.001-05:00

Do Not Worry about Tomorrow

So often we forget the simple lessons of the bible- one that we should remember to apply daily. Trust in Him always because He will lead your path. It's so easy in the times we live to get discouraged and find ourselves drowning in worry. Lack of money, maybe a job, relationship problems. Yet if we trust the Lord with the simplest of things- He will provide- we will not go hungry or lack of the things that we actually Need...want however maybe a different story. :-)

I find myself trying very hard not to worry about tomorrow. As orders for quilts are slow, as a job has been absent for nearly a year now. Somehow we continue to make it by God's Grace and Mercy. I am ever so thankful to see him present in our daily lives. Just this weekend I had a gift card from Verizon- as Paul's phone had gone out while I was at my dad's this summer and he had to replace it. It was for exactly $50. I found myself needing Paper towels, toilet paper and Cascade. Kroger had some coupons to load to their store card- then I had a paper coupon for each item for $1 each. So after my purchases of things such as yogurt, cereal, granola bars, lunch meat etc. My bill came to just over $40, the org total was $80 something. I was ever so blessed as I had forgotten about those Kroger loadable coupons, as well as the extra savings from Shortcuts and Cellfire to go along with my Quaker, Yoplait and Hillshire savings by paper. This was an example of my prayer for help with our weekly budget in the site of needing paper products which often times become so expensive and double your bill. It was an example of the Proverbs 31 woman- one who researched, clipped and found the best deals- like two cans of beans by Old El Paso at 34 cents after using a $1 each can. It was also a prime example of faith. I knew that I did not have to worry about the next week. I could plan a little but that when groceries are needed again- HE WILL PROVIDE A WAY..

So I actively try not to worry, instead I try really hard to trust and to have faith, because that is what HE ASKS of us daily. So if there is something on your heart that worries you, take it to the Lord in prayer and Lay it at HIS FEET.

Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Some Recent Quilting

2010-09-14T14:43:00.002-05:00

My friend made me these blocks a while back. I never did figure out what fabric I wanted then I was in Joann's this summer and saw this.. I loved it- then I thought of these blocks, so today I finally put it all together. I didn't have enough of the flannel to piece the back and the sides were just barely to wide so- will have to wait and do the quilting another day.
This next quilt I love. I picked the fabrics when my mother in law Joyce was alive. I had begun to make a quilt out of them, and got frustrated and started over making some random nine patch blocks that I then cut. Then I never could bring myself to finish it. So I sent it to my friend Des, she made a wonderful quilt then sent me some blocks back. I had made the quilt top a while ago but never did finish the quilt itself.
My mom had mentioned to me this summer to just give the stippling a try. In honor of her this week I did just that. I pinned it all and did a very wide stipple with some pretty variegated thread. I love the way it turned out. I also love the sage green cotton I chose for the backing. I have not decided what to do with it yet. I had thought of a couple people to gift it to, but for now It will just sit finished. Its nice to get all these UFOS done. Esp since I really wanted something to do and I don't currently have any quilt orders.

Be a Light unto the World

2010-09-14T13:02:00.001-05:00

Matthew 5:14-16
¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

I have been doing a lot of soul searching the last couple of months. Loss is difficult. I feel pressure at times as I am typically very positive and generally try to look to the needs of others. Its been rough not having my mom but even more so not being involved in anything this year. Last year I had the school- which I served as Vice President. I also worked with the choir two days a week, science club etc. I was constantly out and about. Working with other women and children and being fulfilled in doing so. This summer was pretty quiet. I didn't see very many people at all and at the close of it lost my mom. It left me pretty empty inside.
I had worked really hard at getting a book of Tshirt quilts finished. One of which I am very pleased with now that I have the final product in my hands. Quilt orders really slacked off since this summer and money has gotten really tight again. I continue to apply for jobs that are available in our school district and fail to even get an interview. It is very discouraging to have a desire to serve and continually "get turned down".
It made me really look inside myself. Esp this last one as I worked in the library- giving my free time to the Book Fairs and other things. I really felt that job, being part time would be the answer to our household friends. I enjoy the librarian and the staff at the elementary school. I felt there would not be a conflict of interest since my children no longer attend the school- yet God has other plans, because I didn't get the job, never even got an interview.
I have had some interest in my quilts, no real orders though- just inquiries. I found that one problem in my life is not so much that I am not social outside of our home but that I forgot about my quiet time with our Lord. I have been so caught up in my grief and non understanding of why the answer is constantly no or not now...that I neglected those precious moments in my day.
I was/am still praying, seeking him but the moments that are not interrupted- the moments were I read his work and work in my book- I had set them aside.
I found it interesting that the book I had been working through prior to her death is from Women of Faith- Discovering Joy in Your creativity.
What an ironic thing. I don't feel joy right now I will be honest. I more have to make it. I have to look for it. I don't think anything is wrong with that. I feel that God gives us steps to work through in dealing with grief. Loss is interesting. I have lost three grandfathers- all of whom I knew very well. Lost two great Grandfathers and a great grandma, as well as an uncle- all of whom I knew but not as long in my life- still important though. This loss just doesn't quite compare.
It has been a blessing for our family in that we are trying to live more for today. Finish things we start. I have so many projects that are undone. I saw that when I was in my parents home. How many things my mom had started that will lay unfinished. It saddened me. She always thought there will be a tomorrow, and now that will not come- at least not in a human way. So being the week of her birthday I have set out to remedy that for myself. To remember we are to be a light to others. To get back to the basics- what life really is about and to finish up some projects just in case for me there might not be a tomorrow.
One project was a quilt I had finished a while back- just the quilt top. It was so pretty. I was terrified to quilt it. More because I wanted to stipple the quilt and I am still learning how to do that. Its a bigger quilt then I am used to for that type of quilting, but it turned out so wonderfully. I have no idea what I will do with it yet. I had intended to give it away, now I am not sure. Not sure that someone would purchase it, so for now it will sit- but sit finished. Today I started working on some quilt blocks my dear friend Des sent me some time ago. I have that quilt top about half way done. I am very happy that I am taking this week to remember my mom, honor her and remind myself to just be a light to others and God will continue to fill the light within me.

So what have you left undone lately?

Tshirt Like Quilts

2010-08-06T17:49:00.001-05:00

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Mom

2010-07-19T18:48:00.001-05:00

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Sharon K Nelson Unger

2010-07-19T10:57:00.001-05:00

Sharon K Nelson Unger

My mother was born on Sept 16 1957 she passed away Saturday July 17, 2010..just shy of her 53rd birthday..She leaves behind her mother, sister and brother, loving husband, 2 daughters, a son and 8 grandchildren.
If there was one thing I could say about her is that she was a woman of great faith. She like me strived to be a Proverbs 31 woman. She like me did not always rise to the task but she always kept moving forward. She tried very hard to Rejoice in the Lord no matter the obstacle ahead of her.. Often times that obstacle was her health, but it also included us kids and the choices in life we were making.
She was born in Ogden, Utah. She had me at the age of 17 and boy was that a struggle since I came just a little too early. She said I always was trying to move to quickly through life..which is probably true. I would then be followed by my sister Tiffiny and my brother Lee. We all grew up in California in a little house that we loved and made our home. She tried nursing when I was little. Soon after she became a registered nurse she got ill and we nearly lost her. She would battle most of her life with an immune problem in her blood. She would do many things with us kids like girl scouts, help us in school, band, choir whatever our hearts desired.
She would She returned fully to Christ at the end of my 6th grade year after attending a Christmas program and seeing that the church I was attending was not anywhere close to what she believed as a Christian.
We began attending a Lutheran Church ran by Pastor Timothy Dost and his wife Nannette. There she served on the board for Sunday School, became the church secretary and even helped with the daycare that they would eventually have. She continued to be very supportive of my scouting helping me to earn my Silver Award and then also helping me to become confirmed.
I admit life was not always easy in the teen years but she always reminded me of my faith. How important that was no matter what I was going through. She once again became ill, this time with blood clots in her legs, I am thankful to say that the Lord was not ready for her..
We would move on to another Lutheran church and once again she participated in any aspect that she could. She would see us all off from High School and into the world over the next few years.
Her duty as wife would become difficult just after the birth of my first child when she had to surrender her whole being to my dad's side as he fought his battle with Leukemia. It was a tough fight but the Lord once again was not ready for either of them and he would go into remission.
They moved from their home to the mountains in Running Springs, California.This was a wonderful thing as a few years later while working in a secretary position for the county in the sheriffs department she would wake up one morning and fall down the stairs in their home. She injured her back. When going to the doctor they would find that she had disk degenerative disease as well as rheumatoid arthritis..later that would turn into many things such as fibromyalgia and diabetes. She battled her illnesses and continued to persevere even though most days she was in constant pain and discomfort. Her faith was something she continued to hold on to.
I know she continued to pray for healing over her body as did many of us for her. She would help me through the death of my mother in law Joyce. I had cared for her fully and was there in the final hours and that duty was more than my body could take emotionally, spiritually and physically. I would find myself returning home and leaving my marriage and family. I am thankful for her constant patience with me as I read the bible from cover to cover, prayed and healed. We took a vacation to Santa Barbara so that it would help me heal. I would find myself back to who I was and recharged so that come a few months later I was able to return to my job as wife and mother to my family. I will be ever grateful to both of my parents for this. My dad for allowing me to talk through my emotions and my mom for her constant support with the word of God..I know how much she prayed for me during this time, as I did for her the last couple of years.
I am blessed to have had a good example of a strong christian woman. She fought depression with a mighty blade. She enjoyed music and writing poetry. She came to be very secluded to her home and last summer I introduced her to facebook. This allowed for her to connect with the world she could no longer go out into. It allowed for her to get support from other fellow Christian's that were also online. She enjoyed playing many games on the site and we were able to connect nearly every day. The last year of my moms life was a tough one. She was tired of being sick and emotionally and physically drained. She gave of herself to others always trying to encourage them in their times of needs. Most of all she prayed for all.
I am grateful to the Lord for our last week together. I was moved to make a beautiful bag for her that she never got to hold. In talking with my dad I have come to know how special that was for her, she showed him the pictures I posted in aw of beautiful work. I know those are images she was able to have in her final hours.
We were not able to be together in her last hours since I live so far away but I am thankful for cell phones. She was strong enough just a few days prior to passing to have an hour conversation with me. We talked about so many things and both got closure on a great deal. I was praying that if the Lord felt it was her time that she go quickly. I know that she was ready. Ready to be rid of this body that held her in the merk and mire of life. She was ready to be with her Lord and Savior, to enjoy the health and beauty of his kingdom.
I praise the lord for the strength he fully gave me to be able to let her go over the phone. I know that she needed that release. I am thankful for her example of that with the death of my mother in law because I may not have realized the importance of that step otherwise. She will be deeply missed but I am ever so grateful to the Lord for taking her early since it was not his decision to fully heal her on this earth. I hope from this moment forth I can continue to be the Proverbs 31 woman that she helped me to become. That I can continue with my quilting business and know how proud of me that she was in her final days. She was a constant support this past year as I went in with all my might into my business so that I could stay home with my children and do the Lord's Will. I thank the Lord for the gifts and talents he has given me as I finish creating a masterpiece that my mom will be proud to be buried with.
May she forever rest in Peace..and Rejoice in His Holy Name..
Amen

Marine Tshirt Quilt

2010-07-16T12:09:00.005-05:00

I am learning it is hard to budget time. It is really hard when I try to get a quilt done in a day too. However, it is nice because I have my weekends free more. Just need to work in a few more hours with the kids. I am learning they need to not sleep until noon. :-)
Most importantly I think I am becoming content with the idea that the Lord wants me to stay home and not work out of the house, at least at this point in our lives. I am encouraged at this recent order since it is not one from anyone I know, or one of word of mouth. It solely came from ETSY. That makes my heart very glad. I also loved that it was my first Military Quilt. I hope I have many more in the future. They do such important work to keep us free.

Tshirt Like Quilts Jun 24 2010

2010-07-14T13:12:00.001-05:00

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New Projects

2010-07-13T14:07:00.001-05:00

Miss Barbie Pink Custom Requested Quilt Order

I admit I have not been good at Blogging lately. I have been so busy sewing though. I feel like this summer has been a huge blessing as I have one quilt order after another. I do need to stop cutting my prices though as I find its only $20 here and there that I am making on the quilts. It is so hard to not be generous though. A couple of items I have made for free..
First up is Miss Barbie.. The customer chose two barbie fabrics and I created this very cute quilt. I absolutely love every aspect of it. Which is interesting because I can say I am not really a fan of pink. I thought of my niece Selena when making it because she is a huge fan of hot pink and black..That gave me inspiration for my next item.. A cute little matching purse.

This cute little purse has a little pocket on the front. I used both Barbie fabrics for it. The front of the pocket is one, and it is lined on the inside pocket with the other. I did add two fabrics to this cute little bag that were not in the quilt just to give it some added patchwork appeal.

The inside is lined with the pink flannel polka dot material from the back of the quilt, the Straps are made from the binding material. It is very cute and would make a little girl very happy.

Next up is a Tshirt Quilt that I finished. It contains 16 shirts instead of the 12 desired because I found that there were some backs that could be used too. The customer provided the front fabric. I had a cute calico black floral print that I used for the binding and then I used the A & M color burgundy flannel for the back. It measures approx 64 inches square.

Last on my list was a laptop bag for my mom. I did become a little over zealous and it is rather tall. I am so proud of myself. The lining looks great, the handles are patch worked and stitched in beautifully. I know she is just going to love this little bag- well big bag.

My favorite part is the maple leaf. It is my favorite of all leafs. It is the first time I have ever made one. I think it turned out wonderful! I love the way the fabrics laid together and accented each other. I tried to find things that reminded me of our trip to Santa Barbara a few years back and also their home in the mountains. I can't wait for her to see this, as I have never made her anything. So this will be a real treat.

I admit I still owe her a set of towels and potholders so my To Do List is still full. I have several Tshirt Quilts to finish up. I still owe my best friend from High School a Baby Genius Quilt and all three kids quilts are still waiting too.. Amazing how the list always stays full. I am very thankful to the Lord for the many talents he continues to show me. I would have never thought I could make these bags before.

Tshirt Like Quilts Jun 24 2010

2010-06-24T10:56:00.001-05:00

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Magnolia Schools 2009-2010

2010-06-02T18:01:00.001-05:00

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Chess Club

2010-05-26T16:20:00.002-05:00

This is Zekaryah's second year of playing chess at MES. This year he got to play as a King.. It was very exciting. He enjoys the game a great deal. I would love to get him a nice set for his room. The boys- Paul, Jakob and Zekaryah all seem to like to play. I think it would be a great "guy" tradition..

Getting ready to play the third round. You were not allowed to take pictures this year while they were playing so I had to sneak in real quick as he sat down.
Having fun in between matches...

I am very proud of Zekaryah this year he has really tried hard to do his best and grow to be a wonderful young man. Congrats on graduating from Elementary school!

Mrs Gauthiers Quilt Order

2010-05-26T16:03:00.002-05:00

Doll Like Quilt

Mrs Gauthier has been the choir teacher for all three of our kids. I love working with her. I have volunteered the last two years. This year probably more so. I did a tribute quilt for her for the honor choir and she just loved it. At the carnival she saw my Texas Flag quilt and thought of a hole in her wall she wanted covered. I created this... above is the front, this is the back
She gave me two fabrics she liked and said she loved the maroon color fabric more. She gave me a drawing on paper for the size and the rest was up to me. Her only other request was for some more potholders - I threw in the towels. The back fabric is cheater. I can't take credit for it, outside of the quilting which I did myself. The front is done in 2.5 in squares and 6 in squares. It totals 18 in squares. I used the cheater fabric to bind it in. I think it was really cute! She loved it.. That made me very happy
I threw in the towels- a total of 2 sets of towels and 2 sets of potholders. I had made her towels for Christmas and she really liked them. Then the potholders I made before for her were out of grapevine material, so these will match as well. Its nice to have some nice things for your kitchen and bath.. I sure will miss working with her.

Tshirt Quilts

2010-05-26T15:51:00.003-05:00

I had the pleasure of doing two Tshirt quilts for my dear friend at school. She gave me a bag of 40 plus shirts and the only directions were blue fabric for the front and football for the back.. I love the way they turned out.
There are often little corners on the front of tshirts- I figured out I could applique them on Tshirts at the bottom or top- where there was extra room. Its nice as sometimes there isn't much on them but it is still a special shirt.

This quilt is a lap quilt that I did without her knowing. I had so many shirts left over that I didn't want to just give them back. So I figured out how to make an entire quilt with different size shirts. This is perfect as many were toddler/youth shirts. Then a few others were more adult sizes. I love the way it came out!

A posting from My cousin..too sweet

2010-05-26T15:49:00.001-05:00

Matt has a cousin in Magnolia(she's practically my cousin too...hehehe)and she invited us to her kids award ceremony. We were excited about the invite and could make it so we did. The kids did pretty well. Brielle would occasionally say "OUT" really loud but it wasn't bad at all.Z got his awards. I wish my camera had better lighting.M is receiving her awards.Here's some of the student council members.During the ceremony, Brielle was a little busy. She's had some stranger anxiety but she was right at home with Jennifer.She busied herself going through Jennifer's camera bag.What a little stinker!Here's the 5th grade graduates.Z is taller than me...I know that's not hard to do but still...he's basically a 6th grader now.Here's the group:Brayden and Brielle by Jennifer, and then Mekenzei and Zakeryah.I couldn't resist this picture...what a cutie!I tried to get Brielle to give Mekenzei hugs but she gave her kisses instead.Look at these two beautiful girls!Brielle,I hope you follow in Mekenzei's footsteps; she's a great girl!

Stairwell

2010-05-06T14:07:00.002-05:00

Stair Case... all three children have now had this loft area. I personally love it.. I can't wait to find something creative to do with it one day.. For now Zekaryah is the last of the clan to have it. He has an ocean life type room. He loves fish, the ocean, water etc. I mistakenly painted the stairs white three years ago.. Today I corrected that idea.
They are now chocolate- actually called Black Tea.. i loved the name with the idea of the Boston Tea Party.. See the thing is he is always throwing crap over the railing and onto the den floor. Last night for example it was dirty clothes. Why he can't just carry them down the stairs with him is beyond me. However, the problem is that he then forgets to grab them and my den becomes a horror show within a few days. Last night it was all clean and bam there were his dirty clothes. LOL.. the problem with his stairs before was all the dirt that I had to constantly wipe up because we all know that white shows EVERYTHING.
I am hoping we can afford some wood this summer because I would love to trim the entire ceiling and stairwell. I think it would look very ship like. He is going to be very excited that I finally fit this into my schedule.

Sing for Joy Quilt

2010-05-04T22:02:00.003-05:00

Tribute Quilt to Mrs Gauthier. All 8 students picked for the first ever Magnolia Elementary District Choir...

Honor Choir Quilt

Pictures from First Ever Elementary Honor Choir

2010-05-04T21:46:00.002-05:00

Choir 2

2010-05-04T21:25:00.000-05:00

Choir Night

2010-05-04T21:12:00.001-05:00

Carnival Apron

2010-04-27T21:48:00.004-05:00

I love this apron. This is for the ABU class at the school. I feel sometimes Zekaryah would be one of these students if it was not for all the positive reinforcement he gets at home. I really feel for the students in this class and Mr. Chaffin is wonderful. When I came in to do the handprints of his students he was ever so grateful. He was warm and kind and just amazed that someone was taking the time to not FORGET THEM, his words not mine. I am too, because it will be a treasured memory for me forever. I am thankful to say that Zekaryah's teacher Mrs. Zahn purchased this apron for $25 to donate it back to him. I was going to do that too. I did have to fix the label on one of the women that help his class, as I thought his writing read Mrs Jahn, but it was Mrs John.. I am happy to have found that out before it went out to be sold that night.
I think it turned out super cute.

Pillowcases for the Carnival

2010-04-27T21:08:00.006-05:00

There were five pillowcases that I made for the Carnival. All five classes lacked room moms and they would not have participated in the Carnival Silent Auction. I did not want to see that happen. I had some of the fabrics and was reimbursed for the rest of what I needed. I did find in hindsight that I should have purchased stabilizer for them as it was rather expensive to donate that for free. However, I know the Lord blesses us for using our time, talent and treasure. I had a lot of fun doing these, even if it was a little chaotic.
This is a pillowcase that went to a Hispanic class, the teacher was trying to come up with a Baby Shower basket which would have been fun but I just did not have time to make all the items and she did not have enough students donating anything. I didn't mind helping her out, she is always very nice to me at school. Handprints were on both sides of this one.

I love this pillowcase. I did the clouds, butterflies, sun and some of the flowers myself. There are bluebonnets and the red flower that were student fingerprints, then I added some white and yellow to them. I was bummed to see it did not get purchased by anyone. It was donated back to the teacher.

This pillowcase had handprints on just the front. I am thankful to say that a woman that is interested in my bench warmer blankets bought it for $10 and gave it back to the teacher. I love the font on this one. It came with a cute K for the Kindergarten section of the label. It perfectly fits this teacher.

This one was front and back with hand prints but only the picture on the front had the right lighting for some reason. This was purchased by a parent and not given back to the teacher. She was very excited to have it.

I love this pillowcase and the bluebonnet one the most. I like the creativity in it and am happy that this was also purchased by a parent then donated back to the teacher. I had fun doing this, the leaves in the trees are my prints but the rest was students, from the butterflies to clouds and flowers.

Carnival Projects

2010-04-27T19:29:00.003-05:00

Texas Flag Wallhanging for Mrs Herbrichs Class

MES pillowcases

2010-03-29T22:38:00.003-05:00

There were five classrooms that still did not have a craft or basket for the Carnival. Some did not have room moms either to help out. My friend Pam and I went around town on Saturday collecting items for other baskets and trying to think of things for these others still left with nothing. We saw a pillow throw cover and decided that pillowcases was the perfect solution. It is something I already had fabric for and then I could do them very quickly.
I have researched some ideas for what to put on them outside of just handprints with paint. I hope that I have time to really do the plan, but it may come down to just doing handprints for all of them. I did use the same pillowcase fabric for each, but put each classroom with a different border fabric at the end.
I think they are cute. Will take some better photos once they are finished. Thankfully I had this leftover fabric from the Handprint quilt I already did for Zekaryah's class. I sure hope I have just enough left for a surprise quilt I am working on.

Storage Room and Visitor

2010-03-22T13:29:00.003-05:00

Friday I went and picked up Mekenzei's friend to come stay the night. It was nice because we stopped by her Walmart on the way back and I finally found the black rug for Jakob's room. Failed to get picture of this.. oh well. So anyway they went out to play when we got back to our house, as her friend had not seen our new puppies. Then jumped on the trampoline and she didn't feel good- mekenzei that is, so she came in to rest. I put a movie in my room the girls came in and laid on my bed and I painted away at the storage room. It was a warm day so I knew the paint would dry nicely. Jakob made a batch of brownies and then painted the corners to work off some money he owed me.
All in all it looked really nice. You can hardly tell that it was plywood underneath anymore. Its very exciting to see it finally coming together- you have to understand this is a project over a year in the making.
Sunday we spent the day putting up one wall of shelves. We cant do the very top shelf because we are out of funds. Can't do the other walls right now either, but hey that is okay, eventually...
Paul had a pretty good idea I think. He took some wood, cut it down and nailed to the walls, then took two pieces and laid them next to each other and screwed them in. He did make a brace for the middle of the whole thing and then braced that to the underneath of each shelf on either side. He says I have to paint them though. BUMMER! I was ready to start loading them down. The wood is still damp so I am thinking later this week. I have another painting project as I spent $20 and got a gallon of Chocolate paint- called Black Tea- go figure. I will do Zekaryah's stairs this week and then also the dresser in our room- which we would have to unload into a container I guess. Not looking forward to that part. All in all a good Spring Break week- we got lots done, and a great weekend, despite the rain.

Jakobs Room

2010-03-17T22:52:00.005-05:00

Jakobs Room Part 2

This is a desk that Joyce, Paul's mom gave us years ago. I had painted it a green color when we lived at her house a few years back. I never did like the color it turned out, it was not even close to the color match I chose.. I knew Jakob would need a desk with his crazy school load that starts this summer, so I figured it would be better served in his room.

First we took all the knobs off, sanded the edges etc and then I used some free paint I got last summer from Glidden. It was a special they were running, you didn't even pay shipping. I had chose this paint for the dresser in my room, but I knew I should use it on this instead. My room can wait.

Zekaryah chose to get this picture of me finishing up.. Great kid he is, not such a flattering photo though. LOL

Next is a chair I had already started to dismantle when I thought uh oh before and after shots. This chair came from my dad, it was something he salvaged from work when I was a kid. I was so happy to have this chair, and I have hung on to it all these years. It has seen better days and really needed a face lift.

I had this cool upholstery fabric that I wanted to use for some throw pillows- well chair pillows works too..lol. It was a little difficult because there are these crazy metal tabs in four places on the top piece. I think overall it turned out great. Its not professional but I believe it is very functional.
I did want to paint the legs black- but that would mean I would have to spend money and the deal was to do this move from the loft to this bedroom for as little money as we could. So for now it will stay brown- the color it always has been. I know it will be a chore to paint this metal in general.

So for whats left..I need to get a rug- right now I have a scrap piece of material under the chair so that it does not scratch the wood in this room. I have tried to make them be careful because I sanded these floors by hand when we first moved in, but then my grandfather died and I had to leave for Utah. I never did get the rest of the hall or the living room done, so therefore the wood has never been re-stained and sealed. One day...there are so many other pressing items that are needed first. I do still need to sew the fabric around the pillows in his corner chair (in a previous post), find some fabric for curtains and finish piecing the quilt top so I can get that done. For tonight though it was a great finish and he is ever so happy!

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-03-16T18:45:00.001-05:00

Zekaryah's Room before

This is Jakob's room - the loft.. Just to show how crazy the move really is.

Picture two... I forgot to get pictures of the other side of Zekaryah's it was pretty crazy too. Note they had moved some things before I tackled it today.. it was a family job for sure!

Part One of Zekaryah's NEW ROOM
For now he does not have a dresser. I would love to put some bookcases in this area to store his clothes. He never used dressers before. He doesn't seem to like them. So for now will see how this works. I did find these bins that were storing fabric of mine, and we turned them into toy containers for now- so it was free for the time being.

Here you see that Zek does own some books! LOL I love this bookshelf. I had given it to Jakob when he was in fourth grade- it is when my dad made it for me. Jakob has now passed it on to Zekaryah. He has lots of counter top space that still can be used, so that is really nice. I do still have to paint and take all the wallpaper down, or paint over it. I am still trying to decide.

Carrying this TV thing up was a pain. Our friends Matt and Stef gave it to Zekaryah a year ago- so he was not willing to part with it. He had quite a few wall decor items in the old room so it was nice to see it all come together in this one. We are going to add wood trim along the top which I will paint Navy, then paint the walls a sea green or something. Make it BOAT like..

Here is Mekenzei already enjoying Zekaryah's room. I like the futon couch thing. Jakob always left it flat because he had to sleep diagonally - Z won't have that problem for a little while. I do still need to paint- as that was the agreement for the bribe to trade rooms- Something Jakob really needed. Then I also have some material to hem on all four sides to then staple to the railing- like I did for Jakob before. Since they have different themed rooms I had to take the old down, but no worries it will become pillow covers for a chair in Jakob's current room. Still need to finish Z's quilt too.

Now here is Jakob's NEW Room
Still need to cover the pillows for this chair, thankfully the fabric he had on the railing will work perfectly for that. I have four huge floor pillows to cover, I hope to get at least three of them done. Getting all his books sorted was his job! I did put all his clothes away.

I am so happy with this rug. I made it out of tapestry. I just happened to find a small piece for $2 its about 50 by 70, or thereabouts..It really is nice for his room, plus the previous owners cut the real wood out in a huge area under the rug- in the closet part so it hides the imperfection!

Jakob enjoying his new room- funny cause he started out with this bed- our old one- when we first moved here, but when he switched with Mekenzei the first summer, he lost it. No way I was carrying it up to the loft! The nice thing about the extra dresser is it matches the bed frame and other dresser. My old boss gave us the whole set. Before the mattress had always just sat on the floor. Now this dresser stores a few polo shirts he refuses to wear, but that I wont throw out because they were free and he will need them for something- I guarantee it. Then his video game parts and Lego's he was not willing to let go of. So no clutter. YEAH MOMMY!!!

I still need to find some game type wall stuff, paint the desk that should go next to the bed. Recover the chair my dad gave me from his work years ago- yes mom I still have it. Then finish up his quilt. I want to get a $20 rug from Walmart to throw on the floor too, because I never have sealed the wood so its quite drafty. (if that is a word)

Yard and House

2010-03-07T19:09:00.003-06:00

With Spring approaching we have spend some time the last two weekends in our yard. We got the front porch cleared off. There was an old toilet and couch on there and I finally got Paul to move both. We also cleared out the front three flower beds and moved some horse manure around front to help with the flowers. We got the shrubs cut, which is wonderful because now I don't have to duck- to enter the walkway so that I can go inside. It was a long process, but thankfully we finally had the time- since Paul did not have to work.
I love that some of the bulbs are already coming up. They are so pretty. This weekend we worked at the very front flower bed and also at taking out a tree. That was a scary task as we had the house one direction and the power lines the other. It all worked well and the kids helped pull the remaining small stuff to the back today so we could burn it. We hauled some more manure out front and got it spread. We still have to pull the stump but that will have to wait for another weekend. I hope to buy a couple things of flowers but we will see. Its really not a necessity and we are trying to limit spending.
The best part of the weekend was getting the storage room mudded. It is a room off our closet. This project was begun last JAN!! It has been a frustrating project for me. We had to wire the room and then install plywood to create some walls. There were NO interior walls when we moved in, just studs. It has sat a while with Paul getting into the garden last year so this Feb I said it is a must do before summer hits.
Saturday we got the entire room mudded and it is drying so that it can be painted. Paul came up with an idea for shelving for food, blankets, fabric and stuff. Now I have to decide if it is worth doing it right and buying pine or if we should do it cheap and just use plywood Paul gets from work- because his company uses wood crates to ship things in. If it dries early this week I might paint it in between quilts during the day, it will need a couple of coats.

Busy Days- no time to blog

2010-03-07T18:35:00.005-06:00

Here are some things we have been up to. Mostly me, but the kids too. Here above is a pillowcase I made for Zekaryah, his nickname is Ryeyo-
Science Fair hit for the kids. The younger two put a lot of time into their projects. I helped spice them up and we got everything put on their boards- Zekaryah won second place for his area
Science club hit this month too. We had to build a catapult. Jakob came to help out since he needed Pal hours- Paul always does everything "Big"
Some potholders I made my friend Tracey- she purchased some pretty matching towels from me the day I was selling them at the school. I was happy to see that there was something I could do for her. She helped us out with some food and money when I first found myself unemployed.
Here is Mekenzei with the one dog we found a home for. See we borrowed three puppies from our friend Pam. She had two litters and we got it narrowed to two, of course then Paul saw them and it became Three. I said two was plenty. They both chose a dog from the three as their replacement for Boudreaux. That was a terrible loss for our family. We still miss him dearly. I really wish people left notes when they hit your animals, like most do when they hit your car. Will have to get pictures of the two we kept. She wanted this one as a memory picture.
These are towels and potholders that I made for my friend Tracey. Magnolia Elementary is throwing another carnival this year and they will be having classroom baskets. The fourth grade chose a Baking themed basket. I offered to donate a few baking items from our stockpile of food we have started, then also create a Western set of kitchen items. This is what I came up with.
I love the potholders. It is the first time I left the fabric intact and just stippled it. They sure came out cute. I hope whoever wins the basket enjoys them. I also created a bluebonnet set and will be creating a Pepper set too. I created a dog set for my daughters classroom basket, as their theme was pet. Of course it was just the towels and fabric is only on one side not both. I failed to get a picture of the bluebonnet set, or puppy set. Will have to try and do that soon.
Lastly, is something I finished today. A Texas themed Wallhanging. It goes to a 5th grade basket with those bluebonnet towels and potholders I mentioned. This was my first time appliqueing a star. It turned out okay. next time I will use batting underneath to make it poof out some. I found all the fabrics for this one in my stash, so outside of the time to create it- it was all free. Nice when it is a donation for something.
I love this bluebonnet fabric- it is colored rather than just blue. It reminds me of Brenham when the wildflowers are starting. The Texas print fabric for the backing was super cute too. I had never put sleeves on anything, it worked out pretty good.
The front.. I love this quilt. I can't wait to make one for our own home. Not sure when that will ever happen. I seem to have my work cut out for me in donations lately. On a positive note I did sell a set of Irish towels last week. I thought I had a quilt order for some sweatshirts into a tshirt quilt style quilt, but never heard anything once I listed my price. I also thought I had a baby genius quilt order this week too, but again- never heard back so.. for now the donations keep me pretty busy, along with the hours put in for choir, school meetings etc. We have also been working in the yard and the house too.

Baby Genius Order Thomas Train Pillowcase

2010-02-04T17:16:00.003-06:00

This Thomas the Train Pillowcase was made for my friends baby Noah, he just turned one yesterday. I was so excited to get it done and take with me. I was able to spend some of his birthday with him which I thought was really neat. He doesn't know Thomas yet but I thought he would like the bright colors of the fabric. He sure did. He would just lay his little head on the pillowcase. It was the sweetest thing. Of course I also purchased a pillow too, because I was counting on it being his first real pillow. It sure was. That made it the perfect gift.
This is a new baby genius Quilt. I made it for my younger two's choir teacher. Is that even correct grammar.. Oh well. Anyway she has a niece that just found out she is due in a few months so I suggested one of these. I have another quilt order from her for a Baby quilt in pink and brown damask fabric. I sure hope that one turns out as nice because it will not have cut fabric. It is just one piece on either side with binding- that is not my typical quilt.

Embroidered Towels

2010-02-01T14:39:00.002-06:00

The principal at the kids school was talking to me a couple weeks ago about items that I make and sell. We were also talking about different items that people might want embroidered. She was out shopping and saw these beautiful towels for her mother. After showing a few fonts that I am able to do, she chose one, sent the towels home with Mekenzei and then I stitched them up this weekend. I was thrilled to have some denim color thread because I think it matched wonderfully.
I have not gotten much quilting or sewing done the last few days. We did get our bedroom moved around last night so that I can better utilize the space. I have been trying to catch up my other blog too about coupons and sales. This month our goal is to get the back room done so that I will now have food storage. It sounds simple enough but somehow there just aren't enough hours in a day. I did get our taxes done this morning, Paul is supposed to meet with the realtor about the land we are going to sale and then I am working at getting the mortgage company info they need to start paperwork on refinancing the house. Still no job, or really even a possibility at one but hopefully I can just make a few quilts over the next few months and continue to save with coupons to manage our food. This upcoming weekend we are going to inventory into a spreadsheet everything we have so that I can make a menu for the next couple months. That way outside of milk, eggs, bread.. I can simply only shop sales and coupons.

Quilting...

2010-01-26T14:12:00.004-06:00

This past weekend my daughters friends Dad, really our friend made my quilting frame. Not a stand type but the John Flynn system. I am very excited. I am hoping Paul can help me figure the fabric out so that I can start using it this weekend. In the meantime I have made up a couple towels and been working on Jakob's Sudoku Birthday Quilt. I doubt that Zekaryah's Quilt will be done in time for his birthday- since that is this Saturday, but if Paul can help me get the frame done up and I can borrow a table from my friends Matt and Stef it might just happen.
Jakob's quilt required 9 different nine patch blocks. They called for 3.5 squares but I wanted to do 5 in. I bought 9 different Fat Quarters to make it work. I have not decided what to do with the extra blocks yet, as I have 3 left over from each Fat Quarter. I might combine them with the other fabrics from his quilt and make two pillowcases. I think that would be neat.
Now I still have to add sashing and border but his birthday is not until the 12th so I am still on track. Here are the new towel listings too.

Wednesday and Thursday Towel Creations

2010-01-23T12:41:00.003-06:00

I had hoped to get a quilt done this week but I need at least one more folding table because the two I have is not enough to pin the quilts, as the quilt tops are too big. I got together a John Flynn system this morning in hopes that my daughters friends dad will be able to help me purchase the poles I need for it. I am not very crafty when it comes to understanding all the wood specifications. Anyway only one week left on Zekaryah's Quilt so I am hoping this week it becomes a reality.
A huge blessing this week was 5 bags of chicken. They hold about 10 pcs per bag and are those flash frozen kind. My cousin and family provided them to us this week. It will give us roughly ten meals, so I am very excited about that. I have been coupon crazed all week trying to match coupons to sales. I get to attend a coupon class this Thur so I will be excited to learn something new ( I hope). I am glad that I am learning all this new stuff on how to save, so that when money is better I will be able to storehouse some foods and create a real pantry.

I think these bluebonnet towels are my favorite. However, I just love bluebonnets. I thought for sure they would sell quickly because bluebonnet items are hard to come by. They haven't though.
These towels are like what I made my Friend Des, she loved them. I was ever so thankful. I like them too, they are very bright and cheery.
I just love this fabric. I would probably put it on green towels if they were for my home. I am hoping a teacher snatches these up in a couple weeks. They sure are cute.
This last set I thought of my daughters friend and family. They have a fish themed bathroom. I love Frogs and turtles are cute. These would make a childs bathroom very cute. So now that I am done blogging I am off to get our truck inspected- I hope. We have already spent $150 this week for the 02 sensor. Last night the engine light was still off, and then the brake light came on. We just can't seem to win. The truck is nearly a month overdue now. I sure hope police are friendly :-) Then hope to take my John Flynn parts to a friend, and then hit the stores with some coupons. I sure hope I do pretty good. I dont have much money to work with.

Newest Creations on ETSY

2010-01-20T15:59:00.005-06:00

My Newest Creations on ETSY this week. Towels start at $18- I use the $3.50 nice plush towels and then find coordinating fabric for these. They are all stitched in matching threads using a nice leaf embroidery stitch.
Burp Rags start at $5, with the same features- leaf embroidery stitch and matching thread- on a Gerber 3 ply diaper.

Washer or Dyer Contest

2010-01-18T19:36:00.000-06:00

I snagged this info from Rita at Following31
Do you have a high efficiency washer and dryer yet? I don't but I really do want a set. Those I know who have them say that they have already saved money on electricity (or gas) AND they seem to have cleaner clothes!

Here's your chance to win a Frigidaire Affinity Washer and dryer and help fight poverty at the same time:

Frigidaire and Save the Children are teaming up to fight hunger and poverty with the Spin and Win campaign. What you do is sign up, spin the wheel (no, you do not gamble), and your name gets put into a drawing for a brand new Affinity set. In addition to the washer and dryer, you could also win a gift card - they're giving away a prize a day through April 26, 2010. What's the best part of all this? GE is donating $1 to Save the Children each time you play, so even if you don't win, you've helped hungry and hurting children.

Let me encourage you to take a minute or two out of your time to play Spin and Win for your chance to win and to help children win too.

Thomas the Train Quilt Finished

2010-01-16T23:20:00.003-06:00

Thomas the Train Quilt order was finished tonight. I love the way it turned out. The fabrics go well together and the red embroidery stands out wonderfully. The customer wanted Satin Binding which I think really helped it look soft and cozy.

There were three fabrics available for this quilt and I had some already at the house so it gave me four to play with. It worked out great to set apart all the denim and red. Then I bordered it with a denim cotton fabric.
I am thankful that I will be able to mail this out Tuesday, as I am a little late due to the migraines last week. I had not had so much trouble with them in a while. Today I finished a second quilt top and then Zekaryahs' Quilt top and backing is pieced. I could not pin either of them as I need one more table. The two I have were not enough, as the quilts were too big. Shows me that may be the case real soon as I have an order for a Full Size Tshirt Quilt to start in Feb, if not sooner. I feel great having one more thing complete.

Thomas the Train

2010-01-16T13:00:00.003-06:00

This little pillowcase is inspired by my cousin's son B...he loves Thomas the Train, he also loves Cars too. I made him a cute little pillowcase a year or so ago and he liked it alot. I was in the middle of the Thomas the Train quilt order I have and my migraines just hit hard. Come to find out I had a seizure Thursday morning and that is why my head hurt so bad all day. I could not work on the quilt at all. That made it where my order was late and my guilt then skyrocketed. So my thought was to throw in a little pillowcase for free. I found this cute little fabric at Walmart when I was picking up some more towels and burp rags last night. I think the pillowcase came out wonderfully. I didn't put any embroidery on it, but its cute just the same. I hope to have a few samples for my upcoming sale date on Feb 11th at the kids school. I am taking various items: quilts, burp rags, potholders, hand towels and pillowcases. I might be able to have enough time to do some keyring holders that are personalized too. Just need to find the material to make that happen.
My daughter is once again gone all weekend. I have the boys assigned to a couple chores today. My goal is to work on laundry while working on some quilt tops. I have one border piece left for my Milk and Honey Quilt top, then I have all four border pieces for Zekaryah's quilt- needed by the 30th, the Thomas quilt top is done. Then tomorrow I want to quilt all three quilts. HUGE GOAL!!!! Hopefully hubby will help as it sure hurts my back to do the bigger quilts. Next week I have an even bigger agenda. I just dont seem to have enough hours lately.

Wells Family

2010-01-14T14:45:00.001-06:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Long Wednesday

2010-01-13T19:33:00.003-06:00

Today is one that had a hard time getting started and a hard time ending. Kids are still in the midst's of finishing homework. Paul made omelets again tonight, probably partially because it is pretty easy and I am trying really hard to eat well and beat the cold weather depression blues.
I had such a migraine this morning so I went back to bed. When I woke up I tried to get my embroidery unit to work and that took a long time. Something with the bobbin was off. The regular part of the unit would work to sew, but the embroidery part kept buzzing and beeping at me. I did believe it or not figure it out. What I figured out I don't quite know but the point is it is now working. I had just enough time to embroider a name on some fabric then was off to the school.
Today was the second day to judge choir auditions. Zekaryah tried out again today and did well. I am thankful. For the first time he showed his teacher that he could actually really sing. Which I did already know, which is why i kept encouraging him to try out.
I have another quilt officially paid for. That is nice because it will give me a quilt project for next week. What is even better is I think I just might have all the fabric, minus the border red that I will need about a 2 yards of, so not too bad.
I did manage to get three loads of wash - washed and folded and actually put away. I have three more to fold and put away from last week, somehow they are just stuck on a table, it never got finished. While Paul cooked tonight- since I cut everything up veggie wise he worked on the dishes so I feel alot better about the house.
All these orders are great but I was feeling very lost so I officially have it all written down on a notebook to start- that made me not feel quite so overwhelmed as I realized I really only have 3 paid orders, two of which I am waiting to collect money on. So not too bad I eased up tension wise and am trusting that the lord will help me get it all done, and somehow get my house in order too.
Hoping to post pictures tomorrow. I am really praying that I somehow get this quilt done.

New Towel Creations

2010-01-12T10:45:00.001-06:00

Sage Green Towels- Violets, Pansies and Daisies Oh My....

Monday morning I had a horrible headache and just did not feel well in general. I have been having issues with extreme dry skin due to the weather. I have tried everything but I just constantly itch. It is so much worse at night, I think mainly because the dogs are in and their hair on our covers is really bothering me. Can't be helped much since it is so cold outside. Thankfully it is warming up some.

Sunday night we had a good time at our friend Nik and Tims house, that is where Mekenzei has been staying. Their mom had purchased a ham, so Nikki made it up and then we brought mashed potatoes, our friend Stef brought dessert, which was Yummy and Nik made up some canned veggies. It was a really good meal, and we enjoyed the company.

Fruit Salad Delight on Blue towels

Because I pulled Paul away from work at his sisters house on Saturday, as soon as dinner was over- really more like late lunch, we went over to their house and finished up the drill bits. He had four more to grind and I sprayed the 7 that he had finished the day before while he did that. As he finished the last four I sprayed those too.

Then we went back over to Nik and Tims and watched a movie and ate dessert. I was thankful they kept the boys a couple hours so we could finish the work up. Of course the boys are easy if there is a good movie or video games near by. Monday I worked on two sets of towels in the afternoon and that is about it. My house really needs a good cleaning but that might take some time. I am more than anything thankful that it is warming up some.

New Towels Listed

2010-01-10T13:22:00.000-06:00

I created a new towel yesterday to list online at my Etsy store. I was surprised to see the color choices for the kitchen at Target, Walmart and Bed, Bath and Beyond. These towels are from Targets Kitchen line. I love the color and I had this nice chocolate fabric with a turquoise paisley design that matched it pretty well.

Not sure if they will sell or not, as I think its a towel for a selective audience but I am hopeful. Sometimes its hard to make trendy items. I am not quite sure what American Kitchens even look like these days. I think they vary a lot.

The best part of yesterday was my husband and I got to attend a Monster Truck Jam show, our friends Matt and Stef had a couple extra tickets. Mekenzei stayed with a friend and the boys are old enough they managed alone. I had a great time just being with him, no kids, no phone no worries. I hope to update with some pictures soon. All we had was our camera on the phone, still trying to figure out how to upload those.

Quilty/Sewing and Blessing

2010-01-08T10:24:00.002-06:00

I am still working on my Milk and Honey Quilt- right now I am stuck as I need backing that is big enough. The Quilt kind of got away from me, and is much bigger than I realized it would be. I kind of like that though. So since it is still a UFO- no pictures yet.
I did manage to get three new sets of towels listed. What was really wonderful is that a woman on my facebook account purchased the butterfly set I made, and asked for an additional set. She even paid me right up front. That is so nice. I love this butterfly fabric. I have it in some other background colors so I am hoping to make up some other towels to list soon too.
This morning I took an order for a baby genius quilt- officially- just working out what size is needed now. Then I also took an order for a 40 by 60 Thomas the Train Customized Quilt. I will have fun with that one. She even wants Satin binding, which is nice and easy and I love the feel of that.
So wow my month sure did pick up in 24 hours. I plan to go get the rest of the butterfly fabric this afternoon, and then also pick up more towels and locate the Thomas fabric that I need for my new order. I do dislike having to go out into the cold, but Paul was wonderful and left me his nice big heavy camo hunting jacket and neopreme gloves! So I will stay fairly warm I guess.
Now if I can still find time to finish the kids quilts that will be a miracle in disguise. Jakobs fabric arrived for his. I am excited to work on it soon. I have such a great plan!
I am very thankful for my month long menu I put together on Sunday. I think I will need it a great deal now that my schedule as been booked.

Celebrating our Anniversary

2010-01-06T14:31:00.011-06:00

Happy Anniversary Honey
This anniversary is probably more important to me than any other. We are celebrating 15 years today. Its a tad hard to explain but mainly things are just more how I would like them to be. We have really had some major struggles in our marriage, personally and together. There were several times where I truly did not believe that it could ever really "work." I am very thankful in many ways to the loss of my job back in October, it really helped us turn a corner as we were forced to really really turn to one another in this difficult financial time. We communicate better and just have a more centered life with the Lord as a couple. It helps to heal some of the pain from child loss, to a house with mold, to caring for a parent and setting our relationship aside to do so...there were so many other hurtful things yet now I feel a togetherness that I truly felt was there all along. It is very refreshing. So a little bit about our lives.

We were married in 1995 in Las Vegas, NV. It was just the two of us and a hilarious Hispanic pastor. We got a trailer in Vegas to bring back to California so that we could move here to Texas from the college that we were both attending in Irvine. That is where we met. Funny as it is we were both in relationships in January of 1994, when we met for the first time. I was dating someone that I thought I might actually marry and he was going through the throws of a divorce to his wife- a high school sweetheart. We attended a dance with other people and were sat at the same time. I remember more than anything being very curious about this guy I had just met and before I could get to know him he was back on his way to Texas, where he was from. That May I stayed on Campus and took a job. My very first day I walked in all grungy and tired in sweats and there was this guy from months prior. I had just recently broken up with my boyfriend, deciding that he was not who I wanted to marry and Paul was finishing paperwork on a divorce. That summer we mainly worked but as it dragged on we got to know one another and eventually started dating. As the year finished up I knew with certainty that this was truly the guy that I was interested in. Just the way he made me laugh and how he truly cared about my life and plans- I was "sold." So much so that when he joined me in Utah for Christmas with family I have there, I asked if we could get married. It didn't quite work out on New Years Eve like I had hoped, but basically a week later it all came together and we then moved to Texas to start our lives together.We moved in with Paul's mom and helped her clean up a house that she had just moved from so that it could be sold and I helped her finish up her new house, doing wallpaper, finding homes for things etc. We also worked alot in the yard. We really enjoyed the first few months of marriage. I had just enrolled in classes when we found out that we were 10 weeks pregnant with Jakob. Our goal then became to get our own place, because I felt it might be difficult to raise a baby and live with a mother in law- even though I loved her to death. That meant Paul had to get a job too. We chose bartending school because his hours would be more flexible and I could continue going to school. He got his first job at Willies Dockside, and when that closed he worked for their other company Willies Icehouse. Here is Jakob below after Paul had come home from work- this is now in our second apartment.
Funny about apartments for us we found that every time we thought about moving up I became pregnant. Zekaryah came almost exactly 2 years later. That was pretty perfect I thought, However we hit a really big bump in that Paul had been let go from Willies and we were now with Compaq computers- with a contracting company for them, which meant he worked the night shift. My new baby was colicky and needy. I thought I might just go insane. With constant moving, I still had no friends, had let go of the idea of school and was a stay at home mom for sure. Zekaryah was early so we don't have a family photo from his birth, as my parents were not here from CA until a week or so after he was born.

We quickly realized that living in an apartment with Paul working nights and having two little ones was not very cost efficient and also it was just too loud and scary, so we were in search for a house. It is a funny story as I had lost a twin with Zekaryah and was really missing that and thinking ahead I said we need to get a 4 bedroom not a 3 bedroom - just a small cost difference at the time. Well I spoke way to soon as Zekaryah was only about 6 months old and I found out I was pregnant with Mekenzei- see moving.. It was almost a cursed blessing...:-) I don't think we ever really are ready. Mekenzei was a huge blessing as it really helped me deal with my loss, however the post partum depression I felt with her was unreal.After this point life really got very difficult for us. I lost another baby that December. Went to Utah to try and get help with the kids as I didn't have family locally to help. That led to some major medical issues. Then Paul flew out and brought us back home. Shortly after Mekenzei got severe pneumonia and almost died. Shortly after that I think I just about lost all faith temporarily. I am very thankful to my mother in law, family and especially my husband because I don't know how I would have managed without any of them, mainly their prayers. We struggled for a while trying to sort out the right meds, and then I decided it was best to go into a hospital for a while. I think that was a God Send for me as I realized I really was not as bad off as I thought. That I truly has purpose and reason for living and that the Lord did indeed have a plan even though he felt so very very far away.

When I got out a week later, there were still many struggles. Medication was the biggest of them all and then just not feeling like a good wife and mom nearly ate me alive. Counseling in some ways tore our marriage further apart because even though it was meant to be a good thing alot got pinned on my relationship with Paul and that didn't sit to well. To make matters worse one day I found water in a closet, which turned into mold, which meant we had to move out. We kept trying to make things work despite the constant struggles we faced. Paul working crazy hours and so many hours. Me trying to raise 3 children while I was so utterly depressed and lost. I do remember some really good times though. We went to the beach alot, worked and played in the yard alot and even got some time away like the zoo. We had a long road and once we started living in a hotel while our house faced repairs, well things dwindled quickly. I was now working nights, Paul was working days and it was our worst mistake ever.

We continued to move further apart and finally separated. We would try to manage things a few times but the years between 2001 and 2004 were tough. I would finally get my own place, we lived that way nearly a year then I moved out of state. I think during this time we both worked on ourselves. I wasn't gone but a few months and we repaired things enough to give it another go. 2005 was full of many blessings. Two of our children were baptized. Our marriage was on track again after a tough year in 2004 of really putting time into things. It was also a year that Paul was out of work which really helped us. One unforeseen situation was us caring for his mom. We had sold our house and moved in with her as she was facing later stages of Alzheimer's. Little did we know that the strain of my constant attention on her and then being drained from also raising 3 young children would be a little much a year later.

After Jakobs Baptism- at Fellowship of the Woodlands Church 2005

We decided that summer to take a trip, actually a few. We got passes to Six Flags, went to Dallas, San Antonio and California that year. We really were fighting to make things work while I continued to find myself having less and less time as the care for his mom increased to full time by July. Come August she had a heart attack and our marriage was literally just put on hold until her death that December. I think at this point all the loss we felt just hit us both, but especially me. I got extremely sick, was loosing my hair and was just lost emotionally and physically.

Zekaryah's Baptism at Fellowship of the Woodlands church- just shortly before my husbands mothers death.

Come 2006 we hit another whirlwind. We were trying to settle her estate, had no where to live, we were trying to find our own place, deal with our own emotions and get back on track. That summer I think I had finally just given up. I moved away again...and spent time with my parents. My dad helped alot as he helped me discover that I truly did still Love Paul very much I just had nothing left to give. Totally natural considering the tremendous toll of caring for my mother in law Joyce. I prayed alot, read through the entire bible and just got back to who I was. The Lord really moved in me that summer and by the end of that year I finally felt like I had a marriage and family again. We looked for a new home come 2007 and from there things finally started falling into place. We got on a normal routine of attending church. I backed out of volunteering for anything to really devote time to us.

One thing we decided was more family trips. We love San Antonio as a couple. Have spent a few anniversary's there and decided that it was time to involve the kids in a place we love. We did Sea World Passes- that was a lot of fun. We also did the beach a ton, it is something we have always enjoyed as a family. It takes more work than I ever would have realized to make a marriage really work. When I said "I do" 15 years ago, I just never knew how much trial we could face. It seemed like every time we turned around something else would happen and it would continue to tear us apart. Not having a strong family to turn to for help locally, or friends didn't help much either.
This past year has really been the best of them all. Mekenzei was baptized, we even had family attend the event. That meant a great deal to me. We have met 2 couples, one with kids and one without that we spend time with once in a while as a family. We still go to the beach and try to do vacations- like South Padre. Mostly we try very hard to eat dinner as a family every night and not plan to many external events so that we can stay focused on one another.

Together we can really conquer anything but learning that we have to put ourselves before our family and friends was very difficult. What was even more difficult was putting ourselves before school and church obligations. Learning to remove guilt that is left from that decision was hard as well. I look back at these last 15 years and am in awe that we are where we are today. I can honestly say that the struggles have been worth it. I find that our story has impacted the lives of many other couples and that truly makes it worthwhile. It also speaks to our children who have seen so much but seen that we kept trying, no matter how hard it was.

I can't say we don't still face obstacles, and difficult ones, at times, but we are better prepared to handle them. I was very concerned a few months ago that our new situation of me not having a job could drive us apart again. It is so stressful when there isn't money to pay for food or gas and there isn't a job opening for me right now, that works with the kids schedule. With the economy, it is hard to depend on sales of quilts and things to make ends meet. Yet somehow we are closer than ever before. I feel truly blessed to have such a good church family that has supported us through our good times and bad. To have friends and family around us that have had to set their feelings aside about all the situations and just supported our decisions to make things work. Most of all I am grateful to my husband who continues to stand by me, Support me and love me and I can't wait to see where we are in another 15 years.

Tackle it Tuesday

2010-01-05T22:21:00.001-06:00

Today I focused on a quilt top. I still need to put on the top and bottom borders but then I can pin it all and quilt it. Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow, its a gift I would like to get in the mail by Friday. I would love to get it done tomorrow so that I can work on Zekaryah's quilt due by months end.
The towels above are country like towels- ones I have listed for sale on ETSY. I think they are really cute. I would like them on red-instead of white... The towels below I also listed for sale, trying to think IRISH and St Patty's Day...I love the fabric, nice and delicate and the green towel is very pretty.

I have been working on towels both for orders and also just to list for sale. I listed two on Craigs list today as well as a couple quilts I had on ETSY, I am hoping they do better on there, will see. A teacher at the school listed the towels too, even if I could get some new orders for things people want. I have been told to try Trendy.. I admit I am not myself very trendy so its a big stretch for me to assume I know what someone else might want to buy. Very hard task. These towels below are an order for my friend Diana, she wanted pink towels for her mom. I would have to charge nearly $20 a set for them as the towels alone are $6 but they are wonderful towels, nice and thick. I love them, they are by Canopy. The fabric looks wonderful. I had one fat quarter of this and never had done anything with it. Great idea for the towels. I hope her mom loves them.

I felt a little ahead of the game today as last night we made tacquitos and my husband and I took the time to go ahead and make enchiladas up for tonight's dinner too. All I had to do was pull it from the fridge and put it in the oven. I had made a pot of beans in the crockpot however they didn't cook in time, so I finished them up on the stove. These towels below are sage green, they are also for Diana. I had made my mom a set on blue and Diana liked those, then said she wanted the same fabric on sage green also. That was awesome because it gave me 3 towel orders. Now they are all done and ready to ship come friday.
Jakob ate yams- that was it, but still easy and I spaced the enchiladas and yams out so that I could run the oven a few hours. At this point in the cold I could use all the help I could get.
These towels above are the second set for my mom. I love the fabric. It is by Northcott and part of their Breast Cancer Awareness line. Somehow that cause really speaks loud to me, so I love using the fabrics. I love paisley too, which is interesting because my mom does also. I can't wait to be able to send her the towels, they will match their rustic like front room and kitchen so well. I hope they go with a couch in the room that my dad bought her years ago for their anniversary. So lots done, but lots more to do...

Christmas Posting

2010-01-02T11:56:00.003-06:00

Christmas at our house this year was out of the ordinary. We did it on Christmas Eve, due to an incident with our dog and a ham that my cousin and his family had brought by. It caused such a commotion that I decided to celebrate Christmas and make it a positive experience was the best solution. Our house is so cold in the winter so this year we did the festivities in our bedroom so we could run a space heater. It worked out pretty good. Mainly they got clothes, but there were a few items. I love this picture as Jakob and Mekenzei are goofing around.

Zekaryah got a 20 Questions Ball, he sure loved it. He also got a Monopoly Tycoon Dvd game, a connect four game and a Battle ship game from the Angel Tree Gift Ministry. It is so nice to have some games for them. We love to play games.

Mekenzei is becoming a little girly. I am not quite sure how to handle it all, as I am surely not a girly girl but we are kind of rolling with it. My friend Des and her mom Nikki sent some gifts to the kids. They all got kind of mixed up in the Angel Tree gifts because the kids helped me, even though I asked them not too, you know how that goes I am sure...so she got some of the boys intended gifts- like the rope and charm on her neck and then some other things too. She sure loves crosses- a girl after my own heart, however I am more simple, delicate and small, she likes big and flashy...She loved the nail polish and hair set that they got her too. Will help the bathroom time in the morning since we only have one and she takes a while to do her hair some days.
I wanted the kids to each get a robe and a pair of sleeping pants for Christmas Eve, it was always tradition in my family to get new PJS or slippers, or sometimes both if money was good. I like tradition. This year I had the idea to make robes. However, that didn't work so well since Fleece is so expensive. We did find Mekenzei a pair of adult pants that are fleece for $5, which I can hem and then a robe that is adult for $10. The boys got a pair of sweats from Des so that will have to do for this years tradition. She loves Alvin and the Chipmunks, so this little chipmunk thing made her pretty happy. I can't for the life of me remember their names, some cartoon from years ago though.

Her is my goofy daughter with her new "lifted" items from the boys. She was ever so pleased to have them really given to her. I think they are intended for guys but she will enjoy wearing them instead. She also loves her new YoYo ball, I think it is a great toy because the rope doesn't get tangled and it actually works.
Paul and I even got a few gifts. Paul got a $25 gift card which we were able to use with some cash to get Jakob a new pair of shoes. I got a couple gift cards which I was able to use for fabric to help me finish the boys quilts and a couple other that are presents for 2010. Funny how we didn't use them for ourselves- but these are the times we live for now. Paul got a couple small hunting type things, I got some socks and other stuff. We did not give to each other this year, from us or the kids, but that is okay. Maybe next year.
I am so thankful to my friend Des and her family, my cousin Matt and his family and the school counselor that signed our family up for the Angel Tree Ministry at a local church. My dad in Utah sent them a Wii game that they love, my mom sent some money which we had to use for bills, hopefully we can get them something with it later. Our friends Matt and Stef gave us a late Christmas gift of the new Harry Potter movie, a movie card, a pizza card and some cash. Huge weight was lifted off our shoulders as we were able to pay our water and phone bill which were late. It was exactly the amount we needed. The kids were so happy to have clothes, funny because in years past that would have not been the case, but when you actually need something it really makes a difference.
The best part of Christmas was being together, having a new funny story to tell about our dog and a huge ham that he ate, among some other items, and then sharing Christmas Day with Paul's family. It was very warm in our hearts to see so much love and share such a special day- the birth of our savior with the ones we love, both near and far away.

Tackle it Tuesday

2009-12-29T17:37:00.001-06:00

Today I worked on Zekaryah's Quilt- I would like to have it done by his birthday. It might have been a wonderful blessing to not finish it on time as I don't see money turning around birthday wise by Jan 30th for him. Its okay though. Honestly we never do big birthdays. We just have a family breakfast, lunch and dinner for the "person of honor". I am hoping I can finish his bedroom curtains, his quilt and also frame a beautiful painting he got for Christmas, that has an ocean theme. Maybe I can do something else to Spiff up his room. And yes I did just say Spiff. LOL
Anyway today I sewed 80 blocks into 10 rows of 8 across. Not too bad. I would like to sew all the rows together and get the quilt top done but the kids want to play Monopoly so, better wrap it up for today. It is nice to get so much done as it makes it more possible to achieve my goal and also knock something off my 10 for 2010 list come the end of the week of Unfinished projects.
Honestly I had 90% of this fabric cut into 8 in squares since January of last year. I had planned on gifting them all quilts last year but my grandfather passed away and it got placed on the back burner.
I also ordered fabric for Jakobs quilt. He wanted game themed fabric which I will cut into five inch squares and then place in a Sudoku game pattern. Thankfully I found 9 different fat quarters and they all had some color. Hopefully I can find some matching fabric for the two different sashings once I see all the fat quarters. Then he has this cool money fabric that is flannel for the back. I can't wait. It is kind of an inside joke as he is always so concerned with MONEY, so much so that it drives us nuts!
So that has been my day. Quite a tackle considering I am still under the weather health wise.
But with Christ I can do all things...cause he gives me the strength to keep on moving.
Hope you had a great Tuesday also. Pictures of the quilt- when it is done...