The top is all done!

I finally found the fabric for the borders... now to just find someone to quilt it for me.  Our local quilt shop will only do a basic overall pattern (bummer) so now I am on the hunt for someone who has a decent turn around time and can add some really pretty quilting.  Any suggestions?!  I'm willing to mail it out!

Working on another quilt!

Ok, I have started working on my signature quilt!  What do you think of it so far?!  I have another border or two to put on it and then I'll have to figure out what to do about the quilting.  Either I will do something simple by hand or find someone who would machine quilt it.
UPDATE: THE BORDERS ARE ON... Look at the next post to see a picture!

Catching up... again!

Have you ever been so busy that when you finally have time to sit down and write... well, you just cant think of anything to say?!  That's where I've been that last several weeks.  A lot has happened.
Christmas was wonderful despite that my husband was still deployed.  We had a beautiful white Christmas and although we had two blizzards (I even got to drive through one... yikes!) and some cabin fever moments we know we're truly blessed to have a warm home and no worries about our income or health.
The year ended and began with my 30 year old cousin, Jennifer, dying a quick unexpected death and leaving behind a then 4 month old son and a huge family that will miss her.  It was and still is so shocking.  To add to the sadness I have about that, my husbands grandmother also died unexpectantly within days of Jennifer.  This lady was the first one to really welcome me into the family and was the sweetest lady I had known.  Needless to say... I cried and even as I write this I have tears in my eyes.  Then we also received word that my husbands uncle had also passed away although we werent notified until recently due to other circumstances.  So a red cross message was sent to my dear husband regarding all of these losses... only to find out that his unit also suffered some losses (the first of the new year in Afghanistan) that same weekend.  Needless to say I have had several conversations about death, heaven and daddy's safety with the kids.  I am worn out and hence... just couldnt blog.
Then Haiti happened.  My kids dont understand and I am doing everything in my power to not have the TV on the news channel.  We know people who have family that have gone to help... Lord watch over them!
So, a new year has started and a lot of people are working on their new years resolutions.  I gave up on those a long time ago... but I was introduced to a new thought.  K-Love radio station is sending a challenge for us to have a word for the year.  One that sums up what or where we want to be by the end of the year.  I have prayed about this and I have chosen the word STILL.  I fight panic/anxiety and depression (even on some meds for it) and I have found that (esp as a military wife in deployment mode) I try to keep myself busy.  So busy that I really havent allowed myself to be still and quiet for even a moment.  The Bible says to '...be still and know that I am God.'.  If you read Psalm 46 you'll find that this chapter is about having confidence in God our refuge.  The first two verses say: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  (I am thinking of Haiti and so many other disasters)  If you read on the chapter talks about "He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear.... Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted in the earth." 
I stay so busy because I dont want to let myself worry about the things around me that I cant control anyway.  I worry about the war(s) that my husband the rest of my military family is in... I fear disasters... I fear and worry about a lot of things and it can throw me into a panic/anxiety fit.  But I havent allowed myself to 'Be still and know he is God'.  So... my word this year is STILL.  That I will slow down, make myself be still... allow God to show me who he is and that I have no need to worry because he is my fortress and my ever present help in time of need.  I can rest in Him and know that he cares for me and will take care of the things that concern me.
I am back to blogging... and this year I hope that I can slow down... enjoy the things that I have missed while 'running' by.
What will your word be this year?!

Quilts, Snow and the Tooth Fairy?!

It's been a busy week! Since I was unable to 'run' around as much as I wanted to due to my knee injury and the weather I was FINALLY able to finish a quilt that I started a few years ago when my husband was gone on a training exercise with the army. This quilt was hand quilted by me and it felt so good to finish it. I put on a flannel backing and it is warm and cozy!

We also had two snow days which the kids loved (NO SCHOOL?!!!!) and made me a little bummed that I couldn't go out and play with them. None the less they kept each other entertained and had a lot of fun.
The tooth fairy also paid a visit as Lydia finally lost her first tooth. She has another that just might make it out before Christmas!

I also received my signature blocks this week and I cant wait to put them all together! In honor of the Civil War repo fabrics I already know I want to hand quilt this one!

Thanks to Melissa from http://cornbreadandbeansquilting.wordpress.com/ for taking on this project! Three cheers for her! I hope Santa brings her everything she asks for!

Snowman Button Pins

This is a really easy and fun craft to do! I'm not one to do tutorials because I usually forget a step or two. So, please read the whole post first and then start. The materials/supplies you will need are the following:

1. 1 Square of felt (I used the textured to give the snowman's hat a different look)

2. White 2 holed buttons. I like to use a smaller size for the head and a larger size for the body.

3. glue gun

4. ribbon or strips of fabric

5. pin backings

6. card stock

7. scissors

Out of the felt you will want to cut a shape like below. This will make it easier to fold and glue the hat onto the snowman.

Add the hot glue, not too much as it will ooze out and make a big mess! Make sure you do add a little more where the head will go. You'll also want to make sure you put the button on correctly so his eyes are in the right spot!

Fold the top down and create the hat!

Cut some ribbon or material and glue it just under the 'head'. In the past I have used some homespun material or other plaid type material and its looked really cute. This year I used some left over ribbon.

Glue down the next button. Make sure you've got the button turned correctly as the holes will create his own buttons! NOTE: you will see some of the glue come through the holes... that's OK and sometimes can add a little charm!

Add a nice dot of glue between the two buttons and twist the ribbon/fabric over to make the scarf. Hold it there for a few seconds to make sure it really sticks! Trim as needed.

Trim the black felt away from the bottom button and then glue the pin to the back of the snowman. Make sure it is glued to both the buttons as it will provide support for the snowman.

I used some left over card stock and placed the pin on it and then added some stamps.

If you make one of these please send me a picture so I can see how yours turned out! Oh, and by the way... at Spring time... if you buy orange buttons in three different sizes and have some neat looking green felt you can make carrot pins!
Enjoy!

Another Birthday!!!

My girl is 6! Four days after her brother turned 8 miss Lydia turned 6. Talk about overload on cake and classroom cupcakes in just a few days! Since it's the holiday season we try very hard to make each birthday an actual birthday and not an extension of the Thanksgiving or Christmas celebration. So far we've been able to do that.

As some of you may have heard, I had an accident this past weekend. Me and the kids were at a Christmas parade (all the floats were lit and it really was a lot of fun) when we spotted some folks we knew in the parade and tried to 'quickly' get across the street. Well, one of the kids cut in front of me and down I went. I got up and got across the street but then I started to limp and noticed some blood on my knee. Absolutely no scrapes (or even gravel) on my hands and no holes in my jeans so I figured I had a nice scrape on my knee. I convinced the kids to walk back to the car and sit in there while we waited for the end of the parade and fireworks and then we'd head home. By the time we got home my jeans were pretty bloody and the scrape wound up being a 2 inch gash. Off to the ER I went where we were met by some friends who took the kids for the night. One friend brought me dinner and another hung out with me while I was stitched up. Now I am not one to sit and do nothing like the doctors wants me to do, so off came the immobilizer brace and up and down those stairs I went to make sure I didn't become stiff. I also iced my knee pretty good and frequently and so far I am doing fine. The rest of my body is now feeling a little sore but for the most part I can drive and get around. Today we had at least 5 inches of snow and more to come so I am very thankful for friends who have done my grocery shopping, brought me food and shoveled my driveway!

So... what to do when you are kinda stuck at home?! Why, it's quilting time and craft time! This afternoon I'll post one of the crafts I did as a gift for the teachers at school. Really easy and lots of fun to make with the kids!