Quilters Anonymous…

Just so you know I am a person who loves to write out lists and soooo… I decided to write out a list of tops that need quilting, a list of all my kit sets, a very extensive list of UFO’s(when do WIP’s become UFO’s?)a list of things I want to make, then a list of sewing projects (sewing and quilting are 2 different things to me) a list of knitting and the lists goes on and... I keep finding myself adding to them! Oh the shame of it DH(Stefan) says I'm not allowed to post the lists on my blog as I will use up all of our allotted data usage for the month! He's so horrible, my family think I need some sort of counselling ;o) Is there an AA out there for quilters??? I really need a plan of attack, I am feeling a little overwhelmed by it all Lol. Perhaps I need a day out fabric shopping I'm sure that would help! LOL What do you think?

Anyway while I was pondering my situation, Fee posted this on her blog, check it out… http://www.designsbyfee.com/2010/12/out-with-old-in-with-new-and-game-to.html I think it might be the answer! An online version of AA for quilters???? With plenty of support from like minded bloggers!

or check out this one…

http://dawnhaydesigns.blogspot.com/

There seems to be a real drive out there in blogland to get some of these UFO’s completed in 2011. Have you made your list yet?

But in my defence I have do have two new finished projects :OD… My very first mug rug, I’m sure there will be a few more of these made in the future and… a bookmark. The stitchery designs come from here… http://www.elefantz.com/search/label/Daisy-Do

I decided not to make the wall hanging and make something with the stitchery's before they became UFO’s ;oD

So now I can cross another goal of my list and add two more finishes for OPAM!

Goal one – Net curtains, I am making progress on these(slowly) I have sewn two more for our bedroom, only 4 more to go!

Goal two – Hanging a quilt tutorial

Goal three – Finish two skirts

Goal four – Finish sanding and paint my little cabinet

Goal five – Pillowcases

I’ll be back soon with some photo’s of the gorgeous goodies the postie delivered this morning.

PS I just remembered there are two UFO’s hiding under my bed, better add them to the list too!

Much loved…

I know Jacks quilt is going to a very happy home and is going to be loved lot’s…

Alayna and Jono(our nephew) were thrilled with it! Sew I am happy, even though Granny called it a ‘rug!’ I must have a wee chat with her, Lol.

I have been meaning to post a pic or two of this wonderful gift my daughter Ruth(the horse mad one) received a few months back…

A very pretty saddle blanket for Poppy and why not I say! It was designed and made(quilted) by a dear friend of Ruth’s in Wanganui, Jasmine(Hi Jasmine). She has made such a wonderful job of them. I think she is making them to sell, so if you are interested in buying one or know of someone who is just let me know!

Isn’t it gorgeous!!!

For Christmas DH bought me some new kitchen scales(I wonder if he is trying to tell me something!), my Mum bought me a fab bird house(I’ll show you when it’s had a coat of paint) and a tea cup sieve thingy for tea leaves that you hang over the side of your cup. My in-laws bought me a hand mixer and a pastry brush(Do you think it’s a conspiracy?) My children  bought me a cute matching pen and pencil and a set of smellies! (Are they trying to tell me something too, Lol)

The weather is very blustery and rainy today, sew I hope to cross something else of my updated goals list today…

Goal one – Finish the net curtains.

Goal two – Finish the mug rug

Goal three – Hanging a Quilt tutorial

and my 2 new goals…

Goal Four – Finish two skirts for my girls

Goal Five – Finish sanding and paint my little cabinet.

What are you doing today?

Warm wishes…

Jacks Quilt is no longer a WIP, I can officially cross it off my list of goals!

The front…

The back…

And a big round of applause to my little helper, it’s not easy to hold a quilt still when it’s blowing a gale!

I also had a little help in the kitchen too…It takes a lot of concentration to scrape all the chocolate out the bowl… I can also cross goal number two of my list… I will definitely be making some more lip balm for gifts in the future, I *heart* the stickers! DD2 has claimed the golden smiley face one for her self and the silver smiley is a gift for her cousin. The others are just in case gifts ;oD

I will tackle the rest of the goals next week and add another two to the list, not sure what yet but I can assure you there is plenty to choose from! ;o)

Have a WONDERFUL FANTASTICAL OUTLANDISH holiday season, and remember, more important than toys, food, even Christmas trees, is to LOVE LOVE LOVE your kids, family, friends............and tell them how precious they are to you before you cant! Make moments into memories, and occasions into traditions. Be safe, be happy, have fun!!!

Blessings

Goals…

I have come to the realisation that I just have too many projects on the go and lot’s more I want to start! I’m sure many of you are the same, but I really want to finish some of these projects and then perhaps I will feel less guilty starting new ones. So I am going to set myself some goals and I’m going to post them here in the hopes that I will actually accomplish these goals.

Goal One - Finish Jacks Quilt (priority number 1!)               

Goal Two – Make lip balm for Christmas gifts the tutorial can be found here… http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/2010/10/tutorial-lip-balm-and-holder.html

Goal Three – Finish all the net curtains

Goal Four – To turn a stitchery into a mug rug (I’ve heard these are addictive)

Goal Five – Finish working on tutorial for hanging quilts without marking the wall.

Ok that will do for now, I will give myself a new list once this one is ticked off! I haven’t given myself a time limit (except for Jacks quilt and the lip balm) but I am being very strict with myself no fun sewing until all the net curtains are done!

Jacks Quilt…

I’m a day late posting my update for the FNSI, I just couldn’t manage it yesterday, there is only one of me! Depending on who you are that’s a good thing! Could you imagine 2 of me? No don’t answer that! I did set aside time in the evening to write this post but as luck would have it we had a power cut that lasted for several hours, anyway here is Jacks quilt… I have sewn the binding on and only have half of it left to hand stitch down. I was snuggled up in my favourite lounge chair stitching away merrily when I had an ‘uh oh’ moment…

Hmm… The quilt was quilter by a local LAQ and there was a bit of a birds nest just here sooo… I decided to just snip off a thread and ‘Duh’ it all came unravelled. That will learn me, huh? Now I’m going to have to find some matching thread to fix it ;o( Besides that I just adore the quilting… Big puffy cotton wool clouds! I can’t wait until it’s been washed. DH had chosen the design as he dropped the quilt off for me and I must say he’s done well!

Golly Gee Whizz…

Golly… it’s been a wee while since I’ve posted anything on my little blog! Life here is finally starting to slow down. No more school for 6 weeks, no more school meetings, no more BBQ lunches, no more early mornings;oD Yahoo!

Time now to take life at a slower pace, at least for a while. I must say though that I am immensely proud of my children, they have all worked so hard throughout the year, and achieved so much!!! You’ve done great guys!!!Gee… I really need to focus on the Christmas Present List before it’s too late!

Whizz… That was me madly sewing last minute teacher gifts this week, I made a set of four coasters for the teachers and the secretary, as well as two sets for a church craft stall and one set for a friends gift!

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Tomorrow I am headed up to New Plymouth to visit my Mummy and take DD2 to a birthday party. I hope to be home in plenty of time for the FNSI, I’ll be working on the binding for baby Jack’s Quilt(Just in time for Christmas).

Sunday…

ONE DAY AT A TIME- THIS IS ENOUGH DO NOT LOOK BACK AND GRIEVE OVER THE PAST FOR IT IS GONE........

---

I can only imagine...
Heaven as written by a 17 Year Old Boy
This is excellent and really gets you thinking about what will happen in Heaven.
17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last.
Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teays Valley High School in Pickaway County
Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them, notes from classmates and teachers, and his homework. Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven.
It makes such an impact that people want to share it. "You feel like you are there," Mr. Moore said.. Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went offBulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.
The Moore 's framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it," Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.
Here is Brian's essay entitled:

" The Room.."
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.
A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at."
Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents Often there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.
Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.
One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards...
But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes.. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.
No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes.
Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive.
The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
If you feel the same way forward it to as many people as you can so the love of Jesus will touch their lives also. My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger, how about yours?

It’s Friday again…

It’s Friday again, where has the week gone, it’s been kinda crazy here! Lot’s and lot’s happening that has very little to do with Christmas…yet. Earlier in the week I went to visit Claire and was so inspired I came straight home to unpack a few quilts I still had packed away and put them out on display (what took me so long!) I am really happy every time I see them I do a little jig and the kids just roll their eyes Lol!

My little blue corner, my Mum  made the corkboard for me and the blue jug was a present from a friend :oD And then over in the opposite corner… My sort of Christmas wall hanging I made so long ago, normally it only comes out at Christmas but I think I will leave it there all year round. I also have plans to make a mini quilt for the bare wall! Here’s a close up…

Now if you just stand back a little bit… You will see the rest of our dining area, the photo isn’t very clear but if you look closely… Can you see my beautiful net curtains… well that has kept me busy this week. I am in the process of sewing nets for our whole house and DS1 has been learning some life skills on how to put up curtain tracks ;o) 2 down and 6 to go.

I think ‘Boots’ has decided he likes the new curtains too as this is where he has been sleeping all week!

I have been wrestling with the problem of how to hang a big quilt on the wall as we are not allowed to make holes in the wall (the joy of not owning our own home) and an idea has been percolating in my mind for a while and I think I’ve come up with a solution, I hope to have a tutorial real soon.

In the garden this week…

the mint is threatening to take over! And… the parsley and garlic are thriving. And…

the flower garden is just blossoming! A little close up…

After our little break away, I decided I needed some roses in my garden, so I have started a new garden! Here’s my 1st rose… I plan to buy one each month and decorate our front fence with them. And…

we have been eating very well out of the vege garden lot’s of salads, broccoli, silver beet and  cabbage. And… the potatoes are sprouting, we thought we’d try growing them in tyres this year. Living on a farm we have access to lot’s of tyres and I also make use of the old sawdust from the calf sheds. I use it as a mulch and it works great as a compost too!  Oh this post is getting rather long, but I have just one more thing to show you… My new doormat! Yeah Ok it’s a doormat but I think it’s kind of pretty!

Enough said. Enjoy your weekend however you spend it!