Monday, January 31, 2011

Just like the song says..."I'll be loving you...Always..."

Everyday, I stop in to check on Joanne - to see how she and her sweet family are doing...
If you have joined me in praying for her, you will thrilled at today's update...This is copied from a post her husband made today...
I am constantly in awe at the love that he has for his wife...
I hope this will bring as big a smile on your face as it has mine...

My Photo

From Toben

Well, we are now 20 days into this experience. I can't begin to describe the ups and downs our family has gone through.  I won't even try. Some of them are really sacred moments that will probably never be shared outside the family. Others have been more public, shared on-line, because the need for prayer was so great.
And the prayers have been many and God has heard and answered. 10 days ago we had no idea that she would come so far. 10 days ago Joanne was in a coma. Ten days ago the swelling in her brain was still critical. 10 days ago she was on 15 different medications and IVs. 10 days ago a ventilator was breathing for her. 10 days ago we weren't sure if or how she would come back to us.
Today she is awake from time to time, eyes open and tracking. Today her swelling is all but gone and the pressure in her head is at a minimum. Today she is on only 4 meds (two anti-seizure, an antibiotic, and a blood thinner). Today she is actively making her way back. Today she can squeeze a hand, give the thumbs up and the "I Love You" sign. Today, if the mood strikes, she can smile!
I am ready for what the next couple of weeks will bring--both ups and downs. We are really going to get a sense of what she's capable of. I am hoping that she will get off the trach sooner than later--that's means she will be able to speak if she is able and wants to. And maybe even be able to eat a little bit. Sounds like the PT and OT folks are ready to put her through a couple of hours of active therapy a day which is great. As an avid runner she has such amazing muscle tone, but she has lost much of it over the last few weeks. She has rebuilding to do.
On another note, the girls are off to school again today. No complaints or concerns from either of them.  Denver Christian has ben AMAZING! Can't imagine what it would have been like to get them into a school that they were unfamiliar with.  At DC, as Audrey has said, it feels like going home.
I love the huge window in Joanne's room. Today we are watching the snow falling outside. Wish she would wake up and take a look at how beautiful it is. All in good time.
TOben

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Finding color in white polka dots...

This is another UFO that 
I have had on my list for a while...
I had seen rag quilts online and 
when Mr. Bill brought me home 
this adorable polka dot fleece a
few months back, I couldn't resist 
seeing how it would look...
It's not quite done, but I thought 
I would show it anyway.



 









Hubby's been at the ranch working 
all weekend, and with him gone
it's been really quiet. The puppies 
even went with him this time...
Mr. Bill sent these photos to show me 
how tuckered out the boys have been....



Sew... it's been just me
and little Cotton... 
and the hum of the sewing machine...
She wanted to be close to me when I was sewing, 
so I made her a little bunny daycare in the hallway then
she could run around and still see me...
just like a kid...she loved the sack more than
the other toys. Funny...Bunny.

Me and this little girl really miss Mr. Bill  when he's gone 
that is for sure...

What girl could pass up a sale?

My hubby and I were out on a date the other night and
noticed a sign for a Joann's Fabric store...that was the seed...
Yesterday, I decided to go check it out.
It was closed. 
*heavy sigh*...
I thought that maybe I had just never seen the sign 
and they were out of business.
But undeterred, I decided to go find another fabric store.
I was looking to boost my stash a bit for an 
upcoming fair I have been invited to....so off I went.
Within a few minutes and miles, I found another Joann's!
When I got to the door, I noticed all the STORE CLOSING signs...
I immediately went into the very crowded store 
and promptly stopped and asked one of the fabric cutters 
if they were leaving Houston all together...
NO! 
They are just MOVING to the
first store I went to that morning! YAY!
Not only that YAY, but YAY because EVERYTHING
in this store was HALF OFF!
WHOO HOOO!
When I finally made my way up to the register 
it was adding up...$30, $40, $50, and when it hit $60 
I almost fainted!...
But then, they hit the  magic button!
I stood there watching all the store discounts 
subtracting from my bundle of goodies....$50 - $40 - $30 -
$22.97!!!!

That's right folks!
$22.97!!!!!

VERY EXCITED!
Remember the seed? 
IT IS A FULL BLOWN FLOWER IN BLOOM TODAY!
I am cutting as we speak!

Happy sewing everyone!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Giveaway over at Stray Stitches!!!!

400+ FOLLOWERS THANK YOU GIVEAWAY Over at Stray Stitches!!!!

Stray Stitches is having a yummy giveaway! Head on over to her blog and sign up!


This beautiful collection of Vintage Florals by Beth Ann Bruske for David Textiles! 
There is a total of 6 1/2 yards of fabric in this collection.

1/2 yard cuts of each of these pieces.

1 yard of this (the better color picture of this is in the top picture - second from the left)

And 1 1/2 yards of this print.

How can you win this collection you ask?  
Head on over to Stray Stitches and enter!!!!
Good Luck!!!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Something new...Something GOOD!

Ok, so now I see why these are addictive...


I have never made them before...
but tonight after visiting my local fabric store...
and buying my own paper Hexie's...
well I couldn't wait to get home and dig in!




Once I finished it, I promptly
put it up on my design board...
where I have other random 
blocks...and this is what happened...

****...Love....***

Sew...I think I will let 
them do a little courting..
I think they make a great couple!




ps...If you have been praying for and following
Joanne's family after her stroke... (see button above)
It is really good news! 
But don't stop praying!!!
God is faithful...
Whooo hoooo!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Oh Baby!


There's just nothing better 
than a newly quilted baby quilt - 
warm from the dryer...




I used my time wisely this weekend
to finish a baby quilt 
for a girl I work with...and well,
It's what I call a texture quilt...
every other block has a different feel to it - 
so as the baby grows, they
will have fun exploring each square...





I must say, I wish I had known how to quilt 
when my children were babies!
All is not lost though...someday, 
I will be able to do this for my grand babies... 
or GB's as I like to call them!




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


So then I made a little something for myself...
I had a little piece of Minky Dot fabric 
and I decided since it was my favorite shade of green, 
I would just make my sewing chair a little more comfortable! 

Who said Minky is only for babies????

Saturday, January 22, 2011

This my friends...

Is.
the.
SUN.
.glorious, 
wonderful, 
warm 
Sunshine...

YES. It's true. 
At my house.

I am having a moment...


Friday, January 21, 2011

What a week, what a week...

Thank goodness it's Friday!
Has it been a long week for anyone else?

My work life has really been interfering with my real life for sure!
So much work, so little time!
This is what my office looked like this morning after the guys pulled an all-nighter!
Poor guys...they had a full day today too...



My Thursday night ended at midnight, but thank goodness I could do what I was working on from home!

Tonight I am being lazy. I watched the final episode of Medium (well, almost all of it), ate unhealthy food from Mickey D's, and am catching up on email and my favorite blogs!
I am really looking forward to this weekend home too.
I plan to watch a little HGTV - Divine Design
and then do a little work...(I can't seem get away from it!)
and finally-I will be finishing some blocks and a baby quilt that need to go out!

I thought I would  preview what did go out this week...
This is a block for Linda at "Let's Bee Together".
I can't show it all since she visits here from time to time! Hope she likes it!
I can't wait to show the entire thing to you all - it's a new design by Yours Truly!


It's just nice to be able to be home and be able to play a little besides just working...
Anyone else had a week like that? Feel free to share so I don't feel like I am the only one!

Here's to all of us...(you have to turn up your volume) to a great beginning to your weekend...
Stay warm and cozy!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Joanne...


I am so new here in blog land, and although I think I have seen all the blogs out there sometimes, I know I haven't...
While reading one of my favorites the other night, I read the story of Joanne.

She is a wife, a mom and a fellow blogger. I hadn't seen her blog. Never read it. But the story unfolding in front of me made me want to know her. I wish I could say we are friends.
She has a blog called The Simple Wife and there she shares her family, her crafts and talents, and her love for Jesus.

She is just like us. Wakes up every day to new adventures, new challenges, new struggles, and new ideas. She loves with her whole heart and hugs everyone in between.

Joanne was found last Tuesday morning in the basement of her home by her young daughter on the floor.
Can you imagine...

Although she was conscious on the way to the hospital, it was already evident that she had suffered a major stroke - and within two days, had undergone brain surgery to relieve the pressure. She is 38 years young...

Today, she is still in a medically induced coma.

I don't ask much of my blog family here.
Today, I am going to ask.

Please pray for this family.
This could have been any one of us...Imagine what our families would be going through.
Can I ask that you take some time each day or whenever her sweet face crosses your mind, to pray for her.
Perhaps we can all agree to lift up her and her family up to our Lord and ask that He use this situation for only good. I don't know what that means, but I know she is in much better hands in His hands than she would ever be in ours.
That's all.

Thank you my dear blogging friends.
Love you all -
Lana

Monday, January 17, 2011

It Seams To Be...Time to Announce the Winners!

HELLO!

I hope everyone has had a 
GREAT LONG WEEKEND!


Can you tell what I was able to do today
since I got off work early?

I am joining the MUG RUG swap
and thought I might want to practice!
In an hour, I had this one made and
ready for a nice  cup of hot chocolate...

But I am sure you are more 
interested in seeing our 
WINNERS!
So are we ready???
I am so excited for everyone! 
Ok, here goes!
chosen by Random Integer.com

Our FIRST WINNER is:

#132  ALWAYS SEWING


Always Sewing said...
What a super giveaway. I love Prayer Flag. Thanks for hosting it.
Our SECOND WINNER is:

#26 DEBRA

Debra said...
Loving the Kate Spain Central Park right now. 
thanks for the giveaway and congrats on the 100th post!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Winner's Choice Giveaway!!!!

Ok....you still have time!!!
I will pick two winners on MONDAY!!!!

UPDATE!!!
One of my little angels saw that
I ALSO HIT the 100 MARK 
on FOLLOWERS...
You know what that means...
I am going to PICK TWO WINNERS!!!
That means TWO sets to TWO winners!!!!
GET EXCITED!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It Seams To Be Sew!
 that this is our 
100th POST!

I have officially joined the "100 CLUB" !
Let's celebrate!
Just leave me a comment 
and tell me your favorite 
CHARM PACK from here...
and I will choose a winner on 
Monday, January 17th 
and the winner will receive two packs
of their chosen favorite!
Here's mine...


What are you waiting for? 
Let's get this party started!
(Be sure to leave me a way to reach you if you win!!!)

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Look What Arrived Today!!! From Colleen


This is my first block from the Block Swap Adventure (see sidebar)!
It is from Colleen of NC, and not only did she do such a WONDERFUL job,
she sent me some extra material so that when the entire quilt is finished, 
I would have a little extra fabric to bind it!!! I mean seriously! 
HOW COOL IS THAT?



Well,  HELLO KITTY!!!
Can we say EXCITED???



The little card is so cute too! It's a nesting doll card...
you open it and it has other dolls  inside! 



I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful this made my day!
We have all been a little under the weather this past week,
and so when Bill came in and announced that I had a package...



Well, WE WERE BOTH DELIGHTED!
Thank you Colleen. REALLY...
You are amazing! 

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Whew! She liked it!


This block 
represents several
"FIRSTS"
for me... 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This block is for Colleen in the FIRST exchange
of our Block Swap Adventure Group! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

It is my first star block EVER.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
I had to ask for help because 
I couldn't quite work 
the other pattern I started...
Thank you blog land friends!!!!
You are a great bunch of sweeties! 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
And I have never used these fabrics before! 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
 
If you haven't seen the blocks
these talented ladies 
have made for 
our first swap, 
head over there now!



Wanna get in on a stash giveaway????

Linda over at Stray Stitches is having a
HUGE GIVEAWAY!
She is celebrating having 300 followers!
Sew...she is sharing this with us!

Simple and easy to enter...but a
wonderful stash of goodies!!!
Head on over there today and sign yourself up!!!
Thank you Linda and Congratulations!
(below: as copied from her blog)

This is a full color pattern call Flying Colors
designed by Georgette Dell'Orco.  Isn't it beautiful.  
The finished quilt measures approximately 64" X 64".

BUT WAIT!

THERE'S MORE!

Along with the pattern you will also receive.........

25 fat quarters and 5/8 of a yard of black fabric.  That makes for a total of 7 1/8 yards of fabric (if my brain did the math correctly).  Each color bundle (green, yellow, blue, pink, and purple) contains 5 fat quarters in shades from light to dark.  Only the backing is not included which requires four yards.

Now how do you enter you ask.  First of all, you do not need to be a follower but it sure would be nice (and make me happy) since this is a thank you for reaching 300 followers.  Just follow the steps below:

1.  Leave me a comment telling me what hobbies you do besides quilting.
My comment would be - I crochet blankets for Project Linus, enjoy doing counted cross-stitch, read and am looking forward to renewing my love of embroidery.

2.  Blog about this giveaway - then come back and leave me another comment telling me you did so and make sure to include a link to your blog where you posted about it (I will be checking).  This must be a separate entry - if you combine #1 and #2 it will only count as one entry.

That's it.  Easy enough don't you think?  By the way, any one may enter - international welcome!  I will leave this giveaway open until Sunday, January 9, 2011, at 8:00 PM PST.  I will be using random.org to select the winner and make the big announcement in my post on the following Monday.  I will do my best to respond to each and every one of your comment/entries.  If I don't respond, please know that I have read and enjoyed each and every one of your comments.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Designing woman!

 
 
I did ask Bill for one 
special thing for Christmas...

He finished it up today... 
Can you guess what it was?
My OWN DESIGN wall!!!!
I couldn't believe when he said he 
wasn't sure if he liked it!
I thought...I LOVE IT!
Now, I can take down the little scrap of 
material I had pinned on my curtain rod
and let the sun in!!!
Not to mention,
I can arrange my quilt blocks
without having to go to
the living room floor!
I really love it. 
Thank you honey 
*smooch*!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now...Here's what I have been working on in
between holiday happenings.

You can already see one item, although
I know I will rearrange it ...
It's on my design wall above...

But here's what else...
This is my first tea cup block...EVER.
I made this for my December Block Swap
partner...I haven't heard from her
but I hope she liked it.
You wouldn't believe how many came 
before the final one you are looking at!
Oh, well, I did try...


And then there is this little cutie..
Bill brought me this fabric back from Ohio 
when he went on a service call...

I have decided that this one
is going to be my little own "rag quilt".
I know I should give it to someone with a baby..
but I can't part with the polka dots!


and finally...I wanted to share my
two favorite sleeping beauties...

my little Godson...


and my little Cotton girl...


I hope your new year started off
with a WONDERFUL MONDAY!

A few years back...3 maybe?

 A little over 3 years ago, our little quilt shop grew up. We moved to a larger space and hired more employees. So much has happened in thos...