A Quilt in Time...

Well, I couldn't show this off until after Christmas...

But it was finished early... (the day before Christmas Eve) 

Since I was short on time, I didn't add a traditional binding...

I folded over the front to create a binding finish for the back.

This was the first time I have ever

machine sewn a binding and for this purpose and style

it worked out nicely!!!

For the front, I used Cotton and Steel Basics and a star pattern fabric from

Joann's Fabrics...and for the back, I decided to make it two quilts in one

and added a fabric from Moda called Countdown to Christmas by Sweetwater.

I had been hoarding that Sweetwater fabric for some time...

thinking I would use it on a quilt for myself...

But this 6 ft. 4 in. son of mine...

(and you know what wrangling that took...even on my Janome)

well...

He's worth it!!!!

even if he holds it sideways for the picture!

Ryan, my youngest son is off to boot camp in January...and had requested 

a quilt before he left. I started one back in the summer, but when he enlisted

it just didn't fit any longer...

So, I set it aside to finish for later and began anew

and in three days...this was the finish.

I think he liked it...

he posted it on Instagram!

That alone made this Mama happy...

Merry Christmas

The real meaning of Christmas has been 

graciously and mercifully renewed to us this year.

Because of Jesus birth, 

I have hope in all things

and

without a shadow of a doubt...

I know...

Our treasure is indeed in 

Heaven and so are our hearts.

I wanted to take a moment to say 

Thank you to all of you that have reached out 

this past week...we have felt your prayers and are

encouraged and strengthened by them...

Love,

Lana

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21King James Version (KJV)

I love you Lord...and I lift my voice...

...to worship you, oh my soul rejoice...
Take heed my king, in what you hear...
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear...

Today we welcomed baby Kase Andrew into our hearts...our fourth grandbaby.
And we are saddened beyond words that he has gone home to be with Jesus...
Our sweet children are amazing parents...

Creating Christmas...

This time of year makes everyone creative...

wouldn't you say? Whether it is just decorating your 

Christmas tree or constructing an entire theme for your

home's decorations...it seems that EVERYONE

is creating something...

And so it is...with me.

I was visiting some of my favorite blogs yesterday ...

catching up actually...and I was enthralled in the annual

Holiday House Walk Tours HERE and HERE.

So much INSPIRATION!!!!

For example...

I have had the mirror below for many years and

I have never wanted to change it as it seems

to brighten up any room I have ever placed it in..

But this year for Christmas, I decided to print off some of my favorite

Christmas Carols and "frame" them... 

Now, I may not want to take it down

after the holidays!

NEXT....

One of my favorite Christmas movie quotes...

You guessed it...from It's A Wonderful Life...

I was so inspired by THIS yesterday, I couldn't 

wait to get home and start on it!!!

I just used some more of that bead board that I had

left over from our kitchen remodel...

(and no...I don't throw away ANY scraps!!!)

printed out the quote, trimmed them up and placed 

them on my boards...

I should have it finished but, I needed some supplies

that I don't usually buy...I guess that's what happens

when you spontaneously create!

But I WILL FINISH IT TONIGHT!

Then...there were these...

I came across this little Christmas Village HERE

Again, this was such a quick 

and easy project that I couldn't resist.

I haven't decided if it will stay here or

go in my dining room window...

Besides,

I still have lights to put up on that mantle 

along with some other items 

however I couldn't wait to see what it would look like...

I think I will LOVE it when I "glitter" it up...as my friend Patty 

mentioned to me last night when she was previewing 

these projects...

She thinks she is sooooo smart.

Ok. She might actually be...SMART, that is...

And Finally...

Look at that beautiful dimple...and I think he is smiling...

An update about my sweet daughter and our grandson...

We are hopeful to say that he will be delivered this Monday!

We are so excited and no matter what the outcome is with his 

health issues, we are eager to welcome him into the family

with hugs and kisses...

Thank you for all your prayers and wonderful emails of support...

We have coveted them and appreciated every last one of them!

We know God is with us and we are able to praise Him 

no matter what the outcome!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Now...

 GO CREATE!!!!

It is finally beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

There was a space of time last night to decorate - and

anyone that knows me, knows I love to decorate for Christmas.

This year, I wanted something simple and easy to accomplish

in a short amount of time.

So...I opted to hand-tie bows and streamers directly on the tree and 

then add a touch of gold ribbon just to reflect a little more light.

I threw in a mirror...added a quilt or two and then had the bright idea to 

make a backdrop of some bead board planks 

that I had left over from our kitchen remodel.  

 I just leaned it against the wall... 

Who knows...I might try to hang stockings on that...we'll see...

Oh, and I will be adding a tree skirt with ruffles and ribbons...

but that is still in the works.

Nothing too fancy...

Just enough to warm up the season, brighten the room and

spread a little joy to those that will be able to join us this year.

Even though all of our GBs won't be able to travel home 

to Gigi's house, we are looking forward to their visits soon

and enjoying all the pictures and photos they are sending...

Meet my little GB Grayson...This is his first Christmas...

I think he is well into the spirit of the season already!

Christmas Cardinal stitching...

 A lovely lone yard of  red wool..

matched with a yard of cardinal fabric from Joann's...

Is just Dreamy...

I am still in learning mode about hand stitching in general,

but this piece of wool seemed to need larger, lazier stitches...

something not too formal and

perhaps even a little "twiggy" looking..

 

Even reversible maybe...

I used thread by Valdani

and they were just the right colors and weight

to just peek through that soft sea of red.

This stitching has kept my hands and mind busy 

these past few weeks and 

has made me love cardinals!!!

I love finishing items, especially when they are for Christmas don't you?

December 9th? Already?

Ever have one of those times in your life when you just move through

to the next thing, working steadily and methodically...

and at some point you just look up and realize the date?

December 1st...

December 7th...

December 9th...

Goodness.

So a couple of updates...

I have been working on my little GB's quilt frantically 

when I have had time to finish it before he arrives...

He still is not here.

My daughter has been in the hospital for three weeks now.

They have tried three different drugs to try to convert 

his heart rate (it is beating too fast) and though 

this last drug has helped, it has not fixed it.

With that, we are hearing that they will begin to induce

this next Monday. She will be at 35 weeks.

My daughter has had good days and terrible days with these

medications, so I am glad to see a light for her at the

end of the tunnel. We are praying for a healthy, happy little boy.

So, I am quilting as I go on this one...

and I think it will finish nicely and in time.

In the middle of all this, my sweet little GB Holdyn had a birthday!

His mama wanted so much to throw him a fun little party with it

arriving this year on Thanksgiving Day...

but his little brother has been keeping his Mama busy!

So...they all celebrated his birthday with her in the hospital...

He's THREE...

I can hardly believe it!

He doesn't look any worse for the wear...

and I think he rather enjoyed it!

Happy Birthday my sweet grandson...

You know your Gigi adores you.

Perfection...