Thursday, January 15, 2015

Fall into MY DAY...A Tammy for All Seasons!


Welcome! 
I am so glad you stopped by today!
I was supposed to be showcasing this on Tuesday of this week,
so I am REALLY glad to be here today!
This blog hop SURE couldn't be possible without the 
awesome cheerleader Mary at I Piece 2-Mary and our 
dear friend Madame Samm...
I can not tell you how much learning I have 
done on this hop...and how much I appreciated 
all their help and encouragement!

I also can not tell you 
how AWESOME our SPONSORS
have been!!!!
I mean CHECK THEM OUT!!!!

I so appreciate when our SPONSORS
show up and SUPPORT us the way they do...
THANK YOU!!!!!


BEAM N READ ( led light)
Brooke's Books ( seasonal vintage counted cross stitch designs)
Chitter Chatter ( applique and embroidered pinnies)
DMC ( heads and aida cloth)
H.A.KIDD ( monaco fabric)
MsAppleHeart ( Tammy Bag Pattern)
READERS ( best readers on the market for those who need to see their patterns
up close and personal) 
SNAP SOURCE  ( great gadget for adding snaps to our bags)
Yarn TREE  ( q-snaps)

Now...ARE YOU READY????

Here we FALL!!!


This was my FIRST cross stitching project ever.
Why would I sign up for this hop?
Well, I wanted to see if I could do it!
I see many others just like me....YAY FOR US! 

I really did enjoy the process! It's addicting!


Now...I have to admit, I ripped it out four times...ok..
Really, it was FIVE TIMES.
But, after a little tutorial review from
Madame Samm's blog post, I FINALLY
realized what to do...
Keep trying and start with beginner materials!

Just a plug here for DMC threads...THANK YOU!
They were smooth and didn't tangle
and they transform in a pattern...
They look just like colors until you put them together...
WOW!


See that little magnet?
LIFE SAVER!
I could even put my needles on it when I was 
changing threads!!!! 
LOVE THESE!


Now...here's something that I figured out that I STILL NEED...
a VIDEO of how to attach these handles...I know it has
to be easier than the way I did it!
But It is on and I wasn't going to take it off!!!
I loved this TAMMY BAG pattern...all those pictures...
My kind of TUTORIAL!


And this little jewel...GREAT PATTERN too!!!
I had a little fun with it...and I loved the Flea Market Fancy fabric...



This was the fun part for sure!
Staging these in the SUNSHINE!!!!
We have had rain and clouds for what seems as weeks!





Overall, I learned a few things..



I couldn't have done this with out my readers from Readers.com.
I am just too blind!!! I loved that they hung on my neck
when I had to get up and take a break and I could always find them!!!

My Q-Snap Frame made ALL THE DIFFERENCE! 
It held my cloth perfectly without stretching it out of shape
and it was easy to carry around because it could be 
broken down to fit in my purse.

DMC...You made this project BEAUTIFUL.

I am not a superwoman...This is the only pattern I finished...but
I am so glad I didn't give up!
(and I wonder where can I find that outfit in real life...isn't it beautiful?)

It's always worth it to ask for help...even if you are
worried what someone will think about 
why in the world would you sign up 
for something if you had never done it!

Will I do this again?

YES!!!

Why?

Because Cory and Brooke's other patterns are
CALLING MY NAME!

And this folks is my first finish of 2015!!!!

Thank you for stopping by today...
I do appreciate it!
Now go visit these lovely ladies...

I am in awe of all their talent!

January 16, 2015

Julia Plunkett will post on Sewwequilt
It Seams To Be Sew (you are here)


Monday, December 29, 2014

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...





Monday, December 22, 2014

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)





Wednesday, December 17, 2014

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...

Friday, December 12, 2014

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!!!!

Thursday, December 11, 2014


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!




Wednesday, December 10, 2014

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?


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

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.



Sunday, November 23, 2014

Waiting on one...




Well, it has been a while since I have posted...and I feel like I have been very out of touch as I haven't even been able to read email or any of my bloggy friend's posts so please forgive me if I haven't responded to either...

In my last post I posted a sonogram photo of one of our newest little grand babies...amazed at how clear the photo was...isn't it amazing?

Since that photo, our little GB's health has changed somewhat. Although he is still healthy, his little heartbeat is racing...racing way past what is normal. The doctors have admitted my daughter and have been giving her meds in an attempt to "convert" his rate back to normal. This has not been an easy trek for my daughter. What affects the baby, really affects her. She is such a trooper though.

They may, if things don't change for him, deliver him this week - 8 weeks early.
With his older brother's birthday this week on Thanksgiving, we are focusing on how great our God is and that He knows us, knows where we are and is walking with us every moment. I feel it and when I don't, I let my faith take over and I just believe it.

We have so much to be thankful for...our daughter's health is good, our little GB is at a good weight, and they are being taken care of by the best doctors in the world in the best place in the world.

With that and our prayers we will just be waiting on one...


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...