Busy Week-A little bit of sewing!

This past week was very busy and went fast.  At night I was able to do some sewing.  After all the work setting up my sewing center upstairs it has been too hot to be up there.  So I carried my machine back down to the dining room table.  One night I did a little more work on  my top that is sewn "on-point layout" as Amy of Amy's Passions corrected my term "sewing on the diagonal.  Always a teacher--right Amy--I do appreciate her!!   This is the fabric I received in a giveaway from Nancy at  Patchwork Penguin. It is Moda 3 sisters, Peace On Earth. I  pinned the seams together before I sew on the strips  to make sure I have it lined up.  A flashback to my clothing sewing days.



The fabric arrived for the wedding gift for Dawn and Jason.  It is Moda's Northwoods Botanicals.

Jason is a game warden and Dawn  has a degree in Natural Resources and works in the office for the DNR (Department of Natural Resources).  They both enjoy spending time outdoors.  I love this fabric.  I am becoming more confident in modifying colors in patterns.

Kasey and Cole were here Wednesday through Friday.  Their day care lady is on vacation for a week starting last Wednesday. Friday Kasey wanted to do whatever papa was doing.  I found a pair of Oshkosh bibs that my boys had worn about 25 years ago.  She loved them!  Quite opposite from her daily frilly dresses.  She even went on the 4-Wheeler to the neighbor's for coffee with him.  She "helped" work on the baler, rode in the tractor to get the feeder wagons,  and hauled tools in her wagon.  Definitely was Papa's girl on Friday.

  Cole is now 13 weeks old--Smiling and watching everything that is going on around him.  I will have them next week through Wednesday.   I am so blessed to have them be a part of our lives!

God Bless,
Linda

Stash Manicure's Giveaway

Check out by clicking on the side bar.

Rae Ann at Stash Manicure is having a "Say Goodbye to July Hello to Giveaway."  Go to her blog to check it out.  Almost every day she has a guest author who writes on organizing your stash or creative ways to use it! You may use the button on the side to find the blog! I have already used ideas that someone wrote about.

Good Luck to all of us!

Farm Cats-For my blogging friends who are cat people.

On the farm cats have a job.  They help take care of the rats and mice in and around the buildings.  Until a year ago when we sold the last of our dairy herd, the cats were fed at the kitty dish after every milking.  They would line up by the milkhouse door and wait for their warm milk.  If they all weren't right there, one call of "Kitty Kitty Kitty" and they would come running from all directions.  DH is a cat person.  The cats would ride on his shoulder while he was milking,  hop up on his knee when he was in beside a cow,  or jump from the hay/straw mow on to his back.   Every cat had its own name and would answer to it.  If a cat had mattery eyes or a cold-out came the syringe with penicillin to give the cat a shot.  An interesting sight to watch.

Since the dairy cows are gone-the cats still do their hunting and still receive some cat food in the barn where we have some of  the beef young stock.  

About four weeks ago a young cat presented us with her first batch of kittens-- seven of them.  She had them in the barn, but mama cat came to the door several times a day for milk and cat food.  She had kept the kittens hidden away from us and away from the dogs.  Occasionally she would bring one to the house with her.  Tuesday morning she had all seven at the door on the back deck. They all knew how to drink milk and eat cat food from the dish. 

Occassionally a farm cat would find its way into the house when the boys were small.  DH would love to have a house cat,  however DIL-2 is very allergic to cats.  So if it is a choice between a cat or DIL-2,  guess who wins without question!!!

Next post will be about the little bit of sewing I have accomplished the past couple of weeks.

Have a great day,
Linda

Patches For Lissa

Mel of Mel's Own Place has been keeping us posted on the long recovery of her sister-in-law, Lissa.   Lissa is a young mother who has been hospital for several months due to a life threatening illness. You may read her story on Mel's site here.

A quilter and blogger is making a quilt for Lissa and she needs our help.  All the information is available from Jane at Jane's Fabric and Quilts.


I just finished my blocks to put in the mail on Thursday.

Take a couple of minutes to read Lissa's story and perhaps make a couple of blocks to send  to help with her quilt.
Quilters are the greatest people!
Linda

County Fair

Our county fair was on Thursday through Sunday.  It is very small--the exhibits and the carnival.  It does bring back lots of memories from when I was a 4-H member in another county--and when the boys were in 4-H. Remembering when they would be  preparing projects, training the beef steers to lead,  working in the 4-H food stand, and managing the milking at home.  The rest of the farm work had to go on hold for those 4 days.  As with other counties, the amount of participation is down.  Kids have so many activities and opportunities now it is difficult to be in everything.

I did stop in the Open Craft building to see the quilts on display.   I have been thinking--I may have to consider entering something next year.  No promises--but as I am working on things, if something turns out well and I really like it--just maybe. 

We stopped at the fair this afternoon with DS-2 , DIL-2, Conner and Tatum.  Conner went on two "kiddie" rides.  He enjoyed the Merry-Go-Round.

He thought the train was a little dull--What do you expect from a boy who rides in the tractors and combines with Uncle and Grandpa.  Or who rides a small 4-Wheeler on his own and the big 4-Wheeler with grandpas,  mom, or dad.  This picture does show that the fair is very small.

Conner looked across the carnival and saw the Tilt-A-Whirl.  He thought that would be fun--
After a few spins, he wasn't so sure! He was glad he had his daddy to hold onto! 

Friday Sew In

 

Yes, I know it looks familiar!  I finished the "flimsy" of   another tree skirt using  the same pattern.  This time I used the same fabric around the star and inside the border.  I also cut two fabrics for each size log. It has more of a pattern. I have it down to a method of sewing so it goes together fast.   I haven't decided if this will be for Travis and Becky in Sept. or Jason and Dawn in Aug. 

When reading the blog of a blogging friend,  I was reminded that quilting is a hobby.  I don't need to push myself or feel guilty when I don't accomplish as much as other people.  

  I have Conner and Tatum tomorrow.  DIL-2 needs to work and DS-2 is going tubing down the river with a group of guys for Travis' bachelor party!

Have a great weekend!

Grandma Days!

Kasey and Cole spent Monday and Tuesday with me.  DIL-1 had a two day training in Milwuakee (about 6 hours away).  DS-1 was setting up the John Deere exhibit at  Wisconsin Farm Technology Days about two hours away.  DS needs to work at the exhibit through Thursday.  He came to pick up the kids about 9:00 on Monday night.  Since he needed to leave by 6:00 a.m., I went over to their house to wait for them to wake.  When I stepped out the door the sun was just coming up. Two things came to mind-One the OLD song-"Morning Has Broken" and Psalm 118:24  "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

One thing about being grandma is that you can let your daily work go to spend time with the kids. When Kasey walked in Monday morning she told me her blankie was broke so Grandma had to patch it.  So one more bright pink patch is holding it together.  Kasey and I read books, built with blocks, sang songs, and the usual grandma things.  Cole was in the swing watching us and smiling and talking. 

Tuesday afternoon we went for a walk.  We pulled weeds from my flower beds and only had one blossom pulled off. She walked up to the flowers in the barrel and said, "We match, take my picture grandma.!"

We walked--well actually I walked while I pushed Cole in the stroller and pulled Kasey and the horse in the wagon--to the corn field by the west driveway.  DH and DS-1 are excited about the corn.  DH has never had corn like this the 37 years we have been farming. 

Today Kasey is back to daycare. Cole is taking a nap while I am writing to you and baking brownie for DH.  If I hurry-I could maybe sneak upstairs yet during his nap for my first look at my sewing machine this week!!!

I've been accepted into the "Charming Girls Quilt Club"

Over the last year as I have read blogs,  I often came across activities and projects that bloggers were working on as part of the "Charming Girls' Quilt Club."  When reading Sheila's blog, My Empty Nest Is Full of Cat Hair,  last week,  I learned it was time to enroll into the club for the year.  I contacted Kelly and even though I was two days late-she let me join. 

One of the activities is that Kelly sets up bi-monthly themes, and members post their goals toward this mark, share them on her blog, and encourage each other through the months! It's really a splendid idea, and I feel fortunate to have been included. 

  The theme for July/August is:

 

The couple of people  who know me that read my blog know that I am the type of person that takes care of everyone else first and what is energy is left-goes to me.  Friends have told me that I need to think of myself more often.   I have made improvements in the past few months, but I know I have a long way to go. 

SO--after one quick day of thought-- My Self- Care goals for July/ August will include:

1.  Take time for my self at least once a week.  (A place to start anyway)

2.  Walk or other exercise at least three times a week ( Another place to start--That is the only thing I miss about having sold our dairy cows)

3.  Eat more nutritiously and not let my frustrations or stress control my eating habits. (Hopefully this will result in weight loss!)

Needs to be accomplished: 

1. Complete the wedding gifts for Dawn & Jason, and Becky & Travis.

2.  Spend time preparing my stories/ object lessons for VBS.

3.   Work on cleaning out cupboards upstairs to use for my sewing/quilting area. 

I am really excited about being accountable for "Self-Care" goals.  I will let you know how I do!

Tatum's First Birthday!

Where did the past year go?  We celebrated Tatum's first birthday on Friday evening with a picnic at the park in Cumberland.  She was determined to eat her cupcake with no help!  It was a delightful chocolate mess.






Princess Kasey(with her mom and Cole) loved the picnic, the playground and the beach.    Everyone had fun on the equipment.  Sometimes big boys still like to have fun on little boy toys!  Conner and his daddy, aka. DS-2 went down the tube slide together!


Tatum had her mommy and daddy, her brother (Conner),   two great grandma's, one great grandpa, two grandma's, two grandpa's,  4 aunts,  1 uncle, 6 cousins, and friends to celebrate with her!!  Life is good!

Little Hope Olivia is Safe in Christ's Arms

 Thank you for all who have sent their thoughts and prayers for little Hope Olivia.  I have copied  her  Caringbridge posted  Friday evening.  


" Friday, July 16
Day 17...10:50 pm


It is with a heavy heart that I type this message.  Hope Olivia passed away tonight.  I have no words just tears.  Please continue to pray for Britt and Matt.     They need your words of encouragement like no other time.
for the Tappens...Tiffany


Friday, July 16, 2010 9:31 PM, CDT
Day 17 - Night
We are having a rough go of things on the 3rd floor NICU.  Matt said I do way better with the ups and not so great with the downs.  We have had 2 significant downs since Hope was born and now this one tonight has us (me) nervous and a little unsettled. 

Hope started to drop her saturation from the high 80's where she was all day to to low 70's and have now dropped to the 50's.  They have checked and replaced her chest tubes.  She had a blockage in one of her tubes which Dr. Brand thought would allow her to recover once he replaced it.  They worked on her for an hour or so and then let us go in to see her.  She looks exhausted.  We decided to leave to take a break from the monitors for 20 minutes and when we came back and she is not recovering yet.  They are doing another x-ray in a few minutes to see if there is anything else that they can see.  We do not know much more right now we just ask for your prayers and we will see how the night goes.  Thanks!!


Matt and Britt"

It was there all the time!

We purchased  our farm from DH's parents. They built a new home a few miles away and we moved here in the fall of 1979.  To shorten a long story--My MIL had freestanding cabinets built to fit in the upstairs hall.  When she moved she took them with her.  That was the only storage upstairs since only one of the three bedrooms has a closet.   A few years later we had a carpenter build in cabinets and storage. On one wall I wanted a spot to do my sewing and on the other side of the landing we built storage cabinets.


When Peg (friend, sister, college forever friend) was here this spring she made the comment--"Why don't you clear off this spot and sew here?"  At that time it was covered with stuff that had no place else to go.  That included the drawers and shelves.  My immediate response was it wasn't deep enough for sewing quilts. 


It took me trying to figure out how to set up a sewing room, what to buy to put my machine on,  where do I put my supplies, etc.  To suddenly look at this counter and think--"Yeah, that would work." So I started moving things off the counter-(Christmas, Halloween, Easter decorations) and emptying out the cupboards.  If you have lived in one house for 31 years you may know where I am going.


Some of the sewing items from "yesteryear" that I found included:  the instruction manual and accessories box from the Singer Touch & Sew I purchased with my high school graduation money before I left for college (which I wore out from sewing),  zippers that cost  $.45 etc.  I found a tracing wheel, tracing paper,  patterns and lots more.  I had issues of Farm Wife, which changed to Country Wife, which changed to Country Woman, issues starting in 1982. 


I found all of the years of 4-H record book pages from the boys--I threw the record  pages-and kept the pictures.   Found old Wilton cake pans--football, train, house,  teddy bear--those I kept. 

I am still working on organizing--I will post more pictures as I go.


These are the cabinets on the opposite side at the top of the stairs.   I will start going through them and decide what needs to be saved and what I can throw.  Currently it is part linen closet. There are boxes & boxes of farm records,  books,  board games,  and lots more. 


It is a long range goal--but just may work.


Have a great day--God Bless,
Linda

Ellie and her quilt

Isn't it the greatest feeling when you find out that a gift you made for someone was appreciate and loved.  This   precious baby is the granddaughter of my sister/friend Peg, who was my college roommate and forever since friend.  Her name is Elna Ann after both of her grandmothers.  They are calling her "Ellie".  A few weeks ago I posted the label I made for her quilt.  Monica and Eric took the quilt with them when they went for Ellie's newborn pictures. 

A Day of Memories and Asking a Favor of You

In Memory of our first born precious Son-

July 12, 1977 -October 3, 1981

(Photo August 7, 1981-Uncle Jeff's Wedding)

God's Loan

- Author Unknown

"I'll lend to you for a little time,
A child of mine," He said.
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.

"It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you till I call him back
Take care of him for me?

"He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have these precious memories
As solace for your grief.

"I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.

"I've looked this whole world over,
In my search for teachers true.
And in the crowds that throng life's land,
I have selected you.

"Now will you give him all your love,
Not think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
To take him back again?"

It seems to me I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joys thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.

"We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.

"And should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."

                 - Author Unknown

Our oldest son was killed as the result of an accident on our farm in 1981.  It changes your life forever.  As I have shared with many, you reach a point where you know it is not going to get any better and you just learn to live with it.  At that point you move on and adjust your life to go on.  I look at my husband and see how much the accident changed him as a person.  Then I think if it changed him that much, how much did it change me that I can't see.  Our next son was 18 months old at the time of the accident and our youngest son was born 10 months after the accident.  I wouldn't recommend going through pregnancy and grief at the same time.  It was not planned-but in God's timing it was what we needed.  


A quote from one of the books I read at the time of his death said, "When you lose your parent, you lose your past.  When you lose your child you lose your future."

So as a favor to me,  would you please give your child a hug or give them a call to tell them you love them?    Too often we don't tell those important to us how much we love them or value them in our lives.  I would give everything to be able to hug my son and tell him I love him.  

A couple of months ago I started a second blog- it is going to be more of my thoughts, my relationship with Christ, and stories of my family and friends. I haven't been extremely faithful about writing on it, but since I know some of my blogging friends prefer to have this blog with only quilting stories/ experiences.   I decided to have a second blog also.  The button on the sidebar will take you there.  It is titled, "Linda's Faith, Family and Friends."

 

Jill's Awesome Giveaway

This is Jill.  She is celebrating her 1,000 post with an awesome giveaway.  You may click on the sidebar or here to read about it and enter.

She even is giving us three chances.  So check her out!  I know I enjoy following her.

Here is what she says about herself,  "I am a quilter struggling to find time to fit everything in! I have a huge UFO and unstarted project list since I took up quilting in January 2007."  

I am going to her site right now to make comments for my three entries!
Good Luck!

Linda

(Aren't blogger quilter friends the greatest?) 

A Smoothie and a Design Wall

This morning I needed to run some errands. One was to take paperwork to the FSA (Farm Service Agency).  Two blocks away is my absolute favorite coffee shop.  It is called Alley Cats. They have the greatest panini's,  lattes,  chai tea, etc. and smoothies-to die for!!!!!! Their raspberry lemon is the best. So I couldn't resist being that close without stopping for a smoothie!



Thank you to my blogging friends who suggested using a tablecloth!   I didn't realize a design wall was as close as my picnic basket and upstairs shelf.  I have several left from DS-2 and DIL-2's rehearsal picnic.  Tonight I tacked them to an upstairs wall and set out the quilt.  It is going to help see where I have placed the blocks and squares and where to rearrange them.  The hall isn't wide enough to take a photo straight on so I had to stand in a doorway to take the picture from an angle.  Once my sewing room is ready there is a wall that will work.

I have never tried to sew a quilt that is sewn on the diagonal.  It may be interesting.  I am going to find a spot and table  to move my sewing machine upstairs.  I may run down to Menards ( our equivalent to a Home Depot/ Lowe's) 25 miles away to look for a folding table.

Hmmm-There happens to be a quilt shop there--I may need to put the car on automatic pilot and see if it knows the way!

A Blankie repair and other Wednesday highlights!

DIL-1 asked if I would mend/ patch Princess Kasey's "blankie".  It is almost completely falling apart.  It was tearing around the binding .  I had the princess select fabrics from a stack.  She wanted the pink polka dots.  I used six inch strips.  Sewing about one inch on the top and folding over the remainder to sew where it was falling apart. I had to stop sewing twice so she could hold it. It's far from perfect--but may give a few more months of life to blankie!


At 2  1/2 she loves being a girl!  She wants to wear dresses all the time! Even when riding the 4-Wheeler with daddy or papa to help fix fence.  I brought down the bouncing zebra for Tatum to ride.  Kasey decided she wasn't too big to ride it!! She has blankie on for a saddle!

Since I am still doing my sewing at the dining room table--and putting it away and taking it out,  I was constantly looking to see where I had put things away.  My "sis" has a pampered chef turnabout in her sewing room.  I thought it seemed like a great idea--and definitely works for  me.  Most of the things I need are within reach.           

Eighty blocks are sewn and trimmed for my newest project.  The pattern suggests, "It may be helpful to arrange setting triangles pieced squares and cream squares on a design surface before assembling ." The quilt size is 58" X 58".  Is there a quick and easy design surface that works for you?

July BOM & New Project

I finished the July BOM last night.  I am getting excited thinking about how it will look when it comes together.  This will be my first full sized quilt. 

Update on Baby Hope--from Caring Bridge

From their Caring Bridge journal:

Monday, July 5, 2010 10:14 AM, CDT

Still day 6... 10:15am


The news we got today was not good news.  I'm hoping the rollercoast

er is heading up because I'm not liking the down parts.  Hopes saturation levels were very low today so the doctors raised the oxygen level to 100%. Usually Hope would then get her saturation  levels back,within a few minutes but today it took almost an hour.  Hope is fighting very hard and we are hoping she can fight a while longer.  The doctors are starting to run out of things they can do to help her and its a very helpless feeling.  Britt and I are finding some comfort in knowing we have all of you  praying for her and so that is where we are putting our "Hope".


Hope is being baptised at 2 today.  We pray Hope can find the strength to keep fighting and pray the doctors can somehow find something that works for our baby Hope.  Thank you for the prayers. We are going to go see Hope so we will update later.


Little Hope is the niece of a friend and co-worker.   Hope's sister and brothers are  now staying with relatives in the Shell Lake area which is both a help and difficult for their parents because it is 4 1/2 hours from home.   Thank you for all who have been keeping Hope in your thoughts and prayers. This little life puts lots of things in perspective.

Thank you again,
Linda

Happy Birthday America!!!!

Have a great 4th! 

Whether you are celebrating with

 family and friends or spending time with your quilting or other projects!

Enjoy your day.

After church we will be meeting with church friends for brunch.

Then in the afternoon we will go to a neighbor's with their

extended family for a picnic, swimming, and fun.

Linda

p.s. I finally made something for myself!

Request for Prayer for a very little one (and her mom).

This is a photograph taken by a friend of mine of her brother in law's fingers next to his baby daughter's hand.  Due to medical emergency it was necessary to deliver her on Wednesday at 25 weeks 4 days.  She weighed 1 lb 3 oz at birth.  Yesterday she lost 1 oz.  The doctors said the next 5 to 10 days are critical for her survival.

They have inserted a new respiratory tube that is supposed to stimulate her lungs.

Her mother is doing better.  Please pray for this family.  They have three other children at home.

Thank you!

UPDATE: This is from their Caring Bridge just now--
"Saturday morn...

Just a quick update before the doctor comes in.  (Mom's name)  had a pretty good night until this morning.  Her blood pressure is VERY high. (210/120)  I am asking for some more of those prayers so the doctors can figure this whole thing out and get her blood pressure under control for good.  I will update more the doc. is coming in.  Thank you and continued prayers!!  (signed Dad's name.)"

Thank you.