A Little Potpourri aka A Little Bit of Rambling!

Thanksgiving is over and Advent begins today, I now will officially begin planning for Christmas. A friend on facebook sent this video.  It is fun watching to discover who are the planted singers and who are the persons that joined in the singing!

This morning I did a Children's Story/ Sermon during the worship service as part of the Advent message.  It was a chapter from the book,  "One Wintry Night" by Ruth Graham.  There were about 25  children from ages 4-9 sitting on the platform in front of me.  I was just ready to start the story when one little girl said, "I've got gum."  The congregation started laughing.  I ask her if she would like to take care of the gum and I would wait for her.  She jumped up and ran down the aisle and out the door to throw it away.  I talked with the other kids while she ran back up on the platform. I asked if she was ready and she replied, "Ready." 

Monday night is the second class of the Machine Quilting class I am taking in Rice Lake.  It is based on the book, "Foolproof Machine Quilting." It is different than I had expected-but I did learn new things two weeks ago.  It is sewing using the walking foot around templates that are cut from paper .  There were about 20 women there.  Only a couple have ever used the free motion method of quilting.  They are afraid to try it.  They only do "stitch in the ditch" or take their things to a long arm quilter.  Tomorrow night we take our machines to practice what we were taught last time.

I have many questions regarding information we were given.
1.We were told to use only "high quality thread"  not to use Coats & Clark.  2.  They don't pin at all.  Only use an adhesive spray for basting.  3. Strongly suggested using "Best Press" on all fabrics.  4. Use only 75/11 quilting needle.   I am giving all of their suggestions a try tomorrow night.

I have two  projects that must be completed. Hopefully tonight I will finish the "Charming Girls" Christmas Secret Santa exchange.  It is supposed to be in the mail by Wednesday.

Have a great week,

Thanksgiving Greetings

 

Happy Thanksgiving wishes to my friends.

I count the friends I have made through blogging as a special blessing in my like.

Have a special day!

  

Fall In Wisconsin

It started snowing during the night and has continued throughout the day. We have about six inches of heavy wet snow blanketing everything.    Somehow no matter when it comes we are not quite ready for winter.  We have about 200 acres of corn yet to combine.   The guys worked last night on corn.  Combining 12 rows along  fields next to the roads so when the snowplows came through today they wouldn't be throwing the wet snow onto the corn.

While DH was combining last night, I worked on sewing together another Christmas tree skirt for a gift.  This was a new pattern.  I wasn't sure about it--but I like it.  I am changing it a little. I just finished quilting it.  Now-once again-comes the hard part-to cut out the center. I hope to do the handwork tonight.


Another Christmas project I have been working on is a runner for a gal at church.  I haven't decided what color to go with for the binding.  I was thinking of the green or black---Then I thought maybe I should use the same print as the red.  That would draw more attention to the pinwheel center.  Any suggestions?

I need to decide on the gift for my Charming Girls Secret Santa Gift Exchange.

It is going to be a busy week.  Late last summer I registered for a class at WITC in Rice Lake.  It is taught by the gal at Busy Bobbin  quilt shop.  The class is on two Monday nights teaching Machine Quilting.  The book she will be using is  "Foolproof Machine Quilting."  It will be the second quilting class I have taken. 

Tuesday and Thursday nights are parent teacher conferences.   Wednesday night is my night for a small group Bible Study through my church.  We are studying the book, "Self Talk Soul Talk" by Jennifer Rothschild.  

Have a great weekend.

                   

WOW! I was speechless and emotional.

I went through a wide range of emotions when I opened a package I received in the mail on Tuesday. WOW!  I became an online member of the "Charming Girls Quilt Club" in July after being encouraged by my blogging friend, Sheila.  There are a variety of things to participate in with the Charming Girls. One activity is a Secret Santa Christmas Swap.  I thought--why not it may be a way to meet more blogging friends.

 In my package I found a pillow and two machine embroidered /quilted pillow wraps.  They are both absolutely beautiful.  In all honesty,  I was speechless and then I cried (and my tears don't come easily).  Just to think that someone I have never met  would send me such beautiful gifts.  Vicki also enclosed an elegant handmade card and a very nice personal letter. 

She is a very talented gal.  I immediately emailed to thank her and received an great email back.  I know if we could be closer we would be good friends.  We decided this is the next best thing and I am looking forward to our friendship.

I have met so many great gals in a variety of ages,  careers, and hobbies through blogging.  I am honored to call you friends.

Now comes my dilemma.  There is no way I could even begin to create a gift this beautiful for my Secret Santa gift recipient.  So I hope when I put it in the mail--she will know that it is made in friendship and love.

I Voted

       I stopped at our small town hall to vote after school. (It is an old one room school house converted into the town hall. There is no running water and the bathroom is a little building out behind the building).  Usually I am somewhere between number 75 and 125 when I vote at 4:00.  This year I was number 209. The three election clerks said it has been steady all day and the "rush" had not started yet.  

I am thankful I live in a country that offers me the privilege of voting and having it count.  I have become tired of the continual mailings for the past two to three weeks and the continual radio ads where one is reporting that the other candidate is lying about them.   However, this is also a privilege. 

I am thankful for the men and women who have served to protect my right to vote.  Daily I pray for those serving today and for their families at home.