May Blocks!

I finished my May BOM's!  

I am learning more about quilting with each block. 

Apologies

I apologize for my Monday evening post.  I was overtired and over emotional. 

Smiles to all,
Linda

Erma Bombeck-May 14, 1995-Mother's Day

This is a copy of a column written by Erma Bombeck many years ago.  For many of us Mother's Day is an extremely difficult day.  We put on a smile when everyone says, "Happy Mother's Day" and return the greeting.  And yes---it is sincere!!!   At the same time our hearts are breaking as we remember the precious child that is no longer with us on earth to give us a hug or a smile.  There is the old saying, "Time Heals"--My answer is, "You reach a point when you realize that the pain is not going to get any better--and then you learn to live with it."    For me it has been 29 Mother's Days since my precious 3 year old put his arms around me gave me a hug.  I know that without God's help-and his healing arms around me--I wouldn't have been able to survive.  Now--I go to other Mom's--to help them through their loss-and help them learn that life will never be the same--but we do go on and happiness will return.  Mother's Day is over for another year! Yesterday,  I gave hugs to my grandkids and kids--and thanked them for the cards and flowers.


Mothers who have lost a child - May 14, 1995
Erma Bombeck

If you're looking for an answer this Mother's Day on why God reclaimed your child, I don't now. I only know that thousands of mothers out there today desperately need an answer as to why they were permitted to go through the elation of carrying child and then lose it to miscarriage, accident , violence disease or drugs

Motherhood isn't just a series of contractions. It's a state of mind. From the moment we know life is inside us, we feel a responsibility to protect and defend that human being. It's a promise we can't keep. We beat ourselves to death over that pledge. "If I hadn't worked through the eighth month." "If I had taken him to the doctor when he had a fever." "If I hadn't let him use the car that night." "If I hadn't been so naive, I'd have noticed he was on drugs."

The longer I live, the more convinced I become that surviving changes us. After the bittnerness, the anger, the guilt, and the despair are tempered by time, we look at life differently.

While I was writing my book, I Want to Grow Hair, I Want to Grow Up, I Want to Go to Boise, I talked with mothers who had lost a child to cancer. Every single one said death gave their lives new meaning and purpose. And who do you think prepared them for the rough, lonely road they had to travel? Their dying child. They pointed their mothers toward the future and told them to keep going. The children had already accepted what their mothers were firghting to reject.

The children in the bombed-out nursery in Oklahoma City have touched more lives than they will ever know. Workers who had probably given their kids a mechanical pat on the head without thinking that morning are making phone calls home during the day to their children to say "I love you."

This may seem like a strange Mother's Day column on a day when joy and life abound for the millions of mothers throughout the country. But it's also a day of appreciation and respect. I can think of no mothers who deserve it more than those who had to give a child back.

In the face of adversity, we are not permitted to ask, "Why me?" You can ask, but you wont get an answer. Maybe you are the instrument who is left behind to perpetuate the life that was lost and appreciate the time you had with it.

The late Gilda Radner summit it up well: "I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.

William Tell Overture Motherhood!

Happy Mother's Day! A fun look at ourselves! This is almost as good as when I saw her perform it at a Women Of Faith Conference.




Have a great day!

Linda

White moisture from the sky on May 7!!

White Moisture from the sky!!

If you look under the spruce tree you will see green grass. It is NOT a shadow. The rest of the grass is covered with white moisture and it continues to fall. It is predicted we will receive 1-4 inches of the white "stuff". On the positive side it is very much needed moisture! Everything will be GREEN when it is gone!

Maybe I will need to sew on quilts or BOM because it is too nasty to work outside! I had planned to go shopping for Mother's Day Hanging baskets after school. I decided it was better to leave them hanging in the greenhouse and give IOU's in the cards.


Have a great weekend!

Linda

P.S. Just issued by NWS-"Winter Weather Advisory ...Snow will continue to accumulate across much of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin tonight. The snow will gradually diminish later in the night. The most significant snow will be along and south of the iron range, including the brainerd lakes area, the twin ports, east central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.
A total snow accumulation of 2 to 5 inches can be expected. Some areas may see a bit less than this, but road conditions will still become slippery overnight. "

McCalls Quilting March April 2010

I found a quilt called, "Dolly Dress Up" that I would like to investigate the possibility of making for Tatum. However, I am unable to find the magazine. Does anyone have access to the March/April McCall's Quilting Magazine? I would be willing to purchase it or borrow it and return it if it is one that is part of your collection.

Any suggestions??? I checked the McCall's website but there was no way to purchase it. Not available on Amazon or ebay either! This is one of the finished pictures I found when searching--however, this is just the panel--not the entire quilt.

Thank you!!!
Linda

P.S. 19 1/2 days until school's out! The students think they are the only ones counting the days!!!

My Own Friday Night Sew-In!

I was determined to finish my Amy's BOM squares in April. I made a quick trip after school to the closest Quilt Shop to purchase the Tri- Recs and Companion rulers. Amy had offered to let me borrow her's. But, when I saw the May squares I decided I wanted to add them to my ruler collection. I cut out the fabric-- and was on a roll . Finished these two with no problem. I must have been feeling to sure of myself--I did something WRONG with the Pennsylvania Parade. I have ripped--and I think it will be better to recut a few pieces and start over.
After a couple of weeks away from quilting--It was great to be back. I don't begin to accomplish what other quilters do--But I feel good about what I do!

Introducing the newest grandson!

Introducing my youngest grandson. Thank you for all the wishes sent by my blogging friends! Here is Cole with his John Deere quilt! He and DIL came home on Saturday. They are both doing well. I received the greatest compliment when DIL asked if I would be able to spend Monday and Tuesday helping her with Kasey and general things in their home. She had a difficult delivery and needed the help for a few days. Her mother is coming on Wednesday--so I was blessed to spend time with DIL-1, Princess Kasey and Cole.


Of course, to this grandma, he is one of the four most adorable grandbabies ever born! Isn't God great that he gives us love immediately when we cast our first look at these precious bundles!

Princess Kasey is doing quite well with being a big sister. Last night when she was wanting a DVD in the player Cole was crying and DIL was trying to nurse him. Kasey looked at the baby and said, "Mommy, take him back to the doctor!"

When she first met him at the hospital she wasn't too sure of this baby business!

Now that we are finished with having new grandbabies, I will focus on the last 5 weeks of school, setting up my sewing room, and working on wedding and baby gifts for this summer and fall!

Linda

He Has Arrived !

The newest grandbaby is here! It is a Boy! He arrived at 8:30 . He weighed 9 lbs 6 oz and 20 1/2 inches. DIL's contractions started at 3:30 a.m. She called me at 7:00 to let me know we would be having a baby today. The Princess, our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter had the flu yesterday and was running a temp yet today. I went into school to call a sub and to write plans. Princess came to my house so DIL and Son could head to the hospital. As much as I would have loved being at the hospital--Princess needed me to be with her when she isn't feeling well. We will go in the morning for our first look at him.

Latest View From My Kitchen Window

Tonight when I looked out towards the pond, I watched as a coyote came down the hill to the pond. He walked around for a while--watched the geese flying over him. Then turn to go back up to the woods through the corn field.

I have finished the binding on the baby quilt. So when the baby arrives--if it is a girl she has two blankets ready for her. If it is a boy--the John Deere quilt is waiting. I'm still praying for the size of the baby. DIL is sooo big. She is still going to work. She said where the computer sits on her desk is almost further than she can reach.

Two more weddings are in the planning for friends in 2010--so 2 more Christmas Tree skirts to make in addition to the 3 already in the making.

Take Care--God Bless,
Linda

Friday Night Sew-In results

My "Friday Night Sew-In" resulted in almost finishing another quilt for my "if the new grandbaby is a girl" . The first one I made is larger and is made of flannel. I thought--this baby needs a cotton quilt. I started it one night this week when I needed a mental break from thinking about school. Last night I pin basted it, did crosshatch across the middle section and loopy free motion stitching on the two borders. (Thank you Amy and Candace for the advice!) All that is left is the binding which I plan to finish tonight.

After school I made a quick trip to my nearest quilt shop (25 minutes away-along with a needed trip to Walmart, Menards, and Farm & Fleet) to purchase my first quilt stencil and some basting spray. I have never tried either yet. I used the pins last night because I knew that would work for me. One reason for the quick trip was to purchase the Tri-Rec ruler set, which I forgot when I hurried in and out of the shop! I guess Amy's BOM will have to wait a few more days!

No baby yet, DIL-1's doctor still said she could deliver at any time! Maybe it is a girl--waiting for me to finish this quilt for her! I just spoke with DIL-1--a few twinges, she is going for a walk with Kasey-hoping to move things along!

Enjoy your day!

HELP! "Crosshatch Quilting"

I am working on a quilt top--I would like to start machine quilting it--The pattern states " The featured quilt was quilted with a crosshatch design.....". I did a google search--however, no suggestions on the distance apart for the stitching--or other experience based suggestions. All help will be appreciated!
Linda