Christmas mini baskets

So here are some pictures of the mini baskets. I made 13 total and everyone loved them flaws and all.

Christmas table runners

Well now I can show the runners since they have been given and warmly received.

I'm engaged oh and Merry Christmas to all.

OK so I wanted to write about Christmas and how I wished everyone a Merry CHRISTmas, but I'm engaged. My 19 year old wanted to open gifts this morning and I totally forgot I got more gifts today. So my former TDH took me out to sushi lunch and then said let's go up to the Roanoke star. I'm game for a road trip. We get there and we are just looking at God's creation and he says I got your Christmas gift and I look and he's holding a ring box open I look up and he says Marry Me and I'm YES. Put it on! We were on a snow covered deck and I was so worried I would drop it. I say former TDH because now he moves into the fiance category. Oh here's a terrible picture as I'm learning to take pictures with my new camera still. Merry CHRISTmas to all!

Snow

Snow in Virginia. Yes we made the national news here in Rockbridge County. Interstate 81 was shut down. Here is a picture of my front gate.

I'm a winner

Well everyone that entered is a winner, but I get a pin cushion! Yeah Check out Creations by Melinda blog AWESOME

Camera in hand

I am so excited. No more pictures with my phone - I have a new camera. I'm still learning the ins and outs, but it is so exciting and the color. I'll post pictures soon of all the projects I've been working on for Christmas gifts. I love reading your blogs and I've learned a lot already.

Holiday open house

To those in the Lexington Virginia area there is a Holiday open house for decorations that my friends participate in. They make beautiful floral arrangements. Here are the details Saturday December 5th 10am - 3 pm at Shear Destiny University Village 2427 Magnolia Avenue Buena Vista Virginia.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Comfort quilts

So a few weeks ago there was an accident in the county and a 24 year old was killed and he had a three year old son. The uncle was not dealing the death of his younger brother. I work with the uncle and wanted to help. I asked the person in our quilt guild for a youth quilt. I thought it would help the uncle to be able to give it to his nephew. He loved the idea. Our guild makes these throughout the year.

Here is a detail of the quilting that had been done on it and the label.

Sunday with TDH

So I spent this morning with my TDH.  He was presenting in a Sunday school class and then sang 'The Anchor Holds' before preaching.  He is in the mission field and was asked to present so the church can consider supporting him.  His sister and her family came also and we all went to eat after - Mexican - Yum.  I got home and started cutting 2" squares and pieces to make lots of fabric baskets.  I'm getting the supplies together for sewing on my binding.  Christmas is coming it's just around the corner.

TDH

OK so I thought since I mentioned him I should show a picture of him.

Hearts

I went with my friend Patti to a group and made the hearts for a wall hanging. I didn't want to do that and had the chance to make this lap quilt. The heart project was of course in reds and pinks and purples. The young lady I made the quilt loved blue so I combined both. Check the left picture in bottom pink stripe. I added the name Amanda with blue beads which were her favorite color.

Lap quilt

This is the first project I did with a group of ladies at my church. It's called Trip Around the World. Sorry I just have my Blackberry to take pictures.













This is the detail of the center.










This is the back

This is the detail of the back.

Press board

Well I went to the October tote class where I used a press board. Well this weekend my boyfriend AKA TDH (Tall/Dark/Handsome) made one for me. I'll get a picture of it up tonight. Doesn't it look awesome!

Karate

Well thanks to God I passed my rank test tonight. I'm now 5th kyu in Shito Ryu karate! It was a hard test as I was rushing and second guessing what I know. I love the kata (forms) and had practiced one ending wrong Yikes. I'm easy to spot the only female. It was so humid my hair was wild by the end of the testing.

Tote bag

So I took my first quilt class. I made this tote for my niece Lida for Christmas. Shhh don't tell her if you know her. I learned a lot and the instructor Carolyn Knudson had this great press/iron board. I was telling my boyfriend about it. I got a phone call that he's picked up the board and waiting for me to get the batting and duck cloth to cover it. I'm so blessed.

September Fabric Basket

So this is my cute fabric basket that Mamanance/Nancy taught in September. I heard a lot of Christmas is coming hint hint can mine be pink (insert color). It's going to be a fun project for sure.

Mom and columns and tote class

So work was not that busy today until I got a call from Kendal where my Mom lives telling me they had sent her to the ER.  She was admitted with fluid on her lungs and seems to be doing OK. My brother will be taking care of her on Saturday while I'll be at a tote class.  

I'm working on my blog adding some fun to it and I've lost the 2 columns.  Anyone know how I can get them back?  I'm toast after the day so I'll have to fix it later.

Septmeber workshop

Here are pictures from the September workshop.

This is my starting 2" lengths.

Pictures

So I'm learning how to add pictures today. Yes it worked and now you see my son. Quilting photos to follow.

Karate

Shito-ryu that is.  I'm 6th kyu and testing sometime this month for 5th.  That's half way to a black belt.  I love the kata (forms) the best.  The bad thing is if I have time I'd rather quilt and it's gift time with Christmas around the corner.  So karate isn't getting as much time as it should right now.  

Monday

Yesterday I worked on cleaning up my sewing room AKA the living room.  I had gone to Raleigh to visit my friend Kimberly a few weeks ago to help sort through her Mom's stash.  She is still grieving the loss of her Mom, but she wanted me to have the first dibs at the stash which was massive.  Shirley Willis started quilting in 1986 when she retired from being a principal.  The first thing I claimed was every batik I found.  I LOVE batik fabrics.  I picked up a few books and some tools.  Then I claimed a large bag of scraps for my friend Erin.  Down the road I might be given a sewing machine, but to tell the truth we hadn't found them all yet.  Shirley made the most beautiful quilts and was a judge.  Memaw you will be missed.

Blogs and sewing

Tonight I sat down and created my blog.  I also sewed a cover for my dogs bed.  Odd you might think, but it's the first time I've sewn since the needle through the finger a few weeks ago.  It took some courage to work the fabric through.  My dog loves the new cover and I'm happy I spent 3.47 for a yard of fabric versus the 27.49 for the new dog bed.