Valentines Is In The Air

----at my house and I'm loving it!   Changing from
winter decor to the bright and cheerful colors of
Valentines makes me feel more energized. 

The wind is howling outside and rain is beating
on my windows, but I'm snug as a bug inside enjoying
 my warm house working on Valentine projects.
 Finished framing these little stitcheries this
afternoon.



































Found both of these on Pinterest sometime ago.  I
believe the girl was actually a stamp, but I enlarged
her so the finished stitchery would fit inside a 5 x 5
inch frame. Did the same with  "LOVE."

Borders have now been added to my little quilt
block I posted about a couple of days ago, and is
ready to be quilted.  If all goes well tomorrow, I
hope to get it quilted and bound. 

Three finishes in a week.  That would be
exciting!

Three Dollars A Yard????

When was the last time you were able to purchase top
quality fabric for just $3.00 a yard?  It has been a long,
long time for me.  So, today when I ran up to my 
local quilt shop to replace a piece of fabric that I cut
incorrectly early this morning (ugggghhhh!), I
noticed they had a section of fabrics that were $3.00
a yard, no limit on yardage.

There were a few bolts of Fall (Posh Pumpkins) and
Halloween among other fun prints.  Knowing that I
had a few fall and Halloween projects still needing
to be completed for next fall, I was able to purchase
almost 7 yards for just over $20.  At the current price,
I would only have been able to purchase a couple of
yards.  Now. if I just don't forget that I purchased
the fabric come fall. 

Are you, like me, always looking for quilt labels to
purchase or make?  My friend Karen has designed
three lovely quilt label templates  and she is selling
them for the amazing price of $1.00.  They are in a
PDF format.  Check them out---you'll be glad you
did.  You will find information on her sidebar.  And,
if you've never visited her blog, take time to read
through her posts and see some of the amazing
pictures she has posted of her decorated cookies,
quilting and stitching projects.  Oh, and if you
love birds,  you'll find some great pictures, also.
Have fun perusing her blog, you'll be glad you did.
you stopped by

Monday's Projects!

WARNING!  There are tons of photos!

I am tired of winter!  And it's time to put my snowmen
away and add some bright, happy colors to my house.
Valentines is up!  It is not finished, but the quilting
items are out and what a difference it makes!
I'm smiling and feeling happy!

Still have to add items to the shelf, but this makes
a very cheery kitchen!

Although this is from my days
when I was doing my business,
I still love it and it fits perfectly
on this narrow space by my
back door.







 Below is another vintage piece
made from fabric left over from
my business, that again, has been
around for a long time.



















In case you haven't guessed, I love anything with
hearts almost as much as I love snowmen!

 Made this little runner about a year ago and thought
it would like nice on the back of my sofa for a change.

And, still more hearts!



















Think that's about enough of hearts for now!

So, I will share a couple of other projects I started
today:  A sweet little embroidery and....

....a little piecework.  Center block is done.  Now
tomorrow I can add the borders.

With all these hearts and cheerful colors, I'm
thinking Valentine's Day must be coming!

Gratitude Sunday

"Gratitude Sunday is a time to slow down and remember those thankful moments that graced our week.”

I have much to be grateful for this week:

1.  Friend time. I was able to spend Monday

and Wednesday with friends.  I treasure the
time we can spend together.

2. Laughter.  So glad there are things that make

us laugh until our tummies ache.

3.  Hugs.  There is nothing that makes me happier than 

to receive a hug from one of my sweet grandchildren

when I see them.

4. Personal contact, phone call and emails that express 

appreciation and "thanks" for my remarks at Church  

today. Speaking is not something I really enjoy, so it

means a lot to have appreciation expressed.

5.  History of my Great Aunt Ida that my sister and I

have recently come across.  She shares so much of

her family and it makes me appreciate those who 

have gone before me.

6.  The beautiful mountains that surround me where
I now live and where I grew up.  They always

make me feel safe.  Growing up in Midway, I could 

look out my bedroom window and see the mountains 

in all their beauty, no matter the season.  And, in just

minutes, we could be up in them.  I love 
Mt.Timpanogos and its legends. Can you see the
"snow horse?"

7.  Friends, who are angels in disguise, who have

 blessed my life this week in answer to my prayers.

8.  Popcorn.  My Sunday treat.  

9.  Canadian geese that winter here.  I love seeing

 them as I take my walks by the ponds or in the 

fields surrounding the DATC.  I love watching them

in flight and hearing their continuous "honking".

10. This week I have been especially grateful for

our furnace that keeps our home toasty and 

comfortable.

Feeling Frustrated

Am I the only one that often feels frustrated when trying
something new?  I recently came across a tutorial on the
"Disappearing Pinwheel" from Missouri Star Quilt Co.,
on Youtube and thought it would be so fun to make a
sample block.

Didn't have a layer cake and because I wanted to make
a small block, I cut 8-inch squares and followed her
instructions, carefully I thought.  What is the actual size
of a layer cake---10 inches or 10 1/2 inches square, BTW?
Divided it into thirds as she said and cut as directed.  It
didn't come out right!  Because some of the pieces are cut
on the bias, it seemed to stretch and was difficult to match
up the individual blocks.   The outside blocks were
"terrible" and I had a difficult time squaring the block up.

Very, very frustrating!  The block, after trimming, came
out to 8 3/4 inches and I wanted a 9-inch block.

If any of you have made this block, especially in a
smaller size, not the 12 1/2 inch size, and have good
suggestions, I'd appreciate your sharing with me.
I'm not sure I will be doing this again as I don't want
to waste fabric.  This was some old fabric that I
had stashed away.

I did notice from some of the comments left, that I
wasn't the only one having a difficult time.
.

Gratitude Sunday

"Gratitude Sunday is a time to slow down and remember those thankful moments that graced our week."

I have much to be grateful for this week:

1.  That my car is up and running.  While dropping off
an old computer to be recycled Monday, went to get
back in my car and it wouldn't start.  Thankfully, two
businesses away was Big O Tire.  Walked over and
they sent someone to check my battery.  That wasn't it.
The mechanics pushed my car to the shop, did a
diagnostic test and found my starter was shot.  I felt
very blessed that it was something they could replace
and actually had a bay open and could take it right
in.  It was done in 1 1/2 hours and I didn't have to
have it towed or wait a couple of days for repairs to be
done.

2.  That my part in our Relief Society Meeting, "Cure for
Cabin Fever", fun, friendship and favorite things" was
successful.  I was in charge of the "Minute-to-Win It"
games.

Stack Attack

(Ladies had to stack 36 cups in pyramid shape and then
restack cups in original stack.

Heart Stack

Stacking conversation hearts with one hand.

 

Cupid's Arrow

Blowing q-tip through straw trying to get as many
"arrows" as possible in the heart-shaped bowl.

They really had fun, laughed a lot, and were great
sports....just what we were hoping for.  Special
treasures and talents were also shared as well as
favorite treats.  All in all it was a delightful
evening.

3.  That I was able to go to lunch with my friend,
Heidi, to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday.

4.  That my son, daughter and their families were
able to get away for the weekend with friends who
have a cabin at Bear Lake.  Everyone needs a
break from the inversion and cold weather.  Hope
they're having a fun time.

5.  I'm grateful for the special Stake Conference   we
had today.  What a privilege it was to have two
apostles    speak to us:  Elder Richard G. Scott and
M. Russell Ballard.   Elder Scott encouraged us to
wake up each day with a smile and find joy in the day
among other teachings.  Elder Ballard reminded us
to be the best we can be and to continue giving
service.  He also encouraged us, as grandparents,
to be "memory makers" with our grandchildren and
told us stories of his grandfather and him as a
grandfather now.  It was an absolutely wonderful
and inspiring meeting.

6.  Grateful again for my new oven and that I was
able to do some baking and freezing of my favorite
recipes during the week. 

7.  Talks on the telephone with my sister.  I miss that
we don't get together often, but am grateful we
can have long chats on the phone.  I only have her,
no other siblings, so staying close is very important
to the two of us.

Simple, Quick and Easy!

I love simple, quick, and easy projects!  And this was
one I couldn't resist.  There were no instructions, just
the picture posted on Pinterest.  But having buttons,
pearls, and felt on hand, didn't think it would be too
difficult to create my own heart.

I had a heart pattern that seemed perfect, so I
pinned it to the felt and cut two heart shapes with
scalloped pinking shears.   Then sewed the buttons on,
embroidered the lazy daisy stitches, and added some
tiny white pearls.  Holding the the two hearts
together and using four strands of white embroidery
thread, I stitched the hearts together with a running
stitch. A 8-inch length of ribbon for hanging was
inserted at the top as I was stitching around the heart.
Left a small opening so I could lightly stuff the heart,
then sewed it closed.  Finished!
 


















Think I'll make a few more.  They would make great
little gifts for Valentines!

Two Years Later!

Two years ago I made pieced hearts, framed them and gave
them as Valentine gifts.  You can see them here:
 Valentine Hearts     Sadly, I ran out of the mini white dot
fabric that I used in the borders.  After searching each quilt
shop I would visit and not finding it or anything close, I gave
up and put the heart away.  

Then while cleaning awhile back, I found it and decided that
it needed to be finished and that I could add borders and
make it into a pillow.  It would be just fine.  Didn't have to be
in a frame.  Don't know why I didn't think of this at the time.
Guess I just had a one-track mind.

Found the inner border fabric yesterday at the quilt shop
and I think it works out fine.  Seems to pull all the
color combinations together.  The border fabric is from
my stash.  I fell in love with this piece and bought a
couple of yards before it disappeared off the shelves.
Happy to find a use for it.

Will It Ever End???

Yesterday was spent continuing to clean and organize
my sewing and cutting areas.  I actually have two small
rooms that I used when I had my business and now one
is for sewing and the other is for cutting my fabrics,
working on scrapbooks and histories, etc.

Somehow (can't imagine how) over the past few
months both rooms have become disaster areas.
Yesterday seemed like a good day to work on what I
call the "cutting" room.  Actually made quite good
progress.

  













Now I can actually see my cutting mat.  Can't believe
how much "stuff" was pile on that table.  Just wonder
how long it will remain clean and organized.  Any
bets on how long?

Next I tackled this table that holds my "business history"
I am working on.  Somehow, and I don't know just
how, but there were lots of other papers, etc. finding
their way there.  Now they are gone and everything
is nicely organized stacked into final groups to be
sorted through when I have a little more time.

Stacking shelves that hold misc. supplies were
straightened and I even changed my quilt display on two
walls:

Sadly, there is still more to do as I have shifted some
things to this area while cleaning the others.  But I
hope that can be completed today as well as any
other areas that I've missed.

It is embarrassing to post this picture.  But maybe by
doing so, it will make me be a little better in keeping
things picked up and organized.  I'm sure none of
you ever let things get this bad, right!

Gratitude Sunday

"Gratitude Sunday is a time to slow down and remember 
those thankful moments that graced our week."

I have much to be grateful for this week:

1.  My new kitchen range was delivered Friday.  It is
wonderful to have a working oven once again as I have
been without one since the day after Christmas.  Thankfully,
it waited to "blow up" until all the Christmas baking was
done.

2.   Snow storms that have brought much needed snow
to the valley and especially to the mountains.  Our snow
pack is way down and because we didn't get a good snow
pack last year, our water reservoirs are very low.

3.  I'm grateful for snowplows and the men who spend
untold hours day and night clearing our streets of snow
so we can get around on them.

4.  Mornings that I can just be lazy, sit in my warm bed,
read, ponder, write in my journal, plan the day or do
whatever.  So nice not to have to jump up and get going
on the day.

5.  Another day---waking up to endless possibilities.  A
clean slate, so to speak.  What will I write or fill it with
today?

6.  Sunny days.  We don't get too many of those in the
winter because of the inversion.  I feel so much happier
when the skies are blue and the sun is shining.

7.  My new favorite winter-time drink:  Crio Bru,
introduced to me by my friend, Laurel.  It is the best
"hot chocolate" and good for you.

8.  Grateful for Andrew Shaner who comes and cleans
off my walks and driveway after each snowstorm.  It is
a wonderful service the young men of our ward perform.

9.  The little birds who flock to my birdfeeder.  I find
great happiness as I watch them.  However, I would be
even more grateful if they would clean up after themselves.

10.  Friends on Facebook who post wonderful old
pictures, etc. on "You know you're from Heber, Utah
when.....". (actually includes pictures from anywhere
or of anyone in the valley)  Many have brought back
wonderful memories of past times and allowed me to
connect up with old friends and classmates.

 









This is a picture of the Homestead Resort in Midway
from the 1960's.  I worked there for many years while
attending high school and college.  My father built
the "farm house"and the "ranch house"---guest lodging.
He also built Ferrin and Martha Whittaker's home
which was later turned into guest housing.

There is much more to be grateful for and I realize I
have not even begun to scratch the surface of blessings
and good things that have come my way this week.
But, I am grateful to record a few things here as a
reminder of how blessed I am.

 

Much, Much Better!

I took out the red "wedge" and like this arrangement so
much better.  The strong red fabric was just too dominant
and it didn't seem to fit.

Now to decide what color of embroidery thread to
use for the words.  Definitely do not want black or
brown---maybe one of these blues:

This is the pattern from http://nanacompany.typepad.com
that I am using:

I like the red she pulled from her fabrics, so I'm
hoping maybe the blue will work as I will be using
the other colors in the wedges for the flowers
and little vine.

Any suggestions on thread color for words?

My son recently posted this sweet little story on
facebook and I thought I would share it.  He is a
single Dad and is an awesome dad!  He is always
doing service for others and was so touched by
his little neighbor.  Hope you don't mind my sharing.


I loved growing up in Kaysville...
Neighbors looked out for neighbors and people helped

each other. At first I learned the word "BECAUSE"....

my parents always taught me we help people because! 

Then the church called it "service", boy scouts called it 

"doing a good turn". Now I hear people calling it

 "paying it forward"

Whatever it's called I'm indebted today for all the 

"thank you’s I received today, the one that took it 

over the top was the six year old neighbor boy 

shoveling MY driveway.

I guess if the second coming comes, and you're caught 

in the service of your fellow man/woman you have 

nothing to fear in the last judgment. It seems though 

no matter how much I can give, as soon as I turn 

around someone has given me back tenfold.

So thanks to all and everyone!

Auditioning

This "Dresden Garden" pattern by Pine Mountain
Designs and Moda's "1933" charm pack have been
sitting on my shelf for some time now and today
being another cold, snowy day, decided I needed
something a little more cheerful to work on.....
something that made me feel warm and like spring
really could come in a few weeks.

Because the charm pack does not have two or more
of the same print, I thought it would be fun to use one
of each color giving it a more scrappy look.
However, I'm not sure about the one dominant red
piece.  It almost seems to stand out too much.  The
other pieces are a little more muted and softer and
I don't know if I should abandon it or not.  The only
other bright red is a stripe and I don't care for it.

Taking a picture before sewing the wedges together
helps me see the arrangement and if pieces need to
be switched.  I would appreciate it if any of you
who read my blog would give me your opinion on
the red and if there is a better arrangement for
colors and wedges.

For the center I am going to use stitch this sweet
little saying:  "Do small things with great love"
from: http://nanacompany.typepad.com
instead of the lady bugs, snails, and butterflies
Sandra used in her design.

Oh, just looked outside and the boys from my ward
are shoveling the snow on my driveway.  They are
so good to take care of us older ward members.  It
is so appreciated!

Think I'll let this design sit and think on it and
start the stitching.