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.