Is it over? Or just beginning?

2010 is ending, but 2011 is just beginning.      We have had alot of sickness, death and heartache in 2010, but God has been faithful to bless us all the way through it.    We have had a wonderful little granddaughter, Kayden, born in 2010, and she is a precious gift.  

We have prospered in a down economy.  We have good jobs, and a warm home with an abundance of loving family who love us and one another.   I have been amazed at the abundance that God has put in our lives.    When we sit down to a meal, I have recently become so aware of the never ending provision of God.  

Thank You, Lord.

For all that you have given to us in 2010, and in advance for all the blessings that 2011 will bring.  We will give you praise, in everything that 2011 holds.

A Super Giveaway!

Dawn at Dawn's Quilting Corner is giving away 7 yards of fabric.  That's right "7 yards" and not only that it is Dr. Seuss fabric.

Pop on over and give it a look and sign up for this great giveaway.

Come back later.  I will have a new post about my revamped sewing/guest room.

Making Christmas Memories

I have 10 grandchildren and my children don't show signs of stopping.    Someone suggested I get them each a TV, but they already have one so????    Not all of them are near for Christmas this year and the traditions are a little out of wack, but I try to take time with each grandchild to make special memories of Christmas time at Grandma's.  

Easton had a sleepover with us and helped me decorate.     He loved putting the ornaments on  the tree and setting the mantle up.    He was so excited that he was big enough to hang the delicate glass ornaments and the ones that are as old as Grandma.   "They are very old aren't they grandma?"   "Yes Easton, older than dirt." 
He jumped with joy when it was all done, and then we watched Polar Express before bedtime.   It was a great evening.  

This past week, Havah, who is 4, came over and we baked cookies.   She wanted to put icing on them, so we did.    I am not sure how much icing got on the cookies and how much ended up in her mouth, but we had a great time and then I sent her full of sugar and red dye to her other grandmother's house.   "You are welcome Becky"  

 She loves sprinkles.   There were sprinkles on the cookies, sprinkles on the table, on the chair, on the floor and even sprinkles in Grandma's hair.   But it made her happy.  

 

She was so much fun and helped me wrap presents, and was so pleased to be the first one to put presents under the tree.

 Even with the economy and the things we have had to cut back on, we have been so blessed to still have too much under the tree.   I tend to go a little crazy when it comes to buying Christmas gifts.  

This year I was finally able to use the Santa figurines that I made for my mom in the early years of my marriage about 30+ years ago.   It has alway hurt too bad before to bring them out.   But this year it was comforting.



While we still pretend for the little ones and Santa fills stockings and leaves gifts.


When we are all together, before we open the presents, we will pause and say a prayer thanking God for the abundance in our lives and for sending His Son "Jesus" as a little baby, born in manger, to save the world from their sins.  We will read the Christmas Story, from God's Word and we won't forget what all of the celebration is about and who's birthday it is.

retromummy: flower sugar giveaway

 There is a great giveaway at Retro mummy.     Corrie there is giving away a fat quarter bundle of some marvelous fabrics.    

Aren't they lovely?

Click on over and give her blog the once over and join the giveaway.

And The Winner Is............

Random Integer Generator


Here are your random numbers:

18

Timestamp: 2010-12-19 04:01:47 UTC

I wasn't quite sure how to generate a random number so I googled it.    Don't you love that word?? Google!!!  It just sounds interesting.  

My husband and kids joke about mom knowing everything.  When they start giving me a hard time I say " I just g...." and they finish the sentence.   "google"    But they love knowing they can get an answer, or I will spend the time searching for it.

But I digress...  My giveaway winner is:   Kristin from http://sewchaos.blogspot.com/   Congratulations Kristin!   I will be emailing you, and waiting for you to send me your snail mail address, so I can get this wonderful book and fabric in the mail to you on Monday.    

Thanks for entering and congratulations again.

I had 102 comments and enjoyed all of them, especially those people who took the time to write something about themselves, and I explored a whole lot of blogs and now follow many more.     Thanks everyone who took the time to enter.    I will be having more and will enjoy commenting on all of my new blog friends.

Thanks again to the folks at Sew, Mama, Sew for organizing this wonderful giveaway.   I can't wait until the next one.

Giveaway Day!

I am participating in the giveaway Day and want to give away this great book by Rodale Press.  

Fast, Fun and Fabulous Quilts.     It has alot of cute wall hangings for all seasons and good cutting and instructional tips.   I am also including some fat quarters in a variety of colors.  

What do you have to do to win?   Just follow my blog!   Leave me a comment on this post and let me know that you have begun following me or that you are already a follower.    I will be collecting comments until Dec 17th at 9:00pm.  Be sure to leave me an email where I can reach you to let you know you won.    Be sure to click on over to the list at Sew, Mama, Sew and visit all of the participating bloggers.  

There are a whole group of bloggers who are participating in "giveaway Day".   This giveaway list is being hosted by the wonderful and talented folks over at  "Sew, Mama, Sew!" an online fabric shop, that features great fabrics, tutorials and a wonderful blog!   Thanks, Kristin, and all the other wonder folks that keep that site going.

A Night of Sharing

Last Thursday night my weekly quilting group "Patchwork and Prayer" got together with a sewing group led by my good friend and spiritual mom,  Ms. Diane Gray. 
 

She is an awesome woman of God and opens her home up to the ladies of our church and others in the community. 









This night we were there to share our love of sewing, quilting and crafts.   It was a mixed group.  Some of us had lots of sewing and quilting experience and some were true beginners.    We had a time of show and tell and some really good food.  

Sampler Quilt hand quilted by Judy

Beautiful Applique Wall hanging by Linda

 My good friend Lascella, hand quilted this panel and I had to show the wonderful detail on the back.    She put alot of love and work into this small throw.   

 The amount of detail in the quilting is wonderful.

Kay Roberts is doing the Cathedral Window quilt with 1 inch squares the old fashion way, completely by hand.

Thank you Sylvia for the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake.   It was out of this world and worth every calorie.   

 We did a White Elephant Christmas Exchange, and I received this lovely purse and stationary holder made my Susan.   She made them from placemats and embellished them with such cute flowers and buttons.






At the end of the evening we showed the dresses that were made from men's shirts and pillowcases, that are going to be given to children in an orphanage in Ethiopia.   

One of the ladies in our group shown in these pictures is adopting a little boy from the orphanage and will take the dresses with her when she goes to finalize the adoption.

  A great time of fellowship was had by all and we prayed over the dresses, the little girls that would wear them and the upcoming adoption.   

I can't wait to see what this group does next.