Blocks of the Month

Just an update on how things are going on the Blocks Of The Month I am trying hard to keep up with.

I have a few more thing in the process of being completed.

Block 2 from Out of the Box by Dawn at As Sweet as Cinnamon

Block 2 from Out of the Box by Vicki at The Pickledish Patch

Block 1 of 12 of Hearts at The Raspberry Rabbits

Block 2 of 12 of Hearts

Block 1 of Retro Nine Patch at Blue Birds Quilts

Block 2 is being worked on.

I have been keeping my embroidery needles busy!

It is such a blessing to be able to create things with my hands and I am thankful for the talented designers that share their designs with others.

I have linked with Rebecca Ersfelds's new Studio Sunday

at A RE-purposed Life

New Baby Matthew

I edited my "about me" on my sidebar.  I had to change the number of grandchildren from 9 to 10.  Baby Matthew was born last week and he is doing fine.  I was able to see him come into this world and then had to rush off to work but I am so happy that the timing worked out perfectly.  He is healthy and beautiful and his parents Matthew and Cammie are so happy to have him home with them.

Matthew and Papa, the first time they had a chance to visit a little.

This has been a very eventful week  and we thank God for it's blessings.

Flowers On the Door Handles

I was looking around thinking about a way to bring a little "Spring" inside our home.  We have had a couple of cold days with some sun but the gray days seem to out number the sunny days. 

So after a few minutes I remembered my Flora Doora Bags. I had ordered them a while back and thought I might give them as gifts.
 I purchased them from Jane at Flora Doora.  On her card it says Flora Doora Spreading happiness one bag at a time! They each have a plastic liner so flowers and water can pop right in.  I did choose colors that would work in my home just in case I just had to keep them.

I think I will be keeping them!

My Flora Doora bags bring a little Springtime to our home.

Visit Jane and see her bags and the many ways they can be used.

Linking to Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House In The Roses

Mug Mat Swap

I am excited to share the beautiful mug mat made for me by DeeDee at DeeDee's Craftspot.  We participated in a swap organized by Donna at Brynwood Needleworks.  She has a tutorial that we used in making our mug mats.  Every participant put their special touches on the mats they made.  First let me show you what Dee Dee sent me.

These three items were in my package.

Doesn't the tea cup look pretty on the mat.

I love the fabric rose pinned to the corner of the mat.

I had commented on the coasters DeeDee made while visiting her blog and I didn't know that she had already sent me one.

This is the pretty card she sent along inside the package.

Now I will show you a few pictures of the mug mat I sent to DeeDee

This project was great fun and I learned something new.  The best part is meeting a new creative friend.

Je t'aime

I made a gift for my Valentine.  It is made from natural linen, it almost has a burlap look to it but much softer.  I had wanted to either stencil or embroider this french phrase for some time so I just went for it. 

This french endearment means "I love you my little cabbage"

This is not something I would normally call my husband (little cabbage) but I learned this in high school french class. We  used to say it to each other when we were dating and first married .  I think we thought it was fun to use a phrase that most people couldn't understand. (mon petit for a boy and ma petit for a girl)

I wrote the phrase on a piece of paper in my handwriting, transferred it onto the fabric with a red transfer pencil, then embroidered it with six strands of brown embroidery floss. 

I made the back of the pillow open  so that a pillow form could be inserted.  The two pieces of fabric overlap.

Several years ago my husband bought me this mug for Valentine's Day.

Here is my mug and his little pillow.

A fun and easy project.

I will be linking with Freckled Laundry for Air Your Laundry Friday.  Take a look at the fun projects made with textiles.

Also visit the Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming

Valentine Swap

I had great fun with a Valentines Swap hosted by Parsley at Seasons of My Mind.  We had some guidelines, not to spend over $10.00 and to add something handmade by you.  I ended up making several things that I sent to Mollye, visit her and see what I sent her. 

I received by box from Nikki  at Furry Bottoms and she lives about 20 minutes away from us.  She actually lives in the town my husband and I grew up in.

When I received the package and opened it up my dear friend Lily wanted to check things out as usual.

I think she thought that if she waited long enough I wouldn't notice and she could take a peek.

Look at all of the goodies I found inside the bag

Laura Ashley listpad, notecards, memo pad and clips and some needles that I will be sure to use. 

I told my husband that I would be making good use of this bell.

This sweet box was hand painted by Nikki

She told me to look for the two symbols of God's love on it.

Oh, and she sent chocolate, not all of it is pictured and some has already been eaten. 

Thank You to Nikki and also to Parsley for organizing this fun swap.

Heart Swap

I participated in a "Heart Swap" organized by Debbie at Mosaic Magpie.  We were to create a hanging stuffed heart of a size to fit into a small mailer.  It was fun to see all of the hearts posted on Debbie's blog.  We did not know which heart we would receive.

I am excited to share pictures of the beautiful heart I received from Donna at Brynwood Needleworks.  I have been following Donna's blog for some time and have been inspired by her beautiful handwork.

This is one of Donna's "Heart's Desire" hearts

Ribbon embroidered zinnias

pearl beads

Donna said that she hoped that the flowers and beads on this heart will remind one of spring and summer just around the corner.

An extra little heart from Debbie

You can visit Donna and see the heart she received from me and also take a look at all of her beautiful work.  I used her tutorial to learn to make a mug mat and participated in a swap she organized.  I will be posting about that very soon. 

Our Love Story

This Love Story begins on June 25th 1970

One 16 year old boy and one 16 year old girl meet at a picnic arranged for that purpose by mutual friends.

A few days later the have their first date, they go to the zoo.

 From that day on they are together whenever possible or talking on the phone when they are apart.

He works at the Ranch Drive In and she works at Big Scoop Sundae Palace.  He drives a 58 Chevy and she drives a 57 Pontiac.

She kisses him first!!!

They are in love!

High school football and basketball games, tennis, track, proms, family gatherings and graduations follow.

December 24, 1971 he gives her this ring.

They believe that this was written about them.

This is the true measure of love:  When we believe that we alone can love, that no one could ever have loved so before us, and that no one will ever love in the same way after us."

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe

August 12th 1972 there life together as husband and wife begins.

Four years in the Navy and they spend almost three of those years apart.  Cards and letters are treasured.

Many years have passed.

Five years in bible college, over twenty years in ministry and their love continues to grow.

They have been blessed with six wonderful children who all have wonderful spouses, nine beautiful grandchildren and two more expected soon.

God has brought them through many hard times and trials but those things grow dim and the blessings shine bright because of what Christ has done in their lives.

This is just a glimpse of "Our Love Story"

After 38 years I would choose him all over again.

Happy Valentine's Day