I have fallen in love with this shop:  Fat Quarter Shop
If you haven't had a chance to visit this site please go:
http://www.fatquartershop.com/


This kit produced this little pillowcase which my 2 1/2 year old grandson absolutely loves:

I have gotten really hooked on quilting again.  It is so relaxing and the finished products are sooo cool.

Made this for Keely's doll

Bought myself a "serger" which I can't wait to get home and use.  A little nervous about it because I have read so much about how terrified people are with trying them out.  But the excitement overweighs the terror!!  I am firmly convinced that I shall rock at the use of the all-terrifying serger....

Have been practicing my machine quilting, just in time for a class that I signed up for next week at the local Bernina store (where I purchased my machine many years ago).  I am excited about it.  Little does my family know that blankets galore are in their future.  They will be confused because normally I am sharing the knitting or crochet items I make with them. 

Along with the newly rediscovered quilting I have found myself obsessed with reading quilting blogs.  I am in awe with the talent that can be found out in cyberspace.  I should have known since the same is true for my favorite knit/crochet bloggers.  It's amazing how generous people are when it comes to sharing their knowledge or expertise. 

Until next time..............

I have rediscovered quilting and am having an absolute blast!!  I have a great sewing machine that has been sitting neglected for at least 10+ years and had forgotten what it was capable of.  I think I originally bought it with quilting in mind so it is exactly what I need right now.  My first attempt for was my newest grand-baby Isaac who was born on leap day.  When all was said and done, it was an average attempt.  I was remembering things as I went along and unfortunately it turned out to not be my best effort.  I decided that since he was only 2.5 months old he probably wouldn't care much.  Krissy knows she can throw it on the ground and abuse the heck out of it, most likely I will be making him another in the not to distant future.




Next up was a lap quilt for my middle grand-daughter Keely.  Her favorite color is pink and mine is purple so I showed her the two fabrics I was thinking about using and she loved them (lucky me).  Keely is 6 years old and definitely has a mind of her own.  I have custody of her right now so I have a little one around 24/7 to love, spoil, and make things for.  She loves everything I have ever done for her, my best audience!  She has put in a request for a quilt for her dolls that will be perfect for using up some scraps.

Keely graduated from kindergarten this week and this was what we gifted her wonderful teacher with.  She loved the "mug rugs" (from a kit, now I know how to do them), and inside the crochet bag I created we put a gift card from Target (one of her fav stores).  Its so nice when people enjoy crafted items as gifts and I so love to make and give things away. 

Julianna is my youngest grand-daughter, she will be 5 going on 25 in July!  She is pretty girly but her mom, my daughter still rebels against that and pleaded with me not to make her lap quilt over the top girly.  I know I will have many opportunities in the future to feed my inner "girl" so came up with these fabrics that I knew would please her as well as her mom.  This has been my best effort yet and has gotten me so excited for my next effort. 

It's still pretty hectic at our house these days.  We are enjoying being full time parents again, but it can be tiring at times.  At the same time our home of 19 years is for sale and that brings alot of stress and sadness along with it.  When we first decided to put the house on the market we had planned on moving back to Denver once it sold.  Life has a funny way of changing your plans.  We now are not able to leave the state until the situation with Keely is resolved and that doesn't look like it will be happening for at least 6 months to a year.  We don't know if we will have Keely permanently or if her mother (our oldest daughter) will be able to get her act together.  So if the house does sell it will be rental time for us.  The thought of having to downsize from our current 7500 square feet to about half that almost paralyzes me. 

It's crazy to think about all that is happening right now.  Smile and keep putting one foot in front of the other!!  Perhaps I should start journaling??

Musings

This is one of my very favority pictures to remind me of good friends and good times. We were quite the "adult" hunter group back in the day at White Fox. Kate, Gail, Jennifer, and I spent many a day sitting on our horses awaiting our turn in the show ring. The fun times we had will always bring a smile to my face. I do miss those days.

It's been a crazy last 4 months for me, so much has happened that has been life-changing for us. How to come to terms with those changes is challenging, yet rewarding. We are full-time parents again with gaining custody of our 6 year old grand-daughter. It's energizing to be around all of that energy! I find myself back to driving to school, taking kids to gymnastics or dance, play-dates, etc. She is doing wonderfully and is happy and well-adjusted. We are blessed.

  Related to above paragraph, my gaming on the computer has been considerable reduced so I guess it's good timing for my laptop to have to go in to the shop!! I have, however, been knitting and crocheting like crazy. Along with numerous washcloths, I completed my first pair of socks!! Have made many hats and scarfs, some wrist warmers, a couple baby blankets, among other fun things.

This shows what happens when you are left-handed and you knit a pattern as it's written!!  Looks awesome through the mirror, lol.  One of those fun lessons learned.  I have gotten used to reading patterns backwards, albiet it is a bit of a nuisance.  Finally I absolutely love this saying:

Welcome holiday season!!!

How appropriate the above is on some days!!! I love knitting and crocheting, it keeps me grounded and brings much needed peace in what has been a tumultuous (not sure I spelled that right) year. Who know that at 57 I would be a full-time mother to a 5 year old!!! A month ago custody of my middle grand-daughter became a reality for me. She has spent most of her life living with us and with her mother's issues she is now legally with us. What joy a child brings into a home. Balancing being a "nana" with being a mother is an ongoing learning experience, but I am relishing challenges that it brings.

Lately

It's been quite a ride since I was last here. Family problems still wildly insane, I wonder most days how I will survive this! It's a real challenge to not let the problems overwhelm daily life. I credit the calmness knitting and crochet bring each day, along with losing myself in the mmorpg's that I so enjoy. All that being said, I am lucky and grateful to have family that does care, friends, health, a home, food on the table, cars to drive, and always the belief in the light ahead in this turbulent time.

Happy 2011

So here we are at the start of a new year. I am anxious, yet excited to see what this year brings. Last year was very tough in so many ways that I was really glad to see it end. My horse survived his accident quite well and has mended nicely. I owe Lisa Stock more than she can ever know for all she has done for me/him. I re-connected in a small way with my youngest daughter. It's not like it used to be and I don't know if we will ever get back to that place, but my heart prays that it does as I miss our closeness more than she can ever know. Indy is struggling, but struggling in the right direction. She works hard at being the best mother she can and continues to overcome the demons of her past. Sadly, I have had no contact with Jason for over a year. I have granted his request to be "dead" to him. Made me quite sad but I am resigned to the loss. Unfortunately as a result I rarely see my oldest grand-daughter Zoey, twice in the last year. Zack seems to have been influenced by his parents and I never hear from him unless I am texting or emailing him to ask what he wants for birthday or Christmas, haha. He remembers me then. Knitting and crochet keep me sane during the insane times of my life. I can honestly say I am unsure of the future, but I am striving to make the most of what is in front of me.

Mid way through summer!!

Hard to believe we are over half-way through July!! This year is flying by. Avalon continues to do well, but it's been too hot to do much riding. I am a wuz!! Took Zoey and Keely to Deanna Rose and we had a blast. It was so much fun to see the two of them together, they have missed each other. Hadn't seen Zoey in over 6 months, boy has she gotten taller. I can't believe she will be starting kindergarten in the fall!!

Have been knitting and crocheting all summer, despite the heat. Good thing my home is air conditioned!! Sometimes I get so obsessed with a project that I can think of nothing else until I finish it! I made this sweater for Samantha Collins soon to be born son. I love the way it turned out.

I got a new to me car this week. Finally convinced Gary that we could be a 2 SUV family again!!! It's great to be able to have so much room!! (and be able to see around other cars at stop lights!) Of course I can't seem to keep him out of it. Every time I go out to go somewhere he is in it!!

Indy and Keely moved to their own place after 4.5 years with us. It's odd not having them here but I confess that I am in heaven I miss Keely, but love having a neat home again. It's sure different when you have a little one living amongst you.