Combining blogs

Hello ya'll. Been quite a while since I was here. Life has been good, but very hectic. I was trying to run 3 seperate blogs--one for my pottery, one for papercrafts, and this one. Did not do so well and almost quit blogging at all. I finally decided to combine all crafts under one blog, which became http://dixielandblessings.blogspot.com/ Just started it a few days ago, but I think you might enjoy. It will be very crafty. Little bit of my art, little bit of my sewing, smocking and quilting, little bit of card making and scrapbooking, little bit of pottery, as well as family and life moments. I want to thank all who have followed me and visited. Stop by and see the new one. I think you will like it. I plan on doing some craft shows in the fall and I am going to be a "Gammy" in October!! That should really bring a new concept to my creating. I end here with closing thoughts--Be safe, happy, healthy--hug your loved ones every chance you get--don't forget to smile and laugh and most importantly PRAY!!!!!!!!!!! God bless ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ferdinand Magellan

This is my little man as Ferdinand Magellan. He was required to dress as a character of a book for a book report. Needless to say, we went all out!!! He loves doing these type of projects, says that is what he likes the most about school---doing projects with mom. Well, mom may not feel exactly the same--due to the amount of work needed---but I will never let him know. We are so pround of him. He won the math award in the 4th grade with an overall average of 98!!! He also won another math award. Awards day was Tuesday and school is out for the summer!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!! I think I am as glad as he is. Today is my day off and is filled with fun things to do. My best friend is leaving on a missions trip to the Ukraine today, and I am taking her and another friend from our church to the church out of town where they will all meet and depart for the airport. This will be her 3rd trip. Please pray that this group will have a safe and successful trip with many blessings!!! While I am out of town, I am going to visit one of my favorite aunts. I have not seen her in a few months so we have planned a nice visit this afternoon. I hope ya'll have a fun packed day, and as I always say---be safe, happy, healthy and GOD bless ya'll!!!!!!!!!!

Sunshine

It has been raining here for weeks, and today the sun came out. Unfortunately not for long though, as I type there is thunder in the background. Hopefully it is a short lived shower as the radar only shows this one cloud over us!!!!!!!!!!!! The quilt top above is my first quilt experience. I finished piecing it several weeks ago, but just getting around to posting. It is by far from perfect, but I am pleased with it. My aunt's mom is 95 years young, and she is going to help me with the quilting. I have the backing and the fabric for the back, now I just have to learn the hand quilting. I hope to do this this week or next.

While blogging this morning, I saw a wonderful post on one of my favorite blogs I visit http://emptynestfulllife.blogspot.com/ I have committed to her prayer request, and I hope ya'll will also. Our country is in desperate need of a lifting of GOD's word. Please join us in asking for this.

Summer is almost here, and my little one is so ready. He is counting down the days and hours until our recreation center pool opens. He is planning a wonderful summer of swimming, riding bikes, and playing hard with his friends. Today he and several of his buddies are off on there bikes---soon as he left the thunder started, but he is at a friends house waiting out the storm--retraction--he is on his way to the ice cream store--I may not survive this summer. I have forgotten how brave 10 year olds are!!!!!!!!

I must get off this computer and go to the grocery. I have planned a menu for this week, and I need to pick up a few things, so I am off to shopping. Hope ya'll have a great blessed weekend!! Take time to hug your loved ones and please pray for our country. Be safe, healthy, happy and may God bless ya'll!!!

New Beginnings!!!!

"Strength and dignity are her clothes, and she smiles at the future"

Proverbs 31:13

She smiles!! The past two years have been quite a strain on my baby girl, but she has succeeded. She has very seldom smiled during this phase of her life, but since that phone call the other day saying she had passed and was out of school she has been back to normal. I have heard her laugh and giggle more in the past 3 days than I have in a long long while. She is so proud of herself and so are we. The guy with her is her long time boyfriend. They have been together for most of the past 7 years. The future brings joy and happiness for these two, and it is well deserved. Be safe, happy, healthy. Hug the ones you love, and God bless ya'll!!!!

Great News!!

My daughter graduates from nursing school tomorrow!!!!!!!! This has really been a rough two years for her, but she gave it all she had and accomplished a goal she had set for herself. Tonight is the pinning ceremony and tomorrow is graduation. Lots of family and friends coming into town for this, so I am home today cleaning. She already has a job at our local hospital, and she is starting a new chapter in her life. I am so proud of her!!!!!!!!!!

I have been busy crotcheting. I have been taking lessons from a friend and I am on my third throw!! I did two with granny squares, one large and one baby, and now I am doing a single crotchet with varigated stitches. The pics are not real great, but you can get an idea of my projects. The weather here is horrible!!!! Rain and thunderstorms!! Please keep all those that have had damage and injury due to these storms in your prayers. We have been really fortunate, but those in south Mississippi and the surrounding states have not been. Ya'll take care!! Be safe, happy, healthy and God bless ya'll!!!

Where have I been????

I am not lost, and I have been very busy sewing. I made this for my best friend in the world for her Christmas present. The problem was she only got it about a month ago. She loves aprons as much as I do and asked me to make her one in bright colors. Her daughter went with me to pick out the material and waa laa!!! I love it.

Really I sort of lost my mojo for a while. I have been piecing pieces for future quilts and I have been crocheting. As a matter of fact, I have crocheted one blanket and am over half way done with two more. I will post pics later. My computer has been giving me some trouble, and my laptop blew up. Things have really been wild. I tried to cut back on working so much to have more time to sew, and I think everyone I know was waiting for me to do this so they could give me a list of what they wanted me to do. I am finishing all past projects and starting on things for me or things I want to do for someone. I hope ya'll are fine. Today is is beautiful here. I wanted to get out in the yard, but we had lots of rain last night and it is to wet. I will not stay away so long this time. I plan to get my pics downloaded this weekend and get back on a regular basis. Take care. Be healthy, happy, and safe. Hug the ones you love, and most of all----May GOD bless ya'll!!!!

Easter Bunnies

I did this insert several weeks ago, and I thought it turned out so cute. I love the colors and bunnies are one of my favorites. The smocking plate is by Cross-Eyed Cricket. It worked up really fast.

It has really been a bad week here. One of my fellow co-workers and dear friends lost her husband to ALS on Sunday afternoon. He left his wife and 2 children. The son is 18 and will graduate this year from high school and their daughter turned 16 on Saturday. It is so heart breaking, but the are wonderful Christians and have handled it good. He had talked to everyone and told them he did not want any life support at the end. He had made peace with God and was ready to go home. Please pray for this family. They are the Mitchells.

I have been working on my quilt squares and now have 8. I am going to post a pic this week. They are nothing to brag about. I did not have a pattern. I just started cutting and piecing together and ended up with a square. I went back and measured and made a template after I made 3, and I am just taking scraps from my aprons each time I finish one and making a square. There is no coordination in the colors of the squares, but I figured I would just call it my Apron Scrap Quilt. I am really having fun sewing them together and fun is what it's all about. I guess I had better be going. Take care, be healthy, be happy, hug those you love, and God bless ya'll!!!

Taking it Easy

Today has been a very quiet day. Everybody gone most of the day, and the house very quiet. Finished all the aprons, started on two more and would have finished them, but I need some ric rac. Finished one scarf last night--just made a small one to wear around my neck with a broach--and almost finished the other. Should finish tonight. My house did not get any cleaning, but made some room in my craft room by finishing the overdue projects. All are wrapped and ready to be delivered tomorrow. While gathering supplies for sewing, found a baby gift I had not given and it is also wrapped and ready to go tomorrow. I am going to look like Santa carrying all those packages.

Davids Dinosaurs is the name of this smocking plate. I believe this will be one I will repeat for my friend's twin grandbabies. It was really easy to do and worked up rather quick. I am working on two dresses, one cream colored and one pink micro checked. I hope to finish this week. One has rabbits on the bishop and the other has flowers. I also am just about through with a Humpty Dumpty insert. I just cannot have one or two things going at the same time, I average about 6!!!

I received some sad news yesterday. My mom's baby brother died from cancer. He had been sick for a very long time and had outlived all the doctors time frames. Lately he had really gone down and he died in his sleep. I know he is in a much better place and I am sure he and my mom are having long talks about all of us. My mom left this earth 21 years ago. I know God let her meet him and bring him home.

Hope ya'll have had a great weekend. It is pretty cold here, but nothing like other places in the country. I better go clean up the kitchen after supper. Everyone home now. Be healthy, happy, and safe. Hug the ones you love, and most of all---God bless ya'll!!!!!

Back Home Safely

Returned home on Monday without a hitch. I am not a good flyer, so I have to have a little help to get on that plane. I have always taken 2 shots of Crown Royal right before I go to the airport or either drink a beer. I know it is crazy, but it really cuts the edge. My partner on this trip did not believe me, so she was pretty surprised when I turned the bottle up at 4 am Friday!! The trip was very interesting. I learned a lot and met some really nice people from all over the country. I cannot remember names good, so I just called you by your state. A lot of times these things are rather boring, but I believe this is the best one I have ever attended. Since I have been home, I have tried to spend some time with my family when they are home, but when the house was quiet I completed 3 aprons for gifts, and a pair of lounging pants for my daughter. I bought a new coat while I was gone (I thought it was going to be warm, and it was 70 when we got there, but never got over 50 the rest of the trip) and I am making a crotched scarf to match it today. Simon had a basketball game at 1, so I am fixing to go work on the scarf and watch football.

The pics above are an insert I did called Crayon Critters. The plate is by Little Memories. Lots of primary colors. I may have some news soon. I am in the process of working on a new project with a new friend. She likes to sew and I like to smock, so I am making her some trial inserts and she is sewing them together. I will let you know if it works out. Should be a fun experience. I can sew, but do not have a lot of time, so her doing the finished outfit is just what I need. I did do something I have never done this week. While finishing the aprons, I took the scraps and made my first quilt block. I am planning on taking a class in the spring, but I did this one all by myself. Thought I would make my first quilt from my apron scraps. Big project. Long time in the making. I will post later after I get a couple of squares made.

I ran across these 2 blogs while hopping--could not sleep last night, so got on the computer-- http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ and

http://www.jennasjourneyblog.blogspot.com/ Please pray for these families and there babies. Both babies are in critical condition. Neither mom has been able to hold their babies. I think we take for granted that all babies are held when they enter this world. I know I did until Landon and Logan were born. It was 4 days before she could touch her babies, and weeks before she could hold them. Ya'll be safe, happy, and healthy. Hug the ones you love. See ya later. God bless ya'll!!

Packing!!

I am almost done packing. We are planning to leave about 1. I will be so glad when I am back home. I know we will have a great time, but I am not one to go many places without my family. One of my fellow co-workers, that I hired, lives there and he is going to show us around and give us the heads up of where to eat. I told him if he would chauffer us, I would pay for the food. He took me up on it. I told him he could be "driving Miss Pats, instead of driving Miss Daisy". He is a great kid. He left about a year and a half ago to better himself and he has. He is one of those you keep up with, because some day he will achieve high goals.

The insert in the pics is "Hunter Bear" by Cross-Eyed Cricket. I plan on putting this together with a camo john john. I think it will be so cute for a little boy. All my boys are hunters, and I do tend to think that when I think boy.

Time is wasting. I must finish packing. Ya'll be safe, happy, and healthy. I will try and check in while I am gone, but there is not a lot of free time on this trip. Pray for me, and as always GOD bless ya'll.

Good Morning!! Hope ya'll are doing fine today. I just dropped little buddie off at school and thought I would get some blogging time in before I start cleaning this house. I hate to admit it, but I still have our Christmas tree up, but it will be down in a short while. I love the lights and it just kinda makes everyone stay cheery. I have a little pink one in my craft room that will stay up all year. My kids think I am nuts, but I don't care, maybe I am a little.

This apron I made for one of my friends for her birthday right before Thanksgiving. I love those "jumpin" colors. Just makes you smile. The pattern is called "Granny's Apron". It is fun and easy to make. I changed this one up a little and used ric rac instead of bias tape for the edging. I really just made a small hem and then embellished with the ric rac.

Just popped in for a short visit. I will be back later today or tomorrow because I am off the next few days. I am leaving Thursday afternoon for a class is Houston, TX for the hospital. I will be gone until Monday afternoon. Ya'll keep me in your prayers, because I do not fly well. As a matter of fact, I do not fly at all unless I cannot drive it for some reason. The hospital decided that due to gas prices it was cheaper for me to fly. You see this trip was supposed to have been back in the summer, and hurricane Ike hit Houston the day I was supposed to arrive, so my class was cancelled the day before I left. Then gas was high. I tried to get them to change this time, but they already had my tickets. I know God will take care of me, but added prayers never hurt anyone. Have a great, happy, healthy, safe day. God bless ya'll!!

Basket Smocked Day Gown

This is a 12 month white daygown I smocked in pastel colors of blue, yellow, pink, and green. The daygown is made by Sew Beautiful. I got this at a really good price, and it was easier for me to buy and smock instead of make and smock. It really turned out cute. Great Easter outfit.

All the family made it home safely yesterday. Last one got in about 4:30. Everybody tired and laying around today. I was going to take little buddie (Simon) hunting today, but it is 68 degrees outside and supposed to rain, so I decided not to go. Jack was going to take him if I didn't, but he's asleep on the couch!! Oh well, the weather is really not good for hunting today anyway.

I hope ya'll are having a great day. Be safe, happy, healthy. Hug the ones you love, and most of all God bless ya'll!!!

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone had a great New Year. It was pretty quiet here. Most of my family was gone. The only ones home were me and Simon--this is my littlest one, he's 10. Carre-middle child, 21y/o- was bringing in the new year with friends in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Doss-oldest son, 23y/o was hunting. Jack (hubby) was in New Orleans working, and my daddy was also hunting. It was really kind of nice. We had a great time, went out to eat , came home and watched football. Unfortunately we fell asleep and missed the actual new year, but needless to say the girls called me at 2 am to wish me a happy new year and let me know they were in for the night. God bless youth!! I have decided on several new years resolutions. First is to be more creative and use my talent to it's fullest. I plan to have more homemade things this year than store bought. I plan to keep this blog and my others up on a weekly basis, if not more. I also plan to not put all my extra time into my job as I have in the past. You see I am an operating room nurse. I was the nurse manager for 3 years, and finally resigned to go back to patient care instead of paper work and trouble shooting. I am going to spend all that time I took call and stayed out there extra to help and use it at home with my family. At least that's the plan. We will see. They kinda like me to be out there!!!

The pics above are the items Simon and I made for his teacher for Christmas. These were the first towels I have done, but I will get better with practice. I love the color combinations. Her kitchen is blue and brown. I thought they turned out kinda cute. Well I guess that all for today, but I will be back soon. Also, Ole Miss is going to play in a couple of hours in the Cotton Boll and I need to get lunch for us before it comes on. Ya'll take care and I wish many blessings and joyous moments for you and your family in this new year. Oh, remember it is the year of the cupcake!!! This can only make us smile, because have you ever met a cupcake you did not like? God Bless Ya'll!!!