Christmas 2013

I hope you had a most wonderful Christmas with the ones you love.  The only thing that would have made my celebration better, is if Sean had been here.  But we had a good time with a tree to decorate,

A note to read

A stocking to pick through

Presents to open

Bubble wrap to pop

A new keyboard to play (the only thing she asked for from Santa was a piano)

A helicopter to fly

Birthday wishes to make

And lots of hugs

And it all went by way too fast.  And they went home before I was ready for them to leave.  And another Christmas is done.  

I'm looking forward to the new year.  Are you?

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

It was one of the most magnificent fiery sunsets I've ever seen!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is always something to be thankful for every day of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Thank you for the very kind well wishes on the last post.  I'm thankful for each one of you!

Being on crutches makes it difficult to do just about everything, including getting out and taking pictures of the changing leaves.  So we went for a drive and I snapped some shots as the trees whizzed by!  They aren't perfect photos, but it's all about the fall colors.  I'm thankful I was able to get out and see it.

I'm also thankful for 
     *  a newly serviced heater
     *  phone calls from my son
     *  the imagination of a five year old
     *  my husband who takes good care of me
     *  chocolate...it gets me through anything!

What are you thankful for today?

Have a fantastic Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Here I Go Again

As some of you know, I injured my knee and had surgery last year.  It took a long time to recover and I still am not able to stand or walk for long periods of time.  A few weeks ago, I experienced pain in the other knee that never quite went away.  Last week, as I started up the stairs to go to bed, that same knee popped and I couldn't walk.  Thank goodness for sofa beds and crutches!

It turns out I probably tore something, but the arthritis is so bad in that knee that repairing the tear wouldn't help.  The bottom line is that I need a knee replacement in both knees.  In the meantime though, I got a cortisone shot in the knee and it feels pretty wonderful!  I'll be getting a different kind of shot in the other knee in a few weeks and maybe I won't have to have the surgery for a few months.  Here's hoping anyway!

I'm sorry for being so absent and not visiting all the wonderful blogs I follow.  I'm hoping to get caught up with you soon.

Have a fabulous Friday!

xo Annette xo

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Wordless Wednesday

Bits of lace and trim in a glass jar

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

I Want One

source

I came across this delightful figurine on Pinterest and just fell in love with her.  She was originally made to hold napkins and graced many a table back in the 50's.  Isn't she just stunning in vintage hankies?  I started looking online for one and found a few on ebay and etsy.  They're kind of pricey but I'm definitely saving my pennies and going on a hunt for one!

Have a great Tuesday!

xo Annette xo

Forgotten Quilt Projects

Way back in 1992 I took a quilting class for beginners along with two of my friends.  This is the wall hanging I made.  We learned how to use a quilters ruler and rotary cutter, all about perfect points, batting, binding, and hand quilting among many other things.

My stitches were too long and too far apart, but not bad considering it was my first attempt at hand quilting.

This is another small wall hanging I made when I wanted to learn machine quilting.  It was quick and easy to make, but I felt like I was cheating by using the sewing machine for the quilting!

While going through my bags, bins and boxes of fabric and projects, I found the following quilt tops that I started and never finished.

This one makes me a little sad.  My Grandma was in a nursing home and my Mom asked me to make her a lap quilt she could use when she was out of bed and in her wheel chair.  Sadly, Grandma died before I finished it.

I don't even remember this one!  I don't remember when I started it, who it was for or anything else about it. Well, I do remember buying the fabric at an Amish quilt shop in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  The border for it is a beautiful yellow with purple pansies.  It will be pretty if I ever finish it!

I LOVE this pattern.  I think it's called Tumbling Blocks.  Erin picked out the pattern and the fabrics and I set out to make her a quilt for her twin bed.  Oh my goodness, I had no idea it would be so complicated and difficult.  By the time I got this far, I found out it was rated for advanced quilters.  I have hundreds of squares and diamonds cut out and don't know if I will ever finish it.  I remember thinking at the time that it would probably be easier if I hand pieced it.  Maybe it would be something to work on when taking a break from something else.  Erin would be happy!

My fabric cabinet is filling up.  I'm close to finishing the organizing of the sewing room and then the decorating begins.  I need to shop for a comfortable chair to sit in while I do handwork or read or nap!  I can see light at the end of the tunnel of this redo and I'm so excited.

Have you ever put a project away and then forgot about it?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  pumpkin spice kisses and all things pumpkin
     *  the last two tomatoes
     *  picnics
     *  relief from humidity the last couple of days
     *  people who inspire me
     

What are you thankful for today?

I hope you have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Clematis growing in the weeds!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Comes in Twos

I fell so far behind with the Focusing on Life photo challenge that I just gave up on it for a while.  There were many weeks that I did take the pictures but then didn't write a blog post.  I would like to get back on track with the weekly challenge, but in the meantime I'll occasionally show you some of the photos.  I can't promise you though that the missed weeks I show you will be in order!

Week 36 we were to take pictures of things that come in twos.  What better than feet and eyes.  Luckily, Shylee came to visit and was more than willing to let me take pictures of hers.   Her feet are always moving and her eyes are very expressive.  If I'm completely honest, her energy and constant motion makes it seem like there are two of her!  

I hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

xo Annette xo

What I Found On Vacation

It's been nearly two months since I went to Arkansas to visit my family.  I was able to visit an antique mall and found some wonderful treasures for my sewing room.  Two of the items are actually new.  I found the pink alarm clock and the shabby hook at Hobby Lobby.  I really wish we had one of those stores here, although I would be in trouble if we did!

My favorite find is the old sewing machine drawers.  I couldn't believe I found them in such good condition and with a top.  This way I can set something on top of them, like the clock!

The sewing room is coming along.  The more I work on it, the more ideas I get for projects.  I need to hurry up and get the room done so I can start doing the fun stuff, but it seems like just when I think I've found all the fabric, I discover another bag full!

I hope you have a fantastic Monday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

We will never forget!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  sunshine and the pretty pattern on the floor when it shines through the front door
     *  eye candy in my sewing room
     *  progress on the sewing room
     *  running into a friend I haven't seen in two years
     *  the faithful few who continue to read and comment here

What are you thankful for today?

Have a terrific Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  four generations
     *  a rainbow so close and bright you felt like you could touch it
     *  a few more days with Shylee
     *  the peace and quiet when Shylee went home!
     *  my local farmer's market

     

What are you thankful for today?

Have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

My daughter, granddaughter, and I took a road trip to visit family.  It was 2500 miles round trip and I'm so thankful it was uneventful.  Unlike last year when there were blown tires and forgotten bags!  You can read about that trip here, here and here.   

 I'm also thankful for
     *  time spent with far away family
     *  birthday celebrations and cake
     *  road trips with beautiful views
     *  air conditioning in the car
     *  cruise control
     *  my own bed and pillow

What are you thankful for today?

Have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Sewing Room Window Idea

*****The post for Where Bloggers Create 2013 is here*****

I'm thinking of using this fabric for a valance over lace panels for my sewing room window.  I get the late afternoon sun and I don't want blinds or shades to block out the sun or the view.  I'm thinking the lace panels will filter the light more than block it out.  The valance would add the pizzazz needed for a finished look.  What do you think?

I haven't been able to work in the sewing room this week.  I'm getting ready for a road trip to Arkansas on Friday.  I had to close the door to the room so I wouldn't be distracted from the things that HAVE to get done before I can leave!  Erin and Shylee are joining me and I'm so looking forward to a visit with my family.  Shylee is the only great granddaughter amongst five great grandsons, so it should be fun to see how that goes!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo