tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43982204628685176002024-03-05T17:40:15.439-06:00prsd4tim2{quilt}A blog featuring quilting, crafting, and whatever else enters my head.prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.comBlogger603125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-89305959307399161512022-07-30T12:44:00.001-05:002022-07-30T15:47:45.069-05:00A New Ironing Surface<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfAERaYFxCPGSfcxdSNhJveBCMb71ZeJQi-MWyaGn5TPlVZB7Za8C9G-TN7uPcBf4tmo1OE84De0lhHpJ781AxYSTWdrQzUKpT4SKkKdJ4UnR-VQ6UtqE_bF5ZvdVa_eVbYivgirA6hT46DvbXceXRR171pFQNLQrBy_gwFKk3m6BADyl9wAs2BgxiQ/s4032/IMG_2474.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfAERaYFxCPGSfcxdSNhJveBCMb71ZeJQi-MWyaGn5TPlVZB7Za8C9G-TN7uPcBf4tmo1OE84De0lhHpJ781AxYSTWdrQzUKpT4SKkKdJ4UnR-VQ6UtqE_bF5ZvdVa_eVbYivgirA6hT46DvbXceXRR171pFQNLQrBy_gwFKk3m6BADyl9wAs2BgxiQ/s320/IMG_2474.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
I don't have a lot of time to blog during the school year, but this summer hasn't been much better. We have been on the go since before school let out. Before school starts (in 3 days) I want to get a few posts done. This first one is my new ironing surface. As you can see from the photo, my old one was in sad, sad shape. Somehow, with my daughter, all three of the older grandkids, and myself using it, it disintegrated quickly.
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The ironing surface itself is simply a $10 TV tray from Walmart. I came across this idea when a woman in my quilt guild brought it to a meeting one time. Genius! My full-size ironing board takes up way too much room. The TV tray sits right by the machine and allows me to press blocks - and even full size quilts - without getting up and walking across the room Floor space is at a premium in my sewing room, and this is perfect. I don't think I've had the full-size ironing board out of the closet in at least 3 years.
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Since I made this cover several years ago, I thought it would be a good idea to "reverse engineer" the one I have, and then keep a record on the blog for next time. The top is <a href="https://www.joann.com/quilted-ironing-board-cover-fabric/5987888.html">ironing board fabric</a> from Joann's. It's sold by the yard. I actually needed a piece about 22" x 18", so a half yard would do fine. Ironing board fabric has a heat protectant filler, but I added <a href="https://www.joann.com/insul-bright/7145857.html">insulbrite</a> the first time I made my ironing board. The ironing surface seemed a bit too "squishy" to get a really crisp press, so I left it out the second time I made a cover.
I often use sheets as the backs of quilts, particularly when I can find them on sale. If I buy a sheet set, it means that I frequently have the pillow cases left over. Half of a pillowcase was perfect for the lining.
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You will also need about 1-1/2 yards of 1/4" elastic. I considered reusing the elastic from the previous cover, but it was pretty stretched out, and since I have most of a bolt left from the 2020 mask-making frenzy, I decided to use new elastic.
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Finally, you will need a package of bias tape, or about 2 yards of bias binding. I used to have dozens of packages of bias tape, but I used them for masks, so instead I repurposed some left over bias quilt binding I had made and not used.
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To begin, I removed the old elastic from the cover and laid the cover flat on a new piece of ironing board fabric. I used the old cover to cut a rectangle.
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I removed the seams from the pillowcase with scissors, and cut a rectangle the same size as the ironing board fabric. If you want a "pretty" fabric cover, this is the time to cut that as well. I chose not to do that because I find that the pretty fabric becomes a scorched mess much quicker than the ironing board fabric, and I don't want to have to change it more often than I do. If you like a decorative cover, you might make a separate cover with an elastic edge using just the decor fabric that could be changed out whenever it gets nasty. It might actually serve to protect the ironing board fabric and keep it looking nice longer.
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Stack the layers together with the ironing board fabric on top. I used a cup to cut curves on the corners.
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Using the cup as a guide, I just used my rotary cutter to cut the curves. (A new blade would be a good idea here.) Naturally, you could also mark the curves and cut with scissors.
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Pin all the layers of your cover in place and using your machine's widest zigzag stitch, zigzag around the outer edge of the cover to hold all the layers in place.
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Fold over the short end of the bias tape about 1/2" and press. This will give your binding a nice, clean finish.
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Next, fold the long edges of the bias tape to the middle and press again. Beginning on one short edge of the lining side of the cover, open the binding and stitch along the fold line. This edge takes some stress when you thread the elastic, so be sure to back stitch at the beginning of this seam. Although commercially purchased bias tape is made to be sewn all at once, because of the thickness of the ironing board cover, I spend less time "fixing" mistakes if I make this a two-step process.
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When you come to the point where you began, add about 1/2" to 3/4" of an inch and cut the bias tape.
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Fold the edge in until the two pieces just meet. This will be the opening for your elastic casing. It makes the elastic accessible if you wish to loosen or tighten it later. Over the years, mine has needed few adjustments, but it is nice to have the elastic accessible. Again, since this edge gets some stress from the insertion of the elastic, be sure to back stitch at the end of the seam.
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This seam is very thick. Clip the curves so your seam will lay nice and flat. Be sure NOT to clip the stitching.
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Fold the bias tape to the front side and stitch it down just as you did on the back. Be sure the opening for the elastic casing is clear of stitching.
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Insert the elastic through the casing using your favorite method. I used a large safety pin that I could feel easily through the fabric. The stretched-out elastic I removed from the old cover measured approximately 45". When I threaded the new elastic, I threaded it through the casing and pulled it tight and did not measure the actual length of the elastic I used.
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Be sure you tie a knot at the end of the elastic before you begin threading it through the casing. When you get all the way around, remove the pin and tie a knot in the other end. This will prevent the elastic from pulling through as you work with it.
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I put the cover silver side down on my table top, and placed the TV tray on top of the lining. I pulled the elastic tight around the TV tray until it was snugged down onto the surface. Then, I tied a bow in the elastic to hold it tight.
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Voila! A brand spanking new cover for my ironing board.
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It felt kind of good to throw the old one in the trash. ;)prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-16482817142402152492021-08-07T09:20:00.009-05:002022-07-30T10:54:39.954-05:00Summer Break Projects - Part 5, Some Quilty Finishes<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56fUmj_75tlrr045sRDVXH5nEiKED5V2GAUSraDhyHJBFjiYuewrhPComJnh49is7h9zVPVoG8ypjgcL8CdA0e10fNH5UAD7O22ajiqAQ5qYB2nc5LCdNWDsjORPI8Cb8Ymp2Fq0hfphS/s4032/IMG_0905.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56fUmj_75tlrr045sRDVXH5nEiKED5V2GAUSraDhyHJBFjiYuewrhPComJnh49is7h9zVPVoG8ypjgcL8CdA0e10fNH5UAD7O22ajiqAQ5qYB2nc5LCdNWDsjORPI8Cb8Ymp2Fq0hfphS/s320/IMG_0905.jpeg"/></a></div>
A couple of weeks ago, after I finished the Scraptastic quilt, I suddenly remembered that I had a whole pile of quilt tops that needed to be quilted, so I started digging through the bin where I keep them. I gathered a giant pile of quilts that were ready for finishing. In addition, I found some blocks that needed to be turned into quilts.
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I found 40 of these Raspberry Kisses blocks from a block swap I did in 2017. They are beautiful blocks. I didn't get any of the ones I made back, so none of these are mine. It was a simple matter to put these together and make a quilt.
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I also found these 10 blocks from a bee my quilt guild did - probably about the same time. As queen bee, I requeste feathers with bright colors and low volume backgrounds. Since I never made my two blocks, and most of these are so different, this one is going to take a bit more thought and prep to put it together. It is still on my design wall. We will probably revisit this one another day.
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I took a day and went up to my church where there is lots of floor space where I can lay the quilts out flat and sandwich them. Sandwiching is my least favorite part of the quilting process. As I get older, sandwiching gets harder. My knees just hate crawling around on the floor, and I don't like pinning or spray basting. However, it is a necessary part of the process and has to be done, so I just have to get on with it every once in awhile. Quilts like this little dancing pinwheels baby quilt are easy to sandwich. Larger ones are more difficult. I ended up sandwiching - or partially sandwiching - 11 quilts. that day. I ran out of backs (I was using sheets) so I didn't get completely finished. Some of them came home partially sandwiched, and I had to piece some scraps together to get enough to back the quilt. It was tricky, but ended up going suprisingly well.
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I actually don't mind quilting them on my domestic machine. I have a Bernina 750 which has a large throat, and makes simple quilting jobs pretty easy. I quilted the double diamonds quilt with pebbles - or maybe we should call them stones, since the pebbles are quite a bit larger than what we usually think of when we say pebbles.
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I also managed to get one of the green wonky/improv log cabins quilted. I did a simple meander design on this one and it went pretty fast. I can usually do a throw quilt in 3 to 4 hours.
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Of the 11 quilts I backed that day, I have finished 3 so far, - the dancing pinwheels baby quilt, this double diamonds quilt,
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and the green log cabin. Since I can't do the project I had planned for "just before I go back to school," I hope I'll get a couple of others completed too.prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-3969157431496627262021-08-05T09:15:00.003-05:002022-04-25T21:20:50.737-05:00Summer Break Projects - Part 4 - A Bunch of Scrappy Quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUgwJD6W4QbkCsaQH0uDJLhK8rXBxjSRDwr8WHo02-q-v70Xvfq0UdvP-HHi-rPEaBY3lCzKGyw61jN9fk6ulhWt_ld7qSOmjW5Qq3c91OGBHMBFyFyV_la_XyJGukWOjZuCVo1x2UPBc/s2048/IMG_0740.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUgwJD6W4QbkCsaQH0uDJLhK8rXBxjSRDwr8WHo02-q-v70Xvfq0UdvP-HHi-rPEaBY3lCzKGyw61jN9fk6ulhWt_ld7qSOmjW5Qq3c91OGBHMBFyFyV_la_XyJGukWOjZuCVo1x2UPBc/s320/IMG_0740.jpeg"/></a></div>
Last year, in the midst of the Covid-19 mask-making, scrub-making chaos, I also finished a number of quilt tops. I frequently used the quilt blocks as a reward: "If you make 50 masks, you can make a quilt block." In addition, I was determined to clean out the scrap boxes, most of which were overflowing.
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I started with the green basket. I have an online friend who goes by @simplegirlsimplelife on Instagram, who posted several times about how she uses her scraps to make scrappy log cabin quilts. I decided to follow her example.
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These wonky/improv log cabin blocks go pretty fast, and I had not one, but TWO quilt tops made in a few days. That pretty well took care of the greens - for awhile.
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Then I started on the pinks. I made another wonky/improv log cabin first.
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Then I decided to branch out, and started making patchwork heart blocks.
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This made a pretty fun quilt. Best of all, all of these are entirely out of my scrap bins. You can see from the top photo that I was working on the pinks in the midst of the mask chaos.
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Later in the summer, after Abby made the <a href="http://prsd4tim2.blogspot.com/2020/07/sewing-with-grandma-part-iii.html">quilt for her granny</a> I used the scraps to make the double diamond quilt. I probably have enough scraps left from this bundle to make another quilt, but I'll save that for another day.
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I made the <a href="http://prsd4tim2.blogspot.com/2020/08/metamorphosis-quilt.html">butterfly quilt</a> from random scraps too. Honestly, the more I look at this one, the less I like it, but maybe I will like it better when it's quilted. I saw the pattern online and couldn't wait to make it. It's not that it didn't turn out well, it's just... I don't know what exactly.
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Then I made the <a href="http://prsd4tim2.blogspot.com/2020/08/metamorphosis-quilt.html">Sunny Side Up</a> quilt from a kit my daughter put together in her shop. (If you don't follow @a.craftyfox on Instagram, you're missing a visual treat. Her quilts, kits, and photos are so amazing. (She definitely did not get those skills from me!). This one wasn't using up scraps exactly, but definitely scrappy.
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All this piecing last year - with not much quilting of the resulting tops - left me with a huge pile of unquilted tops. So, earlier this summer, I decided I'd better do something about that. Stay tuned.
prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-21781441360146896202021-08-03T21:41:00.000-05:002021-08-03T21:41:00.227-05:00Summer Break Projects - Part 3 - Dancing Pinwheels<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTeBYQaagpizJC2p1qxuGyWei7aDSs16xJeFjctJkAg2DOD_EtEU21i5ibA6SM-kV_Ec0Ax4ee92DKHo-Ry2kmu9I6c50GAPf3_D_Mb6EFSDkwlSXkcrR9IV2mKFTBsuPJCqpQKv8dII8/s4032/IMG_0884.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTeBYQaagpizJC2p1qxuGyWei7aDSs16xJeFjctJkAg2DOD_EtEU21i5ibA6SM-kV_Ec0Ax4ee92DKHo-Ry2kmu9I6c50GAPf3_D_Mb6EFSDkwlSXkcrR9IV2mKFTBsuPJCqpQKv8dII8/s320/IMG_0884.jpeg"/></a></div>
Do you ever have reality staring you right in the face and almost miss it? I have known for several months that I needed to make a quilt for a friend who was going to have a baby boy this summer. I would think, "I need to order a bundle of blues from some fabric shop," and even go look for blue bundles, but I never actually ordered one. When my daughter began assembling squares for her scrappy quilt, she commented on how many scraps I have - particularly blues. <b>I have two whole bins of blue scraps.<i></i></b> Suddenly it hit me - I really DON'T need to order fabric. So I went through the bins and assembled some scraps, added some white from the bolt I keep in the stash, and started making pinwheels.
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When I got them up on the design wall, I thought, "That's pretty boring. They need sashing." I decided to do sashing on two sides and rotate the blocks, creating a "Dancing Pinwheels" design. I decided I liked it better.
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It didn't take long to quilt this 48" x 48" baby quilt. I quilted loops - which reminded me of the wind - and it went very fast. I bound it in the same blue stripe I've used so often lately (I'll be very sad when I run out!) Even better, the quilt was scrappy, and therefore "free," which makes me happy. And the finished quilt was gifted this past weekend. prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-19846886809353034412021-08-01T09:16:00.006-05:002021-08-01T09:16:00.218-05:00Summer Break Projects - Part 2 - A Limerick Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lPlOjW2P63tv0ls1sFI2BBOVHm5XRSVvkenR6d4ZitcI0xhuTUbBm5ybRcB-xBuH4pAv2UISVcAk3AFSCLi8s4K1SWrqFtCTrNJEcIitBSYP418U37KkG701SZio8KgB-3bIX4FPfLpL/s1125/IMG_0619.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lPlOjW2P63tv0ls1sFI2BBOVHm5XRSVvkenR6d4ZitcI0xhuTUbBm5ybRcB-xBuH4pAv2UISVcAk3AFSCLi8s4K1SWrqFtCTrNJEcIitBSYP418U37KkG701SZio8KgB-3bIX4FPfLpL/s320/IMG_0619.jpeg"/></a></div>
In early March, my daughter put together a Quilt-and-Read Along on Instagram. I had plenty of greens and lots of low volumes, and when Spring Break began, I was anxious for a project that did not include Google Meet, or screens of any kind. I started cutting. By the end of Spring Break, I had all the blocks made - or thought I did. And best of all, since I had the fabrics stashed already, this quilt (in my mind, at least) was "free".
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Right before the end of the school year, I managed to get most of the blocks put together. This pattern looks so complicated, but when you follow Amanda's <a href="https://www.westwoodacresfabric.com/collections/digital-patterns/products/patchwork-irish-chain-digital-pattern" target="_blank">Limerick Pattern</a> it's super easy. She gives great tips and directions for making this process go fast.
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Once I finished the scrappy quilt, I decided the next job was to finish the Limerick quilt. The top was together after all, and it only needed borders. Unfortunately, whereas I thought I had all the blocks made, I had been wondering why I has so many low volume rows left over. The answer was that I hadn't made ANY of the low volume border blocks, and hadn't put the outside row of low volumes on the green blocks. Oops. And even worse, I had allowed the grands to create with the LV strip sets, and had even taken some apart for my scrap quilt, totally ignoring that voice in my head that said, "Are you sure???"
It turned out OK, of course. I have bins and bins of scraps, and an entire 1 cubic foot bin of low volume scraps. Scraps were thereby obtained, cut up, sewn together, and placed in the correct positions on the quilt, and a (very large) quilt was born. It is currently sandwiched and awaiting its turn to be quilted.
I love these greens. They are so fresh and clean. And the low volumes add so much dimension. If you want a tutorial on how to choose low volumes for your next project, check out @a.crafty.fox on Instagram. It's in her stories.prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-25356476448872130022021-07-30T09:04:00.010-05:002021-07-30T09:04:00.213-05:00Summer Break Projects - Part 1 - Two Finishes and a Scraptastic Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyoF0l-BRE3sHp1i28bd6bVS9dWONCL5YPa_AGCsaQ_Z8QktoJejIzcQyXP8bdL6Nf_jLDC0ir0NzuDAxbUDdU6TYEz_2q65Ida_9j8V9euHvUfDIUwlbo9MUmKHK9H2a8_uSEMsnPvqS/s1441/E1DD16A1-20BF-4755-B970-18170191A3DE.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyoF0l-BRE3sHp1i28bd6bVS9dWONCL5YPa_AGCsaQ_Z8QktoJejIzcQyXP8bdL6Nf_jLDC0ir0NzuDAxbUDdU6TYEz_2q65Ida_9j8V9euHvUfDIUwlbo9MUmKHK9H2a8_uSEMsnPvqS/s320/E1DD16A1-20BF-4755-B970-18170191A3DE.jpeg"/></a></div>
As we all know, this past school year was a difficult one, and although my Harry Potter quilt came back from the quilter in December, it was summer break before I managed to get it bound.
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I also got my Single Girl quilt back from the quilter this spring. I decided I wanted to make this one in 2011, and actually started it in 2014. I put it together in 2017, I think, and just managed to get it to the quilter this year when I saw someone else post a photo of their Single Girl on Instagram. It was obvious that if I waited to quilt it myself it would be another 10 years. There was just something very intimidating to me about this quilt from start to finish. This one got bound at the beginning of summer. I hope to get the quilt husband to let me take some photos soon.
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My daughter made this stunning scrap quilt this spring, and then started another one while she was visiting. Nothing would do than I try my own version when she left. It helped alleviate the separation sadness.
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I put these first 4 blocks together the day she left. It was fun putting the fabrics together and deciding just what went where. At first, I was very cautious, sticking with combinations I was certain would work.
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But as I worked on it, I got a little more daring.
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With each block I really began to feel the creative juices flow like I haven't felt in a long time. This was a great exercise in color theory and creativity.
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It took a week, but I'm really happy with how this one turned out.prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-47304170170572490962021-07-28T09:09:00.011-05:002021-07-28T09:09:00.220-05:00Sewing for American Girl Boy Dolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUJpD1yshMsH3W296xSrbaffie8yrjnqfueYYwnfRFsU3ImpXk8qOpNDmqjoKhqIu3E0sGGt9NIhIVL3KJA0LkjERHrujgQF2T1eejQLjbed_HJJaiu49zJZ7w0gVhyphenhyphenNlPoqZyX2e1FM3/s4032/IMG_0252.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtUJpD1yshMsH3W296xSrbaffie8yrjnqfueYYwnfRFsU3ImpXk8qOpNDmqjoKhqIu3E0sGGt9NIhIVL3KJA0LkjERHrujgQF2T1eejQLjbed_HJJaiu49zJZ7w0gVhyphenhyphenNlPoqZyX2e1FM3/s320/IMG_0252.jpeg"/></a></div>
Last Christmas, as my granddaughters and their friends were playing with their dollies, I heard them tell their brother over and over that he couldn't play with them because he didn't have a doll. To say the least, I was annoyed. After clearing it with his parents, I bought my grandson an American Girl boy doll. He had actually been wanting one for awhile, and honestly, it looks just like him. He named him Michael.
So far, I have only found one outfit to buy from American Girl that would work for their boy dolls, and it was intended for the girl dolls. As it happens, it was an airline pilot outfit, and since his grandad was an airline pilot, you know he had to have it. I just can't imagine what they are thinking. If a young man has a doll that looks just like him, naturally he will want to dress him for various occasions. I just had to make Michael an all-occasion wardrobe.
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It was fun seeing the photo of him opening his present.
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Naturally, no young man (or doll) can exist for long without a good pair of jeans. <a href="https://www.pixiefaire.com/" target="_blank">Pixie Faire</a> is the best source I've found for doll clothes for the American Girl boy doll.
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These jeans are pretty authentic, with "designer" back pockets that actually work.
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A pair of chinos is a wardrobe workhorse, and these (from a piece of khaki Kona cotton) should do fine.
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Another must-have is a pair of dress slacks. These black slacks will be great for those more formal occasions.
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No wardrobe can be without a white shirt.
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A choice of shirts is always nice.
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And a robe is a necessity, particularly if it matches one the young man himself already owns.
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And a fleece hoodie is a good item to have on those colder days.
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He seemed pretty happy with his birthday gift. As you can see, the bathrobe was a particular favorite.
prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-82330041421321630302021-07-26T22:02:00.003-05:002021-07-26T22:03:55.172-05:00Sewing for Wellie Wishers<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmsRFlBLgWEKJywpQdaz1yZWiY310k7Vthz3NyG4WLt-HFUL6gs5WlcrGmNPiz3L088Qk3-B8vG4PviscdzFSvO87eOruMfmtVEg7szQDytt3tGXl8_y5jV6xLfBZbXhU_DVQ6OwKNzdB/s2048/IMG_1444.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmsRFlBLgWEKJywpQdaz1yZWiY310k7Vthz3NyG4WLt-HFUL6gs5WlcrGmNPiz3L088Qk3-B8vG4PviscdzFSvO87eOruMfmtVEg7szQDytt3tGXl8_y5jV6xLfBZbXhU_DVQ6OwKNzdB/s320/IMG_1444.jpeg"/></a></div>
Last summer I <a href="http://prsd4tim2.blogspot.com/2020/06/sewing-for-dolls.html" target="_blank">posted about making doll clothes for Willa, my granddaughter's Wellie Wishers doll</a>. I have two granddaughters who are just about a year apart, and both have Wellie Wishers dolls. Ella has a Willa doll, and Pippa has Camille. I like sewing for these dollies better than Barbie because it's just easier to sew the slightly larger pieces. The difference between the teeny pieces for an 11" Barbie and the slightly larger pieces for the 14-1/2" Wellie Wishers dolls is immense.
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Ella got her doll first, so I've had a few more opportunities to sew for Willa. Camille lives in Canada, so I try to put a little something for her (and her mommy) in every package I send. Unfortunately, I'm not great about taking pictures, as usually it has to go in the mail that very day. This little outfit - an elastic waist skirt and a sleeveless top, was very quick and simple to sew for Camille (and it went with her purple shoes!,) although the knit for the top wouldn't cooperate. I forgot all about using ball point needles on reluctant knits. It's been awhile since I've sewn anything except quilting cottons it seems. I hope I won't forget again. The frustration of skipped stitches wasn't much fun. I finally discovered that the knit stitch on my Bernina is stitch #9. It's a slightly different stitch than the one on my previous machine, but seems to work well when I remember to use it.
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I had a lot of fun making Willa this little raincoat. I tried it out in quilting cotton first, but then made it from a scrap of oilcloth I had leftover from making a cosmetic bag for traveling. The pattern was a commercial pattern I purchased at Joann's by Ellie Mae Designs. It was intended for 18" dolls, but I found a resizing chart for Wellie Wishers dolls on <a href="https://www.rosiesdollclothespatterns.com/resizing-patterns-for-wellie-wishers-and-disney-toddler-dolls-part-3/" target="_blank">Rosie's Doll Clothes website</a>, and I've found it works pretty well. I've only had one project fail using her resizing chart. Since it was my first, I decided it would be prudent to try it in the inexpensive Kona cotton rather than my limited supply of oilcloth. It turned out great.
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And here's the same pattern in the oilcloth.
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I also used a free online pattern to create this party dress. The pattern was from <a href="">PA Country Crafts</a> and was intended for the Merida doll from the movie Brave. My first attempt was too small, so I added about 3/8" to each of the bodice pieces, adding about 1-1/2" overall, and it fit perfectly. The fabrics were from the remnant bin at Joann's. I loved the tulle overlay, and Ella was pretty pleased with Willa's new dress.
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Pippa got Camille for her birthday last year, and I thought it would be fun to make dolly a complete wardrobe. Camille got plenty of tops and skirts,
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a pair of jeans,
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a pair of shorts,
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a pink party dress (from slightly different fabric,)
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and a yellow raincoat.
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The jeans were super fun and very trendy, with a dropped waist, a fake fly, and working pockets. They were kind of fiddly, but very fun to make.
And naturally, all the pieces coordinate for that put-together look.
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My only failure in downsizing American Girl patterns was this fleece hoodie. I used the 65% recommendation, but the jacket was too tight for Camille, which is really too bad because it is very cute and had a working zipper. I'm not sure if it was because of the thickness of the fleece or what. I may try it again at 70% and see if it fits better. It's really super cute. I really wish I had a Wellie Wishers doll for a model.
So it's been fun to sew for these dollies. I'm glad that I've been able to help my girls enjoy their dollies.
prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-10924864169901960002021-07-19T09:51:00.002-05:002021-07-19T10:22:01.331-05:00Sewing for American Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiDv2I-Jk0HCRbdtsYSO6I_pHIF7PCJm_-wlCPVuG2JGkuBIfeO6Oo-LCrpfjI-9B30ErW5Z3h1f9vV1ykjoYHHVMiHM3cX43bCKEzZEYueJ2YMnk8aQ8UbEg9PxQCjRtNLwih-O9js9p/s2048/IMG_2119.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiDv2I-Jk0HCRbdtsYSO6I_pHIF7PCJm_-wlCPVuG2JGkuBIfeO6Oo-LCrpfjI-9B30ErW5Z3h1f9vV1ykjoYHHVMiHM3cX43bCKEzZEYueJ2YMnk8aQ8UbEg9PxQCjRtNLwih-O9js9p/s320/IMG_2119.jpeg"/></a></div>
About the time I figured out Barbie clothes, my other granddaughter received an American Girl doll for her birthday. Her name is Mary Ellen. Once she saw the wardrobe I made for Barbie, she asked me to make some clothes for her AG doll. I had some patterns I bought for my own daughter's AG doll (and never made,) so I agreed.
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I started with a dress from the commercial pattern. It was very big on the AG doll. I have since found some patterns online that fit AG dolls much better. Unfortunately, I didn't remember to take pictures of many of the doll clothes I made. Here's the first dress, altered to fit Mary Ellen.
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As you can see, we now have an assortment of dolls, so this spring I made an assortment of fleece hoodies from the scraps from the mermaid tails I made for the grands for Christmas. (I also used the fleece scraps for the <a href="http://prsd4tim2.blogspot.com/2021/01/handmade-christmas-diy-sleeping-bags.html">dolly sleeping bags</a> I made for the dollies for Christmas.)
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I each of the grands a nightgown or pajamas and a matching nightgown or pjs for their doll this spring as well.
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And in the spirit of 1970s chic, I made some polyester double knit dresses for the dolls from some fabric a friend gave me. And most recently, I made all the dollies a swimsuit for their (pretend) days at the beach or pool, although I forgot to take pictures.
Well dressed dolls are important.
prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-49306157732521398512021-07-18T20:27:00.003-05:002021-07-27T00:12:43.973-05:00Sewing for Barbie<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsuyQ6Sq62Ma8Wq2kqpHRqrhH1KcKW-laZtcWylpbGq3xCAybT637jF3kE5kMihZ9-At6Ki_nORHVIIX7SFAdg1-XWy6rsFDcmT4SaQpLU18nb6WYbJRiDoDIG69SVwsZKKb1JanY1FiP/s2048/IMG_1063.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsuyQ6Sq62Ma8Wq2kqpHRqrhH1KcKW-laZtcWylpbGq3xCAybT637jF3kE5kMihZ9-At6Ki_nORHVIIX7SFAdg1-XWy6rsFDcmT4SaQpLU18nb6WYbJRiDoDIG69SVwsZKKb1JanY1FiP/s320/IMG_1063.jpeg"/></a></div>
As a kid, I received a Barbie for my 7th birthday. My aunt had sewn her an
entire wardrobe, and I was thrilled.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzrvrqjksdi5aJXVhyphenhyphenakoQbPC9FZ0NblkCEPfQagp-3B4kUTJncAs74DLpR04E9PdUDkGd5w5lrhvHeeljK600CEIHiX7WG5WzokDtEcw-NGbC4CpGs7v9uERk4PQZPP7-Sbygipspr3K/s2048/IMG_1124+2.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzrvrqjksdi5aJXVhyphenhyphenakoQbPC9FZ0NblkCEPfQagp-3B4kUTJncAs74DLpR04E9PdUDkGd5w5lrhvHeeljK600CEIHiX7WG5WzokDtEcw-NGbC4CpGs7v9uERk4PQZPP7-Sbygipspr3K/s320/IMG_1124+2.jpeg"/></a></div>
Just like today, the dolls were fairly inexpensive, but the clothes were more
than my parents wanted to pay. I remember sewing Barbie clothes with my aunt and
grandmother, and it seemed fun then. A couple of decades later, when my children
were little, I tried sewing doll clothes again, and it was awful. I hated it.
The pieces were small and the effort was too much for the output.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyXF6ysLqIq_rlDl26HErit3SHt2F9LbAL7uaWN26ppvAYU7aGv9UZrmdmq4vvVAeFBENsm16QkB64G8IXahQvyqrjr9i0JP9Ovn3dc94Isc4TmbLdwuqdi9bQoo3_J2W0c9PXhm2CzcO/s2048/59824344922__B9A03F09-930E-40F5-BBEF-4A7F4FB13657.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyXF6ysLqIq_rlDl26HErit3SHt2F9LbAL7uaWN26ppvAYU7aGv9UZrmdmq4vvVAeFBENsm16QkB64G8IXahQvyqrjr9i0JP9Ovn3dc94Isc4TmbLdwuqdi9bQoo3_J2W0c9PXhm2CzcO/s320/59824344922__B9A03F09-930E-40F5-BBEF-4A7F4FB13657.jpeg"/></a></div>
But for Christmas 2019, I got my granddaughter a Barbie, and decided to make some
clothes. I didn't like it any better than I did when my girls were little.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTwXRnWIkfjPb_4aV0xackAwBsCDHxiKIcEv0EztNuEUa1AbT4VhPOz-pgBYTVL47d2kMeKJv0qJFyg83QGNfAkQTK-ipQjrB8yolnpzNXMXdxGR0kC5C4S8YgXhLBJZMl_xnLxN_AeZd/s1334/IMG_0732.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTwXRnWIkfjPb_4aV0xackAwBsCDHxiKIcEv0EztNuEUa1AbT4VhPOz-pgBYTVL47d2kMeKJv0qJFyg83QGNfAkQTK-ipQjrB8yolnpzNXMXdxGR0kC5C4S8YgXhLBJZMl_xnLxN_AeZd/s320/IMG_0732.png"/></a></div>
A friend posted some Barbie clothes she had made on Instagram, and I responded with a minor rant about what a pain they were to make. My online friend gave me some great pointers on how to
make them quick and easy, and even shared some patterns and pattern sources with
me. I took the opportunity then to make an entire wardrobe (above) for my
granddaughter's birthday.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rd_bKMZvJRyLvTtSZTeNRv5Xz16IzyBUzoa4AlB8PqDnTjrKFIM89l5fEl1S_se8LQ3LT5qZdOJi4J8b6Ma23RqXHRDI9gZXcaNxLY9AT_sFsBUqmD7TJwodD5vltBe78O2_dZ1h9lUN/s2048/IMG_1144.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rd_bKMZvJRyLvTtSZTeNRv5Xz16IzyBUzoa4AlB8PqDnTjrKFIM89l5fEl1S_se8LQ3LT5qZdOJi4J8b6Ma23RqXHRDI9gZXcaNxLY9AT_sFsBUqmD7TJwodD5vltBe78O2_dZ1h9lUN/s320/IMG_1144.jpeg"/></a></div>
Barbie clothes, and doll clothes in general, no longer hold any fear for me. In fact, I'm about to make another Barbie wardrobe for another granddaughter's birthday, which is coming soon.
prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-9015176128940140992021-01-31T20:46:00.000-06:002021-01-31T20:46:01.417-06:00A Smocked Blessing Gown for Maggie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd7_FhCnY7XmBhqsnrb93gwOm5UeP3ZysDt-Kql9KdSQthcPfq5I0tGtoaMaOFaZ9hAGzIby4fYIT-b3wq6tWGdw13UtbKuIPtHiM13CFdaJ7wyUuCSKoiKKKgSGOggHW7wgc7w1Adbuk/s4032/IMG_0264.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd7_FhCnY7XmBhqsnrb93gwOm5UeP3ZysDt-Kql9KdSQthcPfq5I0tGtoaMaOFaZ9hAGzIby4fYIT-b3wq6tWGdw13UtbKuIPtHiM13CFdaJ7wyUuCSKoiKKKgSGOggHW7wgc7w1Adbuk/s320/IMG_0264.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> When I went up to help mom and dad with Maggie after she was born, I asked them if they would like me to make her a smocked blessing gown. They agreed, and I was so glad.<p></p><p>Unfortunately, other Christmas projects and a few unexpected sewing projects came up, along with difficulty getting the supplies I needed from my local heirloom sewing shop, and I found myself beginning the week after Christmas for a January 3rd blessing. I discovered in the process that my eyes aren't as good as they were the last time I embarked on a smocking project, and that I was woefully out of practice. I stitched at my daughter's over Christmas - at least as long as the light held. I stitched on the plane on the way home, and at the USO while we waited half a day for our final flight. New Year's Eve found me frantically embroidering the top and constructing the dress just hours before our drive to Atlanta the weekend of the blessing.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOcnGRDxPQsrTL8XVcTDM3DOuZOkwcsA0Sf9OJTaPB6P-E_IYeFuyVfnZlmVj0qx1aUlQAhupJtTrgVEdYOi1hnKJd7hsb0dzgvIqtrDsLj-1wmwo1anSHw3fq20t-WCrewLTtsff1Kiy/s4032/IMG_0268.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOcnGRDxPQsrTL8XVcTDM3DOuZOkwcsA0Sf9OJTaPB6P-E_IYeFuyVfnZlmVj0qx1aUlQAhupJtTrgVEdYOi1hnKJd7hsb0dzgvIqtrDsLj-1wmwo1anSHw3fq20t-WCrewLTtsff1Kiy/s320/IMG_0268.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I improvised the smocking design, mostly because I found working from a
pattern on an airplane fairly difficult, and because once I realize I
had to have it finished in just a few hours, I needed to take a few
shortcuts. Fortunately, the dress construction fairly straightforward
and it went together rather well. I found the lace for the sleeves in
my stash, thank goodness.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAMZrZcJZnm1XX1ZAG3GPYkASpvPMmjuAsIebV8KT40_jCCo5qBUrr_KcslQ93-akDyuXfszvg_vl7T0j9zhLU4RepfoLhrzUdYvZasXwq14S8z0DkHAYvcmqQiRH2zWto2kbtgCpOZ0V/s4032/IMG_0269.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAMZrZcJZnm1XX1ZAG3GPYkASpvPMmjuAsIebV8KT40_jCCo5qBUrr_KcslQ93-akDyuXfszvg_vl7T0j9zhLU4RepfoLhrzUdYvZasXwq14S8z0DkHAYvcmqQiRH2zWto2kbtgCpOZ0V/s320/IMG_0269.jpeg" /></a></div><p>I planned to use lace for the hem, but didn't find any in my stash, and since I had forgotten to buy any, that was a problem. Finally, my daughter who was visiting said, "Use rick-rack, Mom. It's so sweet and innocent. I love it." I would probably never have considered it, but it worked well and ended up finishing the little dress nicely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyQL8kKXKaKcEsFQeLWClyW4hzHO5EpLezS0GdVuad0WW_ECf1hy3EhQbkSppoxeUfrFcJITVNiRpULk5CzPJ8yqwnTI9MkboGOLK2KRbcSsrI8MxBi-o36USXsJFdp7Glp0b20WHYWKT/s1890/IMG_0338.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1890" data-original-width="1109" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyQL8kKXKaKcEsFQeLWClyW4hzHO5EpLezS0GdVuad0WW_ECf1hy3EhQbkSppoxeUfrFcJITVNiRpULk5CzPJ8yqwnTI9MkboGOLK2KRbcSsrI8MxBi-o36USXsJFdp7Glp0b20WHYWKT/s320/IMG_0338.png" /></a></div>It was a pretty cold day for an outdoor baby blessing and a baby wearing a sleeveless cotton dress, but she looked beautiful, and I hope the dress will be an heirloom she can use for her own babies someday.<br />prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-29509177012809618832021-01-30T12:46:00.002-06:002021-01-30T12:46:25.675-06:00Handmade Christmas: For My New Grandbaby<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BDnd2YAqKBHICK3Ne-krq8u5BvHJLbGAWYrDCpg0M2Xn6DV-bl8QMthw2sl6RzSP7nsNA7onI2INL6jYhe6kG95x3P5opvDzqboh1qXl4P5uQLFjhnw7zartVwYXu4eVOAXFfDXgVDpm/s1490/IMG_0337.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BDnd2YAqKBHICK3Ne-krq8u5BvHJLbGAWYrDCpg0M2Xn6DV-bl8QMthw2sl6RzSP7nsNA7onI2INL6jYhe6kG95x3P5opvDzqboh1qXl4P5uQLFjhnw7zartVwYXu4eVOAXFfDXgVDpm/s320/IMG_0337.png" /></a></div>This is the last of the Handmade Christmas posts, and honestly these are things that I intended for baby shower gifts and didn't finish in time. Perfect for Christmas gifts then, right?<br /><p></p><p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaO8JQnSTpk_ZhVdEA03E_bef0DOuu4waANhGNf5XSmLhHD2LFFjDJdEp_NtvOmTiblULs0NkmM_WzVlEq00L7WRf5I-XbDEa9yiTuCeewA1AXljaNfdAkzDB7bWKmXoneOlyge1EKUCm/s139/Screen+Shot+2021-01-30+at+12.28.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaO8JQnSTpk_ZhVdEA03E_bef0DOuu4waANhGNf5XSmLhHD2LFFjDJdEp_NtvOmTiblULs0NkmM_WzVlEq00L7WRf5I-XbDEa9yiTuCeewA1AXljaNfdAkzDB7bWKmXoneOlyge1EKUCm/s0/Screen+Shot+2021-01-30+at+12.28.37+PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: ebay, inc.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>This is a baby sweater I have made several times, since I was a teenager, although it had been so long I wished my mom had still been around to answer my questions. My mom made this pattern probably dozens of times, and I always thought its design was just such a sweet gift for a new baby. I lost the pattern for many years, found it and lost it again, and then bought a new one on ebay. The new pattern is an authentic vintage (1949) pattern and is falling apart, so I photocopied the pattern to save the booklet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3QRVAnleuk_pZuDAHGh9_uuySB-GG1kH4proi_KtvlePrmrJC07cuI3EAH8fcYxdCLODtjyVIgEbJVk9rVFXURDqvVJJMewz_NphVHMlxnGWNxrcB8few_yxVNzu2f4VtZNBOnNkdECp/s4032/IMG_0271.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3QRVAnleuk_pZuDAHGh9_uuySB-GG1kH4proi_KtvlePrmrJC07cuI3EAH8fcYxdCLODtjyVIgEbJVk9rVFXURDqvVJJMewz_NphVHMlxnGWNxrcB8few_yxVNzu2f4VtZNBOnNkdECp/s320/IMG_0271.jpeg" /></a></div><p>I guess you could call this a tradition of sorts, although I didn't make it for any of the other grandbabies. Frankly, I just kind of forgot. </p><p>The original pattern calls for a ribbon or crocheted drawstring at the neck, but I thought today's moms would see that as kind of dangerous, so I improvised a neck binding and binding down the front with a button. It worked OK, but next time I might try a different approach.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9-LSYj5mhgIB6QAwkSUeUdZ0zhS7cj5BnLKCJkSphNVmfNEqmn3T-ECqBYQdNwgRJ0vk9md3nGQ1JvxCaU20rCN5A6gdu8vydZnHe9Q79kMXlXoTeMlivqMxD2H34bXnZ1XaB6asmeEb/s4032/IMG_0272.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9-LSYj5mhgIB6QAwkSUeUdZ0zhS7cj5BnLKCJkSphNVmfNEqmn3T-ECqBYQdNwgRJ0vk9md3nGQ1JvxCaU20rCN5A6gdu8vydZnHe9Q79kMXlXoTeMlivqMxD2H34bXnZ1XaB6asmeEb/s320/IMG_0272.jpeg" /></a></div><p>The other gift was a crochet-edged blanket. I had actually finished a couple of these for her more-or-less on time, but this one didn't make it. My grandmother made these for every baby in the family, and I have made bunches of these over the years. I kind of overdid it with the first grandchild, in fact. I probably made close to 20 of them. My daughter finally said, "Enough!" Guess I might have been a bit enthusiastic about this grandma thing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXU1dZv-taqgw70fzZKbtVoTNuXB6VyLcpuMHkKJDHTiCmmo_qONS4lASXGP9-mKivd2fUup5PbfPYhcDG8yyymNZDDlLIU2nTp5Sj1ayKgIpID7uT-t1j9rxKB94ymYGCHo0LUqKuSEs/s2048/IMG_0272.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXU1dZv-taqgw70fzZKbtVoTNuXB6VyLcpuMHkKJDHTiCmmo_qONS4lASXGP9-mKivd2fUup5PbfPYhcDG8yyymNZDDlLIU2nTp5Sj1ayKgIpID7uT-t1j9rxKB94ymYGCHo0LUqKuSEs/s320/IMG_0272.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p> These little blankets are so inexpensive and work well as receiving blankets, swaddles, and burp cloths. Truly a multi-purpose gift.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnYdZ81MQI0fXNsLRBIr9lwgQAHNhPomXx9yOoYDs9il3YA5Su0Kk7oRJhzlhyi0Ebvee4GOvQQ-VkkAzyJw6J1TBq84KNm6LHW-soxMN3DqMgNLH_gmZsHReuNOmP0UMJ0tmBSYjMhFN/s876/IMG_0340.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="697" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnYdZ81MQI0fXNsLRBIr9lwgQAHNhPomXx9yOoYDs9il3YA5Su0Kk7oRJhzlhyi0Ebvee4GOvQQ-VkkAzyJw6J1TBq84KNm6LHW-soxMN3DqMgNLH_gmZsHReuNOmP0UMJ0tmBSYjMhFN/s320/IMG_0340.png" /></a></div><p> </p><p>And, these blankets can actually be quite warm, which on this particular day was a very good thing.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-91785146530989036162021-01-29T08:16:00.003-06:002021-01-30T13:07:08.839-06:00Handmade Christmas: Moda Love Quilt<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oHan6eclKkVZ18I0Ji4r01n45TMo5xYKUEHTR-FncM0PJ8ZspaLaviVc0xpCHTU4JLm7-_VQVbVXeb58wvwaBcfV6Lqeqf2xy1H87bxFuD3V2-9U1WeC-5OiQ48ZonRwSF7Zj8o8FvIQ/s2048/IMG_2536.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oHan6eclKkVZ18I0Ji4r01n45TMo5xYKUEHTR-FncM0PJ8ZspaLaviVc0xpCHTU4JLm7-_VQVbVXeb58wvwaBcfV6Lqeqf2xy1H87bxFuD3V2-9U1WeC-5OiQ48ZonRwSF7Zj8o8FvIQ/w300-h400/IMG_2536.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>A couple of years ago when the Moda Love Quilt was super-popular on Instagram, I decided that I needed a quick quilt to play with. It was during the school year, which always means I don't want to start a new, complicated project, but I needed some quilting therapy. I grabbed this Bonnie and Camille layer cake that was sitting on the shelf (I don't remember which collection) and dug in.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z_n37F22Q3XdnQn2Ry9aQ2G563ZczC8A_OCM6snD_mCiL-Tv9Cgocd0uBOcAuNoRk9Pqo3Q1unPh9cCQKLLx9u-YZBK4o7FfH0DqVReyoFsfRyGykSqlCErq9pgfUYsdct-gNYmUqS2T/s2048/IMG_2527.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z_n37F22Q3XdnQn2Ry9aQ2G563ZczC8A_OCM6snD_mCiL-Tv9Cgocd0uBOcAuNoRk9Pqo3Q1unPh9cCQKLLx9u-YZBK4o7FfH0DqVReyoFsfRyGykSqlCErq9pgfUYsdct-gNYmUqS2T/s320/IMG_2527.jpeg" /></a></div><p>Then sometime this past summer my son and his wife mentioned that they didn't have a quilt or bedspread for their guest bedroom in their new home. Naturally, my first thought was, "I can fix this." I had two large quilt tops already made, and let them choose. They chose the B&C top. I added some borders to make it 100" x 100" and sent it off to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/sterling_quilt_co">Sterling Quilt Co</a>. to get it quilted. I do most of my own quilting, but I was not about to attempt a king size quilt on my domestic machine. That way lies madness!<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTEvq_-KusIigTwZ1FBQ-Azn0jF4WnFddIQroCb3Jyg3Gi0RZ1uItcXZnlspXYJ0GgXccOaOZzAj5fT1s12gVPoWOA01c3rf8bYIEY2jO52HvHD6gMMLqTl1uRfAfQFU0uIseOyjO0fyT/s1522/IMG_0219.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="1120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTEvq_-KusIigTwZ1FBQ-Azn0jF4WnFddIQroCb3Jyg3Gi0RZ1uItcXZnlspXYJ0GgXccOaOZzAj5fT1s12gVPoWOA01c3rf8bYIEY2jO52HvHD6gMMLqTl1uRfAfQFU0uIseOyjO0fyT/s320/IMG_0219.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: Sterling Quilt Co.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> Sterling got it back to me a couple of weeks before Christmas, and it is perfect. I love the design we chose. Every month, she does a penny design, and I really loved how this one almost echoed the design of the quilt. I've had other quilts long-armed before, but none were as well done as this one. The others had puckers at the edges and threads hanging. Sterling buried all the threads and even trimmed the edges before she sent it back. I was impressed.</p><p>Best of all, my son and his wife seemed to like their gift, even though it wasn't a great surprise. <br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-50514481908780591832021-01-28T08:31:00.003-06:002021-01-30T12:10:20.483-06:00Handmade Christmas: Tilda 9-blade Fan Quilt<p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdebox_fLOl13gx5H-Lkz5adNEr6pt_KXiiLVLHeo7u5kfRH5wIcrRbkADO1VqkOi5Kwm27VmHJHhvB6ws1rOvMdr4vdlcSQg0p4jbmd5gm8rqsY3XkSYlmJfOGTjwleleSOj_aJGGAU6/s262/Screen+Shot+2021-01-27+at+9.47.35+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdebox_fLOl13gx5H-Lkz5adNEr6pt_KXiiLVLHeo7u5kfRH5wIcrRbkADO1VqkOi5Kwm27VmHJHhvB6ws1rOvMdr4vdlcSQg0p4jbmd5gm8rqsY3XkSYlmJfOGTjwleleSOj_aJGGAU6/s0/Screen+Shot+2021-01-27+at+9.47.35+PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The source for this photo is unknown. If you message me, I will be glad to credit it to you.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Sometime last spring - in the middle of the mask-making madness - youngest daughter sent me this picture and asked if I could make this quilt. I consulted my expert (oldest daughter) and she said it was a fan quilt and that she was pretty sure the fabric was Tilda.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJO11G1_nRKkMqLLc3tOwWT2rYX6X-sEq-YwypYzL04gu9iFkz7hbGqpxm01lF3RFR_uretwd0yFZNsrERb21ze7I2ZWMdC9kIi8Xz6TP1ysAU2sD8tIZhPBVW-93riHzP2jdma-MT8om7/s505/Screen+Shot+2021-01-27+at+9.48.27+PM.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJO11G1_nRKkMqLLc3tOwWT2rYX6X-sEq-YwypYzL04gu9iFkz7hbGqpxm01lF3RFR_uretwd0yFZNsrERb21ze7I2ZWMdC9kIi8Xz6TP1ysAU2sD8tIZhPBVW-93riHzP2jdma-MT8om7/s320/Screen+Shot+2021-01-27+at+9.48.27+PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The source for this photo is unknown. If you message me, I will be glad to credit it to you.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As it happened, I had a F8 bundle of Tilda Lazy Days sitting on my shelf just waiting for its opportunity, so I set about planning this quilt. I couldn't find a pattern I liked anywhere. I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like, but I couldn't find anything even close. Finally, I headed to my LQS and bought a 10* fan template and a circle template, and set about constructing a quilt. Even the instructions on the template were for a Christmas tree skirt, not a quilt block. And although this sounds like it was a fairly quick, linear decision, this process took several months. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lN49jCFqi8HUVYAfOQ4zMbKotHwh9YvRn3aLq6mw9oTnfy8U4xGyTjpq_kFxbJ11GYk87CcPMFwODXe61HMdnam2F3lSKAJMf7841XETGy9rWcdumf6cULiGBCYlI6eu0LoLagipLrIb/s2048/2DD6F208-CB0C-489F-B6BC-88E52F9DB7C4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2009" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lN49jCFqi8HUVYAfOQ4zMbKotHwh9YvRn3aLq6mw9oTnfy8U4xGyTjpq_kFxbJ11GYk87CcPMFwODXe61HMdnam2F3lSKAJMf7841XETGy9rWcdumf6cULiGBCYlI6eu0LoLagipLrIb/s320/2DD6F208-CB0C-489F-B6BC-88E52F9DB7C4.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p>I think one of the hardest things about using a pretty bundle of fabric all tied up with a label is just untying the ribbon. But, eventually, I managed that task and set about using my template on all these fat eighths. I had j*u*s*t enough fabric to make the number of fan blades I needed. Each F8 yielded 9 blades, which was just what I needed. I alternated the fabrics - 5 in one block and 4 in another - so that each block was different from all the others. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eIl5kvOw5sUg2Tje4BgvZogBX7vs6u0G42j2eICDTxGlATO4hgahoRM4nSZl3BXWcu7VGdrwMi5yGbmbSgMPq3MhRJmMSeC3tYN1BFtdUqSUom8dMsSoNJ4o5e6TarjtaXyxLN_gKigi/s2048/62232717259__12436715-96C2-4AA1-B62A-D72A10445333.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eIl5kvOw5sUg2Tje4BgvZogBX7vs6u0G42j2eICDTxGlATO4hgahoRM4nSZl3BXWcu7VGdrwMi5yGbmbSgMPq3MhRJmMSeC3tYN1BFtdUqSUom8dMsSoNJ4o5e6TarjtaXyxLN_gKigi/w300-h400/62232717259__12436715-96C2-4AA1-B62A-D72A10445333.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Once I got the blocks made, I set them on point and sewed them together. I think I had 2 blocks left over. I cut filler blocks for the sides, top and bottom and sewed the rows together.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6v1yTHHp6HTSPcq6RlzMrOtlBrJgdHm2lPOFDxq1De67QGNabTRhKpElbxQWwO3Za1HBtpqi7kK2CXSXklOFag6MSp9tmyhGwD1-g3L0xW4iTCRyPe6iuylFDHM1Ps29f7HBEnUFfYrc/s2048/62606409326__B37B4FC5-6391-40B0-B6F1-C509E1C75B33.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6v1yTHHp6HTSPcq6RlzMrOtlBrJgdHm2lPOFDxq1De67QGNabTRhKpElbxQWwO3Za1HBtpqi7kK2CXSXklOFag6MSp9tmyhGwD1-g3L0xW4iTCRyPe6iuylFDHM1Ps29f7HBEnUFfYrc/s320/62606409326__B37B4FC5-6391-40B0-B6F1-C509E1C75B33.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p> And then a cool little miracle occurred. I knew that I wanted a scalloped edge all the way around, but I had never done one before. One day, I sat down with a couple of pieces of printer paper taped together and sketched the curve I wanted. I cut it out with scissors, and then measured the length of the quilt sides and the top and bottom. The curved piece I drew was exactly the right length to put 4 scallops top and bottom and 5 on each side. I was crowing about this amazing success to my expert when she said, "Oh, I don't cut the scallops until I have the quilt quilted. Otherwise, the edges get wonky." </p><p>Oops. Mine were already cut. Then she said, "But I can tell you how to keep them from getting wonky," and she told me to zig-zag the edges before I did the rest of the quilting. I always do zig-zag the edges of the quilt before I quilt it, but I was glad she told me. </p><p>As it was, they were a bit wonky and I had to take out some of the zig-zag and a couple of seams, but I managed to get the scallops to lie flat in the end. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlHkvSVzzWeDylbfYT_mhAacQo1iFK2jLxvYOa6fBneyKH61IiP86tXOoT8Brx7bBIKtdSwGsZbQzGzEWbDu6MQU2mKLYrbARXJ-IZENv_WjVI0S-Y3mLdV4M6RgkiTvpEenLXP0XiYvx/s4032/IMG_0215.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlHkvSVzzWeDylbfYT_mhAacQo1iFK2jLxvYOa6fBneyKH61IiP86tXOoT8Brx7bBIKtdSwGsZbQzGzEWbDu6MQU2mKLYrbARXJ-IZENv_WjVI0S-Y3mLdV4M6RgkiTvpEenLXP0XiYvx/w300-h400/IMG_0215.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p>For quilting, I stippled the negative space and outline-quilted the fan blades. I echo quilted the scallops around the curves and along the straight edge until the two sets of stitching met, with only a bit of open space in the middle. </p><p>Backed with minky, this is the coziest of quilts, perfect for snuggling on cold winter evenings.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-755921041676106562021-01-22T09:05:00.004-06:002021-07-26T22:04:30.435-05:00Handmade Christmas: DIY Sleeping Bags for the Dollies<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdk8QgomjrQa-O-vLalZfUVlmsZgwKb_2Lsi_N-HPC5n175uwEVj98qnTMiqKBLm_MmOfXu8o2QTklj-0xTcqcowcqrMOculeyInA27H-5LstH0o4c0BhlMiVteIdLiFpHd1rW3DzVwDn/s4032/IMG_0234.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdk8QgomjrQa-O-vLalZfUVlmsZgwKb_2Lsi_N-HPC5n175uwEVj98qnTMiqKBLm_MmOfXu8o2QTklj-0xTcqcowcqrMOculeyInA27H-5LstH0o4c0BhlMiVteIdLiFpHd1rW3DzVwDn/w300-h400/IMG_0234.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>We are, apparently, an American Girl family. All of the kiddos who are old enough have American Girl dolls. While I was perusing the interwebs before Christmas, I saw <a href="http://kimbrancato.weebly.com/blog/easy-peasy-doll-sleeping-bag">a blog post by Kim Brancato</a> where she showed how to make a dolly sleeping bag. Since I had a lot of fleece scraps from the mermaid tails and the whale's tail, I thought it would be fun to make sleeping bags for each of the dollies. <p></p><p>There are a number of patterns for dolly sleeping bags out there, but I liked this one especially because Kim used an elastic loop sewn into the bottom seam to roll up the bag. Genius! Some of my littles are not old enough yet to tie a bow - or even a knot, really - and the elastic loop allows them to roll up the bag all by themselves, and not have to continually pester a parent or older sibling.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGNqYh12cJmUrbHa4zYKUx_UhdoMC_tGH1EpJUjVE_vcHKyM4uhbLmh7QFCpLO0Pb6jN2ZMvY_CL-knVQRVwgzlqSb5Dx_3KXxctYctfOXKl3FHtx23NuyJjVwJk1ZKOGxjQTbweSSHJT/s1146/IMG_0309.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGNqYh12cJmUrbHa4zYKUx_UhdoMC_tGH1EpJUjVE_vcHKyM4uhbLmh7QFCpLO0Pb6jN2ZMvY_CL-knVQRVwgzlqSb5Dx_3KXxctYctfOXKl3FHtx23NuyJjVwJk1ZKOGxjQTbweSSHJT/s320/IMG_0309.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Kim's measurement for the 18" American Girl doll sleeping bag was 23" x 27", and it was perfect. But two of my littles have Wellie Wishers dollies, and I knew that size sleeping bag would be too big for these 14-1/2" dolls. I cut these dolly sleeping bags 18" x 24" and they were perfect.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxjKMszD69JYcwvMOLDmuie35o6iCcFNzpCxvDSJieILZYaBLGV1Buc3RYRMKHdO5d1gYrvs09Qd-rH8xJumZjrr7PyWiBAANa7VofKyBPXX9dkdU4IdL09-LuyzuKIU9bhgQwUaQjDt_/s695/IMG_0309.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="695" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxjKMszD69JYcwvMOLDmuie35o6iCcFNzpCxvDSJieILZYaBLGV1Buc3RYRMKHdO5d1gYrvs09Qd-rH8xJumZjrr7PyWiBAANa7VofKyBPXX9dkdU4IdL09-LuyzuKIU9bhgQwUaQjDt_/s320/IMG_0309.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The only change I made from Kim's tutorial was to attach the pillow to the sleeping bag. This way, the pillow won't get lost, and dolly can always find her pillow, leading to fewer meltdowns from dolly's human friends. The pillow then rolls up inside the sleeping bag and the elastic goes around the whole thing, making a nice, tidy bundle. You may want to cut your elastic just a tad longer to allow for the pillow if you use this method<br /></p><p>I tried several methods to attach the pillow, but I found that the easiest way (after making 3, I finally figured it out!) was to cut it with a 1" seam allowance at the bottom. Sew a seam at 1" with an opening for the stuffing. Then sew it closed. Then sew the pillow inside the top seam of the sleeping bag at 1/2". This way, the stuffing doesn't get in the way while you're trying to stitch the bag together. </p><p><br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-81203992753245269852021-01-21T09:31:00.005-06:002021-01-27T22:40:47.884-06:00Handmade Christmas: Three Mermaid Tails and A Whale's Tail<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbcsGQbnoHAxXnIh3aow-zoJ7IsiZ_3jBDWKdrmo6nWmKUjlqg1Qon8rnEDqIaLdjHX9pFTAuALhBwBJJ_kKB_dOZnKqcZtNixahSCqosn-7SDPPSRlNOgl-vrAh6RokFaoZpqgXgqbXN/s4032/IMG_0217.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbcsGQbnoHAxXnIh3aow-zoJ7IsiZ_3jBDWKdrmo6nWmKUjlqg1Qon8rnEDqIaLdjHX9pFTAuALhBwBJJ_kKB_dOZnKqcZtNixahSCqosn-7SDPPSRlNOgl-vrAh6RokFaoZpqgXgqbXN/s320/IMG_0217.jpeg" /></a></div>One of the biggest hits of Christmas for each of the kiddos were these mermaid tail/whale's tail blankets I made for each of the kiddos. They seem to absolutely love them. Apparently, they even sleep inside them in their beds under the blankets. Who knew?<p></p><p>I saw the tutorial a few weeks before Christmas on the <a href="https://seekatesew.com/ombre-mermaid-blanket-tail-pattern/">See Kate Sew blog</a>. I've been poking around her site at least since the Great Masking began in March, and I've made dozens of masks from her origami mask pattern. I actually think I first saw the pattern for the mermaid tails on the SewCanShe blog but I couldn't find it again when I went looking. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsVJxaQjEWxeBonyAwtG0u6_pNYr_8Yn9FefSsYs-zqyCxR4zLqUZ-42LhABUJ1tS6vpmaeMbV6EJcsT1UKdlDotJpMj-JqWn1HHOcVZ3jq1uyw4BYthd1TPXkFQ0hyJn7FJkaPwNaymY/s4032/IMG_0200.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsVJxaQjEWxeBonyAwtG0u6_pNYr_8Yn9FefSsYs-zqyCxR4zLqUZ-42LhABUJ1tS6vpmaeMbV6EJcsT1UKdlDotJpMj-JqWn1HHOcVZ3jq1uyw4BYthd1TPXkFQ0hyJn7FJkaPwNaymY/s320/IMG_0200.jpeg" /></a></div><p>Kate's post said she made her pattern to fit her 5-year old, and since I have a 5-year old and a 4-year old in the family, I started there. Joann's had fleece on sale 50% off, and I even found a number of remnants that were an additional 50% off. For the 8-year old, I added an additional row of fleece, or about another 8 inches.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ2tN-jdYxpf9cuc_4C14kmWAQhIyphr9u0BSjgrMeU-hzPo89bhNLqkMZ6LZ-jZr_OTnsX0WRexHJro3fWyfImIc8uQZYVSb_DugLKts3ItVvm83KUoXVBwtGbcpiB6iawcIy4vyaLSR/s2048/IMG_0202.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQ2tN-jdYxpf9cuc_4C14kmWAQhIyphr9u0BSjgrMeU-hzPo89bhNLqkMZ6LZ-jZr_OTnsX0WRexHJro3fWyfImIc8uQZYVSb_DugLKts3ItVvm83KUoXVBwtGbcpiB6iawcIy4vyaLSR/s320/IMG_0202.jpeg" /></a></div><p>For the 11-year old, I added two additional rows, as she is quite tall. </p><p>I added zippers to all of them because I didn't want any of them to have difficulty getting themselves out of their tails if the need arose, but honestly, I don't think any of the children ever used them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlSIfHPLAuvwZS7xAHKSZ9Y3OWTm9iCdYwba_dyYI5pLWndeyGR19BEnkqJ21FGYnPyR0CNZhwypHDD1fO652Lvk3tXeYPHPYqQccdwbIAYNpHJ68DLshK25PXW26kBsHv0UBU4H73g8N/s2049/IMG_0220.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlSIfHPLAuvwZS7xAHKSZ9Y3OWTm9iCdYwba_dyYI5pLWndeyGR19BEnkqJ21FGYnPyR0CNZhwypHDD1fO652Lvk3tXeYPHPYqQccdwbIAYNpHJ68DLshK25PXW26kBsHv0UBU4H73g8N/s320/IMG_0220.jpeg" /></a></div><p>Kate even had a baby size mermaid tail sleeper on her site that I just had to make for the littlest, although I didn't get it done until a couple of days after Christmas. As you can tell, this was made from scraps from the other tails. I made the 12-18 month size for my 2-month old granddaughter as she is so very long, but I might have overdone it just a touch. She seems to be enjoying it, regardless.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7yyQ779b4W-z7ENz2MhhTQH-CBqXjUd9XAWnePU7eCKz8jN-jzJWfNRg4olqGv4yDPcbdVgpw3zqYvOZEqI2RaOjKZHsD05egE4oLUVPXpPBoMKR2gQT6TeaumJNfasJ9qXPOKLV2vBu/s2048/IMG_0220+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7yyQ779b4W-z7ENz2MhhTQH-CBqXjUd9XAWnePU7eCKz8jN-jzJWfNRg4olqGv4yDPcbdVgpw3zqYvOZEqI2RaOjKZHsD05egE4oLUVPXpPBoMKR2gQT6TeaumJNfasJ9qXPOKLV2vBu/s320/IMG_0220+2.jpeg" /></a></div><p>And here are most of the kiddos watching a movie in their tails with their Squishimals (a gift from the other grandma) as pillows. </p><p>As you can see, even the dollies got in the act. More on the dolly sleeping bags tomorrow.<br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-58936799605104490012020-11-30T07:43:00.004-06:002020-11-30T07:43:28.013-06:00#givethanks - day 10<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXvhDa3H9z1MLx81kOtruJr1-ZtO1nQFtMVm_Me9QEKuEzMemLjJpC1z6vu7ivgfFY73LEn9uWu48sMMgE4PMVQ0ENyO2ZPt2t5aGVXCxXtFozM0_Lz5-6AhzkwnfYHkJPRPoSh-RrsPi/s1200/IMG_0095.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXvhDa3H9z1MLx81kOtruJr1-ZtO1nQFtMVm_Me9QEKuEzMemLjJpC1z6vu7ivgfFY73LEn9uWu48sMMgE4PMVQ0ENyO2ZPt2t5aGVXCxXtFozM0_Lz5-6AhzkwnfYHkJPRPoSh-RrsPi/s320/IMG_0095.jpeg" /></a></div> <p></p><p> Yesterday I was able to go to church. I've always been glad that in our country we have the right to worship as we please, and I never really thought that there would be circumstances that would prevent me being able to go to church. I always thought it would be my choice.</p><p>Home worship is wonderful, and I was grateful that we had the opportunity to do that when we were not able to join together as a congregation, but yesterday I really felt what a blessing it is to be able to come and worship together.</p><p>#givethanks <br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-88007816481858861972020-11-29T09:01:00.000-06:002020-11-29T09:01:02.198-06:00#givethanks - day 9<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPwlC2vWn29zPni_9JL5BEDi_eH2bKogox8-DxNspA_zXev5saTczXvRzCRSfJemRFKRdBU_cM8q_k_nzfVyY9PEeTiHE-p6vVv7QKlVtNPR8gSQVwrgUhLpEHMSrF0g3eRamNHG__3jd/s2048/IMG_0820.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPwlC2vWn29zPni_9JL5BEDi_eH2bKogox8-DxNspA_zXev5saTczXvRzCRSfJemRFKRdBU_cM8q_k_nzfVyY9PEeTiHE-p6vVv7QKlVtNPR8gSQVwrgUhLpEHMSrF0g3eRamNHG__3jd/s320/IMG_0820.jpeg" /></a></div><br />This is my space. It's often messy. It's not perfect. But it is my space, and I am grateful for it. I do pretty much everything here. I sew, of course, but I also grade papers, read novels, crochet, and simply relax here. Occasionally I even watch TV or movies.<br /><p></p><p>I have been so fortunate that for most of our 44 years of marriage, in most of the places we've lived, I've been able to have a space. For many years, while our children were growing, it was a tiny little nook off the kitchen with 4 doorways and only 7 feet of usable wall space. I made the most of it.</p><p>THIS space is bigger - much bigger - than that little corner I had for so many years. And its use has evolved. I love it. I can be more organized and see more of what I have. I can have two machines (and sometimes even 3) out at the same time without feeling claustrophobic. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzZqGyUFwdfk89ega7aafrdZpLDkVsw2U2yFfYwy0kNNKkkXgSkZimg7-FzvNDBw_N5xPw5fqVZv1t9GDanivMdn-UooY7rUu0mOqXQidapBVY-8KiEX2ORYZgCOBfM-f5PIADHghyphenhyphennU6/s2048/IMG_0833.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2038" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzZqGyUFwdfk89ega7aafrdZpLDkVsw2U2yFfYwy0kNNKkkXgSkZimg7-FzvNDBw_N5xPw5fqVZv1t9GDanivMdn-UooY7rUu0mOqXQidapBVY-8KiEX2ORYZgCOBfM-f5PIADHghyphenhyphennU6/s320/IMG_0833.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I am also grateful for this skill that has enabled me to help so many people this year. I've lost count, but I've made somewhere around 800 masks I think. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzFsqGYMivdQhNpPBPy97mfaVixhwfPHd6uu6YD_ICh2ku42WBAmoSgei3B7dwaAx1NjbcolaYBwyV6UYtGMUD-x4pH1s7AMSbD0Ir7TIpEupPNjrVtWg1-D8JE6Zl0NBc9vb3MzWVEUc/s2048/IMG_0804.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzFsqGYMivdQhNpPBPy97mfaVixhwfPHd6uu6YD_ICh2ku42WBAmoSgei3B7dwaAx1NjbcolaYBwyV6UYtGMUD-x4pH1s7AMSbD0Ir7TIpEupPNjrVtWg1-D8JE6Zl0NBc9vb3MzWVEUc/s320/IMG_0804.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Many of them went to help our medical community at the beginning of the Covid crisis. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNz1G03dcqk0aAlbDAnYjwxk68MTuOYsPe4eomk9rPIutZUHBVgXziomIN-bvuj6icw7lGBcHjgcho1lf1Ru0N7xILQZssKR6g3Yp1EdhS2mV8Kb4T2O_f0wC5wP0ztJ9CRlGIQf7cXnC/s2048/IMG_1021.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNz1G03dcqk0aAlbDAnYjwxk68MTuOYsPe4eomk9rPIutZUHBVgXziomIN-bvuj6icw7lGBcHjgcho1lf1Ru0N7xILQZssKR6g3Yp1EdhS2mV8Kb4T2O_f0wC5wP0ztJ9CRlGIQf7cXnC/s320/IMG_1021.jpeg" /></a></div>I made a few hospital gowns and scrub caps too. I'm very grateful I was able to do help in some small way.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJbv9W1bui5Qoku5dpF9hbYz4ZrNZvThDMqZoyJWj-tcry_XDJkif3HLUACvf4T4kQVu57HHRoqJpt1y9lTXG-7DUZoDLHE5Bq8-Ft1BpW-z4VXoE2qfMQkPpsfMGE5L-D0hjy1kc6EVg/s2048/IMG_1063.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJbv9W1bui5Qoku5dpF9hbYz4ZrNZvThDMqZoyJWj-tcry_XDJkif3HLUACvf4T4kQVu57HHRoqJpt1y9lTXG-7DUZoDLHE5Bq8-Ft1BpW-z4VXoE2qfMQkPpsfMGE5L-D0hjy1kc6EVg/s320/IMG_1063.jpeg" /></a></div><p>I've also been able to make doll clothes and other items to make my grandchildren and others I love happy. The doll clothes (and the techniques that changed it from a terrible chore to a pleasure) was shared with me by a friend of a friend that I've never met except through Instagram.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgLsXXFU1MUuA58n6sF9V9HdP8lF13Fus5kqtKLWR4Nnf0zqj7gFtDgPpSvySkAbB9axYfnphu-FW2JGoxDWc2cLfDcendaTiNTvPgMrBS8oMJH4c7MhMbd2YE_5VVFYQsIkkDji5UOmn/s2048/IMG_4149.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgLsXXFU1MUuA58n6sF9V9HdP8lF13Fus5kqtKLWR4Nnf0zqj7gFtDgPpSvySkAbB9axYfnphu-FW2JGoxDWc2cLfDcendaTiNTvPgMrBS8oMJH4c7MhMbd2YE_5VVFYQsIkkDji5UOmn/s320/IMG_4149.jpeg" /></a></div><p>When I was around 8 or 9, my mom sat me down at the sewing machine and taught me to sew. I'm sure I made a thing, although I don't remember what it was. What I do remember was being at my grandmother's and noticing that my swimming suit needed mending and sitting down at her treadle machine and completing the repair like I knew what I was doing. I remember my {male} cousins being impressed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaM5mZe3kIqZlV_EOc-BdXUZNT5yZkx17l5emPX9A6QCkK4Y26stf_MoFlLTin-s7yMtV2DPdDA_c-9qSa362yeeQ-JJ5wKo9bWsOVqyZepwcM3YTDyPGf9pQve4DoHEeYSktf9bdnFHA/s2048/IMG_1222.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaM5mZe3kIqZlV_EOc-BdXUZNT5yZkx17l5emPX9A6QCkK4Y26stf_MoFlLTin-s7yMtV2DPdDA_c-9qSa362yeeQ-JJ5wKo9bWsOVqyZepwcM3YTDyPGf9pQve4DoHEeYSktf9bdnFHA/s320/IMG_1222.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p>As I grew up, my mom would give me $100 to buy school clothes at the beginning of the school year. In those days, it was a hefty sum, but still didn't go far if you had to buy shoes, a winter coat, underwear, and gym clothes. I learned quickly though that Mom would buy me all the fabric, notions, and sewing supplies I wanted. The message was clear - if you want a wardrobe, make it yourself.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-hNJoI8KEZZhOQhAh8xzRE61VAmSbzXO2eEqWelfHluTRAPgKFUE6BWk9sZqyV5I-vhdMuIwtSQls0VjYN8IFwWTEYRCzmm1oBPB0rWhSBq6Ae7_c2aDSETU4Fk9-5pCVHiXuXjKiBab/s2048/IMG_1342.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-hNJoI8KEZZhOQhAh8xzRE61VAmSbzXO2eEqWelfHluTRAPgKFUE6BWk9sZqyV5I-vhdMuIwtSQls0VjYN8IFwWTEYRCzmm1oBPB0rWhSBq6Ae7_c2aDSETU4Fk9-5pCVHiXuXjKiBab/s320/IMG_1342.jpeg" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p>I sewed for my kids when they were small, but when the youngest was 4 I went back to work and the husband went to work for an airline. After that, if we were lucky, he spent maybe 2 days out of 7 at home. This was a very busy and chaotic period of our lives, and for about 15 years, I rarely sewed anything but Halloween costumes and prom dresses.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9JCApFE8_K7ZI2R6GL1emfAw_sYghkwgW4en4n-hBpBK64qU1zilLmPaqcBmTrVHokD_zwgc5fgPLiK-mbCYD2MvKkJT6vnuZJju9mg3OKdFBmum48p-fm0i1ScWgwM-ZnbWS9MyXGPe/s2048/IMG_1348.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9JCApFE8_K7ZI2R6GL1emfAw_sYghkwgW4en4n-hBpBK64qU1zilLmPaqcBmTrVHokD_zwgc5fgPLiK-mbCYD2MvKkJT6vnuZJju9mg3OKdFBmum48p-fm0i1ScWgwM-ZnbWS9MyXGPe/s320/IMG_1348.jpeg" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p>And then things quieted down, grandchildren came, and I discovered modern quilting. And I was hooked!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55C64hE_yXSn4QVbWgP9GXG-_GZe-TCpvUwNiJzcDjXFn_zFq7dnpznyhuX53W49exBodpJEguEOWxo6E-YzOB-iA5EMOzBi27fbmFsMTvOodhJj31RtZP1KhdH5d4jU65R-b8k1OqLVK/s2048/IMG_1362.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55C64hE_yXSn4QVbWgP9GXG-_GZe-TCpvUwNiJzcDjXFn_zFq7dnpznyhuX53W49exBodpJEguEOWxo6E-YzOB-iA5EMOzBi27fbmFsMTvOodhJj31RtZP1KhdH5d4jU65R-b8k1OqLVK/s320/IMG_1362.jpeg" /></a></div><p>And now I am able to share my love of sewing with my grandkids. They come for a month every summer and I always plan a project. The first year, it was tote bags. The next year, pajamas. This year it was shorts. But then the oldest asked if she could make a quilt for her Granny. She went shopping in my stash and made the most wonderful quilt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ka3HhHdtntpLJv3NdRx558k3Tcmbb2hG2YXjsDQu4Bqk2gSCyHqCh0SnTIbgV-HNKBzvQ6JhjI2ReFCy1oSOn5989Ep8rIA4svWVkv5WlbdqjhswGNDo_WDSMpOJ54yfhIfNA8taq8mU/s2048/IMG_1463.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ka3HhHdtntpLJv3NdRx558k3Tcmbb2hG2YXjsDQu4Bqk2gSCyHqCh0SnTIbgV-HNKBzvQ6JhjI2ReFCy1oSOn5989Ep8rIA4svWVkv5WlbdqjhswGNDo_WDSMpOJ54yfhIfNA8taq8mU/s320/IMG_1463.jpeg" /></a></div><p>And she did everything except the quilting by herself.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRaOlQ2rCiEAxb31gENkEoL-WPyGTcQBgT4rcSU7GA5WOHd6cxZ_T7CDgAbXWTQ3JDhnjYO0HZwZplkggzv7Wq5wj-EGtY-BB61GkU2lUK30UPqoRTDMfgq9OnxNHLy-QyuvKcgumvRaj/s2048/IMG_1291.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRaOlQ2rCiEAxb31gENkEoL-WPyGTcQBgT4rcSU7GA5WOHd6cxZ_T7CDgAbXWTQ3JDhnjYO0HZwZplkggzv7Wq5wj-EGtY-BB61GkU2lUK30UPqoRTDMfgq9OnxNHLy-QyuvKcgumvRaj/s320/IMG_1291.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>And this space is where we hang out...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySTZP_FEC1fnXEuNE8MiPl0t4Q9famYzLRDcNnJOmPaQgD5Sy1aUP2CbKw-WBEMTkY1D5c9WMg-GZfpw99APO7bmJTpgkAt45TGYmXyKMABFnpNOxnO511OfPC7-tibBTpetBvxIQjpJ-/s2048/IMG_2651.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjySTZP_FEC1fnXEuNE8MiPl0t4Q9famYzLRDcNnJOmPaQgD5Sy1aUP2CbKw-WBEMTkY1D5c9WMg-GZfpw99APO7bmJTpgkAt45TGYmXyKMABFnpNOxnO511OfPC7-tibBTpetBvxIQjpJ-/s320/IMG_2651.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Where they help Grandma create... <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCTXYpaYtLe8roiAbq43FhCBvdVrkySAa0woUybDG663-lLW1VcPpEie0RzuaSKfxKGB2IWtZneex6AkHGMvzbf_DERF2_n0JsEX61P9nVYQGP-mIoDmhCj81KajygvJv1ff7OI3J6L_d/s2048/IMG_1317.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCTXYpaYtLe8roiAbq43FhCBvdVrkySAa0woUybDG663-lLW1VcPpEie0RzuaSKfxKGB2IWtZneex6AkHGMvzbf_DERF2_n0JsEX61P9nVYQGP-mIoDmhCj81KajygvJv1ff7OI3J6L_d/s320/IMG_1317.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Where we get a little bit silly...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiu7x0KAhg5xaRjbBcN1oAwHpjO8mooWjvU9BMVcTuqNbx5olSWFJT9znX7X_wkoacCnLF4iAO0RnCgfawJ_tAJCOSR-l1zPQcpkQFF6QlCn_xESVzEaNpmS5NSXwm64FNcjfzf4iPYtQ/s2048/IMG_1319.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiu7x0KAhg5xaRjbBcN1oAwHpjO8mooWjvU9BMVcTuqNbx5olSWFJT9znX7X_wkoacCnLF4iAO0RnCgfawJ_tAJCOSR-l1zPQcpkQFF6QlCn_xESVzEaNpmS5NSXwm64FNcjfzf4iPYtQ/s320/IMG_1319.jpeg" /></a></div>Where we play...<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGWY7ZpIzQ612HXL22Jd3tQ905XPuiCizzYabulsVCNLKEZAZueqgc4qSQyCIQw1IWncWP8qNPQgeiqQSBS5wdLhrAAQ3i166Ebb-8I6PtUn6jEcRRXqtfLUaY52DrJYQm7BW90CD8RQF/s2048/IMG_1375.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGWY7ZpIzQ612HXL22Jd3tQ905XPuiCizzYabulsVCNLKEZAZueqgc4qSQyCIQw1IWncWP8qNPQgeiqQSBS5wdLhrAAQ3i166Ebb-8I6PtUn6jEcRRXqtfLUaY52DrJYQm7BW90CD8RQF/s320/IMG_1375.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Where we get a leeetle bit goofy...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8XyxeHAVbZYX_Tq5lBIIXtFZlC02P500aj6rCIutR1yBhf55QnULOOQQE4usWWnF-FCxMLvV2v908QH0_-8TtWr_YWRSeQ_2a4kVWIEXnlLRVp36D3XXYnnByTfpUB3atPzTkD00Pvf_/s2048/IMG_1374.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8XyxeHAVbZYX_Tq5lBIIXtFZlC02P500aj6rCIutR1yBhf55QnULOOQQE4usWWnF-FCxMLvV2v908QH0_-8TtWr_YWRSeQ_2a4kVWIEXnlLRVp36D3XXYnnByTfpUB3atPzTkD00Pvf_/s320/IMG_1374.jpeg" /></a></div><p>Where we can relax together...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslnGSs0ii2FAuQ3JMbSYlHdpOfR0iH8Xhs4N7DYNF2SwcEYk-1OOg0P8hFDhDkfPHNk2cUHcTUGkX_YpR-uifve2DD_vwMC-iy4OzYWpT7makrEQPVDJcDI6EBc-SDZu5FRaHO8HvkopE/s2048/IMG_2770.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslnGSs0ii2FAuQ3JMbSYlHdpOfR0iH8Xhs4N7DYNF2SwcEYk-1OOg0P8hFDhDkfPHNk2cUHcTUGkX_YpR-uifve2DD_vwMC-iy4OzYWpT7makrEQPVDJcDI6EBc-SDZu5FRaHO8HvkopE/s320/IMG_2770.jpeg" /></a></div><p>And maybe get a little bit silly sometimes.</p><p>And I love it. And I am so very grateful. And I hope I get the chance to share these things with my other two granddaughters - one who lives far away and one who is still a newborn - someday soon.</p><p>#givethanks<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-26483559769800368382020-11-28T11:00:00.004-06:002020-11-28T11:00:58.566-06:00#givethanks - day 8<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGuGRl7tvdg_D9xkvVCifR3eOP4otsQLjk9zDH8xV0Pm_yS7chewfTiwF2hDbCDG4mDGLwCWt3y5hUOwPkIMXvMdQzUEVriMnwTUNSW19hBpyft5e4EiLMO6aUfwq8zfiqitRjFA3bFZB/s1457/IMG_0081.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGuGRl7tvdg_D9xkvVCifR3eOP4otsQLjk9zDH8xV0Pm_yS7chewfTiwF2hDbCDG4mDGLwCWt3y5hUOwPkIMXvMdQzUEVriMnwTUNSW19hBpyft5e4EiLMO6aUfwq8zfiqitRjFA3bFZB/s320/IMG_0081.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Today, I am feeling so grateful for the change in my social media feeds. I have absolutely LOVED reading what everyone is grateful for. I have gained insights into the lives of friends I have known for years, and some that I only know through social media. It has improved my mood, and turned my attitude around.<p></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLias3GPIUFKN6H57EhYRM9rkO6-W3BpmIROP741us34vX7PNCTpcpRjqTCiWWLUifBkMksgFC6Lxmb3E4d6zssHH9wyMSlisIibxpRICaNOazgZAH1eEhZEoyIElZKwwXjC-_qBX5olRe/s1125/IMG_0084.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLias3GPIUFKN6H57EhYRM9rkO6-W3BpmIROP741us34vX7PNCTpcpRjqTCiWWLUifBkMksgFC6Lxmb3E4d6zssHH9wyMSlisIibxpRICaNOazgZAH1eEhZEoyIElZKwwXjC-_qBX5olRe/s320/IMG_0084.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I guess it just proves that it is difficult (I won't go so far as to say "impossible") to have a positive outlook and be surrounded by negativity. <p></p><p>This year has been difficult - no question - but there have been many bright spots. Dwelling on the things we're missing or the things that are going wrong just makes us more miserable. Looking for the things that are going well, or the blessings hidden in the changes - and they're there if we look - helps us enjoy what we have.</p><p>I'm going to try to do better.</p><p>#givethanks<br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-42876454086016810842020-11-27T08:04:00.034-06:002020-11-27T08:04:00.290-06:00#givethanks - day 7<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMteuqRFE3m3Cgaf7aC1qIFi-_iCmMzIH1qacCBSMWLse5Ex6zpupeJTX5CKxy7fTe0ZiHJv39ecsAhAPiFAGtn9uWjJlvq9qVOm5TZ8QaN4aPEUg-GF9ZwqC-3XPDPgkzPqTXQXXJKkQ_/s167/Screen+Shot+2020-11-25+at+5.08.52+PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="132" data-original-width="167" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMteuqRFE3m3Cgaf7aC1qIFi-_iCmMzIH1qacCBSMWLse5Ex6zpupeJTX5CKxy7fTe0ZiHJv39ecsAhAPiFAGtn9uWjJlvq9qVOm5TZ8QaN4aPEUg-GF9ZwqC-3XPDPgkzPqTXQXXJKkQ_/w400-h316/Screen+Shot+2020-11-25+at+5.08.52+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Today, I am grateful that we have a Heavenly Father that hears and answers our prayers, and that sometimes, I have "eyes to see and ears to hear," and am aware enough to call these answers "miracles." Here is one example.<br /><p></p><p>The year was 2013 and my hometown was still in the throes of the 2008 recession. Things. Were. Not. Good. I had spent nearly 20 years with a local bank, but layoffs had been going on for more than 2 years at this point, and I knew my name was on the list. The writing was on the wall and it was only a matter of time until I was laid off. My blood pressure was the highest it had ever been. I was stressed. </p><p>There were a lot of problems to deal with, not the least was that I had grown to hate the job I used to love, but the most immediate problem was that I was driving a 2004 minivan with almost 200,000 miles on it, and things kept breaking. First it was plastic parts here and there, no big deal. Then the speedometer went kaput, but I managed that pretty well. Then in the fall of 2012, the air conditioner went. Good thing it's fall, I thought?</p><p>Fast forward to February. We had a couple of warm days, and I realized Spring (and following that, SUMMER!!!) was coming. I live in Florida and I had a car with no air conditioning!!! The estimate to fix it was almost $1000.</p><p>I had been praying that somehow I would be able to get enough money to repair the air conditioner before the weather warmed up.</p><p>One Saturday afternoon there was a raging rainstorm going on outside - the kind you only get in the South, and can't appreciate until you've actually experienced it - and there was a knock at the door. A drenched stranger stood on the doorstep. He said he had been driving by and noticed the 1992 Cadillac Seville that was sitting in front of the house. He explained that he refurbished Cadillacs and asked if it was for sale. </p><p>The car was in fact sitting in the front yard, but it did not have a "For Sale" sign on it. It hadn't run for a year or two, and we really couldn't figure out what to do with it. It had beautiful leather interior, but honestly, a car that doesn't run isn't much more than a giant paperweight. </p><p> Did I mention it was pouring rain?</p><p>Did I tell you that we live a couple of blocks off any main street? There was no way - NO REASON AT ALL - for him to have been driving down our street in the middle of a thunderstorm. In fact, he lived in Mobile, Alabama, more than 60 miles away.</p><p>And he wanted to buy our car. Our dead, hadn't-worked-in-years, car.</p><p>He offered us $900.</p><p>I said I had to get the title out of the safe deposit box and he could meet me at the bank on Monday, which he did. He gave me $900 cash. I called the repair shop and made an appointment for Thursday.</p><p>I took the car in to get the air conditioner fixed on my way to work Thursday morning. It cost $872.00. </p><p>I got laid off that afternoon.</p><p>How well my Heavenly Father knows me. As they say, timing is everything. If my appointment had been on Friday, for example, I know that I would not have spent the money on the air conditioner. I would have thought of a thousand reasons why I needed to save the money for "a rainy day."<br /></p><p>And so, this once, (and a few other times in my life,) I was very sure that my own personal miracle had just taken place. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows and loves me, and hears and answers my prayers.<br /></p><p><br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-64090175344365969682020-11-26T10:03:00.005-06:002020-11-26T10:03:00.146-06:00#givethanks - day 6<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N1DxYgyhCajJz6cqzQgbACtUq551ssazDAbIdKQRFnU6HMiFbCFUGJrBaTL-ZBWCcNSq7gNEcP-FTypLp4uVUCXQM3YRtldQDWdVnkvLzVVJSFpSBXBxBUOpJbA9_xD1Xd2hOPSX-0wo/s1125/IMG_0076.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1119" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N1DxYgyhCajJz6cqzQgbACtUq551ssazDAbIdKQRFnU6HMiFbCFUGJrBaTL-ZBWCcNSq7gNEcP-FTypLp4uVUCXQM3YRtldQDWdVnkvLzVVJSFpSBXBxBUOpJbA9_xD1Xd2hOPSX-0wo/s320/IMG_0076.png" /></a></div><br />My gratitude posts have been pretty serious so far, so this one is a bit more frivolous, but no less sincere. I am grateful for my favorite beverage. After many, many years, I still enjoy it very much. It refreshes me and helps me focus. It tastes good to me. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlADPPpFgGF9uHfxooFL2pYM4iWVXoMV6MSja2w4MtJZwKqug8sciqsP1iYoiEGrQ6_4XVPqxYSNwOdZVj9rZo6R-GUztxfOLGaIHovlI1b2jVlZ-rnxpNpdPgPltiZrjRpcRkm5aJHVdP/s1123/IMG_0075.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlADPPpFgGF9uHfxooFL2pYM4iWVXoMV6MSja2w4MtJZwKqug8sciqsP1iYoiEGrQ6_4XVPqxYSNwOdZVj9rZo6R-GUztxfOLGaIHovlI1b2jVlZ-rnxpNpdPgPltiZrjRpcRkm5aJHVdP/s320/IMG_0075.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />I'm also grateful that is is available almost everywhere. I have been able to enjoy it throughout our travels, in almost every country we have visited -<p></p><p> Even China, which is amazing, and a reason to be grateful in its own right.</p><p> <br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-87456163929926009172020-11-25T09:58:00.005-06:002020-11-25T09:58:36.167-06:00#givethanks - day 5<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-ZuFRDv6f9tmGN15ZYnilaRNz-Uuzhu0_NYtIWkGjc7OUxcQviXRwa3srCZW7VCRuAGq7zGZ5gOB83llidMVKTbAVbWkby7_k1ZDgIkYprmyriM5yuUrE7a7uNAjs9SGrWLpVA3mOBAM/s1115/IMG_0052.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1115" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-ZuFRDv6f9tmGN15ZYnilaRNz-Uuzhu0_NYtIWkGjc7OUxcQviXRwa3srCZW7VCRuAGq7zGZ5gOB83llidMVKTbAVbWkby7_k1ZDgIkYprmyriM5yuUrE7a7uNAjs9SGrWLpVA3mOBAM/w400-h390/IMG_0052.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Today I am thankful for covenants. A covenant is a 2-way promise with our Heavenly Father. We promise certain things to him, and receive His blessings in return. I am very grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sent His Son to be our Savior. "For God so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)<br /><p></p><p>The first covenant most of us make is baptism, where we covenant with the Lord that we will follow Him, and He promises to be our Savior, as long as we are faithful to that covenant. He took upon Himself our sins, so we would not have to pay the price. My favorite scripture about His Atonement is </p><p style="text-align: center;">"For behold, I, God, suffered these things for all that they would not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, which suffering caused myself, even God, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit - and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink - Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." D&C 19:16-19</p><p style="text-align: left;">As part of the blessing of Confirmation, we are promised that if we are faithful, we will have the Holy Ghost as our constant Companion, to guide us and reveal to us many things, according to our needs and our faithfulness.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Then there are the covenants we make in the temple; covenants of service and sacrifice, which have enriched my life and helped me to become the person I am.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And last and most wonderful of all, the marriage covenant, where we are bound or sealed to our families forever, both our ancestors and our descendants, so that we can be with those we love most forever. It was for this reason that Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom. (Matthew 16:19)</p><p style="text-align: left;">I am so very grateful for these promises and the joy and the structure they give my life. I cannot imagine where I would be (or who I would be) without them. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-43100971667840093762020-11-24T07:46:00.002-06:002020-11-25T10:03:26.819-06:00#givethanks - day 4<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZMaCfL6EOIt4HijF1BTbHuWbrzB9MuSjOVA22fKikuRFRc1hktlmfNanfi7s7HMF474vnAYw5SHM43iDV5UGBEMM7ANnLYX9lVKd2lOXKArAABhRrxjuRtX2Ui-TuGq_ePJOyqmFAiNV/s1508/IMG_0037.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZMaCfL6EOIt4HijF1BTbHuWbrzB9MuSjOVA22fKikuRFRc1hktlmfNanfi7s7HMF474vnAYw5SHM43iDV5UGBEMM7ANnLYX9lVKd2lOXKArAABhRrxjuRtX2Ui-TuGq_ePJOyqmFAiNV/s320/IMG_0037.png" /></a></div><br />Today, I express my gratitude for this beautiful, amazing Earth that our Heavenly Father created for us to enjoy. I am awed by its beauty, glory, and infinite variety. I have had the opportunity to travel a bit, and I am always amazed at how every place I have visited has its own unique beauty.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgCvp4muynCp4XDKApdj9Wf6SQ4rpLJnP8OR4Y1JqNs6KWUgU50XlLh97w3KlsqF5gAcftlO8zgp8LOkuj9om4ofXFoVHMAnhzmcJeerSKNII9zQZoRf1MrwDmfJoz_QFse-fR0-NgM6X/s1517/IMG_0039.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1517" data-original-width="1117" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgCvp4muynCp4XDKApdj9Wf6SQ4rpLJnP8OR4Y1JqNs6KWUgU50XlLh97w3KlsqF5gAcftlO8zgp8LOkuj9om4ofXFoVHMAnhzmcJeerSKNII9zQZoRf1MrwDmfJoz_QFse-fR0-NgM6X/s320/IMG_0039.png" /></a></div><p>I am blessed to live near one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is temperate here most of the year, although sometimes it is downright hot. I am not a beachgoer, but you can't look at this scene and not think, "Isn't this glorious?"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Aba7F_B_bB5rEwncl1INxffJ93ra4FJ9fo6jkM3L0p9-1M7ttRPTSyIQ2k-Iq2maYdX3uCFE9gpyzYEXzXv202OK_0tTNFP4-Zc03z_-nK3Gm04f8yR8XtX-A3QP9foFP4kfIC_RTVgm/s1499/IMG_0040.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1124" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Aba7F_B_bB5rEwncl1INxffJ93ra4FJ9fo6jkM3L0p9-1M7ttRPTSyIQ2k-Iq2maYdX3uCFE9gpyzYEXzXv202OK_0tTNFP4-Zc03z_-nK3Gm04f8yR8XtX-A3QP9foFP4kfIC_RTVgm/s320/IMG_0040.png" /></a></div><p>And there are so many other lovely places for us to enjoy. And different seasons to add to the variety.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuXBkxh6K9_DLUaDVs37iMq3UQpbRKg8zSbxM2csig43_RtaJoECS-R6BLt-r6mvPd3UfBus9HOg3R1x4mGzHytO23svOaRE88lChw6wfILa83-ud_5y7k1-BLihvYuI1tjSVY860mWxa/s1130/IMG_0043.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuXBkxh6K9_DLUaDVs37iMq3UQpbRKg8zSbxM2csig43_RtaJoECS-R6BLt-r6mvPd3UfBus9HOg3R1x4mGzHytO23svOaRE88lChw6wfILa83-ud_5y7k1-BLihvYuI1tjSVY860mWxa/s320/IMG_0043.png" /></a></div><p>Last Christmas we made a brief stop for a plane change in Vail, Colorado. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2PGwzOz3qQbXmweEnsqbPTAARn-u4wwssbpgCbkWSatRRRyVywq3Zc6C-eiCqmNtenSW5a_tDBV7bbaTrgLTpttlYAab3oyfZMA46Bdrj7AIfyJWxkGXlRCC-0F943jN0TX-Ianionuk/s1503/IMG_0050.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="1117" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2PGwzOz3qQbXmweEnsqbPTAARn-u4wwssbpgCbkWSatRRRyVywq3Zc6C-eiCqmNtenSW5a_tDBV7bbaTrgLTpttlYAab3oyfZMA46Bdrj7AIfyJWxkGXlRCC-0F943jN0TX-Ianionuk/s320/IMG_0050.png" /></a></div><p>And in Utah it snowed last Thanksgiving. It's so beautiful and clean, but so cold.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix31CDKHgq8uVnc4ckQD3D1r8TZOS4lOiQMFfUgIzxjjw7bJx5kXa4ZE69aL8BeFTvHfuNuqfVycLAaa7SGuJ8spGE9uxOvQ5JrkbufGubYxj_Rukd4Y2R7GvlGEfZ8hPbBSc7571wm7pV/s1495/IMG_0044.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1108" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix31CDKHgq8uVnc4ckQD3D1r8TZOS4lOiQMFfUgIzxjjw7bJx5kXa4ZE69aL8BeFTvHfuNuqfVycLAaa7SGuJ8spGE9uxOvQ5JrkbufGubYxj_Rukd4Y2R7GvlGEfZ8hPbBSc7571wm7pV/s320/IMG_0044.png" /></a></div><p>Our Heavenly Father has created masterpieces, both large...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zON6SQ5lXLYvOQqkAiioMZeARZ00zNZEtDMFEec4TXVyeZ7BXI8myi3DS9oSU6zvfJwrJApcPBcW_aQ777i2ev7uicTpiJFif2nxcbM2HhjpHhkOiYJHpgRP1xGUVz5cFQmw-XkU1fHk/s1508/IMG_0046.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1117" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zON6SQ5lXLYvOQqkAiioMZeARZ00zNZEtDMFEec4TXVyeZ7BXI8myi3DS9oSU6zvfJwrJApcPBcW_aQ777i2ev7uicTpiJFif2nxcbM2HhjpHhkOiYJHpgRP1xGUVz5cFQmw-XkU1fHk/s320/IMG_0046.png" /></a></div><p>and small...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv27wIcrxgCmCaXUtlyjD8B9_b-BaY7dDyxp71StGkralROQTV_ylEMGGnHMBpa8D5hNJYJyjgXX2HF_WuoHaV4rM2Ns6cWHgez_QWN__Lly2bn2_-dfdtt4XBdZtxh4uFVqmQjbgEBIfF/s1448/IMG_0053.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="1112" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv27wIcrxgCmCaXUtlyjD8B9_b-BaY7dDyxp71StGkralROQTV_ylEMGGnHMBpa8D5hNJYJyjgXX2HF_WuoHaV4rM2Ns6cWHgez_QWN__Lly2bn2_-dfdtt4XBdZtxh4uFVqmQjbgEBIfF/s320/IMG_0053.png" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">And beauty that changes in the course of just a few moments, that will never be exactly the same again.</p><p>I remember a hymn from my childhood:</p><p style="text-align: center;">For the beauty of the Earth,</p><p style="text-align: center;">For the beauty of the skies,</p><p style="text-align: center;">For the love, which from our birth,</p><p style="text-align: center;">Over and around us lies.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Lord of all, to thee we raise,</p><p style="text-align: center;">This, our hymn of grateful praise.</p><p style="text-align: left;">And a scripture that reminds us that the Lord created the earth and its beauty to show not only His power and grandeur, but also His love for His children:</p><p style="text-align: center;">The heavens declare the glory of God,</p><p style="text-align: center;">and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. (Psalms 19:1)</p><p style="text-align: left;">I am so very grateful for this constant reminder of His love for me. </p><p style="text-align: left;">#givethanks<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-21536137238318286652020-11-23T07:46:00.005-06:002020-11-23T07:46:47.144-06:00#givethanks - day 3<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonBtHaJ-kjmI2-cRl1qrHAJBSV_2Nw0BHegOXBSmBL9E3qLkwGO_HR6xmnWnmHKkbKiZvCd21SauMikJTDefMhAjBVwu7Szp75ajBZmTzfmVDk76mpk3Qs3yoV5FuwoqixWpAuKhr7bIc/s812/IMG_2233.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="749" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonBtHaJ-kjmI2-cRl1qrHAJBSV_2Nw0BHegOXBSmBL9E3qLkwGO_HR6xmnWnmHKkbKiZvCd21SauMikJTDefMhAjBVwu7Szp75ajBZmTzfmVDk76mpk3Qs3yoV5FuwoqixWpAuKhr7bIc/s320/IMG_2233.jpeg" /></a></div><br />Today, I am so very thankful for these two. They were the best parents a girl could have asked for. They were always so supportive of anything I ever wanted to do. They always encouraged me to do my best, and provided a guiding hand without being overbearing. As an adult, I marvel at the endless hours they spent driving me places, sitting through meetings and events, waiting in the car (or somewhere) while I spent hours at the library, in the days before cell phones and instant communication. They made me believe that there was nothing I couldn't accomplish if I put my mind to it.<br /><p></p><p> Education was very important to them, perhaps because their dreams of education had been interrupted by a war. I don't remember ever really discussing going to college. I always knew that college was in my future, and that they would move heaven and earth to help it along. </p><p>They taught me to be thrifty, to work hard, and to use my time productively. They were the children of the Depression, and waste was never tolerated. They taught me skills, homemaking of course, but also buidling things, and naturally, how to sew, knit, crochet, and create.</p><p>And they were very kind people. I believe my dad was the kindest person I've ever met. He seldom raised his voice (but when he did, you had better pay attention!) </p><p>They have been gone decades now, but I still miss them every day and long for their advice. I hear their words in my head sometimes, and know that the things they taught are still helping me along the way.</p><p>#givethanks<br /></p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4398220462868517600.post-53193043328232637532020-11-22T08:44:00.007-06:002020-11-22T08:44:00.268-06:00#givethanks - day 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYX79M4Yn4oCwfvygGxQ7fyqBuarTF-eZd_umohlS2G1j1P0NW1FoREU5cT8O1Krn5F1ujj0hTdJ9vNMRMD9DIX51pVi3K71RR9hJt5Oo6tdTn_hcAuLnguVLlvnUT0lP3QKif6teZsuH/s600/day2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYX79M4Yn4oCwfvygGxQ7fyqBuarTF-eZd_umohlS2G1j1P0NW1FoREU5cT8O1Krn5F1ujj0hTdJ9vNMRMD9DIX51pVi3K71RR9hJt5Oo6tdTn_hcAuLnguVLlvnUT0lP3QKif6teZsuH/s320/day2_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Today I'm thankful for this guy<span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"> who spent yesterday out in our hot garage trying
to resurrect our 20+-year old dryer. (It should be noted that this is honestly a sacrifice, as heat and household tasks are two of his least favorite things.) </span><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"> </span></span><p></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"> When we first met, he promised me that life
with him would never be dull, and I can honestly say he has fulfilled
that promise. Here are some scenes from a few of our more recent adventures.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS17y-jqsLlxOuW7Vs2ScLQ5fXAeQeNoEkGsBl0a1uW87qEHXAgjBA5Yd_fwCBR2XlFuyX8DIi2zxECxr5aYNN2hRNsV-Vpsvm9RSVFpAJzGGbBk2-eUE-fkU-C5S2dh66eQV6NJjFpxK6/s1440/day2_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS17y-jqsLlxOuW7Vs2ScLQ5fXAeQeNoEkGsBl0a1uW87qEHXAgjBA5Yd_fwCBR2XlFuyX8DIi2zxECxr5aYNN2hRNsV-Vpsvm9RSVFpAJzGGbBk2-eUE-fkU-C5S2dh66eQV6NJjFpxK6/s320/day2_9.jpg" /></a></div>In the spring of 2017, I heard a news report that said that United Airlines was going to retire the last 747 before the end of summer. I casually mentioned that I had always wanted to fly on a 747, and I had apparently missed my chance. Doug spent weeks researching various options, and we ended up flying Global First Class to Beijing in the summer of 2017. It. Was. Amazing. We had a blast. Along with Beijing and the Great Wall, we visited Hong Kong and Hawaii on that trip (with a brief stop at the Tokyo Airport, which doesn't really count.) Also on that trip we got to spend about 10 days with our Utah grands. <p></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1o1phUwMOU-O2dBfqZgAphXbBM6HRnif7wHBnNx7wOCnFBUksZI1yJaIq5JDHW_HXMYGa824vbkVMkwVEmR3TXE33NW75SYfRoJaLDaBaVmMTf0oQPvdC9UvU0IeVv15VikIgwEZlXom/s1440/day2_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1o1phUwMOU-O2dBfqZgAphXbBM6HRnif7wHBnNx7wOCnFBUksZI1yJaIq5JDHW_HXMYGa824vbkVMkwVEmR3TXE33NW75SYfRoJaLDaBaVmMTf0oQPvdC9UvU0IeVv15VikIgwEZlXom/s320/day2_7.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">In the summer of 2018, we went to Australia - one of the places he promised he would take me "someday." We had an absolutely wonderful time. </span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi9Y0k9cyX6UkG7QJZk2KObrTHhFInAu93vr3H8fPmxatg1c06jBwsVyJolVOMG7lcmeb8snEyPOWo9oUJ8niGU_uTaEm7FTEZ5exqP5WhnqCky07LkySI79HtZpxKEaLWkwr7dvS36zg/s1440/day2_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi9Y0k9cyX6UkG7QJZk2KObrTHhFInAu93vr3H8fPmxatg1c06jBwsVyJolVOMG7lcmeb8snEyPOWo9oUJ8niGU_uTaEm7FTEZ5exqP5WhnqCky07LkySI79HtZpxKEaLWkwr7dvS36zg/s320/day2_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is Doug with a Baobab Tree in a park in downtown Sydney.<p></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQA4DukTZuSXsVjXYO3-REK2xpHs4o1LLLChebp8LnL20cV0wwJUc7oCkDO-gVc0ftfbg1j2RO3GanyyLd0X2HEwoKiDQ7d7xTChPGbODk3sIjmoG62wKj69C4fmac5UJ0MxX7s2SROBR/s600/day2_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQA4DukTZuSXsVjXYO3-REK2xpHs4o1LLLChebp8LnL20cV0wwJUc7oCkDO-gVc0ftfbg1j2RO3GanyyLd0X2HEwoKiDQ7d7xTChPGbODk3sIjmoG62wKj69C4fmac5UJ0MxX7s2SROBR/s320/day2_4.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"></span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">And we went to the Taronga Zoo and saw kangaroos and koalas. </span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXej_PbW4Gaf3Zn3zpseqlLoyLg_XOjXgp0bgzOnAg-yfXq4cSRA35f0MN0jItLA6s6Nm7qzAi9J7z7XWnkeBD8Zs3z9cLbKhdWkcCCvKOUxrSGfzTIywFmBDIfSUu6pwIBXlPgPcS4YeA/s600/day2_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXej_PbW4Gaf3Zn3zpseqlLoyLg_XOjXgp0bgzOnAg-yfXq4cSRA35f0MN0jItLA6s6Nm7qzAi9J7z7XWnkeBD8Zs3z9cLbKhdWkcCCvKOUxrSGfzTIywFmBDIfSUu6pwIBXlPgPcS4YeA/s320/day2_3.jpg" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">Flying Global First class is the best way to travel.</span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNpAU3PiZPdCcohyphenhyphenOvN-kKbH3DCLHubxF5TPZ5mLTjgoFyr07vMr0Lfg2uVLZ3l242y1zBKikVvUKLsZWKrhrAvOBVZ7FpwfWGk88Ar6DdGedPGFQz1pQf84HLPa19TkRDl4b3HvPqrdX/s600/day2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNpAU3PiZPdCcohyphenhyphenOvN-kKbH3DCLHubxF5TPZ5mLTjgoFyr07vMr0Lfg2uVLZ3l242y1zBKikVvUKLsZWKrhrAvOBVZ7FpwfWGk88Ar6DdGedPGFQz1pQf84HLPa19TkRDl4b3HvPqrdX/s320/day2_2.jpg" /></a></div>In the fall of 2018, we went to New Zealand and visited Hobbiton, which was the actual movie set for the making of <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> movie trilogy. It's actually a working farm, except for the movie set, so you have to go as part of a tour. It was great fun!<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAZnH3c8Skwd2P3mxnMey94YEwxZpIdISMyUxqyb6jnumU19mka4vzBCTJYWbKzgIchdlajnJCXzRLBIpafx0mwJakGyPfycC14R9OrTGrJnRpmMjWCljMP_hcQoibFXbZDLKz40PByP-/s1440/day2_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAZnH3c8Skwd2P3mxnMey94YEwxZpIdISMyUxqyb6jnumU19mka4vzBCTJYWbKzgIchdlajnJCXzRLBIpafx0mwJakGyPfycC14R9OrTGrJnRpmMjWCljMP_hcQoibFXbZDLKz40PByP-/s320/day2_8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the summer of 2019, we visited Germany and had some great times. This was taken at Schoenberg Castle, which is possibly the ugliest castle in the world. It is however, apparently the castle nearest the place where the first Shonkwiler immigrants to America hailed from in 1757. And despite the castle's rather hideous appearance, we had possibly the most pleasant meal we had on this particular trip sitting on a balcony overlooking the river valley on a cool July day. One thing we learned about Europe is that they are very particular about their meal times. Lunch was 11-1:30. We arrived at 1:40 and had to make do with the "snack" menu. Honestly though, it was delicious!<br /><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto"><br /></span></p><p><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa fgxwclzu a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto">It's clear that we’ve had quite the adventure these last 44 years, with 9-ish
moves, raising 3 kids, 5 grands. and a fair bit of travel I really
never dreamed of. He’s my best friend, and I’m so grateful that we are
making this journey together.</span> </p>prsd4tim2http://www.blogger.com/profile/03897401557607479786noreply@blogger.com0