Just had to show you

My son's pumpkin carving for this year. It almost didn't happen since he didn't get a pumpkin early in the month and he's been sick this week so didn't get to town. Hubby stopped at WalMart last night and they were completely out of pumpkins. The grocery store had three rotten ones in the outside display. Finally hubby was able to find one in the store that he thought would work. Whew!

It was difficult to get a great picture due to the curvature of the pumpkin. It is George Washington kneeling in prayer alongside his horse.




Praise - my son is feeling better tonight. I'm not sure he is completely healthy at this point but better is a good thing.

Prayers - for those in our church body that are sick with various ailments.

Final Finish for October

I actually finished this last night while watching a movie with hubby and son. It is so nice to have it finished!

I still need to wash and dry it. Working with the Minkee was a little tougher while doing the binding by hand. Just a note for others who might wonder. I won't be able to get anything else checked off of my October list for the Charming Girl's Quilt Club. I am working on the binding for the Arcadia quilt but I'm not quite done with that. I made a pair of flannel lounge-around pants yesterday afternoon for my hubby's Monday birthday. I was just about done when I realized that I may have cut the wrong size! GROANNNNNNN. I do have a different flannel that I can use if this pair doesn't fit and these won't go to waste since my son can wear them. But still.

Happy Reformation Day!! Courtney at Women Living Well has a great post on the history and meaning of the day. I didn't realize that today was the anniversary of that important date and NOW I have something worthwhile to celebrate on this day.

Praise - exactly what Courtney posted - We are not saved through any good works but solely on the work of Christ on the cross. AMEN!

Prayers - for the sister-in-law of my sister-in-law and all family members concerned. She discovered that her sixteen year old son had died sometime Thursday night.

October Finish - The Sequel

I finished my second auction table runner last night. Washed, dried, ironed and photographed it this morning (in very bad lighting due to a downpour all day). I got everything boxed up and to the post office. The runner is made with Basic Grey's Sultry by Moda. This is another line that was first scrapbooking paper. Second October finish for the Charming Girls Quilt Club.


The back;

Simple grid pattern quilting.

I like how the quilting looks at the intersections.


Praise - college girl has one mid term behind her now!

Prayers - for the rest of college girl's mid terms, that she would be well studied and rested.

1st October Finish

I finished the Figgy Pudding Table runner last night but I had to wash and dry it today and then take pictures. This is the same pattern that I used last month for the Panache Table runner - Crossroads Table Runner from the Charmed and Dangerous book by Heather Mulder Peterson. Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding fabric by Moda. This is one of my donations for the auction.

I LOVE this fabric on the back!

I really like that this is reversible.


I made this using a video tutorial I found online (there are a few different videos out there). I might make a pink tutu as well. We shall see how much time I have. This is for the auction as well.

Pennant Banner, also for the auction I am taking part in.



Only the table runner qualifies for the Charming Girls Quilt Club.

Praise - for the beautiful fall day we had here!

Prayers - college girl has mid terms coming up, praying for her as she studies.

Why now?

So I decided to get back into walking by joining the 100 Mile Challenge. I have walked miles and miles on my treadmill over the years and worn out many pairs of shoes. NEVER have I gotten a blister from my walking shoes. Until this morning. It makes NO sense! I've been wearing this same pair for about a year, but since I don't walk every day and have been pretty lax lately the shoes were still fine. I finally let this most recent pair of shoes venture out of doors last week and wore them at Disneyland. We walked for miles every day. No problems. Today, day #2 of the 100 Mile Challenge, I was experiencing some sort of pain in my heel. I stopped to re-tie my shoes (I spend a lot of time doing this it seems), I stopped again to adjust my socks (the same sort of sock that I ALWAYS wear). The pain just kept getting worse. I was determined to make it to the 2 mile mark and I did. I was totally bummed that I could not go another mile.

While walking last night I figured it was time to get another pair of shoes. These feel a little 'thin' under the ball of my foot all of a sudden and the way they have worn down in the heel is noticeable too. I'm not sure about trying on new shoes while I have a blister forming though. I truly think Satan is messing with me. I am going to laugh in his face and take off walking again. I might have to take a day off and get some new shoes, but I am getting back on the treadmill ASAP!

Praise - Hubby got a new job!! Another call from an interested party on our house!

Prayers - Hubby and son and two friends are on an overnight hunt - brrrrrrr! Prayers for their safety. Also for a few families in the church that are dealing with what they suspect is H1N1.

I'm gonna get a move on

I went to Tammy's blog, Ginger Patches, tonight and saw this;



I followed the link and saw the challenge, to walk 100 miles by the end of the year. I have been toying around with my treadmill walking. Somedays I only put on my exercise clothes but never get around to getting on the treadmill. Well I am accepting the challenge! I am going to do this! I NEED to do this.
I am going to the treadmill right now so that I can officially start the challenge today and avoid putting it off yet again. Cheer me on!

Praise - for the blogging world and the challenges and encouragement that can be found there (sewing,exercising,healthy eating to name a few).

Prayers - for a young lady from our church that has been diagnosed with the H1N1 Virus.

Fall Quilt Festival

Amy is hostessing a Fall Quilt Festival and there are now close to 600 blogs listed! That is going to take me some time to get through but I will be trying my best to do it over the next few months. I meant to join in earlier but I knew I had to dig the quilt out of my hope chest and take pictures so I put it off. Today I realized it is the final day! Here is the link to the post with all the blog links;




This is the first quilt that I ever made - an Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Log Cabin, done in a class. This was back in the 80's sometime. The class met in an elementary gym/cafeteria so we had lots of room to spread out. I do have pictures of the quilts all laying on the floor as we decided on block placement but those pictures were taken with FILM and are tucked away in a box somewhere.


A close up of one of the blocks. The quilt was turned inside out and the opening hand stitched closed (I probably had my mother do that for me ;) )and then it was tied. It is really light weight. I believe I used some poly type batting that came on a roll.


I remember picking out the fabric, laying all the bolts on one another in the store, taking some out, finding others to put in. That is always a tough process for me so I really enjoy the complete coordinated lines that come out now AND the pre-cuts.


Praise - for the quilting community that I get to be a part of, online and in person. What a wonderful group of friends that are so generous with their encouragement and talents.

Prayers - for the brother of a missionary we know that is in a coma and the outlook does not look good. His name is Marty. Prayers for him and his family.

Charming Girls October Tag

Joan has given us this chart and we need to determine which type of shoe defines us.

Well sad to say (as far as fashion goes) the shoe that I really do wear 85% of the time would be Row #1, Shoe #1 - The HIPPIE! Why??? Well because for years and years I wore The Sophisticated, The Sexy and The Classy with an occassional The Cowgirl thrown in for good measure. My feet paid for all of that.

Fun tag, Joan! Thank you.

I'm sewing but it isn't all stuff that I listed. I got sidetracked and am trying to get a few things done for the auction that I wasn't planning on doing. I am using up some scraps though and that is a good thing.

Praise - that we had the means to buy a good treadmill and elliptical some time ago. I don't NEED to join the gym, no really, I don't.

Prayers - For hubby as he disciples a young man from church, that he would always be pointing to God and speaking the TRUTH!

A Thanksgiving tradition

Joan is hosting the Charming Girls Quilt Club for the month of October and she has a special giveaway! Since Joan lives in Canada and has just celebrated Thanksgiving there she has asked us to post a favorite Thanksgiving recipe.
Here is what I have been making for quite a few years now - Pumpkin Streusel Pie from a recipe that I found in Sunset magazine.
I just happened to have a picture of one of the pies I have made. I didn't take the time to make the leaves around the edge of this one but I have done that before. I realize that I don't make pretty pies - yet.



Pumpkin Streusel Pie

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
2 large eggs, beaten to blend
10-inch pie pastry for a single-crust pie.

walnut streusel
1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (1/8 lb.) butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Preparation
In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until crumbly


Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and ginger. Add pumpkin, milk, and eggs; whisk until well blended.

2. Pour mixture into unbaked 10-inch pie pastry in pan. Sprinkle walnut streusel evenly over filling.

3. Bake on the bottom rack until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, 60 to 65 minutes.

4. Set on a rack until cool to touch, about 2 hours. Cut into wedges.


If you want to see a PRETTY picture of this pie go here and let me know if you make this pie!

Praise - I praise God for my hubby, for all that he does for this family, for me, that he is a strong, healthy, Godly man.

Prayers - also for my hubby, that he would stay focused on God, always desiring to do what pleases Him above everything else. I pray for his health and also for the decisions that he needs to make in regards to employment.

Panache Reveal

Finally I can show you the project that I made using the Moda PANACHE fabrics. A table runner and napkins for my friend.

And here is the back, LOOK! My first pieced backing!! The runner is reversible (as are the napkins).

The package finally arrived at her house last week, while I was in California. She said she loves it and that it matches her kitchen/dining room! Her walls are red below the chair rail and I was on the lookout for a fun fabric that would go in that room. The pattern is from the book Charmed and Dangerous by Heather Mulder Peterson.

Praise - the little boy that had surgery this morning is doing well, staying overnight in the hospital and recovering from the swelling.

Prayers - for my son, that he would take the necessary steps to get on top of his school work, that he would see the importance of doing a good job and making this a priority.

Back to the real world

Hubby and I;


spent 4 days at;

celebrating;

25 years to be exact!

The parks were decorated for Halloween and Fall;





The weather was ABSOLUTELY perfect! The week before the temperatures had been near 100. This week they are expecting lots of rain. While we were in southern California the temperatures were in the low to mid 70's. Sunshine and blue skies every day that we were in the parks.
We could see some of the rides in CA Adventure from our hotel room window and we could even watch the Disneyland fireworks from our room. We did watch the fireworks show in the park twice and it was SPECTACULAR! All Halloween themed and choreographed so well. Hubby made reservations for dinner in the Blue Bayou Restaurant for our Anniversary and that was so fun to be eating there (the food was good too!). We had such a great time together!

Saturday we woke to a heavy overcast sky and we headed off to spend time with some of hubby's family and see college girl! We all went to lunch together in Seal Beach and then got changed for the evening wedding of a niece. All of the attendants, and most of the guests were wearing a combination of black, red and white. The bride wore an all red gown - different for sure but it was beautiful. The cake was even red and black!
Sunday we went to brunch with family and friends that had come into town for the wedding and then we were off to the airport for the long trip home. A three hour layover in SLC and then a two hour drive home from the airport. We were beat when we got home after 12:30 a.m. We said hello and good-night to our son and went right to bed. It is always good to be home again and now I need to start to work on my October projects!

Praise - Safe travels for all of us! A wonderful time of fellowship with family and friends. God also kept my son safe and warm when the temperatures at home dropped below freezing. The man from church had his back surgery today (instead of tomorrow) and it was called a success!

Prayers - For a little boy at church that will be having endoscopy surgery first thing Tuesday morning. That God will be guiding the surgeon's hands and that the little boy will be brave and his parents would rest in God's hands.

A little funny for you

I received this in a devotional I get via email;

Sunday after church, a mom asked her very young daughter
what the lesson was about. The daughter answered,
"Don't be scared; you'll get your quilt."

Needless to say, the mom was perplexed.
Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the mom
asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was
about.

He said, "Be not afraid; thy comforter is coming."

That gave me a chuckle, I hope it puts a smile on your face today.

We are packed and ready to go! Whew! I just decided to take everything, then I didn't have to give it so much thought. :D

Praise - it is a beautiful day, good for traveling!

Prayers - for us to shine His light to all we come in contact with during this trip. Strangers and family alike.

Here we go for October

Time to list projects for the Charming Girls Quilt Club! This club has been such an inspiration for me to get some things done. I'm still pretty slow but at least I am setting a goal each month and actually making progress on some of my projects. That should be reward enough right??? But Kelly sweetens the pot each month with the chance to win a gift certificate at her store, Cotton Charm AND I was one of the winners for September! Now I have to decide what to use the GC towards. SO many beautiful MODA choices!

Okay for October I would love to get the binding DONE on this Ginger Blossom Stacked Coins quilt. That will require me to hand stitch it to the back (but I am using Sharon Schambler's method so I have to iron and glue it first).

I also want to get the binding DONE for the Arcadia Scruffily quilt. That will include sewing it to the front and then hand stitching it to the back (again using Sharon Schambler's method)

Bringing forward from last month - shrink fabric, make pattern, cut out fabric for this apron.

Bringing this forward from last month as well - shrink fabric,make pattern,cut out fabric, make bias binding.

For this Figgy Pudding collection I want to use one of the patterns shown OR a tutorial from the Moda Bakeshop to make a table runner. This would be for a charity auction in November.

For this Sulry collection- same as above-use one of the patterns shown OR a Moda Bakeshop tutorial to make a table runner, also for a charity auction in November.

Actually, I wish that I had the tablerunners already underway so that I could take them along to do the hand stitching of the binding, but since they haven't even been started that isn't going to happen!

Using this Cotton Blossoms Layer Cake (the MOM colorway) I want to make the blocks for the Thimble Blossoms "A Piece of Cake" quilt. (Yes, I already have the flimsy done for the DAUGHTER colorway- you aren't seeing things).

If there is an hour left in the month and I have nothing to do (HA HA HA HA HA), I would like to use Jona's tutorial and use these fabrics to make an apron for a friend. Her birthday is in December and she loves cardinals.

Yeah, quite the list huh? Super ambitious of me, right?? Oh, did I mention that I will be gone for a full week??? Oh I didn't?? Well, yeah. Hubby and I are leaving tomorrow to spend a few days in southern California. We'll celebrate our 25th Anniversary,go see the big mouse and his friends and attend a niece's wedding. California would normally not be our choice of a vacation destination but since we'll be going to the wedding the same week as our anniversary we couldn't really squeeze in two destinations/flights/hotels. It looks as though the weather is cooling off for us though and will be quite comfortable. It will actually seem warm to us since our highs have been in the 40's or 50's the last few days.
Look what I saw on the way to church today!

Actually there is less snow in this picture than what I saw on the mountain yesterday. More on the way!!!

I hope to get on a computer sometime during the week so I will try to check in.

I really should be packing. I so dislike packing.

Praise - College girl will be flying down for the wedding next weekend so we will get to see her!

Prayers - For safe travels for dh and me, as well as for college girl. That my son would be safe and healthy and just fine holding down the fort here.

Happy October!

and it is already October 2nd! My how time flies.

Nothing quilty tonight. Just wondering if you've seen these, bought these, tasted these;


I am a huge fan of Candy Corn. Not the Brach's brand though. Nope it has to be store brand or Farley's. Same with the candy Pumpkins. Do you know that one year there was a candy pumpkin shortage here in north Idaho? Yup, there was. It was miserable! Especially so for hubby who was on a trip to Washington and I requested that he seek/find/buy candy pumpkins. He forgot. He forgot until he was back in Idaho and THEN he took a back way home. He stopped at the few pathetic stores along that route and didn't find any. I wasn't surprised by that news. He asked the other day if I bought candy pumpkins and I said 'yeah, did you want some?' He said, 'no! I just didn't want to go on the hunt for them again!'

All that to say that these Hershey Kisses are NOT Candy Corn. Oh sure they are colored to look like Candy Corn. The bag implies that they are candy corn flavored. Thank you that they don't taste like normal Hershey's Kisses (can you say dusty old chocolate taste? blech!), BUT they do NOT TASTE ANYTHING LIKE CANDY CORN! No one that has tasted them can really describe what they DO taste like. My son said they tasted like strawberry to him. WHAT??? So then my hubby tried one and he agreed, he could taste strawberry. INTERESTING! I don't think I taste strawberry but I don't know what it is. I'll eat them. They aren't AWFUL. They just are NOT candy corn. Cute novelty. That is all.

I trimmed and squared up the Arcadia quilt this afternoon. Cleaned and oiled my machine (the little oil can light came on). That was it for anything sewing related.

Oh yeah, hint and tip for you - DO NOT wear a black long sleeved t-shirt when working with white Minkee. Just sayin'.

Praise - my son's friend was able to help him fix his truck tonight. He was able to weld some parts that were needed to fix the power steering. I will feel much better about him driving it now.

Prayers - a man from church is having awful back pain (due to previou injuries) that his medications do not help at all. He is looking at surgery now on the 13th. He is very concerned about it. Prayers for his peace of mind and for the surgeon's skill.