Happy, Happy, Happy to You!!

Since my last post, I've enjoyed some fun sewing and crafting (and I have photos of those projects which I hope to show you very soon), but this is a glimpse of what's mostly been going on the past month...

...and more to come. Family and friends, that's what it's all about this time of year:) I hope you're enjoying your days and doing all of your favorite things too! Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season!!

Marilyn

Seussisized.....

Liam loves books...

Liam really loves Dr. Seuss books...

Liam turned ONE last weekend...and the theme for his party? Dr. Seuss, of course;)

Oooohhhh, I said to his mother, I've seen some new Dr. Seuss fabrics recently that are colorful and fun--surely we can think of something to do with them!!


We decided on a cover for the gift table, and that worked out beautifully, but after the party, it could transform into a quilt for the Seuss lovin' boy.

Liam and his book nook...

Seussisized!!

Marilyn

Still Another Way to Play with Fabric

When it comes to my crafting, there is one constant: more projects on my "want to make" list than I have time! Add grandbabies to the mix and the list gets longer, and even more fun:)


I finished a fabric tag book this week, inspired by Gwen Marston's book, Fabric Picture Books. I got to play with bright colors and fun patterns; the possibilities are practically limitless...






And the rewards are priceless...how sweet is he?!


After a visit with the little guy yesterday, I headed home, having waited out a huge windy, rain storm. Seems we've had way too many of those this summer. But then the rainbows appear and I never tire of those!



Marilyn

Sweet Boy.......

I spent my days this week with this handsome young man...

...our 3 month old grandson, Liam ;)

And I get to do the same thing again next week and for seven more weeks after that...because I am the lucky grandmother providing day care for the little guy.
I love my job!

We had a great week and I'm learning quickly about the new equipment and toys available since my children were babies! Who knows how up to date I'll be by the time summer arrives:)

The change to my schedule is moving around the time I have for crafting, at least initially. But when it comes to prioritizing, there are two things I always find time for, family and creating!

Marilyn

Happy Valentine's Day!

Smitten? Yep, that's exactly how I feel about this tag book! It's the collaboration of the "Be Smitten" Sweet Tag Swap hosted by Mary Ann McKeating! Twenty-plus pages of Valentine love.....and you can see them all too in a slideshow on Mary Ann's blog.

This is a picture of the tags I made for the swap right before I packaged them up and sent them out...

It was a fun swap---thanks, Mary Ann!!

Rick and I celebrated the day of love with a movie and dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. The food is delicious and the atmosphere is delightful--all of the tables have painted tops, each of them different. This was ours...

...so cool!!

Wishing you much love in your life,

Marilyn

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

I hope you all are staying warm too!


Marilyn

Whole Lotta Lovin' Goin' On

Soooo, this is one reason why my poor little blog has been neglected lately...

But, really, which one would you choose?! (Can you believe he's one month old already!)

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I am finding time for some embroidery too---for the Hoop Up! Stitch & Send swap. I just started on this block for a group member whose theme is "Japanese Garden"...


...and I just finished this one for a "Whimsical Forest/Woodland" theme.

(pattern by Hannah)

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This one isn't for the swap but it's one I started in early autumn (hence, the leaves, acorns and fall colors) but set aside. I worked on it around the holidays to keep my hands busy and finished it up---not sure what I'll do with it yet?

(pattern from Sublime Stitching)

I hope to get around to my regular blog visits again soon. I've missed seeing what you all are up to and your gorgeous creations!

Marilyn

A Happy Christmas to All!

Out of deep Longing
and stilled mysterious nights,
God fell into our midst
like a small star twinkling in the dark.
May Christmas fill you with an awareness
of how God is fully in our midst.


"Night Sky" photograph and message by Carol Smith, CSJ
E-Greeting courtesy of Ministry of the Arts

Marilyn

Trick or Treat!

Definitely a TREAT!!!




Happy Halloween!!!

Marilyn

Number Twelve

Rick and I celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday--our twelfth--and were we ever lucky to have the perfect-weather-day to enjoy it!

We took a day trip to St. Joe (St. Joseph, MO), Rick's growing-up town. I really believe the trees were at their peak just an hour north of us. We saw the most brilliant yellows and oranges! Isn't this one funny? Looks like a hairdo parted down the middle:)


We stopped at a nature park next to the Missouri River where the sun was glistening on the river and the leaves were rustling in the breeze, aahhh:)


There was a nice tree lined path for walking. This bridge crosses a babbling creek.


We ate a really wonderful Cajun meal and drove the beautiful boulevards to ogle lovely historic homes, including Lovers Lane...


How perfect!

Marilyn

Getting Ready For December 20th

Completed, laundered and ready for...


...first daughter's baby shower last Sunday! It was a lovely afternoon hosted by one of her long time friends.


Can you believe this cake?! It was so adorable and also very tasty!


We asked grandbaby Cole to test out the Bumbo seat (I swear he gets cuter every time I see him)...lots of new baby things available that I've learned about these past several months. It's amazing, and they're all so cute and really some good ideas!


After we took the dozens of wonderful gifts back to first daughter's house, I asked her to pose with baby's quilt.


(By the way, she loves it!)

Marilyn

Cutest Photo Ever :-)

This is first daughter (expecting a baby boy December 20th) holding our little grandbaby, Cole...


Cole patted her stomach and laid his cheek on it as if he knew his cousin was in there--ADORABLE!!

Marilyn

Home and Doing Great!

Thank you, everyone, for your good thoughts and well wishes--I took them all to heart! Everything went very well, I came home Tuesday afternoon and feel considerably improved with each day!


Family and friends have spoiled me with flowers, cards, gifts and meals.


(I even got my own box of Skittles Crazy Cores, like the ones I sent to my mini quilt swap partner.) And how do you like this pretty bicycle horn?! The card reads "Beep for service"! Hehee!


I've had one moment of inspiration this week...while reading a new quilt magazine, I got an idea for Doll Quilt Swap 7. It's all sketched out and I've ordered the fabric from Hancock's. Can't wait to get started :)

Now.....this is where I must tell you about Rick suggesting that he take a picture of my stitches for the blog to show you my 'stitching' for the week:) LOL, what a goof! (Get your own blog, darlin'!)

Actually, the rest of my week was mostly spent with what I would usually call guilty pleasures--things that just fill up time, nothing more--crossword puzzles, magazines, movies, NAPS. I did manage a little crocheting and stitching, and snipping ephemera, and then more NAPS! But no guilt here, not this week:)

Speaking of ephemera...Lucky Me!!...last weekend, I heard from Mary that the random number generator picked me for her July Give Away! I'm very excited--Mary can come across some really incredible ephemera!!

One last thought...isn't it interesting how different one year can be from the previous year? A year ago Monday we left Kansas City headed for a week in Eagle Nest, NM. Rick and I have had the best time this week remembering that trip. The photo album has been out on the coffee table for us to refer to and things have come to mind that we hadn't thought about since returning home. It really can be a lot of fun!


For example, a year ago today we spent the day in Taos, NM...a perfectly gorgeous day! We ate the most delicious lunch and the sights, the sounds, the smells were the kind that fill my soul! And now, recalling it all, I'm filled again:)

Hope you're having a good weekend...

Marilyn

The Pink Artists Drawing ~ Part 2

Read about Part 2 then be prepared to be awed!

Do you recall a special drawing held last year for the Pink Artists Doll? Do you remember how beautiful she is?!

The Block Art Quilt is every bit as beautiful! And again, the funds raised by the drawing will benefit breast cancer research. This is where you go to view the quilt and to be awed!

This is where to go to view other wonderful prizes you could win in the drawing!

And that Pink Artists button at the top right of my blog...that's where you click to learn where to enter and how to donate to Breast Cancer Research.
Last year, $3028.34. This year, ?????

Marilyn

aDRESSing the Situation

It's been over three months since I said to Monica, (girl-gone-thread-wild), "I'm in." And now it's time, today is the day...


(click the above image to read her request)


You probably remember Monica from The Pink Artist Doll, when 182 artists came together to create "Love Squared" and support Breast Cancer Research.

Now, again, artists are coming together...this time to bring attention to Women of Juarez...by making Art Dresses and mailing all of them TODAY, July 1st, to Stampington & Company.

My DRESS...


just one...


of many!


Monica "aDRESSes the situation" so well on her blog...I think you'll be glad you made some time to visit.

Marilyn

Tiny Dancer (Living Your Dreams)

I think it's safe to say that, in the lives of our four adult children, there are places they can all point to and say they've realized some of their earliest dreams. Friday night, we again had the pleasure of watching Second Daughter do what she loves--d a n c e !


Like so many young girls, she started dance lessons when she was six years old. And like many of her friends, she continued dance lessons all the way through her senior year of high school. Then she went away to college and there was a dance studio in town and, well, why not, it would be a good stress release and exercise. Before too long, dance student also became dance teacher.


She continued her college studies, graduated with a degree in textile & apparel management...and, you guessed it, she's still d a n c i n g ! She teaches dance at two studios, coaches a high school dance team, instructs aerobics at a local gym and works at a dance apparel store. That's right, five jobs to pay the bills...but also the satisfaction of doing what she loves!

Oh, and there's also the dance classes she takes to keep the teaching fresh. That's where we get to share in the love...dance lessons = dance recitals...it was our 21st year Friday night:) Who would have ever guessed!

D R E A M . . .


Marilyn

Weekend Pleasures

Really, where does the time go? Not the "where does the time go?" and a shake of the head when you see how much someone's child has grown...but the "how-did-I-JUST-post-last-Wednesday-and-now-it's-this-Wednesday-where-does-the-time-go?"!

Answers? Anyone? And don't give me that "the older you get...blah, blah, blah".

Anyway, weekend pleasures (last weekend, not this coming up weekend, yet)...

Actually, I could stop with this picture of Grandpa (Rick) holding Cole--it just doesn't get any better!

Hi, cutie!
The weather in Kansas City last weekend was gorgeous--perfect spring days--so nice to be out and about!

I did manage to do some sewing. These blocks are for Tine in the Sew Connected 2 quilting bee group.

I loved working with her fabrics. The colors were so inspiring.


While I was sewing Tine's blocks, I got to thinking about the blocks I've received so far. I hadn't laid them out altogether yet and was anxious to see what it would look like.


I love it already! Everyone is making such beautiful blocks with my fabric...more to come...yippee!

Marilyn