Kiddie Christmas cards

I only got a few xmas pics this year. I love getting these pics of family and friends at the end of the year. Thanks to everyone who sent one.

Neck Warmer

.....SCORE!!!!!

So there I was at my favorite thrift store in the world when I saw it. Unfortunately, so did another lady. And she wouldn't move away from it. So I milled about looking at other people's castoffs but keeping a close eye on it and her. I tried not to look at her or it. Telepathically I was sending her messages like,"....hey lady, that's mine"and "Move away quickly so no one gets hurt". I don't think she heard me. Next thing you know she's calling her husband over. Uh oh. With my heart pounding hard and beads of sweat slipping down the side of my face, I watched the lady ask her husband if she should get it. Well....well....he's looking at it, he's touching it, then.........he's shaking his head. Woo Hoo!!! Slowly they walk away. I wait til they are a good ten feet away and I SWOOP in and grab it. Yes!! Mine!! Mine!! I plug 'er in and set 'er up...step on the gas and puuuuurrrrrrrr she goes. Beautiful!

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She's clearly brand new.Except for the grease marks from where the store wrote the price on it, it seems perfect. It looks like someone tried to use it but broke the needle. I opened up the storage box and found all the attachments plus new needles.I replaced the needle, threaded her up, grabbed some fabric that I was going to buy and.......she runs like a dream. Pretty quiet, too. I looked it up on the internet and she usually runs about $130.00 brand new. I've wanted to get a basic machine to have just in case the one I'm using now gives me trouble. Also, I was thinking I would set up a dedicated machine just for quilting. The only thing she's missing is the box she came in and the manual. This was a big purchase from the thrift store. The cost? $24.00. Not bad!

No Sew Block Swap

Auntie Kath is hostessing a 'No Sew Block Swap'. Jump over to her blog, Welcome to my world, and check it out. Fun times! Woo Hoo! Let the New Year begin! I gotta get more coffee....

Quilts I'd like to (almost) finish in 2009 ...UPDATE 2010

#1 was started back in July in South Haven. The top is done. It needs a back. It needs quilting. It needs binding.
#2 is a xmas quilt. I started quilting this with the Flynn quilt frame and its almost done. I stopped using the frame because I got so frustrated with it. It was my first time freestlye quilting and it looks horrendous. oh well.I'll finish quilting it without the frame. Needs binding.
#3 is the Scraps, 2009 quilt. The rows need to be sewn together and it needs a back. and binding. and quilting.
#4 has a lot of work left to be done. It won't be finished in 2009. Guaranteed.
#5 is a wall hanging. Needs a back . Needs to be quilted. Needs binding.

Numbers 1 and 3 are going to be sent to Auntie Kath for professional quilting....hopefully by Tuesday. (to be worked on in 2010)

Of course I realize none of these will be totally complete in 2009, but they'll be close! I'm going to try not to start anything new 'til these are done or out the door for quilting. Amen.

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UPDATE:Jan 1, 2010

....yeah....nothing got finished...work, life and being under the weather put a halt to everything.

Christmas, 2009

Pearl Jam Quilt

About a month ago, Dan threw out, in his words, "my favorite shirt ever". The T-shirt, which he had bought at a PJ concert, was full of holes and stains and was quite unwearable. I , being the clever mom that I am, garbage picked it, cut it up , and incorporated it into a new quilt. I also searched the internet for the same T-shirt and bought that. I think he really liked it! I am the Best. Mom. Ever. Merry Christmas, Danny-boy!

Quilt for Kyle

Christmas Dollies

oh Auntie, you shouldn't have......

....but I'm glad you did! Thanks!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve

Random Thoughts

*I do not like any part of quilt binding. It bores me. Horribly. Altho, I do appreciate the end result.

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*Russell should have won Survivor even tho he seems to be a horrible person.

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I like having Danny live with us.

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I'm really glad that I like fruits and vegies. Thanks, mom.

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I don't know what I would do without books....sew, I guess.

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I do not like to workout and I never have. I do like how it makes me feel, tho.

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*'Launch My Line' is no 'Project Runway'. It is VERY gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

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*My throat hurts.

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*The snow looks pretty. I like snow. I will shovel for exercise today.

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My house is a mess and I don't care.

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*I'll be glad when Christmas is done.

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*Jesus is the reason for the above season.

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*I'm looking forward to seeing my family on Friday. I will miss my sister, Mary.

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I like when people leave comments on my blog.

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I don't want to wrap presents. I shall use gift bags instead.

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Grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup is such a yummy combo.Mmmmm good.

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*Chuck got a new tv for xmas from me. He deserves it. He worked really hard this year and only had a so-so year. I, on the other hand, did not work hard this year but had an awesome year. Merry Christmas, Baby!

purple baby quilt

I've been working on quilts for Christmas presents, so that's why I haven't shown much lately. (Stay tuned Dec. 26)I just finished this baby quilt for another co-worker who is due. The whole quilt is recycled/repurposed materials from MLTS*. The white polka dot used to be a bed sheet and the purple polka dot was a bed skirt. The back (which I didn't want to show because there are quite a few puckers)is also from a piece of fabric from MLTS. I LOVE using linens in my quilts. It makes me feel so very green. I know quilting purists would not approve, but hey, I'm just trying to do my part in saving stuff from going to landfills;) Total cost of materials....around $5.00.

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MLTS: My Local Thrift Store

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Note: My free-style quilting leaves little to be desired, but I'm working on it.

Extra!! Extra!!

Chuck's mom, Sylvia, got a big write up in their local newspaper. She lives in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She's a very crafty lady...no wonder her son fell for me.

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Happy birthday, Dad! I love you!!

Happy Birthday, Auntie Kath!!

Have a great day! I love you!

Merry Christmas

Kristyn's girl, Delaney, really enjoyed her visit with Santa.

Quilts For Kids and Lulu

I received this reply from Lulu's Auntie Julia about the little quilt I sent for Lulu's benefit dinner.

Julia said...
Karen...your gorgeous quilt had a mason jar in front of it OVERFLOWING with raffle tickets! A very happy winner took it home and you helped raise quite a bit of money for LuLu! Thanks again.

Needless to say, it warmed the cockles of my heart*.

So in honor of sick kids everywhere, I want to do a little something....drum roll please.....kidding....

I'm making a 2010 New Years resolution to make one (small) quilt a month to give away to a sick or needy kid. I'm going to need the help of my Auntie Kathleen and anyone else who can light a fire under me (MSA, Chuck) to keep me accountable. I STINK at NY resolutions and I never make them (always thought they were kinda dumb). But I've been so inspired by Lulu and her family. Over the next year, if anyone knows a kid who could use a little blankie, let me know and I shall whip up a special one for that child. I've actually already gotten started. I ordered two quilt kits from Quilts For Kids to get started. These will be my Jan and Feb donations.

DEF: cock·le (kŏk'əl) : if something you see or hear warms the cockles of your heart, it makes you feel happy because it shows that people can be good and kind.

My Sons...

.....I'm just so proud of both of them.

Nutcrackers

MFA

....I wouldn't mess with her.

Oh, we're ready.....

....for the 'significant snow event' coming our way today. Yesterday I heard them calling for up to a foot of snow.....then maybe 3 inches of snow....then maybe 10 inches of snow....today their saying 2-3 inches.Who knows. I think the weather folks just like to cover all their bases so they can say, "....see, I said 10 inches, or 2 inches or 3 inches." Aaaannnyyywwwaayyyy......I woke up to the sight of this this morning. Chuck made a trip to Sam's last night....I think he wanted to cover our bases food-wise just in case we get snowed in.

....I hope we have enough eggs......

Sweet Baby Boy (and I love my job!)

My friend and co-worker, Colleen had her 2nd child, a beautiful baby boy, this morning. She was several days overdue and was so ready to meet her new little guy. Colleen had a long, hard first labor with her oldest, Nathan and was prepared for the same kind of labor this time around. No matter how many times we told her over the last nine months that first labors are the very, very, hardest and second labors are faster and easier, she just wasn't buying it......and she's a labor and delivery nurse!! She tells second time moms this same thing all the time!! Oh Colleen, you silly goose! What an absolute joy it was to tell her shortly after I arrived this morning that she was almost ready to have her baby!! She couldn't believe it! Tears of happiness all over the place. You're a rock star, Colleen! I'm so proud of you and feel so honored and blessed to have attended your birth. (Oh, and I got to catch the little guy which was icing on the cake for me.) It was a perfect morning! I also want to give a shout out to daddy, Mike who is also a complete rock star. He stayed by Colleen's side the entire time. What a great husband and daddy you are! Congrats to the whole family. Can't wait to see you all tomorrow.....oh, and BTW, what a beautiful quilt you have your baby wrapped up in!

Danny and Kyle

This is Danny and his girlfriend Jessica's little boy, Kyle. Aren't they sweet? I got a question, tho......does this make me a Gramma-in-training? I've been having fun practicing when he comes over to visit.

Baby Quilt for Lulu's Boutique.

This is Lulu....isn't she beautiful? I ran across her blog, Liver for Lulu, awhile back and was moved by this little girl's family and her story. Lulu's family and friends are having a fundraiser for her next week. I wanted to contribute a little something, so I put together this baby quilt and will pop it in the mail on Monday. Check out Lulu's blog to find out more about this little cherub.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Double Digits!!!!! GRACE IS 10!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Beautiful Girl! I love you!