More Retreat.....

Look at Mr Ziggy! What confidence he has in me -- all perched up on my light holding the seam ripper and scissors!!!!Joyce is a fun person who retreats with us. Look at that precious chicken pin cushion. I love me some chickens/roosters (but not the real ones -- LOL)
This is a precious baby quilt that Debbie was putting together. Gotta love that sashing!
And here is crazy Bobbie! She is watching Brenda show her latest wallhanging.
Urggg....Mr. Ziggy hit the dump cake and has passed out from eating so much!
Last year at retreat, we had a 'cutting bee' and exchanged different sizes of strips of Civil War fabrics. This is the top Kathleen put together -- Jacob's Ladder.
Isn't this the cutest thing??? The skirt on the girl is 3-D...you can lift it up! This is to be the center of a quilt for Joyce's granddaughter.

Retreat Fun with Mr. Ziggy

Last weekend, Mr. Ziggy and I went on a retreat with 12 other ladies. Yep, Mr. Ziggy was the only guy who was there, but he LOVED all the attention. The following picture is the view from the sewing room -- talk about a bit of Heaven on Earth.The following picture is of a double wedding ring top that one of the ladies finished while at retreat -- bee-u-te-ful!
This was a quilt shown by one of the ladies. It was pieced in 1931 by her grandmother and finally finished just a few years ago. It was an awesome quilt.
This is a rug -- YES, I said a rug. Debbie (shown) made it for her bathroom. It was beautiful -- made from batiks. It is the 'quilt as you go method'.
And, finally, Mr. Ziggy! He was enjoying his view from being perched upon the rulers.
Ya'll stay tuned for more pictures.........................

Technical Woes!

Mr. Ziggy and I went on a quilting retreat last weekend and had sew much fun. I have all these pictures to share with you......BUT......I'm having trouble uploading them! A few months back, I bought a new laptop -- a Mac Book Pro!!!! I'm still learning the operating system. I have download the pictures from my camera and they show up in an album in iPhotos. Then I go to blogger to upload pics and when I click "choose file", the pics don't show up!!!!!!!!!!

I have a sneaky feeling, it could be a 'short' between the chair and the computer!!! LOL!!!! SEW, to get to the moral of this story.....STAY TUNED! I really do have pics to share!!!!!

Mr. Ziggy Goes on a Retreat

Mr. Ziggy and I are going to a quilt retreat this weekend....in just a few hours......It is the 13th year this group of ladies have met to enjoy a weekend of sewing/quilting/laughing/eating and laughing till the tears run down our legs!!!!!

Here is Mr. Ziggy clinging to the iron to make sure that he gets put into the car!!! Mr. Ziggy had never been on a retreat before. I hope he will be good but I'm not betting too much on that...hehee!

Stay tuned for pictures and ya'll all be Blessed this Weekend.

Mr. Ziggy!

Introducing my new quilting studio mascot, "Mr. Ziggy"! (Thank you Mary for the name suggestion -- I loved it!)

Mr. Ziggy would like to say "Hey" and also remind you of something very powerful:

Thanks for stopping by. Ya'll be Blessed!

A Friend Without a Name

A wonderful Good Saturday Morning to all of you in Blogland! I would like to introduce you to......????? This sweet lil Monkey doesn't have a name! Actually, I have several in mind but couldn't decide which one. SEW, I decided to let you help me name him/her!

My friend Pat over at "A Little of This and A Little of Pat" recently introduced us to Spencer, her hot little monkey. What a wonderful idea! It made me think of the little elf that all the parents were doing a Christmas and he would show up end the weirdest places.

On Friday, while at a local shop purchasing a baby gift, I looked over and saw this adorable display of monkeys. It reminded me of my precious granddaughter, Camryn, because she loves sock monkeys and collects them. SEW, I thought "self, you need a mascot in your studio". But first, I emailed Pat and got her permission to be a COPYCAT! YEP, I just a copycat, but hey Pat was okay with it.

Sew, if you have any ideas for names, please submit them. Like I said earlier, I have a few in mind, but just not sure. I can't wait to see what you come up with! My 'gut' is telling me this lil Monkey may become famous......hehehehehe

It's a Harley Thang

I don't think I have ever shown the Harley-Davidson T-Shirt quilt that I was commissioned to make. The pictures are not that great -- sorry! These t-shirts are from all over the U.S.A. I began this quilt back in the first part of 2011; however, it didn't get finished until just a couple o months ago.

I have been commissioned by the same person to make another t-shirt quilt with Harley shirts collected outside of the U.S.A. Stay tuned for pictures!


When I am making a quilt for someone (whether I know them or not), I am in constant thought and prayer for the recipient -- just a little something I like to do and it is free!!! I also include a personalized label. This particular label has a quote made by the quilt's recipient. He didn't know it was going to be on there....hehehehe....He and my son ride together and my son shared this with me when I was asking for suggestions for the label.

Promises and Borders

If you enjoy handstitchng, you MUST go check out Jenny of Elefantz's newest free BOM for 2012.
It is wonderful! Scriptures and beautiful borders in a 10-month program. I hope you will join in all the fun!!

Quilt Square Quilt-Along!

Run on over to Jo's Country Junction and join in on the Quilt Square Quilt Along! A GREAT way to use up some of those scraps!!!!

The Year 2011

January 1, 2011, began as normal – a sweet kiss between my Ronny and I at midnight – well, if we were awake! Sometimes it happened the next morning – especially in the later years of our marriage! We were so excited for 2011 – the year we would celebrate our 40^th wedding anniversary. Who would have thought it!! Yes, there were those who doubted our union – especially since we only dated approximately six weeks before getting married.

In January 2011, we celebrated our first-born, Heath's, 37^th birthday. Valentine's Day rolled around and we professed our love for each other as lovers do on Valentine's Day. In March, we were so blessed to witness the marriage of our precious nephew, Matthew Ashmore, to his beloved Amanda. We had a wonderful time and danced the night away. In April, it was Easter – such a glorious time in history when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ rose from the tomb. We spent Saturday before Easter with the Earley family and friends in Conroe – such a wonderful day –lots of fellowship, dominoes, egg hunts, and telling the Easter Story to the children. Little did we know that on the anniversary of Jesus' ascension into Heaven that our world would be rocked!

On Easter morning, while getting dressed for Sunrise Service at our church, Ronny had a minor stroke which took him to the hospital. It was just to be a one-night stay for observation purposes. Later that evening, he was transferred to ICU and just after midnight on April 25, Ronny suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage which left him in a coma. My entire world came crashing down around me. My heart was shattered as was the rest of our family's hearts. On April 26, as we were all gathered around his bed, he was taken off the respirator and a test was performed to determine his brain activity. During the test, his heart stopped beating. It was over. Being the strong, wonderful man, husband and father that he was, he took care of us once again and removed that decision from us and made it himself. We didn't have to tell them to unplug the machine. He told the physicians for us and spared us. Ron was a very giving person and in his death, he continued to give – he was a tissue donor – helping others.

Why am I repeating this story? When we celebrated the new year, 2011, little did I know it would be our last New Year's kiss. In January, little did I know that it would be Heath's last year to celebrate his birthday with both parents. In March, at Matt and Amanda's wedding, little did I know that it would be our last dance together. In April, at the family Easter celebration, little did I know it would be our last celebration together.

The past eight months have been a complete fog. I am simply 'going through the motions'. I somewhat understand why it is recommended that no major decisions should be made until at least a year after the loss of a spouse. I reflect on the last few months and can honestly say I do not know how I have functioned. Well, I do know – it is simply by the love and grace of God. The One who walks with me, holds my hand, keeps me safe, helps me smile when I really don't want to smile. God is gradually picking up the shattered pieces of my heart and making a new person. I am a work in progress.

The year 2011 was the worst year of my entire 59 years of being alive. I will not begin 2012 with that sweet kiss from my beloved Ron, but begin it as a heart-broken widow. I will relish his memory and all the awesome years we had together, and the many blessings we enjoyed together. Those memories, the love of my God and my family and friends will encourage me to build a new life. Even though my future is uncertain, I choose to embrace the unknown and have faith that everything is going to be okay.

I wish each of you a Happy and Blessed 2012! Please make wise decisions as you celebrate. Please don't drink and drive, please tell your family how much you love them, and most importantly thank God for your blessings. Only God knows our days and when it will be our last day, our last hour. Live each day as though it were your last. One more thing I wish for you, my friend: If you don't have a relationship with God, I encourage to seek Him in 2012.

Secret Santa Has Arrived!

OH EM GEE! My font is underlined and I don't know how I did it!!! Oh Well!

The Secret Santa from Utah has arrived in TEXAS!!!!! A couple of days ago, I received the following -- a darling Christmas cup filled with my very favorite candy -- Hershey's with almonds!!!! Along with it came a sweet card.

Today, I came home from work and the following box was waiting for me! Wow! Another Secret Santa box.

I opened the box and this is what I saw -- a beautiful card and some lovely doilies!

I removed a layer of tissue paper and looky what I saw!

The first package I opened was this awesome necklace!!!!! It says "Keep Calm and Quilt On" I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!

The next package revealed this precious snow man. Isn't he cute??? Look at that sweet smile.

Next was this awesome star made of vintage laces. Oh Dear! I think Secret Santa is trying to spoil me!

And Looky!!!!! An adorable rooster (look at those polka dots) with measuring spoons! It is precious and goes perfect in my kitchen.

Below is a pic of all my goodies!!!

Secret Santa, I don't know who you are, but you truly made my day. I've been looking for a "fast forward" button to get me through these holidays and on into January but haven't found one! Thank you for making me smile and putting some Christmas spirit in me -- my first Christmas without my sweet husband. I LOVE EVERTHING YOU SENT ME!!!!