Another project finish and the pumpkin patch

This is my latest project finish. Actually I made two of these nativity quilts. One for an auction at my church to raise money for youth mission trips and one for myself. This has been on my to-do list for years. I have actually made several of these quilts quite some time ago and never got around to making one for me until now. Not sure what my excuse is for that as it was very fast and easy to put together. I think I will hang it in my entry way.



On Saturday we worked at the pumpkin patch at our church. We enjoy doing that every year. Someone did not want her picture taken, this was the best picture I could get of her.

Darren and I manning the cash box.

Now, this girl loves to have her picture taken!

Check out these notebooks

I made these notepads this weekend out of recycled materials. Went through my cardboard recycling and cut the notepad fronts and backs out of pop/beer boxes. Next I cut a stack of old computer paper I had on hand in half. Took it all to the local copy store to have them all bound. I am saving the stacks of papers my kids bring home from school that only have printing on one side to make the next batch of notebooks. They are great to keep on hand for the never-ending to-do lists I make, the grocery lists and meal plans.

Swoon Block #5

Block #5 finished!!! Four more to go. So far this one is my favorite. Notice my pretty green grass in the picture. Planted some new grass in our front yard this fall, it is coming up beautifully! It is the kind of grass that looks so inviting to just lay down in and take a nap in the sunshine if only it were warm enough! Wearing jackets around here today, it is looking like I can start getting my long sleeves and coats out around here.

A ride in a big red truck

So, my youngest daughter won a fire-safety poster contest at her school. Here is a picture of her first place poster. It says, "Always check your smoke alarm so it will work like a charm". She said she was really upset when she started coloring her already green wall orange. With some creative thinking she drew someone painting the wall.



Her prize was a ride to school on a fire truck! She said she felt famous!!! Fireman Gordon picked her up this morning at our house. He took the long route to school so...



all of the other 3rd graders would have a chance to take their places at the front of the school to greet Tristan when she got there!



This was such a special day for her! To top it off a reporter from the news was there for some video and an interview. Look out Hollywood I think she is ready for the movies!

Why I Quilt

This weekend I received the latest issue of Mary Janes Farm magazine. If you have not seen this organic lifestyle magazine before I suggest you check it out! This month there is an article entitled Why Women Quilt. This got me to thinking about why I quilt.



I know for me quilting is not about having a finished product- I know this because I really stink at finishing quilts! I love to start a project. For me, I believe it is about the process. I enjoy pouring over books and magazines trying to decide what to make next. I love looking at and touching fabrics, deciding which colors and patterns would work best for my next project. Learning new skills and techniques is a highlight for me. Once I get a few blocks made my interest often starts to wane- I've learned the new technique, I have a good idea of how the quilt is going to look, I'm on to the next project. To tell the truth, I don't even feel guilty about all of my unfinished projects. Probably, because making them, even though incomplete, has served its purpose for me.

When I am able to spend time regularly in my sewing room I am able to think more clearly and creatively. Big problems in my life have been solved while sitting at my sewing machine. I also find quilting particularly calming. Even after sewing an entire border on a king-sized quilt and then discovering my bobbin thread ran out when I started, I am still calm! There is something about the whirr of the machine, the feel of the fabrics and making something with my hands that lets me forget about my worries and the stress of the day. When I make the time to consistently work on my quilting projects I am much more at peace. My hope for all of you is that you have found something that you are passionate about and that brings some peace in your life.

Three more Swoon blocks

Four down, five more to go. I like how this quilt is turning out! I have been doing crazy amounts of cooking today in hopes to have meals for the next several days ready so I can spend more time in my sewing room this week. The next couple of days look to be kinda hot, now I won't be tempted to spend my entire evening outdoors like I have been lately. Here is to a week full of sewing!