These are some of my favorites ....
Are you inspired to join us yet? =^..^=
Hugs & Blessings!!!
Teresa
=^..^=
Saturday, December 15, 2012
2013 Rainbow Scrap Challenge - Ideas???
Angela at SoScrappy shared some wonderful ideas today for those of us thinking about joining her again in 2013 for her Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Since I have really enjoyed working on my 2012 project, I began some time ago giving some thought to what I might do next year. As I came across ideas, I saved them in my Pinterest file. You can see all of my "ideas, plans and schemes" pinned HERE.
These are some of my favorites ....
Hugs & Blessings!!!
Teresa
=^..^=
These are some of my favorites ....
Hugs & Blessings!!!
Teresa
=^..^=
Thursday, December 13, 2012
12-12-12 - What does it mean to you?
Some things just call out to be noticed!
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Bonnie Hunter said on her blog today, "Did you stop to think that this is the last date we will ever see with repeated numbers like this? This is it for our lifetimes. Very cool!" I agree with her completely! It was even more cool last year on 11-11-11 when all the numbers were 1's - that won't happen again until ... well, I'm not sure without a lot of calculating and I'm not in the mood for that kind of brainy stuff right now :*D But it will be hundreds of years before that happens again!
Days like today, when something special happens that will not happen again in my lifetime, I stop and think about how short life really is and whether I am spending my life in the best possible way. Are there things I am leaving undone that could have made a difference for the generations coming after me? Have I done enough? Have I been there for those who have needed me? Have I been too preoccupied with pursuing "happiness" and "enjoying the journey"?
When the days go by in a blur of activity and routine, maybe I need to stop, take a breath, and ask myself, What am I missing here? Who am I forgetting in the hustle and shuffle? Life is so short.... their lives... my life. I was given life for a reason - am I fulfilling that purpose?
So much of my early adult life was spent in just trying to survive. My first marriage was a miserable twelve year span where I basically tuned out, covered my head and just hoped the world would go away. Then I was a single mom of two small kids for ten years. I didn't have time to think about the deeper things of life. I was just concerned with putting bread on the table, keeping shoes on their feet and somehow getting the electric bill paid every month on a secretary's salary.
But then God gave me a wonderful husband and began providing for me and my children in a beautiful way. My life expanded so that I could begin to enjoy it. I went back to college and finished up my bachelor's degree. I became a grandma and poured out my heart and energy on those sweet young lives. I found the Lord and began to follow Him in earnest.
Then we moved to Tennessee and I discovered quilting! And quilting became my focus.... Nothing wrong in that. I am at a place in my life now where I am allowed to pursue the things that I enjoy - thanks to the generosity of my sweet husband :*) And since I never really had a childhood, I am thoroughly enjoying this "second" one very much, thank you!
But recently, I realized that I have been giving quilting just a little too much of my life. It needs to be a balanced part of my life, not the main focus. I need to stop and smell the roses more often. I need to look around me and notice the people who surround me, take the time to listen to what's on their hearts, their joys, their pains, their hopes. I know I need to get back to a regular time of sitting with my Lord and deepening my relationship with Him once again.
I definitely plan to make some changes in 2013. I want to be more purposeful in what I allow in my life, what I choose to give my precious days to. I may choose to drop some things and take up some others. I plan to choose my quilting projects with care and keep a schedule that is reasonable, that allows time for other interests and the special people in my life. I still want to be involved with my quilting family and friends - absolutely! But I want to make room for a deeper life, one that can perhaps make my days count for something eternal, something that will last beyond my lifetime, perhaps even beyond the next 12-12-12.....
That's what 12-12-12 means to me. How about you?
Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=
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I was behind this car a couple of weeks ago and had to snap a shot of that temporary plate
12-12-12.... Wow!
I'd like to warn you, this post has very little to do with quilting, and a whole lot to do with my rambling thoughts on life.... so you can choose to read on or come back in a few days when I'll hopefully be back to my normal quilty self =^..^=
Bonnie Hunter said on her blog today, "Did you stop to think that this is the last date we will ever see with repeated numbers like this? This is it for our lifetimes. Very cool!" I agree with her completely! It was even more cool last year on 11-11-11 when all the numbers were 1's - that won't happen again until ... well, I'm not sure without a lot of calculating and I'm not in the mood for that kind of brainy stuff right now :*D But it will be hundreds of years before that happens again!
Days like today, when something special happens that will not happen again in my lifetime, I stop and think about how short life really is and whether I am spending my life in the best possible way. Are there things I am leaving undone that could have made a difference for the generations coming after me? Have I done enough? Have I been there for those who have needed me? Have I been too preoccupied with pursuing "happiness" and "enjoying the journey"?
When the days go by in a blur of activity and routine, maybe I need to stop, take a breath, and ask myself, What am I missing here? Who am I forgetting in the hustle and shuffle? Life is so short.... their lives... my life. I was given life for a reason - am I fulfilling that purpose?
So much of my early adult life was spent in just trying to survive. My first marriage was a miserable twelve year span where I basically tuned out, covered my head and just hoped the world would go away. Then I was a single mom of two small kids for ten years. I didn't have time to think about the deeper things of life. I was just concerned with putting bread on the table, keeping shoes on their feet and somehow getting the electric bill paid every month on a secretary's salary.
But then God gave me a wonderful husband and began providing for me and my children in a beautiful way. My life expanded so that I could begin to enjoy it. I went back to college and finished up my bachelor's degree. I became a grandma and poured out my heart and energy on those sweet young lives. I found the Lord and began to follow Him in earnest.
Then we moved to Tennessee and I discovered quilting! And quilting became my focus.... Nothing wrong in that. I am at a place in my life now where I am allowed to pursue the things that I enjoy - thanks to the generosity of my sweet husband :*) And since I never really had a childhood, I am thoroughly enjoying this "second" one very much, thank you!
But recently, I realized that I have been giving quilting just a little too much of my life. It needs to be a balanced part of my life, not the main focus. I need to stop and smell the roses more often. I need to look around me and notice the people who surround me, take the time to listen to what's on their hearts, their joys, their pains, their hopes. I know I need to get back to a regular time of sitting with my Lord and deepening my relationship with Him once again.
I definitely plan to make some changes in 2013. I want to be more purposeful in what I allow in my life, what I choose to give my precious days to. I may choose to drop some things and take up some others. I plan to choose my quilting projects with care and keep a schedule that is reasonable, that allows time for other interests and the special people in my life. I still want to be involved with my quilting family and friends - absolutely! But I want to make room for a deeper life, one that can perhaps make my days count for something eternal, something that will last beyond my lifetime, perhaps even beyond the next 12-12-12.....
That's what 12-12-12 means to me. How about you?
Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=
Sunday, December 9, 2012
It's a Party!!!
There are over 150 bloggers participating in the Big Birthday Bash over at Quilting Gallery - and YOU are the winners! Each blog has a giveaway -
fun stuff, quilty stuff, stuff you really, really want! :*D
Here at A Quilt and A Prayer, I am getting ready for the Christmas season =^..^=
And what could be a better birthday gift at this time of year than Christmas fabrics and other fun stuff?
This is what I am offering.....
There's a half yard of this really cute Grandma's Gingerbread fabric....
And then I added these cute fat quarters that will play very nicely with it =^..^=
And then... (I couldn't stop!) .... I added these adorable heart-shaped cookie ornaments!
Yes, I had to force myself to give them away! I actually bought them at The Cherry Pit last week for my own tree. But then I realized how perfectly they match this fabric and I decided they needed to go with this gift package :*D
And then.... (Somebody stop me!!!) .... I added an unopened spool of Aurifil thread to the mix!
***************************************
So how do you win this bundle of Christmas quilty goodies? You can have TWO chances at winning.....
1st CHANCE - Leave a comment here telling me what you remember most about your Grandma's kitchen. I remember my grandmother had these wonderful rooster plates that I loved. She always made "dippy" eggs for my breakfast when I visited in the summers. I dipped my bread in those egg yolks and ate quickly, excited about seeing the rooster show up on the plate as I finished! Ah, good memories! I really, really miss my grandmother!!!
2nd CHANCE - If you are a follower, leave a SECOND comment telling me that you are. If you are not a follower, become a follower and tell me in your SECOND comment how you are following (Google Friend Connect, email, etc.)
That's it, no hoops to jump through :*) I will ship anywhere, so feel free to comment and cross your fingers for the win! I will keep the Giveaway open for comments through midnight, Monday, December 15 (EST).
PLEASE make sure you are not a No-Reply commenter! If you have any doubt, just leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you. If I can't contact you, you can't win!
Thanks for stopping by - now be sure to go HERE to visit all the other bloggers celebrating Quilting Gallery's birthday!
*** Comments are now closed! ***
*** Comments are now closed! ***
Hugs & Blessings!
Teresa
=^..^=
Slow Sunday Stitching and Stash Enhancement
I'm planning some nice slow stitching today while watching Sunday football with my sweetie :*)
This is how far I have gotten on my current Blue Collection block....
.......not very far! These are the pieces that still need to be appliqued down.....
I just haven't had a lot of time for handwork the past couple of weeks. But I'm hoping to get this block well on its way to being done today.
Did you notice the tin I keep my pieces in for this project? At the top you can see a hinge where the lid is connected to the container. Perfect for small stitchery projects! It's hard to find hinged tins and even harder to find these particular ones. This is a collectible Whitman's Sampler tin that I got several years ago from a good friend.
She actually gave me two different designed tins, but one (my favorite of course!) ended up at Goodwill inadvertently. I had filled it with all the pieces for a couple of my Dear Jane applique blocks and kept it in the trunk of my car for those times when I might end up somewhere wishing I had hand work with me. When I took a couple boxes of stuff to Goodwill, the tin somehow ended up in the things that were donated - ugh!!!! I also had a favorite pair of scissors with a gifted hand-made initialed fob in there too. So take a lesson from me.... be careful what you leave lying near your donation boxes LOL!!!
So, I found this new hinged Sampler tin this past week in Goodwill - it's Karma!!! Isn't this a pretty Christmas design? So vibrant and colorful, and those deer are so gracefully poised, ready to jump and run at any moment! This will hold my applique through the holiday season and make me smile every time I pick it up. (Now if I can just find my scissors and fob at Goodwill too I will be a really happy camper :*D)
I also picked up another tin - this is the one I was specifically searching for....
It is not hinged, but it is the perfect size to hold my applique iron! And notice that price .... 99 cents!!!
I wanted to be able to take my iron to sit-n-sews but it stays hot a really long time, so I needed a way to put it away quickly but not risk burning anything with it. A tin seemed the perfect solution, and I couldn't believe it when I found the exact size I needed. I originally thought I would spray paint it, but I really like that bright red, and since the design is raised, there's no hiding that Christmas look :*) I'll remove the bow and use Goo-Gone to remove some sticky tape residue, but I think I'll keep it "as is" other than that.
I also made a cover for the tip out of ironing board material - I wanted to be sure the hot tip didn't burn into the cord. It took me all of about 5 minutes to make it, and it's not gorgeous, but I am pretty happy with the result.
I put the shiny side inside to hold the heat in.
I did have a few stash enhancements that I forgot to share last week from my recent travels. I picked up these black-on-whites for Easy Street. I bought one yard of each and then split them in thirds to share with a couple of friends who are also working on it.
Then I also uncovered these that I forgot to share....
I thought these were TOO CUTE!!! I can't wait to find the perfect project to use them in! The black and gray are from the Wordplay line by Michele D'Amore for Benartex. I knew you'd want to see them :*D
This is how far I have gotten on my current Blue Collection block....
 |
I have got to figure out why all my pictures end up crooked LOL!!!!
|
I just haven't had a lot of time for handwork the past couple of weeks. But I'm hoping to get this block well on its way to being done today.
Did you notice the tin I keep my pieces in for this project? At the top you can see a hinge where the lid is connected to the container. Perfect for small stitchery projects! It's hard to find hinged tins and even harder to find these particular ones. This is a collectible Whitman's Sampler tin that I got several years ago from a good friend.
She actually gave me two different designed tins, but one (my favorite of course!) ended up at Goodwill inadvertently. I had filled it with all the pieces for a couple of my Dear Jane applique blocks and kept it in the trunk of my car for those times when I might end up somewhere wishing I had hand work with me. When I took a couple boxes of stuff to Goodwill, the tin somehow ended up in the things that were donated - ugh!!!! I also had a favorite pair of scissors with a gifted hand-made initialed fob in there too. So take a lesson from me.... be careful what you leave lying near your donation boxes LOL!!!
So, I found this new hinged Sampler tin this past week in Goodwill - it's Karma!!! Isn't this a pretty Christmas design? So vibrant and colorful, and those deer are so gracefully poised, ready to jump and run at any moment! This will hold my applique through the holiday season and make me smile every time I pick it up. (Now if I can just find my scissors and fob at Goodwill too I will be a really happy camper :*D)
I also picked up another tin - this is the one I was specifically searching for....
It is not hinged, but it is the perfect size to hold my applique iron! And notice that price .... 99 cents!!!
I wanted to be able to take my iron to sit-n-sews but it stays hot a really long time, so I needed a way to put it away quickly but not risk burning anything with it. A tin seemed the perfect solution, and I couldn't believe it when I found the exact size I needed. I originally thought I would spray paint it, but I really like that bright red, and since the design is raised, there's no hiding that Christmas look :*) I'll remove the bow and use Goo-Gone to remove some sticky tape residue, but I think I'll keep it "as is" other than that.
I also made a cover for the tip out of ironing board material - I wanted to be sure the hot tip didn't burn into the cord. It took me all of about 5 minutes to make it, and it's not gorgeous, but I am pretty happy with the result.
I put the shiny side inside to hold the heat in.
I did have a few stash enhancements that I forgot to share last week from my recent travels. I picked up these black-on-whites for Easy Street. I bought one yard of each and then split them in thirds to share with a couple of friends who are also working on it.
I can't decide whether my favorite is the scissors or the butterflies :*)
I thought these were TOO CUTE!!! I can't wait to find the perfect project to use them in! The black and gray are from the Wordplay line by Michele D'Amore for Benartex. I knew you'd want to see them :*D
Be sure to come back tomorrow for my contribution to Michelle's 5th Birthday Party Bash - it's another edition of the Blog Hop Party with Giveaways!
I'll be giving away a nice "seasonal" package of fabrics and even a spool of Aurifil thread - so be sure to come back folks, ya hear!
Linking up today with:
Thursday, December 6, 2012
November 2012 NewFO Challenge
I'm not sure why it has
taken me so long to get back into blogging mode! I know it has a lot to
do with the amount of travel I've been doing - how do the traveling
teachers/bloggers like Bonnie Hunter do it? They must wear a Superwoman
shirt under their sweaters is all I can figure :*D And I'm off again
tomorrow, but just until late Saturday, and then hopefully I'm home for a
while!
I'm so glad Barbara at Cat Patches leaves
her linky party open for the NewFO Challenge for a week!
I'm sliding in just under the wire :*) I'm crossing all my fingers,
toes, eyes - you name it and I'm crossing it! - hoping to win
one of her lovely pins she is giving out for gifts to the winners this year. If you haven't seen them, hop on over - they're too cute! So of course I want one :*)
I do want to share one
win that I have to admit I am very late in blogging about. Carrie over at A
Passion for Applique picked my entry to name her newest
quilt. It was made from the book, Hop To It by
Edyta Sitar, and I suggested "Afternoon in Wonderland" because she
used very soft shaded colors and the center block featured an adorable white
bunny! As the winner, Carrie sent me her book and 3 really wonderful
pieces of green batik to use for my own Hop To It quilt! Thanks so much Carrie!!!
:*D
I have been so
busy running around the countryside this past month that I didn't
really get to sew very much. I certainly didn't have time to start new
projects, but as you know I just couldn't resist starting Bonnie Hunter's Mystery, Easy Street! Here's my first completed 4-patch!!! TaDa!!!
Ain't it cute?
So, yes, I did get busy
and finish up all the 4-patches :*D I pinned them in sections of 10 as
Bonnie suggests to make them easy to count....
I finished these up and
then started on Clue #2 yesterday. I cut all the HST's and purple strips
with my Sizzix die cutter, which made that part of the process so darn quick
& easy!
 |
| All Clue #2 pieces cut and ready to be sewn into colorful little flying geese! |
Tonight I'm trying to
get those flying geese sewn up so I will be caught up when Bonnie releases Clue
#3 in the morning, but I'm not sure I'll get them all done. At least I
won't have too much to do to catch up when I return home Saturday. I'm
excited to see what Clue #3 is going to be! =^..^=
|
I'm also excited about the 2013 NewFO Challenge already!
Click HERE to find out what Barbara has planned
and join in the fun!!!
I'm building my 2013
NewFO list and so far I have 15 projects and only 12 months - uh oh!!!
But never fear, I'll have them whittled down to 12 by January ;*) Hope to see your projects there too!
Hugs & Blessings,
Teresa
=^..^=
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Home Again!!! (and Stash Enhancement!)
I got home from the Smokies Friday evening and spent Saturday just unpacking and getting things squared away from being on the road for the better part of two weeks! The visit with my mom and friends was lovely - don't we look happy!
We are sitting in front of a HUGE fireplace in the lobby of our hotel. This was a girlfriend get-together, so we didn't do a lot except spend time catching up with each other's lives. We did venture out to Gatlinburg on Thursday morning for pancakes and fabric acquisition! I had pecan waffles at the Pancake Pantry- oh my YUM!!!
I wish I had taken a picture of the waffles, but they disappeared much too quickly for that :*) They featured powdered sugar & chopped pecans on hot waffles, along with a carafe of warm pecan syrup with more chopped pecans in the syrup! Did I mention that this was YUM????
Gatlinburg has a lot to keep you interested as you drive through the somewhat crowded streets. I was charmed by this and had to take a picture to share with you....
They also have a full-size replica of the Titanic. It looks pretty strange sitting there at the side of the road LOL!!!
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Our adventurous drive brought us to The Cherry Pit, one of my favorite quilt shops. I was having too much fun inside and forgot to get pictures, but when you see the fabrics I got you'll totally forgive me :*D
I visited several other shops on my way there and back too..... so needless to say there was Stash Enhancement!!!! Here are some of my favorites....
Linking up with Patchwork Times - click on over to see how others are managing their stash!
Also linking up with Connie at
Hugs & Blessings,
Teresa
=^..^=
We are sitting in front of a HUGE fireplace in the lobby of our hotel. This was a girlfriend get-together, so we didn't do a lot except spend time catching up with each other's lives. We did venture out to Gatlinburg on Thursday morning for pancakes and fabric acquisition! I had pecan waffles at the Pancake Pantry- oh my YUM!!!
I wish I had taken a picture of the waffles, but they disappeared much too quickly for that :*) They featured powdered sugar & chopped pecans on hot waffles, along with a carafe of warm pecan syrup with more chopped pecans in the syrup! Did I mention that this was YUM????
Gatlinburg has a lot to keep you interested as you drive through the somewhat crowded streets. I was charmed by this and had to take a picture to share with you....
They also have a full-size replica of the Titanic. It looks pretty strange sitting there at the side of the road LOL!!!
.jpg)
Our adventurous drive brought us to The Cherry Pit, one of my favorite quilt shops. I was having too much fun inside and forgot to get pictures, but when you see the fabrics I got you'll totally forgive me :*D
I visited several other shops on my way there and back too..... so needless to say there was Stash Enhancement!!!! Here are some of my favorites....
 |
| I fell in love with this whimsical "snowy winter night" fabric! |
 |
| These are silver sparkles in this gorgeous batik! |
 |
| Who could resist such a vibrant red Oriental? Not me!!! |
 |
| A rainbow of batiks!!! |
 |
| I loved these Christmas fabrics! The red and green on the right have such light in them - they will sparkle in a quilt! |
 |
| These Robert Kaufmann dots were one on top of the other in the half-yard bin - it was just too much for me to resist with all those colorful dots staring at me so sweetly! :*D |
 |
| My search through the stash to find a gray for Easy Street highlighted a definite need to add a few nice grays for future projects :*D Can you tell that I love dots?!? |
 |
| I have so many aqua/lime fabrics that I felt this diagonal stripe would definitely come in handy someday soon! Can't you see this as a binding fabric? |
I hope you enjoyed the fabric show! I'm off now to begin putting together that post I promised you about Mary Jo's Cloth Store in North Carolina. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!
Linking up with Patchwork Times - click on over to see how others are managing their stash!
Also linking up with Connie at
Teresa
=^..^=
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