Mrs. Sew and Sew Quilts

Video Of My Grandson

2010-12-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

This is a video of my 2 year old grandson with his new keyboard he got for Christmas. He loves music. Can you tell?

A Quick Post

2010-01-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

I'm free...lol. I'm free! Just a very quick post to let everyone know that I got the big purple cast off today. I now am wearing a post op. boot. I can take it off to bathe and sleep. The break is healing nicely. I go back to the orthopaedic surgeon in a month. That just goes to show that eating calcium rich food and drinking milk ...along with a good calcium supplement does help. The surgeon was impressed that it was healing so quickly. I still am hobbling around but this boot is a lot more comfortable than the "purple thang" that I was wearing...lol!

I will leave you with a couple pics of my little Jak. I did not keep him today and sure missed him. I did enjoy my nap though. I put on some laundry and passed out. He will be here in the morning very early.

Jak never lets you get a natural picture of him. He always makes a face or yells. That's just Jak!

Have a great day tomorrow! Many Blessing, Karen

A Little Bit of Nothing

2010-01-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

As I have read the blogs I follow I see that everyone had a great Christmas. Also looks like we are all entering the New Year with very positive goals. That is such a good feeling! It has given me much inspiration! I hope we all continue to be so positive!

As some of you know I haven't been doing much at all. I have had a broken foot since before Thanksgiving. I have been in a cast for four weeks. I will be going to the orthopaedic surgeon Wednesday morning. Please keep your fingers and toes crossed that I get this big purple cast off my foot. It is sooooooo limiting. It is hard getting down stairs to sew or do laundry.But I am still able to keep up with my husband, 3 dachshunds and my 15 month old grandson. I did have two weeks that I didn't keep Jak. Ashleigh had her semester break. Today we started back to our almost regular routine. Now Jak gets here a little earlier...5:45 am. This morning he wanted in his bed as soon as he got here. He fell right to sleep. So not that much has changed except Jak's arrival time in the mornings.

I have never done needle punch. I bought a hoop a couple of months ago and a needle punch kit. I think I will start that in the next day or two. If I can figure out how to do it! I will be out of town for a couple of days. So I need something to stitch on in the car and the motel. While hubby is taking care of business I hope to visit with a friend and go to a fabric store. I am sure I will need a hand project to work on the rest of the time. I usually don't sleep well in motels. I hear every noise and wake up. So I can stitch when I wake up. Nothing more boring than being in a motel without a project or a good book.

I will leave you with a picture or two of Jak. He is so tall he can reach on top of the dining table and the kitchen counters. Over Christmas he was sneaking cookies out of the cookie tray. Today he took Paw Paw's last chocolate graham off the counter. I took a picture of him with the chocolate on his little face. He has never been allowed many sweets. I guess now we will have to keep them up off the table and counter since he has discovered them.

You can click on the pics to enlarge them if you want a closer look!

I am looking for still photos of Christmas. I think everyone was using a video camera and we ended up with no stills. Maybe I will run across some stills. If I do I will post some of those later.

Have a good week eveyone. Many blessings to you all, Karen

Ps. Fern this post was for you!!!! Hugs!

The Night Before Christmas, BERNINA Style

2009-12-24T17:24:00.000-08:00

I received this in my email and thought you might like it.

The Night Before Christmas, BERNINA Style

'Twas the night before Christmas

And in the sewing room, deep

Not a bobbin was turning

All was quiet ...my 830E asleep.

A cup of eggnog rested on my knee,

UFOs scattered far as the eye could see.

Unfinished quilts, stockings, and shirts,

Half-finished linens, unhemmed tree skirts.

I closed my eyes and came up with a plan;

I'd put IOU's in everyone's hands!

I'd write, "I'll make you a shirt, a quilt, a clock."

But the words sounded hollow, false, a crock.

And deep in the midst of my solemn unease,

I heard a strong wind blow through the trees.

Outside of my window there came such a clatter,

I rose from my machine to see what was the matter.

Three little creatures flew through the night

To enter my sewing room and make everything right.

"I'm Dongle! I'm Dual Feed! I'm BSR!" said the three little elves,

And they zoomed their way to my supply shelves.

"We'll get everything fixed up, lickety-split;

You just relax with your eggnog, sit, sit, sit!"

And they worked their magic on that Christmas night,

Dresses were finished, and wrapped up tight.

Quilts were completed in the blink of an eye,

And I leaned back with my eggnog and happily sighed.

I watched as they worked on towels and skirts.

They freemotioned quilts, embroidered stockings, and shirts.

They ironed, they pressed, they had such skill -

Watching them work was such a thrill!

"Oh, to always have an embroidery-830 elf,

Would be a wondrous thing," I said to myself.

And as Christmas Eve night turned into day,

I heard the wee little elf, Dongle, say,

"Our work here is finished, and its been so much fun,

Christmas is saved, our task is now done."

And they rose up in the air, ready to fly

Out through the window and into the sky.

But the sewing room would be much more fun

If three little elves got all the work done.

So I grabbed Dongle and Dual Feed and held BSR tight;

There'd be no escaping on this Christmas night.

I opened my thread chest and stuffed them inside;

I paid no attention to their pleadings and cries.

My apologies to Santa, but these elves are mine!

I'm going to use them all of the time.

If you are a Bernina owner you will know what a Dongle, a BSR and a Dual Feed are. Maybe if you don't own one you will still like it.

Merry Christmas Friends, Karen

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T00:06:00.000-08:00

I am just dropping by to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I know I haven't posted in awhile. I broke my foot and should be out of the cast in a couple more weeks. My Christmas plans had to be put aside somewhat this year. It hasn't stopped all the festivities for sure. The tree is one of my small Christmas trees that I use in the dining room some years. It was only put up for Jak's sake. I did get my Christmas shopping done, mostly online, but it is done. My Christmas projects that I had planned are still in my sewing room which is downstairs. Climbing stairs has proved to be a big problem for me. It just wears me out. So I will have end of January gifts that are handmade for some of my family. Now how cool is that? Just trying to have a positive outlook here...lol! Anyway, not feeling sorry for myself...just ready to be out of this big purple cast! I do have BIG plans for 2010.

So, to my blogging friends...Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!

Blessings, Karen

Set for the Winter

2009-10-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have placed orders at Bunny Hill Designs and Primitive Gatherings Quilt Shop. I recently made a trip to Buggy Barn Quilts. I may not eat this winter but I won't run out of projects. LOL! I am so excited to get new projects to start. Not that I didn't have plenty to start working on already. You know how it goes though if you are a quilter or fabricaholic! Just can't get enough of it packed in the sewing room, under beds, closets, etc. I can't wait for the UPS man next week. I will be in a state of exhilaration until I get my paws on those packages. I know you have been there, right? I am almost finished with the wallhanging I got from Pumpkin Patch Primitives last week. Maybe I am on a roll here. I haven't been doing much sewing or stitching for quite some time. Now I am ready to get after it!

I guess the leaves changing has got me in the mood to sew. I don't like the cold weather. I tend to stay at home more. So I am preparing to sew and stitch my fall and winter months. Hence the big shopping spree, I guess. Last weekend I stepped outside and my yard was full of beautiful yellow leaves. My big white weeping birch was dropping leaves fast! The tree is almost half empty now. I took a few photos of the tree and yard full of leaves.

There is a yard full of lush beautiful green grass under those leaves.

It is almost time for my little honey bun Jak to wake up from his nap. Yes, that is why grandma is able to post this morning. He is snoozing away. Jak is so good about taking naps. All I do is give him a hug and kiss, turn on his music, give him his blankie , Glow Worm, and his lion. He doesn't make a peep. He just goes to sleep. He usually naps twice a day which gives me a break. The only problem is I tend to nap when he does. This morning I was wide awake due to a great nights sleep. I actually went to bed early. I usually can't sleep early but last night I don't even remember my head hitting the pillow. Man, wish I could do that every night. It sure makes a difference in getting up and starting your day if you have slept well.

It is time for me to start thinking about lunch. I better get back to work while Jak is still napping.

I will have photos of my goodies I bought next week to show you.

Do something fun this weekend! Have a great weekend. :0)

Blessings, Karen

Giveaway

2009-10-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

There is a great giveaway over at Pumpkin Patch Primitives. Hop on over and check it out. I purchased a kit for a small wall hanging from Brenda. Wow, does she ever have fast shipping. I bought the Fright Night Kit. The hanger for it is just so cute. Oh, and the buttons are adorable! The fabric for the whole wall hanging is included along with all the buttons and the cute hanger. I am so excited to get it. Plus Brenda stuck in an extra goody. A cute little note pad that has a pumpkin and bat on it. Cool!

Now if I can just find enough time to make it this weekend. Jak is staying the weekend. He keeps grandma pretty busy. Organization, I must keep repeating that to myself. LOL!

Brenda, Terry's Treasures tipped me off about this great giveaway. Btw, I love the fabric!

Everyone have a great weekend and good luck with the giveaway. :0) Karen

Mystery Of The Locked Door

2009-10-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

Paw-Paw and Grandma were entertaining Jak or vise versa for the weekend. The night was cold, windy and wet. Grandma bundles up and takes the dogs out for their nightly walk before bed time about 10:30. Being good little hounds, the dogs take care of business in about 15 bone chilling minutes. You know the routine if you have a dog. Sniff, sniff, sniff, bark, bark, bark, finally business is taken care of in short order. Now on to the porch and give the dogs the command to shake. Dog one and two shake vigorously and they wait on little dog to shake. Grandma has to demonstrate to little dog. Finally he shakes and grandma puts hand on door to enter house. Low and behold, the door won't open. It appears to be locked. Hmmm.....now how did that happen. Surely grandma hasn't locked herself out of the house. Paw-paw hears grandma beating on door yelling. He gets up to investigate. Yep, it's locked. Paw-Paw gives grandma lecture on how irresponsible it is to leave Jak in the house and lock self out. It must not happen again and definitely not if she is home alone with Jak. He would be in his playpen with no one to watch him while Grandma is freezing her tail off outside. Grandma takes oath to never be so careless again. Paw-Paw has saved the day.

Day two...oh more fun playing with Jak. Grandma takes hounds out for walk. Jak is alone with Paw-Paw. Now keep in mind that Paw-Paw is NOT watching car racing on television. He is carefully watching Jak. Business taken care of but it is still cold, wet, and windy. Yep, you guessed it. Grandma has locked herself out again! Paw-Paw to the rescue. Grandma can't believe she is this air-headed. She gets another lecture. Just as she gets to the end of the hall she turns to check on Jak and prod him along. He is lagging behind and playing at the door. Guess what she sees? Jak is standing on his tip toes with his hand on the door knob. He is caught red handed locking the front door. One year old and he is already locking his grandma out of the house! He just turned one on September 23. Granted he is 31 inches tall but who would believe he could lock a door. Paw-Paw had to eat crow and apologize to Grandma for his lecture. We all got a good laugh out of this incident. Grandma is now carrying a key whenever she goes outside. Not that she ever leaves him unattended but he is also an escape artist. He climbed out of his baby bed two months ago. Guess, she will be looking for a leash for the two legged critter so he can accompany her out to walk the dogs.

I thought I would post a picture of the little angel. Does he look like he may be a little on the ornery side?

I was going to show a photo of the little wall hanging that I am working on now. I couldn't find it and am wondering if Jak had anything to do with the disappearance. Maybe I will find it before I post next time.

Thanks for stopping by. Karen

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-10-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks Melinda for the Kreativ Blogger Award! I will do my best to live up to the award. The perfect motivation to get me off my duff and start blogging again. Check out Melinda's blog here. She does some fabulous art quilts. She just did a little art quilt of her and her friend that is just toooo much. I admire the quilters that create art quilts and want to try one myself someday. That is one of the things on my bucket list. LOL...I should say one of the many things on my bucket list. Ok, on to the seven things about me that you probably don't know.

1. I am just a lil ole southern girl that was transplanted to Washington State almost 17 years ago. Although I try, really try, I will always be southern and have that Texas twang when I talk. I have alot of fun with my southern accent...lol.

2. I love southern food...cornbread and beans, hush puppies ( the kind you eat not pet or wear), fried okra, banana pudding, and the list goes on and on!

3. My grandmother that I was very close to was a quilter. I have always loved quilts because they remind me of my favorite granny.

4. I am not a writer but love to read.

5. I love animals. I would live on a farm or ranch if it was possible. I have lived on a ranch and loved it.

6. I am not an organized person but would love to be.

7. I have one daughter and two sons who are my pride and joy.

I would like to place the Kreativ Blogger Award on my sidebar and let you take it if you like. I would have a hard time naming just 7 people to receive it at this time. Maybe at a later date I will list seven people to receive it. If you want to place it on your side bar and share it with 7 Kreativ Bloggers and list seven things about yourself that no one knows please feel free to grab it.

I have some photos of my grandson to post in a few days. It has been a busy weekend with him staying here. He is so much fun! I also have a photo of the little quiltie I am working on now to post later.

Have a great week! Karen

A Tragic Accident

2009-10-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Hi all! One of our blogging friends,Terry of Terry's Treasures, husband had a tragic accident at work on September 29. It resulted in the loss of the lower part of his leg. He has had two surgeries on it. He is stable. Laurie of a Yankee Quilter is coordinating a quilt for the family. If you would like to participate by making a block for the quilt please go to http://ayankeequilter.blogspot.com/2009/09/free-jellyroll_30.html. Please keep Terry and John in your thoughts and prayers.

Blessings, Karen

The Day The Angels Sang

2008-11-05T14:08:00.000-08:00

I am sure I heard the angels singing the night that my grandson was born. God has blessed our family with the most precious bundle of joy. Jak was born on September 23, 2008 at 9:25 pm. He weighed in at 10 pounds 3 ounces. He was 21 & 3/4 inches long. I can't believe he is already six weeks old. Here is a photo of him the morning after he was born.

Grandma didn't get to hold him the night he was born. Mom and baby were bonding. I was back at the hospital to hold him early (very early) the next morning to get my baby hugs and kisses. What a feeling of joy.

Here is a picture of Jak last week. He is snoozing at grandma's house waiting for his mom to come in from work and feed him his lunch before she is off to class for the afternoon. He looks just like his dad did at that age. It is like time has been turned back.

I now know that feeling of love that a grandmother feels. Everyone kept telling me it was like no other feeling. I agree wholeheartedly.

I started this post early this morning and it is now almost midnight. It is amazing how much time is spent caring for a baby and three little hounds. After Jak leaves the dogs are all over me begging for attention. I do not have time to squander for sure. I am trying to budget my time but I am not that way by nature...lol! I need to budget in some time for stitching and quilting. DH has been ignored terribly. He will survive I am sure. He is so enamored by Jak that he hasn't complained. Being a grandpa has certainly had a positive affect on him. LOL!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the photos. Have a good Thursday!

Happy quilting! Karen

He will be here Monday

2008-08-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

Oh, what was I thinking? He will be here Monday. Noooooooooooo, not my grandson. My new little mini Cooper will be picked up Monday. Are we talking about a car? Nooooooooooooooo. I am getting a new puppy. He is a wire-haired piebald dachshund. I have a long-hair dachshund that is a black and tan dapple. I have a smooth-haired black and tan dachshund. Both of whom are very spoiled but very well trained. I ask myself why I am doing this. My only answer I can come up with is-dachshunds are like potato chips...you can't have just one. A friend told me this when I adopted my little smooth female dachshund. Three weeks later I picked up my little long-haired male. Now 3 and a half years later I am getting my third dachshund. I was hooked on dachshunds when I rescued my first one when I was about 12 years old. He was a red smooth standard dachshund. I saved him from the gas chamber so to speak. He had killed all the chickens at my friends farm. They woke up with dead chickens everywhere. Old Scooter sitting there with a big smile on his face. So starts my love of dachshunds. All of mine are miniatures and not the standard dachshunds. LOL! They take up less room and cleaning the yard behind them is easier. Oh my, I am a glutton for punishment. I am so kidding. I am ecstatic. Now my grandson will have a little doxie to grow up with him.

Speaking of my grandson, he will be here any day. The ob/gyn says he could arrive any day. Now this really excites me! Ashleigh has started back to college so that leaves granny to take care of baby everyday. I can't wait! She also has 2 part-time jobs. She has a doctors appointment today and we will find out more about when he will be here. I feel so privileged to be able to be so involved in my first grandchild's life. Life is good!

I am going to try to start posting daily. I have been on a diabetic medication that has really done a number on me. I am now off of it and my energy level has doubled. I am back to my old self. I wish I had followed my gut feeling and gotten off the medication a long time ago. So now with all this energy I have great plans. I plan on enjoying my grandson and developing a great relationship with him. And of couse I will be doing the doxie thing; house training the new one and walking them all by the river. Did I say spare time? Hmmmmmmmmmmm........maybe a
little spare time left to sew! Of course getting up an hour before everyone else will give me my sewing time. Like I said life is good! With the help of my Lord and Savior I will handle all of this and more!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Visit again soon.

Smiles :) Karen

Getting Started

2008-03-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

Above is a picture of the preprinted quilt panel and the fabric for borders and back that I am working on. I could not insert it in the correct place in my post. This is my first post. I am just learning.

I just found out about a month ago that I am going to be a grandmother. I have three grown children. I have wanted a grandchild for years. I have lived for this day. Yes, thank you god!!! I am so excited. The mother, Ashleigh, has been a blessing and a great addition to our family. She is just a sweetheart.

Ashleigh is a very talented and artistic young woman. She has brought me back to quilting. For some reason I just put it away for awhile. Ashleigh has never quilted. One trip with me to the quilt store and this girl was hooked. I am teaching her to quilt. It has been so much fun. This week she started a small wall hanging with my guidance. It is a wall hanging for her mother for Mother's Day. I will post a picture of it when she finishes it. It is such a joy to share the love of quilting with someone new to quilting.

We have great plans of the quilts we will make for baby. I will be starting one in the morning. I have the fabric ready to put in the washer as I post. It is a preprinted panel with a elephant on it. She found it at the quilt store while we were shopping and I decided to start with this one. There is picture of the panel and the fabric for a border and back at the first of this post. I also have the fabric all ready for a pinwheel crib quilt. I think she will be working with me on the crib quilt. Ashleigh is a full time student with three part-time jobs. She has a full schedule so our quilting has to be scheduled into her busy life.

I read several quilt blogs everyday while I drink my coffee. They are so inspirational. So many women from so many places. We are all tied together by the love for quilting. I have see such beautiful work.

This post was just to get my feet wet. I will be excited to get something finished so I can post a picture of it.

Thanks for reading. Have a great quilting day! Karen