When Things Aren't Going According to "Our Plan"...

I received the following in an email from a friend today, and thought it was well worth sharing:)
Something to think about....

Me:  (in a bit of a tizzy)  God, can I ask you something?

God:  Sure

Me:  Promise you won't get mad?

God:  I promise.

Me: (frustrated)  Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?

God:  What do you mean?

Me:  Well, I woke up late,

God:  Yes

Me: My car took forever to start,

God:  Okay...

Me: (growling)  At lunch, they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait!

God:  Hmmmm...

Me:  On the way home, my phone went dead, just as I picked up a call.

God:  All Right

Me:  (loudly)  And to top it all off, when I got home, I just wanted to soak my feet
        in my foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work.  Nothing went right today!
        Why did you do that?

God:  Well let me see... the death angel was at your bed this morning and I had to
          send one of the other angels to battle him for your life. 
          I let you sleep through that.

Me: (humbled)  Oh...

God:  I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that 
          might have hit you if you had been on that road at that time.

Me:  (ashamed)  .........

God:  The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn't want you 
          to catch what they had, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me:  (embarrassed)  Oh.....

God:  Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give a 
          false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't let  you talk to them
          so you would be covered.

Me:  (softly)  I see, God

God:  Oh and the foot massager, it had a short that was going to throw out all the 
          power in your house.  I didn't think you wanted to be in dark.

Me:  I'm sorry, God.

God:  Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me....in all things, the good and the bad.

Me:  I WILL trust you, God.

God:  And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.

Me:  I won't God.  And let me just tell you, "Thank you God, for everything today."

God:  You're welcome, My child.  It was just another day being your God, and I love 
          looking after my children. 


Hugs & Blessings,
Terry

As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust Him.
                                                                                                            ~ II Samuel 22:31

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;   ~ Proverbs 3:5

And again:  "I will put my trust in Him."   ~ Hebrews 2:13

This & That

-Nancy Earnheart photo

Had to share this with you...

Borrowed from a Facebook friend.

I think this will be my new motto:)

Pretty much describes me!!!

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Here are the four different Disappearing 9 Patch blocks

I made for a swap.  Made 6 of each - sent 5 to swap out,

kept one for myself.  They are now on their way to Florida.

Can't wait to see the ones that will soon be coming my way:)

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And here are the fabrics I have chosen for the next quilt block swap.

This swap is a Red & White Block Swap, the blocks will be 

of the maker's choice.  I plan to make four sets of these also.

Still choosing blocks, well actually I've chosen some blocks,

now I need to narrow it down to just four :)

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-Thomas McCalmont photo

 

And one last Facebook photo share..

This is just too cute!!!

 

 

 

Have a blessed week.

 

Love & Hugs,

Terry

New Year...New Dear Jane Secret Pal :)

I think it's so exciting to receive the first gift from a new

Secret Pal... and this year is no exception.
Look at the beautiful wrapping she did... I didn't open my packages for quite 

awhile, I just admired the wrapping and bows.  I think she made the bows, too.

The green one is made from some type of ribbon I have never seen.  It reminds me of the "Chinese Finger Puzzles" I use to get as a child.  You know the kind that you stick your fingers into then pull and your fingers won't come out!!!! Too Funny:)

She also sent me a beautifully hand written letter...you don't see many of those anymore.  Seems that actual hand written letters are becoming a lost art form:(

She told me that she was using an actual fountain pen.  I haven't used a fountain pen in years, but I'm going to be on the outlook for one now.

I can use it in my journal writing.

Fountain pen writing has such a wonderful smooth even flow.

Well, after admiring the packages and the the letter, I did finally open my packages...

Such beautiful gifts!  The kitchen towels she machine embroidered, love them.

The other brocade look towel is going to be a table topper for my dining room table.

There is a felt kit to make a cup cozy and matching coaster, really looking forward to getting started on that project.  I have just recently began working with some felt and wool, so this fits right in my plans for now.  And then, there are the 2 FQs...love the wintery look of those, and they fit in my collection of fabrics for a story quilt that I want to do "Sometime in the Future".  My new Secret Pal also scrapbooks and makes cards, although she now does the digital ones, so she sent me a sample of one of her digital works.  It is very, very pretty...but for now I need to stay with the paper version...I need to use up what I have before I would start another new crafting genre...  In other words my dear husband would probably have me committed if I take up something else  LOL

I am really looking forward to this year with my new Pal.

She has admitted that she visits my blog, which explains how well those kitchen towels match my kitchen:).  And it seems we have several things in common.  She says she has plans for me for the year????  I find this all very intriguing and exciting.

It is such a long time until December to find out who this person is!!!!

And since she checks my Blog:   Thank you again so very much for everything.

I love it all and appreciate very much all the time & thought you put into my gift.

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

My Baby's, Baby Shower

Last Saturday was the Baby Shower for my youngest.

Miss Emma-lee's baby is due February 5th...

so the shower came just in time:)

The cake was made by her older sister Jennifer,

with a little help from her other older sister Angela.

An over-flowing bubble bath,

complete with rubber duckies. 

The bubbles are gumballs & small candies.

I think it is an awesome cake!!!

Her sister-in-law, Sunshine, made her a Diaper Cake...

Lots of baby goodies decorating this cake.

Sooo very cute:)  Love it!!!

And Yes, I did get the quilt done.

(There is another finish for January!)

And here is my youngest child, Emma-lee...

Opening all her gifts, with some help from one of

her younger guests.  Seems Emma-lee wasn't opening the gifts

 quite fast enough to suit this little sweetheart:)

Emma-lee was very blessed to have 26 family & friends

attend her shower, even though we had freezing rain and ice

the night before.  And she received so many wonderful gifts, 

for which she is so very thankful. 

Oh...we are expecting a little BOY!!!

God's Blessings to All,

Terry

Disappearing 4 Patch Blocks

Here is my first Disappearing 4 Patch block.

I had never made this block before...I Love it!

It is so easy to make and I really like the way it looks.

I'm participating in a block swap over at

Friendship Block Swap Group

and this is the block we are using.

All blocks will be blue & white, I'm thinking

this will be a very pretty set of blocks.

I'm making 4 different sets (four different blue fabrics),

 and I will make 6 for each set - swap 5, keep 1.  

That will give me 24 different blocks when the swap is complete.

Here is how easy the block is to make...

Start with two 5" white blocks & two 5" blue blocks.

Sew into a basic 4 patch block.

Cut 1" out from the center seam line on both sides

and both vertically & horizontally.

Give those long center stripe pieces a 180 degree spin.

Sew the block back together...

Here is my first set of 6.

Three more sets to go!!!

Hopefully I will get them done over the next

week, and then get them off to a much warmer

climate (Florida) for swapping:)

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry

She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

                                                                                        ~Proverbs 31:27

Mug Rug...

Oh Good Grief!!!!!

No, No, No,

Not the little rug from my kitchen and

my newest, favorite coffee mug...

that's not what I mean!!!!

I'm talking about the Mug Rugs I made today:)

I thought I would start making a mug rug or two each

month, just to see what all the mug rug hoopla is about.

So I went stash diving and found these fabrics.

I thought, "Self these will work for January, yes they will."

Okay, so now I have the fabric...

Next make a design plan.....

Let's see, snowflake fabric, swirly fabric, ummm

it is snowing outside...Yep, you guessed it...

A Snowflake!!!!

So now I applique, and sandwich, and machine quilt.

And this is what I get...



A cute little January Mug Rug :)

Six inches by 9 inches, just the right size for

a mug of my favorite hot drink and a cookie or two!

And about the "Mug Rug Hoopla"... Well, I

understand it now...

They are just way too much Fun to make!!!!

That's why I made two  LOL

And I WILL be making a set for each month;

 and any other reason I can think of. 

There's also a bonus to making Mug Rugs,

it helps to clear out the scrap box:)

Now let's see, 

This little project gives me 

a start & a finish for 2012.

Love & Hugs,

Terry

  

January Card Swaps...Ahhh, All Finished

These are my ATCs for this month...

We are doing the ABC's this year.

"A" is for Asian

"Z" is for Zebra

January Recipe Swap-

Appetizers :)

The Embellishment Swap for this month is

SNOWFLAKES!!!

I made the Journal Boxes for the Scrapbook Element swap.

The theme is "Winter Wonderland"

The other Scrapbook Element swap is

"Winter Fun"

I chose the paper piecing option

and made these 2 snow people:)

I love my Cricut:)

Well that's it for this month...

the rest of January I will turn to my sewing area:)

Hopefully, I will have something to share

 from that room very soon:)

Hugs & Blessings,

Terry



January Card Swaps...Just the Beginning...

This week I have been working on the January swaps for the SSSD group.

The above card is for the Sketch challenge.

Next is the Masculine Valentine Challenge.

This little Bee Hive card is for the Mystery Item Challenge.

The mystery item was the blue felt border:)

The snowman is a telescoping card for the Different Kind of Card Challenge.

This one was really fun, I can see some other cards coming from this idea:)

This card was embossed with dry emboss powder & heat gun, then

run through the Cuttlebug for the raised emboss, and finally used a sanding

block to remove some the gold embossing:)  I had never done this before either...

another New Technique I will be using.

This is my Paper Piecing for Winter.

This puts me about halfway done with this month's swaps,

so check back in a few days and hopefully

I will have them all completed.

I am learning so many new things at SSSD.

I am very thankful to all the ladies there.

They are truly causing me to think out of the box

and expand my paper crafting abilities.

A special "Thank You" to all the Swap Hostesses:)

Hugs,

Terry

A Quilter's Brain...Oh My!!!!!!

Borrowed this from Pat's Patter Blog.  This is just too funny and

so true.  Someone has truly been peeking inside our brains!!!!

Now that's a scary thought....and even a scarier place to be....

inside a quilter's brain, Oh My!!!!

The only thing I see missing from this graph is:

"I don't know exactly how much fabric I need...ummmm...

Guess I'll just take the whole bolt!"

Warm Quilty Hugs to All

Terry

What's Going On In My Sewing Corner...

Current Works:

My dear sister-in-law gave me these blocks for Christmas:)
I have them sewn together, ready to sandwich and quilt.
I think they will make a wonderful little wall hanging or a beautiful table topper.  Love the Amish look they have.
Funny thing, I use to very much dislike the color black...until I started quilting, now I love the way black makes things POP!!!

Well, grandchild #9 on the way...actually due February 17th.  So this is the front side of the quilt I am working on for "his" arrival.  This is a kit I found at the Stitchin' Post Quilt shop,  Everything was already pieced...so all I need to do is sandwich and quilt it.

And the flip side looks like this!
I LOVE the Minky fabric, it is soooooo soft....I may have to make myself a blankie out of Minky! (not sure that is the correct spelling, lol)

Upcoming Projects:

                                  These fabrics are for an upcoming swap at Friendship Block Swap Group.  We will be making the Disappearing 4-Patch block.  They will be Blue & White - 8" finished blocks.  These little jewels need to finished

and in the mail by mid-February.

Next Up.....

These adorable snowpeople are from the swap at the DJalternatelist group.  These little sweeties are going to make a too cute winter quilt:)  I will need to make 3 more to even it out.  And yes, I have already picked the patterns, just need to get to work!!!!  Thanks to Rosa for this swap:)

                  I also have some embroidery work going on...

These will become alternate blocks in my Dear Jane "Christmas Cookie" block swap

from a few years back.  Looking forward to getting this one finished for

Christmas 2012. 

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Also coming in March is a Red & White Block swap at Friendship Block Swap group.

I haven't chosen my fabric yet, so I don't have a picture to share, sorry:(

These will be 12 inch finished blocks of our choice. 

Nope I haven't chosen my blocks yet, either.

2012 New Year's Resolutions:



      1.  Learn to Crochet! 

      2.  Make a serious dent in all those UFOs hiding here and there.  (I can think of at least 14 just off the top of my head) 

      3.  Try not to start too many new projects ( right...like that one's going to  happen!!!)

      4.  Enjoy and Thank God for every day I'm given.  Take no one for granted.

                                     Be a Blessing to someone everyday.

Hope you check back one in awhile to check my progress:)

Love & Hugs,

Terry

God's peace...is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. 

                                                     Philippians 4:7  ( The Living Bible)

            

What's On My Reading Table

Here are my current reads...

One is for a Leadership Class at church,

The next one is for a weekly Book Club Group,

And the final one is just for my own entertainment:)

My favorite reads are Biblical, Christian Growth, True History,

Old-School Poetry, and Amish/ Historical fiction.

My family all know that I LOVE to read...

With that being said, here are some of

the Christmas gifts I received.

Does my family know me or what?????

Happy Reading,

And remember NEVER stop educating yourself.

Love & Hugs,

Terry

What's Going On In My Paper Crafting Room

These are a few of the Christmas craftings I did:)

Cards, ATCs, Scrapbook elements...sooooo

much FUN:)  Christmas is my favorite paper crafting time.

All of these were for swaps over at SSSD. 

Let me tell you, that group of women are SO VERY TALENTED!!!

I am so glad to be a part of their group:)

Now for a sad sad confession...

All the Christmas cards I sent this year were....

Oh this is so hard to say.......

store bought!!!!  Ahhhhhh.

I must do better this coming Christmas, I must, I must, I must.

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Now that Christmas is over, I am working on

Baby Shower goodies...

First is the Game Books shaped as Baby Food Jars:)   This idea came from my middle daughter - she is soooo creative:)      

Then there is the invitations.  Had a lot of fun with these.   The Baby Shower is for my youngest daughter, who will be delivering our 9th grandchild in mid February. 

And of course a new month brings new swaps at SSSD.

No, I did learn my lesson about signing up for too many swaps...

I am signed up for 11 swaps in January!!!

I just can't help myself, they offer way too many cool swaps.

I am addicted....BUT,  there are worse things to be addicted to, RIGHT???

Happy stamping to all those who share my love for the craft.

Hugs,

Terry

My Christmas Decorations

This Bethlehem Village is my personal favorite Christmas decoration.

I decorate very traditionally... green & red, I  love to use the branches from a real Christmas tree, and I keep it pretty simple, except for the Bethlehem Village.

It takes up the whole top of the fireplace mantle.  I found it about 8 years ago and I haven't seen another one since...so glad I bought it then.

Thought I would share a little more of my decorating, I hope you enjoy :)

This cabinet holds quilts and afghans made by my great-grandmothers, my mother-in-law, my daughter, and myself.

Lots of memories and history behind those glass doors.

Some of the ways I use the branches trimmed from our tree.



Another favorite...I made this Baby Jesus & Kneeling Santa

 way back in the late 70's,

when I was doing ceramics and plaster!

      

And last but not least....
Our Christmas Tree:)

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our

decorations for Christmas 2011. 

Wishing you all a Happy & Blessed New Year.

Remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them for a better view:)

Love & Hugs,

Terry