Happy Birthday

Today is my BFF's birthday.  I'm posting this under Family and Friends, because she really is not only my friend, but like my sister.  Everywhere we go together, people ask us if we're sisters.  We've even been asked if we're twins. ( maybe it's because we shop together, like the same clothes and many times show up wearing the same outfits).

We've been through a lot together.  I could tell you stories.  But I won't.  Let's just say that we've laughed a lot of laughs and cried a lot of tears.

So in honor of Leslie today on May 2, 2011 when the world is celebrating the death of a very evil man, I'd like to celebrate the birth of a very loving, caring, gentle, wonderful friend.  Leslie Lind Hale.

I WON!

I won a major award!  Go see!  http://www.freespiritfabric.blogspot.com/

April Showers

APRIL SHOWERS BRING:

May flowers



Irises--Love, love , love them!



Climatis.



Lettuce.  For now it's really good.  But, there's a rabbit in my yard and today he stripped my lily leaves.  The lettuce has been moved to the patio table.  Can rabbits climb?  If they can, he may meet an untimely death.

Peonies--my absolute favorite.  The smell is intoxicating.

Miniature roses.  I sent this rose to my Mom two years ago for her last Mother's Day on earth.  Now it resides in my garden.

Green onions.

This one was taken a couple of weeks ago when the creeping phlox was in full bloom.

April showers cause little boys to have to hunt their Easter eggs inside.  Thanks to Uncle Patrick, we're still finding hidden eggs!  Poor Uncle Aaron had a cold and spent the day hiding in his cave to keep from giving his cold to the little guys. 

Hope ya'll had a Happy Easter !

The Joy of a Machine That Works Like It's Supposed to Work

I've had a nice Phaff Sewing Machine for more than a couple of years.  It gave me trouble from the start.  Finally, the place from which I bought it replaced it and I continued to have trouble with it.  It sewed "okay", but when it came to quilting the actual quilt sandwich, it was the machine from hell.  I spent more time cussing the machine than I did sewing.

But at last....

I took the machine to "another Phaff dealer" in Hennessey, OK.  Specifically, Prarie Quilts owned by Randa Parish.  She told me to bring it to her technician and she would guarantee that he'd have it singing like a bird in no time.  And was she ever right.  His name is Kent and I'll never take my machine elsewhere to be serviced.  He found a few things wrong that were causing the problems.  I'm wondering why those things were overlooked before.  Anyway,  I'm really happy with it and here is the first quilt I've quilted since it's been working like it should.

More applique and More on Aaron

This is the latest applique I've completed (some weeks ago).  Now I'm busy with some other things and can't seem to get back at this quilt.  It's not that I'm not wanting to. 

Here's the first shot of all the ones I have done so far.  I'm thinking I like them.

And here's my zany son Aaron.  Still here.  Still waiting to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps.
Now "they're"  saying his date to leave will be 2-3 months.  He's discouraged.  We're all on an emotional roller coaster.
So you praying friends out there can pray for him that he'll stay encouraged and ready to go. In the meantime, he's starting a temporary job tomorrow.  It will help him stay busy.  Prayers already answered. 

Cards

Sometimes I make cards.  These are some of my latest.  I used to be into rubber stamping and I made a lot of cards.  Now, I just make them when I need one.  Still fun, but I love making quilts more.  Sometimes it's just fun to diversify.  And I get to play with my button collection. 


For those of you who are interested, my son's date of departure for the Marines has been delayed by 2 weeks.  So now he leaves on the 25th and I get to baby him just a little bit longer.

Sadness

This is a picture of my friends Sue (right) and her daughter-in-law Theresa. 

A couple of years ago I helped Sue get this quilt ready for her to hand quilt.  Her mother had hand pieced it. She finished it and I helped her bind it and make a label for the back.

Sue passed away Thursday after a sudden illness that kept her in the hospital for almost 5 weeks.  I got to spend some time sitting with her there, but missed her last week because of my bad back.  My husband has been asked to speak at her funeral and I've been asked to play the piano for a couple of our friends to sing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "It Is Well With My Soul".  I know that to be true for Sue.  She's resting in heaven now and is greatly missed by her friends and family.  I'm glad to have known her and counted her as a friend.  Good-bye dear friend.