ice...

Why I finished my quilt block yesterday...

Everything was covered in a layer of ice.

I didn't want to be out in it for long, yet I find it amazing to look at.

virtual quilting bee...

I am participating in a virtual quilting bee. This is a peek at my block for January.

Here is a link to describe what a virtual quilting bee actually is.

This was a perfect day to work on this project. Because it was a perfect mess outside with a few inches of snow and a half inch of ice on top of everything.

The older kids were home from school and Mommy did some sewing.

Have to go rustle up some chow for the fam.

Have a great night!

some sewing...

I made these clothes pin holders over the weekend.

Did you hear that Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion and

Country Home both ceased publication? Is it me or does it seem like businesses are closing their doors with little or no notice at all.

These are some strange times folks...

weeeeeee!!!!!

I read somewhere that an effective way to teach a child to ride a two wheeler is to first take off the pedals so they can learn balance.

So today we did. Off came the training wheels, off came the pedals. She took a couple of whirls around the driveway...

and back on went the pedals.
and away went the girl.

She had it down in just a couple of minutes, we couldn't believe it.

Yeah!! A great day!!

I found this fun fabric in pristine condition at one of my favorite thrift stores a while back...

I love the adorable scenes throughout the fabric.

This reminds me so much of my childhood. Holly Hobby, Little House on the Prairie, all of it.

I made this pillow today. The calico print and the yellow fabrics are from Moda I think. They are from my stash.

I just listed it on my Etsy shop...

My two teenagers are in Washington DC today at the March for Life.

Dear Lord,

Please bless and watch over them and all those present in Washington DC today. Let the multitudes be heard and noticed by their prayerful presence. Let them make a difference.

Amen

the unexpected...

All this snow was unexpected today...

But most appreciated...

she plays...

My daughter got it in her head that she wanted to play guitar. So she went out with her Christmas money plus some hard earned cashola and purchased this beauty and a how to teach yourself guitar book. She'll do just that too. I can't help thinking about when she taught herself to ride her bike. She just wasn't "getting it" with our instruction. She insisted that we leave her alone and let her figure it out. A couple of hours later she had it and was happy as could be on her new "wheels" and newly found freedom. It his her determination and stubborness that has already proven to be among her finest attributes.

This is something I always wanted to do myself, I'm inspired...

The picture was taken by her little sister and she edited it.

Happy Saturday!!

We are having guests for the weekend from NY.

I better go get myself pulled together.

snowy day part II...

A fun day, where should I begin, I guess I'll start at the end and work my way back...

We made the yummiest lemonade...

Because we had lemons sitting in the fridge that needed to be used up...
and somebody got an idea in her head from this book...

It's a really cute book, an oldie but a goody...picked it up at a yard sale.

We went to the Pennsylvania Farm Show today. We just love those farm shows...

We were making our way around the tractors, science fair projects, vendors and came across a small crowd gathered around. We went over and low and behold it was Governor Rendell. The really strange thing is that although the show was packed with people in other areas, apparently hardly anyone knew the Governor was there, so we got really close. The small crowd dispersed and all that was left was the Press. I got right up close, almost mixed in with the Press (where is this guy's security-lol) I felt like a reporter, it was totally fun...

He was getting annoyed with the reporters grilling him about the incoming Presidential Cabinet choices while the country is in the midst of economic crisis. I was trying to think of a question to ask (just for the fun of it). I asked the photographer next to me if anyone asked him what he thought about the ridiculous amount of money being spent on the inauguration.

He said "not yet, go for it"!

So I yelled out my question just as he said no more questions and started to leave. For a brief moment a couple of reporters looked at me and started moving towards me with microphones sticking out and then the whole thing broke up, just before I thought I would faint.

Here are some of the other highlights...

A shuttle from the off site parking, pretty exciting for her.

Static...

Yes, this is in a bathroom stall, I'm sorry I thought it was funny...

Note to self...next time let her go on herself.

Merry-go-rounds aren't as fun as they used to be at my age.

snowy day...

This is what I was greeted by when I opened my eyes this morning. One little girl fully dressed for the snow. I don't even know how she found her boots, gloves and snowsuit, they were not readily available.

I couldn't get this picture to rotate. I tried a couple of times and then I thought, well, this is more authentic because this is actually (kinda, sorta) how I saw her when I opened my eyes.

The headband was the finishing touch.

Her "Little Flowers" leader (that's like Catholic girl scouts but better) made these for the girls as a gift. It was especially appropriate since we watched Daisy Head Maisy by Dr. Seuss for the first time this week.

Hey Mrs. Ellis, I saw these at a boutique recently, you could go into business.There wasn't too much snow but I'm all for a 2 hour delay when there is any snow on the ground when my son is driving.

I helped out at Little Flowers the other day with the youngest group of girls. Each time they meet they discuss a virtue and a saint, and how that particular saint lived that virtue.

We made tissue paper peonies. The Peony, also known as the "Christmas Flower" is dedicated to St. Agnes.

Here is the larger group, headbands and all having their "Epiphany gift exchange".

"my studio"

I have been doing some major cleaning out since Christmas. One of the areas that was screaming for attention was my "studio". My family still laughs at me for calling it that. When will they start taking me more seriously-lol...

Anyway here we go, it's in the basement along with the laundry area, hubby's workbench, storage, etc...I won't be showing all the stuff that it is surrounded by. Just my little space.

This is an old kitchen table from our last home, we were no longer using and it fit perfectly between hubby's workbench and the storage shelves. I found the shelving unit at a garage sale at a home of a teacher, it fit perfectly and provides lots of vertical storage space.

I have old tablecloths hanging up as curtains to cover up the storage. I am not using the chair in the living room the moment, so it was put to good use down here.

This table is extra long about 8-9 feet plus another sleeve I'm not using right now, another super cheap second hand treasure. It's great as a cutting table. I put this pretty floral vinyl covering on it, that I found at the Amish general store the other day. It makes cleaning up messy crafts quick and easy.

This little teapot is from my Mom. I think she gave it to me over 20 years ago, she had it forever before that. It is from Donegal, Ireland, where she was born and raised. The mason jars are filled with yo yos made by my mother in law that I have used for various projects.

There are little reminders of what is important to me all around, pictures, gifts, a crucifix...

My mom treated me to this dresser we found at a yard sale years ago. She said it was too nice to pass up, she was right. It holds lots of sewing supplies.

On the other side of the basement we have my daughter's "studio",

It isn't quite pulled together yet.

I am so excited to have gotten this space together. I look forward to sharing it and enjoying it with both of my creative daughters.

Dd16 and I just sat down there enjoying it last night for a while. As she once again brought up the topic of her dream of traveling the world starting in Ireland. Yikes!

Will I ever be ready for all that letting go??