Monday, January 31, 2011

One Project A Month January 2011 OPAM


I joined in the OPAM with Peg & Kris and it really motivated me to finish some things!
This is a set of burp cloths that I gave to my neice for a gift!
 
This is how I packaged them. Remember the paper flowers that the
Grands & I made?

Yes, I know that you have saw my dish cloths before but I absolutely loved crocheting them.
The top 2 here are some of the ones I made. 
The white one my BFF Vicki made and the blue one I
received in a dish cloth swap.  I just wanted to show you my little stack.

I have worked on this little baby quilt for quite a while.
I finally completely finished it and it is ready to be a gift for someone special.

Yes, I know.....Dish cloths again!
I can't help myself.
I probably have made 15 but gave most of them away.
Remember I am addicted.

I know that you saw this in another post but wanted
to include it in my OPAM finishes for January.

Here are some more burp cloths for a special little baby boy.

I also added a couple of pacifier clips to go with this gift!


And yes, I know you saw my fabric Christmas bags already but I just had to show them one more time.
(Smile)
*********************
One thing that I have always had a problem with is finishing things!
I have finally figured out to pick projects that are easy to finish.
So these challenges are great motivation for me.
A Special "Thank You" goes to:
Peg & Kris with the OPAM Challenge &
Allie with Christmas Through The Year Challenge &
Heidi & Bobbi with the Friday Night Sew In
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You have just got to go and check out Sweet Teen's blog!!!
She did a project for school and it is awesome.
I am so proud of her and she is so gifted.
She is also my "Blog Pick" of the week!

Today I am thankful for ...................encouragement.




Thursday, January 27, 2011

Christmas Through The Year - January Finishes

I love the fact that I have already started on Christmas gifts in January and I owe it all to Allie!
She started this Christmas Club to get us going and to motivate us!

I decided that this month I would make fabric gift bags to put my gifts in next year.

If you read my blog you know that I don't "shop" so this is great for me!
I won't have to even buy wrapping paper this year.
Oh yeah, I didn't buy any this year!!! lol

This was a panel that I purchased at a quilt store. 
This is the front of it.

This is the back of the bag. 
I had the exact color of gift tissue paper to go in it so I went ahead and added it.

Aren't they cute?
Even if I say so myself!
They were easy peasy and I learned how to
miter the corners so that the bottom of the bags sit flat.
If you would like to join in the fun just click here to visit her blog.
You can also look at lots of others who are joining in.
It might just get you in the Christmas mood!
Thanks for the motivation Allie!

This has nothing to do with Christmas but I just had to share this........
"May May", my youngest daughter and mother to our 2 year old grandson
had to go the dentist the other day.  So I kept "Little D".  I read him this book and
he was so excited.  He would listen and then he would close the book and say,
"GEE GEE"!!!
That is what he calls me now!  All my Grands said that when they were learning to talk
but it ends up being "Gran". 
Look at that little lady on the porch with her glasses and her knitting yarn!
I guess it does look like me! I don't guess "Little D" knows the difference yet between
Knitting and Crocheting!!!
I loved this!!! So cute!
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I am thankful today for .....................My Grandchildren.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

"Little Gifts"

I received this before Christmas from Jocelyn!
I could not believe that someone sent this for no reason except they cared.
The book is Praying God's Will For My Son and then the movie is a life changing movie.
Thank you Jocelyn!

"Little Gifts" mean a lot!
I received these seeds from Darla!
She shared her seeds last year and I enjoyed them all year long.
When I saw that she was offering to send them this year I was so excited.
Thank you Darla!!!

Look at this beautiful Dish cloth! 
I joined a swap over at Farm Girls!
This dish cloth is from Susan B. and she doesn't have a blog.
Thank you Susan!
I sent her one of my yellow and white dish cloths.
My friend Becky shared this site with me and told me about the dish cloth swap!
This was so much fun!


This is some fabric and quilt blocks that my "Cousin Nancy" sent me.
I love it!
Thank you Nancy!


My "Sweet Mother" always gives me a subscription to a magazine for my birthday.
This is the one I have enjoyed this past year!
Thank you Mom!

This is a gift from several years ago. 
My BFF Vicki found this at a yard sale and bought it for me!
When you have those dreaded hot flashes this fan is a life saver!
It goes with me everywhere I go.
Why am I talking about this fan since I have had it for a while?
Because I love this fan more and more everyday!
(smile)


I wanted to tell you about this "Little Gifts"  Campaign that Becky has going on over at her blog!
I loved this idea.  When I saw it I thought of all the gifts I have received from bloggers, family and friends.
We all want to give but Becky is showing us that it is also the little things that make a difference.
So I am joining her in trying to do some little things.  I can't always do big gifts but I can share a hello, a smile, an email or a phone call to someone that may need that on that very day.  The first day that I joined this campaign it really made me stop and think and be aware that there are hurting people everywhere. I was sitting at the hospital with the family of a sick friend and a man came to change the trash bag in the garbage can.  I had watched as he worked and noticed that nobody acknowledged him.  He looked so unhappy.  So I thought to myself....how can I brighten his day?  I am naturally a shy person so this is a challenge for me.  I asked him how he was and then we talked about the snow that was coming.  I thanked him for his service that he provided.  As he walked away he had a smile on his face and told us to be careful going home.  I ended up with the blessing. There are many people that we can not help.  Sometimes it will take a miracle and that is out of my hands except for praying.  Everybody is fighting some kind of battle but we can do some little things that might cheer someone along their way.   If you would like to join in please visit her blog.  You will be blessed.  So thank you Becky for making me stop and think about the "Little Gifts".
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I am thankful for..................the little things that make a difference.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Friday Night Sew In & A Sweet Visit

Bobbi & Heidi are the hosts of the Friday Night Sew In!
This really motivates me to do something.
I can't say thank you enough.
It is so much fun! 

I actually started my "sew in" very early Friday morning.
I woke up at 3 A.M. and just got busy. We have a friend in the hospital
so when we go to sit with the family I take my crocheting with me.
I finished up some dishcloths. I told you that I am addicted!

My "Sweet Mother" bought me this apron panel a few months ago.
So I decided that I would work on a few UFO's and started with this one.
I made the 4 pot holders to go with it.  It is not perfect but it was fun!
Thank you Mom!!!

This is a baby quilt that I started working on a while back and never finished the binding.
so I have it all pinned and ready to hand sew on to the back. 
I used a ribbon binding.  I didn't get it finished but shouldn't take long now.
I have made a point to leave this right next to my chair next to the fireplace
so everytime I sit there I can work on it a little.

This is Vicki, my very best friend in the whole world.
She came to visit me and guess what she had?

She had a dish cloth that she has been working on too!
She doesn't know it yet but she will be addicted. 
We will both have to go to a group meeting together.
I can hear it now.....
My name is Vicki and I am addicted.
My name is Val and I am addicted.

And guess what?
She gave her first dishcloth to me!!!
I almost cried!!!!
I will treasure it! 
Thank you Vicki!

Then she pulled out this skein of yarn and
told me that she started this several years ago.

Vicki is the one that showed me a couple of stitches several years ago.
It is her fault that I am now addicted.
Are you suppose to blame someone else??
(Smile)

"Sweet Hunter" said he wanted something to munch on today so I made these!
Then after he ate about 20 of them I asked him if he liked them and he said that they were not his favorites!  I would hate to see how many he would have ate if he liked them!!!
You can click here to get the recipe.
I love them.
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Make sure and check out the "Blog Pick Of The Week"!!
Today I am thankful for.........time for each other.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friendship

This is our once a month VPHS girls luncheon.
VPHS stands for our High school.

There was so much laughter and fun.

There were 10 of us this time. 
Some of us haven't saw each other since high school!

We went around the table and shared a brief summary of our lives.
It was really neat hearing about the lives of others.
This luncheon is a great thing for us all.
It's fun to be with "girlfriends".  Even though some of us haven't saw each other in years,
it was just like yesterday. 

***************
My birthday started with a breakfast with my friend Gayle.
Then lunch with the VPHS Girls!
Outback Steak house with my family.
Lots of cards and gifts from blogging friends, friends, & family.
Lots of phone calls & songs, & texts, emails & comments on my blog!
And over 150 Happy Birthday messages on facebook!
Thank you all for making my birthday special!

Today I am thankful for.......my friends!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Party Planner

Yesterday was my birthday but I had a special party planner that
planned this party last Saturday night! 
My little "Angel"!!!
 

Angel called everyone in my immediate family and told them what time, what to bring
and got it all together.  She is amazing!
We had taco salads and lots of desserts!


This is "Big Sis", Brother & Little D in the massage chair!
Anytime we have anything at my house with my family
we always wear p.j.'s so we will be comfy!

This is "Sweet Teen"!
Sweet Teen made the Butter finger cake!

And it was delicious!!!

"Big Sis" made her famous ultimate strawberry short cake!
Oh my goodness!!!

"Angel" is on the far left holding "Little D"!
See daddy's quilts stacked up?
All the girls and the little ones are in the "nobody's room" playing
Wheel of Fortune on the Wii!
They laughed and laughed and had so much fun.
I will have to do a blog on the "nobody's room" one day.
Do you name your rooms?

The guys were in the "big room" watching the ball game and eating!
The room is a mess but the kids had fun!
See that quilt in the basket? 
"Trouble" saw that one that my daddy made and bought it!!!

My name is Val and I am addicted.
Addicted to crocheting.
While everyone was doing their thing, me and the girls
started crocheting again!
I didn't take a picture of my little party planner that night so I used this picture
when she was learning to crochet.
I have to tell you that this little "Angel" is 10 years old and is so smart!
She made about 50 phone calls to plan this party with my family.
She figured out when everyone could come, she planned the menu and decided the time! 
Did she do good or what?
She made my family birthday party very special. 
Thank you to my family & a special thank you to my "Angel"!.

Today I am thankful for......gifts of love.
******************
Random Acts Of Kindness
Here is the other 2 links to see the others that are enjoying their RAK quilts.
Click Here to read about Pam & Here to read about Krista's quilt!
Thank you for blessing me.
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Blog pick of the week.....click Here!

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Family Affair- RAK

Last February I entered my sister in a Random Acts Of Kindness contest on Linda's blog!
My sister had just lost her husband and I thought this would lift her spirits.
Linda gave her the most beautiful wall hanging and it was such a blessing.
Anyway so I thought that I would pass this blessing
 on by doing a Random act of kindness for 3 people.

My 3 daughters picked the winners from all the comments.
My daughter Mandy picked..........



Glenda said: I would like to nominate my daughter. Two and half years ago she gave birth to a beautiful little girl. As the months unfolded, we discovered the baby was severely disabled. My daughter has been a beautiful example to all around her as she's handled her grief and cared for this precious little child. Each day is filled with siezures, tube feedings, and doctor visits, yet Mendy handles it all with grace, through her strong faith in the Lord.


Click Here to visit her daughters web site.


My daughter Maranda picked.........


Lori said: I would like to nominate my sister. My sister, Pam, had breast cancer in 2000 and has been in remission since until last week. Her cancer is back. We aren't sure to what extent yet. She has a CAT and bone scan next Friday and gets the results on the 15th.


On of the sad part of all of this, is Pam never married so outside of calling my other sister or myself, she goes home to an empty house to deal with all of this alone. I couldn't have imagined getting my cancer diagnosis and not having my husband to go home to.


My daughter Shannon picked..........


AmyW said: I'd like to nominate Krista. She found out right before Christmas that she has breast cancer. She is currently recovering from a double mastectomy and starts chemo this Tuesday. She is the mother of three kids (the same ages as mine), the wife of our youth minister, and a special education teacher (we teach at the same school).


A couple of years ago, she watched a very close friend of hers die of brain cancer. Krista was such a prayer warrior for the young mother. Unfortunately, she passed away and left behind a two year old daughter. Then about a year later, her own mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Krista brought her mother home to live with her. Within a year or so, her mom was gone. Throughout her diagnosis, she has been in good spirits and is constantly blessing others. She is fighting cancer with every ounce of her being while holding on tight to God's daily provisions. She and her family are so precious to us. We've served alongside of them on mission trips and we've watched our kids grow up together. I want her to live to see her great-grandchildren! She and I have made a secret goal that she will be well enough to return to New Orleans on this summer's youth mission trip. (It's a secret because her husband would freak out if he knew she was planning to return to New Orleans so soon after her last chemo treatment) Her blog address is www.kristas-journey.blogspot.com
I love this gal to pieces!

As you can see my Grands helped me get all this together and ready to mail.
It took me almost a year to do this and I want to tell you why it took me so long.
All along I had in my head that I would buy 3 quilts from Granny and send them to these 3 special people.
Then Granny passed away on April 13th. 
It took me a while to even think of this but I was at a loss what to do.
So I put it on the back burner for a while.  Almost a year.

So I started working on something else to give them all
but I felt in my heart that I was suppose to give them a quilt.
As I worked on other gifts for their package it just didn't feel right.
Then Daddy called and asked me to come and see his quilts that he had made.
Up until now, Daddy had not quilted since his Mother passed away.
I told him that I wanted to buy 3 of them and he was so thrilled.
I knew then that it was a quilt that I was suppose to send for this
random acts of kindness.

What would I do without my Grands?
They picked out the quilts according to each story,
 addressed the packages and helped me package them.
As always, I try to teach my Grands good things.
So I read the comments to them and they were so touched.
I told them that it doesn't have to cost anything to give someone a gift.
A gift of a smile or a hello doesn't costs a dime.
I love teaching moments.

So this was a family affair and such a blessing for us all.
My daughters picked the winners after thinking and reading all of the comments.
They took this very serious and so did I. They shed tears over all of the stories.
Then my Grands worked hard getting it all ready with me.

I was so happy to see the pictures that Glenda posted on her blog and sent me showing her daughter and her Grands receiving their quilt.
It meant the world to me.  Click on her name and you can see her precious family receiving their Random Act Of Kindness. Thank you Glenda for posting this for me and my family to see. 
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And if you want to be blessed visit here.
I have learned several things by doing this Random Act of Kindness.
1. My plans are not God's plans.
2. I wanted to do this to bless someone else and my family was blessed more.
3. When Granny passed away and I was at a loss what to do for these 3 women, I learned to WAIT because God had another plan.
4. Everyone has a story.
5. Pass it on.
6. It really is better to give than receive.

I am thankful for............my family.