Let's try that again.

Hi folks, don't know what happened there but the 'puter must have hic-cupped or something.Don't know how to undo it., either.

I have to take a week off for my own sanity. I'm getting bowled over with responsibilities and feel that "this will be a good thing" for me at this time..

Will post in a week or so. In the meantime. Have fun, Happy stitching to all.

~~Fran...:c)

'Tis the Season

Well at least it's the begining. Last post I showed you a bit of my kitchen and this post you get to have a look at the old lady who lives there...*lol*..

Concentrate on the two beautiful grandaughters ok?

Only for the love of these two great kids, would I put a toque on my head and go and stand on the square, freezing my toes and anything else that might have been exposed. I swear the older you get the more you feel the cold. The kids were fine, but I just couldn't wait for the old man in the red suit to get there. He's at the END of the parade. Brrrr.

The parade was a hit, best one we've had in years, marching bands, highland pipers, dancing academies doing their *thing* and float after beautiful float . It lasted an hour. My nose and cheeks, toes and my ...humph...thought it was about 45 minutes too long.

Anyway we had fun, we we're 'making memories'. It was their mom's and dad's anniversary and these two charmers we're having a sleep over. We came home, had hot chocolate, warmed our toes and...humph...then got into pj's and settled down to watch the movie "Wally" with bowls of buttered popcorn and all. Papa fell asleep about 20 minutes later and the little one Jaime was not long after him. Brittny and I made it to the end. Later they got tucked in under the 'sleep over' quilt and had dreams of sugarplums. (I hope)

This snowman wreath welcomes you into our warm kitchen.

This is our kitchen table, look at the neat placemats I picked up at the Dollar Store for $1.00 each.

Last week I gave my kitchen curtains a bit of a lift. I took some cordinating print and I put wide hems and side panels on them. I made tie backs and folded some of the dark print to put up on over the pelmets.

By the way, the 'cat' you see on top of the pelmet is a painted wooden one that I did during my Tole Painting Era.


The curtain over the the window on the door is a small table topper I bought at the $$ Store and added the fancy hem, (it was too short) and put a a rod pocket on the back. *LOL* I have had more compliments on this door curtain than anything else.



I guess I've made this post long enough. And now I think I'll go and finish the soup. It's the kind of day when a hearty Beef Barley soup will give you a warm homey feeling. Fresh Rolls and butter, a glass of milk and that's all you need. Then I will go spend a couple of hours in the sewing room trying to catch up on all those Christmas projects. :)

Well so long until next time....

~~Fran...:c)

Friends Gather Here

Well by the looks of our yard I think it's official, winter has arrived, and that means SNOWMEN!

Snowmen and gingerbread men are my favourite things to add Christmas flavor in my kitchen. In the basket you will see them together with a little sign that says "Friends Gather Here".

For the next few weeks I thought I would give you all a peek into my kitchen one shot at a time...ok...so maybe 3-4 shots.

My Christmas Cactus's are anxious and started blooming all over. They are beautiful, it's too bad that such a lovely flower has no scent. Here you see the red one along with a couple of snowmen sitting on my freezer.

And a close-up of the flowers.....

And here you see the pink one on top of the fridge with a bunch of snowmen buddies keeping it company.

So that's my first venture into Christmas decorating, putting out a few snowmen. I've sewed up some new curtains for the kitchen and I'm cleaning and spit polishing all the silver and the crystal. All the Christmas dishes need a spiff up also. Thank goodness for a dishwasher. I figure I only use these once a year for Christmas dinner and the 'gold' around the rim should be good for a few years, seeing they only get washed, twice a year, before Christmas and after Christmas dinner. And if it doesn't?...Well the kids can deal with it 30 years from now. By then I won't care..*lol*...
So welcome to my kitchen. Stay tuned for more ....

Until then

~~Fran

Is it Winter Yet?

This is what greeted us this morning. But I know this will be gone in a couple of days, it's too mild out there. I am one of these rare people that live in the north and LOVE snow. On the other hand this part does not thrill me. This is just a warning that we had best get with the program and finish the outdoor chores, like bringing in the 2 proud grandparents.






The bear however has gone for his long winter sleep....he-he-he...





I took a short drive around the neighborhood with the camera, and wouldn't you know it the batteries gave out. Oh well, it's no big deal, just have to get to the camera store this week.

As anyone can tell, I'm not a great photographer. (Now if you want to see photography, go see Daisy Cottage and Jellybeanangel. ) Those gals know how to wield a camera! They have talent plus in that department. I realize there's more to it than just point and shoot.
1. You have to have good equipment and
2. you have to have an artists eye. Hey...I try!

This is what I managed to 'shoot' before the camera gave up the ghost.











As Porky Pig would say....."T-t-that's it folks... I'm off to the sewing room to see if I can get anything accomplished.

Have a great day.


~~Fran...:c)

tAKING fIVE

It was a beautiful sun shiny day and I decided to take advantage of it and I took five
We have a beautiful boardwalk down by Lake Huron . It was unseasonably warm and I kicked off my shoes and went down the beach to the shore. I wish I would have thought to bring the camera, but there's always a next time, the lake won't go away...*lol*...

But I love to pick up pebbles, and I usually come home with a pocket full of rocks. Today was no exception...here is today's loot. I look for color, shape, and differences like the little one that's half red and half white. (center of picture) to me they look like jewels of the lake. Some days I'm lucky and the gods of the lake delivers fossils to the shore. I have a load of these.



Everyone has to have a hobby and this is one of mine. The best thing about it is that's it's free, and it includes fresh air and a walk along the shore. All I have to do is look down.

I've been in my sewing room so long that I've forgotten what the rest of the house looks like...*lol*...

Well break is over so I'm going to back to the work room and start sewing again. I'm starting to feel like one of Santa's elves...

Until next time...

~~Fran...:c)

Going Thrifting

Saturday was my day off, so I did the thing I love more than sewing . I went shopping, and I hit a couple of thrift shops. Got some pretty good deals. Here are some pictures 3 lovely Toby mugs in 3 sizes for .25 cents each

a few pieces of jewelry , the broach in the center is enameled, the cost for all this was .75 cents.

A bag full of fabrics, all are at least 1 yd to 2 yds. Cost $1.00

What you see above is the contents of a bag of quilt pieces, and scraps. Ya gotta love it, all for $1.00

This is a 'bronzed' picture frame of leaves. I fell in love with it and spent the whole $1.25 for it.

And a lovely old tin for .50 cents I just love old tins like this.

And the best buy of the day was this denim reversible jacket for .50 cents.

One Saturday each month all clothing in this little shop called "Blessings" sell all of the clothing for .50 cents each. I came home with a car full of 'stuff'' and only spent $9.00.

Anybody want to come shopping with me?...*lol*...

Until next time

~~Fran...:c)

Chelsea's Quilt

Do any of you recall my teaching, my granddaughter from Nevada, how to quilt this summer? She made a HUGE bag/purse and was thrilled with it. She went home determined to make her dad a lap quilt for Christmas. A red, white and black lap quilt. He's heavy into Nascar. She sent me this picture this morning.....

and this one this afternoon. I'm so proud of her I could" just bust my buttons" as they say. Here's what she says after I wrote back and told her she was doing great, and does she think this will be passed down to her daughters if she ever has them, she replied........

Hi Nana! Thank you, that was this morning, now look how far I got! It looks so cool, and I am so glad you showed me how neat and fun quilting can be! Tell me what you think of the center! I will definitely pass this on to my daughters! love you! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo!

The black and white check doesn't like the camera lens very much and tends to blurr, but it is black and white checker flag/like checks. The print is just for the fun Nascar colors of the cars. I can't wait to see those pictures coming in. She's promised to keep me posted. Ya gotta love it!!!

Until next time

~~Fran...:c)

Pictorial Continued

As promised. I was afraid if I tried to get anymore pictures on that last post I'd get booted off again, so we continue in its a wonderful life.:c) Here are the pictures of the Redwork lady and of a few things I'm working on for the Christmas Tea.

So folks, allthough I don't blog as often as some , just know that at then end of a long day I sometime just want to sit at the computer and read your blogs and see what my friends have been up to. I visit, I lurk, I sometime post and I always enjoy reading all of your blogs.

Until next time...

~~Fran...:c)

Catching up

I'm going to try once more to catch up. I've just spent the better part of an hour on this blog, downloading pictures and what have you only to be booted off twice. If this doesn't make it through, I quit. I'm really talking to myself here of course, because if it doesn't make it through, you won't know will you?...he-he-he-he-...I think I'm loosing it!

For the past 2 weeks I will list the things I've been up to and then give you a pictorial of it all.

Halloween....made 2 cute loot bags for granddaughters, carved pumpkins with them and their mom and their Papa. After all if your going to make memories those are the best kind. Daddy and big brother couldn't be with us as they were away at school.

Last Sunday it was announced in the pulpit that we are having a Christmas Tea on the 6Th of December, and could the ladies of the quilt bee please put together a few things for it. (Would have been nice if this announcement had been given back in July). So.....we collectively , and I are up to our arm pits in making, table runners and place mats, aprons, oven mitts and potholders, 'hot' pads for pots, filled with cinnamon and all spice, so that when your put you hot pot on it, the nice smells permeate the room. There will be tea cozies to make, and 'bag' holders, and hand towels for the kitchen, (the ones you cut in half and either crochet or make a top to tie to either the cabinet door or the oven door), dishcloths to knit and pin cushions to make....etc...etc...etc.. I'm sure a few more items will come up at the last minute.

Christmas gifts, I committed myself to making a pillow quilt for each of my family members for a gift for Christmas. When I say committed, I mean committed. $300.00 committed, as all the fabric has been chosen and bought. I have 2 made. The pattern says that these pillow quilts can be made in about 3 hrs. AH!.....I would like to meet the whizz who can throw one of these together in 3 hrs. Not me. I failed pillow quilt 101. It takes me at least a day or a day in a half, depending on how much detail I want. But they are truly beautiful and my family will love them. A very kind lady blogger from the great state of Texas sent me the pattern and 2 beautiful pieces of fabric. Thank you Jan. Two down 17 to go. My family is banned from this blog , by the way...lol

Red work...this past week a very dear old friend came and asked for my help in putting together her red work quilt top she embroidered. She's 82, and a real darling, how could I refuse. We finished putting the top together on Friday night.

Doggie coats...my beloved son e-mailed me and asked if it would be possible for me to construct 2 winter dog coats for his two German Shepherds who are outside all winter. It can get pretty cold even with a good insulated kennel. Remember, he has no idea that is mother is up to her ...in the swamp with alligators, and that those alligators are snapping at that same ...What do I say? Uh...not this week son, maybe by the end of the month. Pray it doesn't get to cold up here by then.

Church...Ive been asked to be part of a very special committee and I feel it is important, and to which I am very much committed so setting my ducks in a row, this must be front and foremost. No ifs ands or buts.

Quilt Guild...Today was the first Monday of the month. This is the day our guild meets. Every month since it's beginning. We have a membership of 45. We were all asked if today we could donate some of our time and bring some extra few yards of fabric to make pillow cases for the Women's Shelter for Christmas. Ten showed up, 4 went home early. Was I angry? No, but I was disappointed in those ladies. A few may have had prior commitments, or maybe they were sick or had migraine, but give me a break, all 35 of them? I was asked if I would be vice president of this guild, but I don't think I will accept. As I said, I have to get my ducks in a row, and they are family, church, doggies and guild, and guild stands last right now.

Now I promised some photos and here they are.... you can figure out the pillow quilts, one is for a granddaughter and one is for a grandson.....

Now before this thing hiccups again I'm going to sign off and continue the pictorial in another post

~~Fran...:c)

Taking a Break