Black Friday

Black Friday

The Turkey was cooked and leftovers fill the fridge, today is called black Friday and so many shoppers take to the highways in the wee hours to find those special deals.  As for Me, I was up before the sun, but not to take to the roads. The Dogs decided that they wanted to partake of the black Friday madness and start their day early. They never wake my husband that early, no they just nudge me, whine and whimper when they want out. I think he pays them to leave him alone at that early hour.  But that was my Black Friday excitement, letting the dogs outside, I then curled up in hubby's recliner and dozed back off to sleep.  I could care less about waiting in long lines for that one thing that is a must have item, there is NOTHING that I want that badly to be part of the craziness that is Black Friday.  I mean really they might advertise a great sale on a big screen TV, the store has 10 in stock, and there are 100 people trying to snatch the prize, they push and shove and there is nothing that rings in the good tidings to man on this day, so I will stay home and maybe surf the web for the bargains.  I will be nice and warm, no pushing or shoving, no nasty people just me and my computer a click of the mouse and the item is mine, PLUS they will deliver to my house.. So have fun all you holiday shoppers, hope the treasures you find today is worth the effort. I also hope that this year no shopper gets hurt or killed as they shop.  OH yes it is a fact that in the past shoppers have been run over by the crowds, not to mention the road rage as they try to go from one store to another in their quest. So many accidents because people lose focus on what is really a treasure and that is the life of a human being.  So be safe this weekend as you shop till you drop.

Basket donated by Thiry One

consultant

mythirtyone.com/lizsimmons

 Christmas Craft Show
Last weekend we spent Saturday with hubby's daughter and grandchildren. We were on our Saturday quest of bargain shopping at yard sales and there were some craft shows we wanted to stop at. One Craft Show was held at the Santa Rosa Kids House which is a child advocacy center for abused and neglected children.  They had many local crafters selling their items and the Kids House also had a couple of booths to raise money for the house.  One booth we stopped had information on their gift basket party plan called Thirty One, she had samples of the beautiful cloth baskets and ideas on what she put in them.  She also had a door prize that you could enter for free, and she had a basket raffle.  Being that the raffle proceeds went to Children's House, I bought a chance for me and one for Mel. Only one ticket each as that was all the money I had in my pocket.   My luck held out and I won the raffle... it is a beautiful basket filled with Christmas kitchen items, there is a apron, towel, plate, cookbook, list pad, pen, cooking utensils and ornament, tied with a holiday bow

basket I won.

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2012

This year for Thanksgiving I was thankful for family, friends and my husband who this year had many medical issues.  While it has been a year with many issues I am grateful that my husband's health is improving, it has been a long hard battle for him and he has many more battles ahead but we are happy that there is some improvement.  He has been in and out of the hospital numerous times this year, has so many doctors it gets confusing at times.  He was on disability since March, and his work laid him off in October because of his disability, he has since retired. We have managed but it gets a little rough at times, We have a roof over our head,there is food in the fridge, We ask no one for any help  so we  doing OK. We just have to watch our spending more.  

 

 As for our Christmas, things won't be the same... No lights on the house as hubby isn't able and he doesn't want me climbing the ladder to hang them. Besides all the decorations are stored in the workshop loft and you need a ladder and two strong people to get the items down, so while there won't be a tree or lights or yard decorations. We have each other and that is the best Christmas Gift for us.  

 

I am still working on the holiday quilts for my charity group, they should be done in the next week or two. Some will be going to Ronald McDonald  House, some will go to a abused women and children's shelter and since my main collection is for the nursing home there are lots of items that will be heading in that direction. There are tote bags filled with goodies, quilts, pillows and cards made be WOCS members.. Each year WOCS grows a little larger with many new members joining monthly, many themes to stitch, many quilts and sewn items to make, our members work to bring joy to others.  We also have sent quilts to more special requests this year.  The WOCS website is also growing, with many giveaways of stitching and sewing items donated by our many web sponsors.

http://www.worldofcharitystitching.blogspot.com/

 

 

Our Halloween

Update:  Our second Mama went into labor last night *11/6  and sadly she lost both puppies.

Halloween day our little pom decided that she would give us a treat.  She went into labor on the at 11pm on the 30th and at 3:30 she delivered her first puppy, two hours later she delivered two more little boys.  So needless to say I spent most of Halloween day trying to catch up on the sleep I missed the night before.  Mom and babies are all doing just fine..  Now we wait for Roxy to deliver her crew should be any day now.

Mist and Roxy waiting for the arrival of their pups. Taken Oct. 30th, Mist (the smaller pom with the white tail) went into labor shortly after this photo was taken. Roxy is due around the 7th of Nov.

Halloween puppies

3 adorable little boys

One is dressed like a ghost,

one has a black mask

 and the other one looks like someone painted his face.

Halloween fun

Halloween is right around the corner, treats are ready for the tricksters that is if we get any this year. I do so miss the fun I had when my son was young, making his costumes and I would dress as well. We didn't go out and buy costumes we made them.  That tradition has carried over to the grown kids and grand kids as well... Here are some costumes from Halloweens past.

Mel as a Southern Belle

I made this hoop skirt Civil War Era Dress for Mel to wear to work as they celebrated Halloween

This is our beautiful grand daughter in her Princess Belle Dress,

 I made the same pattern in pink for her sister, gold for her cousin and a family friend.

This cute pair are a pirate and a princess, at least that is what they wanted to be and that is what their mother told them the costume was when she made them..   I think they are the best Raggedy Ann and Andy ever.  Their Mother did a great job on their costumes even if it isn't your standard Pirate and Princess

Of course our little Tink had to get dressed for her holiday fun, she is Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz

 

Happy Halloween

RIP my Kodak Camera

Rest in Pieces

My dear sweet camera

I am guilty, I have once again caused the early retirement of yet another camera.  I loved my Kodak's, so easy to use and the pictures are great for my blog and my charity group postings.

BUT Alas, I did it again,  another camera will now Rest in Pieces thanks to my clumsiness.

This is not the first camera to fall prey to my dropsy... there were others before.

One ended up in the pond,  but the last two had the same cruel fate.

I dropped them, they landed on the floor and it was enough of a hit to cause the lens not to function properly.  It clicked, it moaned  it tried and just didn't open, and there was no repairing it.  I did take the last one in for repair and was told that it would be cheaper to just buy a new one, which I did.

 

This time however was different, I told hubby it was dead, and he said we would go and get another one.  Well, with puppies on the way anytime now, I didn't want to wait till the weekend and besides I don't leave the house when the mothers are getting ready just in case.  So we made a quick trip to the base which is close to our home.  We looked in the display case, I didn't want anything to expensive, I mean lets face it, I am terrible at keeping the cameras alive.

 

BUT wait, hubby saw TOUGH camera,

 Shockproof, waterproof and freeze proof. 

Plus it was on sale, he didn't even ask me, he told the girl to wrap it up.

Guess he knows me to well....LOL

 

So I now have yet another new camera, one that if I accidentally drop it, I shouldn't hurt it, least not kill it. I mean if this camera was a patriotic special, made to withstand what our service men will put it through, then it should stand up to my dropsy's

 

OH and hubby told me that next time I want a new camera, I don't have to throw it on the floor.. I mean really does he think I would do such a thing,

 no, he was just being a wise guy as he was there when I dropped the last one.

 

So here it is, my new easy to use,  Olympus TOUGH camera

which means,

I can take photos of the new puppies, items my charity group sends

and quilts I make for my blog and my charity group posts.

 

 

Charity Quilt Tops are ready for quilting

I have just finished assembling 15 quilt tops for my charity group, these will now be heading to the quilting frame this week. The squares were stitched by members of the World of Charity Stitching group, we even had one member who sent in three UFO embroidered redwork and bluework quilt tops that she was making for her grand daughter. Her grand daughter decided she had outgrown the designs and the top was sent to me to rework for Ronald McDonald House. I an so glad that quilter donated the UFO tops instead of throwing it in the trash as she had planned on doing.
I also have 7 other quilts in the works but at this time I can not post because these are Christmas Gifts and I wouldn't want the surprise to be given away... I will post those after the holidays...

Birdhouse theme # 1

Birdhouse theme # 2

popular theme we had enough for 2 tops

Blue Work, by WOCS member,

I just added borders to this top she was going to trash

Celtic Knot theme

Members stitched know in their favorite colors and chose fabric to match

Cupcake # 2

our cupcake theme was so popular that we had enough squares for a second quilt

Looks so yummy

JBW designs French Country Shoes and purses theme

our 2nd using JBW French Country designs, 1st was animals

Have a Heart theme

Members stitched in reds and pinks for this theme

Holiday theme,

 from a donation of 6 squares 3 more holidays were added to complete this top

Home Sweet Home Family

donation squares and WOCS member made the Home Sweet Home center square

Live, Love, Laugh with Roses

hand embroidered roses were a donation, WOCS members stitched the word blocks 

Red work tops were created as a quilt for a members grand daughter, GD decided she wanted something different and our member sent the quilt to me in case I could somehow use it for our charity group instead of tossing out in the trash.  Quilt was reworked into 4 smaller quilts which will be delivered to Ronald McDonald house this holiday season.

All the above quilt tops were stitched, sewed, embroidered and quilted by

Members of the World of Charity Stitching Group.

I am proud to be a member working on these beautiful quilts.

Thanks to everyone who donated their time, UFOs, Fabrics, threads and love to our projects.

Bonnie

 

Now on to the quilting frame

 

 

just another Dolly Mama finish

Rise and Whine Dolly Mama

 

 

I have been so busy lately with my charity quilts, and other things around the house that my poor little Dolly Mama's project fell to the wayside.  I finished the quilt tops for the grand kids quilt and need to get them quilted, which I will be doing in the next few weeks. There are also 6 of the charity quilts ready to be quilted and a baby quilt for my niece.

   I will be getting back to working on the charity quilts as many

of the theme squares are in now and there are more on their way. I will also be getting back on track with the Dolly Mama Project... there are still lots of the kits to be done.  Winter will soon be on us which means more time for stitching and sewing.

 

 

 

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

I have re posted this quilt as a reminder to all ladies to make a appointment for your annual mammogram if you haven't had it done this year. Takes just a few minutes and is so important in the fight against breast cancer. Early detection saves so many lives so Think Pink

 

As you might remember this lovely quilt was sent to a lady who is going through treatment for breast cancer.  She loved her quilt and was so thrilled to have been chosen to receive such a beautiful quilt.  The Pink and the blue fabrics used on this quilt were donated by one of the WOCS members.  Members also stitched the squares from suggestions about Teresa's favorite things and of course the awareness ribbon and pink ribbon angels made their way on to the quilt as did Teresa's dog, her favorite flowers and sewing items.

 

 

 

Lizzy's 1,000 crane fundraiser

 2012/2013

 

Lizzy presenting the check for $ 1,000 to JDRF

 

Lizzy received a thank you card and flowers

1,000 cranes on display

 

Also I wanted to announce that my grand daughter is at it again.  Lizzy took on a project last year to raise Money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research foundation.  She read that if you folded a thousand origami cranes, your wish would come true.  Lizzy decided to ask for donations of $ 1.00 for each crane she folded, the donors name was placed on the crane.. When she reached her goal the cranes were displayed in her school and then were given to JDRF at their annual fundraiser with the check for the  $ 1,000 she raised making the cranes.  After she finished with the cranes she started selling the sneakers this summer for JDRF.. Well the other night I was informed that Lizzy has once again decided to do the origami crane fundraiser for JDRF.  She has a site where you can make a donation and see all the photos taken from her last fundraiser.  This little girl is hoping that the money she raises will help in the fight against Juvenile Diabetes.  Lizzy is only 10 and so committed in her fundraising activities, we are all so very proud of her. 

 

Here is the link to Lizzy's web site http://cranes4acure.com/

 

 

Garage Sale Weekend

This weekend I hope to be holding a garage sale, time to fall clean and get rid of things that are just taking up room. Plus the holidays will soon be with us and the extra money will help.

 

 

 

 

 

my MRI

 

OH MY, Yesterday was a horrible... you know I have been having problems with pain in my neck and shoulder... I went in for the series of pain shots, but this time they didn't work like they did in the past. So I had a X ray taken which showed spur and arthritis in my neck... so MRI was scheduled, Thursday was the day for that adventure. I usually don't have problems with a MRI, but today was different... I got loaded in the machine and I had my eyes closed, they handed me a buzzer in case I had a problem. I was OK for the first round of washing machine noise, but then it happened.. In between I was allowed to move, shift or swallow.. OK I moved a little, I shifted a little to get comfy, I swallowed and then it happened... I opened my eyes... That's it panic set in, I closed my eyes and kept talking to myself to calm down that everything was OK. Don't panic, I have the button if I need it and I know they would get me out in a minute if I had any kind of problem.   I wanted out of this thing, but if they took me out would I be brave enough to enter the machine again.  I really don't think I would have, I came so close to pushing the button so many times during the rest of the test, which lasted 30 minutes. Then finally as I prepared for yet another round of washing machine noise the technician appeared and brought me out of the tunnel. I made it through the test, when I came out I told the guy I almost pushed the button many times. He said he got good pictures which was a relief as I really don't think I could have gone back into the machine that day.... Now it was over, I was free to move, to open my eyes, no more tight cramped space to panic in... I went out to meet hubby who was waiting in the car and I was still shaking... I just hope I don't have bad dreams tonight because of the experience of being locked in a little tube. I will tell you this, if you have to have a MRI done and they put you into the machine, keep your eyes closed, take a sleeping mask if you must so you don't see the inside of the machine, or maybe find one of the open MRI machines, I really think that is what I might do the next time they say I have to have a MRI done.