ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Today I celebrate the first anniversary of my blog writing!!!!

When I started, I was uncertain that I would enjoy blogging, uncertain that it wouldn’t just take up more and more of my time, and uncertain that ANYone would want to read it. Well, all three of those worries were unfounded!!!

I love writing about what I am doing and I have found that the blogging process has helped to focus my quilting energies. I am always thinking about the next project and how I can blog about it. I have also enjoyed the documentation process that goes along with blogging, and have found it to be really helpful to write what you do and why.

Secondly, although it does take time to keep up with, it has been worth every minute spent and, after the honeymoon period passed, I haven’t been glued to my computer night and day.

Finally, the biggest enjoyment of blogging has been the people that I have met along the way…..from the comment written in French that I had to translate, to the “friend of a friend in Australia” comment on the last post. I have connected with known quilters as well as previously unknown ones. I have “met” people who spin with drop spindles, knit until their arms ache, learn to speak Greek just for the heck of it, cook some amazing dishes and, most importantly, keep the art of quilting alive and well in this world. I have given a gift to a total stranger and received one as well. I have been encouraged, complimented, educated and loved by all of you and I thank you!!!!

So, please raise your glasses…..

”To all of the wonderful blogging quilters of the world…..HERE’S TO YOU!!!!!”

Beaded Decorations……

My friend, Marilyn, who now lives in Brisbane, Australia started making beaded ornaments several years ago, and she has sent us a wonderful array of decorations. Here are a couple for you to enjoy…….

I met Marilyn while we were living in Canberra, Australia and we spent many hours together working on various projects at our church. At the time I was leading a craft group at the church and her husband credits me…..or should I say accuses me……of being the start of Marilyn’s many craft efforts.

Who is “J”???

Just before our second child was born, I decided to make some ornaments that had all of our initials on them. I had done the “F” for Frances, “M” for Michael (hubby), and the “B” for Brian (son). I was working on the “J” while we were visiting with some friends and she asked how I could do the last initial before I knew if baby number 2 was a boy or girl. My answer was easy…..James if it was a boy and Jenny if a girl

By the way…..it was a girl!!!

More Christmas Decorations

Early in 1981, we moved to Canberra, Australia so my husband could do a PhD at the Australian National University. When I thought about the 20+ hours that we would be in transit, I knew that I needed something to work on, so I bought a packet of 6 embroidered ornaments to take with me. I distinctly remember working on one of them during the trip and then finished them in the first few months that we lived there.

When I first made these and hung them on the door knobs, the frames would break apart and fall into three parts on the floor. After several years of this, I finally got out the glue gun and secured the frames. Now we enjoy them every year.

Christmas Decorations…..Texas Style

I have spent most of this week in Abilene, Texas, attending the funeral for my Mother’s Husband and trying to help her get settled down again. One of the perks to this trip was that I was reminded about the wonderful way in which Texan’s decorate for Christmas.

These photos are not the greatest ones…..it is hard to photograph at night and some were take on my cell phone……but here are a few to brighten your days…….

I love these “mushroom” trees…….