November...a photo journal...

There are so many things in life to be thankful for so this might sound silly to some but to others who sew and craft...not sew silly!

I am very thankful to be the proud owner of this...

She is my best friend ~ my sewing machine!

We spend many hours together and like friends we have good times and bad.  She keeps me company and gives me hours of entertaining fun!  We spend time together everyday and she is always there when I need her.

If I didn't have my sewing machine I couldn't do the thing in this world I enjoy most ~ CREATE!

Here are some things I am "creating" right now.

I call these blocks 'alternative friendship stars' and they are for a secret project I cannot discuss right now.

I am also working on this.

This is for a "Small Quilt Challenge" and now that the center rows are complete I need to sew them together and work on the pieced inner border...it needs more red!
And now that I am looking at the photo...I better flip the bottom row before sewing!  The mustard color points should face in to the center!  Good thing I caught that...

I am so thankful that I have the ability and the opportunity to work with my hands and create things ~ it gives me great joy!

I hope you enjoy your sewing adventures as much as I do!

Happy Sewing,

Colleen

November...a photo journal...

Today I am thankful for a gift!

Look what came in the mail the other day...

That's right ~ a pretty package was delivered to my house.

And what was inside?  

A couple of weeks ago I followed a "blog hop". 

You know, you bounce around visiting blogs that are participating, read the wonderful information and stories and many times they have a giveaway.  If you leave a comment by a certain date/time they use a random drawing to choose a winner(s).

WELL...on one of the blogs I was the random winner!

Here is what I received from Sandy Workman at http://pinemtndesigns.blogspot.com/

Sandy's block is featured in the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine, Vol.4
I won a copy of the magazine, her book Laundry Day and a Ruby Charm pack.
LUCKY ME!

Thank you Sandy! and Quiltermaker's Magazine!

Happy Sewing!
Colleen

November...a photo journal...

Today I have to thank all the Veterans ~ including those I love so dearly!

Thank you all for your service and for helping to keep us safe!

I SALUTE YOU!

November...a photo journal...

Day 7...yes, I know...I missed Day 6 and that is because I was busy doing something that today I am thankful for!


I went to a Quilt Show with my friends!


Here are some photo snippets of my journey through the show.

I am NOT a great photographer so pay no attention to the quality of the photos!

There were some lovely quilts in this small show!  They did not disappoint!

I was/am thankful for a fun day with friends and the ability of others to produce a great show with some super 'quilter's eye candy'!

Have a wonderful day!
Colleen

NOVEMBER...a photo journal of the people, places and things in my life I am THANKFUL for and that make me happy!

Day 5

THE AMERICAN FLAG

For me...this is the most beautiful site in the world!
Our American Flag flying proudly in the breeze...

Long may She wave!

November photo journal....

Day 4

MY FAMILY

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY SISTER AND HER HUSBAND!

I grew up a lucky kid...six brothers and one sister.

There was never a lonely moment in our home and you always had someone to play with, laugh with and cry with.

I love everyone of them.

In age order; Brian, Sean, Kevin, Doreen, Colleen, Emmett, Dermott, and Damian!

This photo was taken in April 2008 when we gathered for my Dad's funeral.

He was a proud man and had to raise most of us.  My Mom passed away at an early age and 4 of us still lived at home.  I was the oldest at the time at age 18; so it was myself and the three younger boys at home.

My Dad was a Cabinet Maker and made beautiful furniture.  When I owned my store in the late 80's/early 90's he made furniture and other items for me to sell in the shop.  What I liked most about that was he had to visit so he could make deliveries...that meant that I would get to see him at least once per week.  Sometimes he would just come out for a ride to see how the shop was doing and he always had a cup of coffee and a tea biscuit to share!
  

I love this photo of him.

Always a proud Marine!

God Bless you Daddy!

NOVEMBER...a photo journal of the people, places and things in my life I am THANKFUL for and that make me happy!

Day Three!


MY GRANDSON!

He is so much fun!
This little guy has won my heart and I simply adore him!


I love you buddy!!!!

And he loves quilts...he thinks everyone of them (and he has and sees a lot of them because his mom is a quilter too) is "bootiful"!!!


These are some of the quilts and items that I have made for him.

Curtains I made for his bedroom out of his parents old jeans!

Monkey Pillow Cases...he has Christmas pillow cases, Valentine's, St. Patrick's Day, Pirates...and more to come this Christmas (SHHH....Grinch on it's way!...along with the movie!)

This little fishy was finished for him.  It was in a class on machine applique and my daughter loved it and wanted it for his room.

The Flannel Bug Quilt.  This one is so cute and cuddly!

His latest quilt made this past Memorial Day weekend...I blogged about this one a few months ago!

Happy Sewing,
Colleen

NOVEMBER...a photo journal of the people, places and things in my life I am THANKFUL for and that make me happy!

MY CHILDREN!

Well, they are really my "Step-children" but since they have been in my life for over 28 years and they grew up in my home...they are MY CHILDREN!
They were born in my heart!

From left to right:

Akison - he is the youngest and loves to cook and bake.  He is going to school for culinary arts and wants to open a Restaurant/Bakery one day.

He has the best dimples...actually they all do but his are the ones that really make you smile when you see them.

Lisa - she is actually my oldest son's wife.  They were married in September.  She is REALLY the BEST thing that ever happened to him.

She is very sweet and adores my son...God bless her!

Yoshiko - my darling daughter.  What can I say about her?

She is so important to me!  We get along very well and we share many common interests.  She is absolutely beautiful and always has been.  She is generous and kind.  Yoshiko is married and has one son...more about him later!  Her husband is Jason, he was home babysitting while they went to the game!  Jason is a good father and takes great care of his family.

Seiken - the oldest and he likes a good party...I had to say it!

  He does work as hard as he plays and always wants to do his best.

He loves his family very much and is going to be a wonderful parent.

He is so good with his nephew.

They all make me very proud and happy to be their "Mom".

I love them to pieces!!!

Colleen

NOVEMBER...a photo journal of the people, places and things in my life I am THANKFUL for!!

NOVEMBER - DAY 1

I am so happy and thankful to spend my life with this amazing man!

My Husband...he is my best friend and I love him dearly!