Single Star

 When I create a quilt, I tend to go big or go home. In big I’m meaning big blocks. The bigger the block, the quicker it’s finished. The bigger the block, the easier it is. Maybe that’s just me, but I do prefer bigger blocks to make up a quilt. Though, I’ve made some with as little as 2” squares, but not many. 

This big block quilt is called Vintage Star. The original pattern is big. But, of course, not big enough for me. So I doubled or maybe even tripled the size of the pattern to make a very large quilt. 

It’s made with a Kaffe Fassett designer fabric line. If you’re not a fabric enthusiasts, that’s a line of fabric that is always gorgeous with bright beautiful colors and designs.

As I began to quilt it, I wasn’t liking all the different flower designs together. I’m kinda a matchy, matchy kinda person. But it’s growing on me looking at it from afar. Tell me if you like or not like. 

And, look here to read about my schedule of things to do list before Christmas. I’m checking them off one by one. 

Gin 

The Schedule

 It’s beginning to get busy here with the holidays just days away. There’s  the grandkids in and out. One of the little ones has been here 4 days in the last two weeks. And two more with plans to come stay a few days next week with school being out for Thanksgiving. 

 All the while:

I’m finishing up a couple quilts

I’m getting the house ready for company

I’m needing to get the grocery items for the big meal aka Thanksgiving 

I’m needing a new dishwasher (mine died)

I’m getting Christmas photo props ready for Thanksgiving Day for my obligatory pictures 

I’m dog-sitting two grand-dogs this weekend

I’m trying to fit in an eye-appointment next Monday 

I’m down for a dance recital attendance Dec 4th

I’m scheduled for overnite babysitting at one of the kids house Dec 17/18 

I’m putting my tree up Thanksgiving weekend no matter what 

I’m wanting to be at the last dirt bike race and the last  softball tournament of the season 

I’m sure I’m forgetting something like getting Christmas gifts.

The silver lining is I should have something to blog about through the end of the year. 

Gin 

 

Going Simple

 Thanksgiving Day is 14 days away. I love and enjoy Thanksgiving day and the days leading up to that day. 

I’m going simple in decorating with a thankful banner strung across the mantle. 

And a really simple sunflower arrangement on the dining table. 

I have pretty “paper ware” plates and cups and competition games for the family planned. BUT, I won’t be going simple with the menu. The turkey and all the trimmings will be served. My favorite being the dressing and baked corn for the main dish and for desert my fav would be pecan pie and pecan pralines. 

There’s a little decor on the back and front porch with pumpkin pillows in the chairs and swings from last year. 

Then I add a touch of Christmas on Thanksgiving Day with matching pjs for the grands so I can get my obligatory group picture of them for my Christmas card. 

All this sounds simple enough to me. 

Gin 

Oh geez!!

 Oh shoot!! I forgot to keep posting. My plan was to pick back up on my blogging but somehow I forgot all about it this last week. 

I must congratulation my oldest grand on 2nd place in the final dirt bike race of the season in the SERA series. Second Place out of 7 qualifiers in the PeeWee Division ages 7/8. 

He fought hard for 1st and was leading several laps on and off. 

That ended the year and a new season starts in Feb 2022. And to top it off he placed 2nd in his division for the year and will be acknowledged at the end of year banquet and receive several valuable aùwards/gifts. I’m so proud of him. 

The last few days swas spent with the youngest of my grands. He stayed over with us for 2 days. We did everything in the book including eating. Dry cereal was his choice of things this week. How do they know to pick out the marshmallows first??!!? 

I enjoy all the grands!

Gin

Life for 3 days

We are blessed to be given each day and I’m thankful. Three full days packed full of life is a blessing. This weekend was chocked full of things on the run. 

There were dirt bike racing, ball games, my wedding anniversary of 47 years, Halloween trick or treat, and a celebration of life for my dear sweet aunt who passed away. 

Here’s how my little grands looked for their trick or treating nite. 

Gin

Finished

 I’ve finished a quilt to donate to a silent auction as a fund raiser for a motorcycle club in Fl. All proceeds go to supplying and stocking a food pantry in their area. It’s the 2nd year I’ve been a part of this. Last year was a sailboat theme quilt, so I’m keeping with the theme for this years quilt. 

I’m loving the look. It’s kinda big measuring 96”x96”. The center sailboats are a fabric panel, then I used a matching blue sailboat print, a blue pinstripe, and then a white strip to form borders around the panel. Pinwheels in each corner are put in give a framed look.

My connection to this club is my daughters in-laws are in the club and I partnered with them to contribute an item for the silent auction. I’m happy to be able to join in this and give a little to those in need. 

The silent auction is in December and I’ll be donating a 2nd quilt also. Only it’s not even started yet, do I have to get busy to come up with another one. 

Gin 

 

Festival Time

 Fall and spring is always filled with festivals, as you all know. The River Run in our area was last weekend. I became a vendor in it, set up a booth, and spent the day being a sales person for my quilts. 

I’ve made a lot of quilts lately, so I tried my hand at getting rid of them this way.  I’m did ok and sold a few. I also had an “Enter To Win” give-away to entice people to stop and look at my merchandise. That worked like a charm. 

Right before the end of the evening I had the drawing and the person who won was still at the festival and she picked it up. I gave away this baby crib quilt. 

I’m now planning to do a Christmas festival in early December and sell some more. Wish me luck again!

Gin 

Fancy like that

 This one had a Happy Ninth Birthday Party in October. Happy Birthday sweet girl!

A few years ago I started a new tradition where I give each grand their own special party with just me and Pawpaw and their mom dad and siblings. They choose their theme, I bring cookie cake, candles, decorations, and gifts to shower them with my love. 

Gin 

Ummm . . .

 Three months have gone by. There’s not much to catch you up on, but I’ll do it anyway, all in one post. 

There was remembering 9-11 day. I happen to be keeping the youngest of the grands for the day. We had our own remembrance of that day. 

I introduced him to the flag of the USA. We had our own parade and enjoyed our day together. 

I can always count on dirt bike races and soft ball games to keep me entertained on weekends. My peewee class dirt bike rider brought home 1st place and hole shot, which is first off the start and first at the first turn. 

 

This 10up team was on fire at a weekend softball tournament. They won championship after playing 11 teams all weekend. 

One little one had tonsillectomy and took a few extra days to recoup and I got to stay a few days with them and give him all the mawmaw TLC he needed. He was a trooper and is now wild as ever. 

Yes, this is all about the grands and how they entertain me. I have to show  #3 out of the 5 to be even-steven. Her pastime is dance and having to be at all her sisters ball games. But when I’m there too, she’s my sidekick. 

My dear sweet mother-in-law passed away at the age of 92 during this time. After the lovely celebration of life for her we took pictures of her legacy, which is her family she left behind. We know we’ll see her again when we all get to heaven. 

Happy Birthday Again

 Happy Birthday to the youngest of our kids. He’s a husband, a dad, a hard worker, fun, loves outdoors, loves to do the cooking, and loves everything else that would make him a great person. Yes, I’m getting carried away. 

Happy birthday Trent!