Catching Up

 The past few days I have been catching up on sewing my blocks for the Blogger's Block of the Month. It's so much fun watching the color combinations come to life when the block is fully assembled and sewn together. I'm pretty excited....can you tell it's been a while since I've been able to sew for fun!! 

If you would like to join in it's not too late. Block number four is posted by Pat Sloan and it's fun and easy to make. I'm working on the second one for this block. For directions for the first three blocks and an overview you can visit Jackie at Canton Village Quiltworks here.

 Here is Block Design #4 

You can find directions on Pat Sloan's blog here.

She also has some great posts about here UFO's. Wow, and I thought I had a lot of unfinished projects. She will be blogging in January on how to get a handle on those....can't wait to get some help here!!
 

 Here is Block #2 - Designer Vicki Wesh

from Field Trips in Fiber blog

Pretty excited that I made two from this design. My goal is to make 

two from each one. 

I love how the colors jump out.

Here is Block #1- Designer Sherri at A Quilting Life
You can find the directions for this block here.



During Christmas I had so many things to do 
I got behind so
Block #3 is in the works and I hope to have it 
finished soon.

Thank you Jackie for hosting this great BOM!!!

New fabric

 Love this new fabric I purchased last week 

at one of my favorite quilt shops, 

Tennessee Quilts, in Jonesborogh, TN.

On the left is a stocking I'm in the process of making for next year.

Don't you love the old fashioned Santa material. 

Enjoyed  shopping today with my girls, mother, sister, 

and nephews at the mall. Lots of good sales.

 

Merry Christmas

 Last January I began babysitting 

for my daughter's best friend's little girl. 

She has been such a blessing in our lives

and needless to say, our lives have changed since her arrival.

More time changing diapers, feeding, playing, rocking, etc.

and a little less time for sewing or quilting. 

We have been enjoying God's treasures in this 

sweet little life God has given us for a short time.

I am looking forward to more quilting this coming year!

I'm still encouraged by all the wonderful inspiration

I find through my blog friends. 

Quilt inspiration and also Spiritual Encouragement!!

Thank you all!

Wishing all my friends

a very

Merry Christmas!

God Bless You! 

 My mother-in-law's Christmas gift finished! 

Up close...fabrics are beautiful!

 Left to right: my daughter's best friend, DD#2, sweet pea, DD#1, and her boyfriend

Me with sweet pea

Looking forward

 Praising God for a Blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends! Fellowship with family as we ate, laughed, and enjoyed being together.

Looking forward to celebrating Christmas as we join Ann at A Holy Experience in An Advent Celebration.

Thank you Ann for this gift of the Jesse Tree Journey.

Enjoyed sewing today and organizing my sewing room, making Christmas To-Do list, and finishing the borders for a quilt for a Christmas gift.

 

Potato Soup

We found a recipe for the most 

yummy potato soup ever!

Amazingly, it's so easy! 

****************

Potato Soup

8-10 med. size potatoes, or enough to fill your crockpot

1 onion

3 to 4 cans chicken broth

Nature's Seasoning

Cream cheese

Garnish: Cheese and bacon bits

1. Peel your potatoes and dice into small pieces.

2. Toss into crock pot with 3 cans chicken broth and add water to cover potatoes

3. Cut onion and add to pot

4. Sprinkle a couple tablespoons of Nature's Seasonings or seasoning of your choice

5. Cook on high all day, at lease 4-5 hours.

6. Add cream cheese cut into little pieces and mix well.

We made this around 10 a.m. and left the house all day.
When we returned the potatoes were cooked.

At this point I transfered the potatoes to a large 

pot on my stove and bringing to a boil I added cornstarch water (3-4 tablespoons cornstarch to 4-5 ounces water, stir with fork until smooth)
until thickened.
Turn down on med low and simmer until

cream cheese is melted completely.

Add garnish: cheese and bacon bits

This makes a large pot. We enjoyed leftovers 

for lunch the next day and also had enough to take grandma and grandpa.

Super Yummy!!

Source: Pinterest

I'm still learning how to use Pinterest but it's amazing.

Thanks to Jodi at  Pleasant Home for the tutorial on her blog!

Fabric Love

 So, I've been admiring these wonderful RUBY layer cakes

for weeks.....

couldn't resist any longer.......last week I ordered them from

Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics!!


Thank you 

Randi!!!

Of course I have a plan....

I'm thinking 

Christmas!!

 

LOVE  *  LOVE *  LOVE

This fabric!!!

 I've already chose the quilt I will be making and now I'm matching

up the squares, light and dark for the pattern!

Pattern is found in

the Moda Bakeshop

Lap Quilt "In a Jiffy" 

by Kari Ramsay

Same pattern i used for

my sister's quilt

I heart layer cakes!!

Celebrate LOVE

 We are big on celebrating birthdays

and FAMILY!!!

"Happy Birthday"

to my nephew.

Praising God for my family

and friends who

God has placed in our life!!

 

 Pure JOY!!

She makes my heart sing!

Gift quilt finished

 My husband decided we should display 

the quilt I just finished on our barn.

 This quilt was made for my

daughter's best friend who 

has been like a daughter to me.

Her mom and I have been friends for years.

She had a precious baby girl

in January and we are IN LOVE with her

as well! 

I'm sure you've seen her picture a few times

around my blog.

Seasons

 Fall Decorations

12 Gifts of Christmas Blog Hop

 Spending the evening visiting some awesome blogs....

enjoying those who posted about 

"The Sewing Summit"

Secretly wishing I could have been there!! 

While I was browsing I came across this

lovely bit of information!!

 Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts

is hosting the

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop

 Eleven talented quilters who will be

sharing tutorials for Christmas gifts as well

as tips and giveaways!!

The first tutorial is given today

by Jennifer......Double Sided Place Mats.

I have been thinking of making

place mats for a while so here's my inspiration!!

I think her tutorial is fantastic. 

Very good instructions with pictures!

Blessings

 Bless the Lord, O my soul:

And all that is within me, Bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103: 1-5 

Blessings Today

~family~

~God's Word~


~the sound of rain~


~holy spirit speaking to me~


~fall leaves~
 

Blogger's Quilt Along Block #1

Yipeee.....the first block for the

Blogger's Quilt Along is posted

at A Quilting Life.

 I've been looking forward to this all weekend!!

So, as soon as I saw it posted I gathered some of my favorite scraps and got to work!

Saturday Spotlight #2

 Enjoying our Saturday....beautiful Fall weather!

My favorite time of year

 as the leaves change colors and the mountains

become alive with colors of gold, yellow, and rust!

I'm in the middle of making Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

I found the recipe at
A Little Bit Biased Blog!!

Hop over to her blog and you'll find the recipe 

with pictures too!  She posted it Sept. 1st.
Thanks so much Amy for sharing your recipe!

Can't wait to share these with my family! 

I've peeled potatoes and will be making
one of our favorite foods....
homemade potatoe salad, just like
my grandma made with lots of mustard and pickles!!
Yummy!

 Sweet Pea

fascinated with a leave 

we picked from a tree in the yard!

Blogger BOM Quilt Along

 How would you like to join an awesome FREE BOM Quilt Along?

Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works is hosting the BOM Quilt Along with quite an impressive list of designer's who will be contributing each month to the quilt along.
For the list of designers and all the details hop on over to her blog and take a look. 

Our family had a great time this

weekend on our "End of Summer"

camping trip.

We took a little hike and this was the

beautiful view!!

 

Saturday Spotlight

 Major Free Motion 

going on today!!

It's no secret I love visiting all the wonderful blogs here in blogland more than posting on my own blog. There seems to never be enough time in the day for me to blog, at least when my brain is working enough to get out complete sentences to share with you.

So, when I can find the time
I'd like to have 

SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY 

to share some of my favorite

inspirational blogs with you.

My latest inspiration is found on

Oh Fransson's Blog 

with so much encouragement and helpful information that I just had to share with you today.

I love piecing my quilts but like a lot of others I really don't enjoy the quilting process, only the finished quilt. I was quilting, free motion or stippling to be exact, and once again had my bobbin threads to loosen and give me grief....grrrrrrr!!

I thought I would once again do some research on the web to help out. Lucky for me I found a wonderful tutorial which can be downloaded at Amy's blog. I went back to my machine and tried some of her suggestions for free motion quilting and had much better results. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and encouragement.

Also, take a look at Amy's Scalloped Dresden Bag FREE pattern over at During Quiet Time.  

Scroll down to her August 30th post where she shares about being in the spotlight at Kristie's blog, OCD: Obsessive Crafting Disorder.
Thank you Amy for sharing your pattern for this adorable bag. I can't wait to make one.  
In Color Order
Last but not least is Jeni's colorful blog, In Color Order, with an amazing selection of links for inspiration and helpful hints on everything from selecting
fabric to why certain colors blend well together. SO much to process at one time, you will definitely visit her blog more than once.


Have a great weekend my friends!!

Circle Quilt

 Our family has been enjoying this wonderful weather here in East TN. Warm days and cool mornings and evenings. Such a nice change from the heat we've had in the past few weeks. 
We have jumped into school full swing and everyone around here is busy as usual. 

Our youngest daughter (second from the right)

with her friends

Our oldest daughter with her boyfriend

I've finished my circle quilt and have taken a few pictures before sending it to it's new home with a sweet little six year old girl named Amber who is part of our church family.
On July 18th Amber sat playing in her driveway. As she was playing she was hit and dragged 13 feet by a car. God was watching over Amber during this tragic accident as she has undergone seven surgeries for her injuries and is recovering very well. Please pray for her continued healing as she is still having therapy and walking with a walker. She hopes to be back in school in a few months. Praise God for His protection and healing!!

 Written on the back is 

Philippians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Along with the names of most

of the children in our 

church.

I just LOVE making things for other people!!

Especially quilts!!

Family Mosaic

The Noble Wife book giveaway

 God has been so good to fill my life with precious 

friends who bless me beyond measure. Women of God who live a life 

that is pleasing to the Lord ....women who are examples 

of the Proverbs 31 woman.

Thank you Lord Jesus for your Word!

During difficult times in our lives God knows 

what we need....even when we don't know what the next

hour holds. 

Praising God today for His 

Word !!

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me.....

to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, 

the garment of praise for the

spirit of heaviness."

Isaiah 6:1,3 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm excited to share with you

that

Jacquelynne

at

"The Noble Wife"

is having a fantastic giveaway

on her blog for her

 new book, "Fruitful Hands".

A beautiful book filled with her very own amazing 

artwork, quilting projects, recipes, 

and more!

Oh, how I would love to win!

Go over and congratulate her 

and take a sneak peak of her book!

Have a Blessed Day!