Apron Love

IT"S IN THE MAIL!!

I don't know about you but I LOVE LOVE to get a package or hand written note/letter in the mail!

Here's a sneak peek at some goodies that winged their way to my house and/or are winging their way to a swap partner!

The Elegant Madame Samm's package to The Lady Jane Hillis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madame Samm from Sew We Quilt at Stash Manicure  sewed a custom created "Cuppa Cozie" with my initial.  

 

 

This little gem keeps your cuppa whatever warm for 2 hrs. or more!  Yep, it works!  M. Samm won an invention contest in Canada some years ago with this little jewel.  So...I asked very nicely and since she is one of THE most generous ladies I've gotten to know through my online "quilty girlfriends", Madame Samm custom sewed a "cuppa cozie" for me and my sister (SHHH!!! It's a secret...Happy Birthday Sarah Beth! Her cozie is PEEKING out from behind my yellow cozie...see it??)

I participated in my first ever apron swap!  I received a super fun package with a half apron as requested with some fun "tuck -ins" to spice up the package.  The apron was made out of the nicest fabric and I loved the garden flower seeds, Spring decoration plus some very colorful buttons for future embellishments.

Here is a recent apron creation which I think is so Springy and fun.  In fact I may have to keep this apron for myself!

Check out the little "coffee steam" plus the ruffle!  I'm actually teaching myself how to sew by making these aprons. My sewing skills stopped at my 8th grade Home Ec class so I have a lot of catching up to do.  I'm watching on line tutorials, reading everything I can about the particular technique I'm attempting to sew, and having fun in my SEWING CAVE as my family has nick named it...Mama's Sewing Cave

Here is a simple polka dot apron with a pocket.  This was my first ruffle and I will make my pockets larger from now on...like I said, I'm learning with each item I sew.

In this picture are some "tuck in's" for my apron swap partner...some yummy melon fat quarter fabric and an Irish Linen Hankie with hand crocheted lace I found at an antique store.  Hope she likes it!

Here are the three ladies blowing in the wind on a dreary spring afternoon.  Yes, the apron strings are very long...that is on purpose.  MY swap partner and I like to tie our strings around the back and then around to the front.  
You can also see how yucky the backyard looks behind my clothesline but if you look real hard you can see my plum trees about to burst forth.  The newest aprons on the farm add a touch of color don't you think?
Oh look, Hank the Border Collie is sneaking up on a squirrel...the squirrel is behind the apron!

Blue apron on left was found at a flea market...very utilitarian.  

Christmas apron and green apron belonged to my sweet little Mama.  She ALWAYS wore an apron...everyday...all day...for every occasion!

This is the newest apron on the cutting board...I Love this fabric and Large Polka Dot Print.  This little lady is going to be a full size bib apron with a large pocket going along the width of the bottom to hold cleaning or craft items.

Vintage Apron Pattern featured 
in 
The APRON BOOK

If you love all things APRON, then you WANT...no you NEED this treasure of a book.


My quilting endeavors have taken a back seat this past week to allow a some creative room for my
APRON LOVE

Blessings

GMAMA JANE

St. Patrick's Day Blessings

Happy St. Patrick's Day

from 

Gmama Jane

May Joy and Peace surround YOU

Contentment latch your Door

And Happiness be with YOU now,

And Bless YOU evermore.

                                          Irish Blessing

Isn't this little St. Paddie's Lady just the cutest thing ever??!!

My heritage is Scott-Irish and would love to know more about my family in the old country.

How many of you have seen the TV series that takes famous people and searches their genealogical roots?

So, fascinating and has made me want to take what I already know about my heritage and go to the next step.  I've joined Ancestory.com and hopefully will add information to my family history particularly on my mother's side.

 

Here is a picture of my favorite little leprechaun

 James spending time with Aunt LaLa

 

Progress Report:

This little leprechaun stood for 30 minutes with minimum support last week in physical therapy!!  As most of you know, James has Cerebral Palsy and he is making such great progress!  He is currently enrolled in Horseback riding lessons which mimics to the brain the act of WALKING!! Isn't that miraculous???

James must work hard to keep his balance while on the horse and the slow gait of the horse makes the brain think that James is walking.  I never realized how important walking is to all stages of development across the board.  

James WILL WALK independently one day and what a glorious day that will be!

I've heard from several Grandmothers out there who have grandchildren with developmental issues and I am amazed at the unconditional love we feel for these precious gifts.  Our lives are richer for having them in our lives!

BTW, here is an interesting contest so I thought I would bring your attention to it just in case you're interested.  I did something wrong when I copied the linky info but you can read the address at the bottom of the picture.

Today's post is short...I have lots of quilting and sewing projects to complete.  I am in an apron swap which needs to be mailed out on Monday!  

SEW.....let's go SEWing!!!

I know...it says Happy new Year but I thought it looked more like St Patrick's Day than New Years so I used it anyway.  I can do that if I want...I'm a big girl now and can do whatever I choose.

May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty

Old Irish Blessing

Gmama Jane

Quilt Heaven

QUILT HEAVEN

in the

SMOKEY MOUNTAINS

I'm back home!  I've just spent an entire week in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee among some of the most beautiful QUILTS as well as QUILTERS I've ever seen.  This was my very first Quilt retreat and I had SOOO much fun!!  Not only did I have a reunion with an old High School friend after 40 YEARS, I  was also surprised by a reunion with my oldest sister and her family after TWO YEARS of not seeing each other!!!  Can you believe it??

The picture below was taken off the back deck of our mountain cabin on Friday morning! It began snowing late Thursday night and we woke up to a winter wonderland Friday morning.  It was spitting snow on Thursday evening. # 1 Husband built a roaring fire and I warmed up a pot of Wednesday's chili for supper.  I had classes all day Thursday so it was nice to come back to the cabin, relax with the fire, have supper already cooked, watch the snow and Sew/Quilt all evening!

So much joy, yet I feel so conflicted...the same time I am reuniting with friends and family,  a half a world away, people are dying in one of the world's greatest natural disasters!  

The tragedy in Japan has devastated the lives of so many and the horror of what happened is beyond belief.  I hope we will all pray for Japan and donate to the charitable cause of choice.  I intend to contribute to the Red Cross!

I have so much to share about what I saw and learned about quilts, tips to make things easier, new trends, new fabrics, etc...but I need to unpack and get my house back in order after having been gone for a week.  I need to get back into a routine of housework, blogging, quilting, and family time so give me a few days to get my ducks in a row!  


Today, I'll share some Quilt eye candy and please forgive the quality of the pictures.  My camera doesn't do justice to the fabric colors, and intricacy of the stitching.  I was blessed to be able to take a few classes from some of the Quilt gurus such as Bonnie Hunter, Elsie Campbell, Darlene Zimmerman, Jo Morton, etc..!!

 This quilt was so unique in that each of the roses/flowers are freezer paper appliqued and HAND PAINTED!!!  You should see the shading and detial in each flower...STUNNING!!

Spectacular String Quilt by Elsie Campbell

Girlfriends, I was like a child in a candy store for the first time!  My #1 Husband came along to be my gopher, chef, chauffeur, and all round Prince Charming.  He even noted that this was the first time in our marriage that he could remember me taking an entire week for myself!!  I agree it was about time!

The intricate hand applique and quilting in this quilt was stunning!

I loved the placement of stars in this quilt

Flower Baskets

This quilt was put together from sun Bonnet Sue blocks that a daughter found after her mother died.  She put the blocks together and quilted it in remembrance of her mother!

The colors in this quilt were so beautiful and my photo doesn't do it justice.  It won second place in one of the categories but I can't remember or read the small print on the ribbon!

My next post I'll share some info from my classes.  If you live within driving distance of the Smokey Mtns, you NEED to plan to attend Quiltfest 2012!!  Wouldn't it be great to have a meet-up of those of us who have met here in blogland and on Stash Manicure?????  It could happen ladies!!!
I'm just sayin"....................

Blessings
GMama Jane

QuiltFest in Pigeon Forge, TN

This Sewing Fairy will be trekking up to Pigeon Forge TN next week!!!

QUILT FEST

Monday, March 7-11th, Mon-Fri.

Not only do I get to attend quilting classes but I'm reconnecting with an old High School friend I haven't seen in 40 years!!!!  Due to Facebook, Gina and I reconnected and found out we share a passion for sewing/Quilting!!

SEW, when she mentioned her planned trip to Quilt Fest in March, I signed up ASAP.  I even got #1 Hubby to agree to come along as my chauffeur.  He will entertain himself by fishing in the Pigeon River behind our Hotel while I'm taking 4 different classes during the week. Of course, I have plenty of free time built into my itinerary...time to shop, attend some shows, and sight see....AS WELL AS CHAT WITH AN OLD FRIEND!!

Take a Look See, 

here is my new Diet Plan which should work well for the hills of Tennesse!  I would normally forget about dieting on vacation but since #1 Hubby's Diabetes numbers didn't come back with a good report today, I guess it means we will be eating responsibly next week.  I don't intend to be a widow if I can help it and I sure don't want to see #1 having to begin taking insulin shots.  He has done so well the past 8 yrs and has avoided taking shots.  Both of us need to lose weight...YUCK!..food is such a vice for me!

OH LOOK!!  ANOTHER DIET PLAN!!

I am having Camera troubles and in fact, it may have died!  I'm thinking that Grandson Scott may have taken one too many "say cheese" pics.  I had just taken pics of my kitchen vintage linen finds at an antique store over the weekend.  I love tea towels from the 50's and embroidered napkins, aprons, etc..and I was so ecstatic when I found some genuine articles.  Some were not the real deal but I liked them anyway and that's all that matters to me.  If I like an item and the price is right, I buy it regardless of the authenticity. 

I probably will not post until I get back from Quiltfest!!  I'm hoping my camera issues can be resloved so I can bring back a plethora of Quilt Fest Pictures!

It's time to take a break and spend quality time with #1 Hubby and an old friend.  People and relationships are the most important thing in our lives.  Last week brought home the importance of relationships and telling those you love they are important to you before it's too late.  

Please pray for a blogging friend from *Count it All Joy*, who lost a newborn Grandchild this past week due to a tragic cord issue one week past her daughter's due date.  My DIL lost her elderly Grandfather (complications of West Nile Virus, if you can believe that!)and another dear dear friend is losing her battle with a brain tumor.

Therefore, I'm taking this next week to reconnect, meditate, quilt, and enjoy some early Spring time in the Smokey Mountains.

Blessings

Gmama Jane

Sewing Mends the Soul

Where have I been???  

Sewing & Quilting in my "GMama Cave"!

Here are some projects I'm working on..you may recognize the hand quilt.  This will belong to my Grandson's teacher from LAST YEAR!!  Ryan and I laughed this afternoon when I told him it was looking like he would have grandchildren before I got this quilt to his 2nd grade teacher!  

It's a little moment, but I love when Ryan and I have those times we laugh at something together... especially if it's one of my many *mistakes* that turns into a *STORY*.  Heaven only knows that is the reason behind this blog! 

I love it even more when I learn from a teacher or friend that Ryan talks about his Grandmama at school... even if it is at the expense of my dignity!!! I remember back when I was teaching and how I loved to hear the stories children would tell about their Grandparents.  I couldn't wait to be one of those Grandparents who made memories in the lives of their Grandchildren.

My next project is the BOM I'm stitching for my local quilt shop, Patches & Stitches.  Remember how I was not cool with my color choices?  Well, I rearranged my "theme" fabric and bought some black & gold documentary fabric and I'm liking it much better.  The pictures don't do the colors justice especially the rich black & gold.

I wish I took better pictures but alas it is what it is!  I will not be getting a new camera anytime soon since my next purchase will be a new sewing machine.

HOWEVER...I was so excited!  Talk about COINCIDENCE...which by the way I DON"T believe in because I think it's God just being ANONYMOUS! 

WHY???

I was invited to be a Guest Reader by a former colleague to read to her class.  Not just anything mind you...but "Pink and SAY" one of my favorite books by author Patricia Pollaco. 

The book is a true story from the CIVIL WAR about an injured White boy being rescued by an African American boy after a major Battle. A REAL tear -jerker so be warned! I HIGHLY recommend this book from age 4th grade and up if you want to leave an impression on your children or Grandchildren about the scourge of prejudice.  

SO...

How appropriate is it that I be piecing together a Civil War quilt??... wanted to stop, but the Quilt wouldn't let me...or should I say, Pink & Say, wouldn't let me!  I'll be reading in a 4th Grade Class on Thursday Morning as part of Black History Month AND their study of the Civil War.

One other small sewing project is a Mug Rug made from a UFO Block I found in the bottom of a drawer filled with bits and pieces of old quilting projects.  Do you have any of those??  Well, now I can make a lot of those solitary blocks into Mug Rugs and have an instant gift!  Voila!

Check out my little yo-yo's in the corner!  Their real purpose??? To hide a badly mitered corner!

NEXT...

Mug Rug given to daughter for a BFF Valentine gift! 

MY Valentine gift to a special friend, Marlene, from Stitching at the Lake.  Check her out, she is such a Jewel, lovely quilter/seamstress, and all around wise lady!  If I knew how, I would make a link up to her blog but I haven't learned that little trick as of yet?  Any quick tutorial advice out there?

OR...Did I send this Mug Rug to Marlene??  Someone PLEASE help me...I'm certifiable! Good Grief, I can't remember SQUAT.  All you young chickies out there, don't laugh, because old age happens to the Best of us when we least expect it!

ANYWAY, 

that's what I've been up to for the past week.  What have you been up to??

I'm thinking I will have  Give-Away the first week of March since March 6th is my Birthday!   I like to reverse the Birthday tradition this year and give gifts!  I'm thinking it will be a pretty apron for Spring!  Don't you just love a pretty apron?  I'm participating in an apron swap so I'll just make TWO and give one away HERE at Grandmamas Stories!

Blessings

Gmama Jane

Strength

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

to all my friends & family

I want to share some powerful words I read on Sunday that I think will not only 

ENCOURAGE you 

but

put the WIND back in you SAILS

Strength

from God's Word - in Isaiah from The Message (modern Bible Translation)

God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
... And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind. 

 

Spread your wings and soar like an eagle on this Valentine's Day 2011 

 

Blessings

Gmama Jane

Procrastination

 

Why do I procrastinate??  

I mean, really...what pleasure do I derive from putting things off to the very last minute and then rushing around like a chicken with it's head cut off?  Oh yes, AND... I'm almost always late..not more than 10-15 minutes mind you...but late never the less...LATE!

  Dr. Phil remarked on his show that people who procrastinate or are habitually late, receive some sort of reward for their behavior.  I don't know what my reward is even though I've tried very hard to figure it out.  I have some hunches but that is for later.

Like my MUG RUG??  This is the one I entered in the Mug Rug contest on Sew We Quilt @Stash Manicure with the wonderful Madame Samm.  When do you think I completed this entry?  The cut off date was Feb. 4th mind you.  Yep, Feb. 3rd and then I couldn't get my camera to work so I could take a picture and send in.  Good Grief!  SEW...the EVENING of FEB. 4th my entry was emailed through cyber space just in the nick of time.

I love a Black and Pink color combo and especially Black Toille!  I think it is so "girly" and elegant.  Each mug rug was supposed to reflect who WE were as a person yet for some reason I couldn't help from making it to reflect the blog moderator, Madame Samm!  Perhaps it is because she has been so gracious in giving me a blog make-over or so kind to others on the blog that I had her on my mind.  Whatever the reason, this is what I came up with.  I think this mug rug may just wing it's way towards the Canadian Tundra to a very special person...what do you think, ladies??

Coffee, Tea, or Thee

Now, for Procrastination project #2

Here is some Civil War Reproduction/Documentary fabric for my BOM sponsored by my local quilt shop, Patches and Stitches.

This is the BOM Quilt displayed at the Patches and Stitches...however, I'm going with a totally different color scheme in that I'm using Documentary fabrics.    I saw some samples and thought they were so different from anything I had done...new color scheme (very muted blue grays and browns), different blocks, totally DIFFERENT. 

However................

The first TWO blocks are due this Saturday and when do you think I will have mine done??  yep, I'll probably be stitching it as I drive...no, I promise, I won't do that.  But, I can bet it will not be finished before Friday night!  I STARTED cutting it out last night thinking I could knock out  the entire block  by bedtime.  NOT!!  NCIS was on last night and I LOVE that show.  I'm thinking I got distracted by that AWESOME episode ( yes, we have DVR but I was sucked into the story line and couldn't leave it) I have trouble, like I always do, when I start a new project.  

Do you have Beginner's Block??  

I can't explain it, but I have difficulty getting something started.  I will work all around getting started but actually taking the first stitch seems to be something I PROCRASTINATE upon.  Especially if I have just completed another project, I have a REAL problem with getting started on a NEW Project.  Is this something only I deal with??  It keeps me from creating more quilts/projects.  I would love some constructive criticism or advice as to how to FIX this little foible in my personality???

SEW..for now, I'm hoping to finish Block #1 Tonight and show you tomorrow.  That will put me on a deadline which seems to motivate me somehow.  Then I HAVE to cut out and finish Block #2 by Friday morning (Hopefully). I work best under pressure and a given deadline.  Free time *discombobulates*

# 1 on My To Do List for TODAY 

I must get my Valentine Mug Rug mailed to My very good Blogging friend, Marlene, *wink* *wink*

I WILL be back TOMORROW...it's all about Accountability you know whether it's Daily Bible reading, paying bills, sending encouraging notes, calling a sick or sad friend, fixing a leak, sewing on a button or losing weight...it's all so much easier if you have a friend to lift you up, hold your hand, tell you, "You can do it!", and holding you (Holding ME) ACCOUNTABLE!

Remember old fashioned Valentines like this one?  It's called "Vintage" now but it looks like the ones I used to get from my parents.

Blessings

Gmama Jane

Seasons, Butterflies and Lizards

Today's post is born from a heavy heart...a burden for my child shouldering the weight of the world as she raises a special needs child...a child with a life long handicap that has been determined to be the most expensive handicap a child can have.  A handicap that causes many marriages to fail, and families to split apart under the stress.

God created the seasons of the year but I like to think there are seasons of the HEART as well.  I am going through a season of feeling powerless...having to step back and watch the people I love most in this world bear burdens I would gladly bear myself.  A season of  wanting to step in and take control when life is out of control...wanting to take the pain away or at least kiss it and make it better.  It worked when our children were little but now we can only sit back and watch our grown children bear the burdens heaped upon them and want once again "to kiss it and make it all better".

If only a kiss would make it all better, I would fill their world with butterfly kisses, raspberry kisses, big sloppy kisses, kisses upon kisses

IF ONLY................................................

My precious Grandson James got new braces today.  Forrest Gump kind of braces...the kind of braces that SHOUT to the world I HAVE A HANDICAPPED CHILD/GRANDCHILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His mother, Mary Ellen, and my oldest daughter, simply wasn't prepared for the Institutional Look of these new braces.  In the past, James' braces have been tempered with cool shoes, cool colors, blinking lights in the soles of the shoes, and even stickers.  No amount of stickers are going to make these puppies look cool. 

The reason for the braces however, is to correct the right foot from turning in at a severe angle.  Every option has been tried and nothing has worked.  James even has to wear some sort of "cables" at night when he sleeps???!!

These new braces involve a metal ring around the waist covered in leather and a flexible pole going down the side of his leg.  I will have to post pictures so you can see how "lovely" they are.  HOWEVER, we know in our head  the Braces are necessary to reach James' goal of *Independent Walking"!!  Our hearts just haven't caught up as yet.

Today this smile was replaced with tears and fear of the unknown...on the part of ALL of us!  Will the Braces work?  Will his foot alignment be corrected?  How long will he wear them?  What happens if they DON'T work??  These are all questions we have no answers for...at least not on this day...maybe 3 months...6 months...1 yr.  down the road, we'll have some answers.  Will MORE Therapy be the answer???

  My prayers are for my daughter to have the physical and emotional strength to WALK this journey with James.  I'm thankful for Josh and his support as her husband and father to James.  I would not want her to walk this path as a single Mom!!

It's these days of NOT KNOWING how everything is going to turn out, having to walk in Faith,  having to Keep On Keeping On even when the spirit is down, finding strength when the soul is weary and having to sit on the sidelines cheering from the bleachers.  I want to comfort but don't have the words.  I want to offer wisdom but feel ignorant in the face of such overwhelming obstacles.

I am reminded that my daughter is still the same child who at age 3 picked up a lizard and when I told her to put it down because she might get bit, put her little spunky hands on her hips and with finger pointed, told me "Now you just go back to your Cross Stichin and I"LL handle this lizard.

If Only this was just a Lizard, sweetheart........................................................................................

My Prayer, Dear Lord, is that while in a cocoon of love, the best medical attention available, physical,speech, & occupational therapy, and good teachers, you will allow James to grow, strengthen, and prepare for the miracle of becoming a Butterfly.  Help us through these dark days when all we have is our Faith in YOU.

AMEN

Grandmama