Crazy quilting, hearts for sharing swap

I have been a stitching fool the last few days, I learned the bullion stitch; made my first 2 hearts in embellished crazy quilting that is beaded and has SRE (silk ribbon embroidery) flowers, did my first bead and button trails, love them!!! My hearts are for a swap hosted by Linda in Texas, Mom of Erin, my young stitching friend. We make and send out 1 heart per month, I have Jan. for Peggy in FL done and Feb. for Wilma in Holland done. Then in October I will receive 11 hearts made by the lovely ladies in my group of the swap. The hearts are quick, easy, adorable and addictive. Thanks Linda! Bill took me to the Rag Shop last night, I got a selection of #5 DMC perle cottons for the Take a Stitch Tuesday challenge, interfacing and beads for my hearts. Yesterday right before we left for dinner at Carrabas, the postman brought an urgent delivery package from Mary in New Orleans, Judyth and Lesa in Kansas, and Gerry in Texas called Project Marianne. Since I was ill and off the list these lovely friends from CQforNewbies@yahoo.com got together and created very touching notes, and gifts a plenty for me. There were CQ fabrics, fibers, laces, ribbons and embellishments, swan! siggies(vintage photos on silk), a CQ block in jewel toned satins, scrapbooking papers and embellishments, swan! figurines and sewing pattern, and lavender relaxation spray, mmm! What a wonderful outpouring of friendship, I am truly blessed to have these ladies in my life. They make such a difference. I was just so moved by this gesture. Oh stop me now, "I'm so fklempted". Talk amongst yourselves!"

Take A Stitch Tuesday Challenge

Today I prepared a squishie (a baggie filled with lace, ribbons, beads, buttons, charms, etc.) for Sharon B who will be teaching the Take a Stitch Tuesday Challenge beginning January 2, 2007 to anyone who is interesting in learning and exploring more embroidery stitches for embellishment. I wanted to thank her in some small way and hope she likes my offering. Check out the challenge info at http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php/take-a-stitch-tuesday-challenge/

My hero, my Daddy

Here's my Dad and his beloved dog, Toby whom they adopted from a rescue several years ago.

My lovely Mom

Here's my Mom at my Dad's 83rd birthday party. I love her smile in this one.

Our new cat Patches' first photo

Here is Patches, adopted from the Franklin Animal Shelter on October 4. She is a two year old Patch Tabby who had lived there for 3 months, after being found stray off a local highway. She is a delight, and here she is keeping me company as I nap.

Yes, I'm still Alive

My life blew up! Mom's lymphoma is back; she's responding to chemo thank god, I take her to oncologist next week. Dad was hospitalized 10 times this summer and fall. He is very weak and has fallen and cut himself several times lately. He is holding his own and keeps fighting. We took Toby to the groomer last week and went out to lunch. It was sunny and unseasonably warm. We had a good day together. That evening I took a paper craft class to alter several desk accessories at Scrapper's Cove by Leslie Chang, a great instructor. I had female surgery, all is well. Friday I saw my liver doctor I finish antiviral therapy For chronic HCV in mid-March. Yahoo!!!!! My blood work was all good. He said I should feel better by May. I am praying for more stamina and strength to be able to help my folks and mom-in-law, Grace more. Grace will be 90 on March 5, we will have a party for her, Good Lord willing. She is in good health but tires more easily. I took a scrapbooking class at Scrapper's Cove on Sunday with the talented Jen Starr of Ranger Industries, she is designing her own line of paper for Szage. She has even taught in Holland. It was a very fun class that included doodling and painting with paint dabbers. I have been making pages for the album we made. Yesterday Bill mailed out 3 packages for the Birthday Group 2 swap, which were long overdue due to my life exploding as it were. I spent 3 days gathering up the silks and satins, laces, ribbons, buttons, beads, charms , siggies, etc. for the stuffed squishie bags, and made one for the swap hostess, Rebecca, whose husband's unit all made it home safe from Iraq. I was on duty Sunday and again today for the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services, I'll do so again every Tuesday and on New Year's Eve. I have done this since our troops went to Iraq and did it for Desert Storm also.
It is a small thing to do to support our troops and their loved ones.