MY BLOCK FOR TRADITIONAL ALL ABOUT SEWING RR

AS OF AUGUST 15, THE TRADITIONAL IS UNDER WAY!   MANY OF US ARE EXCITED TO MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR OUR SEWING ROOMS OR OUR HOBBY IN GENERAL OF CRAZY QUILTING.   I HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE A COVER FOR MY SEWING MACHINE WHEN IT IS UP AND OUT FOR USE (WHICH IS ALWAYS THE CASE).  

I HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA INTEREST IN MAKING THIS.  I HAVE SAVED PICTURES OF MY FIRST GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER WHEN SHE WAS 13 MO. OLD THAT I TOOK AT MY HOME WHEN SHE WAS VISITING ME.   AS ALWAYS I HAD SEWING AROUND MY CHAIR AND SHE LOVED TO PLAY WITH THE SPOOLS OF THREAD.   THIS SPECIAL DAY, SHE CHOSE A LAVENDER SPOOL OF THREAD AND WAS QUITE TAKEN WITH IT.   I QUICKLY CAME WITH THE CAMERA AND TOOK PICTURES OF HER ADVENTURES WITH IT.   I AM USING THOSE AS APPLIQUES ON MY SEWING MACHINE COVER AFTER I PIECED IT WITH BEIGE AND BROWN TONES OF SILKY FABRIC.  IT IS NOW ON IT'S WAY THROUGH THE RR.  BUT HERE ARE THE PICTURES.  

WALL HANGING I MADE FOR MY GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER "MIA"

MY SON - GRANDPA LARRY BROWN

MIA'S PARENTS

MY LABEL ON BACK

MIA MARIE BROWN WAS BORN APRIL 27,  2 YEARS AGO IN 2009. 4 YEARS AGO I MADE A WALL HANGING SIMILAR FOR HER OLDER SISTER, ADDISON. I WAS EXCITED RIGHT AWAY TO MAKE ONE FOR MIA, ONLY OF COURSE A LITTLE DIFFERENT. BOTH OF THEM HAVE MANY PICTURES OF THEM AND THE RELATIVES PRINTED OFF IN SILK AND EMBELLISHED AROUND ON THE WALL HANGINGS. ADDISON'S WAS MADE AS A SURPRISE, SO I CHOSE PICTURES FROM ONES ON MY COMPUTER THAT THE PARENTS SENT TO US. FOR THIS ONE, FOR MIA, I ASKED THEM TO CHOOSE THE PICTURES THEY WANTED ON IT AND SEND THEM TO ME. I THINK THEY CHOSE VERY WELL.

I WAS DELAYED FOR OVER A YEAR BECAUSE OF MY SHOULDER INJURY AND SURGERY. FINALLY TODAY, THE FINISHED WALL HANGING IS ON IT'S WAY TO THEM IN SPRING, TX. VIA MY OWN SON, (MIA'S GRANDPA) WHO IS GOING FOR A VISIT. WE ARE ALL EXCITED TO KNOW THEY HAVE IT. HERE ARE A LOT OF PICTURES I HAVE TAKEN OF IT. IT WAS MADE IN NINE BLOCKS, EACH 18". I EMBELLISHED ALL THE SEAMS BEFORE I SET THE BLOCKS TOGETHER. THEN I APPLIED THE PICTURES, AS I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO COVER SOME OF THE SEAMS WITH THEM TOO. I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY SEEING THIS. I HAVE ENJOYED THIS 2 YEARS OF WORK ON IT.

CAROL SEWS: TRADITIONAL ALL ABOUT SEWING RR CQI GROUP

CAROL SEWS: TRADITIONAL ALL ABOUT SEWING RR CQI GROUP

How to piece a crazy quilt block

I have just added a link on the right side bar after the 'About Me' that has a wonderful set of instructions and pictures on pieceing a crazy quilt block.    I realize this is 'old hat' to most of you, but I found it interesting and thought of new people reading our blogs that might enjoy it.    It is very explanatory and lots of pictures too.   Enjoy!  

FINALLY! BACK INTO BLOGGER

I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS MY BLOG, MUCH LESS POST TO IT FOR MONTHS.  I FINALLY STUCK WITH IT TONIGHT AND THEY FINALLY LET ME RESET MY PASSWORD, AND NOW ALL IS O.K. I HOPE.   I WONDER WHAT HAPPENED, OR IF SOMEONE MESSED WITH IT?   NEVER KNOW, I GUESS.   ANYWAY, GLAD TO BE BACK.  

I HAVE SEVERAL THINGS TO POST AND PICTURES TO ADD THIS WEEK.  

CAROL

CAROL SEWS: I HAVE A NEW GREAT GRAND SON !!

CAROL SEWS: I HAVE A NEW GREAT GRAND SON !!

I HAVE A NEW GREAT GRAND SON !!

HE WAS BORN MARCH 7, 2011.  A BIG BOY!  OVER 9 LBS.  OF COURSE, I WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING FOR HIM THAT HIS GREAT GRANDMOTHER HAD MADE ESPECIALLY FOR HIM.  HERE IS THE WALL HANGING I MADE.   IT WAS A PRINTED ON CLOTH 12" X 14" PIECE.   I ENJOYED EMBELLISHING IT AND FILLED AND LINED IT. 

ANYTHING GOES DYB RR ON CGI.

I AM ENJOYING BEING IN THIS RR.  I HAVE FINISHED MY WORK ON THE FIRST BLOCK.  I CHOSE A BLUE BLOCK OF BERLE'S AND DID A TONE ON TONE WORK OF A FAN ON IT.  FUN! FUN!  I USED LOTS OF BEADS ALSO.   I HOPE BERLE LIKE'S IT.  

CAROL

ANYTHING GOES DYB - HERE ARE MY 6 BLOCKS

I ALSO SENT QUITE A FEW THINGS FOR THE LADIES TO USE ON MY BLOCKS IF THEY CHOOSE TO.   IT WILL BE A VALENTINE WALL HANGING FOR MY HOME.   I HOPE TO MAKE OTHER SEASON AND HOLIDAY WALL HANGINGS IN THE FUTURE ALSO. 

CAROL 

HELLO! SO GLAD TO REPORT MY GOOD FORTUNE OF HEALTH!

I AM SO HAPPY TO SAY THAT I BELIEVE MY ARM IS ABOUT BACK TO ORIGINAL USE.  IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE THE ROTAR CUFF TEAR SURGERY ON 10/7/10 AND A LOT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY SINCE THEN.  I EVEN HAD A SET BACK IN LATE MARCH AS I WAS THROUGH WITH THE PT AND THOUGHT I COULD DO MOST ANYTHING.  I QUICKLY FOUND OUT THAT RAISING MY RECLINER WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE THINGS.  IT SET ME BACK TO ANOTHER ROUND OF STEROIDS AND INJECTIONS IN BOTH THE FRONT OF MY SHOULDER AND BACK JUST 2 WEEKS APART.   I WAS IN SO MUCH PAIN FOR ABOUT 5 WEEKS IN APRIL THAT I THOUGHT I HAD TORN IT LOOSE AND WOULD HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY AGAIN.  I HONESTLY DIDN'T KNOW IF I COULD DO THAT. 

BUT NOW AFTER THE INJECTIONS, I AM SO RELIEVED THAT I CAN USE MY ARM QUITE WELL.  I STILL AM LIMITED ON HOW FAR UP I CAN REACH (LIKE YOUR DISHES ON SHELVES AND YOUR MEDICINE CABINET), BUT I QUICKLY USE MY LEFT ARM FOR THAT NOW.   THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS.   I HAVE A BIRTHDAY LATER THIS MONTH AND IT IS THE BIG ONE --75!  SO FOR ME MORE SURGERY WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION.  I AM ENJOYING STITCHING NOW AND HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW OF SOME OF THE THINGS I HAVE MADE.  MORE TO COME. 

THIS IS A KEEPSAKE I MADE FOR MY OLDEST GRANDDAUGHTER.  IT IS A 15" BLOCK.  I HAD IT FRAMED AS WITH LITTLE ONES AT HOME I FELT A PILLOW WOULD BE HARDER FOR HER TO TAKE CARE OF.   I LOVED MAKING IT WITH THE PASTEL COLORS AND LOTS OF BEADS AND SILK RIBBON EMBROIDERY TOO.  HERE ARE SOME CLOSE UPS --

 SHE WAS SO EXCITED TO RECEIVE THIS.  I HOPE SHE PASSES IT ON DOWN IN HER FAMILY AS TIME GOES BY.  

CAROL

HOW I FEEL BEFORE MY FIRST CUP OF COFFEE!

I was asked the other day how I feel before my first coffee of the morning. I replied:




- My hair looks more warped than cheap fabric.

- My brain feels a couple of stitches short of a complete seam.

- My needle is out of thread.

- I’m a fat quarter short of yard.

- My scissor blades don’t move in unison.

- I couldn’t wind a thread bobbin without instructions.

- My movements are a few needles short of a packet.

- I feel as handy as iron-on-interfacing without a hot iron.

- I’m sure my diction is a pin short of a full pin cushion.

- My sewing machine wheel is turning but the needles blunt.

- My brain is a few feathers short of a complete quilt filling.

- My eyesight feels like two buttons short of a chocolate box full.

- My motor skills are not quite as sharp as rotary cutter.

Though I do have more intelligence than a 1914 sewing machine.



Design a great day (after coffee)

I THOUGHT THIS WAS CUTE, AND SOME SO VERY TRUE.   I AM OFF TO MY SEWING ROOM TO MAKE 6" BLOCKS FOR 2 ROUND ROBINS I JUST SIGNED UP FOR. 
 
CAROL L.

ENJOYING STITCHING NOW - PICTURES WILL FOLLOW!

IT IS GREAT TO TYPE THAT HEADING FOR THIS POST.   I AM REALLY ENJOYING SOME BEAD STITCHIN ON SOME BLOCKS FOR THE WALL HANGING NOW.   I REALIZED I NEEDED SOME DIFFERENT AND MORE BEADS SO SHOPPED AT MY FAVORITE NEEDLEWORK STORE HERE AND FOUND SOME WONDERFUL BEAD LEAVES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.   I WILL SO ENJOY USING THEM.  

SEED BEEDS AND SOME A LITTLE LARGER WERE ON SPECIAL AT MICHAEL'S THIS PAST WEEK.   I HAVE ENJOYED 'SORTING' ALL MY PRESENT BEAD STASH AND ADDING THE NEW ONES AND NOW HAVE THEM ALL SORTED BY COLOR IN SEPARATE LARGE ZIP LOC BAGS.   I ALWAYS PUT THE FEW I AM USING ON A CLOTH OR IN A SMALL BOX SO I CAN EASILY PICK OUT THE ONES I WILL BE USING ON A PROJECT.   IT WILL MAKE MY PRESENT ONE MUCH EASIER TO FINISH.  

I AM STILL IN PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR MY ARM.  BUT IT IS DOING WELL, SO MAYBE NOT MUCH LONGER TO GET IT TO REACH IN FRONT OF ME!   THAT IS THE HARDEST!  THEY DID EXTRA SURGERY TO THAT FRONT MUSCLE ON MY ARM AND IT IS REALLY TIGHT AND STUBBORN.  

HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THE 'WINTER' FOR STITCHING.   WE ARE HOMEBOUND A LOT NOW, BOTH FROM SICKNESS, WEATHER, AND ONLY GOING OUT FOR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS WHICH SEEM TOO MANY AND TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.   GETTING OLD IS NOT FOR SISSIES! 

CAROL L. 

Wonderful GIVE-A-WAY see this!

GO TO THIS SITE:  http://daphnenicole-lyndacade.blogspot.com/ -   YOU WILL ENJOY THE WHOLE SITE, BUT THE BURLAP BAG THEY ARE GIVING AWAY IS A GOOD ONE!   ENJOY!

CAROL

New Year's Eve 2010

Well, the Christmas decorations are all down and put away.   Tom is starting a new 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle and I have been reading all the emails on my needlework daily digests.   So many wonderful pictures to look at and blogs to click on --  I can lose myself and hours seem to get by me! 

I am finally getting more use of my arm.  I have been stitching some on my beaded blocks for the wall hanging and soon will be able to hold the camera and take some pictures and get them here on the blog.  1/2 pound is my limit right now and the camera weighs more than that!  I don't have one of those itsy bitsy ones. 

We have enjoyed the holidays.  Escaped the snow storms, however we need the moisture so bad, that it would be worth it to have some.   Hopefully moisture will return to our area soon.  All the family is well and happy and we are THANKFUL for all.   We are continuing to sell out our eBay inventory and seem to find things to list each week too.   But we are cleaning out our rooms and that is good.  We have some interest from folks about purchasing our business and the Carol's Miracle Doll Cleaner recipe and name, so we are looking forward to finalizing that.   Too, we are planning to make a move to a smaller place, probably an apartment on one floor.  We are neither in good health anymore and we must downsize and try to take good care of each other.   I hope to enjoy more stitching time also.   We look forward to waking up someday and wonder what to do that day??? 

Bless all of you friends and family.  We are blessed abundantly! 

Carol

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010 FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS !!

WE HAVE JUST RETURNED HOME FROM OUR DAUGHTER'S WITH LOTS OF LEFTOVERS FOR OUR REFRIGERATOR AND FULLY STUFFED TUMMYS!   NOW IT SEEMS A SHORT NAP IS IN ORDER.  MY HUSBAND HAS ALREADY STARTED AHEAD OF ME!  HA. 

HERE IS OUR CHRISTMAS CARD TO ALL OF YOU!   WE LIVE IN A BLESSED LAND WITH LOTS OF FRIENDS TO BE THANKFUL FOR.   I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THIS WONDERFUL HOLIDAY AS MUCH AS WE HAVE.  

CAROL AND TOM 

18 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!    I hope to have some pictures to post in the next few days.   Tom put up our Christmas tree this week and it is beautiful!   Janet, my daughter helped decorate our home.  She is such a good decorator and has good ideas.   Also we 3 really sorted out a  lot of decorations to give away.   We have collected so many over the years and never use all of them.   Someone else may enjoy them!  

I AM STITCHING SOME!!  Now that is an answer to prayer and an early Christmas present to me from the Lord!   I still cannot sew on the sewing machine as that would be reaching forward and can't do that yet, but I can hold the work and use the needle and thread with my right hand and then pull out the project with my left hand after each stitch.   Slow, but at least I do enjoy passing the time with it.   I will also take some pictures of my work so far.   I have even worked on some UFO's !!   Had to order some nimo bead thread before I can continue on one of them.  But have it now.   Ordered from Fusion Beads on the internet!.  No minimum order and free shipping in the USA.  Wonderful people to deal with!   Just found them by searching for Nimo Thread.  

Hope you all are enjoying the preparations for the holidays.   We only buy for the little great grandchildren now and the rest of us just enjoy spending our time together, eating, playing games, etc.  A wonderful family happy time.    Enjoy YOUR'S!!!!  

My gift to you - here is a lucious cake for your holidays.

A REALLY, REALLY GOOD DUMP CAKE!!

Spray your 9" x 13" cake pan.  

Drain about 1/2 of the juice off of a can of chunk pineapple!  Cut into smaller pieces and put in pan with the remaining juice!  

Spread a large can of Apple Pie Filling out all over the pineapple.   Sprinkle with cinnamon and about 2 Tablespoons of Splenda (or sugar).

Spread a can of  Cherry Pie filling out all over the apple pie filling. 

Sprinkle a yellow cake mix all over the cherry pie filling.  Be careful to not have any lumps, as you want it to bake evenly. 

Cover the top with 1 1/2 cubes of butter or oleo cut into 1/4" slices. 

Bake 375 degrees for 50 minutes to one hour!   Cake should be browned some on the top and a toothpick come out clean when you test it.  

Let it set for 15-20 minutes.   Serve warm with ice cream or cool whip!    Ummmmmm Good!

Carol

THIS DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING!

This has been a blessed time of being with family yesterday and of course having Turkey and all the trimmings and many leftovers for today also.   Some of our family were missing as they were with other parts of the family in other cities, but we so enjoyed our day here at our daughter's home. 

We had an extra blessing to rejoice and be thankful for also.  My husband had not been feeling well at all in the last 2 weeks and ended up having a heart catherization on Tuesday.   Praise the Lord his heart is doing o.k.  No problems with the old bypasses and stents, so now he is to have MRI on his neck soon to see if a pinched nerve is causing his pain and his arms to go numb.  Scary!   He has lower back problems anyway, so this adds up for him.   We hope the future holds better things and pain free for him.

I am still at the physical therapist's office 2 times a week and still have my arm in a sling.  Can't move it forward like to reach!  I am doing well on range of motion upward they say.   The repair is such that the reaching forward thing may be a problem........  I just hope I can use it well in time with no pain.  Right now, that isn't the case.   But I am blessed with help from my family for the things I can't do.   Getting old though.
I want to stitch!  T.V. and jigsaw puzzles and some one handed cooking is my ritual.   

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday as we did.
Carol