Valentine Subway Art

“Love is in the air” most definitely around here.  I never did much decorating for Valentine’s Day when the kids were young and I find myself wondering why not.  It’s fun and what’s not to love about LOVE?!?!

 

I found the free download at Eighteen 25 and fell in love with it.  I chose a solid black frame from Target to offset the white background and pink/red words.  LOVE IT!

 

The hearts tickle me – I found them in the dollar spot at Target.  They are called “Table Scatter” and I find that amusing. 

So for the amazing low price of $2 for “table scatter”, $5 for the frame and the negligible amount it cost to print I have a cute little Valentine display on top of the dresser in the guest room.

And it makes me smile.

 

* Linking to:  Valentine Party

Quilt Show With the Moms

 

Had a wonderful time on Saturday with my mom and mother-in-law – we went to a Quilt Expo in Oklahoma City.  Do we look ready to rumble or what?  

 

This was the quilt that won Best of Show.  Believe me when I say that my cell phone photo does not do this quilt justice.  It’s a whole cloth quilt and the quilting in places was probably a tenth of a centimeter or some other crazy small stitching. 

 

But personally this is my favorite kind of quilt and it won Best Traditional Quilt.  There are a couple of four patch blocks that are about an inch tall.  When we read about the quilt we were amazed to find that there are 4,667 pieces in this top!  Very inspiring.

This show was more vendor booths than quilts, but even that was wonderful.  Each of the booths had quilts hanging for inspiration and many had demos and make-and-takes.

I’ll give you just one guess which craft I worked on today after being at that show….  

SSMT Week 2

I posted yesterday that I was looking for a new Bible reading plan and you know what? God in His infinite wisdom has given me something to do in addition to reading.

I am a huge fan of Beth Moore. I think her Bible studies are so good and she speaks to a woman's heart. Every time I've done a Beth Moore Bible Study with a group of ladies I come out of it with a clearer understanding of the subject or book of the Bible. She speaks "real" during the videos and we end up having some heartfelt conversations around the table.

So when I saw that 2011 she'll be leading us in Bible memorization again I was so excited! I did it in 2009, but like so many of my plans I ended up not following through. But as I told Keith a bit ago - I am SO EXCITED about memorizing this year! And in my opinion once you're this excited about something it's the real deal and God Himself is speaking to you.

We are to post our verse on Beth's blog on the 1st and the 15th of each month, so starting with verse 2 I'm going to be posting here as well.

--<>--

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21 NIV

The reason this verse speaks to me is that I am very much a list person - I truly love making lists! With this being the first of the year I've been making lists on every subject imaginable and plans are being made to improve on just about every area in my life. While that is NOT a bad thing at all, I want my number 1 thought to be "the Lord's purpose prevails" - sort of along the lines of "Thy will be done." His will, not mine.

I think this is a great thing to ponder at the beginning of the year. Meditating on this verse and keeping it in my heart will help me to remember that my plans are indeed secondary to the Lord's purpose.

AMEN!

Friday’s Fave Five #122

Let the Snoopy Dancing commence – it’s Friday!!!  Thank you to Suzanne for hosting the Friday’s Fave Five each week at Living to Tell the Story. 

1. LWML – This week was the first time I was able to attend the LWML meeting (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) at church and I had such a wonderful time!  These women are so much fun and have such beautiful spirits.  I’ve been wanting to attend for the longest time and my schedule has just been so busy that it didn’t happen.  Last fall I kept saying I would go “after the first of the year” and I actually did.  I so look forward to getting to know these ladies better.

2. Brooklyn – I know I posted about the RV show yesterday, but I want to say again how much joy she brings to the two of us.  She is so much fun to be with and makes us laugh constantly.  Her mama taught her the Smelly Cat song from Friends, so on the way home from the RV show the two of us sat in the backseat and sang – ah the memories.

Oh one more memory – at one point at the RV show I called her some pet name, can’t even remember what it was.  She turned to me and said “Nuh uh, I’m Buttercup!”  Took me a minute, but then I remembered that I always say to her when I first see her or enter a room “What’s Up Buttercup?” and she remembers that!  So of course my eyes fill with tears and I have to look away so I don’t look like a silly old fool.  But it meant so much to me that she remembered something that I didn’t give a thought to really.

3. Valentine’s Day – Yesterday I got started on the Valentine’s decorations around the house and I’m having so much fun with it! Had to make an “emergency” run to Target last night for a couple of things because of course I’ve gone to blogs looking for ideas and everybody is so creative, which means I just have to copy some of the ideas.  Will be a post early next week to share some easy, fast and cheap ideas.

4. Bible Reading – I haven’t started a new Bible reading plan yet this year and have been doing some searching.  Most years I use the One Year Bible Online plan and *really* like it.  Then you might remember I did the Bible in 90 Days last fall.  So I’m just trying to figure out what my reading plan for now will be.  Anybody have other resources I should look at?  If not I will probably go with the One Year Bible Online again.

5. Camera Class – Last weekend I went to a Camera Operations class and I’m here to tell you, even though you really *can* teach an old dog new tricks it does take the old dogs a bit longer!  LOL!  It was a fabulous class and I’m hoping this year will be about learning to use my camera better.  I’m currently at a stage in my life where I’m not at all interested in taking college level courses, but I am very excited about taking classes for things I WANT to learn.  Camera and photography classes would be one of the main things and taking the class last week just solidified my belief that yep, I’m going to really enjoy doing this.

Brooklyn Loves the RV Show

Ahhh….good times!  We went for our 3rd annual RV Show excursion with Brooklyn last Saturday and had such a grand time.  We picture ourselves as someday being a retired RV couple so we do love the shows.  The beauty of it though is we are nowhere ready to buy, so really we go to figure out exactly what we like – and to dream – and to share that time with our granddaughter.

One of the things that tickled me most is when we first got to the convention center they had a little kiosk set up selling tickets to get into the arena where the show was being held.  I got the tickets and B ran over to the escalator so that we could go on our ride!  Naturally as grandparents we rode up to the 2nd floor with her – and then took the next escalator up to the 3rd floor.  She looked out over everything from way up high, then contentedly rode the escalators back down.  I think she would’ve been perfectly happy to go home at that point!

 

As with the other years she still loves the balloon piles. And that silly 3 year old cheesy grin…

 

This year the fascination was definitely with the showers – she absolutely loved them and had to get in just about every one. 

 

Up on a bunk bed doing a little “test”.  Her eyes are looking at another little girl probably a year older than her that was climbing up to be with her.  We were trying to get her to look at me and smile and she finally told us “Not now, my friend is coming up here with me!”  Happy that she’s so friendly!

 

We did stop and get some water and take a short break, though when we ordered only one bottle at the concession booth she informed us that she did not want to share.  I told her that since a bottle of water was $4 that she would indeed share….and she said ok. 

And in case you just feel the need to see the last two years at the RV show I’ll share the links.

2010 – this one has the video where she tells me I’m too big.  :/

2009 – she looks so little….

WIP Wednesday

Some of the projects I have going on are bigger projects and I just hate it that it takes so long before I can share a picture.  I’ve decided to occasionally post a WIP (Work In Progress) post on Wednesdays.  Really a WIP post *has* to be on Wednesday because it feeds my love of alliteration. 

 

Mom and I have talked before about how sometimes you see a project and it just grabs you.  That’s exactly what happened to me with this project.  Little Miss Shabby is doing a year long BOM (block of the month) quilt called Birdie Stitches.  In addition to quilting it also features embroidery.

And I’ve finally gotten over feeling like I must venture out and choose my own fabrics or yarn and not use exactly what the designer used on the model.  When I saw this first block the stitching AND the fabric worked together to grab me and convince me to make the quilt.  My Moda Layer Cake in the Sunkissed pattern has arrived and I’ll be starting my block tomorrow.

--<>--

Last year the bulk of my knitting was charity knitting and while I still very much want to continue with that I also want to do some other knitting as well.  I joined a group on Ravelry called YOSS – Year of Stash Socks 2011.  The premise is that instead of joining one of the fabulous sock clubs that instead we will knit a pair of socks or mittens using our stash of yarn every month during 2011.

Even if I don’t knit a pair every month I’m thrilled to pull out some of the yarn I already have.  You see, I *love* my yarn stash and everything I purchased I did so because I loved it….and still do.  So this is very satisfying to me.

The first pair of socks are coming right along and I just have a few more rounds to finish out the toe.  I’m using a self-striping yarn - Clown by Marks & Kattens and am loving it.  Self-striping yarns are fun to knit with as you get to watch the pattern develop as you go.

--<>--

This is the Advent Scarf pattern by Kristin Benecken.  I’m using JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool Silk in the Vanilla color and some pearl beads.  This scarf is turning out simply divine and I’m thoroughly enjoying knitting it.  The pattern was released a section a day for the 24 days prior to Christmas, but I went into it never intending to finish it during that time.  I sit in the evening, knit and listen to a book on tape and can feel all the days troubles just melt away – seriously.  And what a gorgeous scarf I’ll have to wear next year.