Mouse House

Wow...it's been a year

2012-01-22T13:29:00.000-08:00

It doesn't seem like a year since I have posted to my blog. But what a year it has been. Work has kept me busier than I ever thought it would this year. I have been working many many hours and it has been exhausting. I went home to Colorado for 10 days in July....I spent most of my time helping my niece with her house. We did get to spend some time with our Grandson and Great Grandson...it was awesome. Also spent time with our Granddaughter and her family...what a blast that was. We hadn't seen her in more years than I care to think about...but it was like we had seen her yesterday. Also spent time with her Mother...who we have always loved like a daughter..even after she divorced our son. So all in all it was a good trip. I did get a quilt or two done this last year and I have one on the design wall and another I just got the pattern for. Hope to get the later one done first. I want to enter it in the quilt show this year. Hopefully I will get it started this week.

This years is going to be interesting. I am doing some more traveling. A short (5) day trip home to Colorado next month but then I will be going to HAWAII for 8 days in March. I have never been to Hawaii and I am really looking forward to it. I am going with my friend Jean and her mother. Jean's daughter lives there, so we will be staying with her. I am making a list of everything I want to see and do and I am sure we will not be getting much sleep. I am making a list of fabric I want to complete a quilt with all of the rest of the fabric that Beth has sent me since she has lived there. I have received a package of fabric every year for the past couple of years...so I have quite a bit stored up.

I craft when I can...but I am trying to arrange my work schedule to make more time for crafting this years. I miss it and need to get back to it.

Hope all is well with everyone and I plan to post more here this year.

Aloha,

Anett

I am Obsessed!

2010-11-30T06:59:00.000-08:00

With making these little bags. This is the latest in the series from Embroidery Garden. The are so much fun to make and I can't wait to see what Reen comes up with next. They are easy...fast and adorable.

If you go to this link, you will see the Penguin I made. Reen put it up on her website...it was very exciting to see something I created on a wonderful website.

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=669

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Anett

My Little Penguin Bag

2010-11-29T07:51:00.000-08:00

This is a little Penguin Bag I made using a design from Embroidery Garden. He is made out of a really cool black fabric I found....the white is Minky...the purple is a fur like fabric someone sent me because they know I like purple. This little guy really turned out cute and I just love him. He will be on his way to my niece Deanna, this afternoon. She loves purple also...BUT the really exciting thing is....my little purple penguin ended up being featured on the Embroidery Garden website. I am so excited and proud to see him there. Go have a look.

http://www.embroiderygarden.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=669

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving...it was just me and Hubby...so it was nice and quiet.

Happy Monday everyone!

Anett

I have something to share

2010-11-23T15:57:00.000-08:00

Two posts in one day...a miracle!

I have something totally cool to share. The above quilt was made by my Granddaughter Michelle. Now I am sure you are asking yourself what is so special about it....well I am going to tell you. A couple of month's ago...Michelle decided she wanted to sew....I found a machine for her, sent it to her...sent her some you tube videos...she did some research on her own and ended up making this wonderful quilt, without ever having turned on a machine in her life! She had lots of trials and tribulations along the way and almost gave up a couple of time....I am so glad she didn't, because look what she created...this is using no pattern...no idea how to cut fabric..how to use a rotary cutter...nothing! She just went for it and I am so proud of her I could bust! Can anyone see a mistake in it NO! All I can see is a wonderful quilt that when it is finished....something she can be totally proud of!!!

Great Job Michelle! You rock!!!

Hope you all leave comments to encourage her to make more wonderful projects like this.

Anett

A few things for sale

2010-11-23T12:50:00.000-08:00

I have the above cell phone, what not bags for sale. They may not be in these exact fabrics, but they will be close. They are $7.00 each and the shipping will depend on how many you buy. These are so much fun to make and I am hoping to sell some of them

You can email me at anett.redding@gmail.com to order.

Thanks,

Anett

Paying it Forward

2010-11-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

I am participating in a pay it forward blog hop. I signed up with Norma at
www.creativityhasnolimits.blogspot.com

a few months ago. I received her package a few days ago. I have not been able to post about it, because I had a heck of a week at work....was preparing to sell some craft items at a fair and trying to find time to shop for Thanksgiving dinner. This is what I received from Norma....thank you very much. I will now be picking three people to pay it forward to.......who know who that will be......I am picking people from amongst my followers and friends with blogs....Stay tuned....maybe it will be you!

A great Giveaway

2010-11-08T13:28:00.001-08:00

can be found here

http://lavenderridge.blogspot.com/

Design Wall Wednesday

2010-11-03T12:11:00.000-07:00

I have wanted a Sunbonnet quilt for as long as I can remember and was just to lazy to make one...however I started one sometime ago and it is now almost complete.

Somewhere in my brain I decided to do this on point! I have no idea what I was thinking, but there you have it. I am not sure I will ever do another one this way, but then again you never know what the mind will do. I still have to decide on a final border...I am thinking a solid, but I may just take the border that's on there now off and redo it too. I may have to consult with my quilt guru (Pat) and see what she has to say. I want this to fit my queen sized bed so it is going to be a large quilt. I was going to do the quilting on it, but I am thinking maybe not now. So as you can see I am very decisive about this quilt! It was fun...I learned a lot about my skills and hopefully it will be completely finished in the next couple of months.

Later gators...

Anett

Design Wall Wednesday

2010-10-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

I found out last Wednesday that one of the children of my Grand Daughter Michelle, who I have just reconnected with was having a birthday this coming Friday. Well my first thought was she needed a quilt. I had made pillowcases for all of the kids a couple of weeks ago and Tristan..the youngest thought it was a blanket. Michelle has since found her curled up in it, I made them rather big and she is just a little bitty thing, so she fits inside! LOL So last Thursday I quickly and I do mean quickly made a quilt top. Had lots to do on Friday and Saturday, so I started to quilt this on Sunday

and finished the quilting on Sunday..I started sewing the binding down last night and finally finished it this morning. The quilting is pathetic and I am not very proud of it, but the whole thing is made out of Flannel and I am hoping that Tristan will love it.

I am however kind of proud of the label...below

I watched a you tube video on how to do the blanket stitch this morning and I think for a first try...it came out pretty good. This quilt and some craft stuff for my grand daughter will be off in the mail this morning...I am just hoping it arrives on Friday for Tristan's birthday.

Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday.

Anett

Design Wall Wednesday

2010-10-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

I have been using up scraps and making 4 patches....I did these in about an hour. 4 patches are one of the blocks that I enjoy making the most. They are easy and almost always come out perfect the first time. I have no idea what they are going to be, as I am going to make many, many more of them before I decide what to do with them. My granddaughter Michelle is learning to sew and quilt. this is the block she has chosen for her first quilt. It has been an absolute joy to listen to her talk about fabric and colors and the process of making a block. We have shared much laughter over her process of learning. She learning about having a stash of fabric, how easy it is to want every yard of fabric you see and most importantly, how to conceal the fact that you have bought a bunch of fabric from your husband...LOL.

This is what is up on the design wall. I am trying to get the other four sunbonnets done, so that I can start putting together my "calendar" sunbonnet quilt. I am trying to match the fabric with a theme for every month. 8 down...4 to go. Also on the design wall are some flying geese blocks that I make...my first attempt ever...they came out great..and I am no longer intimidated about making them. Lastly on the design wall is a "table" runner that I made for my dining room table. It ended up being wider than I thought it was going to be...so I have decided that instead of going on my table...I am going to finish this and use it as a cover on one of the old singers I have in a cabinet. I love the colors and I was able to find the perfect machine embroidery design to fill in the white spaces.

Happy Wednesday Everyone.

Anett

I must be out of my mind!

2010-10-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

I tried a few years ago to sell some of my crafts at a bazaar....I was unsuccessful and swore I would never do it again.....wellllll....here we go again. I was asked by a very dear friend of mine to once again sell stuff at a bazaar. How could I say no...right! WRONG...I should have run...not walked away. So this weekend, I will be sewing overtime to get enough stuff together to take to the bazaar. I am going to be making "humbug bags", some pincushions...some machine embroidered dish towels and anything else I can make fast. If nothing sells, I figure I will be way ahead on my Christmas sewing...guys like pincushions right! lol. I am going to make some sets of the "humbug" bags and some singles. A few years ago..I learned how to make these bags. I was so intimidated by the zipper, but not..if I have the fabric quilted...I can make one in less than 10 minutes. I have literally made tons of these bags and I think everyone I know has one. So I know I can churn those out in not time flat. Hubby is on food duty this weekend...I am only stopping for food and potty breaks, but I want to make sure I have a good selection of all the stuff I want to take. the fair isn't until next month, so I do have sometime to get my "act" together, but I am a major procrastinator and I don't want to make myself crazy...I am going to get started early.

Hope everyone has a great, relaxing weekend.

Hugs and love,

Anett

A Reconnection

2010-10-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

When we decided to leave our home state of Colorado back in 1986, we knew we would be giving up a lot of things. We were leaving our entire family and our kids for a new life in Oregon. Over the years it has not always been easy being totally away from family and all the friends we left behind. But we have made some new friends along the way and we have survived. Until the last few weeks, I have been really OK with the move. I have recently reconnected with our Granddaughter Michelle..now 30 and we have something in common....crafting! You all know that really is the heart of me. I love to craft, I love to share my crafts and it brings me a great deal of joy.

I found out that Michelle wanted to learn to sew...I went on a hunt for a sewing machine for her. I was talking to my friend Jean and found out that her daughter had left behind her old machine and it was up for grabs. Well I immediately went to get it and got somethings together for Michelle and off the package went to Colorado. It arrived yesterday and Michelle is already working on some coasters this morning. I directed her to You Tube for tutorials and she is going for it. So although Michelle and I have not kept in touch over the last few years, we have now reconnected over something that gives us both a lot of joy. Now comes the part that is hard...I am not there to really help her get started on her sewing journey. We are doing out best to email and text, but it just isn't the same as being there. Also, my favorite niece is starting to sew again and I can just see the three of us having a ton of fun together. We are not in a position to move at this moment, but it is something to think about!

Happy Stitching everyone.

Anett

I have a headache now

2010-09-23T08:40:00.000-07:00

I decided to be brave and participate in a 9 patch block swap over at http://juliekquilts.blogspot.com/.....well little did I know that I was going to have such a terrible time making these blocks. Now I have made 9 patch blocks before without a lick of problems. They were to be made out of civil war fabrics...totally out of my comfort zone. But, thanks to a wonderful friend of mine, I had some fabric and I went to my favorite and beloved Fabric Depot and bought some more. This is the result of my efforts. I had to make 78 blocks of the 6.5 inch size and 50 of the 3.5 inch size (not shown) I used three different machines and a ton of fabric that went in the trash. But they are now done and if the post office does its job, they will arrive in time, so I won't be a late sender.

New giveaway - October 1st - UPDATE!!!!

2010-09-16T07:22:00.001-07:00

UNFORTUNATELY MY NAME AND BLOG NAME WAS LEFT OFF THE LIST.

SORRY FOLKS,

ANETT

I will be participating in a give away with a whole bunch of other bloggers...stay tuned and I will get it all together this weekend and let you know what I will be giving away and where to participate with the rest of the bloggers. I have to figure out how to save the button on my blog!

Stay tuned,....

Anett

wonderful give away

2010-08-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

Check out this give away ...it is for an accuquilt.

http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2010/08/accuquilt-go-give-awaylets-go-go-go.html

If I had one of these, the first template I would choose would be the Sunbonnet....big surprise there....right!

Anett

Great giveaway

2010-06-09T06:53:00.001-07:00

Take a peek at Mary's giveaway....it is wonderful. I just found her blog through the Painted Quilt blog and it looks like a great blog.

Everyone have a great week.

Anett

A Great Giveaway

2010-05-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

Doreen over at this blog is having a great give away of some prime dolls. They are adorable....take a look.

Anett

http://priviesandprimsblog.blogspot.com/

Going home

2010-05-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

On May 13th I leave for Colorado...Home..... I can't wait to get there and I will probably be anxious to get back to Oregon once I am there....sometimes it's a no win situation. In preparing to go, I decided to make some of my family something. My Mentor (Pat) has been making pillowcases using the sausage method. She talked me into trying it and now I am hooked big time. I have made 8 so far and I have 4 more cut out and pinned to sew. They are so much fun and I love trying to find fabric combinations from my stash. Most of the ones I have finished, I have used my stash, but I did buy fabric for a couple of them. Trying to match the fabric to the person I am giving them to. Below is one of the photos of what I have done so far.

I am totally addicted to this method of making pillowcases!

Happy Saturday Everyone,

Anett

Block party

2010-04-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

I have been playing with a few blocks over the past couple of weeks. I want to do a signature block quilt for myself...so when I go home to Colorado in 3 weeks, I am going to take some blocks with me for my friends and family to sign...these are the two blocks and fabrics I have done a test drive with, but I not sure this is bright enough for me.

I think that both settings are great, but think I am more partial to the upper setting. Included in this quilt will be several blocks signed by friends from around the world. I will be sending blocks to Australia, Scotland, England, Canada and several states here in the Us. I truly want to include all of my friends and family in this quilt for me.

At the same time, I have also tried an additional block called a bow tie block. I really am not into piecing like this, but my friend Pat in Canada keeps trying to convince me I can do everything...she keeps talking (which is not unusual for her) and I keep listening...not doing some of it, but listening! LOL The blocks I have tried are below.

I think the yellow fabric was too light weight and I don't like how the seams show, but they were fun to make and I would seriously like to make a quilt using these blocks.

Until next time,

Anett

a Labor of Love - Fast Eddie's quilt

2010-04-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

My mother nick named my nephew Fast Eddie when he first started walking, because that boy could move once he learned he could stand on his own two feet and walk.....I don't think he actually ever walked...I think he started from the get go running!

This is the t-shirt quilt I have been working for over three years now. It is made from t-shits that belonged to my nephew Eddie. Eddie passed away almost 4 years ago. I made a ton of mistakes on it, but undoubtedly it was the hardest quilt I ever had to make. When I first received the box of shirts...it took me well over 18 month's to even be able to open the box, I opened it looked at the shirts and closed the box right back up. I was overwhelmed with memories of Eddie and his growing up years and I just couldn't open the box again. It took me almost another year to open it again. The next time I did, I was able to take the shirts out and actually cut and stabilized several of them before I couldn't do it any more. The shirts still smelled like Eddie and it was just to hard to do anything with them. Finally, I realized that no matter how often I put it off, I had made a promise to his mother to get this quilt done and I was going to have to just suck it up and work on it. I finally got all the t-shirts cut and stabilized and sewn into rows and had to stop again. About a month ago, I was finally able to sew all the rows together and just this past weekend I was able to get the borders on it. This is going to a long arm quilter today to see if he can use Eddie's favorite blanket as the back of the quilt and then will be quilted with fancy hearts that my quilter can do. I still have not decided what the label will say and I have to get that done this next weekend. I have to say, out of all of the quilts that I have made, I will be truly glad when this one goes to its new home.

I miss you Eddie!

till next time,

Anett

It's a Signature Thing

2010-04-04T13:07:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Melissa at http://cornbreadandbeansquilting.wordpress.com/ I learned how to make the above Signature blocks. She had a block swap on her blog done in these blocks using civil war fabrics...also something I would not have picked, but ending up really liking. These fabrics are way out of what I would normally pick, but I thought to try something new. I think that I am actually liking the ones on the left better than the ones on the right. I am making these blocks to take home with me in May when I visit my family and friends. I am going to have everyone sign one and then bring them home and make a quilt for me. I am also going to send one of them to several friends that live out of the country for their signatures also. I continue to try expand on the types of blocks I can do, but at the end of the day I am still just a simply quilter making simple quilts. My passion for quilting is what keeps me going and I will never be a master quilter and that's alright with me...it's about the creating...and giving and not about the skill level.

Off to cut more fabrics for these....Have a Happy Easter!

My best to all,

Anett

Love surrounds us....

2010-04-02T09:03:00.000-07:00

"Like the stars swirling around this fabric, Eddie's love also surrounds us. His t-shirt reminds us of times shared and that he will always be in our hearts"

I made this pillow cover out of a t-shirt of my nephew's that passed away almost 4 years ago. His sister (my oldest niece) has had a terrible time with his passing. So I am going to send this to her this week as a reminder that although he is physically gone, he will always be with us. Eddie was very smart and loved his family more than anything. I am also working on a t-shirt (from Eddie's t-shirts) quilt for my sister-in-law that is just about finished. It has been very hard to do, not technically, but I am glad it's almost done.

I hope that every one is having a great start to their weekend.....Happy Easter to all.

till next time.....

Anett

and the Winners are......

2010-03-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

For the additional give away of the baby shoe pincushion, the winner is

Sheila at:

http://myemptynestisfullofcathair-sheilac.blogspot.com/

The winner of the Hoppin down the bunny trail give away is

Dawn at:

http://dquilts.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to both of you ladies and I hope that you enjoy your prizes when they arrive.

I also again, want to thank everyone who stopped by and left comments, a special thank you to those that became followers and especially to Sandi at A Legacy of Stitches for hosting the hop along.

Have a great day everyone,

Anett

A Positively generous give away

2010-03-29T06:53:00.000-07:00

Take a look ladies...this generous lady is giving away a quilt!

http://banaghaisge.blogspot.com/2010/03/blogaversary-give-away.html

Be back in a few minutes with the winners of my give away.

Anett

A great give away on another of the blogs

2010-03-25T18:44:00.001-07:00

Take a look everyone.

http://poemsmyway-valrie.blogspot.com

Additional Give away

2010-03-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

With the Hoppin Down the Bunny Trail in full swing, I had so many comments about the pincushion in my give away, I decided to give another one away. Just leave a comment here to be entered into the drawing for this sweet pincushion.

Happy Spring everyone.

Anett

Thank You

2010-03-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who posted a comment on my blog today and for those who are now followers. It has been wonderful to see so many comments...this is a first for me to have that. I have read everyone...I am happy that you like the items that I have gathered, especially the pincushion...they are one of my passions to make.

I didn't have a chance to get to too many of the blogs today, but I intend to do that first thing in the morning...I want to see what everyone else is giving away too.

Good night and rest well everyone.

Anett

Hoppin Down the Bunny Trail Give away

2010-03-24T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's time for the first of two Give Away's I will be doing. This is a giveaway that Sandi at a Legacy of Stitches put together. Here is the link to her blog http://alegacyofstitches.blogspot.com/ Please hop over there and take a look at the other blogs that are also participating. All you have to do is leave a comment here from today, through March 28th to win all the goodies above. I will draw one name on March 29th. I will mail internationally also.

Have a great day.

Anett

Woody Wood Pecker and a give away

2010-03-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

This is what happens to your tree when Woody Woodpecker makes a visit and not to a theater near you. For months I kept hearing something banging out in the back yard of our home. It sounded like my neighbor was building something, so I didn't really pay attention to it. Then about 2 weeks ago, I was out walking the dogs and heard it again, only it sounded like it was coming from our back drive way. I quietly walked down there and looked up and sure enough, there was Woody Woodpecker in all his glory..having a great time destroying our tree. This is the first time I have ever seen a wood pecker...the cartoon yes, but a real live one....NO! Believe me when I saw what he had done to this beautiful tree, I wanted to shoot him and stuff him for the mantle! I have to admit, he sure was beautiful, but the damage he had done will cost me a ton of money to have the tree cut down. I guess there are disadvantages to living in the country and this is one of them! I am hoping that Woody is on his way elsewhere and I won't be seeing him anytime soon.

I will be having the first of two giveaways starting on the 24th of March. The first one, I am participating with Sandi at A Legacy of Stitches and her Hopping down the Bunny Trail - Good Eggs giveaway, please come back on the 24th of March to see what I will be giving away and how to participate.

Till then,

Anett

Back in the Saddle again!

2010-02-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

Well...I never expected to be away from my blog for this amount of time...did life and commitments ever get in the way. My husband had his second knee replacement in December and for the most part it all went pretty well. We had a little bit of a rough patch, he has lost a lot of weight...dang him...but he is on the road to recovery. I also got rid of a commitment that was draining me physically and mentally and now I am ready to play and try some new things....I feel like I lost a ton of weight myself...unfortunately I wasn't so lucky.... It's all still there! New Year's resolution I am trying to keep...not so many pounds gone...but some inches. I have been sewing quite a bit. I have made 3 rag quilts since September and I have the top to a fairy panel quilt ready to layer and quilt...hopefully I will start it today. I have been practicing my machine quilting by making pot holders out of some old quilt blocks that I bought at a garage sale this summer. That has really been fun. A wonderful friend...Sandi....at A Legacy of Stitches (I don't know how to do the whole link thing) has a Yahoo Group...SeasonsBOM has challenged us to make a mini quilt every month representing that month. I have my January one done and will post a picture in my next blog post. I will also be posting the give away I promised months ago...I finally got my act together and now it is all ready.

I feel re-energized and ready to really sew this year. I am making signature blocks with some fabric I wouldn't ordinarily pick..but I had started them in the hopes of participating in a swap that I didn't get to sign up for in time....so I am going to make a bunch up with the fabric that I bought and I am taking them home with me to Colorado in May and I am going to have all our friends and family sign them. Then I will bring them home and make a quilt for me out of them. I can't wait.

I thank everyone that has stayed around even though I haven't posted and I hope to be posting some new and exciting things I have made in the next few months'

Thanks for taking the time to hangout with me for a bit as you read this long post.

My best to all,

Anett

In Honor of Daphanie

2009-12-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

We sometimes get caught up in our own little world and forget that there is a bigger world than our own. A friend of mine, Karen, recently lost a very dear friend and family member of hers.

Daphanie was her quilt mentor, friend,loved one, inspiration and encouraged Karen to become the outstanding quilter that she is. A piece of my dear friend is now missing and I know that she is hurting and wishing things were different and Daphanie was still with her. I didn't know Daphanie, but I felt her spirit and inspiration every time I saw a new project that Karen attempted and most beautifully completed. Daphanie got Karen started into the crazy world of fabric and quilting. What Karen has done with that gift is nothing short of amazing and I know that Daphanie will always be proud of what Karen has accomplished and what she will continue to accomplish in the future.

So even though Daphanie is no longer with us, her spirit will live on in Karen and Karen will continue to be inspiration to those of us who wish they could quilt 1/10 as well as Karen.

I know that you are sitting on a quilted cloud somewhere in Heaven Daphanie! You will be greatly missed.

Anett

What am I thankful for?? Really Long......

2009-11-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

On this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for many things. I will probably ramble on here, but feel a need to type it all out. I will probably forget something or someone, but not intentionally.

I am thankful to my Grandmother for teaching what unconditional love is all about and for giving me the wonderful sense of humor that I have.

For my Brother Dave for keeping us going when we were young and for giving me my beautiful niece and nephews who I love dearly.

For my brother Bobby for making me laugh at the little dance he used to do for me that kept me in stitches and for my other beautiful niece and nephews who I dearly love.

For my brother Mike, whom I am getting to know again.

For my husband for sticking with me even when I am at my worst, which has been often lately with all the work I am doing. For giving me a chance to be involved in raising his children, whom I couldn't even imagine what my life would have been without them. Thank you Maryanne, Anthony and especially Johnnie and Evan (Squeaky).

For my grandbabies and my great grandbabies whom I love most especially.

For my niece Deanna who makes me laugh and cry, whom I love with all my heart and sends me great pictures.

For Nikki and Serenity the best birthday present ever! I love you so much.

For Gary, Jean, Beth and Scott...how would we survive with out you all. I love you.

and...for all the wonderful friends I have acquired along the way in this life of mine. You are all dear to me...I think about you all the time.

Well......

2009-10-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

I wanted my 100th post to be a give away and it is, but not mine!

This is too good to pass up.

http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-happy-halloween-giveaway.html

I will be back shortly with a give away.

Almost there...and ramblings

2009-08-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but I have completed almost 100 posts. This blog has been the best thing I have done for myself in a very long time. It has helped me though some difficult times in my life over the past few months. It has been an outlet for my love of writing and has inspired me...along with many friends to do things I would not have normally done. So, in order to pay back what I have received....I will be doing a "Give-Away" in the next few days. I am gathering items and will post about it when I have it all together....well when I have all the items together...I doubt if "I" will ever have it altogether!

I have started to follow a lot of blogs. It is very inspiring to see what other women are doing out in the world and the best part is, they are from all over the world! That is the part I like about the internet the best...it allows us to communicate with people from all walks of life...similar interests...different interests, but similar philosophies and with people you have nothing in common with at all, but just like each other. I remember when I first got on the internet, I was afraid to go anywhere for fear of getting a virus in my computer....I no long have that problem. I am still careful where I go, but I would now be lost without the internet. I do most of my shopping on line..some of my banking and bill pay..how easy is that.

Some days it feels like...life sucks and some things are forever lost...and then you have a birthday and a new baby comes along and life just couldn't be better. My new little girl has given me a new perspective about life and what I want to do with the rest of mine. So thank you Serenity Rose for giving me a new outlook. I feel rejuvenated and ready to take on a lot more than I have been lately. John's surgery and his almost dying left me very depressed and tired....I haven't wanted to do anything. For the past few days, I have felt a great sense of hope and I am ready to tackle a lot of "stuff" that I have been putting off. Things are looking UP!

Thanks for listening and everyone have a great day...will be posting about the give-away soon

Anett

HERE SHE IS!!!

2009-08-04T07:29:00.001-07:00

Here is my first picture of Serenity Rose.

Poor little thing got the Redding nose! LOL

Anett

Serenity has arrived!

2009-08-04T06:18:00.000-07:00

My Granddaughter Nikki had Serenity Rose last night (my birthday) at 11:00pm. She weighed 6 lbs 13 ounces and was 19 and 1/4 inches long. I can't wait to see pictures....I am hoping some arrive via e-mail today.

Thank you my Nikki for this wonderful gift!

Gramma Anett

BABY UPDATE

2009-08-03T09:30:00.001-07:00

Nikki is headed to the doctor....the mucus plug has broken and the baby may come yet today!

Yee Haw!!!!!

Anett

Happy Birthday to ME

2009-08-02T13:07:00.001-07:00

ALTHOUGH I DID THIS ON SUNDAY, MY BIRTHDAY IS AUGUST 3RD!!!! SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION!

Today is my birthday and I really do NOT feel 55...but the calendar says I am. I was thinking back over all of the things I have done in my life, especially when I don't think I have accomplished enough yet, and I realize I have done a lot of stuff. I haven't traveled enough, but raised four step children and a grandchild. I have not maintained what I weighed when I got married, but have stayed married for almost 39 years. I haven't had the pleasure of actually meeting many of my "online" friends, but love them all dearly. I haven't quilted enough, but have made many quilts. I haven't learned a lot of piecing, but I have a lot of fun with what I do. I haven't learned to keep my mouth shut when maybe I should, but once I found my voice...I just have to say what I am thinking.

I have learned a few hard lessons...I have learned what it feels like to lose my parents and grandparents. I have learned that we can't always have everything no matter how hard we work. But the thing I think I have learned the most over the past couple of years is.....to live each day to the fullest no matter how it goes....love till your heart hurts and then love some more...and enjoy what you do everyday no matter what it is.

I have a fairly good life...I don't have everything I want..that new Brother Embroidery Machine or a 2 carat diamond, but I do have a husband that loves me no matter what, even when I am grumpy....which sometimes is often. I have grandbabies I love and am loved in return and I have many friends to count on when I need to just have a girl talk.

So for attaining the aged of 55, I feel pretty darn lucky in the life that I am living.

Happy Birthday to Me....

Anett

Gramma's Garden Quilt

2009-08-02T11:03:00.001-07:00

Here is the Gramma's Garden quilt that I bought at the estate sale. This thing is huge...I have not measured it yet. I love the colors and it is a great addition to my growing collection of quilts.

Anett

Boy did I have a good Friday

2009-08-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a busy and long day, but it was a good one. We got up early and headed to an Estate Sale in town. I found 2 quilts and missed one. The first one which I will show you today is a beautiful needle turn applique in the prettiest colors. I also found a Grandmother's Garden quilt. Both of these were $25 each. While at the sale, I grabbed a bag of what looked like quilt blocks for $2.00...that is for another post. Anyway, here is the picture of the first quilt and it is a beauty. It will be going on my queen sized bed......as soon as this god awful heat lets up!

Off to sew more signature blocks.

Anett

Life is good when you have friends

2009-07-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, I went to the post office and it was Christmas in July. I received a very special package of Civil War fabric from my wonderful friend in Canada....Pat. I have never been into Civil War reproductions, but I am in love with them now. Pat sent so many beautiful fabrics, it is going to be hard for me to figure out which ones I want to use for the signature blocks and which ones to save for some special project later on(adding to stash) no stash busting happening at my house yet. So thank you so much Pat for the wonderful package.

Next package brought some really cool fabric from Debbie in Tennessee, right this second I don't remember the name of the team it is from, but I love it and I thank you very much Debbie...it was a wonderful surprise.

Next came a very heavy box from my friend Sandi (A Legacy of Stitches blog). She sent a box FULL of thread for use with my embroidery machine. I can't believe my luck in getting this box. It has many specialty threads that I have not been able to afford to try and metallic thread, rayon thread and the most wonderful colors I have seen. I can't wait to get started using it...hopefully this weekend. That will depend on the heat. If it above 80, I am toast.

So thank you my friends for the experience of Christmas in July!

Speaking of the heat. It is supposed to be 107 here in Portland today. I don't even want to think about leaving my office today. When I left yesterday...it was like walking into a furnace when I opened the door. This is very unusual weather for Oregon. We normally get in the 90's this time of year, but never the 100's. Oy VEY!!!!

Have a great day everyone.....from Anett....where it is already 80 degrees at 6:15am!

Practice Signature Blocks and long arm quilting

2009-07-26T19:13:00.001-07:00

These are not perfect, but they are getting there. I love the fabric. I bought it at a quilt show this weekend. I bought a couple of different civil war fat quarters to practice with. I have a very dear friend who is sending me some civil war fabric and it should be here any day. She is a sweet heart for doing this, but I won't tell her that, as she will deny the whole thing. I also ordered a marking pencil to use on these that should be here tomorrow. I am looking forward to making some more of these blocks, but it will probably have to wait until next weekend, as we are in for some really hot weather and I do not do well in the heat. Next Saturday, I am going to have the opportunity to learn how to use a long arm quilter. Dennis, the gentleman that is going to teach me is probably one of the finest quilters I know. Right up there with my friend Karen in Florida. Well, he has a long arm in his shop and he is going to teach me to use it next Saturday. I am so excited, I can hardly wait. I have FINALLY worn him down and he is going to work with me. I have been after him for several years to teach me and I guess I caught him at a weak moment and I am so going to hold him to it. I am scared, excited and pee in your pants happy to have this opportunity!

Wish me luck,

Anett

Fabulous Giveaway

2009-07-26T07:58:00.000-07:00

This is a very cute quilt and I would love to win it.

http://pumpkinpatchprimitivequiltshoppe.blogspot.com/

Anett

Accountability

2009-07-23T07:16:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with crafting this morning....it has to do with some personal observations about people and the fact that I hold myself accountable for everything I do, as I was taught to by my grandmother.

When I first discovered Yahoo groups, I immediately joined a ton of them. Over the past couple of years, I have left the majority of them. The few that I still belong to are in the original group I joined and I dearly love everyone of them. This past year, after moderating one of them for a number of years, I was made co-owner of the group. This group has become a very special part of my life and the friends I have gained from it are priceless. On this group, we have always tried to maintain a level of integrity and accountability that you don't see on a lot of groups. We frequently host swaps, which we absolutely hold everyone accountable for completing. We had a member who consistently failed to complete her swaps on time, always had excuses for her actions and after a lot of consideration and thought it was time to remove the member from the group. The e-mails received by this person have been unbelievable....we have been accused of not being christian enough to understand her situation....although we gave her every chance to do what was right and she failed every time. Simple directions were beyond her comprehension and now we are the bad guys for removing her from the group. In addition to removing this member, we had another member quit the group because we were treating her "special friend" poorly. When in fact, in the end it was the member themselves that caused her to be removed from the group....we just tried to maintain a certain standard for the group. We have obviously been successful with the group, as it has grown by leaps and bounds.

I am not sure about how others were raised, but I was raised to be accountable for everything I did....good or bad. I was taught that if you make a commitment to something or someone you follow through with that commitment no matter what. So, I guess it amazes me that others don't have the integrity to do that also. I know circumstances make life difficult at times, but at the end of the day...you still have to do what's right.

I hope when I pass from this life, that what my friends remember about me the most is that I always kept my commitments and that I tried to be a good friend.

Thanks for letting me ramble and we will be back to crafting over the weekend.....those signature blocks are not going to make themselves....dang it anyway.

Anett

Can you say ""TOTALLY FREAKED OUT"

2009-07-20T18:35:00.001-07:00

I have always worked on simple quilts...absolutely NO fancy piecing. I have a very dear friend who has been after me for some time to try some piecing. Are you out there Pat!!! So as you know, I went out on a limb and signed up for the signature block swap. I made one block tonight and also tried some half square triangles. I must be having a good night, a couple of Caramel Apple martoonies (martini's) after a really really long day really helped....both blocks came out great. The only problem is there are 70 ladies signed up for the swap. Holy cow dung...I am totally freaked out. Oh well...in for a penny...in for a pound. these are not the fabrics I am using for the signature blocks, they have to be civil war type fabrics. guess what I will be doing this weekend in 100 degree heat....starting on these blocks.

Pray for me everyone...I am going to need it.

Anett

Still on a mission

2009-07-19T13:28:00.000-07:00

I am still on my mission to make a pot holder each week until September. This is this week's offering. I made this for my boss, Kathy, she is a flamingo nut. I am getting better at the loop, each new pot holders brings a new technique to doing the loop at the end. I am having so much fun and getting better and better at my binding. This will help with future quilts.

Have a great week.

Anett

Out on a limb

2009-07-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have gone out on a limb and decided to join a signature block swap. I have never done this and I have always wanted to, so here goes. I found this on this blog
http://cornbreadandbeansquilting.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/sig-block-swap

and I have to say I am very excited about it. I am going tonight to get a Civil war fabric, which I totally don't own and will start my blocks this weekend. There are already 24 ladies, including myself signed up, so I better get busy fast. This is going to definitely test my piecing skills (which should be exciting in itself), so I am off on another adventure. I love the setting of this quilt and will be looking to do mine like this also, if I get enough blocks.

I will say, I am going to look to my friend Karen for some fabric advice, as I know nothing about civil war fabric and I know she does.

Pray for me....I am going to need it! LOL

Happy sewing,

Anett

Totally want to win this one

2009-07-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.quiltqua.com/

Love the fabric.

Anett

Christmas in July Give-Away

2009-07-09T12:11:00.001-07:00

Great blog and great giveaway.

http://barbscreations.blogspot.com/2009/07/christmas-in-july-giveaway.html

For the Cat Lovers

2009-07-09T12:08:00.001-07:00

Great cat giveaway.

http://sewfunquilts-sewmeow.blogspot.com/

It's a simple thing....

2009-07-06T06:45:00.000-07:00

This is a very simple tote that I made on Friday. I had a lot of fun making it and I loved the fabrics. I made this for Beth (my young friend that had cancer) for her birthday. This is the first tote I ever attempted. Since I didn't use a pattern, I have to admit there was a lot of swearing and fun going on with this tote. I used fusible fleece in between the layers, to give it some body and I really like how it came out. I want to do a couple for myself, only a little bigger to use as grocery bag when I go to the store. I try to lower my carbon foot print by using cloth rather than plastic bags from the store.

Have a happy sewing week.

Anett

Celebrate!

2009-06-29T06:46:00.001-07:00

This is the Sunbonnet Sue towel I did over the weekend. I wanted it to have a 4th of July theme. I used some of my beloved Mickey Mouse red, white and blue fabric for her dress. This was all done on my embroidery machine and I really like the way she came out. I know most Sunbonnets have black shoes, but I really wanted her shoes to go with her dress~ LOL. I also made a pot holder for a special friend, but I didn't take a picture of it, so I can't post that today unfortunately. It turned out pretty cool and I hope she likes it when she receives it. It is in the mail today.

When I get closer to my 100th post, I will post about the give-away I plan on doing. I am not sure yet what I will be giving away, but I am sure it will involve three of my favorite things...a pincushion, fabric and stick pins.

Happy Sewing everyone,

Anett

Give Away

2009-06-29T06:15:00.001-07:00

Wendy at http://stitchduchessscrazysanequiltingworld.blogspot.com/ is having a give away.

Take a look.

Anett

How many do we really need?

2009-06-27T16:37:00.000-07:00

Sandi, at A Legacy of Stitches blog, put up a challenge on her blog the other day. We were supposed to make a potholder and she would enter our name for a give in September for whoever wins. The potholder in the upper left corner is the first one I ever made. It was a lot of fun and my mind got to working and I have now made three, with ideas for at least three more. I am finding this very relaxing and fun and it makes me laugh every time I finish one. Of course the first one I made, in case you didn't notice the loop is at the bottom, I laughed so hard I cried when I saw what I did. The next two came out like I wanted them to. So I want to thank Sandi for giving me the inspiration to try this challenge and I had a great time making these and I look forward to making some more.

Stitchin is better than B*tchin!

Anett

Cuteness

2009-06-18T06:57:00.001-07:00

These are two of the gifts that I sent to my granddaughter Nikki this week for her baby shower. The first is a little bag I made in my embroidery machine. It holds a container of baby wipes and I love the heart quilting on it. The second is a rag quilt I made a while back for her, but just sent it this week. The other thing I sent her and didn't take pictures of it are some party favors for the shower. I embroidered on some sparkly felt the words "It's a girl" and it had baby feet on it and then the baby's name "Serenity Rose". They were bag toppers and I put together some bags of candy and then stapled the bag toppers to them. They were really cute. The last thing I sent was 2 pairs of peridot earrings. As the baby is supposed to be born in August and my birthday is in August, I will have plenty of presents for years to come to send to this little girl. I started with a pair of peridot studs, because they are going to pierce the baby's ears right away and then I sent a pair of diamond and peridot hoops for when she is a little older. I am still working on another Sunbonnet Quilt for the baby and some other things that will be finished way before she arrives. This weekend will be mostly devoted to finishing those things up.

Sunshine and hugs,

Anett

4th of July Giveaway

2009-06-17T09:55:00.000-07:00

at: http://thepaintedquilt.blogspot.com/

Have a look...she is giving away great prizes.

Anett

Family

2009-06-17T07:52:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with sewing...I just felt like talking about family today. This is my older brother Bobby. I am sure most everyone he knows calls him Bob, but he will always be Bobby to me. When I was younger, I spent a lot of time with my brother Bobby. He used to take me to the movies, with his friends sometimes and was always willing to spend time with me. He used to do this little dance for me that would totally crack me up...if I had to explain it now, I know I couldn't. As we grew older, we grew apart, but he really changed after being in Vietnam. He was never my happy go lucky brother when he came home. He saw things and did things that he would never talk about to anyone in the family. My brother has a purple heart (which I have never seen) and I don't even know why it was given to him.....he refuses to talk about it. The only reason I know he has it, is because he has the purple heart license plates on his car....you can only get them if you have a purple heart medal from the service. This is his second wife with him...he has two beautiful boys from his first wife and these two gorgeous children with Cherilyn. My niece Chelsea (in the above picture) is stunning. She has her own dance studio and is a very talented dancer. My nephew Casey (in the above picture) is a character...just like his father...the only difference between them, is that Casey is somewhat shy and that totally is not how my brother is. He doesn't have a shy bone in his body. To this day, my brother still cannot pass a mirror without checking himself out. It really is very funny and it has cracked me up all of my life. To say that my brother is vain, would be an understatement. The sad thing is, I don't think he has gained one damn pound since he was 17.....it sucks and it proves that genetics are not fair!

Have a great day everyone.

Anett

When Life gives you lemons

2009-06-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

you suck them DRY! Lots of things have happened over the past couple of weeks...let's just say if I had any brains, I would have a nervous breakdown...but right now I just don't have the time or energy to do it! John is doing lots better and working on his rehab now. His therapist, that is coming to our home, is telling him that he is doing better than all of the rest of his patient's with the same condition. So things are progressing in that area.

I have been making some baby shower gifts for my Granddaughter. I am making some tags to put on bags of candy.....I will post a picture later. They are really cute. I have several things I am making on my embroidery machine also.."In the hoop" presents that I will be sending next week. I have another quilt to finish, but I doubt that will happen before the shower, but definitely before the baby is born. For some reason, I am really looking forward to the is Great-grandbaby, probably because she will be the daughter of one of my favorite grandchildren...I know we are not supposed to have favorites, but Nikki and I have always had a special bond.

Anyway....time to get to work again.

Have a great rest of the week

Anett

Amidst the chaos comes creativity

2009-05-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

As my life has spun out of control for the past couple of weeks, I had to take a few minutes to get my head together and get back in to a more focused state. So this past weekend I tried something different again. I saw one similar on a friend of mine's group and had to try one. It is made with an old wooden spool in one of my favorite colors. I couldn't be satisfied with just one, so I made another one with a yellow thread spool and beads to match. Today on the yahoo group that I co-own....Crazy About Pincushions, I gave one of these away. They are very fun to make and now I am going to be on the hunt to find more old spools with thread still on them.

Happy creating everyone....

Anett

A special Thank You

2009-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

First of all to my dear Karen....from Life at LeeHaven blog. Thank you for putting a special message on your blog about Elaina...I hope that this messages reaches many woman who have children and grandchildren about the danger of these batteries. I have received many wonderful comments and prayers from your post and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

and....next to all the ladies who have left messages on my blog regarding my sweet angel. I thank you for all the thoughts and prayers and I really appreciate every one of them.

My best to you all,

Anett

Who would have thought

2009-05-26T06:14:00.001-07:00

This is my great granddaughter Elaina. She died a few days ago from swallowing a battery from a game. Who would have thought that a small game battery could cause the death of this sweet angel. If you want to read what happened...here is the link.

http://cbs4denver.com/seenon/child.battery.death.2.1017784.html

Anett

A little Sunday Afternoon Eye Candy

2009-05-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here is a little pincushion and miniature quilt I did today. It was fun and I hope the person I am sending this too will enjoy it.

Happy Mother's Day.

Anett

I am trying something new

2009-05-03T16:10:00.001-07:00

Like I really need to do that! This is a little penny rug that I started this weekend done out of a couple of wool sweaters that a friend sent me. No pattern, just making is up as I go along. I am really enjoying doing the hand work...it's very hard on my bad hand, but it is fun and good exercise for that hand.

I have the pennies cut...I have to do the stitching around and finish putting something on the tea pot. I have no idea how to attach the pennies, but I am sure there is a you tube out there somewhere to help me. that's how I found out how to do the blanket stitch and I am sure I can find out how to attach the pennies when I get all the stitching done on them. This has been a busy weekend and I had to do this to keep me sane!!! Not sure it helped!

I am also still test sewing designs for my friend...then next one is really cute....will post a picture when it is finished. It is on the embroidery machine now.

Happy stitching,

Anett

Quilt Hutch

2009-04-26T17:26:00.000-07:00

This one was really fun ....I used some variegated thread on the quilt and it really came out cool. You can sort of tell in this picture, but up close and personal it really looks great. I am having fun test sewing these and I can't wait until they are all done and I can put them together into something....don't know what yet, but I will keep all the test blocks and make something out of them.

Have a great week...

Anett

Spring.....maybe

2009-04-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

Well, it was almost 80 degrees here today...but it's not going to last. We will be back to rain by Thursday. I don't mind 70 or 75,but when it gets beyond that...it's too dang hot.

A different view

2009-04-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

This is the last one I am doing today...it is as cute as it can be. I love redwork. I can't wait for the next batch of designs to be digitized. We still have a little bit of work to done on the ones from this weekend, but they are pretty much done.

Have a great week...

Anett

My New Barn

2009-04-19T12:49:00.001-07:00

Karen is really changing up the designs. This was so much fun to do. I was trying to figure out what to do with the windows and I still had some scrap fabric from a humbug bag I had made, waiting to go in the scrap bin...I looked down and say the kids faces and I was just hoping they would fit in the windows and they did. Off to test sew some more.

Anett

What a pain...

2009-04-18T20:29:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who shall remain nameless had decided it's her new mission to make sure that I blog for 15 minutes a day. So here goes.

I have been test sewing some embroidery designs for a friend of mine this weekend. I met Karen several years ago when I was trying to find a digitizer that was inexpensive, but good. Karen is both. We talked alot during the time she was digitizing a project for me and I drove to Bremerton Washington to meet her and her family. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met and she is very talented quilter and embroidery digitizer. She has inspired me to continue learning about machine embroidery and she has also become a good friend. We haven't seen each other for a couple of years, but she is always there for me when I need a project done or just some advice on a project I am working on. So this weekend this is what I am doing..............

I love all three of these and they are going to make a beautiful quilt or wall hangning when they are all done.

My new Doll and my new little girl.

2009-04-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

Some people have talent and some purchase it. I am one of those who purchase it. This is my new Sunbonnet Girl. A lovely woman, Carla from Florida, on my Pincushion group made this. she had posted one on the group. I e-mailed her and asked her what it would cost to get one. In the end I sent her the spool fabric and a little bit of money and Voila...my little girl arrived. Isn't she lovely....I can hear Stevie Wonder in my head....yes I am hearing voices tonight!

On to my other little girl. I have spoken to Nikki my granddaughter and they have picked out a name for the baby......Serenity Rose.....I would have preferred Eileene Rose or Mollie Rose....but I didn't get to pick.....maybe next time.

Have a good evening!

Anett

Blogging and new baby

2009-04-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

I heard on the radio this morning that blogging or writing in a journal for a least 15 minutes a day will make you a smarter and happier, more mentally aware person. Hmmmm...not sure I believe that one, but I am willing to give it a try.

The above picture is the first one of my new baby. Nikki sent it yesterday and I am very excited. It's rather blurry, but you can still see lots of baby there.

I am going to attempt to make some burp pads this weekend...we will see...lord only knows how they will come out. I haven't made one since Nikki was born. She was the last grandchild I made them for. She is now almost 19.....oh my today in fact. I better call her before I forget.

This didn't take 15 minutes, but it's enough for today.

Happy sewing and blogging to all,

Anett

Fabulous Give-away

2009-04-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

30..Count them 30 fatquarters. Wouldn't this be great to win. Go here and check it out

http://www.pigtalesandquilts.com/2009/04/give-away-time.html

Anett

I am on a mission

2009-04-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

To make the best triangle(Humbug) bag I have ever made. I made a bunch of these a few years ago and I haven't made one in several years. I got started again a few days ago making them and now I can't stop! I am determined to use up a bunch of scrapes making these bags and save a bunch of them for something special later in the year. I have a ton of zippers and a bunch of scraps....I am on my way.

Before I made my first one, I fussed and fussed about the inability to put a zipper in. With the help of a very good friend and encouragement from many other friends, I made one and then couldn't stop. Now I am at it again and loving every minute of it.

Off to get my zippers,

Anett

Baby Quilt #1

2009-03-24T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is the first baby quilt that I have finished for my new Great-grandbaby. Of course the first one had to involve purple. I love doing rag quilts...they are fast and fun. While I was planning this one this weekend, I planned out two others. One of them is going to involve some machine embroidery designs and some piecing. I am really trying to expand my quilting this year. I will never be a master quilter, but I do enjoy it and I have fun and that's all that is really important to me. Everyone I have made quilts for..seem to enjoy them, even though they are not like the quilts that most of my friends make. They are master quilters. You all know who you are too! I have a few of my baby things that I am going to include in the package with this quilt. My granddaughter Nikki is very sentimental and I am sure that all that I send her will be treasured and used for the baby.

Till next time.....

Anett

It was Amazing

2009-03-22T18:12:00.001-07:00

We had a ton of hail at our house tonight. We were watching House and we heard what we thought was ran....not unusual in Oregon...My husband got up and looked out side...it wasn't rain. It was hail coming down in sheets. These are the pictures I took.

It was amazing to see how it was coming down. It lasted about 10 minutes, but now it looks like it snowed.

Another Wool Project

2009-03-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am having a really great time working with the wool. I made this needle book this morning. The little boy and girl on the front is from Sandi at the Wooly Buddy Yahoo group. She sent this to me for Valentine's Day and I thought it would make a great front for the needle book. My blanket stitching is getting better, but still a little iffy in places. I absolutely love doing this. It is so relaxing and I want to do some more next week.

Anett

I amazed myself...I did it!

2009-03-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

I finally sat down tonight and got serious about working with the wool. Boy was it a challenge, but I did it. I made two small pins...I can't show one of them, because it is for a swap...and I can't get a clear picture of the other one..............but they really came out cute. I had so much fun doing the blanket stitch, I am going to try and make a pincushion tomorrow for some more practice. I still have to figure out the best way to start and end the blanket stitch, but I really enjoyed doing it and I want to thank Sandi from Wooly Buddies for getting me involved and truly interested in working with wool. I have looked numerous times for wool sweaters and jackets at goodwill, but they are always well over $10-$15 dollars and I think that is too expensive for me.

Anett

If Children are our Blessings

2009-03-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

then grandchildren are our greater blessings. My Granddaughter Nikki, whom I love dearly is going to have a baby. Oh lord, that means I am going to be a great-grandma again. Nikki found out yesterday that she is having a baby girl....I can't wait. My mind went into overdrive last night thinking about all the things I want to make for the baby. I am heading out today to get flannel to make a quilt, I will be contacting a friend today to make a christening outfit, burp pads will be made and anything else I can think of. My daughter-in-law still has some of the things that I made when Nikki was born and is giving them to her for the new baby. One of the coolest things is the baby is due around August 8th...I told Nikki last night she was going to have it on the 3rd instead...that's my birthday and nothing would make me happier than to have a new baby born on my birthday.

I hope everyone has a great day and you know what I will be doing for the next four month's...sewing for the new baby.

Anett

Wooly Bully

2009-03-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

For some time now, I have wanted to learn to work with wool. I have made some small attempts...using wool roving for some pincushion stuffing and making felted wool balls for pincushions....do you see a theme here! I have also wanted to learn to make needle cases and penny rugs etc. I attempted to cut some wool last night to make a small pin for a swap, I stupidly signed up for. Thinking I could do this was my first big mistake. Now any one that truly works with wool, will not understand my problem. My problem is, I realized I don't have the right color wool to really make a nice project. So...I will be off to the store this evening to pick up a few more colors. I belong to a Yahoo group called Wooly Buddies, where I am hoping to learn more about working with wool. So far on the group, I have found so many ladies that know their "Stuff" about wool. Sandi - Wooly Buddy Shepherdess is a wonderful over flowing fountain of information. She had a contest the other day, to win a bag of wool scraps...I actually won...I was amazed. I am very determined to make a penny rug...I have the pattern, but I haven't found the exact colors of wool I want to use.

Wish me luck, as I make another attempt at making the pin this evening!

Anett

It's a baby theme

2009-02-21T13:32:00.000-08:00

I am participating in a swap where the theme is all things "Baby". I bought some old baby shoes a while ago on Ebay and thought now is the time to put them to good use. This is what I made with them. Not sure what my partner will think when I finally decide which one to send, but I had fun making them and leaned alot from the time I made the first one (purple one) until I did the red one. I love to embellish things and sometimes I tend to go over board, but I think this time I got it just right. As I have said before, I love yoyo's and had to add one to the red baby shoe. These shoes are very old and well loved by the looks of them. I just didn't want to buy new ones, as I thought the old ones would give the pincushions a better look. Let me know what you think.

Anett

Dress Form Pincushion

2009-01-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

I had a few minutes to myself this morning and I thought I would try this. I have two other dress form pincushions that were given to me in swaps, but I have never tried one myself. I must admit that I cheated with this one and used an embroidery design that made getting this done super easy. Instead of just using fabric to make the dress form, I also added some cotton batting to make it firmer before I stuffed it with wool roving. I did a little bit of embellishing and now I can add this to my collection of Mickey Mouse stuff. This was really fun to make and my friend Susanne in Australia, basically challenged me to make one using Micky fabric....thanks Susanne!

Anett

Memory Quilt

2009-01-27T08:48:00.001-08:00

My boss, who is also one of my best friends gave me a great idea before I left on the NYC trip. She told me I should make a memory quilt out of photos and fabrics from NYC. The above fabrics are some that I am going to incorporate into the quilt I am going to make. I am also going to incorporate the wall hanging pattern that you can see in the picture on the left. I know the Eiffel Tower fabric has nothing to do with NYC, but it is also on my bucket list of places to see, so I figured it belonged in the quilt also. I took picture of all the places that I saw, so I am going to put them on fabric and try to tell a story with the quilt. I have tons of ideas floating around in my brain...now we just have to see if I can make them come out of my fingers. Stay tuned!

Anett

A New York... State of Mind

2009-01-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

The above picture is the M&M Store in Times Square

I spent the weekend in New York City and believe me I will never forget this trip. I arrived Thursday night about 9:00pm, dropped everything in the room and hit the streets in search of a good piece of New York Pizza. It took me nearly 2 1/2 hours, but I finally found a wonderful little hole in the wall place to get pizza. Now it was not that it was hard to find pizza, it was hard for me to stop looking at everything and ev eryone I came across. My hotel was in Times Square and not for one minute was I afraid to be out in the street so late at night. There were thousands of people out and about. I heard numerous different languages being spoken, saw street hawkers for just about everything imaginable, more New York Souveiners than I ever thought I would see and had more fun than I have had in a very long time. The people of New York are not rude and grumpy, I found quite the opposite.

On Friday, I was up and hitting the streets for my day of shopping. I was going to take a cab, but started walking and found myself right where I wanted to be. Along the way, I saw St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center...ABC...CBS and NBC studios. I accidentally found the Ziegfeld Theater, where so many vaudeville performers such as Fanny Brice, Burns and Allen...and so many others performed.
I perused Tiffany's...which has 6 floors to peruse, Bergdorf Goodman's and of course The Disney Store....numerous dollars left my wallet here. I tried to see Sak's, Bloomingdale's and Macy's, but they were having a make-up give away at all of these stores and there were lines of people for miles trying to get into the stores and I was not about to spend my time trying to get in. I walked around Central Park, said a rosary at St. John's Cathedral and throughly enjoyed my time shopping.

As I am still having trouble with my left leg, I hobbled back to my hotel and took a long nap with my feet up. In the early afternoon, I decided to hit the Garment District in search of a quilt store that I had found on the internet. I took my first cab ride and believe me it was memorable. I can't say I was impressed with the Garment District, but the quilt shop was wonderful and again..many dollars left my wallet into their cash register. My cab ride back was just a memorable and what you see on television happening with the cabs, it what really happens while you are in them. I tried to add a new set of brakes in the back of the cab ....I don't think the driver appreciated my attempt to alter his cab!

I could live in New York...I absolutely loved it. There are so many things to do and see and for the most part you can do and see things 24 hours a day. It is very expensive and the taxes are unreal. The food is to die for and the availabilty of so many different types of food, desserts, healthy, non-healthy etc is amazing. I had cheese cake from Junior's (which was right across the street from my hotel)....a chocolate eclair at Lindy's...also known for their cheese cake and fabulous pizza. I had a scrumtious bagel at the Carnegie Deli and tasted some Peanut Butter/drizzled with white chocolate popcorn from Dale's popcorn house. I hit the Hershey Store, the M&M store and found a Lindt Chocolate store accidentally.
I am sure I am a few pounds heavier, but it was worth it! I walked by Sardi's (well known from many old movies).

I didn't get to see a Broadway play....it was way to expensive, but I saw all of the theaters and that was great for me.

It was a trip of a life time and I know I will never forget it.

Anett

Great Bag give away

2009-01-02T13:48:00.001-08:00

here.

http://imagine-dream-create.blogspot.com/2008/08/blossom-bag.html

Great give away and time to pay it forward

2009-01-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

This is going to be an opportunity to sign up for a bunch of give away's and the opportunity to possible participate in a Pay it Forward Project....I have signed up for both.

http://alittleofthisandalittleofpat.blogspot.com/2009/01/okayenter-big-giveaway-today.html

Great Blog also.

Anett

Time does not fly when you aren't having fun!!

2008-12-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

This past Christmas has to be considered the worst Christmas of my life. I was snowed in for a week with my DH...whom I love, but too much togetherness is not necessarily a good thing! Once the snow started falling last week, I knew we were doomed to have a very "close" Christmas. This is what John looked like out in the snow up past his knees...as you can see...2 of our cars were buried in the snow and the 2nd picture is my car..Off and on during the week, we lost power in our house...the last time on Christmas day about Noon, until 6pm on the 26th. We nearly froze in our house. It is all electric by the way. We finally were able to get out, with the help of our neighbor, so that we could go to town and get a hot meal. We may be able to dig out DH's car this afternoon. I was able to come to work today...I am supposed to be on vacation, but I wasn't able to finish up my week at work last week, so here I am. I am glad for this year, that Christmas is over and I can forget it ever happened!!!

Happy New Year,

Anett

A Sunbonnet Christmas

2008-12-09T09:49:00.000-08:00

This is a little project I started on Saturday. I love the colors and I love to add machine embroidery to my quilts. These were new designs that I bought from Designs by JuJu. I just love her designs and they sew out extremely well. When I did the Sunbonnets on Friday night with the intention of doing this "quick" project, I never anticipated that it would actually take me until Sunday to finish the top. Oy Vey! I got the middle checker board done without a single problem. I put on the first border and then the trouble began. I measured and cut and remeasured and cut at least three times trying to get the final borders on this simple project...I gave up on Saturday. Sunday morning I started in again. Thankfully the second time I measured, and cut I got it just right and I was able to finish the top...get it sandwiched and started the quilting on it. This is what happens when you decide one day to do a project and start it the next without any planning what so ever. I am not a planner...I am a doer and it therefore gets me into a lot of trouble along the way. I can hardly wait to finish this and put it on my couch. It is going to be my only Christmas decoration this year. I just don't seem to have the energy to decorate and spread "The Cheer". Maybe next year.

When this project is done, I am going to start a T-shirt quilt that I have been putting off for at least a year now. My nephew "Fast Eddie" passed away 2 years ago and I promised my sister-in-law that I would do a quilt with his t-shirts, but I just have not been able to get it together to get started. Eddie was only 34..he was born 10 days before my husband and I got married, so he was our special boy.My Mom called him Fast Eddie, because when he was little, he had an ability to travel on his little legs faster than we could catch him sometimes. But I am determined to have this quilt finished for my sister-in-law before her birthday in January......holy cow....I better get moving.

Anett

Me

2008-11-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

Someone asked me to post a picture of me....my hair is shorter now, but this is still me.

Anett

A Tribute to my Gram

2008-11-13T18:41:00.001-08:00

My Gram was born 11/14/06 - or 05 depending on which of her sisters you spoke to. She was a strong independent woman and had ideas that were way before her time.

She was born in a small town on the German-Russian Border and came to this country when she was 3 and spoke not a word of English. She had 16 brothers and sisters and was the third youngest of this gaggle of children, as her mother used to call them.

At the ripe old age of 15 she found herself pregnant..now remember this is around 1920, so of course she was going to have to marry the father according to her parents. She had the baby and never did marry the father. I asked her once why she never married my uncle's dad and she promptly - without hesitation told me " I found out he was a lying, cheating weasel and I would sooner have married a snake! Roughly three years later she did get married to what would be the love of her life, my Grampa Pete. They had my mother and life was good until times got hard and my Grampa decided to take it out on her....around 1941...my Grampa decided to come home with too much liquor in him and too little sense. He hit her....she got even...he went to sleep with his shoes on...she tied them as tight as she could and left his feet to swell all night long!
In the morning he never said a thing and neither did she....again life was good for about three years. He again came home liquored up...she was on her knees scrubbing the floor....he smacked her up side the head...she came up off the floor with the bucket swinging...hit him full on in the face with it..he fell....she packed up my mom and her and never once looked back..........strong and independent does even begin to touch that one. Courage in the face of what this country was going through at that time...her strength was amazing. The funny thing about these two, is that they never stopped loving each other...they just couldn't live together.

My Gram was my pillar through out my life. Many times when I was very young we would sit on our front porch - hold hands and talk about everything imaginable. There wasn't anything I couldn't talk to my Gram about. When I was 10 and contracted TB from a kid at school...it totally freaked my Mom out....it was my Gram who went to every appointment...held my hand through all the treatment and never complained that she had to do it.

My Gram had the most wonderful sense of humor, spoke German when she was mad at something, and loved my brothers and me with all her heart.

In closing this post...I believe there is a song that says something to the effect that if you had one more day with someone you love...what would you do with it...........I would spend the day sitting on the porch holding her hand and telling her how much I loved her.

Happy Birthday Gram.....I love you.

Snetska.

Ornament Exchange

2008-11-11T11:27:00.001-08:00

If you want to participate in what looks to be a fun ornament exchange...this is it

http://katemcdonald.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/the-great-ornament-exchange/

Anett

Amazing!

2008-11-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

Today - November 11, 2008 is the 36th anniversary of my wedding day. I remember it like it was yesterday. 1972 was a whorl wind year for me. I graduated from high school and became engaged on May 28th.....on June 18th, we had to take temporary custody of my husband's four children, we got permanent custody of the children at the end of October and we got married in November! Holy Cow what a year. When 1972 started, I had no idea that I would become a mother that year, let alone a mother of 4 children ranging in ages from 6 to 11. I never wanted to have kids. I didn't even know how to cook then, boy did I learn fast.

As I look back at all that happened that year, it amazes me. The first two years we had the kids, I stayed home, so that they and I could adjust to our new life. I think over that time, we all learned some lessons that helped us all to become the family we are today. The kids had to adjust to having a mother that totally accepted them for who they were. Naturally, I was totally the opposite of their "real" mother. I grew up having certain manners and behaviors expected of me....trying to instill that in kids that had no idea what manners were was a challenge in itself. Dinners in the beginning were like living through a food fight...the kids had no idea how to keep their meals on their plates and what a napkin was all about. We decided to start serving them on platters....it worked out well, until they had company for dinner one night and the "company" friends of theirs asked them why we served them on platters. The oldest son...answered...because we don't know how to eat yet....we never had to serve them on platters again...manners were learned and respect for each other began.

I by no means, am saying all the adjustments were as easy. The kids and I had alot to learn about each other and how to deal with life with each other. My husband...right from the start established that whatever I said was to be listened to...he did not let them get away with the "she is not my mother thing". We knew if we were going to be successful raising all of these kids together, that we had to be a united front, that they couldn't undermine...oh they tried, they just didn't get away with it. My daughter was the hardest, she was Daddy's girl and didn't think that she had to do what I said....she learned quickly that Daddy was not going to let her get away with anything.

My kids, to this day, I still consider them one of my life's greatest successes. They all did not grow up perfect and have made their share of mistakes, but through it all the love I felt for them the first day I saw them is still with me.

Happy Veteran's Day.

Anett

2008-11-08T08:13:00.000-08:00

I love Estate Sales! I found this yesterday at an estate sale for $5.00. She was made in Pennsylvania by a company called Plain Folk...her name is Sara. I just fell in love and had to bring her home. Of course, my husband just rolled his eyes and paid for her. I have always wanted to attempt an amish quilt, it's one of those things on my to do list...someday maybe.

Happy Saturday,

Anett

Quiltet

2008-10-29T06:49:00.000-07:00

I participated in a "quiltlet" swap on one of my yahoo groups and this is the one I received. I absolutely love it. The saying on it is one of my favorites from the bible and I really wanted this one when I first saw it. It was a random drawing, but I was lucky and got the one I absolutely wanted. It was made by a lovely lady named Leslie, who lives in Florida. Her husband works for Disneyworld....one of my "bucket list" things to see. Also, anyone who knows me, knows I am a total Mickey fanatic. I hung the quiltlet so that I would see it every day. It is up in one of my favorite corners of my house. I have all of my "purple" stuff there as you can see. The doll was made by my friend Susanne in Australia, the purple dress form pincushion was made by Wendy in Canada, the purple flower pincushion was made by Chris and for the life of me, I can't remember who made the butterfly. The little black sewing machine in the background was my Mother's when she was little, the little purple sewing machine I was lucky and won on E-bay and as you can see there are other little machines down the way. I love these little machines and I really want a couple more. I haven't been able to find the ones I want, but I will eventually.

Have a great day everyone.

Anett

It's a Finish!!

2008-10-13T06:58:00.001-07:00

This is the quilt I finally finished for Beth, with Beth holding it up. I had promised her a couple of years ago that I would make her a quilt and life got in the way. It was really perfect timing that I was finishing it up on Saturday and Beth and her Mom were due any minute at my house. I was still working on it when they arrived. I hid the back of it and we got to talking about quilts and I had to again hear the ribbing about the fact that I had made a quilt for everyone but her. I took her over to the cutting table and showed her the back of the quilt! I am not sure, but I think she was stunned. I had finally kept my word and made her a quilt. I am proud to say that I had a hand in raising this beautiful young woman. When she was younger and would get into mischief, she always knew she had 4 parents to deal with instead of the usual 2. We have loved her since she was a little girl and have enjoyed watching her grow to the wonderful woman she has become. A few month's ago, Beth learned that she had Sarcoma, needless to say we were all devastated. She had the surgery and the tumor was removed entirely intact, she was very fortunate and our prayers were answered. She has gone through quite a bit the last few month's, but I have faith in God that this was a lesson that had to be learned and that she will be able to soon continue with the life she had planned with her cutie patootie husband. We won't know until sometime in December if all the cancer is gone, but I have faith in god that it is. We are looking forward to "grandchildren" and we know that it will happen when it's meant to be.

I love my "girl" and I hope she enjoys her quilt....it was made with lots of love and is meant to help surround her with love and the healing powers of the angels.

Anett

Give away at a new blog I found

2008-09-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

This is a great blog and here is the link to a give-away

http://thenoblewife.blogspot.com/2008/09/giveaway-for-my-henchmen.html

Anett

Ramblings

2008-09-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about my Mom the other day, it's been 9 years since she passed away and that's hard for me to wrap my head around. As I have said, my mother could re-do anything and make it look new. She could take plaster ducks that were broken, fix them and repaint them to look brand new. She had a talent that I will never have, although I try. I have thought about what my mother loved most in this world, beside her children and it was animals. Dogs, cats, birds, you name it she loved them. When my mother passed away, we were trying to figure out what kind of card to do for the service and it came to me her love of animals, we decided to put St. Francis of Assisi on the front of the card, as he was the patron saint of Animals. He was also my patron saint for my confirmation. I have been playing around with a quilt idea for about a year now and I think I have finally come up with the tribute quilt for my mother. I am going to applique some animal blocks, do some photo blocks of animals we had as children and the main block will be a photo of my Mom and Dad. I may add a photo block or two of my brothers and I, but that will have to be auditioned when I start putting the quilt together. I have several other quilts I need to make, but I am thinking this one will become a priority.

I miss my mom, more than I ever thought I would, but she deserves to have a quilt made just in honor of her. Without her inspiration and that of my grandmother, I would not be the crafter that I am. So Mom, if you are watching, let me know what you think of the quilt when it's done!

Anett

Beth's Angel Quilt

2008-09-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well, finally Beth's quilt has the binding on it. All that is left is to cover a couple of boo boo's with some yo yo's and put the label on. I have thought a lot about the label for this quilt. I made this quilt for a wonderful young woman who is being treated for Sarcoma and is currently having radiation therapy. She is like a daughter to me and I have tried very hard to make this quilt special. I put a lot of love into this quilt and got lucky with the colors. It has lots of lavendar in it and unbeknownst to me when I started it, it is the color for Sarcoma. So I lucked out there. Beth loves butterflies and I found a lovely butterfly flannel for the back, as I wanted it to be warm and comfy for her.

In trying to come up with something for the label, I tried to think of something that would be encouraging and comforting and for her to know how loved she is. I came up with the following.

"Protected by the Angels that have gone before
Loved by the Angels yet to be
Cherished by all are thee"

Poetic I am not, but it all kind of worked out. I am hoping to deliver this on Sunday with any kind of luck.

Have a great rest of the week.

Anett

Wonderful Weather

2008-09-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

I am involved in a swap on one of my Yahoo groups and this is what I have made for it. I took an old glove that I found at an estate sale and "redid" it. I had so much fun and a little help from my friend Suzanne in Australia. Such a nice lady she is.

We have been experiencing wonderful weather here in Oregon. At lease for me. I am praying that the heat is over and we continue with the cool/sometimes rainy weather. I have finally been sleeping well and being quite productive in the sewing room. I am almost finished quilting a quilt. I made 7 tissue cases on my embroidery machine this weekend, I did a lot of clean-up in the sewing room and made a really cute vintage spool pincushion as you can see above.

I know it's only September, but I am looking forward to December. I have two weeks off from work and I am not going to fall, do Christmas, or anything else that my DH wants me to do. I AM GOING TO SEW and enjoy my time off. I am gathering fabric (like I don't already have enough) and projects to work on while I am home. i promised myself I was going to do this last year, but had a nasty fall at work, that I am still recovering from, so this year is it.

This year is going to be ANETT time....sounds selfish, but that's the way it's going to go this year. I sound like this is really going to happen don't I! Well, if I can make it happen it will, but I rarely can pull something like this off. I know someone will come along and need help and I will not be able to say NO. I am still not very good at that one, but I am trying.

Have a good week all.

Anett

Great Give Away

2008-08-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Take a look......great blog and great give away.

http://polkadotsandrickrack.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-my-1-year-blogiversaryand-giveaway.html

Anett

Treasures from the past

2008-08-14T06:22:00.001-07:00

I found this pincushion at a garage sale yesterday. It got me to thinking about why I love old "stuff" and garage sales. This pincushion was obviously made by someone who was very creative. The pincushion itself is store bought and old, but how it was put together is really pretty cool. I am not sure I can describe it, but trust me it's creative.

I think that one of the reasons I enjoy garage sale so much, is the hunt for all things old, that I can turn into something else. I enjoy thinking about what someone used the items I purchase for. Did the bowl I buy sit on a table with candy in it? Did the linens I purchased belong to an older relative? I think about those things when I buy at garage sales. Pretty weird I am sure, but many things go through my mind while I am looking at treasures from the past. I went to a psychic once that told me I was married to a carpenter that built furniture in another life. I truly believe this, because of my love of antique furniture. Now if she would have told me I had been a model...that would have never washed.....my body type in this life or any other would never have made a good model!

I also think about what to turn my treasures into when I make my purchases. Lately my "stuff" has been mostly for making pincushions. I have become totally addicted to making them thanks to my friend Mariah and the Yahoo Group, Crazy About Pincushions. I got to looking at them all last night and I can't believe the amout of pincushions I actually have. It makes my bland sewing area look pretty good though.

There are 3 estate sales in the area this weekend, so I have to sneak away from work to get to them all....I can't wait to see what will end up in my car, without much effort on my part.

The treasures that I buy from the past will make old treasures for someone in the future....kind of cool to think about.

Anett

Life's Heartaches

2008-08-12T10:59:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a very long day...It was the 3rd anniversay of the death of my friend's son, whom I loved to pieces. She found him in his bed..he was 15. I had just left her house and I was the first person she called before the paramedics. I raced back to the house and I will never forget seeing that beautiful little boy in his bed...dead. I wear one of those popular rubber bracelets that she had made after his death...it says "Sober or Die"...I think that says it all. I never leave my house without this bracelet and I never will. Trevor struggled with his addiction, but we thought he had been sober for 10 months. WE were lulled into believing the best, but should have suspected the worst. He tried hard to stay sober, but in the end, he sucummed to peer pressure. "Friends" that he wasn't supposed to see, caught him in a moment of weakness the night before he died. He was looking for his sponsor and found these "friends" instead. One of the young men had stolen liquid morphine from his dying grandfather...they taunted Trevor until he drank it. Liquid Morphine will not get you high...it is time released and lethal. Even prescription drugs can kill kids that have no idea what they are taking. Knowing that his parents would be very upset with him, he went home and told them his stomach was upset, being the dutiful mother that she was, my friend tried to settle his stomach down with Pepto Bismol, when all he really needed to save his life was a shot of Narcaine.

The above happened on the 10th of August. On the 11th, my friend and I were scheduled to have lunch for our Birthday's..mine the 3rd and hers the 12th. I picked her up...the last thing she did before leaving the house, was check on Trevor...he appeared to be sleeping...we had no idea he was really dying. We had our birthday lunch, came home and life changed greatly after that. Trevor was an only child and the only one my friend will ever have. If I could change that day, I would in a heart beat....so that my friend could have the son back she loved so much.

Life is short and full of heartaches...tell those you love...everyday that you love them. We never know when it will be the last time that we get a chance to do it.

Anett