In Memory of Dad – Beautiful Stitching (Part 4) And a New Friend

It’s been a while since I posted a row of my Dad’s beautiful embroidery work, and I don’t want it to fall by the wayside and not get done.  Today I am sharing row 4.

Delaware…

Massachusetts…

New Mexico…

Louisiana…

Michigan…

Nebraska…

In a couple of the pictures I see the quilting stitching I did when I put this quilt together for my dear dad…O how I wish I could redo it.  My stitching does not compare well to Dad’s.  Hopefully it has improved reasonably since I quilted it.

This morning Bella, my German Shepherd puppy, had a scheduled appointment with our vet.  She was spayed and is waking up from the anesthesia.  When I dropped her off I went in the back with the receptionist to put her in the holding cell, oops, I mean, cage.  There were several other dogs (and a cat) in the room waiting for their appointed surgery.  I went to each door speaking to them…they were all friendly and so glad for human contact.  One especially caught my eye and captured my heart…it was instant.  Her name is Sheba.  She is six months old (same as Bella) and is 3/4 chocolate lab and 1/4 pit.  The receptionist told me Sheba was up for adoption.  The lady who originally had her was unable to give her the attention she needed.  Sheba had been an inside dog…kennel trained…and is very sweet.  I went home and told my husband about her.  We went back to the vet’s office together and spent some time with Sheba.  Sheba came home with us.  Our Emma (10 year old Boxer) likes her.  Sheba (we plan on changing her name, but to what, I do not know, is much calmer than Bella.  If she and Bella get along well, she will stay.  I so hope so…I think they will make great sisters.

Until next time…

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your
joy may be full.  (John 16:24)

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In Memory Of Dad – Beautiful Stitching (Part 3)

Fellow stitchers…if you have not commented on my Creative Stitchery Success Strip Giveaway post for a chance to win a set of your own, be sure to click on the giveaway button on the sidebar and leave a comment before noon on 8/15/13.  Don’t want to wait to see if you won…click on the link in the giveaway post and order a set from Robbie.  She has speedy service and the inventive strips are SO worth the price!

After a busy weekend of going to my husband’s family reunion and running errands on Saturday and going to church twice on Sunday with a wedding and reception in between the morning and evening services,  it feels good to put my feet up and share another row of my dad’s beautiful state birds and flowers embroidered quilt.   I hope you enjoy seeing the pictures as much as I enjoy sharing them with you.

Maryland…I was born in Maryland while my dad was serving in the Army.  Not long after I was born he started working on this quilt.

Florida…

Montana…

Utah…

Colorado…

Arkansas…makes me think of my friend Hollie and her love for her Mockingbird family.

That’s it for row three.  Soon I’ll post another row.

To wrap this post up I must show off the beautiful table topper Hollie made for me for the Facebook Pay It Forward we took part in.  She told me it was designed to display a candle, but I will use it for tea or as she suggested, to set a vase of pretty irises on.  Purple irises are my very favorite flower.  I think I may have mentioned that to her somewhere along the line.

Until next time…

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.   (2 Timothy 2:22)

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In Memory Of Dad – Beautiful Stitching (Part 2)

Earlier the week I began sharing pictures of the beautifully embroidered blocks my dad stitched more than over five decades ago.  This post is a continuation of that one.  Today I am sharing pictures of the second row of blocks.

Before I start I want to toss out a plug for the giveaway I will host very soon.  I hope everyone interested in embroidery will put their name in the pot for a chance to win this useful tool.

Now for row 2…

Iowa…

Kansas…

Alabama…

Indiana…

Connecticut…one of my personal favorites.  I love the call of the quail…”Bob White”.

New Hampshire…

That’s it for this time.  I hope you are enjoying seeing my dad’s handiwork.  I’m loving the walk down memory lane as I share it with you.  It makes him seem just a little closer.

Until next time…

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.   (2 Timothy 2:19)

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In Memory Of Dad – Beautiful Stitching

When I was a girl I remember my dad coming home from a long day at the office and unwinding in his chair after supper.  He would pick up the quilt block he was working and stitch until bedtime.  It took a couple or more years for him to meticulously embroider the forty-eight state birds and flowers I will share over the next few posts.  (If you know history, you know this quilt top predates 1959, because, Alaska and Hawaii were not admitted into the union until that year.)

Today my dad would have been 86 years old.   For that reason I chose today to begin sharing pictures of the wonderful quilt top he embroidered.  It was stored in a box in the top of his closet for decades.  Two years before he passed away I brought the quilt top home and quilted it for him for Father’s Day.  When I gave it back to him, he cried.  He said he did not believe he would ever see it completed.  Earlier this year my mom gave it back to me.  Needless to say, I cherish it and count it amongst my earthly treasures.

I will share each block in the order it appears on in the quilt starting with the top row.

California…

New York…

North Carolina…

Idaho…

Minnesota…

Tennessee…

Dad’s steady hands and sharp eyes helped him turn out beautiful work.  He was self-taught and a perfectionist.  I’m hoping one day to be as accomplished a stitcher as he was…surely a little of his creative genes rubbed off on me.

I will share another row of blocks very soon.  I hope you will check back and see all forty-eight.

Be sure to keep an eye out for my upcoming giveaway featuring Robbie Field’s  Creative Stitchery Success Strips.  I will be posting the details very soon.

Until next time…

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Matthew 6:26

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Giving A Shout Out – “Hey Charlie”

This post is dedicated to my eldest brother whom I love.  🙂  We’ve been friends most of our lives.  I say “most”, because he is older. 

One of my favorite memories…when I was born, Charlie wanted to name me Gene Autry after the singing cowboy.   Mom vetoed that idea…later we decided she could have named me Jean Audrey. 

It was good talking to you Christmas day…I wish you and Lee  had been here.

My brother Charlie and his wife Lee.

I miss you every day…and love you more.

Until next time…

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

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Happy Fourth Of July

Thank you to the men and women who have secured and continue to ensure the freedom we have enjoyed in the United States of America. That precious freedom is slipping through our hands. Our ancestor’s gift of freedom is in jeopardy of being forfeited and fought for in vain.  The enemy is within.  The solution is simple.

There is no freedom greater than that found in Jesus Christ.

Until next time…

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  Romans 8:21

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A Little Making

It’s Saturday morning and after a couple of days of feeling under the weather I woke up determined to get some much-needed things done around the house.  (My kitchen looks like transient bachelors cooked in it while I was feeling unwell and took off without cleaning their mess.)  It only took a few deep breaths to realize that my early morning conviction probably wouldn’t thrive for long.  Just a few deep breaths revealed difficulty breathing and painful lungs when I inhale.  My self-diagnosis is pleurisy.  Bronchitis is probable within the next day or so…spring’s prompting of pollen production has caught up with me.   What a drag!   Still I will endeavor to get our house in order. 

After working in the kitchen for a little while I decided I’d earned a break.  Instead of retreating to the couch I picked up a project in progress and completed it.   Surely that counts toward my goal of getting something done today. 

The project I worked on  this morning is part of a package I need to get together and sent to my nephew’s family.  He is in Iraq serving our country, and they are in Turkey waiting for his return. 

Meet Jeff…he’s a meteorologist in the Air Force.  He helps keep our men and women safe, and our family is proud of him.  

Jeff is married to Laurie…we’re proud of her, too.  She has accepted the calling of a military wife with grace and gives it her all.  They have two beautiful children.

Now that the introductions are over here is my completed project of the day.   On the left is a pillow for Addison featuring one of my favorite pictures of him with his super hero dad.  On the right is a “daddy doll” for Kendyl.  (This will be her second one…someone sent one to her anonymously before her dad deployed.)  Laurie told me “two heads are better than one” applies to daddy dolls.   Two daddy dolls are better than one. 

I used  a thrifted, desert-camouflage uniform for the back of the pillow and doll.  Each has a pocket for keeping letters and any small treasure their daddy may send them. 

These are small tokens of my love for Jeff and Laurie and the kids and our pride in this precious military family.   The most important thing I do for them is pray for their safety and strength.    It is great comfort knowing each of them is in God’s care.

Even if I get nothing else done I feel like I’ve accomplished something significant today. 

Until next time…

Be a channel for God’s blessings, not a reservoir.  ~ unknown ~

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A Purplishous Day

A week or so ago my DH and I went Kansas to visit our Kansas kids.  We took two of our teen-aged grands with us and actually enjoyed the fifteen hours in a car with them.  🙂  That’s a real bonus when you really think about it.

Some time before our trip my son asked if I would make a twirly skirt for his daughter…our Lily.  Of course there was only one option.  Since three-year olds are easily delighted the skirt was a big hit.  I think she wore it three days in a row before we got it away from her to wash.  Lily requested another skirt and was very certain of the colors it should be…pink, purple, blue and yellow.  She will get it!  Here’s Lily modeling her new skirt…

A multi-media craft group I belong to on Yahoo has a challenge going on this week using anything purple.  Yesterday I put together this funky little chicken pincushion for the challenge.  It is made of felted wool from a thrifted sweater. The tail needs some work…After finishing this quirky little chick I decided the tail feathers should have been placed along the top back seam under the comb, but I’m thinking a button will provide the perfect little tail lift.  🙂  I can see making more of these just for the fun of it.

That’s all for this time.  I hope you enjoy your Saturday.  Green beans from our garden await my attention…it’s time to can.  I’m thankful for the plenty so I can can.  🙂

Until next time…

Just One

One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start a prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what is true
One life can make a difference

~ unknown ~

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Life – Tea on Tuesday

This week’s tea theme is life brought to us by Pat of Ooglebloops.  Check out her second Tea Bag Swap.

When I think of “life” I think of the cycle…the beginning and the end.

Our family has been blessed abundantly with the birth of new, precious life.  My dear husband and I have 8 beautiful grandchildren (and a 9th who has not made his/her appearance) ranging from the ages of 15 to 23 months.  Each one has added a different and special “ingredient” to this time span we call life.

In descending order…grandchildren who’ve added joy and renewed youth to our lives…

All these beautiful grandchildren were blessings from God and my children and children in love.

Family is the nucleus of this life…the glue that binds us to something bigger than ourselves.  Through good times and bad family is family…life is in the blood.

My mother and dad not too long ago…before my dear dad got sick…and life began to wane.  It was their love that started this legacy of life over 60 years ago…

And the end of the cycle here on earth touches all of us at our appointed time…the end of that cycle began for this family when our dear dad died.

Dad’s was a life lived with honor.  Dad passed away on December 16, 2009.  He is greatly missed.

Life is a cycle…a never-ending cycle.  I know there are many belief systems, but my “life” post would not be complete without sharing my hope in life eternal…and hope that I will see my dad again.

Before I close, I’d like to share my Nathalie of An Artist’s Legacy tea bag swap send.  Thank you, Nathalie.  I’m enjoying it greatly. Nathalie’s send was creatively green.  She repurposed a canceled check and made her envelope from a brown paper lunch sack.  The stamp art was whimsical and made me smile.  I’m already enjoying the wonderful teas, and she shared truvia (a Stevia sweetener everyone should know about) with me which was oh so sweet of her.

And to top it off…a handwritten note.

As I compose this Life theme tea Tuesday, I’m sipping delicious Raspberry tea…one of the simple pleasures of this life.

Thank you for visiting.  For more Tea on Tuesday visit these fine blogs…

Kimmie – Home of Tea On Tuesday

Patty

Pat

Dianne

Christen

Chriss

Penny

Jean

Debs

Rosie

Meadow Lark Days

You’ll be glad you did.

Until next time…

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.  ~ Joyce Brothers ~

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Dreaming Of My California Grandbabies

See why?

Cool just drips off of them.  🙂

Until next time…

You don’t choose your family.  They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.  ~ Desmond Tutu ~

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