Antique quilts

I went to someones' blog today and found myself deep in this antique quilt heaven. Have you been there yet? You have got to see this site. I was checking out the quilt tops and found a breathtaking baby, a blue work mourning quilt.

Mourning quilts were a way for women to express their grief over a loved one that has passed. I have loved one such quilt for a number of years and have found it in several sources. One of them is, America's Glorious Quilts, 1987. It's not a little book, 11"x14 3/4". On page 74 and at this site, you can view this beautiful quilt. The historical significance is outstandingly wonderful. As a mother, I cannot imagine the pain this woman went thru. What an innovative way to remember.


I read this blog of Jennys' today and laughed. We took our tree down right after Christmas and sorted thru 30+ years of decorations and ornaments, gave some to the kids, thrifted some and threw a bunch of junk away. Then on to the livingroom. I refuse to feel guilty about dusting or not dusting...out it goes! I am on a binge here people, and I love it.

My dh bought me this set of patterns and this set , with the fabric included, and they sit. I need to just do it. I have had a few lovely ladies offer to help me if I needed it. I just need to do it.

These aren't resolutions, they are wishes for me to do better for me. I also wish to start my Christmas gifts NOW so that I may take some time and really enjoy the journey of my craft.

What wishes do you have for yourself for next year? Do you have unfinished projects you wish to finish? Or maybe some other unfulfilled dream.

I am going to finish my baby sewing for my sweet dil, the earthmama. Maybe I will remember to take some pics...diapers, diaper wraps, double sided receiving blankets, swaddlers, and most important, the laying in quilt for earthmama...have you ever made one?

Hugs, Elaine

Christmas morning at our house was busy, then our new (lived with us for 3 months), rottie, Zipper, decided to regurgitate on the carpet. My dh cleaned it up since I have been known to projectile at least 2 days worth of food if I do it. She kinda acted a little sluggish all day. We called the vet and he told us to keep her npo (nothing by mouth) for the rest of the evening after giving him her s/s (signs and symptoms). At this point I should bring up I am an ER nurse. Shouldn't I also be able to read dogs minds too? I guess not.

Zipper died @ 2320 (11:20 pm) on Christmas night. Our extremely wonderful son came over the next morning and dug a grave for her. Thank you Lord for that boy.

The point of this blog post:

Some big dogs, like Zipper, have a predisposition to GVD . If  you have a large dog, or even know someone who has one, please read this.

I can't even talk about it right now but feel compelled to warn others. Maybe I will be back on track next week, I don't know.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I walked past the dining room french doors and yelled at DH to grab the camera...omg, what a beautiful bird. Funny thing is, the branches from our lone pear tree are on the right. Hmm, coincidence...maybe.

Yesterday it was 75 degrees, pic to the left shows the snow at 4:14 this afternoon. Weird.

Our tree is so pretty this year. Lots of chili pepper lights, hand made ornies from years of the kids in school, a black cowboy hat and pink flamingo adorn the top of the tree.

So DH and I did our Christmas decorating. Not very conventional but very cool! Why yes, that is a pink pre-lit tree on the porch, red chili pepper ristras hanging from the eaves and red chili pepper lights adorning the front of the house. After decorating this, snapping the pic, I added the ultimate...a 2' tall wire pink flamingo with it's left leg/foot and beak/head moving. I get very weird here.

It's just the DH and I, the kids visit and probably laugh like hell when they leave. Am I humiliated properly...ah, no, I just smile. When I leave this earth and my kids are still here, they will remember me when they see similar pepper lights or Christmas flamingos!

And Jesus smiles too. Happy birthday Jesus, thanks for visiting my humble but weird house.

And to all my world wide bloggy friends...I love you all bunches, have a beautiful Christmas, kiss your family, eat lots of fudge, kick back and relax.

Merry Christmas everyone...Elaine

I'm back

Finally...never thought I would land on terra firma again, yuck. I had the best  visit with my daughter and her family. Her 3 year old is a pistol! She was busy almost done moving, what a nightmare that is, huh?

My new granddaughter and I had some lovely visits...you grandmothers KNOW what I mean. She thinks I am wonderful and loves me to death! I just couldn't get her away from my little girl long enough to stuff her into my carry on, darnit! And if I could figure out how to get the pic link from facebook to my blog....grrrrrr!!!!

Off to see my new granddaughter!

I'll be back in Texas @ the 15th of December, my new baby awaits my hungry arms! My etsy shop is on vacation mode, plants brought in, dogs petted...and dh will be missed. See you in a few weeks, Elaine