Blue Irish Chain

I thought I would be brave today, and show you one of my first quilts.  I made it for my niece’s 40th birthday.  At the time, I had not learned to free motion quilt, so its done by stitch-in-the-ditch method.  This was also my first irish chain.  I’ve made a few more since then, and also purchased a Baby Lock Quilter’s Choice Professional sewing machine.  It has a larger opening of 9”, and that allows me to quilt a queen size, though it doesn’t help my arms and hands at all…they still get quite sore and tired, and my back has some degeneration, so it can be quite uncomfortable if I spend too much time in one spot.  I set three folding tables up in the garage, then I pin baste the sandwich, then put the machine on the table near the edge, and quilt the sandwich as it lays out open on the tables.  Not the easiest way to do it, but since I don’t have a long arm, it will have to do.  Needless to say, I don’t do a lot of queen size quilts, but I will do at least one more, for our bed…I still haven’t made one for hubby and me!

This one is full size.

    

Still no where near a pro, but I’ve become much better in the last 4 years.  Even though it isn’t heavily quilted with pretty designs, this was one of my favorites…I like the blue and white, and I love the toile.  I  made a  queen irish chain in burgundy tones for my son and daughter-in-love, several baby quilts, another full size quilt using horse pattern fabric for my horse loving granddaughter, and three or four crib size for my youngest granddaughter.  She uses them as rugs for her stuffed animals…all that work for a stuffed animal!   I’ve also made tea themed quilts for three of my tea club friends, and crib quilts for baby showers.   

Here’s one:

 

I also have a Brother PC 8500 with the embroidery attachment…I have so much fun with that!  I’ve embroidered on my granddaughters’ clothes, quilts, and tea towels.  I’ve also started hand embroidering again…last time I did that, I think I was maybe 10!

I have enough fabric to make about 10 or more quilts, but I really don’t have the “passion” that some quilters do…I just love going to the fabric store and buying the fabrics, organizing them, and then just standing back and admiring all the beautiful colors and prints.  I do enjoy cutting and piecing, but thinking about doing that quilting gives me pause.  Maybe that long arm is in my future somewhere.  My only other option is hand quilting.  I love the look and feel of hand quilting, but I’m impatient…I want it done NOW!  Maybe some day. 

God bless you, every one!

Mary

~Everything Tea~

Happy Wednesday, and welcome  to my  tea cottage.  I should have posted something white for Kathleen’s White Wednesday, however, some time late yesterday afternoon or early evening, my internet stopped working.  I played with it all evening, and again this  morning, but still no internet.  Finally, a light bulb went off, and I called my service provider to find out what was going on.  As it turns out, my granddaughter has been using my computer…she’s in a year round program at school, so stays with me during vacations, while mom and dad are at work, and she has a bad, bad, bad habit of twirling on my swivel chair.  She’s done this before, so I should have suspected right away…the cords on the back of the computer had been disconnected…no doubt, as she twirled, her feet hit the computer, which is sitting on the floor, and knocked the power cord loose.  So I didn’t get to post my whites for today, but I do have my white cabinets from yesterday, so I hope that will be okay.  I think I had to do double duty last week  for both as well…she was here last week, too, and just keeps me sooooo busy!

Be sure to visit Kathleen for more White Wednesday inspiration!  Just click on the lovely lady to the right, and she will escort you to Kathleen’s blog.

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Welcome to my tea cottage!  I’m joining Kim at www.shabbypinkandpretty.blogspot.com for another Tea Things Tuesday party.  Click on the pretty teacup to the right to visit Kim and other lovers of all things tea!

                                                                                        

A few days ago, I visited Kathryn at http://bonafidesouthern.blogspot.com/, and she was sharing all of her china storage areas. That inspired me to do the same, so today, I’m showing you a few places that I store my tea things, starting with my “tea” armoire.  I bought this armoire at an antique store about 10 years ago, long before I had a collection of teacups.  I was told that it was made in America around 1920, but who knows?  I don’t care…I just know that I like it very much and it holds a lot of teacups, teapots, plus serving plates, etc.  It isn’t always this messy…I do put things in order quite often, however, after I’ve had a tea, they tend to go back in there somewhat disorganized, since I just want to get it all off my dining table and put away.  Its always so much fun to take it all out and set up, but when the party is over, time to put everything neatly, or not so neatly, back in their place.

This is the top of the hutch I bought and painted in June

and this is the entire china cabinet and hutch…

 

after rearranging things a little…not sure what happened with the color on this photo…not too good…the wood floor underneath looks warped and rotted, but it’s not, honest.  I think I like the arrangement on the top photo best.

 

Not sure if I posted this sweet cabinet before or not…I bought it at my favorite store, Room With  A Past, a delightful store full of shabby furniture and accessories.  I love the chicken wire!  I’ve also rearranged this one several times with different colors of teacups.  I’m trying to decide whether to paint the kitchen green or yellow, so I just stare at the teacups to see what appeals to me the most.

After two months, I still have those yellow swatches on the wall…will I ever decide???

 

I took my granddaughter, on the left, and her friend, in the middle, to tea at Christmas a couple of years ago.  They asked to be excused to the ladies room, and when they came back, they were donned in these darling hats!  It was a great day.  Hmmm…I’m looking at that pink, white and black thing kinda in the middle of  the girls, and have absolutely no idea what it is!   Oh, my granddaughter just came in and told me that its a snowman and his hat…silly me.

I hope you enjoyed this mini tour of my tea cottage…I enjoyed showing you some of my tea things…I’ll have more next week, so be sure to come back for another cup of your favorite flavor of tea…the tea kettle is always on, and you are always welcome!

Please pray for our blogging friends…so many are struggling with cancer and other health issues…some have had major tragic accidents, while others are facing family issues and financial burdens…they need our prayers.  Pray for our president, that he will turn to God for direction as he serves this great nation and the people that live here.

God bless everyone…God bless our troops and their families.  God bless America, land that I love…stand beside her and guide her, allowing her light to continue to be a beacon for the world, a beacon of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  

Mary

 

~Faith Like Potatoes~

Please join Charlotte and Ginger for Spiritual Sundays. Just click on the blue cloud to the right.


It seems like this is my week for posting videos. The change in the weather has put me into a mental and physical state of vegetation. All I want to do is make popcorn, curl up with a blanket, and watch movies. Hubby and I decided to let the week go by without worrying about projects, and just enjoy a few, one of which I have to share with you. The title is "Faith Like Potatoes". It is based on a true story. I always think I have a strong faith, but I wondered if I would have had the faith to face the challenges that this family faced. Maybe you've already seen it...if not, please take a peek at this preview...it speaks powerfully of a faith in God that brought miracles at every turn. I hope you'll enjoy watching these couple of minutes, and then rent the movie...it is one you won't want to miss.



I'm making this post short today, as I'm having trouble with blogger...hope to write more next time.

God bless everyone.

Mary

~Forgiven Again~

I just discovered this wonderful event, Then Sings My Soul Saturday,with your hostess, Amy, at http://signsmiraclesandwonders.blogspot.com/ and am so happy to join in. As of right now, I can't seem to get Amy's address to highlight so it will take you to her blog, nor the button on the side, so you might have to copy and paste it in the address box to get there...sorry...I'll keep working on it.

Perhaps you know of the Bill Gaither Vocal Band. I've been to their concerts several times, and have had the privilege of seeing these young me in person. Believe me, you will be blessed by the powerful message as Signature Sound sings the words written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, based on the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.

NOTE: I just discovered that if you wait til te video is ending, there will be a group of related videos scolling across the sceen...you can click on any of them and see more wonderful Gaither videos!




God bless everyone, and God bless America, land that I love.

Please remember to pray for our blogging friends that need the hand of God to touch their lives. Pray for our troops, and pray for our government officials, that they hear and heed wise counsel.

Mary

Friday Funnies

Time for Fridy Funnies...ready for some laughter? Then join Kim at http://homesteadersheart.blogspot.com/
and other participants that have something funny to share today.

I feel bad about posting this video, I really do, but it is so funny, I laughed til I cried. Have your kleenex ready!



Have a wonderful Friday, everyone, and may God bless you!

Mary

~Kids Say the Funniest Things~

Happy Friday, blogging friends…so glad you’re here today for a cup of  tea and fellowship.   While you’re here, let me tell you that my friend Lynn, at Lynn’s Lovelies is having her 100th post giveaway!  She has some beautiful handmade items for the lucky winner, so don’t miss out…go on over there right now by clicking on this link…you’ll be glad you did! 

 http://lynnslovelies.blogspot.com/2009/10/thanking-youmy-1st-giveaway.html

Ready for some laughs?  Then  join Kim at http://homesteadersheart.blogspot.com/for Friday Funnies, and make your day!  I found this online and thought it was very cute…some of them are actually funny, too…enjoy~

Kids say some very funny things

A little boy was in a relative's wedding.
As he was coming down the aisle, he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the crowd.
While facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar.
So it went, step, step, ROAR, step, step, ROAR, all the way down the aisle.
As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from laughing so hard by the time he reached the pulpit.
When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said, "I was being the Ring Bear."
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One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour.
The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle.
Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.
Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
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One particular four-year old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
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A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."
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A Sunday School teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."
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A little boy opened the big and old family Bible with fascination, looking at the old pages as he turned them.
Then something fell out of the Bible.
He picked it up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that has been pressed in between the pages.
"Mama, look what I found," the boy called out.
"What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked.
With astonishment in the young boy's voice he answered, "It's Adam's suit".
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The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mike, and as he preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike cord as he went.
Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again.
After several circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her mother and whispered, "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"
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Six-year old Angie, and her four-year old brother, Joel, were sitting together in church.
Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud.
Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."
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My grandson was visiting one day when he asked , "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?"
I mentally polished my halo, while I asked, "No, how are we alike?"
"You're both old," he replied.
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A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible.
Then, one day, she floored her grandmother by asking, "Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?"
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A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments.
They were ready to discuss the last one.
The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was.
Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not take the covers off the neighbor's wife."

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone…May God bless you!

Mary

~Ten Commandments of Tea~

I am so short on time this morning, so will pull double duty by combining my post for both Tea Things Tuesday and White Wednesday. Visit our lovely hostesss, Kathleen, to see some beautiful whites by clicking on the lovely lady to the right.

Happy Tea Things Tuesday! Please visit Kim and the other participants who are sharing their tea interests. You can find Kim by clicking on the teacup to the right.

My husband, granddaughter and I went to Arizona for 4 days to visit family, and just returned tonight. After driving 14 hours on Friday and another 14 hours today, with only two days in between, I am exhausted, but it was so worth it…family is so important, and we just don’t see each other often enough.

I haven’t had a chance to take new pictures, answer emails, or leave comments on my favorite blogs, but hope to catch up within the next few days. In the meantime, I did want to show off a couple of my teapots, but first, here’s just a little “instruction” on tea!

The Ten Commandments of Tea

1. Thou shall not call it brewed; tea is steeped.
2. Thou shall select water with care. Avoid hard water or even a hint of chlorine.
3. Thou shall respect tea; it is all-natural.
4. Thou shall understand the three different types of tea: Green, Oolong, and Black.
5. Thou shall sanitize equipment before each run.
6. Thou shall use Tea Essence as a flavor supplement to help avoid the formation of unsightly sediment in the container.
7. Thou shall read the Templar Tea Update.
8. Thou shall be guilt free; tea is healthful.
9. Thou shall know how to spell Polyphenol.
10. Thou shall drink tea often.

This teapot is probably my favorite, given to me at Christmas by my Daughter in Love…I had never seen this pattern before, but since getting it, I have added 6 teacups and saucers. It is Royal Albert Old Country Roses Green.

You can see just a peek of the teacups behind the teapot, but I’ll have a better picture next week.

The second teapot was in the antique store that I visited with my tea club when we went to tea a couple of months ago. It is vintage, with no maker or pattern name… I just love it!

I hope you had a wonderful week-end with family and friends, or just quietly enjoying your favorite pastime or hobby. The older I get, the more I know life really is short! I’m trying to enjoy every day, and make every day count.

Please pray for those needing physical healing, and those that have other needs, such as financial, family, employment, etc. Please, please pray for our troops…they really need our prayers!

There is much we can do nothing about except vent and share our anger, worry, and wait, but there are things we can do something about…I hope everyone will continue to become educated about the issues of this country, and speak out…it makes a difference.

God bless you, and God bless America, land that I love. I know there are many countries represented in blogland, and I pray that each and every one of them are pleasing to God so that they, too, will be blessed as this great nation has. I pray that the United States of America will remain free. I remember a quote of Ronald Reagan, that was something like this…we are only one generation away from losing our freedom…He knew how fragile and precious freedom is. I really wonder if we do. Or is it like the old saying, “you don’t know what you have til you lose it”. I pray we don’t find out.

Now…come on over to my cottage and we’ll fix the world’s problems over a cup of tea!

Mary