Halloween Thank-You!

I guess Trick or Treat gets a new meaning this year.  I made a quilt as a thank-you gift for my friend Lainey.  She took family portraits of us...that should tell you right there why I needed to take her something!  Anyway, I wanted to use my big Twister ruler to try, and I found the layer cakes on sale at one of my haunts, so I made it for her.  It was fun and I like how the twisters look with the Halloween prints. They are from the Moda company, and they were so cute.  It is a "couch" size...to snuggle up in when you are on the couch!  I tried to get it to her early, but it wasn't to be...just a few days before the big day.  At least she can use it next year!  That's the trick..she can use it every year and maybe remember how thankful I am to her!

Tablerunners for the "girls"

                                                Jenny's

                                               Shauntae's

                                               Emilee's

                                                 Gina's

                                                Kari's

                                                  Cresta's

I made each of my girls a table runner for Halloween with left-over fabric from two quilts that I made this month.  They are all different sizes and one is from the remains of the second quilt that I made, the rest from Cresta's quilt They were fun and I'm glad that I did them when I did, or the fabric would have sat on my shelf and never got sewn! I hope that they will use them each year and think of me when them put them out!

I have just finished a new "couch" quilt and table runner for my daughter.  She wanted a holiday quilt for each holiday, so for her birthday, I gave her the fabric for this quilt and runner.  It took me awhile to get to it, but I did get it done in October, so she could display it. (Her birthday was in May, That's telling on me and how I put it off!) I think they turned out pretty cute.  I hope it is what she wanted!  The quilt was machine quilted by my friend, Cindy Denkers. The last table runeer picture is the finished product.  I added ric-rac to the ends to add a little "pop".

Bits and Pieces

Some bits and pieces that Kari and I have been working on....

The painting I donated to the 24th auction to benefit park improvements..It earned them $100.00 .  I was worried that no one would bid on it.  I am glad that my Nephew bought it for his house!

 Kari's first quilt...So cute!  Made from bandanas/handkerchiefs..a perfect picnic quilt!

 A wall hanging I made for my friends for a housewarming..It was fun to make!

 Kari's 2nd quilt..for the 24th of July celebration..sold at auction for $200.00!  Also made from handkerchiefs!

An oil painting that I made for my brother in law, Roger.  It is of Allyson's playhouse that he built for her.  We were talking one day and he asked me something about what I would paint for him and I asked him what he would like and this is what he wanted.  I hope it was what he had in mind!

Unframed

                                                  Watercolor- Ferry's Barn

                                              Watercolor- Ranch scene

                                                   Watercolor- Ally's fish

                                                Oil- Farm in Tremonton

I have just put finishing touches and changes to a few paintings.  I like to post them here, so that I have record of them  One is an oil, the other three are watercolor.    None of them are framed, so you are seeing them in the rough.  I am going to donate either the fish or the ranch setting with the cows (watercolor) for our town auction.  I am not to sure about doing that, what if no one likes it?  I would be totally sad.  I would like it to make some money for the town. I guess my insecurites are peaking out right now!  Anyway, I have fun, and I guess that is what matters! I need to take more time for my painting, I have two started but haven't worked on them for a week or more. It just seems like other things take the time that I have planned for them. I am going to have to schedule in the time so that I can get some more finished.  I am going to be displaying some with my friends at Peach Days in September, so, I need to finish some up!

I Wanna Be a Cowboy Quilt

Just a little boy quilt that I made for my friends Ariana and Craig...Snowball pattern with "I Wanna Be a   Cowboy" fabric by Riley Blake.

Rachel Christensen

Welcome to our family little Rachel Christensen!  We love you sooo much!  Your mom and dad are the best parents you could hope for!
Rachel was born on Wednesday the 16th of May to Jim and Shauntae Christensen.  Her big brother, Wyatt and big sister Hannah are so excited to have her here. (Wyatt wanted a brother he could call Spiderman..it's a good thing Rachael had other ideas!)
She is precious and beautiful and our 9th granddaughter.  The 5 boys are going to be outnumbered, but that is ok.  We love whoever wants to be with us. She was the smallest of their children..8 lbs. 1 oz.  Not too small...just healthy and ready to face the world.  She gets to come home today...and it's raining like crazy out there.  I think they are Heaven's tears of joy for our family! 
We are waiting and ready to love and hold her and watch her grow and develop and fit in with her siblings.  I cannot decribe how happy I am right now, and thankful that my family is willing to bring new life to the world.  We know it's not an easy undertaking and it is wonderful to know that they have all been willing to face whatever happens to have our family here on earth.  She is just what we need right now!  I love all my grandchildren.  They each hold a place in my heart that will ever be theirs.  Each one is unique and wonderful. Thank you parents for being willing to give us this most precious gift!

I made this quilt for my mother for Mother's Day and her birthday.  They are just a week apart, so I am going to give it to her for both days.  She is in the hospital right now, so I put the quilt on her bed at home, and I am going to make a pillow case to give her on Mother's Day and tell her about the quilt, with a picture of it, so it will be ready when she gets home.  I hope she likes it!  I also made her some flowers out of the fabric and took them to her in the hospital because she can't have real ones.  It was fun to make and I am excited to see if she likes it!

A few more quilts...

I have finished a few more baby quilts...both for gifts..one for a friend, one for a future grandbaby.  I have two more quilts ready and waiting at the quilters and they will be finished , too.  I have so many I would like to try.  I just need some energy to complete my wish list!  I see new ideas everyday on Pinterest and other sites and I want to do them all!  With everyday life and my other hobbies, it seems that I just have to wait until things are caught up. It is getting easier to get things done.  I guess the organization that I did helps to make more time.  I don't have to search nearly as much to find what I am looking for.  This summer I am going to finish projects  and use up what fabric I have stashed away.  Then I can try some of these new and wonderful ideas I see floating around the web.  My challenge is to just get it done!!!

These were both quilted by my friend, Cindy Denkers and they are both from fabric by Moda called Lollipop.  The other baby quilt is also from this line..It's made for a little girl.  Just in case .

This is the girls quilt.  It is on it's side, but you can get the picture!

Too busy?

I have been so wrapped up in life, that I forget life.  It doesn't make too much sense, but that is how I feel.  I have been worrying that I don't do enough for the people that are needing some extra care, then I have nightmares that my whole ward shows up for dinner and I only prepared enough for 4...A sign that maybe I better buckle down and do what is imprtant... not just the things I want to do.  People are more important than the quilts I put together or the paintings that I paint.  I need to pay attention to the needs of others and really put forth the effort to touch bases with them and keep them in my heart and prayers. We had a good friend die today.  We haven't talked to him for awhile...we just knew he would be there.  Now, he is gone and we won't have the oportunity to tell him that we thought he was great. We always hear..".it just happened so fast."  I know it does, but it doesn't prepare you for the time that it does.  I will vow to make it known to friends and family that I love and appreciate them.  I will tell them whenever I get a chance.  I hope they know, so when it is my time to be gone suddenly, they will be secure in my love.  So...as of tonight...I love you all.  I will be there if you need me. I will get out of my comfort zone and yell it to the world.  My friends and family are my life and I will not get so wrapped up with the unimportant parts and miss those that I hold dear.