Actually, I am Irish!

Thanks to ancestery.com I do know that I am part Irish! So happy Saint Patty's day from an official Irish girl. I also found out I am very boring and very white. I honestly expected something more than European, Irish and English. Oh well, I am what I am. :)

I am also a fierce dinosaur! Sweet niece went to a birthday party were dinosaurs was the theme. She wore this mask for half the day- loved it! So we became dinosaurs together. <3

I'm studying a devotion with an online group on Facebook. It's called Broken and Redeemed a study on the God who redeems our stories. I ordered the journal off Amazon and I have so enjoyed this devotion!

Why I like having the group online is because it opens up others understandings of the scripture that we read. I learn so much from what other people got out of the Scriptures, it opens my eyes to complete new lessons.  I recommend it - find it on Amazon.

I rarely show photos of just myself, but here I am with one of the custom orders that has come in recently for Pressed Clovers. This year I asked that God would allow me to make things that people wanted. All the sudden my bib and burp cloth business took off like lightning. With it came some growing pains of trying to keep up three stores, two brick-and-mortar, one online, so at this point the online has been taken down. But I so love having people want what I make! To know that it is helpful to mommies and their babies because it's a good quality product. I've had some pains - I've had to learn some lessons and make adjustments, but it's so worth it and I'm learning so much as I go.

Then mom started making hair bows. Big beautiful fluffy poofy cute hair bows for all the little princesses out there. Beautiful work - it is amazing what she can do. So now that has also become a part of Pressed Clovers! And I couldn't be happier to have my mom working with me. 

We are headed to a tractor show in two weeks to set up and sell. Should be interesting! Hopefully, it will go really well and the brand will be more recognizable for future purchases! I donated two sets for a church fundraising event in this same community last week and hope that will be remembered. 

I know it's odd for someone with no children to get this excited over bibs and burp cloths. My prayer was very sincere, I wanted to make things that people wanted. I think I've done that, not on my own but thanks to the Lord. It truly seems like God was waiting for me to just ask for success and I finally did.  I sincerely hope that I'm on the right path.

OK since I've already held this in drafts for a few days, I think it's time to go ahead and publish. Hope you're having a wonderful week and a happy happy Tuesday.   :) 

Blog writer, Part 2

I knew if I added many more photos, that last post would never go. Then I fell asleep! (Sleep- Success!)

Macy practicing giving the boys bottles... Hahaha! Ok, not really. She was feeding her baby-dang I can't remember the baby's name. She's in this great imaginative play phase and I just love it!

I finally got well enough to have the shots I needed to visit with "the boys" aka Liam and Kellan. What sweethearts. Liam was my twin for the day so I fed him bottles and snuggled. These are my nephews who were born at 28 weeks. And at 6 months you wouldn't know it. I consider them miracles from The Lord. Getting back to my visit, Liam snuggled up on my chest and slept for a good while. Gosh they melt my heart. 

So of course, on the morning of my second visit I woke up sick and haven't been well since. Sigh. I hope to see them again before they graduate college! Yes, dramatic I know... I just want to see my nephews! 

My nephews were in the NICU for quite a bit of time. What an amazing place! One thing we learned about were isolette covers that make the baby's incubator (isolette) dark and quiet. I'm not sure why I became obsessed with making and donating as many of these as possible. Shared it on Facebook and my work intranet. 

A lady from church made it a Women I the Church project. Let's tell you, we have many amazing quilters at church. So these babies have some incredible cute handcrafted isolette blankets!  

When we finally gathered our blanket and headed for the children's hospital, we had a total of 18 blankets! The stack was almost as tall as her son! It was great to deliver these directly to one of the NICU nurses that watched after my nephews. 

I love thinking about these babies tucked into their dark and quiet Isolettes with their cover on top. Warms my heart. 

Once I chilled with making isolette covers, I went back to quilting. New pattern I saw for sell and just figured it out. I'll be working on this one for a long time. 

My ADD tendencies kicked in so in the middle of a sewing fest, I worked on this project.

Mom found this empty frame at a yard sale years ago and I just managed to turn it into a photo board for my bedroom. Love having easy access to update photos. And love having family pics in sight :) 

Last photo- taken this week at my parents. Sweet niece was crawling all over me so I made her stop for a pic.

Work is already kicking in, full speed ahead. Sigh. I wish I could have gotten more time off before it picks back up but it didn't work out that way. I knew 2016 was going to be a doozy. 

It's now Saturday and the sun is up! Time for me to get moving and see what I can find to get into! Have a wonderful weekend. :)

Merry Eve of Christmas Eve

Holy cow, where did 2015 go? This last month especially! Today is it for shopping and running like crazy. My family celebrates with a feast on Christmas Eve so all presents must be wrapped up today. So of course, I wake up with a sore throat. Argh!

I noticed when life gets a bit crazy, I put God on the back burner. How crazy is that? I know, it makes no sense. But I've put down the Advent book and gotten behind. And I really enjoy it! It seems when the days go bonkers I crash into bed and the thoughts of reading or writing just seem like more than I can handle. Like it's stressing me out. When in reality, it would calm my stress and soothe my frayed nerves. And even knowing that, I still roll over and ignore. So that must change today. 

Let's talk about what's going right. Both twins are HOME and snuggling with mommy and daddy. One is on oxygen but both are doing well. This makes me SO HAPPY. I'm not able to see them right now (super sad face) because I can't seem to stay well enough, but I'd rather just see pictures than put them in danger. They are so handsome!! Love being an aunt!! 

Speaking of being an aunt, the two sweet nieces are home. I'm so thankful for the time off this week. Even though I'd missed work with my and family's doctor appointments, I decided to go ahead an take this week off. Best decision ever. 

Macy and her mommy and I visited with Santa. No crowds on a Monday - hooray! The mall has these critters to ride an Macy loved it. Especially loved the fact she got a puppy instead of angry bird. These things are really hilarious. 

We came home and rested, then went on a search for Chtistmas lights!  Picked up her sister on the way and life was good. 

Yesterday Katie helped wrap up my shopping while I kept the girls. We really lived it up with painting projects (gifts), decorated Christmas cookies and read pop-up Chritmas books in bed. And Katie knocked out several hard-to-find gifts for me. Hip Hip Hooray!! 

Macy is really getting into Christmas and I'm soooo glad I'm able to see her excitement firsthand.  This is the first year I've felt excitement about Christmas in a while. We've had a rough three years and this one is tough, too. So make it four. Her sparkle is rubbing off on all of us. :)

So this year, mom is totally down with a very painful tear in her knee. Totally. Down. Dad is pretty much staying close to her but he's got some issues, too. So I'm trying to wrap up their shopping and plan for the Christmas Eve feast. Those parts aren't terribly stressful but point back to the health troubles my parents are seeing. Katie went to the eye doctor in hopes of finding something to help her migraines. She can't keep on like this. And her husband is in immense pain from the multiple surgeries that didn't work. Of course the new parents won't make it this year and I really miss them. So there are some prayer requests in there. 

But we always have blessings, too. Like Dad being able to help mom. And me being able to take off from work. Katie being out of school right now. Those sweet baby boys and their successes. Their mama is also a teacher so she's able to extend her leave time. The great reviews of the classes I taught. It's hot here but at least we aren't buried under snow!! Aaaannnndddd...

We have 7 completed NICU isolette covers for our children's hospital from my church!! So excited! So thankful! We have another sew day in Januaury. And I'm excited to see how it goes. Here are some pics. 

I had a pic of another one but must have deleted it trying to get pics of Macy and Santa. Oops. Those flaps sticking out cover the ends of the isolette. I know it looks weird :) 

Ok this is top secret so do not tell a soul BUT this is what the girls made for their daddy. He's from West Virginia and this is the lyrics from a John Denver that all WV people worship. :) the white states are WV and SC, where home is now. Macy painted the background with three shades of yellow and Aliah did the states and letters. Pretty good, eh? He'll love it. He is going to be so surprised!! 

I suppose I should get moving for the day. Things to do and people to see. Y'all have a very blessed Christmas. Tell Jesus Happy Birthday and thank The Lord for sending His Son to us for our sins. That's Christmas. All this other stuff is fluff. 

Hugs to you all!  

Pure Love.

This weekend my sister-in-law brought two amazingly beautiful baby boys into this world. It's been a very difficult pregnancy but she has been so strong and fought for her babies every step of the way.

So Sunday morning at 12:03 am, two handsome boys entered this great big earth. Liam is 2 lbs 9 oz and Kellan is 1 lb 13 oz. they have a long road ahead and you know we would appreciate your prayers. 

Here I am visiting with Liam. These boys are so cute. And already showing personality!  So cool. 

Ok y'all, don't spill the beans on this ... I've been working on floor quilts for each boy. Here is one - the very first quilt top I've ever made. It's backed in flannel so this side can go face down and the baby will have soft fleece to play on. 

Here is the second, not backed yet but will be soon. This is a brick pattern and I really like it. May do this for Macy, just make it bigger. These are 40 x 40. 

The next photos show a gift I mailed to a friend in Columbia who is expecting.  

I just realized the completed photos are on my camera so these don't show the buttons. Oh well. You get the idea: burp cloth and matching bib. I've really enjoyed my sewing machine lately and wonder if I should try to sell these things. I don't know - we'll wait and see.  

(She is so cute!!) 

This is the week before the massive floods hit SC. I live in the upstate and while we were due 10" of rain, we got no were near that. The system stayed south of us and pummeled Columbia. That place is in a mess. I promise you, no one in Columbia has flood insurance. I just can't imagine what some are enduring. Please pray. 

I'm off to read some in Isaiah and wrap up my night :) thanks for your prayers! Night night! 

Weekday Getaway

Since 2012, our family has experienced a series of stressful and kinda odd medical issues. After a while, the stress builds up and really makes you tired. Even if the medical issues aren't yours, when it's people you love, you still take it on.

This week, mid-week, mom and dad were able to getaway to the mountains for a few nights and just be together. Funny, they spent time updating their will while they were there. But, when your kids of 34, 39, and 43 are still being given a guardian should you pass away...it's probably time to update. Problem is, when do you have time for those discussions? So they made time. I'm so glad they were able to go enjoy themselves mid-week when the crowds were non-existent. 

So because I'm not posting regular, I'm not keeping up with what pics I've already put here. Hopefully, these aren't repeats. 

Mom an Dad got Macy a swingset for their house. An early birthday present. She calls it her playground and absolutely loves it! She's not quite tall enough to get on the swing and seesaw alone, but that a good thing. Maybe she won't outgrow it so fast! 

Mom and Dad in the mountains :)

Sweet Niece AH is home! So glad - she spent most of yesterday at my house. She's so talented. She and Macy painted something for Katie for Mother's Day. Then Aliah painted something for her mom. She did a jam up job and I'll share once they are gifted. :)

So my parents found several old wedding photographs at a yard sale a few years back and bought them for me. They figured I could find something crafty to do with them but I haven't done anything with them yet. Any ideas? 

Ok it's time to get out of this bed and get moving. Church is in a few hours and I need a shower and breakfast. See ya later, alligator! 

A wee catch up

Where on earth have I been? Who knows. No where exciting, that's for sure. But I'm here now! Yippie!!

I'm in the South and the South got hit with snow and ice. In my neck of the woods It was ICE. Macy was happy to play in it anyway. I wasn't as happy to drive in it... 

I made it into work, however, it was a tense drive. Halfway there it looked much better, thank heavens. Now the ice is gone but we the having insane cold temps for this area. This better severely dent the bug population this summer. 

I finally finished this piece of paint your own pottery. No clue how it will look once it's fired. Hopefully I'll pick it up this weekend, while I paint another with my Sweet Niece #1 as she turns 13! What!?!? 13! How did this happen!?! But it's true, she'll be 13 soon. Heaven help. 

I had wanted to finish this before her birthday but I don't see that happening. It's very busy - probably not the best choices in fabric but I think she'll like it. Or I hope she will. 

Ugh. I better go get a faucet dripping since it's already 13 degrees outside. Sigh. Y'all stay warm!!! 

Will Play for PB&J

Happy Saturday!! I've taken a few days off from work and it feels great. I'm so glad I took Monday, too, because I'm not going to be ready to go back. :)

Thursday was spent with Mom & Macy at the mall playground.  I am amazed at the grandmothers at the playground who chat everyone up and pay no attention to the kids... As they wander out of the play area and into the mall area. One boy had been with another family outside the play area for about 15 minutes before granny missed him!! It was stressing me out. We heard crazy stories of military moms and suing doctors for malpractice and so on. But Macy had a great time and that's what this was all about. 

She enjoys life at 100% full speed.  This must cause a great appetite. Lunch was at McAlisters where she ate her entire PB&J, applesauce, some of mom's chicken meal, and two bags of Teddy Grahams. Then she wanted to shop at Hobby Lobby (she loves it!). After all that excitement- she crashed! Heaven help she's so cute. 

Saturday mom and I shopped and bought more fabric for me to keep sewing! My goal this time is Macy clothes. We'll see how it goes. 

Here is the finished quilt top!! I did something that caused ruffled edges but I think I'm moving forward anyway. I have lime and white polka dot flannel for the back :) 

I picked up the pottery Paulene and I painted and am pretty happy with this. My other piece not so much. (Paulene, I will get yours in the mail!!) And I started another while I was there with Sara. Hers is going to look great. I didn't finish mine so I have to go back! Argh. 

And one last photo - Noelle! Taken this morning as she visited in the house for a few minutes. I'm supposed to be cleaning. Sigh. I really want maid service but that is no where near in the budget. 

I suppose if I want to sew this afternoon I better clear space to do that. Hope you are having a great weekend :) See ya later Alligator! 

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!! We'll be piling in at Mom and Dad's to eat and watch commercials! Can't wait - I deliberately did not watch any commercials beforehand so they will all be a surprise :) You can tell I have my priorities straight. Haha!

Judging from my Timehop, I had the flu this time last year and missed all the excitement at Mom's house. So far I've avoided it so let's hope that continues. 

For those of you who are Susan Branch fans - Rabbit Rabbit Girlfriends! 

Yesterday I was a determined woman. More determined to not do housework and instead, create. But I really set my mind to it, tuned tv to my beloved PBS and I managed two fair-sized projects. 

The first - an initial with burlap and buttons for the aunt that gave me a ton of buttons. I'm not 110% sold on it, but it will do. Making straight lines with round objects is a bit tough. How do you like that little angel? It was mom's - maybe grandma's? I need to ask mama. But she stays in the cabinet year round. 

Second, I decided to make a quilt. I bought more fabric to match this other cloth I had, only to realize the nine square design needed just two. Not willing to break up the five matching yards, I went with this: sprinkles and lines. (Let me say - why on earth I ever chose lines is beyond me.) Above is my first square! I was so excited and pretty darn motivated at this point. However, I had no idea how many squares were required even for a baby blanket!!! 

After lots of ironing, cutting, sewing, ripping out, sewing, ironing, repeat: I ended up with this: 

It's pretty small - not even baby blanket size. More of a plop-your-kid-in-the-middle-of-the-floor-on-this-blanket size. To let you in on a little secret about me, I couldn't handle the asymmetrical look of it starting on a pattern block but ending on a blue block (this is a 4x4 block) so I made my own pattern that would be symmetrical. ;) 

Next I have to add two borders and I'll be ready to back it and add batting. I'm not sure my machine is made for that - guess well see when that time comes. But that time ain't today because today is church and Super Bowl commercials :)

Go Seahawks! (Simply because I like their colors)! And Puppy Bowl! Y'all can let me know what commercials you liked best tomorrow because I'm all into that. If I remember my charger, I usually tweet through the whole thing with #brandbowl tags. :) can't wait!

Mondays. Thursdays. Whatever!

I have had this post sitting in save since MONDAY.  Just ridiculous. I finally deleted it and started over. :)

So - happy almost weekend, folks! I can't tell you how happy I am that the week has calmed down some for me. You know I asked for my boring life to be reinstated and we are getting there! I like boring! Because when it isn't boring, my family is having medical drama. So boring is GREAT!

I'm actually surprised how much I've been posting on Instagram lately and thought I'd share some of my photos here with you.  It does kinda show you what I've been up to. I know I posted the buttons pic, but I'm in love with it, so I'm posting it again.

Now I want to do an initial one for the aunt that gave me all these buttons AND hemmed four pairs of pants AND took in the waist on two (no, don't think I'm losing weight, they've been big from the get go)... and I need her to hem some shirts where the hems are ripping out. *smile* I love my family!

I saw this on Pintrest where you fold felt in half, sew the folded side, flip it over and sew the open side and cut every inch or so.  It works! But what am I going to do with all these random hearts? They made a cute banner with it, but I'm probably just going to trash mine.  I had to see if it works, and it does! Now I'm done with it.

Last week, I had training classes for one of our elections.  I didn't see many of my workers last year because I had help covering the training classes (which I'm so very very thankful for!), but I missed my peeps! So it was really nice to see some of them again.

Ya'll know I got a sewing machine for Christmas... I finally took it out and set it on the dining room table.  A few weeks later, I threaded it! I know, amazing! So I had this baby quilt kit for beginners from Fabric Editions - I won it from them! (you can buy the same thing at Walmart).  It took just about my entire Saturday, but I DID IT! And I was actually pretty proud of it - planned on giving it to a lady in our church expecting her first child! ... ... AND then Macy saw it and claimed it for her own. Bye Bye gift, guess I have to find something else.

The election happened this week and it doesn't matter how large or how small - you never sleep the night before an election. It's this crazy paranoia you will sleep past the alarm and THE WORLD WILL END.  So I was awake about every hour... but at this point I finally got up and got ready. That would be AM. So evil.

 And we'll wrap it up with this little Sweet Niece, who saw her daddy and pawpaw in hats and she wanted a hat, too! She ran to her room, grabbed up her straw cowboy hat and it was on! This kid cracks me up on a regular basis. She is Sassy with a Capital S!

Well folks, there you go.  Something to look at from my life.  Thanks for the prayers, thanks for the happy thoughts and comments - I appreciate it! :)