tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10488475450894677272024-03-12T21:47:05.451-04:00neat & tidyquilting * cross stitch * friends & family but not necessarily in that orderMary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-24171126430825162132014-09-14T15:08:00.000-04:002014-09-14T15:12:03.044-04:00<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's Mr. And Mrs.! Dave proposed; and I said yes. We were married four weeks ago in my childhood church where my grandparents raised their ten children, and where my mom and dad raised my brother, sister, and me.</div>
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Of all weekends for the church doors to be taken off so they could be refinished. But we didn't care.<br />
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Because my dad passed away 12 years ago and my mom is in her own world due to Alzheimer's disease, my friend Mark escorted me to the altar and where his wife LuAnn was my maid of honor. Mom's best friend Shirley and her husband Jack stepped in where my folks would have been. Dave's parents were very excited for us. Normally Dave's dad is a man of few words, but he told me at the rehearsal dinner how glad he was to see Dave so happy. I will always treasure that moment.</div>
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My granddaughters Natalie, Aubrey, and Gigi were the flower girls; and they carried bouquets of baby's breath. My grandson Max carried Mom and Dad's Bible with our wedding rings tied on it with ribbons. And because little boys rarely stand still, Max stole the show by hanging on the Communion rail and eventually falling off it. I also caught him spinning Dave's wedding ring on the rail. I was able to grab the ring before it fell on the floor.</div>
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See Max on the Communion rail behind Dave?!!<br />
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Before repeating the traditional wedding vows, we spoke our own written vows to each other. I thought it would be difficult to say what was on my heart, but I got through my vows with no problem. Dave, on the other hand, got choked up. I thought it was one of the most touching moments of the ceremony. My favorite line from his vows was 'I just want to grow old with you.' My favorite line to him was 'In my life with all the words I have ever read or heard, none of them can describe exactly how I feel about you. Even the word 'love' is not enough but it's the only word I have.'</div>
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Instead of the usual rice toss, our guests tossed lavender buds. <br />
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I have three daughters and Dave has two. It's nice that all the girls have given us their blessings.<br />
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We kept our guest list small and invited our families and a small handful of friends. Our reception was a picnic at a local park. One of my quilt buddies helped me buy two bolts of Moda fabric that I cut to fit the picnic tables for tablecloths. Think of the quilts I can get from all that fabric! Each table was decorated with pots of greenery or flowers. </div>
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I bought these forks on etsy, and we used them when we shared the wedding cake. We are not cake smash in the face people. I loved our forks so much that I've since bought a set for a favorite couple we know who is getting married in a few weeks.<br />
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We received a beautiful quilt was a gift from my TT quilt group made up in red and white fabrics - my favorite colors! The funniest gift we received? A fat gift certificate to a local quilt shop! The most touching gifts? A framed paper cutting my mom made and framed years ago, a cranberry cruet she had in the dining room for years, a doily that belonged to a favorite aunt who passed away earlier this year, and a set of antique chairs my parents bought, stripped and refinished years ago. Jack and Shirley bought them when Mom's things were sold at auction, and they offered them back to us as a gift.</div>
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Here we are with my daughters, their husbands, and my sweet grandkids. <br />
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And here we are with Dave's parents, brothers, and their wives.<br />
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I have such a good life. Dave treats me like a queen. I must be the luckiest and happiest gal in the world.<br />
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<br />Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-22940678950973525612014-08-11T06:24:00.003-04:002014-08-11T06:24:34.696-04:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1En36ljClAA/TlgMWSQTnbI/AAAAAAAABRw/UBUdES9Djro/s1600/DSC00409.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645275709905804722" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1En36ljClAA/TlgMWSQTnbI/AAAAAAAABRw/UBUdES9Djro/s320/DSC00409.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>I quit my job and moved to a new town. I've got some plans in the works which I'll talk about at another time. I also have a new job with a trucking company that is interesting and that I enjoy (no, I'm not a driver). The two ladies I work with are both fun, and I look forward to going to work.<br />
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My friend Dave and I were at the town's street festival a few weeks ago, and one of the vendors was a woman who was advertising her soon-to-open quilt shop. She gave me information on the local quilt group. At last - I found my kind of people! <br />
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I went to Saturday's meeting, and the ladies were all very friendly. The show and tell was outstanding; I was very intimidated! But back home, I thought of the quilts I've made in the past; and I think I will be just fine with this group. <br />
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This is Iowa Girl which I made a few years ago. I went through the archives of my blog to look at some of my past work, and this is one of my favorites. I have a few UFO projects in the sewing room that I want finished up in time for Christmas. So I think I will have some pretty good show and tell next month when I go back to the guild meeting.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orD9PrvkmJM/TzaTkrzQdCI/AAAAAAAABc8/C_S5aEbeFjQ/s1600/DSC00646.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707911836180968482" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orD9PrvkmJM/TzaTkrzQdCI/AAAAAAAABc8/C_S5aEbeFjQ/s320/DSC00646.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a>And this is a quilt I made almost two years ago with my friends from my TT quilt group. I've had emails from women asking who's pattern this is. In looking through my old blog posts, I found the information. The quilt is Old Glory, and it's from Yellow Creek Quilt Designs.<br />
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Yes, I think I'll take a couple of my quilts for next month's show and tell.<br />
Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-50702528305947438932014-07-17T20:49:00.002-04:002014-07-17T21:02:20.592-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's cherry picking time! Unfortunately the severe winter has ruined the local crop, but I have been able to buy some really good shipped-in cherries.<br />
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I love cherries and couldn't wait to sew up this pattern. It's a Fig Tree mini, and I downloaded the pattern. I just used a few scraps and some nice background I had on hand. The top sewed up in a few hours, and it took an afternoon to machine quilt it. Easy, easy, easy!<br />
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Last weekend Dave and I were in Michigan for a wedding. Can you tell by this picture where we are? Cabelas! Also known by our hunting friends as the mothership. lol<br />
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Can see us very well? Look below!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usJfBPchzAE/U8huaXeMlQI/AAAAAAAABwE/CNGNSfXaAsE/s1600/DSCN0004%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usJfBPchzAE/U8huaXeMlQI/AAAAAAAABwE/CNGNSfXaAsE/s1600/DSCN0004%5B1%5D.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-69181257352286267812014-07-07T06:17:00.000-04:002014-07-07T06:17:25.908-04:00Saturday my friend Dave and I were at a family reunion at my Uncle Don's farm. It was fun to introduce him to my family and to visit with cousins I hadn't seen in a couple years.<br />
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Afterwards as we drove through the night, we could see fireworks celebrations in the small towns we drove through. The hills of Pennsylvania provided a great opportunity to see lots of flashes of color in the night.<br />
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I'm finishing up this stitching project, and here's the link. I'll post a finished picture soon.<br />
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Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-25669965573119885272014-02-23T08:53:00.002-05:002014-02-23T08:54:23.827-05:00<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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I made bibs for my grandsons Eli and Masen; here's the <a href="http://www.stubbornlycrafty.com/2012/08/monster-bib-pattern-tutorial/">link</a>. They were quick and easy. Working with bright and funky fabrics is out of the norm for me, but I loved it and want to start buying more fun-looking prints to make things for my grandkids.</div>
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This one of two Swoon quilts I was asked to make for Christmas gifts. Talk about funky fabrics out of the norm! This one was a real stretch for me, but I was so excited about each block that I could hardly wait to start the next one. The other Swoon quilt was simply black and red fabrics with a white background. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of that one because it was very striking. </div>
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I haven't been sewing much - still knitting like a woman possessed. The local quilt group I belong to donated several hats and mittens plus $500 for underwear and other essentials to the local school district to help children in need. With all the dibs and dabs of yarn that I have left from Christmas projects, I'm knitting hats for next year's donation. </div>
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My job is going really well. I'm working now for a CPA firm in Erie. There are lots of young people in this office, and the energy in this office is upbeat and fun. We are picking up the pace since it is tax season, and I'm working on Saturdays now. We work like mad during the day now; soon we will be working through lunches and into the evenings, but it's a temporary craziness. </div>
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And my new grandson has arrived - Colt Benjamin! He was born in January in Canada, and I have yet to hold him. The pictures and video I've received are just so sweet; I am looking forward to spending time with him and his family. The count for grandchildren is now up to seven - three girls and four boys. My daughters and their families and I are trying to get together once a month for a dinner and to spend time together. I really look forward to this.</div>
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And I've been spending time with someone very special. Sometimes I just shake my head and wonder why God is so very generous and good to me. I am so thankful for the turns in my life even though I don't understand the whys and how comes.</div>
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Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-42916283530891385582013-09-11T18:35:00.001-04:002013-09-11T18:35:31.401-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been dealing with some personal things this summer and took a break from blogging. If you've read my blog for a while, you know that I lost my job in October 2012, picked up a really nice new job in May, and sat through a tornado that blew through my backyard. What I didn't share was that my car was rear ended one day on my way to work - to the tune of $11,000 worth of damage. Looking back, it's kind of funny that the insurance company wanted to pay to fix the car. I bought it for $10,500 (dealer cost). I'm still seeing a chiropractor for a neck issue; but I'm fine, the car fine is (now), and life goes on.<br />
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And my life is going on in a way I never imagined. I'm flying solo now; I signed my divorce paperwork yesterday. I always believed in the holiness of marriage and that a commitment made before God needed to be honored. However, things don't always go the way we want. We are both getting through this the best way we can. I have a wonderful group of friends who have helped me in many ways, and my faith continues to be very strong.<br />
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I am knitting up a storm, and it's so fun and relaxing. I haven't sewn much, but there is a quilt top waiting to be finished in my sewing room; and I want to get it sewn up before I meet with my quilt group next week. I'm also cutting up scraps for other projects. So please continue to stop by, and I'll get some pictures and a few posts here soon.<br />
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And one piece of good news! My daughter Mandy and her husband Shane are expecting and due in January. This little bundle will be Grandchild #7, otherwise known as Grandson #4. Another reason to make a quilt and to knit! Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-42009346959925602332013-05-31T05:52:00.003-04:002013-05-31T05:52:35.764-04:00A tornado touched down in my <a href="http://goerie.com/cleanup-continues-in-2-boroughs-socked-by-storms">little town </a>this week . . . as in on the back side of the block I live on. I'm tucked into a townhouse apartment with neighbors on either side; and although I watched the rain beat on the living room window, I couldn't see how bad the wind was because the rain was so fierce. The electric went on and off several times before I was shut off all together.<br />
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Around 1:00 a.m. someone was knocking on my door. It was one of the volunteer firemen; they were going door to door checking to see if everyone was ok. Don't you love small-town life? It was then that I found out about the tornado. And in the morning when I drove through town on my way to work, I could see all the damage. Thank God we weren't as devastated as Oklahoma, but any damage and loss is upsetting no matter what the size.<br />
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I slept in my place both nights the electric was off but stopped at my daughter Jenny's on the way to work to shower and dry my hair. The electric came back on yesterday afternoon. I made up for lost time by running the washer and dryer, the sweeper, my phone, and the computer.<br />
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The firm I work for has Friday afternoons off during the summer months. I love this job and where I work; what a great perk to have! It'll be nice to get a jump start on the weekend today. <br />
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On my Pandora station, I'm listening to my newest channel - Louis Armstrong. I was in a coffee shop last weekend, and the sweetest young girl had his channel playing. My dad used to love Louis Armstrong, so now I've added this channel to my list of stations. In talking with my sister and telling her about this, she told me her daughter listens to Frank Sinatra - music we used to roll our eyes to when Dad had it on. What a wonderful world!<br />
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Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-33935217007924855392013-05-19T09:15:00.000-04:002013-05-19T19:58:50.152-04:00I'll be a working girl once again. Yes, I finally got a job; and it's a job I think I'm going to love. I have another interview scheduled for next week, waiting to hear on an interview I was at the week before; and an application came in the mail yesterday from a place I submitted my resume to way back in March. But I'm going out on a limb and taking this temp-to-hire position because it just seems the right fit for me as well as for them.<br />
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I tried to work at finishing up UFO's while I was home, and I did get several done; but I also started several more! Isn't that the way? And I began knitting like crazy. I haven't finished <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mara-3">my shawl</a> and probably won't before I start my job on Monday, but I know I'll need something relaxing to do when I get home in the evenings. The first week of a new job is always stressful.<br />
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There is a missions project going on at church, and I've been knitting baby hats as fast as I can. With my odds and ends of yarn, I went through patterns on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> and spent many days just knitting. I was like a kid with a candy dish when it came to picking out patterns to work on! This pattern is called Hug Cap and was designed for anyone facing illness or a difficult situation; the sizes range from baby to adult. I made several of these; and even though the pattern looks difficult, it was easy.<br />
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My favorite <a href="http://homespunliving.blogspot.com/2007/11/waffle-knit-dishcloth-pattern.html">dishcloth pattern</a> is located here; her blog is one of the best I read, by the way. I've made more of these than I can remember, and some are headed to the missions project.<br />
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My sister and her husband were missionaries in Japan for several years. She sent me several little squares of fabric she had picked up over there. I think they may be the Japanese version of fat quarters. This pattern is Two Percent by Carrie Nelson.<br />
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Remember my post about the RMEF banquet that I worked at in March? It was so much fun that I hope to be able to work at it again in 2014. I made this quilt top from my box of homespuns. I want to quilt it and donate it for next year's RMEF auction.<br />
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I've hung onto a piece of dark blue fabric for years waiting for the right project. Honestly, it's at least 25 years old! I've always wanted a double 9-patch quilt, so one day I just put the two together. I like the little bit of red to spark it up. Now that I'll be working again, I want to have this machine quilted with something fancy in the plain blocks.<br />
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Last year I blogged about finishing up projects (it's an on-going thing with me I guess), and this was one top I had dragged to countless retreats and just never seemed to finish. The top finally got finished and tucked away last year. It went to the quilter's over the winter, finally got bound, and is being used.<br />
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This is my Row-by-Row quilt top that I worked on with some of the members of my quilt group. Those who participated made a row of quilt blocks, put it into a box along with a bundle of fabrics, and passed it to the next quilter who in turn made a row of different blocks. My bundle was Moda's Ella's Linen Closet. This top came back to me earlier this year. I'll probably hand quilt this one.<br />
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And with the leftover fabrics from the bundle, I cut out Atkinson's Texas Hold 'Em. It often seems I can get a lot of quilts out of a Moda bundle, but this time I'm only getting two. Texas Hold 'Em is queen sized, and there are very few scraps left now.<br />
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I spent my annual weekend with my cousin Audrey in February. I was battling a really bad cold and just didn't have my heart into sewing. I always enjoy my weekend with her, so I wasn't about to stay home. I had planned to finish piecing my Farmer's Wife top but was only able to get the rows stitched together. It's tedious to stitch the lattice and then pin it to the rows, and I'm still struggling to get it done. This has to be one of my most favorite quilt projects, and I know I'll love it when it's finally done and on the bed. I just seem to drag my feet on finishing this one.<br />
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So there you have it - my six and a half month vacation in a nutshell! In some ways it was really nice to have all this time to myself, I have to admit; but I started to get itchy to work these past few weeks. Thank you to everyone to sent a kind comment or email and mentioned praying that something would come up for me. I am amazed at this new opportunity that has been handed to me, and I am so excited for it. In October when I was told that my job was eliminated, the HR manager said to me that he had been in my position years ago. He added that things worked out for him and that he ended up in a better job. I heard that a lot from others during this time off. You know what, it really did turn out that way for me. <em>That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8:20, The Message </em><br />
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<br />Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-25871580193106342572013-04-28T05:05:00.001-04:002013-04-28T05:05:42.835-04:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oIJko_bWG3k/UXzmBKzwCoI/AAAAAAAABp0/kxa5ad6WVVU/s1600/DSC00924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oIJko_bWG3k/UXzmBKzwCoI/AAAAAAAABp0/kxa5ad6WVVU/s320/DSC00924.JPG" width="320" /></a>Some excitement in our family on Wednesday. There is a new baby! He's a sweet little bundle weighing in at 6 pounds, 18 inches. Big sister Gigi wasn't too impressed with seeing him at the hospital until she was able to hold him in her lap. Now she calls him Baby Brother Eli. <br />
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Randy and Jenny are wonderful parents. There is nothing quite like watching your children be parents. I am so very blessed.<br />
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<br />Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-85965422149150506792013-04-02T19:01:00.003-04:002013-04-02T19:04:21.858-04:00Last fall my friends Mark and LuAnn invited me to their church to listen to Doty McDowell (a wildlife conservation officer) speak about the elk in Pennsylvania. Now I'm not what you'd call an outdoor kind of girl with any type of interest in hunting or wild animals, but the evening was education and fun. Doty is a great speaker, and it was interesting to hear about how the elk came to Pennsylvania and what the commission does to help control and keep an eye on the herd.<br />
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The following weekend they invited me to another church to listen to Sid Bream (former major league baseball player and now a speaker about hunting with <a href="http://www.ggoutdoors.org/speakers_men.html">God's Great Outdoors</a>). Again, another fun and informative evening. I came away with a camo baseball cap as a souvenier.<br />
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Fast forward to March 2013. Mark and LuAnn are very active in the local chapter of the <a href="http://www.rmef.org/">Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation</a>. The annual banquet was coming up, and LuAnn asked me if I'd help out in the days before the banquet. There was computer work to be done as well as setting up the banquet rooms in the hotel for the games and auction items that would be available to the guests. I was excited to get out of the house for a few days. I ended up meeting the two founders of the RMEF and their wives as well as a great bunch of people on the committe. Now my wardrobe consists of several RMEF T-shirts, a sweatshirt, and pins.<br />
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Next on my social calendar is a game banquet this coming weekend at another church. Tickets to this event sell out within a matter of hours when they are made available. Mark is friends with the organizer and his wife, so it was easy for us to get our tickets in time. The real test for me will be Saturday night as we go through the buffet line. I'm not a fan of eating wild game. They tell me there will be the usual chicken and beef; but with 500 guests at this thing, I can only hope they don't run out before I get through the line.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a0TLHt8KO9M/UVtgd8TlgAI/AAAAAAAABos/nkpwXP0e6_0/s1600/Purse-MOB-handbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a0TLHt8KO9M/UVtgd8TlgAI/AAAAAAAABos/nkpwXP0e6_0/s200/Purse-MOB-handbag.jpg" width="190" /></a>LuAnn tells me it'll be a sea of camo at this event as everyone usually wears something made from camo fabric. I've long since given away my camo cap, and I doubt I would have worn it anyway. But this is the purse I will be carrying - made of genuine Mossy Oak fabric. I can't believe myself.<br />
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And I may as well throw in that I'm also watching <a href="http://www.duckcommander.com/">Duck Dynasty</a> on TV. The show itself is hilarious, but I really appreciate the ending where the family is gathered around the table for a meal; and Phil (the head of the family) leads in prayer before they eat. He even invoked Jesus' name the other night; what's not to love about that. Couple this with the fact that the men are respectful of their wives and children; and the show is just plain good, clean humor. I love it.<br />
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My life - sometimes I just have to laugh.<br />
<br />Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-4916837199393946202013-04-01T08:24:00.001-04:002013-04-01T08:24:24.068-04:00<a href="http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-freebie-french-egg-with-flowers.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jhKvDMcq5A4/UTJrOjjx5TI/AAAAAAAAhcI/NxiwUG_ncOQ/s320/Easter-card-Freebie-Image-Graphics-Fairy.jpg" width="202" /></a>Yesterday I celebrated Easter in my new church with my old friends. Later I enjoyed a great meal with my family. In the evening, friends came to my place for conversation and laughs. I'm still unemployed and wondering what the heck is going on, but I know I am richly blessed despite the fact that this is not how I expect my life to be. And I hope you can see the good in your life right now, too.Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-58097069762910724112013-03-20T17:02:00.000-04:002013-03-21T16:25:26.502-04:00I'm still looking for a job and have had interviews for some good positions. Although there is a lot of sewing I could be doing, knitting and cross stitching are suddenly my new time killers.<br />
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My cousin Debbie was an RN in New York City and was learning to knit. Fast forward a few years, and now she's married with two busy little boys. She sent me the yarn telling me that she doesn't have time for it now. I found this pattern for a shawl on Ravelry (picture from Ravelry), and I'm making mine from some beautiful pink yarn from Debbie's stash. The pattern is Mara, and you can find it <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mara-3">here</a>.<br />
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I love being home, but I would prefer to be working. But knitting is a whole lot more fun than looking for work!<br />
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<br />Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-9289379840622023872013-02-09T10:48:00.002-05:002013-02-09T10:49:11.218-05:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uEDZT2U9yQ/URZumWBlgMI/AAAAAAAABnw/xVNfeWt4-gg/s1600/DSC00908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uEDZT2U9yQ/URZumWBlgMI/AAAAAAAABnw/xVNfeWt4-gg/s200/DSC00908.JPG" width="200" /></a>Where does the time go?! I didn't realize it's been so long since I've posted.<br />
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I'm still unemployed. Actually I did get hired for a job without even going through the interview process. The staffing agency I'm working with recommended me for a document control position; but before I even started, the job qualifications changed, and Candidate #2 got the job. <br />
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However, that company has contacted me about doing a three-week project for them. I met with some of the staff yesterday, and I really like what I've seen. And as crazy as it sounds, the sight of office cubicles and the smell of the office air got me all charged up; I'm excited to start on Monday.<br />
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I also have two interviews scheduled for the coming week. One position is the chance of a lifetime job, and I am thrilled to even get the opportunity to interview.<br />
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I never thought I would get tired of having nothing to do but quilt, sew, and read; but pushing a needle every day is starting to wear on me. Now that I have somewhere to go every day for the next three weeks, I'm looking at my basket of unfinished projects; and I'm going to try to get a lot more done this weekend.<br />
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These are some of the quilts and a cross stitch project I've finished during this time off. And to my quilt group friends who read my blog, I'll have another stack of finished quilts for show and tell at this month's meeting!Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-17308396665240804702012-12-02T09:37:00.003-05:002012-12-02T09:38:23.886-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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God's mercy is so awesome. Last night my daughter Julie was in her car coming home from a church craft party. Only a couple miles from her home, she was hit head on by a drunk driver. We are praising God this morning because although her car was totaled, she is fine with just a compound fracture to her back - nothing a few pain meds and muscle relaxers can't help.<br />
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And because she lives in a small town, her husband Travis was one of the first on the scene. He is a volunteer fireman; and as luck would have it, this was the first emergency call he was able to assist at. The woman who was driving the truck that hit her is the mother of one of their daughter Natalie's classmates. Already this morning Julie has told Natalie that she was in a car wreck and that she is not to talk about this in school. The grace that Julie has brings tears to my eyes.<br />
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So their little family will be in church today to testify to God's provision and protection. We will never understand how deep the love of God is for each one of us.Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-71830769432023402232012-11-30T20:45:00.004-05:002012-12-01T03:33:00.144-05:00Sometimes life just doesn't go the way we plan. It's been a difficult year, and I find myself in a new lifestyle that I never thought I would living. In addition to that, I worked for for Snap-tite, Inc. (which was a manufacturing company) a total of about 25 years. The last 19 years I had been the administrative assistant to the president and vice president, and it was a job I loved. In April Snap-tite was sold to Parker Corporation which was our largest competitor. And then Parker began to make changes, and my job was eliminated October 31. <br />
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But my faith is strong, and I am confident that something will come my way. And that's not to say that I haven't had difficult days. It was very humbling to know that so many of my co-workers both in the factories and in the offices were shocked when they heard the news about me. And to know that many cried, really touched my heart. I have lots of friends praying for a new position, and I'm doing my part looking for work. I'm fortunate that Parker is paying my medical insurance, granted my unemployment compensation, and gave me a great severance check. So in the meantime, I've joined the volunteer group at the library in town, am babysitting some of my grandkids, and working on finishing up unfinished quilt projects. Oh, and now I'm a Law and Order CI and SVU junkie!<br />
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And I have a new grandson. Masen James was born to Julie and Travis in October. He's a little honey and is the spitting image of his brother Max. The phrase 'double trouble' comes to mind; heaven help us all. lol<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2tJAFVDfkI/ULldEWIi-aI/AAAAAAAABmk/W88wI_aK6TA/s1600/DSC00885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V2tJAFVDfkI/ULldEWIi-aI/AAAAAAAABmk/W88wI_aK6TA/s320/DSC00885.JPG" width="320" /></a>Let's talk quilts. My quilt group had our fall retreat in early November. Every year I think Donna and her helpers do a terrific job, and this year was no exception. The door prizes and gifts were outstanding. The retreat was two weeks after I lost my job, and it was excellent medicine for a hurting heart. Here are the baby quilts that we sew and donate to a local home for unwed mothers. My donation is in the upper left -- charm squares set with white strips. Quick and simple. The remaining squares from that charm pack will be used in next year's donation.<br />
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Now some of our members have challenged themselves to work through a quilt book and make every quilt. This is one of Donna's, and I can't remember the book she is working from. She is terrific with scrap quilts; I loved this one. And check out the apple box next to the quilt. It was full of her small quilts. Every one was a winner.</div>
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And Mary Lou was working through one of Carrie Nelson's Schnibbles books. Each quilt was more beautiful than the one she showed before. And the best part of her project? She donated 10 of her quilts to the nursing home my mom lives in. The ladies in my quilt group have donated approximately 60 wheelchair quilts to the nursing home. I took 19 more quilts collected from last meeting and the retreat to the nursing home this week. The head nurse is also a quilter; and when I arrived with two large bags of quilts, she was thrilled. And it's also nice that while she and I were going through the bags oohing and aahing over the quilts, other staff members stop their work to check out the quilts. She told me that many of the residents have taken to hoarding the quilts in their rooms. It's so precious to see a resident wheeled through the halls with one of our quilts on their lap. Thanks ladies!</div>
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And for the past few retreats, we've been challenged to finish up a quilt project using only the materials on hand. This is the quilt I finished up. I machine pieced and appliqued this top and then hand quilted it. My hand quilting skills need a lot of work; and now that I have time on my hands, I'm practicing on the huge stack of tops I have in my sewing room. And I lifted this picture from my cousing Audrey's blog. She has several nice pictures of the quilts from the retreat, so please check out her <a href="http://www.fourhousesdown.blogspot.com/2012/11/troubled-thimbles-quilt-retreat.html">blog</a> as well.</div>
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So there's my update. I hope to be posting more regularly as I have lots of projects I'm working on. And one of these days I know I'll be telling you about the new job I have. God is faithful; He hasn't let me down yet.</div>
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Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-59268715193963304362012-09-02T14:16:00.000-04:002012-09-02T14:17:23.673-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My grandson Max will be starting preschool on Tuesday. Where does the time go?! Max won't be three until October, but the school has taken him on anyway. I used to think once children started school, they punched a time clock the rest of their lives, so I didn't bother with preschool when my girls were little. But Natalie did so well in the same school and got a great headstart for kindergarten that I now think it's the way to go. Max will only be in school two hours twice a week. It's held in the church that he goes to for Sunday School. So not only will he be drilled on ABC's and 123's, he'll be learning simple scriptures as well. It's a great school.<br />
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And my granddaughter Natalie will be starting first grade! It seems like she was just graduating from preschool. In her school, there are only two homerooms for each grade. She knew which teacher she wanted, and she's been lucky enough to get into that room. And I've heard that some of the Amish friends she made during kindergarten will be back for first grade, too.<br />
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Last year I baked peanut butter cookies for Natalie to have in her lunch box and for an after school snack. I'd like to make this an annual back-to-school tradition, so this year I'm making <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/shortbread-cookies-recipe/index.html">Ina Garten's shortbread cookies</a>. It's one cookie that we usually bake every Christmas - it's that good. I will use my miniature cookie cutters for the cookies for Natie and Max and then use some of my larger cutters for cookies for Julie and Travis.<br />
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Lots of excitement in our family lately. Last night I found out Grandchild #6 will be arriving in late April or early May. Travis is now going to become a volunteer fireman; I'm really proud of him for that. And then Grandchild #5 (Grandson #2) will be arriving in just a few short weeks. Time is just going so fast.<br />
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I've been in a Christmas sewing mood lately This pattern is Peppermint Swirls by Fig Tree Quilts. I used scraps to make the blocks and purchased Moda Bella Solids for the setting and borders. This has to be one of my favorite quilts, and I hope to have it quilted in time for Christmas.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-emXCjIazc/UCf3yiEtBXI/AAAAAAAABlw/tWUaobIiwL4/s1600/DSC00868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-emXCjIazc/UCf3yiEtBXI/AAAAAAAABlw/tWUaobIiwL4/s200/DSC00868.JPG" width="200" /></a>See these sweet little skiers on this fabric? I'm not sure how old this piece is. I bought some years ago and used it sparingly because I loved the shade of red, and the skiers are just so stinking cute. My friend NancyP heard me talk about how much I loved this fabric, and she pulled a piece from her stash and gave it to me. I hung onto it for a long time to be sure that it went into a project that I would love and keep. I found a winner!<br />
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And even sweeter is that later on NancyP found the same print only with a black background and also gave that piece to me. As soon as I post this, I'm heading back to my sewing room because I've found another project; and that piece will be perfect in it. <br />
<br />And on a side note, I use a lot of Moda fabrics in my quilts; the quality is outstanding. However, I was really disappointed with the Bella Solids. I found that they frayed super easy. I won't be buying this line of fabric again.Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-60258647903049586272012-07-21T10:41:00.003-04:002012-07-21T10:42:09.937-04:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvSavoPDJpQ/UAq-imw8ZWI/AAAAAAAABlY/fQ0d4hxQYzE/s1600/DSC00863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvSavoPDJpQ/UAq-imw8ZWI/AAAAAAAABlY/fQ0d4hxQYzE/s320/DSC00863.JPG" width="320" /></a>These sweet little star blocks are featured at <a href="http://temeculaquiltco.blogspot.com/">Temecula Quilt Company's</a> blog. The blocks finish at 4 1/2", and the finished quilt will be 16" square. I didn't buy the kit but am pulling fabrics from my stash. <br />
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We are getting a break from the heat here in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and I'm working as fast as I can in my sewing room trying to get projects finished up before it gets so hot again that I can't be in there. My sewing room is so small that just the heat of the iron can keep the room warm!Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-46958267262789393792012-07-19T16:59:00.003-04:002012-07-19T17:00:14.924-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had planned to host the TT quilt group tonight in the back yard. After weeks of no significant rain, it started to pour this morning. Isn't that just the way?! So I've run the sweeper and moved more chairs into the living room and started up the air conditioner.<br />
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The sunflower quilt on the dining room table. A few weeks ago I picked some some chocolate brown paper plates and some pretty paper napkins. I bought some glassine bags and wooden knives, forks, and spoons from <a href="http://www.thinkgarnish.com/store/">Garnish</a>. They have the cutest ideas for packaging food, and I love their blog. All the bags have a striped straw, too. <br />
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All the bags are inside Mom's antique Girl Scout lunch box. Perfect. And tucked inside each glassine bag is a little wish ticket. After our meeting, someone will pull a number out of a dish. Whoever has the wish ticket with that number will win a pin cushion. Just something fun that we do once in a while at a meeting.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fO6nQtt2ZJY/UAF7gfwq4SI/AAAAAAAABko/rR4DSyC7vtA/s1600/DO+IT+WITH+ALL+YOUR+MIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fO6nQtt2ZJY/UAF7gfwq4SI/AAAAAAAABko/rR4DSyC7vtA/s1600/DO+IT+WITH+ALL+YOUR+MIGHT.jpg" /></a>I'm hosting my TT quilt group Thursday evening. I'm not going over the top<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1048847545089467727#editor/target=post;postID=3201054186767554883"> like I did last time</a>, but I still have some ideas to make this a special evening.</div>
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This time I have asked the ladies to bring a food dish to share. One of my favorite resources for a good recipe is my collection of Pillsbury Classic Cookbooks. You know, the ones you find at the checkout at the grocery store. I'm making Garden Pizza Bites from the June 2003 issued. I've made this before for some of our family parties, and it goes over well.</div>
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GARDEN PIZZA BITES</div>
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1 (12 oz) can Pillsbury Hungry Jack Golden Layers Refrigerated Flaky Biscuits</div>
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2 teaspoons cornmeal</div>
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1 (8 oz) container spinach dip</div>
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1/2 cup shredded carrots</div>
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1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper</div>
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4 chopped green onions</div>
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Heat oven to 400 degrees. Separate dough into 10 biscuits; separate each biscuit into 3 layers. Arrange biscuit rounds on 2 ungreased cookie sheets. Sprinkle rounds with cornmeal. Bake at 400 degrees for 7 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Switch position of cookie sheets halfway through baking. Remove biscuits from cookie sheets and place on a wire rack. Cool completely. Top each baked biscuit round with 1 1/2 teaspoons spinach dip. Sprinkle each evenly with carrots, bell pepper, and onions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Makes 30.</div>
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I hope you'll stop back later. I have a couple more ideas for Thursday evening and my friends.</div>
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<br /></div>Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-44162585262571513772012-07-06T07:47:00.004-04:002012-07-06T07:47:52.254-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://5circleoffriends.wordpress.com/">NancyZ</a> sent this to me. And isn't it the truth?!!</div>Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-88702421806536441402012-06-30T18:12:00.002-04:002012-06-30T18:12:44.860-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msVsV0SQV1c/T-95rY7QnpI/AAAAAAAABkI/ml6k70hcy-8/s1600/DSC00831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msVsV0SQV1c/T-95rY7QnpI/AAAAAAAABkI/ml6k70hcy-8/s320/DSC00831.JPG" width="320" /></a>It's party time at my place! Gigi is turning one in a couple of weeks, and her mommy and daddy are planning a carnival-themed party in my backyard. Jenny bought the fabric, and I made this skirt for her to wear at her party. Isn't this just stinking cute?!! The tutorial I followed is <a href="http://www.everycreativeendeavor.com/2012/05/tiered-ruffle-skirt.html">here</a>.</div>Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-43902715303489240192012-06-27T17:34:00.003-04:002012-06-28T17:08:45.685-04:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_K9OOLsg40A/T-t71n5r4PI/AAAAAAAABj8/PbrYfY5boRM/s1600/DSC00830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_K9OOLsg40A/T-t71n5r4PI/AAAAAAAABj8/PbrYfY5boRM/s320/DSC00830.JPG" width="320" /></a>Recently <a href="http://sisterschoice.typepad.com/sisters_choice_quilts/2012/04/quilt-basting-spray.html">Nicole at Sister's Choice blog</a> wrote a post on spray adhesive and using it for machine quilting small quilts. So using my 40% coupon at the local fabric/hobby store, I bought a bottle of the June Taylor brand and got a chance to try it out today.<br />
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I reread her post so that I could follow her exact instructions. After sweeping the driveway, I laid out the backing fabric, sprayed, and positioned my batt. And because some things just are never easy, I had a fold in the batt which required pulling it up and repositioning it. And then that lead to more difficulties, so I just brought the whole mess inside and spread it out on the floor. It was then that I saw a couple of dirt spots on the white backing which I knew had to have come from the driveway. I would suggest using a print back if you do this.<br />
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Actually the entire process was a real pain in the neck. After getting the batting and backing smoothed out, I headed back outside to spray and lay out the top. Make sure you pull of any loose threads on the batt before spraying as your fingers will be a mess - I'm just saying. Spreading out the top was a lot easier and looked a whole lot nicer than the first step.<br />
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As a positive, the more I worked on the machine quilting, the better I liked this product. There was no stopping to take out a safety pin and no getting stabbed by a straight pin. And I use blue painter's tape to mark my lines, so I was quickly sewing a line, moving the tape, and sewing again. This top was quilted in record time for me.<br />
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After a good washing I am thinking of giving this Schnibble to my grandson who will be born sometime in October. <br />
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Would I recommend using this product? Most definitely. Check out Nicole's blog and see what she has to say about it as well, OK?Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-79030665620507361282012-06-23T18:24:00.002-04:002012-06-23T18:29:18.488-04:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cwaDXeEzW-c/T-Y_cFBRa1I/AAAAAAAABjc/PvCt6kbq4aA/s1600/DSC00824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cwaDXeEzW-c/T-Y_cFBRa1I/AAAAAAAABjc/PvCt6kbq4aA/s320/DSC00824.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hello luscious! That is the line of fabric from Moda that I used to work up this Schnibble by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. The pattern is Bibelot.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_kGFXjThGo/T-Y_vktcVhI/AAAAAAAABjk/4FR1F6_mdv8/s1600/DSC00826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_kGFXjThGo/T-Y_vktcVhI/AAAAAAAABjk/4FR1F6_mdv8/s200/DSC00826.JPG" width="200" /></a>If you've read my blog for a while, you know that these fabrics and colors are not what I work with. But that is the fun of sewing up Schnibble patterns - getting out of the box and using charm packs that I usually wouldn't buy because of the color-ways or the prints. And look at these prints - definitely not me!<br />
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While I worked on the binding in my sewing room this afternoon, I realized the paint on the walls is very similar to the blue in this quilt. And the prints on the covers on my two ironing boards also coordinate very well with this quilt. Maybe I've been out of the box all along and never realized it.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zW32yocSpE/T-ZB5p6Ko9I/AAAAAAAABjs/uiGoyrdDdv4/s1600/DSC00827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zW32yocSpE/T-ZB5p6Ko9I/AAAAAAAABjs/uiGoyrdDdv4/s320/DSC00827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048847545089467727.post-54116420718607206232012-06-16T11:05:00.002-04:002012-06-16T11:10:48.425-04:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSvFnB6DlSE/T9yfINBce8I/AAAAAAAABjA/cCE6CxGIotg/s1600/DSC00814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TSvFnB6DlSE/T9yfINBce8I/AAAAAAAABjA/cCE6CxGIotg/s320/DSC00814.JPG" width="320" /></a>The Class of 2024 graduated yesterday - from kindergarten. There are 45 precious children in Natalie's class - several of which are Amish students, so it's likely they will not be present when this class graduates as seniors. I love that she is in a school that has such small classes.<br />
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Their program was a series of songs and one-line speeches that took us through a typical school day. Everyone did a great job.<br />
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At the end of the ceremony, all the students walked from the stage to the floor and sat in a row to watch a PowerPoint presentation of pictures of their activities throughout the year. Natalie's teacher snuggled up to her; she has got to be one of the best and most loving elementary teachers I know.<br />
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Julie sat next to me; and during the PowerPoint, I could hear her sniffing. As moms, haven't we all been a little emotional when we see our children grow? I leaned over to her and whispered 'next thing you know, she'll be married with two kids of her own and one more on the way.'<br />
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<br />Mary @ Neat and Tidyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00160435782347545564noreply@blogger.com8