A Stitching Post

Finally! I can share a couple of finishes for 2018 with you. 

This was the month of the Tooth Fairy Pillows. Both Thunder and Skye are at the age of departing baby teeth and arriving "big" teeth. This is Thunder's pillow. I still need to assemble Skye's and will show it later this week. 

I made a Tooth Fairy Pillow a few years ago for Sunny and followed the pattern exactly. This is the same pattern I used for the pillow my kids had when they were little.

To personalize them (and to keep from being bored out of my mind by stitching the exact same pattern twice in one week) I changed up the borders a little. I have four more pillows to make in the coming years. I am desperately looking for a new pattern, but haven't found any yet that I like. Help! If you know of a tooth fairy pillow pattern PLEASE let me know!

As part of my "Year of the Purge" I've been going through my cross stitch patterns. I had a book of patterns that I was ready to let to go except for one project. I decided that instead of holding on to the book until I got around to stitching the pattern, I would stitch it now. Here's the result...

Please excuse the shadows and reflections. As you can see it was a quick and easy stitch and the book it came from is on it's way to a new home.

I finally finished the last Christmas Stocking I was stitching for a friend's kids. I'm in the processing of assembling them (I sew them by hand so it takes some time). I also started the first of four baby samplers I need to make. Then it's on to stockings again for two of my grands. 

Whew! Good thing I took the time to stitch the America pattern. It may be the only thing I get to make for myself this year.

Two!

Snow celebrated her 2nd birthday last weekend. Her favorite character right now is "Min Mouse" so, of course, she had a Minnie Mouse themed party!

She had so much fun with her cousins and was very much the center of attention, as she should be on her special day.

Snow has a very strong personality. She is a sweetie, but she definitely knows her mind. As my daughter says often, "I don't want to break her strong will, but I'd like to mold it"!

I've signed all of the grands up in the Barnes & Noble Kids Club and as each birthday approaches I receive a coupon for a free treat at B&N to celebrate. When we go to the store to enjoy our treat I always buy them a book. Snow thoroughly enjoyed her Triple Chocolate Chunk cookie (split with her mom and me) and enthusiastically chose a book to take home.

Snow, you are such a special little girl, Gramps and I love you!

Trying out the skateboard with a little help from Tio Zach

Her look says it all... 

Trying to see if there's anything in the purse

I've never met a two-year-old who looked at each and every card

Our official two year old photo

Illustrations of Faith: Psalm 139:23

Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Psalm 193:23 NIV

A Life Well Lived

My daughter called me this morning to tell me that Billy Graham had died. I felt a momentary low followed by such a feeling of joy. This man, who made it his life's mission to share the love of Jesus with the world, was finally home.

I attended a Billy Graham crusade in my teen years in Kansas City. It was exactly like you saw on TV. Tens of thousands of people packed into an arena. Thousands of people surging to the altar as we sang "Just as I am". Besides attending in person, we occasionally watched the televised crusades in my home growing up.

As they keep repeating on the TV this morning, his message was a simple one. He shared the plan of salvation, emphasizing this truth, God loves you.

As I was listening to the accolades pouring in, the lyrics of a hymn we sang when I was growing up came to mind. I had to smile, thinking of the rejoicing that awaited this servant of God as he arrived home.

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus

Sing his mercy and his grace

In the mansions bright and blessed

He'll prepare for us a place

When we all get to heaven

What a day of rejoicing that will be

When we all see Jesus

We'll sing and shout the victory

While we walk the pilgrim pathway

Clouds will overspread the sky

But when travlin' days are over

Not a shadow, not a sigh

When we all get to heaven

What a day of rejoicing that will be

When we all see Jesus

We'll sing and shout the victory

Onward to the prize before us

Soon his beauty we'll behold

Soon the pearly gates will open

We shall tread the streets of gold

When we all get to heaven

What a day of rejoicing that will be

When we all see Jesus

We'll sing and shout the victory

Illustrations of Faith: Psalm 147:4-5

He counts the number of the stars;

he names all of them.

Our Lord is great and has awesome power;

there is no limit to his wisdom.

Psalm 147:4-5 NET

Happy Valentine's Day!

Illustrations of Faith: 1 John 4:19

Book Sale Success!

The book sale was awesome. This year they were letting fewer people into the building at a time and it was much less chaotic. I even managed to shop the children's section... twice!

Me, Dan, Kelly, Jessica in line

See how bundled up we are?

It was only in the 50s... brrr!

The line in front of us 

The line behind us

Our haul

We purchased 57 books for about $120.00... quite the bargain.

We're already looking forward to next year!

62nd Annual VNSA Used Book Sale - Tomorrow!

Well, it's that time of year again. Finally! This event is not to be missed if you're an avid reader and book collector. Over 500,000 books and ephemera is for sale at pennies on the dollar. This year the proceeds go to Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County. Any books unsold at the end of the weekend are donated to other groups, schools, or charities.

2012

The sale is held at the Arizona State Fair Grounds in one of the large exhibition buildings. People will line up starting tonight with several camping out overnight for the event. We usually arrive between 6:30-7:00 on the morning of the sale and there are people taking down their tents and trekking them to their cars at that time. The doors open at 8:00 am with a huge cheer from all of us in line.

2012

When you enter the building, no matter which direction you look, there's tables and tables stacked with books. Each table has multiple boxes underneath filled with books. It's an impressive sight. 

2012

As we enter the building we split up and head to the area of interest for each of us. We usually arrange to meet up in two hours to compare finds, and then split up again for another hour or two. After three to four hours we find a spot on the floor to sort through our treasures and then head to the cashier station to pay.

Since the inventory is new each year you never know what you will find. There are always multiple copies of popular contemporary authors, tons of science fiction/fantasy books, thousands of paperbacks. The children's section is a madhouse. I've tried to go there off and on through the years, but I'm short and it's almost impossible for me to reach over the double strollers loaded with books to reach the table!

In addition to books, you can find magazines, maps, DVD's, music, puzzles, games, bookmarks, etc. I have purchased lots of cross stitch patterns and magazines there over the years.

There are shopping carts available on a limited basis, but we prefer to take our rolling suitcases and fill them up with books. We have been known to each have a full suitcase and several cloth bags filled with books on good years! My shoulders hurt for days after the book sale.

2012

On Sunday, all the inventory is half priced. We've never gone on a Sunday before, although every year we say we're going to... maybe this year we'll do it.

Check back tomorrow afternoon to see how we did!

Dad/Daughter

The church that Jessica and Adam attend has a Dad/Daughter event each year. Adam and Snow attended the Western themed event last night.

Adam said she had a blast and participated in all of the activities that she could. She sure looks like she had fun in these photos!

Adam and Snow had their first Dad/Daughter date when she was five days old and attended this event...

Can't wait to see what next year's theme is!

Blizzard

I just had to share this photo of Blizzard in his "gramps" shirt!

Illustrations of Faith: 2 Samuel 7:22

How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.