A Stitching Post

Got Skye's Tooth Fairy pillow assembled over the weekend. Whew, now I can take a break from tooth fairy pillows for a year or so. I still have four grandkids to go... The good news is that Jessica brought over her patterns on Saturday and as I was looking through them I found a tooth fairy pillow pattern. Yippee!

I'm working on a baby sampler right now. One of four I need to make. Then it's on to three Christmas stockings. 

I'm trying to choose what patterns to take to the stitching retreat I'm going to in March. I don't know if I should take a couple of new starts for me, or if I should take some of my "have to" as listed above. 

Have a great week!

Illustrations of Faith: Lamentations 3:23

Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:23 NLT

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