It's been a Crafting Kind of Week!

  One more thing to share. I made this for a sweet girl who we love dearly. She is like a part of our family. So I had to make her a Christmas stocking to hang on our mantle.

 

Now I just have to go out and find another hanger for it. That will make six stockings hanging on our mantle. I love how our family grows. 

   Blessings to All ~S~

Penguins

  My youngest daughter loves Penguins! So when I ran across this pattern for a crocheted penguin, well I just had to download it and try to make it for her.

 You can find the pattern on the Lion Brand Yarn web site. It's free crochet pattern 70703AD

  This is the one from the website.

Here is mine. 

Not too bad. I let my daughter pick out the colors for the hat and scarf. She loved the teal blue because I made her a scarf of the same color. 

   I'm making another out of bedspread thread and a size 9 steel crochet hook. It will be much smaller, so I'm excited to see how it turns out.

   Just thought that I'd share.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Blessings to all ~S~

Memories

    “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”  C.S. Lewis

     A few months ago a friend, who was also my sons business partner passed away. He was very young, at only thirty five. We were all saddened and stunned. He left behind a wife and young son, who miss him so very much.
     His wife contacted me, knowing that I made quilts in the past and asked if I would make a memory quilt out of some of his clothes. I said,  "Yes" without hesitation. 
     In the past I have turned down quilts like this because they are so personal and I feel anxious about taking on such memories. There is a fear that I might ruin something or not put it together in a way that is honoring the deceased and those left behind. 
      This quilt came together by the Hand of God.  I laid out the clothing and looked at it for several days before finally cutting into the shirts and other clothing. I rarely have a plan when making one of these types of quilts.  
       Usually I only make them the size of a lap quilt, but this time a full size quilt was called for.
       So, as I looked at the clothing I knew that I needed it to be large squares in order to have it finished before Christmas. With one design idea covered, the next question was what type of blocks to make. There were t-shirts, dress shirts, gym shorts, sweater vests and a fleece jacket, just to name a few.  I get a little nervous when working with so many different types of fabric. Anyway, I started cutting out pieces for the blocks and then filler pieces to make it wide and long enough for a full sized bed.  
      The biggest problem for me some days if finding time to do all of the things that I need to do. I have been crocheting like a mad woman lately and then there were still meals to cook, laundry to do and a home to clean. I don't like to stop always when I'm feeling creative.  
     It took me 2 1/2 months to finish the quilt and now that it is finally done I'm ready to ship it off. Quilts become like my children as I'm making them. I have a hard time putting them into the hands of in between people. In this case the US Postal Service. I would much rather hand it off to the person that it was made for personally.
     This quilt will be a reminder, that those left behind were loved and cared for, and that they are still wrapped in that love and the love of God. Our hearts have been touched and the memory is precious and always with us. 
    In Memory of John G. 

Blessings to All ~S~

New Business and More Crochet

      Well, I did it. I opened my new business. Stitches from My Heart  Feel free to go check it out.
Only do it fast because I'll be closing it the end of December. Yes, I know that I just opened it and that it takes time to build a business. But, family will always be more important to me than a business. My husband has been having health issues and it is more important for me to be 100% available to take care of him and to focus on my family. I can't focus on a business if it is stressing out my husband and adding to his health issues.
     I haven't given up on crocheting. I will still crochet in my down time or work on a sewing project. But soon they will be wonderful gifts instead of articles for sale. And that will be fine too.
   My prayer all along has been that all I do would honor and glorify God. If I am not standing beside my husband and caring for him and my family, then I am not honoring God. So I will gladly give up my business. God knows my heart and, He knows how long I have wanted to have my own business. I believe that when the timing is absolutely right, it will happen. My business will start up and it will grow.
   So, enough of personal issues.
    I have been crocheting like a mad woman lately.

This one reminds me of a watermelon

pink Parisian Slouch

T

Grey Sparkle Parisian Slouch

Newborn crocodile booties.  I was a little disappointed with the way the yarn striped, but I still like them.

     So there are many other things that I want to make, but in time. If there is ever anything that I post that you like, message me and let me know. My Facebook site for Stitches from My Heart will stay up so that I can continue to share items that I make. Go like the Facebook page and share it. One day I hope to open another shop, either online or maybe a store.

   Blessings to all ~S~

Here I Am

  Yep, I'm still here. Even though it's been a while since I posted anything. I'm Here.
  I've just been very busy with family stuff.
   Stuff = My Dear Husband was sent to a cardiologist about three weeks ago and told that he needed a heart catheter. That took place a week ago now and two stents were inserted into his heart. Yes, I was freaking out on the inside but trying my best to be cool, calm, and collected on the outside. Staying strong for my husband and my children. He is doing much better now and I have actually calmed down. I am researching daily new recipes that are heart healthy and we are exercising / walking every day. I love that God has used this to bring all of us even closer than before.
   Now that things are getting into our new routine, I am back to working on my business. Stitches From My Heart will soon be opening on Storenvy I am in the process of setting up everything and getting pictures of my items loaded.
   Also I want to share with you a blog that a sweet girl, who happens to be dating my son, writes. It's called Spiffy Eats & Giggle Water  I hope that you will check it out!
   Other things that I've been doing is: Crocheting! Here are a couple of pictures of things that I've done lately.

Newborn Baby Cocoon and Hat

Little Lamb Hat and Diaper cover.

Still working on a few other things. Always busy. The more that I sew and crochet the closer that I feel to my two Grandmas who taught me to be a crafter and always busy with my hands.

 Blessings to all ~S~

Searching the Web

 I've been on line this morning. Searching for new patterns that are quick and easy to make and post for Stitches from My Heart .
  I typed in a search for free crochet patterns and ran across one that I had signed up for a long time ago and hadn't been to in almost  a year now. Shame on me! It is a wonderful sight and has more than just crochet. I'm sure most of you have already heard about it or at least visited the site. But, just in case you haven't... Go check out   Free Patterns. com
   One of the best sites around for lots of cross stitch, crochet, quilting, knitting, sewing, and so much more.
   Have fun and have a blessed day!

Blessings to All ~S~

What was I Thinking?

    Ok, so about a year ago I sat down and crocheted over a couple of weeks time a cute little girl pinafore. I had some pretty mint green yarn and thought that it would make a beautiful dress for a little girl.
  The other day, when I set out to take pictures of the dress to post on my business page: Stitches from My Heart, I realized that the three skeins of yarn that I had used had come from two different dye lots. It wasn't until I put it under the florescent lights that I noticed the difference.
   I just wanted to cry. I couldn't believe that I didn't notice it until now. It's been hanging up all of this time. I will probably end up practically giving it away. Even though the work was the same as I have always done. I just can't in good conscience sell something that is not 100%.
    So if you know of anyone that wants a pretty pinafore for a little girl sized 3T , let me know.

    I know that the difference in color isn't noticeable in this picture, but trust me it's there. Just the slightest difference in shades of mint green.

    My Grandma always told me to make sure to buy enough to make a project and make sure that it was all from the same dye lot. I will pay closer attention from here on out.

     Well, other than being upset about the dress, the days are blessed and I love that God is working in so many lives.

    Blessings to you all ~S~

Stitches from My Heart

 Well, I finally took the first step in starting my own craft business.
  I have named it "Stitches from My Heart".  I have started a Facebook page and hope to open an Etsy shop soon.
 My hands are busy and my heart is full. I have prayed over this and since I've wanted to do this for a very long time, I saw no reason not to take the first step.
  I want to thank all of the sweet wonderful friends/ Ladies of Hope that have encouraged me and pushed me with their words of love. I love you all!
   So to anyone who reads this blog post, go on over to my FB page and like it, share it and spread the word to your friends.
  Blessings to All ~S~

I Made This!

 This week I decided to start working on a few things for Christmas. When you make gifts for the folks that you love, you have to start early. Sometimes I make things that I intend to put into my box of items for sale that will go on etsy*, and then one will say how much they love it. That will then become a gift instead. Sometimes, I will make something for someone and I don't get the, "I really like/love that!" reaction so it goes into the box of for sale items.
 The other day I started making an infinity scarf. I had a small skein of red yarn with a sparkle thread through it. Only I ran out of thread before it was long enough. It was too long for a cowl, but not long enough for the infinity scarf. Still I liked the way that it turned out. None of my children seemed to like the color or type of yarn that I used so I have decided to put it in the for sale box. I did take a picture of it, modeled by one of my girls, and have now moved on to the next scarf with a different yarn. One that was picked out by my youngest. Shhh, it's going to be her Christmas present. ;)
 

My phone doesn't take the best pictures. The red is much more vibrant than the picture shows. 

So, tell me what you think. 

Blessings to All,  ~S~

*I don't have an Etsy shop yet, but I am in the process of getting one started. I will post about it when it happens.

! Sew we quilt: Tutorial on how to make pillow cases.....

Sharing this blog because it is my favorite way to make pillow cases! Enjoy!

Blessings to All ~S~



! Sew we quilt: Tutorial on how to make pillow cases.....: For those 3 dozen ladies who are wanting to see how Quilted Works made these pillow cases for us back in 2012....here you go..Not sure why...

Past Craft Pictures

These are a few of the crafts that I have made in the past. I finally learned how to get the pictures from one website that I had posted them on to my computer.
  Enjoy!
Blessings to All ~ S~

Getting Ready for Christmas

   I've been busy making a few things for Christmas!
   Yes, I know that it's only July.
   This actually started over a couple of years ago when my Mom gave me the remains of a chenille bedspread that had been on my Poppy's bed for years. It had been washed and dried so much that the center of it was shredded. But like most quilter/crafters, I don't throw much away. No, I'm not a hoarder. But, there are just some things that I hang onto because I have a sentimental streak that just won't quit.
   Anyway, I finally decided what I wanted to do with this bedspread. Or, at least part of it.
   I made Christmas ornaments. Little stockings to hang on the tree.

 I made one for each of my Brothers and Sisters and I'm making one for myself. I have enough fabric left that I may make a full size stocking to hang on the mantle later.
  I didn't have a pattern for these, so I just cut them out as close to the size I wanted as possible. Each one came out a little different. But that's ok. Each Brother and Sister is different. :)


Hope that you've been inspired to create a memory with something special.

Blessings to All ~S~

Impromptu Trip

    My girls and I made an impromptu trip to GA. this week, to visit with one of my daughters. We had a blast. Even if it was only for a couple of days.
   We left home on Sunday and headed towards Georgia early in the morning. I don't mind traveling through Atlanta on Sundays. The traffic is light and I don't feel pushed to go faster than the speed limit.
   We arrived earlier that K. got off from work. So we visited with her hubby for a couple of hours. That was fun. I always love talking to him.
    On Monday, K decided that we should all go to a park and take the puppy dog. Well, the park/ lake was about an hour away and when we got there it was quite a drive through the woods. . And, it had started to really cloud up as we turned into the road through the woods. We started joking about it being like a drive through the bowels of Mordor. The woods were really very beautiful, but it was just a little creepy being dark and I don't think that we passed any other cars on the road we were on. Which was probably a good thing since the road was a little narrow.
    I started getting a little creeped out and A. commented that it could be worse.  "It could be raining."
   K. and J. fussed at her and said "Don't word curse us!"
   The road was rough and my bladder did not like it one little bit. We got to the end of the road, where they had an out house type port-a- potty. Upon entering I discovered that the door did not lock and on the wall was a sign that had a picture of a beaver on it. The sign said something like don't put Woodsie in, it's hard to get out. I wish that I had gone back to the car to get my phone to take a picture of it. When I exited the um... facilities, it had started to rain a little. K, had gone to a sign that had been knocked down and found out that it was a 3 1/2 mile hike to the lake. When she started walking back to the car the rain started coming down really hard. We decided to drive back to town and do a little window shopping. Much more to my liking.
    I did get a few pictures of our ride out. But I didn't even think to take them until we were back on the main road that was paved.  The road into the park was mostly gravel, mud, and pot holes. Not exaggerating.

The puppy dog got tired of being cooped up in the car, so we opened the window and let her stick her head out. She was having a good time. And the rain had finally stopped, or drove out of it.

ears flapping in the wind

photo bombed by J.

After a little bit it started raining again. Not hard but we needed to roll the windows up. She got tired and laid down in the back seat between the girls.

We were glad to get back home and kick up our feet. We watched the first half of Pride and Prejudice until N. came home. Then we had some dinner and talked for a while until bed time.

   On Tuesday we went out shopping for a bakers rack for K. or a kitchen island. After going to several stores with no success we finally went to Hobby Lobby and found one that she really liked. When we found out that it was on sale, she liked it even more. So I found out that I can get four people and a bakers rack in my car! We got it home set it up and K. started cleaning out her cupboards and  the counters. 

I love that she is such a good home maker. I love that she has such a desire to take care of her husband and her home. So proud of all of my kids. They are hard workers and precious children of God.

 We came home today (Wed.) and while it feels good to be in my own home. I miss my kids and wish that we all lived closer together. For now I guess we will have to just visit as often as possible.

   Blessings to All ~S~

Heritage or a Shameless Plug for my Blog

 So I came up with this plan to get some traffic for my blog...
  I made this personalized doily for one of my family members. If you leave a comment on here I will put your name in the hat, so to speak, and draw one out.
  Yep, just giving it away.
   You can either frame it and hang it, or you can lay it out as a doily on the table or maybe stitch it across a pillow.
   So here goes!

Drawing will be July 12th

Love and Blessings to all ~S~

More Baby Booties

    I just finished another pair of baby booties, made with the crocodile stitch pattern. This pair is made with a blue bottom (sole) and a white top. I don't think that I will make another pair using this yarn though. It was much to easy to split and knot up. I am pleased with the way they look though.
    While the yarn was a challenge with the booties, it was much easier to work with making a floppy hat for a baby.
    So I guess, in the end, I will use the yarn again. Just not for the baby booties. :)

Love & Blessings to All, ~S~

Little Bear

  I made the cutest little bear this week out of bedspread crochet thread. I used a size 6  needle and followed the pattern for the larger bear. I made a blue bear first for a baby shower and then an eggshell colored one for a friend. Encouraged by the ease of the pattern, I decided to try it with the bedspread crochet thread.
   It was a little harder than I had anticipated. Mostly because of the size of the limbs, when I came to that part, I kept catching what I had already crocheted with the hook of the needle.
   Overall though I'm pretty pleased with my little bear.
What  do you think of him?
Here's where I got the pattern for this sweet little bear. Winter White Bear

Blue Bear for a baby boy

Just Bear

Little Bear 

He's only 6 1/2" tall

Blessings to All ~S~

Christening Set

    Hurrah! The Christening set that I've been crocheting is finally complete and I have taken pictures.
    Well, actually the set was finished a couple of weeks ago. It just took me a little while to get the pictures taken.
     I promised to share it, so here it is. :)

It is the Open Crescent  pattern from Leisure Arts leaflet 2568.

Blessings to All ~S~

Christening Gown

     I have been very busy the past few weeks. Crocheting and teaching up to the final days before my baby graduates from high school. We are now less than a week! But that's a post for another time.
     Today, I am sharing the crochet items that I've been working on.
      I posted earlier a portion of the Christening gown that I had started. Well, this week I finally finished the gown. YEA! I still have the bonnet and booties to crochet, hopefully those won't take long.
     So here is the dress.

I also took a couple of days and made some rainbow colored baby booties for my daughter to give as a gift to her friend. 

The rainbow booties were pretty simple and fun. You can find the patterns on Annie's Attic and the second one at Annie's e-pattern Central .

  The dress is a now discontinued pattern book from Leisure Arts. 

Have a blessed weekend. 

Love & Hugs from the Quilted Hillbilly ~S~

House Cleaning Tips

   There are many things in life that I really like doing. There are also some that I really dislike doing. One of those things is cleaning house. Sad to say since I occasionally clean house for other people. When I clean for other people though their homes are all picked up and in order. All that I have to do is go in and clean. Unfortunately, I don't have someone to come and clean my home. So that means that either my home doesn't get cleaned every week or it only gets picked up weekly.
    Don't get me wrong, I love the end result. I just hate moving tchotchkes and dusting under and around them. Dusting is my least favorite chore. I have far to much stuff in my home. I think that it is time to get rid of much stuff! Except my books. I love my books! And I love crafting. I'd much rather spend my time creating that cleaning. But herein lies another problem. I create best when my space is clean and organized. It's really a vicious cycle.
    Now having said all of that. I have learned a few things while cleaning other peoples homes for them. Some of those tips I have implemented in my home so that I only really have to do a deep clean every two to three weeks.

1. Keep wipes near your bathroom sink to wipe the counters with every couple of days.
2. Car detail rags from the dollar store can be dampened and used without cleaning products on mirrors for a lint free clean
3. A squeegee in the shower used after every shower will keep hard water build up off of the glass and shower walls, making it easier to clean once a week.
4. A duster, such as a feather duster is great for a once over, once a week.
5. At least once a month pull furniture away from the wall and dust behind it with the vacuum hose. (Dust holds odors and can make your home smell not clean even when it looks clean)
6. Throw a load of laundry in the washer at least every other day so that it doesn't get piled up.
7. Microfiber rags clean and dust everything really great and they are inexpensive at the dollar store.

These are just a few tips that come to my mind. If you have any to share, feel free to leave a comment.
Here are a few sites that I really like too.
Real Simple
Woman's Day
Molly Maid
and
How to Clean Anything
Or you can just Google House Cleaning Tips and there are a multitude of sites that give wonderful tips.
Pick and choose what works best for you.
Blessings to All ~S~

Chicken Spaghetti

   A friend just recently asked for this recipe and I've had so many ask for it that I decided it was finally time to post it here. The recipe came from my Mom and my family loves it. Hope that you enjoy it too.

Chicken Spaghetti

1 pkg. chicken thighs
1 green bell pepper
1 onion, cut into chunks
1 lb. spaghetti
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can rotel diced tomatoes (not drained)
salt and pepper
poultry seasoning, rubbed sage, garlic powder, and any other spices that you might like.  I use Suzy's  The Spice Connection seasoning)
Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or three cheese Mexican blend

Put chicken in large pot with enough water to cover it. Add green pepper, onion, and spices. Boil for 1 hour or until meat is pulling away from the bone. Take chicken out with a slotted spoon, set aside to cool enough to touch. Leave water in pot.  Bring water back to boil and put spaghetti in the water.  cook to tooth (al dente)  
 Bone the chicken and cut or tear into bite size pieces.
 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
 Mix in large bowl cooked and drained spaghetti, chicken pieces, soups and rotel tomatoes.
Put in a 13 x 9 baking pan. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper if needed. Top with cheese, you can mix a little cheese in the spaghetti before if you want.

Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

Little Blessings

I love thread crochet! I love doily's and little baby clothes crocheted from  bedspread size thread. I often see patterns that I totally fall in love with but sometimes, just don't have the money for. Every now and then I will see a pattern for sale, and think I will set aside for it and get it when I see it in the store.
 Twice in my life I have wanted patterns that by the time I remembered to set aside the money for them they went out of print. But God knew that I would need encouraging down the road, and blessed me with those booklets when I least expected it.
   Several years ago I saw a pattern on line for a really pretty afghan with hearts in it. I told myself I was going to buy that pattern and shortly after that it just seemed like the money was never really there to buy it. Even though the pattern booklet only cost about $5. I tried looking at a picture of the afghan and drawing out the pattern by myself, but I just couldn't figure it out. Move down the road a year. My cousin was helping out at a shelter in another state and one of the other ladies picked up a pile of crochet magazines and books and said, "Don't you have a cousin who knits or crochets?" She said yes and put the magazines in a bag to save. A few months later she, my Grandma, and Mom all came for a visit. It was like Christmas for me with that bag of magazines. Each one that I looked at held a treasure. Then there it was buried in the middle of the stack of magazines that booklet with the afghan pattern that I had so wanted the year before! I'm not sure that the pattern was even still available by the time that I had seen it. But I've made a few of those for gifts now and still love that pattern.
 
Here's one that I made using red yarn. I've made it also in purple, tan, white and yellow. Like I said, I love this pattern.

   More recently I had seen a pattern for an heirloom Christening gown. It was download only since it was going out of print. I thought about it and then decided that since Christmas was really close I didn't need to get it just yet. I went back to the website a few weeks before Thanksgiving and it was no longer available. I almost cried, but thought that maybe I just didn't need it yet. Then Thanksgiving week my sweet Sister in Law brought me a box of yarns, and books from her Mom that had been given to her by a neighbor. Yep, you guessed it. There in the box was the pattern that I had wanted. God had blessed me again, when I least expected it. My heart was filled with joy, because I had more to keep my hands busy, and something that I could bless others with.
   In the midst of all of this winter weather that we've been having in the South, I decided to start working on one of the Christening gowns to sale or as a gift. I love it when I can just sit down and work on something without being in a rush.

This is how far I have gotten. There is still quite a bit more to go, but it will be done by spring. I can hardly wait. I will post another picture when it is finished.
 In the mean time. I hope that everyone has a blessed day. Stay safe and warm. Be Jesus for someone today.
Love and Blessings to All ~S~

Brrrrrrrr........

   It is January! 

   It's Winter!  
   The cardinals and winter birds are hanging out at the bird feeder.

   This is the South! 
   It's not supposed to be this bitterly COLD! The high today is 26 degrees. Tomorrow the          temperature is going to start out in the single digits. The SINGLE DIGITS! 
   
  You would think that since I am from the mountains of West Virginia I would be ok with this weather. However I've lived here for almost 28 years and since I am a barefoot, short sleeve t-shirt wearing hillbilly type person. Let's face it, I've been spoiled here in the south.
  
 There was a time that I didn't mind the snow, the cold weather, or even the ice. But then I didn't have to get out in it and neither did my kids. Now that my children are driving in frigid temps, (at least we didn't get the ice that was possible) I'm not sure that I like this any more. I don't mind the cold weather, I like a nice toasty fire and a good book, some hot soup and a quiet day. 

   Thankful that this cold snap is only going to last for a few days and then be back to the normal southern winter. I think that when this cold snap is past I will get a quilt started so that when the next cold snap comes along I can work on it from the warmth of my cozy living room.  

  All my friends in the north, I hope that you keep warm and safe in this cold weather and snowy blizzard type stuff.
  
   Blessings to all, ~S~