Easter Crochet (a free pattern for you)

Please be gentle with my pride.

I was asked to write up this pattern and did this and the photos late last night with the help of my daughter --- the color is not great, but I hope it will be a pattern that you try.

I have used this in several ways --- there is no gauge reference. If you want it tiny, then use a crochet cotton and a small hook --- or use bulky and a large one.

The one on this blanket was made using two worsted weight strands held together and then I added a quilters yo-yo to the center - the yo-yo had sentimental reasoning.

So here we go ---

CH 5, SS IN FIRST CH TO MAKE A RING

CH 3

2 DC IN RING, CH 2, 3 DC IN RING, CH 2, 3 DC IN RING, CH 2, 3 DC IN RING, CH 2, SS TO TOP OF BEGINNING CH 3. 

NOTE  - THIS IS A BASIC GRANNY SQUARE CENTER. 

CH 3 AND TURN WORK

* 2 DC IN CH 2 SPACE

CH 2, 3 DC IN SAME CH 2 SPACE. 

SS DOWN SIDE OF LAST DC (SEE TOP ARROW BELOW. I DO 2 OR 3 SS TO MOVE DOWN THE SIDE OF THE DC) 

SS IN TOP OF EACH DC IN THE FIRST CLUSTER (SEE 2ND ARROW BELOW) 

SS IN CH2 SPACE.

CH 3

 REPEAT FROM * 3 TIMES UNTIL YOU HAVE THE FOUR POINTS 

**CH 1 AND TURN YOUR WORK

SS IN TOP OF EACH STITCH IN THE DC CLUSTER AND INTO THE CH2 SPACE.

CH 3, 2 DC, CH 2, 3 DC

REPEAT FROM ** ONCE MORE FASTEN OFF AND WEAVE IN ENDS.

THE CROSS IS SIMPLY A VARIATION ON THE BASIC GRANNY SQUARE.

IT TAKES LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO MAKE ONE AND IS A FABULOUS SCRAP PROJECT.

PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF YOU FIND ERRORS IN THESE INSTRUCTIONS --

FEEL FREE TO SHARE THE LINK TO HERE AND PLEASE GIVE ME CREDIT IF YOU USE THIS PATTERN. 

I WOULD ALSO LOVE TO SEE YOUR VERSIONS 

I'M ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM ---- USE #MAGGIEGRACECROSS TO TAG THESE ON INSTAGRAM. 

YOU CAN ALSO EMAIL ME AT TERESAHOME@JUNO.COM

HAVE A WONDERFUL EASTER 

Baby Drake is coming.......

Twas a busy busy weekend for me. (There was NO napping)

Friday evening, I finished an art piece that will be posted later. 

Saturday AM I sealed it ---- I use ModPodge for my word art. In the southern humidity, it can get sticky, so after everything dries, I spray the pieces with a clear spray sealer. 

Took the Softball Princess to the doctor -

Took off to college girl's new apartment. 

Cut down a closet shoe shelf and made her three flower boxes from the wood. She wants to grow some fresh herbs for herself. 

Helped her paint a bookshelf. And made some wood stain using the vinegar and steel wool recipe. 

All that was Saturday afternoon. 

Return home - quick bite to eat  then to my studio to get ready for a Sunday afternoon baby shower. (I be the head of a one person decorating committee) 

I had pulled out all of my girls Beanie Babies and packed them up with some other display materials. 

And then I made a pennant banner 

And a hand full of paper pinwheels.

Each table had a different set of critters.

This was great fun.

Bats and iguanas

Some little birdies - not blue.

A little bit crabby.

Sweet puppies came too.

Mama Stork brought the bundle ----
 and the friends gathered round.

To Celebrate a baby ---- nothing sweeter can be found.

Welcome welcome baby Drake.

This squirrel centerpiece was my favorite - and there is a story behind this. A story involving a deep, heartfelt discussion one afternoon.

I was having a really important conversation with someone - a conversation about relationships, choices, decisions, money, children . A really important conversation. And I don't know why - even to this day - but my mind kinda derailed. Kinda derailed --- not even close to how this played out. My mind took a hard turn and left that conversation with this question


"Have you EVER seen a squirrel shit?"

Let's just say there was stupid hysterical laughter - THANK GOD THE PERSON I WAS TALKING WITH HAS A SIMILAR TWISTED SENSE OF HUMOR.

Now we use the phrase to call attention to the fact that a conversation is not getting us anywhere.

Either of us will say --- "are you watching for squirrel shit?"


I'm ending this one with a picture of one of my favorite littles --- This is Canaan (BabyCane) --- and he is a sweet sweet baby.

Check out those big blue eyes.

Here is hoping that your week has started as lovely as mine. It is a beautiful day here.

Happy Monday ---

Oh - and as we approach September - I'm thinking on doing the SIMPLY SIMPLE SEPTEMBER again.

Low key - SIMPLE posts. Little projects - simple recipes - noticing beautiful details ---- life SIMPLY appreciated.

Please play along. I'll most likely do mine on INSTAGRAM as well as here - so if you want to follow me I am here ------ maggiegracecreates

prep work

not glamourous.

but a required tool in my world

Patti asked if I would help the youth with some items they can sell as a fundraiser.

I said yes.

So I'm cutting mass quantities of paper for cards, tags, garlands, and that kind of stuff.

She asked if she needed to buy any supplies. That question caused hysterical laughter on my part. I got stuff. I will share.

I'll be posting my designs as I create them. They will be "kitted" for the kids to then assemble. Hopefully this will move things along.

Look for updates on this as I go.

Much love --- Teresa

as for me and my house......

This sweet young couple is getting hitched. I've known Luke since he was a toddler. Chazlyn is just so sweet and they are adorable together.

Our church is giving them a bridal shower on Sunday and I am in charge of the decor (imagine that).

Well I saw this image pinned to her Pinterest.

Source: weddingwire.com via Chazlynn on Pinterest

And that set me on the direction for the decorations.

These are the preliminary ideas and were made on my work table (thank you Crusty Old Guy for adapting that table for my sudio IT IS PERFECT)

Each round table will have white cloths and a kraft paper runner. Then these centerpiece toppers. The rustic crosses are short pieces of grapevine, wired together. and topped with a heart at the intersection. I really like these crosses.

I made several and will most likely make a few more.

Those pretty individual hydrangea blooms are silk and I have stamped them. Each has three and are stamped  - FAITH - HOPE - LOVE.

I've already posted the birdhouse (it will go home with the lovely bride) I will be displaying it elevated on a wooden box and there will be a tiny bit more detail added to the display. This will be on the main food table.

I'll post final pictures next week. But right now I think I am on the way to capturing the "feel" of that pin.

Did I mention that I really like these wooden crosses???

Have a blessed, full of joy, full of thanksgivings kind of day.

not wedding work

I have not kept it a secret. While I do not push my faith onto others,  I am very much a Christian and very active in my church. Jones Chapel UMC in Danielsville, Georgia. (If you would like to visit with us, please comment. I will happily give you directions and welcome you into our congregation) 

Jones Chapel has a ton of mission opportunities and supporting UMCOR is one of them. 

Right in the midst of all this wedding stuff, I had agreed to make a little jacket for the LAYETTE RELIEF SUPPLY KIT.

We finished up the 400 hearts on Saturday. I painted the chalkboard signs on Saturday. And I started this little jacket. Using scrap yarns and the five rectangle sweater pattern information from the UMCOR site. 

The little jacket is just five pattern pieces ---- two 5 x 10 rectangles for the front -- with little crochet on ties. The pattern instructions said you could do two granny squares for each side of the front or a panel and I simply made up a panel pattern that kinda looked like it went with the granny square feel. 

Two 6x6 granny squares for the sleeves. 

And a 10x10 granny panel for the back. 

I finished it last night and delivered it at around 10pm to the church. simply putting the UMW coordinator's name on the plastic bag it was in. 

So we are adding this one to the DONE list. One more NON-wedding thing to accomplish (a button swap) then back to wedding stuff full speed ahead. 

I do have one more item to share with you from the weekend. I'll finish it up tonight and share it tomorrow. 

Have a great afternoon.

Missing in action....

Sorry - I didn't mean to do that again. Maybe shortly, posting will return to normal. Just had some huge life things happen to us lately. Not anything horrible - just Softball Princess graduating from high school - as the valedictorian - and other good good things.

So MaggieGrace goodness is a little shy right now. But that will be changing.

But I did have a few things to share with the internet peeps.

Ernestine Cochran, a very dear friend of mine, gave me this yesterday at church. She is a talented porcelain artist and I have several pieces of her work. But this one is so very special. It is in recognition of my cancer survival.


It came with prayers for my continued good health.

But here is the really cool part...........


That's my house. I love my house.

And on the other side......

That's my big barn... all covered with trumpet vine. That vine is in bloom right now.

And my breast cancer and kidney cancer ribbons.

I literally squealed when she gave it to me.

I am so blessed by really special people in my life.

Now for those who read because they be family members......

Saturday we were invited to the govenors mansion for a valedictorian recognition reception. This picture is way out of order, because this is right after we blew off the speeches and bailed on the whole program. The Princess was the instigator. But there wasn't much discussion before we all decided that was an excellent idea.

Mom Dad and Princess outside the mansion.

This needlepoint firescreen was in the first editions library. It has been cut from the canvas and handstitched to the silk. Intricate and beautiful.

Graduation Night - College Girl and Softball Princess. These two are my life.

A word about the Princess Speech at graduation. She is not your typical really serious academic student. We were not privy to any of her speech preparation - so moms mouth dropped open when her first word at the podium was "wassup". That jaw drop was soon followed by the phrase "oh my God" as she proceeded to deliver a witty and majorly different valedictorians address - to many cheers and much applause from the packed house.

Excerps from the speech can be found here. http://www.madisonjournaltoday.com/archives/4095-MCHS-graduates-say-goodbye.html

We will be spending the summer getting ready for the transition into being a college student.

College Girl will be spending her time in the Chemistry Dept at UGA on a summer internship and collecting salamander eggs for her senior bio chem research project.

Hope this finds all of you having a wonderful day.

WOW 2010 ---

Welcome to 2010. My Christmas and New Years was very low key. I was slightly sick -- of the cold kind through both holidays. Lots of sleep and couch lounging.

I do have just a few things to capture here.

The centerpiece above was one of my accomplishments. For a baby shower. Then I took the arrangement to the nursing home. I should do that more often. I did not give my name or association, just dropped it off at the nurses desk and told them how much I appreciate what they do for the residents. Many of our church members are there. Many have gone through there. It is thankless work in a lot of cases. The smiles I received were well worth the effort it took.

Now I want to celebrate just a few things.

New Years Day - my mama was at the house. I cooked the traditional meal. A first for me. It was all really good. College Girl was there - her boyfriend - all of us. At one time I found my mama on the sofa loving on the dog. That made me happy. We spent the 2nd half of last year in stormy seas and I really enjoyed having her there. We will work all this out (again). It's the right thing to do.

When she got ready to leave and opened the kitchen door, we discovered road kill. On the porch. That same lovable puppy had taken the time and multiple trips from somewhere to grace me with one decaying possum carcass as her prize for the day. Loving that cleanup job. YEAH.

I crocheted - napped - crocheted some more - watched a football game (or twelve). Amelia's baby blanket is finished and I started another one for a friend.

Speaking of friends. I got a text message on Saturday night - simply stating "LOOK AT THE MOON" -- it is wonderful to have friends and family who recognize the splendor of God's creation. A crisp, clear, COLD, night and the moon was spectacular. We were in a restaurant when I got the text and the Man at my Address never blinked when I jumped up - grabbed my coat - and escaped to see the display. He also commented that this would be blogged. Score.

Now - about blogging. I have a new (maybe) ANONYMOUS commentor. There are new comments on many of my posts and I would love to know who this is. Please drop your name in a comment or email me with you info. (you can find my email by clicking on my profile).

I am looking forward to 2010 with excited anticipation. My health is better, my emotions are better, my goals are attainable. It's a good thing.

I really want to thank Susan Young for something that happen yesterday at church. I have shared here the information about my sister's mid life crisis. Well there was money involved on my part and I said that my "emergency funds" had not recovered from that. In the discussion that followed, it was brought to my attention that maybe it was really me who had not recovered. That maybe my anger was holding me back from moving on. I think she's right. I have wonderful, kind, loving friends and I thank her for being wise in her manner of discussing this with me.

Sorry this is so rambling. I do hope you all have a wonderful start of the New Year. Here's to recognizing your blessings, trying to bless others, and sharing your creative spirits. Let's have the best year ever.

You know - I have a beautiful life.

Walking to Bethlehem

A massive production. Two nights. Friday from 3pm til 9:45 pm I managed to walk 10 miles over the hillside that is Jones Chapel UMC. Check the back drive -- check the front drive -- check the scouts helping with parking at the ballfield -- set out luminaria -- relight lumniaria -- hot tea to the angels on scaffolding at the shepherds -- this lady needs a golf cart to transport her through -- you got the picture.

Saturday night found us changing parking a little - easing the walking. However, the wind gave us fits with those luminaria bags. Blowing them over and causing them to go up in flames. It was an uphill battle continually. Unbelievably difficult task. It also was COLD on Saturday night, Forcing Mary (Heidi) to bring Jesus (Adam) inside to warm him up.

I missed a workout on Thursday night, but I really made up for it over the weekend.

Above and beyond all of what I just said -- Becky Brasswell organized and pulled off an incredible production of A Walk to Bethlehem and blessed me and so many others.

Some wonderful moments

Addie (a toddler) squealing "why my papa go on a queen's outfit". (Papa was one of our wise men.)

Carley (another toddler) -- "mama, that angel looks like Aunt CortCort." (It was Aunt CortCort. )

Addie again -- "Miss Teresa, I saw baby Jesus and he was REEEE-AL." (It is the south and all words have at least two syllables.)

Joseph (Donald) repeatedly saying "that'll do" to the innkeeper when told they could use the stable.

More than one person came because they could see the Angels up on the scaffolding from the road.

Kaylee (8 years old) kneeling in awe at the stable, when the shepherds kneeled before the manger.

Multiple kids playing with their little nativity sets that were given to each family.

The Soldier (Tony - our pastor's husband) greeting attendees with "welcome to Bethlehem, please sign here, we are taking a census" - this allowed us to have an accurate attendance number.

Tons of helpers - shopkeepers, support people, an unbelievable blessing filled weekend.

Thank you Jones Chapel for allowing me to be a part of the weekend.

I snatched this off the church site --

He came. In the middle of the night. His first bed, the feed trough that the animals used. How fitting that the Bread of Life begin His life in a feeding vessel.

Merry Christmas --- Have a wonderful day.

stuff

VBS is done for another year. The closing was wonderful and I want to thank all of those who pulled this off again. I remember as a child thinking that things at church just "magically" happened.

Now I know just how hard the work is to make the "magic" happen.

I love this picture above of the two girls playing. This is another Girl Scout Camp photo and it is clickable.

Now for MaggieGrace to get back on track. This weekend will find me attacking the mountain of laundry. Thanks to the Man at my Address - it is all clean and dry - just piled on the daybed. I also will be completing some clipboards for the art show.

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About that Art Show. November 14th in and around the Old Danielsville Courthouse. Directions to the venue - find Danielsville, Georgia on a map. The Old Courthouse is in the middle of Hwy 29. Can't miss it.

I agonized over that dang application especially the describe your work section. Lannae has already laughed at me so I'll share what I wrote.

"An array of items in an array of materials from soldered glass pendants to crochet lace and wearables. Recycled and repurposed materials play alongside vintage ephemera and/or new supplies. Look especially for the collaged spoon pendants."

Local Best Friend said he could simplify that statement. His description "artsy fartsy shit". Leave it to a man. LOL.

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Now fun stuff - I really want to know if any of you have ever done something like this ---- imagine the car next to you in traffic with a lady holding a chewy granola bar in front of the AC vent That was me in my car yesterday and I was trying to salvage the dang thing to be able to eat it after it sat in the sun on the dash all afternoon.

The trailer for Alice in Wonderland is up. Go here to start making your plans for this one. The link for the trailer video is close to the bottom of the article. I'll be there. If anyone in the athens area might be interested in a "girls night" on this one - lets chat.

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IMPORTANT -FUN EYE CANDY LINK AHEAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did not get MaggieGraceWorld ready in time - but I am going to the party anyway. As an invited guest instead of a participant. My friend Karen over at My Desert Cottage is having a studio party - so I 'll be touring studios today. Come go with me - you never know you might just be inspired to work on or in your space.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Laid on my heart to say.....

Another of my "stranger" pictures. I have found out that this was made at a Girl Scout camp in the foothills area of North GA.

This is not a sermon - I just feel like this needs to be written down and since I treat this as an online journal for myself as well as a craft blog, here is where I am recording it.

Last night was night 4 - tonight is the last night of VBS. Have we made a difference in anyones lives? Well last night something happened that made a difference in mine. I pray for people in our church. Don't really even think about it, it is just what we do. I consider that prayer effective and necessary. I pray for my family. My friends. Strangers even (if the prompt is given to me).

I am not one of those "holier than thou" people. I have a faith statement but refuse to push it on others and I am so far from perfect that even I shake my head at times at some things I have done.

Last night I was have a conversation with one of the VBS workers and as we finished and this person was leaving, I felt the urge to wrap my arms around this person and lift a prayer WITH them - thanksgivings to God - a request for strength - a request for peace - and for reminders that we make a difference with what we do. That simple 5 sentence prayer affected me and this person and the results were immediate, soul feeding, and more than likely long-lasting.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20

Now - I'll be stepping down from the pulpit. Just remember - it is just as important to pray WITH people as it is to pray FOR people.

Have a wonderful day.

hodge podge

Good morning. Busy weekend. Vacation Bible School started at our church last night so all of MaggieGrace attention has been given to Jones Chapel UMC for setting up and first night. But there are a few things to share.

College Girl and the Morman Boy are still an item. Since dietary guidelines are a part of their faith, the two of them drink root beer and cream soda - A LOT. Knowing that I keep all kinds of crap, they started piling the bottle caps in my kitchen window.

Several weeks ago, College Girl asked me if I would make her some sort of necklace from the caps. Something that represented the two of them. So I started pondering and gathering ideas.

I made this Friday night for her.

This is the back. I left the caps unpainted. In the past I have painted them because they were more than likely from a Bud Light bottle.

I had a craving for something sweet and bought some Animal Crackers. I don't LOVE them, so it was easy to control the quantity I consumed. When I emptied the box, I realized that there were giraffes on it. (somehow this animal has become a symbol of their relationship)

One circle punch, a few alphabet beads, waxed thread, and some 3d glass finish - here ya go - a fun little casual necklace that she loves.


It's cute.

Friday afternoon we had storms in the area. Even my co-workers were not surprised when I ran to the car and grabbed my camera.

The contrast of the dark grey storm clouds and the almost luminescent lime green of the tree foliage was gorgeous. Even though this photo is a close representation of the color, it really does not do justice to it. It really was amazing.

One last hodgepodge picture.

My poor pitiful house.

The painter has sanded it all the way around. Hopefully he will start painting in the next few days. If you look carefully you will see that my foundation walls and column bases are solid granite. They are about 7 inches thick. Those curved steps on this side porch are one of the reasons I fell in love with this house. They are made from granite slabs too.

Obviously I have a ton of landscaping to accomplish as well. If anyone has ideas for what to put in the bed shown, please share. I need full sun tolerant, low water usage, and low maintenance plant ideas. The house will be basic farmhouse white - so some color would be nice here.

Have a great day. I may be sparse here for the next few.

thrifty thursday and more

Good morning. There was a lot of laughter last night. A womanless beauty pagent fundraiser. We had the probate judge, the sherriff, and a local pharmacist as part of our contestants. A huge thank you to all of Madison County for support for Relay for Life.

The church also had a gym sale and silent auction as part of the evening. I bought some goodies.



This is pasted to the back of one of the pictures that I really purchased for the frame.

I'll be taking the picture out and copying to use though. The colors are super.

I also bought the little salt shaker set - complete with 8 shakers. These will get filled with fine glitter.

Another framed picture that I bought for the frame - the girl is pretty too. And the costume jewelry is for the workshop I am going to. That is one of the things on the supply list and also something that I never buy - just not my thing - so when i saw these and they fit my style and decor, I grabbed them. I'll be modifying the locet with some lace and fiber work to wear.

Total expenditure --- 5.00

This morning my note from the universe email had this wisdom ...

"There are lots of reasons for wanting a "do-over." Most of all, people want another chance to do things they were afraid to do the first time, and to say things they were afraid to say. Oddly enough, it's not their mistakes they want to rework, but their "unused" minutes."

I really agree with this statement - there are lots of "unused" minutes in my past. Being a cancer survivor taught me to live much more fully every day. Time also teaches that. I have some people I need to call today and just say "I was thinking about you and wanted you to know it."

I also experienced a major increase in grey hair production yesterday. Softball Princess had her first "DATE" - a young man from school/church and she took off to the driving range and hit a few golf balls. I called Dad and he wasn't ready for this either. Why can't they stay little forever????

One more not so quick thing - for a spirit lift go look at this. Please leave comments about your thoughts on this too. I have gone back again and again. Susan Boyle has no unused minutes in that performance - beautiful. I promise it is fully worth the 7 minutes of time.

Have a wonderful day.

Maundy Thursday

"so Jesus sent me along with Peter saying - go and prepare the Passover meal that we may partake. "

"It was while we were eating that Jesus took the bread"

And when he came to me - I said, Lord, do you wash my feet?"

"Peter, truly, I tell you this very night, before the cock crows you will deny me three times."

"nor did we know that as we came to the Lord's Table tonight that for us - this would indeed be - The Last Supper."

**********************************************************************************
All of these are lines from tonight's Maundy Thursday Communion Presentation at our church. The photo of the painting applies as well. We will be staging a drama based on the painting.

We have costumes and a set ready. The guys will freeze into the poses in the painting and "come to life" one at a time to tell their part of the story. The Man at my Address is in charge of sound and I am doing the lighting. We had a rehearsal on Sunday afternoon and I got God bumps (cold chills) just watching it in an unfinished presentation. It doesn't matter to me how many times I see this, I always leave spiritually filled and struck by the enormous gift that Easter is in my Christian faith.

My Lenten journey this year is almost to an end. I am recharged in so many areas of my life because of the sacrifice I chose. (Those reruns of tv shows.) The spiritual journey if the last 40 days is really only the beginning. Since I haven't missed the tv, I'll be continuing other activities during that time indefinitely.

My note from the Universe email this morning had this bit of wisdom.....

Too often, teresa, the only difference between HAVE and HAVE NOT depends on whether or not the initial request was followed by a thank you, yee-haa, and action, rather than a question mark, timidity, and TV.
Don't ask. Give thanks.

I have never felt more motivated to get MaggieGraceCreates into a more public venue. I cannot do that sitting in front of the tv. Nor am I inclined to simply sit there feeding my mind with "numbing cream" any longer.

I do hope this post finds you pondering the gifts that Easter and springtime are. Maybe, if you are of a Christian faith, pondering which disciple you might be. Maybe on Friday, mourning the loss on the cross. And then on Sunday, celebrating that empty tomb, such a strong witness to Jesus' victory over death. Am I Peter, would I deny Him? Am I Judas, would I betray Him? Will He find me sleeping, instead of helping watch over his people? Or am I one of those friends who bathed His body, wrapped Him in linens, loaned Him my tomb? One of those visiting His grave in the early morning that Sunday so long ago, finding it empty, then frantically looking for Him and finding that He was not gone at all, but will be a part of my life eternally?

Have a wonderful Easter weekend. Hope Peter Cottontail finds all of you as well.

Today is Thursday....

eta -I have decided to give up reruns of CSI, Law and Order, and House for Lent. The time I would normally spend vegging in front of the tv watching those will be better spent accomplishing other, more important things. --

I am amazed - this is post 701.

When I woke up this morning this post was to be something totally different. Then I got to work and had this in my inbox from facebook.

Molly wrote on your Wall:"Yeah...So...I should maybe mention the speeding ticket I got on the way to my baptism yesterday... I have to call on Monday. And I really should have an insurance card in my jeep. Cause that guy totally stole the piece of paper with my proof of insurance..."

This child who has not really ever given us one major issue - has suddenly decided that she needs to make up for lost time. I have already called her and informed her that the paycheck from her on campus job will be used to cover this cost. I have also threatened her daddy with taping his genitals to the inside of his thigh with duct tape if he covers this for her. And while have chosen my words carefully over the really big issue - I had no reserves on this one - 75 in a 55 - her day is not going well either.

Go ahead - laugh out loud at this - I did.

She was baptized last night. I wore this.


A necklace made from an old key. I received many compliments on it. Enough that even the Man at my Address agrees that I need to make more of my stuff and try to sell some. I found that a little amazing too.

Jennifer (MMB's mother) made Molly's baptism gown. That is a gesture I appreciate more that she can imagine. Simply beautiful - modest - she will add to it for later events. A proper thank you is required for that gesture of love and caring and support.

Tim (MMB's stepdad) said the nicest thing about the evening. He thanked us but also verbally recognized the difficulty and gave us his appreciation for supporting her.

A different view of the necklace. Yes it is a little unusual - I like it.

I watched Molly interact with people we do not know. She was poised, comfortable, confident. That makes me happy. I could tell that she was pushing the tension into the back of her mind, not allowing it to interfere with "her" evening. That is a skill that will serve her well into the future.

Every one in the ward was very sensitive to the tension and awkwardness of the event. They went out of their way to make us feel welcome. I appreciate this.

Mostly I am thankful for a relationship with my daughter that remains as strong as it was - maybe even stronger - since we have learned to lovingly disagree.

I also wore this.....

A Brighton bracelet. This was a gift a few years ago from a friend. The two hearts are significant as it is a reminder that I could lean on this person for anything. The day I received it, I was facing another round of tests to be sure the breast cancer was not there and I was uneasy about it like so many times before. I went through so much of the breast cancer process alone, feeling like I could not lean because of many reasons. I rarely wear this because the clasp arrangement is a little weak - I actually lost it once and had it returned to me by a random series of events. But when I need reassurance - I find myself putting it on and using it much like a Catholic would use a rosary - the symbolism is strong for me and I have leaned hard on the giver of this a lot in the past week.

So here is a thank you to my friend for weathering yet another storm with me.

God has given me so much strength, grace, comfort and wisdom through this. Blessings to be sure. Many opportunities to share my witness and His love. It has not been easy, but I have been blessed. For this I give thanks.

Now we move on to a more expected form of teenage stress for a parent - anybody want to adopt an 18 year old female with a traffic ticket to pay and at least 5 more years of college. LOL.

Have a beautiful day - We are taking the Softball Princess late Friday night to meet her youth group on the ski trip. 5 hours drive - because she has a basketball game and can't leave when the rest of the crew does. I have been promised that the return trip on Saturday will include the ability to yell STOP when I see a junk, antique, or thrift store that might interest me.

Fun Stuff

Give me a little while but there will be several more pictures over at Jones Chapel Quilts. I wanted to share some of my mama's stuff here.

We met last night. My mama is sick, but she wanted to get out anyway. I could tell that she was pretty miserable, but you never stop being the mama and she tried to reassure me that she is "just fine". This is that icky nasty rotten cold stuff.

We had a show and tell night in addition to a cutting lesson and a beginning piecing lesson. I flitted about and took pictures and just generally bothered people.

I get my packrat tendencies from an honest source. Mom keeps everything.

Labels included. Look at this little wall hanging.

A row of houses. She had (still has some) old clothing labels. She has a fabric stash to rival anybody I know. Buttons too. She tells me all the time she is adding to the junk me and my sister will someday throw away.

The entire wall hanging is pieced from these tiny 1 inch squares. The labels are top stitched on. So freaking cute.


The Shirley label is a favorite - how long ago was it that many things were labeled MADE IN USA. Considering where our economy is right now - that labeling needs to return.

While I love this wall hanging. The picture below is the quilt top that is my all-time favorite of ones she has ever pieced. A scrappy state of Georgia. This will be my next hand quilt project.

Each of those squares is 2 inches. The layout is adapted from a cross stitch pattern. What do you think?

I hope all of you are having a wonderful day ----