CELEBRATE! Only a Few Hours to 2017!

Sorry I am so long getting my Christmas post up.  I have had computer issues and internet issues and putting the Christmas decorations away issues.

Finally, I am peacefully relaxing under my Terry quilt in my Edmond home, and I am ready to share my Christmas pics with you.  If you haven't already seen the latest video, here it is.  It spans three days, so expect it to be choppy and strange.

Loren cut out her pattern, and we got it P&P'd on her body, but that is as far as we got.  The guys wanted to go fishing or shoot their guns, and Lauren went with them.  Then there was the cooking and the eating and the bowling and the fact that they had to leave a day early.  

We did find out, MUCH TO MY DELIGHT, that Lauren and I have practically identical measurements.  She really liked the blue floral knit top I was wearing, so I just took it off and asked her to try it on.  It fit her perfectly, so I gave it to her.  So she did get a "new" blouse for Christmas.  It is the one I am wearing in the pic below. 

We were at Dollar General when I snapped this.  We were running up and down the aisles looking for half-price Christmas boxes.  It was so much fun!  There was another customer there who had arrived five minutes before we did.  She was there for Christmas boxes too.  Her name was Connie.  We kept comparing carts with each other and exchanging boxes.  

Lauren said, "How long have you known that lady, Grandma?"  I said, "ten seconds".  Some people just "click" with my personality, and we immediately talk like we've known each other for ages.

Other people see me coming, and they hide behind the tallest shelf in the store!

I left with a cart overflowing with boxes, and so did Connie.  Can't believe I didn't take a pic of that.

Our Christmas was on Monday night.  The kids arrived late because they had a long drive, and John stopped to use a gift card on his way.  The kids were so excited to leave their house to come to ours, they forgot our presents.  They felt really bad.  We'll get them next time they visit.

Here is a picture of me holding up the CUTEST dishtowels and potholders (by request) from my friend, Margaret.  She always says, "I have no idea what to get you."  I told her I was really easy, and my potholders were 20 years old and ragged.  She found the nicest ones I've ever seen, and I'm holding a couple of them up in this pic.  That adorable young man is my grandson, John.  He has on the jacket we gave him for Christmas.  

While we were working on Lauren's jacket pattern, she noticed my jewelry table and this pair of earrings I had made.  They are really cute Christmas earrings, but too big for me.  She put them on and said she loved them. 

They are hers now.  Sorry you can't see them very good.

This is a picture of Jerry just to show you how much fun we were having.  We laughed so much.  It is such a good feeling to be totally comfortable with your guests.  Notice his new waterproof boots.  We got John a pair of them, and he really liked them.  They were so cute walking around in their matching boots all weekend!  

The next day, we all drove to Sherman, TX to have dinner at Texas Roadhouse with Princess Di, her husband, Marty, and their son, Nick.  Another super good time and lots of laughs.

Here's a pic of us girls.  It is dark outside and we are standing under street lights, so pardon all the shadows.  Do you see the blouse Lauren is wearing under that jacket?  I was so pleased that she liked it.

And the following pic is of Jerry with John's little sister, Lindy.  We were at her house in Edmond on Christmas Day.  That was my Christmas miracle!  Not the picture, but to be with my daughter (Lindy's mother).  That is Lindy's kitty, Milo.  It is the only pic I took there.  Lindy left shortly after we arrived.

So that was it.  I put the rest of the decorations away this morning.  

I just washed the sheets to our bed here, and I've got to get them out of the dryer and onto the bed.  Hence, I must go for now.  I am in FAST INTERNET LAND again, so maybe I'll get some more videos made.  I had a special request for a tutorial.  ALSO, Phylly is coming tomorrow to spend the night and play all day Monday.  What a great way to break in a brand new year!

God bless you all, and I thank you for so many wonderful, nice comments this past year.  You have no idea how you "hold me up" through the tough times.  Special hug to you, Helga.  

I pray you have the best year of your life in 2017!

Hugs, Joy

Is Everyone Ready?

Hello everyone!

If you are like my friends -- super busy -- you probably haven't noticed I've been gone so long between posts.  I know all of us are finishing up last-minute preparations for Christmas.

I was sitting here on my bed looking at a new Craftsy class by Gail Yellen on Cover Stitch Machines, when I remembered I have a BLOG.

I KNOW!  My lightning fast mind.

Next to me, on the bed, is my very quiet, non-beeping, non-clicking, non-ringing cell phone.  No Marco Polos at all.  No texts at all.  It makes me sad.  I guess everyone is busy getting ready for Christmas.  The Cuatro Quilters have stopped quilting-in-common so all that fun has stopped.  Looks like it is me and Millie again.  Thank goodness, I have lots of charity quilts to put on her.

My hubby is at the other house checking on the new offices we added to our building in OKC.  I asked him to text me some pics of it as I haven't seen it.

I WAS going to spend the day with Terry tomorrow running to JoAnn's and various other stores, but found out it is going to rain ALL DAY and the next and the next.  That put a damper on that fun day because I don't want to do it in the rain and under cloudy skies.  I'm like Princess Di when it comes to that.  I am like a wilted flower on cloudy days.  I like sunshine.  After all, I grew up in Phoenix, AZ where you could fry an egg on the sidewalk.

I did do a VLOG last week.

Here it is if you haven't already seen it:

Christmas doesn't start for us until next Tuesday when my Grandson, John and his wife, Lauren come to stay for a few days.  It may not feel much like Christmas by then, but we will figure out something to do to fill up our days.  I asked Lauren if she would like to make a cape/jacket with me.  She said she would, and she really did enjoy sewing the cell phone stands last time she was here.  This is the pattern we are going to use:

I think it will be pretty easy since #1:  It SAYS it is easy, and #2: we will use fleece.  Actually, that is what I was going to get tomorrow since it takes almost 4 yards.  Maybe we will end up making vests as I probably have enough fleece on hand for that.

Going back to the Craftsy class.  I like to watch them right away in case I don't like them.  Then I can get my money back and go on to the next class.

If I don't get back before Christmas, PLEASE have a blessed, wonderful Christmas at your house.  I pray you get all you ever dreamed of in blessings, good health and happiness.

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Hugs, Joy

Happy, Merry ALMOST Christmas!

So MANY things going on.  I've been so busy, I haven't even thought about my BLOG and how far behind I am.

Last Friday, we had our first company Christmas lunch.  We went to Zio's.  It is an Italian restaurant with AMAZING apple pie that has a hot brandy sauce on top and ice cream on top of that!!!  WHY-OH-WHY didn't I take a picture of that!?

Only one employee didn't make it.  Evidently, somebody forgot to tell him about it.  GUESS WHO saved a seat for me?  You all remember her, I'm sure:

Yep!  It is PHYLLY!  We had SO MUCH FUN!  We started laughing the moment I sat down, and we never quit.  Next to Phylly was Sheila.  You HAVE to meet her!  The lighting was awful and most of the pics were too fuzzy to even fix.  I'll get her next year.  She laughs all the time too.

Everyone was in the best mood.  My husband was just going to hand the stack of bonus envelopes down the table and have people fish theirs out of the stack.  I said, "NO WAY!, Jose'"  Give them to me.  So I went down my side of the table passing out envelopes and giving hugs.  THEN, he decided he wanted to do the other side of the table and give his OWN hugs out.  WAY FUN!

On the right in the pic is Kodi.  Kodi was a teenager when we hired her to work a few hours a week. She has been with us 11 years now!  Everyone loves Kodi.  Especially, the customers!  The other lady is Kathy.  She just started a few weeks ago.  I had never met her.  I liked her immediately when I mentioned we needed pictures, and she JUMPED UP and ran to the end of the table and started snapping pics with her camera.   Unfortunately, they were all pretty fuzzy, and I can't use them.  She is personality-PLUS!

Here is ONE-HALF of Sheila.  Goodness.  The pics are just so fuzzy, this is the best I could do with all the other employees.  The guys were completely fuzzed up.  To the left of 1/2 Sheila is Misty.  To the left of Misty is Diane.  I had never met her before either.  On the end is our wonderful, sweet Carol.  Carol has quit at least twice, but she keeps coming back.  We all cry every time she says she is quitting and she takes pity on us and stays.  I think she is down to one day a week now.

Tomorrow is our Christmas lunch for the Kingston crew.  We are going to Chili's in Durant which is the most exciting place within driving distance down here.  I will TRY to get some pics, although it is difficult if there are other people within view of my lens.

After that, I will get ready for what MAY or MAY NOT happen this year with my family for Christmas.  I am hoping for a BIG TIME Christmas miracle, and I'm sure you can guess what that is.  Joel Osteen says to "pray BIG prayers", and I really am doing that.

Trust you all are enjoying your holidays and getting prepared for a FANTASTIC brand new year!  How wonderful that we keep getting "overs" on what we do with a brand new year.  I'm going to try really hard to not screw anything up this time.

JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON!

Hugs, Joy

Friendly Friday Hello!

Good morning my friends!

I am a happy girl this morning -- well, happier than usual -- because my hubby arrived last night.  We slept in until 7:30 this morning which is super late for him.  He is usually up at 5:00.  He said he really missed me while I was in Des Moines.  That is always good to hear.  (-:

I did not make it to JoAnn's yet, and I can't go today.  We have a funeral to attend at 2:00, and funeral attire isn't really comfortable for shopping a Joann's sale.  I will go tomorrow.

And to answer the question from the lady who thinks there is Brandy in my coffee:

No, just caffeine.  I am just a bubbly (some say "loud", some say "annoying") personality.  That is why I talk to cameras.  They do not care how I act or what I say.  No reaction.  Sometimes, when I talk to people, they look at me funny, and it makes me think I'm ugly or loud or fat or weird, or all of the above, lol.  So I just shut up and suck myself back inside.

Thank you, Helga, for your Christmas advice.  You are SO RIGHT.  My good friend, who also happens to be Jerry's first wife (she introduced us), lost her husband this week.  The funeral is today. This Christmas, she will not have her beloved husband of 40+ years in their home and in her life.  I will have mine.  I can't imagine a more wonderful blessing to celebrate our Lord's birthday for.

Remember the blouse I was making in my last video.  I was able to add the collar I was "seeing in my mind", and I am very pleased with it.  It took some figuring because the collar is a woven and the blouse is a knit, but I was able to do it.

Power Tools suggested I leave it plain, but I already have a lot of plain tops.  I wanted to experiment with something new.

It LOOKS LIKE I have a scarf on, but I don't.  And like most scarves that I remove before leaving the house because they drive me crazy moving around, this one STAYS PUT!

Time to go get ready for my day.

You all have a nice one, and I'll be back to show you how many things FALL into my cart when I go to JoAnn's to look for Terry's patterns.













Hugs, Joy

Home Again and VLOG About APQS Visit

Terry and I drove into my driveway about 4:30 yesterday.  Terry hurriedly pulled all of her things out of my car and packed them into her car, and she was off again to her home in Kingston.  I am still in Edmond due to some other events happening here.

I made a VLOG for you about our visit to APQS:

It is kind of crazy that now that I KNOW HOW TO USE QUILT PATH, I am at the house that doesn't have my longarm in it.  I can practice on Quilt Path though even without it being attached to the longarm, so I may do that.  I COULD make a quilt to take home and use to embed what I have learned in my brain.

MAYBE, I will do that.  I told Terry I might make another table scarf because that would be a fast project to learn with.

We shall see.

I tried to show Dawn my owls, but I couldn't figure out how to find them.  So I am putting them here in case she stops by, and for you, in case you didn't see my WONKY hang-up job.  The bar is too long.  I will have Jerry fix that when time permits, but for now, the bar just sticks out on one end.  PLAY LIKE you don't see it, okay?

I have to go.  Jerry will be here this afternoon, and this house needs some attention!  Being here only a few times a year leaves a lot to be addressed when I finally return.

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Hello from Des Moines, Iowa

Terry and I arrived at our hotel about 4:30 this afternoon.  We left my house at 7:40 AM.  It was a loooooong drive and a lot of it in very overcast skies and rain.  Thank God, Terry still sees real good and she drove the rainy part.

About five miles away from here my car started flashing the "Low Air in Tires" signal.  My car had just been serviced and the tires had been checked -- supposedly.  When we got to a gas station where we could check, each tire was 10 pounds low.  It is quite a bit colder here, so I don't know if that is what caused it or not.

Anyway, Terry knew exactly what to do.

Terry parked under the entryway and stayed with my car while I went into the hotel to check in.  A young man (I think) who had a shaggy beard and a mustache that grew only on the sides of his upper lip and then curled down inside his mouth waited on me.  I couldn't see his mouth much, but his mustache moved when he talked.

I asked him if there was a restaurant close by.

He said, "You just passed one!"

Terry and I drove past a place that said Farmer's Tools or Farmer's Mercantile -- Farmer's something.  It looked like you might be able to buy a tractor or a rake there.

I asked him what the name of it was.  He said it was "The Machine Shed".

I said, "The WHAT?"

His mustache moved rather nervously as he murmured something about it being a good restaurant, and he reached under the counter and pulled out a large tri-fold menu and shoved it across the counter toward me.  Sure enough.  It was "The Machine Shed".

Since it was quite dark and still rainy outside, we decided to try the place for dinner.  We entered through the side door which led us into a mostly vacant bar.  I thought, "This is a weird restaurant."

We asked someone inside if it was a restaurant, and some person took pity on us and directed us through the bar and  to the counter that was inside the FRONT door that we should have come in.  We still didn't see a restaurant.  It turned out to be down the hall and around the corner.

Hardly anyone was there except for a party of about 8 or 10 at a big round table in the corner.  It was someone's birthday at that table, and the people at it started singing "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, ...." but they sang it sooooooo slooooooooooow and so loooooooooow it sounded like a funeral dirge.  It was the somberest birthday party I ever saw.

Our table was large.  We noticed that on the end of every table there were two small upside down mason jars.  We thought they were decorations to go along with the farmer theme.  A young girl dressed like a farmer in a red and white checked shirt and dark blue overalls came to our table.  She put down a metal pitcher full of ice and water, and then she left.  Terry and I decided the pitcher MUST be to fill the two little jars with, so we did.

And we kept filling them, over and over and over.  The water was really good though.  The funny thing is, we decided everything was going to be tiny, because of the tiny cups, but THEN....

We got our dinner.  Check this out!

The little waitress kept bringing us extra stuff.  She brought coleslaw and homemade applesauce that had sliced apples (YUM!) and some kind of spice cake and rolls.  Terry and I honestly could have ordered one dish and shared it.  I left most of mine there.  WAAAAAAAAAAY too much!  I decided they HAD to give us tiny glasses or they wouldn't be able to fit the food on the table!

Now, we are each in our separate beds in the hotel room and each of us have our laptops on our laps.  Life is good, and we are happy.  Tomorrow at 9:30 our classes start.  We are excited.  Unless it is against the APQS law for me to take pics, I certainly will take some.  It is only five minutes away, but we will probably give ourselves 30 minutes to be sure we find it.

Have a great week, my friends, and I'll be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Hi everyone,

Don't faint!!!

Two posts in two days.

WHAT is going on???

Well, I wish I knew.

My usually very chatty friends have suddenly disappeared from my messages and Marco Polo.  Why is it that when that happens, I feel like I've done something wrong?

Oh, wait!

I know!

It is because most of my family has disowned me for some infraction they think occurred; so I automatically think I've done something wrong when my friends go silent, if only for a day.

I did see Terry and two of her grand dolls today.  McKinley and Riley were visiting and having a wonderful time.  Reminds me of the days when my grandchildren actually loved being with us.  I thought it would always be that way, but the world is a cruel master and it pulls the hearts of our loved ones away from us.  Kids are selfish and they forget all you did for them when they were growing up.  

I know a lot of my readers are in the same boat. Sad and hurtful, isn't it?

We were invited to our friends' home in Ozark, MO for Thanksgiving, but because of our sudden, unexpected trip to Des Moines and new construction at our OKC store, we had to cancel that.  We will go to Terry's for Thanksgiving.  We are taking the turkey.

Then Terry and I leave Sunday morning for the 7 1/2 hour drive to Des Moines for two days of Quilt Path classes at APQS (the company that made my longarm and the Quilt Path software).

So, that is what I'll be doing this coming week.  Would love to make some new tops for winter, but I can't seem to find the time with me working at the store and practicing Quilt Path every spare moment I get.  Someday soon though.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I always am excited to watch the service live from Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX.  It is a highlight in my week for sure.

God bless you all!   
Hugs, Joy

Quilt Path Success!

FINALLY!

A day spent with my new Quilt Path computer when the computer didn't QUIT for some reason.

It is really a lot of fun, and I think it would be very easy to learn with a good teacher.  Hence, Terry and I are driving to Des Moines right after Thanksgiving for two days of lessons.  I dread the long drive, but I haven't figured out to move Des Moines closer to us.

We are SO excited!  I'm hoping that I can help people myself someday so they don't have to wait hours for an answer when they are in the middle of a project.

I took a day off Wednesday so Terry and I could finally get together to learn the Quilt Path.  I was teaching her the few little things I know so far.  I was using the stylus that comes with it because I thought I was supposed to use it.  The installer told me to hang it on the side of the Quilt Path because I needed to use it, so I assumed I was supposed to use it. So I told Terry that she needed to use it.  We were right in the middle of putting a pantograph together when the Quilt Path FROZE.  We pushed all over the place with the stylus and NOTHING.

Since it had done this three times in the past (as I blogged about earlier), I assumed it was the "reinstall the drivers" thing again.

Terry suggested we turn off everything and even unplug it from the wall.  We did that a couple of times.  Still, nothing.  I don't have much time to make quilts these days and neither does Terry, and that is the ONLY reason I bought this expensive device to start with!  So when the Quilt Path decided to freeze, we were both quite unhappy.

I posted on the Quilt Path Group, but nobody knew the answer.  I called the only person I knew to call, but she was busy teaching classes.  That was very frustrating because when you are in the middle of a project, you need help RIGHT THEN.  

About two hours later, I received a phone call from the amazing Angela Clark.  She really is good at figuring out what is wrong.  She came to the conclusion that it was a DEAD BATTERY in the stylus.  Who would ever have thought of that?  NOT ME!  It is less than a month old.

She told me I didn't need it anyway.  I could use my finger.  Duh!  That was nice to know.  Evidently, the stylus really is needed but it is for more advanced areas of Quilt Path.  Terry had to leave, so she wasn't able to do the quilt she had ready.

So today came.  This is Friday.  I was able to stay home today.  I decided to try again to complete a quilt top with my new Quilt Path.  I called Terry first, and she said she had time to come over and do a baby quilt.  Quilt Path was friendly and cooperated -- YAY!  Unfortunately, I didn't think to take pics of her quilt.  It was really cute too.  She left, and I put on the second Dinosaur quilt top.

I did take some pics of it.  Remember, I make the tops and cut the bindings and send them to Diana.  She LIKES to do bindings, so she sews the bindings on.  Then they are delivered to the Casa House to be given to the kids.

This is the top without a binding:

Here is the back.

Diana has already bound the turtle quilts and the alien quilt.  She finished the binding on the back by hand.  She really does a great job.  Her son, Nick, is holding up the aliens to show me the binding.

 

Time for bed, so I better turn out the lights.  Jerry is pretending to watch TV, but his eyes are closed.

Be back soon with more charity quilts and more information about the Quilt Path.

Hugs, Joy

New Computer and Quilts Being Made

Hey Everyone!

I don't know how so much time goes by between my blog posts.  I think I'm spending a lot more time making videos these days, so I feel like I have blogged, but I really haven't.

So here is the video made just this morning talking about the Dinosaur quilts I'm making for charity.

In that video I promised you a picture of Princess Di at the Country Kitchen here in Kingston, OK where we ate on Saturday after she did my hair.

She was so adorable sitting there with all those animals above her head!

We went to our store after we ate because I wanted to show Di all of my quilts there.

(For my reader that asked me what kind of store we have, it is a medical equipment store.)

She had a fit over the quilts hanging on the walls there.  She said she couldn't believe I had not shown them all TO YOU.  I guess I didn't realize I hadn't shown them all to you.  So hard to get good lighting once they are hung in a permanent spot.  One of these days, maybe I'll take some lights in and photograph them.

And here is the video I made a few days ago in case you haven't seen it yet.  It is the one where I decided I am going to LOVE my new Quilt Path computer, so I'm changing her name from Godzilla to Gracie.

And have you seen this one yet?  I show you the first quilt I made all by myself with the new computer.  This is so cute and colorful.

So those three videos are UPSIDE DOWN in the order I made them, so you can start at the bottom if you don't want to get all mixed up, lol.

Time for me to study Quilt Path some more.  Terry is FINALLY coming over Wednesday so I can show her what I know SO FAR!

We are going to take classes in Des Moines, IA in a few weeks, and we are SO, SO, SO EXCITED!

We will be SO SMART when we get back home.  I hope to be able to draw my own designs and have Quilt Path sew them out.

Have a fabulous week.

Hugs, Joy

Friday Night VLOG - Jamie Wallen - Lots of Videos

Hello my sweet internet family!

I seem to find it easier to make short videos (VLOG's) these days, so let me show you the one I made last night.

Here it is:

I seem to still have several Blog followers that don't follow my Youtube channel, so just in case you haven't seen these already, here are links to all the videos I haven't shown you here on my Blog.

I'm not sure these are in the proper order, but I tried.  If you have already seen them, just come back next time and see how I do a binding.

Also going to make some Sure-fit Design tops!  I miss doing that.

If you are only seeing my videos here -- and you CARE -- you can simply push the "Youtube" link at the bottom of any video and choose to "subscribe" when you get there.  Then you will always get an email when I make a new video.

I'm not sure you have seen the "elephant shirt" video either.  Here it is:

It is Saturday, and I have the whole day to play by myself in my quilt room.  I am finishing the LAST block of my Edyta Sitar seasons quilt right now.  (First video up above.)

THEN, I will cut the sashings.

THEN, I will cut the borders.

THEN, I will do a tutorial on how I do bindings for those of you who have asked me to do that.

Have a FABULOUS Fall weekend, and I will do the same.

Hugs, Joy

Quilt Computer Install and Love Lit Diamonds

Hi everyone!

You say you want to know about my Quilt Path installation yesterday.

Well, the truth is, I have had better days.  The lady came without some of the tools she needed.  I had to go over to Jerry's barn to get some for her.  She told me we had just made things too tight, or she wouldn't NEED those tools.  With the proper wrench, the task was very simple and quick.

I asked questions she didn't know the answer to, and she had trouble with the software.  I was nearly in tears because it was a long time wasted, but fought them back.

Then she guffawed at the way I was loading my quilt, and informed me that SHE did it VERY different.  I was nice and asked her to show me HER way.  I thought HER way was fast and sloppy.  I wanted to fix it so my quilt/batting/back were straight and even and the pins were end-to-end the way I like them, but she seemed to be in a huge hurry to leave.  She didn't think it was necessary to even center any of the layers.  I wanted to be sure I got that quilt done because she had promised me we would do it, so I didn't argue with her.

She arrived at 10:30 in the morning, and she left at 3:30.  I sure wouldn't call that a whole day.  Plus, we took a break for lunch that I fixed.  That is LESS than five hours for $500.  She had to drive 4 hours to and from my house, but I can't help where she lives and that she is the ONLY Oklahoma sales rep.  She chooses to do that.  I told her before she came that she was welcome to spend the night.

Maybe all installs are like that.  I can only talk about this one.

She did say I could call her as she was driving, but I could have done that anyway.  Customer service is supposed to be the big PLUS with APQS.

OTHER THAN ALL OF THAT, I am happy with the Quilt Path, and I intend to learn EVERYTHING it does.  I still have to arrange all the cords and wires because she thought I should do that myself.  I'll get Jerry to help me as he excels at massive wire confusion.

The good news is Love Lit Diamonds is all done except for binding, and it was done using the Quilt Path.  The panto on it is called Damask, and the installer actually told me about it.  I do appreciate the time she took to tell me about that and how to get it.

Here is a picture of it:

So the Cuatro Quilters adventure is OVER!

Sadly, it was a journey without a perfect ending.

I have found all through my life that the ONLY way any two people can remain friends -- as in marriage -- is to FORGIVE, FORGIVE, FORGIVE.

Get over the bad stuff, and dwell on the good stuff.

Tell the truth.

Believe in each other.

Trust each other.

Defend each other.

And ALWAYS be willing to say "I'm sorry".

Love Lit Diamonds will forever be a quilt with the hearts of four friends intertwined -- if only for a few short months.  I truly love each of them, and I will cherish this quilt until it is thread bare.

Hubby is home!

Be back soon with Quilt Path stuff.  Have to work tomorrow though.

Hugs, Joy

No Lunch at Applebee's, New Outfit and SFD Blouse

My lightning fast mind realized this morning that I am in "Fast Internet Land", and I can actually upload a video in just a few minutes.

Unfortunately, I didn't have much to tell you.  I wanted to show you my cute new outfit from JC Penney's and my latest cotton blouse, which is no big deal.  Just new.  Sure-fit Designs, of course.

Here it is:

I WAS going to go back to JCP to get the turquoise version of this outfit, BUT Applebee's decided to starve us today.  FIRST -- and this should have been a big clue -- the front door was locked!  We had to walk around to the other door to get in.  We told a guy inside that the door was locked, and he told some girl "the door is STILL locked", as though he had already told her once.

Then we sat in our assigned booth and Mike came over to wait on us.  I ordered from the picture of a yummy-looking pork chop, green beans and sweet potatoes.  Margaret ordered a salad.  THIRTY MINUTES LATER, we still had no dinner.

I decided to motion to Mike and ask him if he might know the whereabouts of our dinner.  He told me it would be right out, and the Manager would bring it.  TEN MORE MINUTES later, Mike came back to our table to inquire as to whether or not our meals had arrived -- which OBVIOUSLY, had not!

Mike went somewhere and returned again.  He told us he was terribly sorry, but he had NEGLECTED to put our orders in.  He wanted to know if we STILL wanted to eat!  Of course, we still wanted to eat, but we didn't have enough time.  We decided it shouldn't take too long for them to bring us a salad.  Evidently, it would take too long, because the manager came back and wanted to know if she could bring us some soup.  Margaret told them to FORGET the salads and just bring us some soup.  The soup eventually arrived, but it was in a tiny bowl.  I could have eaten three times as much!  There was no charge, so we just ate it and left.  I came back home to fix myself some more lunch, so I never made it to JCP.

We certainly won't be going back to Applebee's!  I hate that because it used to be our favorite place to go.

I am now going to go back to my sewing room and finish the blue blouse you saw in the video.  I decided on the blue buttons.

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Love Lit Diamonds and My Latest Purchase

I can't believe an entire week has gone by since Jolene was here.  It was the funnest of times, and I am already looking forward to the next time she comes.  Jolene thinks driving to an airport, taking a two-hour flight plus a two-hour drive is NO BIG DEAL.  She can do it any time!  I wish I could be that easy-going and relaxed.  I've been planning for weeks just to come to our other house, which is where I am right now.

I have something NEW and EXCITING to tell you about!

I received my Quilt Path Computer this week.  On October 19th, Brenda Shreve from Barnsdall, OK is coming to my Kingston home to install it and show me how to use it.  She promised I will be quilting with it BEFORE she leaves that day.

Here is a little video about it if you are at all interested:

The first quilt I am going to do with it is my Friendship Swap quilt that I have named:  Love Lit Diamonds.

Following will be the charity quilts for the little boys I told you about.

If my phone wasn't currently in my husband's truck, and my husband's truck wasn't currently at our OKC store, I would show you a picture of Love Lit Diamonds.  It seems to have lights flickering in it.  It really is quite pretty and unusual.

I did not have a pattern for the quilt.  I found this picture of a granny holding up a completed quilt.  I STILL have not found a pattern for it which I really needed because I could not figure out which way to press the seams.  I ended up pressing them all OPEN because I could not make them work otherwise.

I printed out this picture, and I drew around what I decided the block must be.  By some miracle, it turned out great.  I would really like to know how it should have been pressed though.

My friend, Jolene, gave my husband some pretty blue batik fabric for his birthday and informed me that I was to use my Sure-fit Designs to make him a shirt.  I told her Jerry wouldn't wear a shirt I made him, and Jerry piped up and said he certainly would wear it.  SOOOOOOOOOOOO, while I am up here this week, I may work on that project.  Only problem is, I didn't bring the fabric, but I can start with a muslin.

And guess WHO I am having lunch with tomorrow!?

You all remember her, I'm sure.  Princess Di and Jolene mention her all the time.  She is in a lot of my older videos.  Her name is Phyllis, but I call her Phylly.  I bet she will have on something gorgeous that she has made, and I will get the clothes-making but again.  Funny, I met her in an internet quilt group, and I don't think she has made a quilt since then!  I'll be seeing Margaret sometime this week too.

I would like to say that my new Administrative Assistant at the Kingston store is FAB-U-LOUS!  We get along so well, and she is doing an amazing job.  Praise God that my awful fears were just a waste of perfectly good time, and things at our store are better than they have ever been.  Turns out that was exactly the message of Pastor Hagee this morning.  I don't know WHY I fight change so much.  I've always been most comfortable with rules, schedules and routine.

I think I'll go check out the Sure-fit Designs men's shirt kit.

Have a fabulous week my friends.

Hugs, Joy

Cuatro Quilters Gather and We Add One More

Good morning everyone!

I am sorry I haven't had much time for blogging lately.  SO MUCH going on at work and at home -- all good -- but hard to break away for my hobbies lately.

This past weekend was SURPRISES ALL AROUND!  Jerry's 70th birthday and a visit from Jolene made it a thrill-a-minute ride that kept us either laughing or crying all weekend long.

I did make three videos of various parts of the weekend that you may have already seen.  Just in case, I will put them here for you to see.

#1:  Jolene and I are alone on the patio discussing plans to meet the other girls.

#2:  We are gathered in the kitchen the morning of the surprise dinner at Texas Roadhouse, and I am teaching Lauren how to use the video camera just in case I am not there at the restaurant table before Jolene gets there.  Jerry is SURE something is going to go wrong!  Then the big reveal.

#3:  The next day when all of the Cuatro Quilters gather in my sewing room, and we add one more, making it the Cinco Quilters!  We all adore the new addition even though she hasn't started her first quilt yet.

Someone commented about "poor Jerry". " It was HIS birthday."

Jerry's birthday was Friday night.  We had a great celebration here at home for him.  The Saturday night dinner always was about Jolene coming from Florida.  We just used Jerry's birthday for the disguise.  Jerry enjoyed the entire weekend just as much as the rest of us.  He had John to fish with while we girls played.  PERFECT!

And I have BIG NEWS on top of all that for you, so come back.

Have to get showered, slap a face on and get to work.

Hugs, Joy

Sunday Chat

Hello everyone!

Went to our "old" church this morning on the internet and listened to Duane Sheriff.  He is such an excellent teacher.  His sermon today was Money Matters.  WOW!  Everyone in the whole wide world needs to hear it.  He said something about a verse in the Bible I had never heard, and I can't believe he caught the meaning of it.  He was talking about the rich young ruler and why Jesus told him to sell all his positions.

Matthew 19:17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

Duane said that Jesus was trying to see if the man realized that He (Jesus) WAS God, and that He (Jesus) was the only way he (the young ruler) could be saved.

I sure never understood that was the meaning of what Jesus said to him.  Makes perfect sense!

I have been so busy at work and at home that I haven't had much time for blogging.  I DID make a video I'm not sure I have put here yet.  Let me check that ....

Looks like I haven't posted it yet, so here it is.  It shows all my fun new fabric to make quilts for little boys who don't have a home.  How sad is that?

If I was younger, and there was a guarantee I could keep them, I would take at least two of them.

I have only two blocks left to put together in order to finish my Friendship Swap half-square triangle quilt.  Those are the blocks you see in the picture above.  I'll show you -- of course -- when I get the top done.  I may need your advice about borders -- if any.

Some of you may remember my birthday a few years back when Jerry bought me a new Fossil watch.  Shortly thereafter, I bought another one from Amazon because I wanted one silver and one gold.  I love them both and wear one or the other every day.  Well, they both decided to croak and not tell time anymore.  We went to buy groceries today at our faraway shopping Mall in Sherman, TX, and there is a Penney's there.

We took the two watches INTO Penney's, and we left with NO watches!

I don't know if the guy broke them when he took the backs off, or what.  THREE people worked on them, and none of them could get the back on again.  I had to leave them for person #4 who is supposed to be at work tomorrow.  The very nice young man, Austin, who worked on the watches for a very long time -- nearly an hour -- assured me that person #4 will make it right.  I assume that will involve sending the watches to Fossil.  I don't know.

I have been very frustrated over having to work so many hours.  It appears that Candi may not be returning as planned since she is still in so much pain she cannot sleep.  It is so sad for her, but puts me in a position to need more help.  I'm praying God gives me wisdom and all the answers.  He always does.

Won't keep you.  Gonna go make those last two blocks since my weekend is passing quickly.  Very happy to have some groceries in the frig, freezer and cupboard.

Have a fabulous early Fall week.

I'll be back soon with SOMETHING to show you.

Hugs, Joy

Jesus Inhabits Your Praises!

Awesome sermon again -- as always -- from Matt Hagee this morning.

One thing, that I know, but he said it today, is that Jesus inhabits the praises of HIS people!

My friends, why don't you try it?  Do it with me today.

I PROMISE YOU, you will feel HIS presence.  The heaviness will lift from your heart and you will feel peace and joy squeezing in between all the hurts and pains and frustrations of this life.

WHO do I think I am?

HOW can I say such a thing?

Because I am HIS, and I know His promises because I know his Word.  I have done this so many times.  If it wasn't for my ability to do this, I would be lost in endless sorrow, hurt, sadness and depression.  It would flood my heart and mind and make me a worthless vessel that God cannot use.

What I do is get in an "all by myself" space in the house.  I turn on my praise music.  If you don't have any, I HIGHLY recommend Matthew Hagee's CD's, but there are many others.

I close my eyes, I lift my arms, and I move my feet.  I love to swirl and turn.  I lift my head to Heaven and I tell God how much I adore Him and His Son.  I thank Jesus for the grueling sacrifice He made of His own free will JUST so I can have a personal relationship with Him today -- 2,000 years later -- and I can go to Heaven to be with Him when I die.

Sometimes, I just lay on the floor in total submission to Him, and I ask Him to fill me with wisdom and knowledge which can only come from Him.  The Bible says that, so I believe it.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Think about this.

As a parent, what does it mean to you to have appreciation and adoration from your children?  What would you NOT do for them if they just asked as they lived according to the way you brought them up and appreciated all your input and sacrifice and knowledge into their lives.

A different story, of course, when children choose a completely different belief system and jump right into the arms of what the Bible calls "the world".  Like America.  America wants to forget God.  God will allow it.  But His hands are totally tied because He has given us freedom of choice.  And WHY, OH WHY do so many people make the WRONG CHOICES.  For instance:  Murdering an innocent baby in the womb is "a choice"?

So, let's all remember almighty God on this beautiful Sunday, and let's beg for His forgiveness and grace and mercy on America, and the wisdom for Americans to make the right choice in the coming election.

Gotta get!

My new cleaning lady, Charlotte, is coming for the first time tomorrow.  I have to clean my house before she gets here!

Have a lovely week.

Hugs, Joy

A New Venture and Stuff Di Made Me Buy (-;

Hello everyone!

Hopefully, all of you know I have a video channel on You Tube, and you can watch my videos there whether I plug them in here for you or not.

Here is the latest one that I made in case you have not already seen it.  You can find out about my latest adventure.

This Friday, Terry and I are driving to Quilt Country in Lewisville, TX where I purchased my longarm back in 2006 from Connie Keller.  She is an APQS dealer, and she has lots of longarms in her studio.  She is going to show us the APQS Quilt Path computer.

After we see that, we are heading over to Mark and Joy's house for a demo on the Intelliquilter.  I have no idea who Mark and Joy are, but she HAS to be nice with the same name as me -- don't you think!?

I just got home from work a while ago, folded some clothes, wrapped a birthday present and packed it for shipping, and I am going to watch You Tube computer videos now.  Not the funnest thing to do, but I need to know what the difference is between the two computers

If any of you know about them, please comment.

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Warning! Sermon Follows. Owl Quilt Video at End.

Church was just over.  Pastor Hagee is still talking about end times and went through the entire book of The Revelation in fast motion.

I wish -- and I pray -- and it is my heart's most earnest desire -- that EVERYONE could know the truth of God's word.

Hagee preached it fast and hard this morning because time may be very short before The Revelation fully unfurls its ugliness into our lives.  Hagee believes that Christians will be raptured before the worst of it, but other preachers teach differently.  Only God knows as my dear blog friends always point out.

Hagee talked about something today that has been my "sermon" since I was a child.  It is one of the main reasons that family members -- Christian family members -- and friends -- Christian friends -- are turned off by me and run for the hills if I bring this up.

I have lost more than one good friend because of my refusal to watch filth coming from their TV, and I walked out of their home.

So, I warn you, here it comes again!  THE sermon.  And remember.  It was also Hagee's sermon today.  Go to www.getv.org if you would like to hear it for yourselves.  It will be in the archives after today.  The date is 8-28-16.

There are only TWO FORCES in this world:  GOOD and EVIL.  You should have learned that from Star Wars if you don't know the Bible.

The God of "GOOD" is Jesus.

The God of "EVIL" is Satan.

The lovers of Satan and his world have become so deceived that they don't even realize they have GIVEN HIM PERMISSION to ruin their lives, their children's lives, their health, their well-being, and on and on it goes.

HOW????

By bringing his literature -- his movies -- his books -- his statues -- his speech -- his attitudes -- right into their homes.  Examples:  Harry Potter.  Exorcist.  Almost every movie.  Pornography.  Television!!!!!!!

I have gotten onto very close loved ones about this very thing, and they just gafaw and act like I'm a mean, horrible, judgmental witch for even thinking such a thing -- NEVER MIND, telling them they need to REMOVE all of the books, movies, garments, posters and all other objects from the world of EVIL from their homes and never allow them in again.  I assure you, they prefer to REMOVE ME and keep me removed!

This includes Satan's high holiday:  Halloween.  I met someone new the other day, and she told me her favorite holiday is Halloween.  It is just ignorance, I know, but I wanted to scream, "NOOOOOO!"

Sooooooooooooo, for the one or two of you that are still here, let me ask you to please just go to God yourselves, and ask Him for a revelation in your heart and mind of how He feels about these things.  Remember, God shares his glory with NOBODY!  He is a very jealous God.  He wants your total love, worship and loyalty.  Not much to ask from your creator!

Gotta run.  I have finished the owl quilt.  If you haven't seen the video, here it is:

Have a very blessed week.  Count your many blessings and be a blessing whenever God gives you the opportunity.

I intend to.

Hugs, Joy

Warning! Sermon Follows. Owl Quilt Video at End.

Church was just over.  Pastor Hagee is still talking about end times and went through the entire book of The Revelation in fast motion.

I wish -- and I pray -- and it is my heart's most earnest desire -- that EVERYONE could know the truth of God's word.

Hagee preached it fast and hard this morning because time may be very short before The Revelation fully unfurls its ugliness into our lives.  Hagee believes that Christians will be raptured before the worst of it, but other preachers teach differently.  Only God knows as my dear blog friends always point out.

Hagee talked about something today that has been my "sermon" since I was a child.  It is one of the main reasons that family members -- Christian family members -- and friends -- Christian friends -- are turned off by me and run for the hills if I bring this up.

I have lost more than one good friend because of my refusal to watch filth coming from their TV, and I walked out of their home.

So, I warn you, here it comes again!  THE sermon.  And remember.  It was also Hagee's sermon today.  Go to www.getv.org if you would like to hear it for yourselves.  It will be in the archives after today.  The date is 8-28-16.

There are only TWO FORCES in this world:  GOOD and EVIL.  You should have learned that from Star Wars if you don't know the Bible.

The God of "GOOD" is Jesus.

The God of "EVIL" is Satan.

The lovers of Satan and his world have become so deceived that they don't even realize they have GIVEN HIM PERMISSION to ruin their lives, their children's lives, their health, their well-being, and on and on it goes.

HOW????

By bringing his literature -- his movies -- his books -- his statues -- his speech -- his attitudes -- right into their homes.  Examples:  Harry Potter.  Exorcist.  Almost every movie.  Pornography.  

I have gotten onto very close loved ones about this very thing, and they just gafaw and act like I'm a mean, horrible, judgmental witch for even thinking such a thing -- NEVER MIND, telling them they need to REMOVE all of the books, movies, garments, posters and all other objects from the world of EVIL from their homes and never allow them in again.  I assure you, they prefer to REMOVE ME and keep me removed!

This includes Satan's high holiday:  Halloween.  I met someone new the other day, and she told me her favorite holiday is Halloween.  It is just ignorance, I know, but I wanted to scream, "NOOOOOO!"

Sooooooooooooo, for the one or two of you that are still here, let me ask you to please just go to God yourselves, and ask Him for a revelation in your heart and mind of how He feels about these things.  Remember, God shares his glory with NOBODY!  He is a very jealous God.  He wants your total love, worship and loyalty.  Not much to ask from your creator!

Gotta run.  I have finished the owl quilt.  If you haven't seen the video, here it is:

Have a very blessed week.  Count your many blessings and be a blessing whenever God gives you the opportunity.

I intend to.

Hugs, Joy

Princes Di, Owls, and a Sew-Along w/Peggy

Hey Everyone!

How are you all doing?

I am at work, but since I am the boss, I decided I could spend a quick 10 minutes while I eat my dessert to do a quick blogpost.

Not much to tell you since I already said it in these two videos.

Check them out.

So I really have to get back to work now.  

I have several applications to review and interviews to schedule.  We shall see who wants Jacobi's job.

Be back soon!  And isn't Princess Di the cutest thing ever!?

Hugs, Joy

Sunday and Birthday Surprises from Jolene

Hi Everyone!

The weather down here in Southern Oklahoma is LOVELY today.  I swang on the back porch for over an hour just enjoying the coolness.  I was TRYING to clear my mind and fill it up with something else, so I took out a spiral bound steno pad to doodle on.  My doodling looked as confused and sad as my mind has been since yesterday.

But THEN:
Alooooooooong came Jo-le, ee, ene!  (Remember the song?)

She "untied me from the railroad track" and gave me something to smile about.  She told me she was going to make me smile today, and she did.  I was truly grateful too because I expected all my friends to tell me to take a flying leap into the Big Baby Crib because I am just too hard to please -- expecting people to call me when they aren't going to show up when they said they would.

So anyway, let's HAPPY THIS UP, and I'll show you the wonderful gifts I got from Jolene for my birthday which was August 4th.  She told me they would be late, BUT worth waiting for.  She was right!

You know -- if you read my blog much -- that I have been making Mug Rugs for the last several months since the Serg-a-Thon that Di and Deb came to.

Here are the ones I made for Di and Deb:

 And I made this one for my Mom on Mother's Day:

I was DEElighted to receive one of my very own from Jolene that about blew my socks off!

You may recall that Jolene just took 2nd place in the Hoffman Challenge quilt contest.  She is REALLY good!  I made a mug rug for her too to celebrate her win, but I didn't get a picture of it.

Here is the mug rug she made for me. Those are 1/4" half square triangles!  Yikes!

I love it, and I am using it on my nightstand.  I have had a paper napkin there for 18 years!  This sure is a whole lot prettier.  Diana pointed out that the "J" looks like a butterfly, and it does.

Do you all remember Erma Bombeck?  She was a real funny lady who got cancer and died way too young. She wrote an article before she died about all the things she WISHED she had done differently.  One of them was she wished she had USED all the pretty things she had bought or that people had given her that she put away inside a cupboard because they were TOO NICE to use.

That really touched me.  I am using my pretty gifts!

Jolene included two patterns for this so Terry and I can both make it.  Hopefully, we will have a play day again SOMEday.  Terry is always SO BUSY!  Look at this teeny-tiny-itsy-bitsy paper-piecing pattern!!!  I may just have to start without Terry.  I want to try it.

She also bought me two things that I have wanted for a looooooooooooooong time, but I have been waiting for them to go on sale.  I don't think they ever will.

I was so surprised to see these!  They go with my Accu-Quilt cutter.  Remember the one that Terry and I bought?

And, of course a pattern to use those on.  This is a table runner, and I really like it.  I will make one soon.

And this wasn't a birthday present, but I want to show it to you.

As you know, Terry, Jolene, Diana and I are the Cuatro Quilters participating in a Friendship Swap of 720 Half Square Triangle Blocks.  I asked the three girls to please make me a little label/sign to put in my quilt.  This is the first one I recieved.  It is so pretty on that fancy fabric.  I want to know WHERE to get some like that.  Don't know if it is a printed fabric or software that you print out your own labels with.  I'm sure one of my readers will let me know, and thank you in advance!

I want to color it.  Wonder if Jolene would mind.  I need a coloring project to concentrate on.

Have a fabulous, wonderful, blessed, happy week, my friends, and count your many blessings every day! Something GOOD is about to happen!

Hugs, Joy