Happy Mom's Day!

So, no update, no pictures...just a wish for a Happy Mom's Day to all!!

I just enjoyed a French toast and sausage breakfast from my son (who is now off to work - he's at a fancy restaurant in town and they need all hand on deck today - busiest day they have).

My mom is coming for dinner later, my husband will prepare. 

After paying bills and finishing up laundry, I am going to do nothing!!!

I will have an update soon...with pictures.

Hugs,
Sherry :o)

Long Time - No Post!

Hi everyone!

It feels like forever...I caught up on many of your blogs this past week or two...now to catch up on mine.

I have been working on the focus piece for Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild...Keep Me Sampler by Moira Blackburn.  It is supposed to be finished by June.  I have a bit more to go!

I am part of the Sampler World Snooty Parrots SAL on Facebook.  I am terribly behind the suggested schedule...but it has been a fun stitch so far.  I hope to hit this one hard after the focus sampler is done.

 Excuse the wrinkles in both!

What else...well, I have been trying to quilt now and again, and want to spend some time with my sewing machine this afternoon.  I got a new sewing machine earlier this year and am loving the time I am spending with it, albeit minuscule.  I am working my way up there...

It has been hectic at work.  I am still learning and still slow. 

It has also been hectic with family stuff.  Nothing I can speak of at this time, but needless to say, lots of prayers and thoughts need to be sent our way!

I took a bit of much needed "me" time yesterday.  My husband works afternoons and I usually have my evenings free...since he was home last week, my routine was a bit disrupted - in addition to much time on the phone with  my sister and researching on the computer things for her... 

so I did this:

(picture from the web...not me!)

And this:

(Yes those are my toes, blurry as they are)...

Bills and desk work done, dinner is planned.  Laundry is still calling my name, as well as a shower now that it's noon!  And then on to my sewing room.  I have to prepare for the Kindred Spirits auction next week, put some binding on a finished quilt to prepare for hand sewing it to the back and I really want to cut out a JoMorton quilt.  My ambition also wants to work on another quilt, but the realistic part of me - if I get the first three things done, I will be successful today!

Have a good week all!
Hugs,
Sherry :o)

Welcome 2014! Happy New Year!!

I have to admit, I was not awke to see 2014 arrive.  It's not my fault, really...  It's from watching a Breaking Bad marathon for a couple days.  I had not watched it while it was on over the past year or so; and my husband and I started watching it the other night in season two or three.  We missed a couple here and there, but watched all of season five on Monday - which ended at 3:18 a.m. Tuesday.  Yes, morning!  I stayed up - hook, line and sinker...so New Year's Eve I was pretty tired.  Now we have to watch it from start to end - seeing all of it - as soon as I find the DVD or check it out on Netflix or something like that...  Ended up asleep at about 10 p.m. on New Year's Eve.  I did wake up at 11:30 and asked if it was 2014 yet - husband replied no, I went back to sleep.

We did have black eyed peas for dinner tonight - for good luck! Cooked them in my new crock pot (from my mom for Christmas). 

My husband cooked steaks out on the charcoal grill (in quite a bit of snow and cold temps).  We had sauteed mushrooms, baked-herbed potatoes, wine, brussel sprouts.  Yep, those are minion napkins.  Santa put them in my husband's stocking - we both love the Despicable Me movies! 

Snow, I mentioned, well we woke up to a bit...and it kept snowing all day - off and on - to the tune of about six inches.  Pretty - I forgot to take a pic while it was daylight.  Glad I didn't have to drive to work.  In fact, other than a trip to the garage to the recycle bin and to the garage fridge, I didn't go out.

I started a new project for New Year's Day.  This is my progress thus far on A Yuletide Welcome by Plum Street Sampler.  Now mind you, I only started late this afternoon and will continue this evening so hopefully will have a bit more progress today.

I spent the better part of this morning working on notes from work...I go back tomorrow.  I am looking very forward to learning more so that I don't feel like a newbee.  Working in HR for the last twenty plus years, I have said to many a new employee to "give it some time", "you're new, you can't expect to know everything right away" but I don't like it when it's me.  LOL!  And if you think about it, I started the week of Thanksgiving with two days off, then had about one and a half weeks off now - I've only been there for about two and half weeks of learning time...not much time.  I am fortunate to have this wonderful opportunity and am ready to put on my 'big girl pants' and get to it!

May your 2014 be healthy, happy and full of fibers, linen, stitching, sewing - whatever tickles your fancy!  Me - I am looking forward to much quilting, stitching and reading a book or two - hopefully per month...

Thanks for being a follower (or a once in awhile reader), checking in with what is happening in my world!  I enjoy reading your blogs and even when I don't comment, I am keeping up with your stitching - sewing - knitting - reading - kids - spouse...and enjoy the blog world!

Happy! 
Hugs,
Sherry :o)

Belated Merry Christmas & Wishes For A Blessed 2014!!

The Saturday before Christmas brought my area of Michigan a tiny bit of ice.  It was very pretty in the morning....but sure put a tiggle (yes, made up word), in the Christmas prep errands.  After switching up the schedule a bit, I enjoyed looking at the pretty ice - it was gone by mid-afternoon and then came the slush!  Remember the rosebush this summer in all it's glory - I think it is equally as pretty iced up :o)

A shot of my tree out front -

Earlier this month, I enjoyed dinner with the bestest friends in the universe!  The dozen of us shared a meal, drinks and beautiful, stunning gifts; we draw names each year.   Robin was my person this year - I gave her this (along with coffee and chocolate - not photographed):

I can't remember the pattern or designer...I borrowed it from another in the group.  Sory about the reflection of the flash.  Robin has wanted this for awhile!

Remember the Jo Morton Club 2013 - well I did two of these - the other is screwed up a bit and I showed it earlier this year.  This one turned out nice...I knew Robin would like love it!

Pam's husband, Bill, made these floss holders...the acorn is oak and has beautiful grain!  We each received an acorn and our initial....thanks Bill!!  and Pam!  Such talent...

Janis drew my name.  I received this cool box - don't you just love boxes?  I have several from small to large and they all hold treasures.  The needle roll is wool and hand appliqued.  She did such nice job.  I also received the quilting ruler which will come in handy with all the miniature quilts I have been and will continue to make.  There was also chocolate but since some is already consumed, so I won't show a half empty box.

Here is a shot of the inside - it is filled with goodies, a snowman scissor minder, some Gingher thread nippers (their name - isn't that cool), needle threader and the center is a pin cushion - again, hand appliqued.  Certainly a treasure!

My family gathered for Christmas Eve celebrations with my sisters, their families and my mom.  Each year the sisters and their children pose for a snap on the stairs at my Mom's.  Then the grandchildren with my Mom...my son is at the top right...

Then we usually do family photos in front of the fireplace, along with a shot of Mom and us girls...not the best pic but the best that was on my camera!  Sometimes it gets a bit hectic - four cameras, several shots.  But it's fun and interesting to look back at the older pics.  We have been doing the kiddos with us three girls since Olivia was born ... over 20 years of photos (she's next to my son at the top).

I couldn't resist a snap of the cheeseball I brought - we all take food - Mom supplies the meat usually and us girls do the balance of the meal - appetizers, meal, dessert.  We certainly don't starve and have plenty to send home with everyone.  This was a hit - the older gals snap-chatted it.  And it was delicious...yum.

We had a quiet Christmas day; just my husband, son, Mom and myself for dinner.  We opened presents in the morning (just me, husband and son).  Here is a shot of the tree - after presents...I think Santa was pretty good to us this year.

The Santa dog in the front was for our dog, Cody.  He sure was into Christmas this year - sniffing around in bags prior to being wrapped, sniffing under the tree and then on Christmas morning, trying to get on each person's lap as they were opening gifts.   

 He was wore out after the gifts...but didn't let his Santa dog stay under the tree for long. He will add it to all the babies pictured behind him in the corner.

So I had indicated I was starting my new job in the last post.  I now have been there a month.  I love the people and I think I will like my job.  I am incredibly overwhelmed (as I expected to be) and hope that within the next couple months I start to feel like I know even a fraction of what I am supposed to do.  I feel I made the right move - things just came together at the right time!  I joined the company just before the Christmas party and guess what, I won a Macy's gift card - they had many prizes and each employee who attended received a ticket for random drawings that took place throughout the party. 

I feel blessed to have the new job, a family that is fairly healthy and great friends.  I wish all of my blog buddies and followers a very Happy New Year.  May 2014 bring you all you wish for.

I will close with this picture.  My son and husband both received hats from Santa...yes, my husband loves the one he received - you squeeze the ball his hand is on and the arms fling out.  My son received the Carhart hat with the promise of a much needed, warm coat for work (he's a porter at a car dealership), promised by Santa...Mom & Dad will take him shopping to try on and pick out.

Happy New Year!  Happy Stitching - be sure to do something that makes you smile each day!!

Hugs,
Sherry :o)

Checking In & A New Beginning

It's been a bit since I checked in with a blog post...been pretty busy!  I hope this finds all of my blog buddies doing well and ready for the Thanksgiving holiday, if you are here in the states!  I am spending the afternoon at my Mom's for Thanksgiving.  My sisters and their families will be there as well.  My son will go and has dibs on one of the turkey legs!  My Mom makes the turkey, dressing and mashed 'taters/gravy.  The rest is up to us three girls.  I am taking an appetizer, veggie and wine.  Should be a relaxing day and I am looking forward to hanging with everyone...we did get together to carve pumpkins but my son had to work that day and it's a busy time with carving, eating, games...Thanksgiving is much more relaxed.

Moira Blackburn's Keep Me Sampler - I have worked on this off and on.  I really love the flowers along the edge, inside border.  I am at the point that drew me to this sampler, the willow tree - it goes between the two hearts.  I have changed pretty much every fiber and have to decide on the fiber for the tree. 

I took a class offered through my sampler guild the end of October.  Catherine Theron was here for a couple days.  No Place Like Home Stitchery book as has a beginning.  The class was fun, went with a couple of my buddies!  Only bummer - Catherine was suffering from a migraine and for the first half of the class came in and out, while laying down.  I love hearing tips and techniques from teachers and we missed out about half a day.  

Here is the beginning of the back - the letters are over one and will be surrounded by grass...since it's on 32 count, the over one is not that bad.  I usually work on 40 or 36 count.

I received gift certificates from my stitching buddies for my birthday.  I went shopping Friday with Mary - the Dovo scissors and some of the fibers were what I selected with my certificate.  I also picked up a couple Blackbird patterns I had on hold, "chocolate raspberry" linen and the hot pink case is for my doo-dads.  My old one is not staying closed - and it is over 15 years old....time to replace. 

Work on Birds & Berries by JBW.  This is my "go-to" project if I want to stitch for a short period of time or if I am really tired.  It's all one fiber - very repetitive - although I have made a mistake or two...

With my other gift certificate, I picked up a couple of the items in this pic...the fabric is so luscious.  The charm squares are festive...

I have been quilting a bit.  The time change earlier this month took some getting used to.  I was wide awake at 4 for several mornings so I got up and cut half-square triangles.  I really hate the time change and it always takes me a day or two, but this year was a bit longer.  The only advantage, I received an extra hour of my 50th birthday!!

I went to Mary's to stitch with friends a couple weeks ago...always a good time.  It was a small group this time, but an awesome day! 

I will have a JoMorton finish to post next time, I hope.  It is sitting on the sewing machine awaiting binding. 

And now for the new beginning...a few posts ago I shared that things were starting to appear a bit shaky at work and I was pretty sure my days were numbered - well, I knew, without 100% confirmation, that it was only a matter of time as the payroll and 401(k) administration (for which I was solely responsible) was transferring to the new owners at the first of 2014, joining benefit administration that was moved this past summer.  I received confirmation the Tuesday before Halloween that I was to be laid off effective March 2014.   With knowing my days were numbered, I started looking for a new job.  I had time to be picky that way and could be a bit more selective.  I started interviewing the beginning of October.   The day before my boss told me of the layoff (and that we were telling 9 others that Thursday the same), I had an offer, which I accepted.   That next week I gave my two week notice and tomorrow I begin my new job.  I definitely took a step up - it's a much larger company...not family owned.  I will not be the only Human Resources person, which is a good thing!  I am excited and looking forward to this great opportunity.

Happy Thanksgiving - hope you spend time with people you love, doing things you love, peaceful!

Hugs,

Sherry :0)