Thanksgiving Blessings

As the photo states... I am thankful for all the blessings in my life. I love this time of year. The air is newly fresh and crisp...the Autumn colors are warming...and so many are reminded of how thankful we should be...and not just now, but always.

Can me measure the blessings that God has given each of us...I say not! They are too numerable! Even as I have written the story of my son Stephen at Watering Wells of Hope and the story about my father at This is the Day...those are just two outstanding moments in my life...yea most wondrous! and yet, God has faithfully blessed and answered so many prayers since then. His ways are past finding out! Our riches in Christ, non compared.

Riches...I speak of peace, joy and assurance of heart. Oh to magnify the LORD...

O Magnify the LORD with me
and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

I would like to say Happy Thanksgiving to my readers...thank you for the encouraging comments and for just taking the time to visit.

These are a few of my Thanksgiving crafts...a little here and there...saved over the years. The Indian...I purchased when my first grandson was born. It's a treasure to me now. He is eleven years old. I placed cinammon pinecones next to him...mmm the smell is so nice! (especially in a guest room!)

I took some ribbon and intertwined around the base of a glass candle holder that sits on a gold charger and added some leaves I took from my yard last year and have some mini pumpkins placed in and out.....It was fun putting together.



The glass pumpkin and squash I bought at Cracker Barrel several years ago...just $2.99 each! I love to browse their Country Store whenever we stop there to eat.

Thank you for stopping by... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

The Wedding

I had the pleasure this past weekend of helping a sweet bride to be...decorate the church for her wedding.

She was at such a loss for what to do. We put our heads together and in the end...it was just what she dreamed. We used tulle for the draped affect down the aisle and clustered flowers with ribbon. I also added white bows for the Brides family row.
I love the look of tulle..it has such a soft affect and looks very pretty in photos.
Of course this photo was taken prior to the wedding...the white runner down the aisle made the colors more vibrante.


I remember when I was getting married. I relied on the Florist to do the decorating. As I arrived to the church...it was bare!! I was so disappointed. I was sure my wedding (as far as looks) was going to be a flop! (I did not know at the time, that of course the Florist has everything already made up and ready to set in place, in a matter of minutes. We spent...five hours decorating last Thursday!

When the time came for my own entrance...I walked out to the most beautiful sight! And all that I had dreamed was there. I too, had the flowers down the aisle and ribbon sways flowing down each pew to the altar. I had the candles and two huge baskets of beautiful fresh flowers. The scent of the flowers filled the air. The soft music played and my heart welled up with gladness.

And there at the altar, stood my future husband. The one who led me to the LORD. I was about to embark on a wonderful journey of life with him...in Christ!
This was almost 35 years ago! We have been blessed with six children and 10 grandchildren...two of whom are already in the presence of our Saviour. One son, and one grand-daughter. Through every trial and joy...the LORD has been in our midst. Never to leave nor forsake us, but to fill us with all hope and peace...in HIM.

The young man who married this weekend, I have known since he was eight years old. He has grown up into a wonderful, dedicated Christian young man. Praise GOD! A fine example of obedience in his home and to other young people in our church. He is currently attending our Bible Institute. His bride, a sweet young woman who has grown up with much adversity in her home life; She trusted Christ as her Saviour a few years ago. And, she too, has been an example to other young woman in our church. That life in Christ yields wonderful rewards for obedience. She didn't seek the world...but stayed in church and God answered the desires of both their hearts. A Godly mate.

She chose blue and white for her colors.



The Original colors for my wedding was also going to be Blue and White! I of course am a fan of these colors as my house testifies! Heavenly colors!

However...after choosing my bridesmaid dresses...I was told just a couple weeks before my wedding that they were no longer available! Oh no!...I did not want a PINK wedding...but, it turned out that the only dresses we could find available on short notice were ...PINK! And all turned out beautiful...as the church colors were perfect and the altar background fitting. Isn't it amazing...how things just seem to work out sometimes..PERFECTLY!

The bride of this weekends wedding also chose a touch of yellow in the bouquets. A lovely combination.



The reception carried on the silver color.


The tiered plate holders I purchased last year to be used for our annual ladies luncheon. They were perfect for the wedding. The decorations add so much to something so simple.

I hope you enjoyed a little glimps of the wedding!

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

A SPECIAL GIFT

This Patriotic Quilt was presented to my son while he was home from Iraq on R & R. (rest and relaxation)

There is a very touching story behind this quilt.

I joined an online quilting group a few years ago and have gotten to know some very special ladies. Like we do here on our blogs. They answer questions about quilting, we do quilt block swaps and have done many projects together as a group at a distance. This by far has been the most rewarding for all of us!

I made my son the mini patriotic wall hanging I featured earlier on my blog. When I finished this; I mentioned wanting to surprise my son with a full size Patriotic Quilt upon his return home.

A few weeks passed by when; one day my husband came in with the mail and a few small packages for me. Three parcels with a patriotic looking block! I thought to myself..

"How nice of these ladies"...and I thought nothing more of it...

Until the next day..and the next...and the next..

Packages started showing up by the loads! One day seven...another thirteen! I was overwhelmed and cried. With each Patriotic Quilt Block was a touching note to either my son or myself. Thanking him for his service...thanking me for my courage as a mom...some called him...their HERO.

I put in the black sashing and gold cornerstones to finish of the top. I then pieced a few more blocks myself to add to a couple others that would make a panel across the top back. One of the ladies in my group who owns a long arm Quilting machine...asked me to send her the top and back and she would finish the rest and then send it onto my daughter's for the family reunion we had planned upon his return for R & R.

Each of these blocks were sewn with loving hearts. From all over the U.S.A., Canada, Germany, Australia, England and Wales.

The value of this Quilt is priceless. Many of the blocks had messages such as..

To My Hero... God bless your service...Thank you....Scripture verses...Victory!

Perhaps, now you know why Quilting has become even more valuable to me.

Each Quilt...has a message...of LOVE.

Newest project

These are the table runners I made as gifts..for my recent trip.

The braided table runner is an online pattern. I love Mary Englebreit fabrics and two of my girls like cherries. My youngest already has curtains I've made for her and a few other items with the same cherry fabric. It will blend in nice with what she already has in her home. My eldest is redecorating and wanted to use a black and red cherry theme. Perfect.



The "Home" table runner I made using a square from a panel I purchased quite a while ago.





I had several fat quarters ( NOT a body part!!) a piece of fabric, square usually measuring 18" x 20". These worked perfect in making my blocks (known by several different names!).




I did this pattern on my own. I pieced the back for a little surprise when one's turns it over.

These can be used at intended..tablerunner..or they can also be wall hangings by simply adding a ribbon to the top.



I have found a new passion for making table runners. They are fun, quick and use little amounts of fabric. Great for using up leftover pieces from previous quilts or sewing projects.

I hope this brought a little "inspiration" to you for a new project!!



Her children arise up, and call her blessed... Proverbs 31:28

My girls rose up with hugs of thanksgiving for the time I had taken to make special gifts from "Mom's heart".