It's that time of year again! Happy 102nd birthday, Mom!

It is amazing to think that my mother was born 102 years ago. She was a young 63 years old when she passed away. For the last 30 years of her life, she had physical problems and was in constant pain. How she managed to do the things that she did still amaze me. She kept putting one foot in front of the other and got things done.

I remember one conversation I had with her where she said that when she was a kid she didn't get many birthday presents because her birthday was the day before Christmas. We always made sure that she received a birthday present on her 'big day' as well as Christmas presents. 

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Quilting, Sharon Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013 

'Grand Ruler' instructor for Marti Michell since 2019

Happy 101st Birthday, Mom!

Mom is standing with her first father-in-law, Herbert Garrett with her oldest child Norman who is holding his oldest son, Norman Jr. some time 1963-1965.

                                         

            This was taken at Aunt Lillian's son Richard baby shower for the birth of his daughter Emily. 

                                                                 This was around 1977.

This is the whole gang at the shower. Sharon holding Julie, Mom holding Emily, Lissa holding Daniel and Bruce holding Wendy.

This was one Christmas at my house on Old Peruville Road in Groton, NY. My favorite color was orange and when I bought the house the kitchen happened to be orange. I may have mentioned it before but Mom would say to me, "When the hell are you going to paint this kitchen?" It was 3 or 4 years before I did change it. It sure was bright!

This was the same year and Mom was opening gifts. I'm not sure if this was for her birthday or Christmas but we all made sure she got a birthday gift each year. The kids are Jeff, Robin, not sure if the one above Robin is Peter or Patrick, my brother Larry, Julie and Norm.

It sure doesn't seem as though it has been 37 years since she left this world. Lissa and I were talking about it just the other day. So many times I would love to sit down and talk to her about family history and ask her different question. I look at my grandkids and realize they will never know her and most of the knowledge that I have of her and family history will be lost.

I love and miss you Mom!

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013 

'Grand Ruler' instructor for Marti Michell since 2019

Happy 100th Birthday, Mom!

It is so amazing to me to realize that my Mother would have been 100 years old today!

 After reviewing my last few birthday posts I realized that I started them all off the same way! 

What can I say? It's true!

I have no idea how old she was in this picture. Somewhere in her early teens, I'm sure. She was married for the first time when she was 17 so I am sure it was before then.

This one had to be prior to 1953. I never saw her wear earrings except on special occasions when she was older.

This one was taken in May of 1985 at a grandson's wedding. Check out those shades!

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love and miss you!

The year in review......

The end of 2019 is here and I can't believe how the years just fly right on by. I can't be this old when I feel young at heart. My body tells me every day that I may feel young at heart, the body just laughs and laughs. LOL! 

I started out the year with a daily 'diary' type book. I'm not sure exactly when I stopped writing in it, but one day I realized I hadn't written in it for some time. I'd have to get up off the couch to go find the silly thing just to check and that's not happening right now. 

I did have wrist and elbow surgery in April to repair my carpal tunnel. I planned on getting a few things done between surgeries and I managed to accomplish most of them the 9 weeks I had off work. I was also blessed with a new midarm quilter about the same time (which hasn't given me a hint on what his name is, yet). Poor Mr. Stretch was replaced with a Nolting Fun Quilter. I sure hope Mr. Stretch found a new home and he can continue to make beautiful quilts. Boy, it was hard not to play with my new machine when one hand was wrapped up in gauze and tape. I have since quilted several quilts on it and LOVE my equalizer stitch regulator! The next new thing I want to master is pantographs. I also have stencils that I bought at the Paducah show that I want to get good enough to use. I have a lot of things on my 'to do' list when it comes to my new machine. 

At work I also moved from the retail side of the store to the cafe just before my surgery. For a person that never flipped burgers as a kid I did ok, but it is not my cup of tea. When Carl & I got together he agreed to be the cook in the family and 'I quit'! was my motto.  So my last day for cooking all the customers that came into the store was the 23^rd. I'm sure I won't be missing the rat race.

In July Kaye Wood passed away suddenly. It still doesn't seem real at times. I just had a Facebook chat with her not long before this happened. I cherish the memories I have of her while learning her quilting techniques during classes and trunk shows. She was always laughing and doing something. She loved to travel and she once told me she loved to go on cruises. She did 2 cruises a year, one with family and one a quilting cruise. It would have been fun to go on a quilting cruise, but this gal does not like water that much! I wish I had half her energy and to be able to accomplish half of what she accomplished in her later years. I tell people she never let any grass grow under her feet! She is missed by many and I am one of the many.

I opened 2 spots in 2 consignment shops and closed 1 spot a few months later. The shop I closed was an hour away and didn't do as well as I had hoped. My second spot at Leola's Cottage is right in White House, TN and is set up for me to have quilt and sewing classes. I started out just doing classes and when they offered me a spot of my own I snatched it up real quick. Not only do I do sewing and quilt classes, but I have products up and am making some consigned quilts. It seems that Kaye's 'Trees with Ease' is a very popular pattern. I am going to sew up a couple in different fabrics to put in the shop. 

In August Carl and I went to Atlanta, GA so I could take Marti Michell's 'Grand Ruler' quilt class. So now I am a 'Grand Ruler' instructor. She has several different ideas on quilting that I have had to wrap my mind around. Her quilts are beautiful and her rulers and templates really do make lots of quilt piecing easier with less guessing. I can see using her templates on other patterns to make them go together easier. Now to just find the time. LOL!

Lots of things planned for 2020. I want to get more classes going, of course, make more quilts, master new quilting techniques (to me) on my Nolting, organize sewing 'stuff', straighten up the home front, and most of all enjoy life with Carl. We never know when life is going to change and it can in a blink of an eye.

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon

 Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

                                        Marti Michell "Grand Ruler" Instructor since August 2019

Those that have gone before

In 1983 at the young age of 27 my BFF was just gone.... She left 2 little boys, a husband, a brother, 2 sisters, a mother and father, and lets not forget the multitude of friends. Suddenly I didn't have someone I could call and 'discuss' things with any more. No place to go and just be me. No friend that understood my snide remarks about things in our past.

Just a few short years later, in 1986, my mom joined the, 'Those that have gone before' group. The first disease just took pieces and she fought to get back to a 'life' which left her hurting every day therafter. The second disease is what finally had her joining 'the group'. For probably a year or more after she joined, 'the group' I picked up the phone to call and talk to her. Sometimes I even managed to dial a few numbers before I remembered.

Then in 1994, my oldest brother joined the, 'Those that have gone before' group. Another fighter that disease took way to soon. He never got to walk his youngest daughter down the aisle, nor see all his grandkids. The many plans he had for 'later' never happened because 'later' never arrived.

Another brother battled heart disease for many years and joined the, 'Those that have gone before group' in 2007. Another fighter that left behind kids, grandkids, brothers, sisters and tons of friends.

In 2017 the latest member added to 'Those that have gone before' group was my oldest sister. Her battle lasted a little less then a year and at times I still can't believe I can't call and ask her stupid questions any more. Everytime I boot up my computer I have a favorite picture of her as my background screen. It's my favorite because she was really, really happy at the time and it just shows and is the reason for this post.

Yes, there were others that came before these 5. 3 Aunts, 4 Uncles, 1 Great Aunt, 2 Grandmothers, a niece, and cousins. Some I was close with others not so much, but they are all part of my family and each has a special place in my heart. Some day I hope to see them all again and be able to sit around the table while we play cards, laugh and enjoy being together again.

Until then I shall remember the good, bad, silly and fun times that we had before they became 'Thoses that have gone before'.

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Happy 93rd birthday, Mom!

It doesn't seem as though it has been almost 30 years since I have seen my mother. There are days and weeks I don't think of her, but today being her birthday she has been on my mind alot. A couple days ago I made cookies with my grandaughters with her 'shooter' machine. My sister Lissa has had this contraption in her cupboard for years just because it was mom's and gave it to me this past summer. I had to at least  try it once! The cookies didn't taste as good as the cookies  mom made, but the tradition has been passed down to another generation.

Love you. Mom!

Until next time,
Happy Quilting.

A review of 2014

Rereading my posts from this year I thought I hadn't posted very much, but after checking other years I did post quite a bit. This one is number 43 for the year and that is almost 3 per month, so I guess I do spend some time around here. 

This is my 58th 'last day of the year' event. When I was a teen my mother broke the law and got me some Boone wine for me and I spent some time on the telephone with a friend while I drank it. In later years I spent time in the local watering hole a time or two, then the laws got more strict with drinking and driving and I decided to stay home on this night. As time has gone on I have given up the bars to drinking at home to being a teatotaler and debating if I want to stay up and watch the ball drop on TV. I am contemplating on that ball drop tonight, but that will be decided at 11:45, if I happen to be awake then......

Lots has happened around us this year. We started off in El Mirage, AZ with me working at IMS Allergy & Immunology Specialist and Carl 'disabled'. Now we are in Cottontown, TN, with Carl 'retired', me working on Coyote Quilts & Specialties inventory and spending time with Julie and her family on a daily basis. 

In the spring on our trip across the states we were able to visit with family we haven't seen in many years. Thanks, Vince for sharing your family with us! 

Over the summer and fall we spent weekends at farmer's markets or craft fairs. We had some good days, some wet days and some great days. The best part was meeting other crafters in the area. Another couple of gals moved from Pennsylvania to get away from the cold and we spent a lot of time at the same shows with them. 

In May Carl and I went to New York for Larry and Roxanne's anniversary party. We were able to visit Carl's family also.

Then in October I made a second trip to New York with Julie to keep her company on her trip for Kristen's birthday. I managed to visit family I haven't seen in many years.

Cheryl and Larry

Jeff, his wife and daughter with Lissa and Bruce

And of course Tim and Rhonda.

I took care of Jeff, Tim and Robin many Friday or Saturday nights while a teen. It was the best paying job I had when I was babysitting....

During the summer we spent time in the pool with the grandkids, visited with Julie's friend's that visited, explored our new area, and made a trip to Georgia for camp with another grandkid. 

This fall as the leaves were falling we noticed a lot more things that were behind the leaves as we travel our favorite roads. There are a lot more houses hidden in the woods around here, LOL!

Over Thanksgiving there was a large party. Friends of Jim and Julie visit frequently and we get to join the festivities until we drop, which happens early compared to the 'kids'. It's nice to have things going on around us and being able to visit with new people. 

One of my early posts of the year was about the American Flag that I watched each morning on my way to work.

I have replaced the above site to the one below. These 3 flags can be viewed from 2 different roads that we travel and I just love it when the wind is blowing. This site still makes me pause and reflect what they represent. Over the years the number of stars and their placement has changed, but the meaning has always stayed the same.

Through the year I made several quilts and finished up a few UFO's. 

A new baby quilt

A finish UFO

Now to think about 2015. What do you have planned for 2015? Me, I am just going to plug along just like I did in 2014. No resolutions because they get broken real quick......

Until next time, 

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 
Certified Instructor since 2013

Merry Christmas, 2014!

We started this Christmas season with the usual pizza on Christmas Eve. Just sitting around the table after eating enjoying each others company. I think the girls are anxious for the morning to get here....

The traditional Christmas pajamas.

Christmas morning before the mess begins.

Pa happy with his stocking.

The girls happy with their 'together' gift. Some assembly required of course! Then they can get jumping on their trampoline.

A Mickey Mouse shirt for Pa.

I wonder which of the gifts was the biggest hit?

Happy smiles!

The end of the great reveal. 

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 

Certified Instructor since 2013

Mom's 92nd is today!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I miss you.....

Until next time, 

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

3 days before the wrapping paper starts flying!

Just like every other year Christmas just all of a sudden it arrives. This year is going to be completely different. This is the first year I will be spending the day with Ella and Maddi. I'm not sure what time we will have to get up to see that paper flying, but I sure hope it's not 5 am..... Photos pending!

Happy Quilting, Sharon Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Memories!

I was playing around in my photo software this past week and came across these 2 pics. The first one is a picture of a picture that my sister, Lissa has. I remember my mother having this picture. From left to right is Lissa, Larry, Joe (Alfred), Loretta and Norman. This was way before I came along to pester everybody.... I doubt if my mother labeled the back of this picture so I have no idea when it was taken, but they all look like such good kids..... 

This one was taken many years later. Joe (Alfred), Lissa, me (Sharon), Loretta and Larry. Lissa is holding a picture of Norman and his wife, Kathy. This picture was taken in 2006. This was the first time that we had been together in years. 

There are 4 of us left, Loretta, Larry, Lissa and me. Hopefully we will all get together again to have a 'family' picture taken.

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon 

Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

Last month of 2014!

Here it is the first of December AGAIN....

Another Thanksgiving is gone with all of the yummy foods and visiting friends and family. I did the 'black Friday' thing for the first time ever. I went with Julie and am so glad that she didn't want to get there when the doors opened. We only had to wait at one store and it was fun talking with 'strangers'..... 

Now to get some more stuff done for my last craft fair of the year. I am working on quilts, towels, hot pads and wine bottle vests. 

Also, all of the items on my ArtFire site are on sale through the 20th of December. 

So, enjoy your last few days of this great year!

Until next time, 

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 
Certified Instructor since 2013

Happy Birthday Mom!

Another year has gone by and as usual on this date my mind goes to my Mother. We use to travel around looking at all of the Christmas trees in other people's homes and she always liked the way the one colored lighted trees looked. She had remarked that she would like an all blue tree so I went out and bought enough blue bulbs for her to have a blue tree one year. I have to admit that I didn't like it even before we got the silly thing all decorated. Well, when we took it down Mom admitted that she really hadn't liked it as much as she thought she would. We never did have an all blue tree again.

I love you, Mom!


Happy Quilting, Sharon Permanent "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2013

The year in review

The past few days I have been looking back on the year. Just like other years, we had some good and some bad things happen, but it seems as though the bad were a bit worse than normal.

The bad included the passing of two of Carl's nephews, and the passing of my Aunt Lillian. Of course I have to add Carl's stroke in August to the bad list.

The good was being able to take a couple really neat vacations and other short excursions.

In January we went to the 'Phoenix Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival'. This is the show I try to go to each year. It is a great place to pick up new quilting and sewing ideas and see new things. There wasn't much new stuff this year, but I think Estelle had a fun time. I was also able to take a couple classes with Kaye Wood, too!

In May we went to San Diego, CA through Fredonia, AZ and Paso Robles, CA. Carl won a free trip for 4 to Sea World the year before so we made it a week long excursion. We spent the first couple days with Kelly and family in Fredonia, then skipped through Las Vegas for a stop at the Venetian to see the living statues on our way to Paso Robles to see Trebor's family, then we met up with Spencer and kids in San Diego, CA. Of course I needed to stop at 'Quilt in a Day' before we hit our motel in San Diego. I didn't get to meet Eleanor Burns, but I did get to see her in action at her store. Carl laughing calls our vacations as 'quilt store tours' instead of vacations, LOL!

In August we went to the 'Western Legends Round-up' in Fredonia, AZ and visited with Kelly and family, too.

In September we took Estelle on the 'Maricopa Shop Hop'. We went all over the valley visiting quilt shops. I have gone on this shop hop for several years and always pick up a few neat items and ideas.

In October we went on the 'Dolly Steamboat'. It was neat trip just to be able to see another area of Arizona and the wildlife that is so abundant in this area. I think the most exciting thing we did this year was to be part of the posse at the 'Wild West Festival' in Glendale, AZ. We sat at the information booth and talked with a lot of people and had a front row seat next to one of the outdoor stages.

In November they did another 'Phoenix Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival', but this one wasn't as good as the one in January. Loretta went with us this time. It got Carl out of the house and we both had some exercise. We also had the 'kids' and their families at the house for Thanksgiving. That was nice to have the family here.

Now that this year is at an end I need to start thinking what needs to be accomplished next year. Right now the only thing that comes to mind is a lot of quilts LOL!

Until next time,

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Afternoon!

Just sitting here watching 'The Rifleman'. It is one of my favorite programs of old. It wasn't long ago that Carl & I met Johnny Crawford at one of the western festivals. For those that don't know who Johnny Crawford is, he played Lucas' son, Mark.

This is a great break after tearing our bedroom apart and getting all the dust bunnies all cleaned up. With being off this week I am going to try and get the 'spring' cleaning done around here. I know it's not spring yet, but I may not feel like cleaning when spring gets here LOL!

I finished my latest quilt last night. I think it turned out really great! Now, I just need to get my camera going and get some pictures. Maybe right after I finish watching my shows......


Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Day after Christmas!

 

Good evening one and all!

 

So now that the biggest day of the year is over for 2012, what do have you have planned for the biggest day of 2013? I always have big plans that fall by the wayside in about February, LOL! I do know that I have several unfinished projects (UFO's for those that are quiltaholics) that I would love to get done. I don't have to buy any supplies to finish a couple of them either! Right now I have a current lap quilt on the frame and I was going to get it done today, but decided that I really would rather take a nap. I just hope that I will be able to sleep tonight ;)....

 

Here I sit typing on my light weight laptop watching 'Remington

Steele' and they are working on a monster of a desk top computer.... how life has changed in just a few years.....

 

Happy Quilting, Sharon

"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"

Certified Instructor since 2009

 

Merry Christmas

 

 

From our house to yours!



Happy Quilting, Sharon "Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy 90th Birthday, Mom!

Today would have been my mother's 90th birthday. It is amazing to me that she left this world over 26 years ago. 

This picture is one that I have had for some time, but not sure when it was taken. The print I have was made in 1973.

Every year on her birthday we always made sure she received a birthday present as well as Christmas presents. One year she made the remark that she received more birthday presents after she was an adult than when she was a kid. 

The most memorable year is the year when all the 'kids' (my brothers, sisters, sister-in-laws, and brother-in-laws) pooled their resources and abilities and put in a drop ceiling for her in the house. It was the 'girls' job to get her out of the house the weekend before Christmas while the 'boys' did the work. You have to remember that this was way before cell phones, so somebody had to have lots of coins for pay phones to check on when we could bring her home. I remember that she was ready to go home, but the 'boys' weren't quite ready for her yet. I can't remember the ploy the 'girls' played to keep her away, but I do remember when we got home. All of us 'girls' immediately looked up to see the job the 'boys' had done, but mom just kept saying, 'Something is different.', 'What's different?', 'What did you guys do?' It took her quite some time and we had to tell her to 'look up' before she noticed. I think that was one of the best Christmas' that she had.

Another time I remember is when my sister, Lissa and I went to moms alone and gave her the birthday presents we got for her. Nothing extra special that day, just time spent with the 3 of us.

So, to continue the tradition, I just wanted to say, 'Happy Birthday, Mom!' 

Happy Quilting, Sharon 
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way" 
Certified Instructor since 2009

Happy Saturday!

Yippee! The car has new shocks and struts! It is amazing how well that old piece of metal is floating over the bumps in the roads. It doesn't bounce the next 1/2 mile after hittng a bump any more.... It may just last another year or two....

So now the rest of my time off is going to be playing in my sewing room or goofing off.

Today some goof off time has been spent watching 'Emergency!', 'The Rifleman', 'The Big Valley', 'Gunsmoke' and 'Bonanza'. Last night I watched 'Kojack' and 'Perry Mason'. I sure don't miss the big bill from DirecTV and the crappy shows that were on. I really can't get into reality TV. There is to much of that in my own life to want to watch somebody elses stupidity. LOL!

Am off to watch some more 'old' time shows. I sure hope you have a great weekend!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009

Good Evening Peeps!

Just figured I'd drop in and say 'Hi' to everybody..... We just finished watching, 'Double' with Richard Gere. Not a bad movie, but not one of Gere's best.... He still is a good looking man that is for sure :).....

Last weekend Carl & I managed to get the rear shocks replaced on our old Dodge Omni, this weekend we are putting new struts in the front. Each of them have challenges getting done. I just know that the back shocks sure keep the car from bouncing after driving over bumps....

I am off work until the 27th so I will get some sewing/quilting in while I am home. I have a small quilt on the frame that I want to get done and then to start another project. Right now I sure am glad that I have such a great stash of fabric. I haven't been in a fabric store in over a month and the last time I bought any, I only spent $15.00. Anybody that knows me knows that is a very skimpy haul, LOL!

Happy Quilting, Sharon
"Quilting the Kaye Wood Way"
Certified Instructor since 2009