Quilting

I finally finished the quilt.  When I got married I was blessed with 3 quilts, one that was stitched and two that were tied.  I had stitched a quilt and it is quite a project but I have always wanted to tie a quilt.  When I worked with a MOPS group we had some ladies come and show us how to tie baby quilts on a round table.  I have wondered if that would work with a full size quilt on my ping pong table…. so I tried it and made a lovely quilt for Latisha and Brent.  I would like to share my results and how I did it.

First I bought 16 feet of material for the front, 16 feet of a complimentary material for the back and batting.  I cut each material into 8 foot strips and sewed the fronts together and the backs together.  Then I taped three sides of back material right side down tightly to the ping pong table.

 Next I taped the batting snuggly down and then the front piece right side up snuggly down.

 Here are a couple pictures of it taped down and the beginning of the tying.

 Notice the one side hangs down.  I used quilting needles with a big enough eye to fit yarn and thread about 5 foot segments of yarn.  I liked using squares so I didn't have to measure my knots.  I just counted five square then put my needle through to the table and brought it up.  Then counted five more squares and down and up.

 Then I clip half way and triple knot each piece.

 After the first section was full, I took off the tape, moved the fabric over to the unknotted side, retaped and continued sewing and knotting.

 Next, I went around and cut the layers to the same size.  Then I folded the top layer over the batting, folded the bottom to match and pinned it around.

 I sewed around with a decorative stitch through all layers.

 Then I was so excited to finish my blanket.

Here is my final project.  I am happy with it and am excited to give it to the soon to be newlyweds.
Hope all is well, have a blessed day.
Alicia

Happy Valentines Day

"These things had I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  These things I command you, that ye love one another. "  John 15:11-17

Jesus spoke this and what a wealth of good words in this small passage.  Words I hold on tight to.  My prayer for this is year more joy.  May the joy of the Lord be yours this Valentine's day as you love one another.  

Our family starting the day right.  The girls got chocolates, necklaces and redeemable
ticket valentines card

Aidric got animal crackers and a red ball.  He really did like it.  

We have once again started our Valentine's day with a great love breakfast, complete with pink, chocolate chip pancakes, gifts, valentines, love and joy for all.  Unfortunately, we have had a horrible cold that is having a hard time leaving our home so we have delayed our annual Valentines party with friends, but we will still celebrate with the family we have here. 

A quick update on Isabella.  Her appointment went very well yesterday.  Her EEG was totally clean and the doctor felt that her episode was not a seizure.  Which means no meds.  Yeah!!!!   He had no answers.  He just sat there and stared at her.  Once again he found her quite a puzzle.  As I was driving to the doctors office I felt fear and anticipation of what the doctor might say.  But the verse  Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what so ever things are pure, whosoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on theses things," came to my heart and I was filled with peace.  God is so good.  Not only was the report good but God was there to bring me peace before. Thank you for your prayers! 

God bless you all this day as you celebrate the love that God has given us all. 

Alicia

Children are a Blessing

I very much enjoy reading books with my kids.  I love it when they are small enough to climb into my lap and we read picture books.  In our schedule 9 to 10 or 10:30 is my time with the little ones and I enjoy the time.  Some of that time is used to do Isabella's therapy, some is used to play, and some is used for reading.  A lot of times Isabella will bring me a book in hopes of reading time, she doesn't really enjoy therapy that much, and would much rather have a book read to her.  So, I sit and it is reading/cuddle time.  Such precious time.  The other day Isabella had an attack of some sort.  A year and a half ago she had a terrible grand mall seizure that put her in the hospital for a couple days.  This one was a little different, so I was unsure if it was a seizure.  This time she was fully alert and trying to stop the jerking, while crying a terrified cry.  It was horrible.  I was able to pick her up, pray over her, and she eventually calmed and was fine.  After wards she got up and enjoyed all the attention her siblings were giving her with a big smile and since of relief.  Unfortunately David was out of town and I was unsure what to do.  I find it odd that David doesn't go out of town much, but odd things seem to happen when he is gone.   I called the pediatrician, who had me call the Neurologist, who sent us for an e e g.  That was exhausting for Isabella and myself.  Thursday we will get the results.  So as I sat to read today with my little ones I was reminded of this wonderful blessing of life that God has entrusted us with.  Isabella is yet to fit into any known diagnosis box so her physical therapist says she has Isabellaism.  I treasure the time I get to spend with my little ones, truly they are a blessing, challenges and all, they are a blessing.

 I have noticed a lot of people posting things about large families.  Some are quite comical.  One family had a video they did for Christmas with their 10 children to the tune of the 12 days of Christmas.  It was hysterical.  Each day was a different question like, "are they all yours?"  Then on the twelfth day they counted backwards and answered all the questions.  I put it on the tv for our lunch time viewing and we all got a kick out of it and relayed stories of questions we have had.

So I would like to share one such story.  While David and I were visiting our son at college we had gone to a nice restaurant for lunch.  Aidric was in need of a diaper change and I went to the ladies room with him.  An elderly lady came in and saw me changing his diaper and proceeded to tell me how she had raised three boys and what a time that was.  I smiled and told her I had another son and five daughters.  The poor lady was in great shock.  She went into the stall next to her friend and they proceeded to have a conversation that went something like this...  "Did you hear that lady, she said she had 5 daughters and two sons?"  "Yes, I heard."  "Did you see that lady?" "yes."  "no, way."  She came out of the stall and in shock went through some of the regular questions that people ask us, while washing her hands, how old are they, do they have the same father, you do not look like someone who has had 7 children (not sure what people mean when they say that) and then complimented me.  I quickly exited the restroom and joined the others with a big smile on my face.  David looked at me with a questioning look but we were with others that we had just met so I chose not to share at that moment.  Then guess who just happened to walk by with her friend, the lady from the restroom.  She brought her friend in our room and said "there she is, that lady with all the kids."  She looked around the table and said, "who is the lucky man." To which my husband replied "that would be me, seven times."  "Wow," she said, and made a couple more comments and left.    Then to our amazement when we left, guess who left about the same time.  Yep, the elderly restroom lady.  But now she had her dinner party with her and proceeded to introduce us to them. "This is the lady I told you about," she said  They had a good laugh and asked a few more questions.  When they found out where we live the man asked if we were Mormon.  No, I answered.  "Well, did you know there sure are a lot of Mormons where you live."  I said, yes, I knew.  Things like this give us a good laugh and I hope you too.  Have a great day and God bless.

Alicia