Today I went to the Bernina store to buy smocking plates and patterns for clothes for EB. Of course I want to make every single one I see. [Kind of like choosing cross-stitch patterns and knitting yarns ] When Jeni was little, I smocked and appliqued clothes for her. I still have all of the dresses and EB will be able to wear them. However, I didn't start smocking until Jeni was three, so all of her little dresses, and all of my patterns, are sizes 3 thru 6. We bought several plates and a couple of patterns. The first thing I am going to make is a design of pumpkins that she can wear all fall and then I found a beautiful Christmas pattern for a dress.

I am making a quilt for EB from the left over materials from the dresses and clothes I made for Jeni when she was little. I have already cut the appliqued outfits into blocks for the quilt. I also traced her hand when she was four and embroidered it and had her write her name and embroidered that. I need to get busy on it - they could hang it on her wall or actually use it on the bed.

Happy Stitching!

Gift from Rachel

I came home from Louisville to find a package from Rachel waiting for me.
I was so touched to find inside the gift pictured below. What a thoughtful gift - because I really have talked about my precious grand baby pretty much non-stop since she was born. So, nothing could have pleased me more! And the card she enclosed is also beautiful. I have never seen a card that was embroidered like that. I asked if she had made the card, but haven't heard back yet.


I struggled with the photos, I just couldn't seem to get a pic that did them justice. Too much light, or a reflection of the flash and I have no idea how to turn off the flash on the camera. At any rate, I will treasure both, and the sweet words she wrote inside.

Last week I went rather suddenly to Louisville.. I was out and about and talking to Jeni on my cellphone and she said "Why don't you come today?" That's all it took, I went home, threw together some things and headed out. [I actually didn't throw together quite enough things, because I wound up having to go buy a few tops since the three I brought with me were either soaked with drool or had a little spit-up on them. :) No complaints though, she can drool and spit-up on me all day long if she wants to!]
I helped Jeni with some packing and sorting in preparation for a yard sale, and also got to spend some wonderful time with EB. Her newest thing is sticking both legs straight up in the air, sometimes holding her feet, sometimes just looking at them.




Last weekend I went to Charlotte with my friend and her daughter to do some shopping. While her daughter shopped, Carol and I did our own shopping and I went to Sephora to see about getting some good face care products. They were having some kind of 'event' and had make-up artists there. I would up with a girl from NY who has done some Broadway shows, which was cool. She helped me with skin care products and a skin care regimen, which I have never really done. I guess at 58, it's time to start. Then she talked me into doing make-up too and I apparently have been using the wrong colors. Anyway, I didn't purchase all of the make-up but can add it gradually.

Jeni and baby are coming here Monday because Jeni's Dad is having knee surgery. So I will get to keep EB while Jeni is helping her Dad. School begins soon and I am just so blessed to have been able to spend so much time with Jeni and EB this summer.
I have to get my programs planned and music ordered before school starts, so I'll have to start going to school week after next.

So, as the Summer of Jane is winding down, I have to say this has been one of my best summers ever!

Jane

Bubbles and Wrinkles

Here is a pic of Baby Blaine blowing bubbles! Isn't she a doll!

I don't have the gadget Jeni has to take away my wrinkles. [See profile pic]
So there they are in all of their glory. [I have actually named the one going up from my left eye - after the kid who drove me crazy all year!]

The Summer of Jane

So....I am feeling so great! I have been eating right and have lost 21 pounds! I joined the local Bariatric Clinic and am determined to lose this weight. I won't tell you how much I want to lose, but I will tell you that my goal weight is 135.

And I went today to a real hairstylist [as opposed to cutting it myself] and got a real haircut with an actual current style. I love it!

I got new make-up and am actually taking the time to put it on.
And I am using skin products, yes skin products, and I can already see a difference around my eyes. [I have always had pretty good skin and have never done anything like moisturize or exfoliate.]

So, the summer of Jane.....I am actually going to start taking care of myself. Better late than never I guess.

AND...I cross-stitched today! It was wonderful!

What a day!
Jane

Vacation

I am back from five wonderful days on the Isle of Palms and Charleston, SC.
A former student of mine is a youth minister at a church on the Isle of Palms.
She was house/dog sitting in a gorgeous home in Wild Dunes and invited Jeni, EB, and me to come and stay with her. It was great being with her, and with Jeni and EB, and being in Charleston. I love Charleston! We ate some great seafood and shopped in the open-air market and saw some of the sites.

Since the only pictures I took were of Lauren the baby and Jeni, I have imported some pictures from the Internet to show you where we went. This is a view of the Isle of Palms.



We like to eat at restaurants where the locals go, rather than always the big tourist attractions. Lauren knew all the best places. We ate at this place called The Wreck of Richard and Charlene. It was well named! When we first drove up, I thought maybe we were in the wrong place and was hesitant about going in, but there were many cars there and other people going in. It actually looks better in this pic than it did in person. It is more grown-up all around it now. It was screened-in and not air conditioned, but the food was wonderful!



We ate at another place where they had buckets in the middle of the tables for oyster shells. Since we didn't have oysters, we put EB in the bucket. We did a lot of shopping. At Chico's, where they were having an amazing sale, I actually ran into two friends from Spartanburg.



We went to the open-air market at the old slave market. I got some great jewelry. Jeni was on a search for pralines and finally found some.




This is a pic of Jeni and EB at the Wreck of Richard and Charlene


This is Lauren and EB - also at the wreck.


And finally, I LOVE this pic. Jeni took away my wrinkles and I look so young!


So, a wonderful time was had by all! Amazingly enough, I didn't even touch my needlework. I had taken knitting and cross-stitch, but spent every moment I could playing with EB. I have to say, she absolutely takes precedence over any of my hobbies and pastimes. You grandmothers out there understand!!

So, my current interests are making hair bows for EB and making new ribbon straps for the flip flops I bought in Charleston. [They are made from ribbon and are attached with Velcro. I bought a ton of ribbon and shall have an entire wardrobe of flip flops. Every woman's dream! Woo hoo! ]

So.. off to make some ribbons!

Happy Stitching!
Jane .

I've Been Tagged

YAY! I've been tagged by Crazy Lyda.

Rules: You must answer the questions using only one word. Then tag four others.

1. Where is your cell phone? Couch
2. Your significant other? Non-existant
3. Your hair? Dyed
4. Your mother? 90
5. Your father? Missed
6. Your favorite thing? Laughing
7. Your dream last night? None
8 Your favorite drink? DietRite
9. Your dream/goal? Thinness
10. The room you’re in? Study
11. Your hobby? Needlework
12. Your fear? Darkness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Elsewhere
14. What you’re not? Rich
15. Muffins? Mmmmm
16. One of your wish list items? TV
17. Where you grew up? Everywhere
18. The last thing you did? Read
19. What are you wearing? Comfies
20. Favorite gadget? Cellphone
21. Your pets? None
22. Your computer? Connection
23. Your mood? Positive
24. Missing someone? Always
25. Your car? Blue
26. Something you’re not wearing? Dress
27. Favorite store? Steinmart
28. Like someone? Everyone
29. Your favorite color? Red
30. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Forgotten


So now I tag Martha, Rachel, Mindi, and Marie.
Have fun!