tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38169065493660283852024-03-13T13:34:59.109-07:00Somewhere In TimeNadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-8179641668377104562013-09-20T04:36:00.001-07:002014-01-09T12:29:37.495-08:00Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-39787766001180933522013-02-03T13:58:00.000-08:002013-02-03T13:58:13.029-08:00I Have Had Better DaysBelieve me I will not be upset if you pass this post by! I will probably take it down soon anyway. I am just disillusioned these days by those who victimized others, who feel no guilt for what they do. As many of you know, I am the parent of an adult with developmental disabilities. Dan is not perfect, no one is, but he is kind and friendly and willing to help out others. Unfortunately, this can mean he is often taken advantage of. A couple of weeks ago as is my habit I visited Danny with his usual weekly money. Grocery money, money to eat out one evening, and cash for every day. He gets four dollars a day to spend on soda, etc. This was taken care of on Sunday night. On Monday around noon he was calling to remind me that he needed his money for the week. His support staff was coming and he needed the money soon! I argued with him but he was so upset I finally went over to his apartment. Sure enough all the money was gone. I emptied my wallet so he could shop and asked a few questions. Turns out he has been befriended by a young man living in the same complex. This guy often borrows from Danny and uses his phone and hangs out in his apartment. He was there that morning, and he was there the next Monday morning before eight o'clock. . Told Danny he needed to use his phone because his truck was not running. By nine I was getting a call that all his daily money was once again gone. I have changed whet we do for grocery money and eating out money or that would probably be gone as well. Danny lives on seven hundred dollars a month. This was devastating!<br />
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If you are familiar with the innocence of many of the disabled you will understand why this can happen. What I don't understand is the person who thinks this behavior is okay. This is one of those times when I have to say I am done. I hope you are having a better month than I am. I know things will get better and it could be worse. Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-54247711959587283372013-01-03T17:00:00.001-08:002013-01-03T17:00:48.716-08:00Christmas on my mind!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again, it looks like I am not finished with Christmas just yet. In my last post I spoke about family and the creativity of those I grew up with. So, now I will show elements of a wreath my sister Kathleen gifted me with. First of all, I think we have a rather unique relationship. Kathy is five years younger than me. If you look back on the post that includes my wedding picture you will see her looking very young. As the years passed and we were both married, we started to hang out more. When the children cam along we found the age difference had begun to fade. We became friends, confidants and as close as sisters can ever be. <br />
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We are separated these days by distance. My husband, and son and I moved to Mo about ten yearts ago to be with our daughter and subsequently our granddaughter. My husband had retired and began to say such things as he would rather see his friends a few times a year and out daughter once a week or even more. I was born in California, raised there, raised our children there. I miss the Christmas fun we had in the days. We always met for lunch and the sort of shopped. We didn't buy much that day but walked around acting smug because we were finished with our own shopping.<br />
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She cried with me when our youngest child was born with developmental disabilities and always treated him as if he were just like the other kids. So he always thinks he is. He still asks about her every day.<br />
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We are at a time in our lives where the hard stuff gets harder. So, we hold on to each other despite the distance and for me it is a great comfort. <br />
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As many of you know, my husband is in a wheel chair because he has had four strokes. Kathleen's husband is now also ill with cancer. We cannot physically comfort one another, but we keep in touch as much as we can offer all the support we have to give. I am so lucky to have a baby sister who loves me enough. I hope you have someone in your life who can give you hope.<br />
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Two days before Christmas I received this beautiful wreath hand made by my dear sister just for me. You already know how much I treasure hand made gifts and when someone makes something with me in mind, I am so honored. So Kathleen, thank you so much. I am so happy to have you in my life.<br />
I hope you all have someone to love and be loved by as I do. Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-31554378029398151582012-12-28T19:55:00.002-08:002012-12-29T14:05:27.179-08:00For Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, hello. I have not blogged for quite awhile but now that the holidays are somewhat behind us I have decided to check in again. I want to share something about the women in my family. We all seem to have a creative bent. My mother, Dorothy Jewell Bates Wareham had a talent for crochet. She never learned to use a pattern but that did not stop her. A mother with ten children she made sure each and everyone of her children owned an afghan made with her own hands. Her sister Verna Bates Sutterfield was an accomplished artist. Another sister, Vera Bates Epperson also had a talent. Aunt Vera made her girls wedding dresses. She was able to design these dresses herself. Because of their wonderful examples I was able to explore my own options. I am the oldest of ten children and as soon as I was able I would go to the local dime store and choose a baby sacque or dress ready to embroider. Over the years I have dabbled in many crafts. Today I limit myself to embroidery, cross stitch and especially quilting. My sister Kathy makes gorgeous wreaths. I will share one soon. My daughter, Kelly is continuing the tradition. She is a wonderful cook, she makes cheer bows for her daughter as well as the team, she has been the wardrobe mistress for several local productions, often making the costumes and she crochets. <br />
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The coaster above is designed to hold the cup below.<br />
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This is Fireside Coffee. Add three to four teaspoon sof mix to hot wate rand stir with a candy cane. Yumm.<br />
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This darling pincushion was also made by my daughter. Lovely don't you think? She makes these to sell on her Etsy account which you can access by clicking on the pink cup cake on the left or the Etsy <br />
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Below is the snowflake pennants she also made for me. I love this as it added just the right touch to my holiday.<br />
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Above you see my almost finished snow flake cake. I found the original recipe in Southern Living magazine. My version is not as pretty I think but so good. A little time consuming but worth every moment. The snow flakes are made of fondant. They are painted with a small amount of vodka and then edible glitter finishes the look.<br />
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I wanted to write this post because I have a feeling that you might feel the way I do when someone sits down and sets out to make something just for me. It touches me in a way I will never forget. The work above is my daughters but I am one of the blessed when it comes to friends. and family. I hang out with such talented women. You know what I bet you do too. Don't give up on me, I think I will become creative again soon. After all it snowed some today. That just might mean I will be stuck at home a little more with my quilt frame beckoning in the corner. I hope you will share your story of creativity with me and others who come to see if I am still around. Warmly, NadineNadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-5372321084624086982012-10-19T11:50:00.000-07:002012-10-19T11:50:59.196-07:00Halloween? I think not!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I live in an area where Halloween is king, queen and perhaps princess. I do love seeing the children in costume. They are so excited and are at the door for candy. I always have more than enough.<br />
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However, I think that the wreath I made for my front door is perhaps not a Halloween wreath but lends itself more to a more literary time. I made three of these,one for my sister and one for my daughter. My daughter, the English teacher has suggested that I look at this from that literary standpoint. Now I read a great deal of those novels a long time ago, William Faulkner, Edger Allan Poe, Nelson Algren, Asimov, Bradberry, Pearl S Buck, Stephan Crane, Emily Dickenson, Scott Fitzgerald, Nathanial Hawthorne, Ernest Hemingway, John Irving, Barbara Kingsolver, Sinclair Lewis, Herman Melville, Toni Morrison, Eugene O' Neill, John Steinbeck, Harriet Beecher Stowe Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, Jane Austin, Harper Lee, and so many more.<br />
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Two standouts for me are Edgar Allan Poe and William Faulkner. These are scary guys. As a young reader I was attracted to that kind of writing as well as science fiction. I remember reading "Pit and Pendulum" around fourteen. Poe wrote," Arousing from the most profound of slumbers,we break the gossamer web of some dream. yet in a second after wards, ( so frail may have that web have been) we remember not that we have dreamed." I was fascinated with that phrase most of my life. Of course the truth is the biggest impact of that story was always the beating heart!!!<br />
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As to William Faulkner my favorite of his, is "A Rose For Emily" I still remember " Alive, Miss Emily had been a tradition and a duty, a care; a sort of a heredity and obligation upon the town" <br />
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As I look at what I have written I realize it is a kind of ramble but sometimes that is all I have to offer. I started to read when I was almost four, so technically when I was three. bet you are impressed. I continued reading almost everyday of my life. Sometimes it helps me survive the day, always it is a comfort and joy.<br />
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Be sure to read the green box. I have seen it happen. Good reading to you. I hope you you come by and tell me about your own journey. Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-20136984358764062162012-10-07T21:16:00.001-07:002012-10-07T21:21:02.910-07:00Baltimore on the Prarie 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having returned from Baltimore on the Prairie in Omaha Nebraska a few weeks ago I am still thinking and remembering my wonderful experience there. As an instructor I have the pleasure of sharing my joy in making quilts. Over the last few years I have concentrated mostly on Baltimore applique and and frankly any kind of applique. At BOTP, students can indulge themselves in lovely choices with something for everyone. I am pretty traditional with a world of wonderful quilts made in the past for inspiration. My classes next year include the Bird in the Bush block nestled in the lower left corner above and is my main conference class. The one day offering is second in the top row. It is called "The Way We Were". A catchy title if I do say so myself, but the name serves a purpose. I grew up the oldest of ten children and at my mother's side. We washed on Monday, ironed on Tuesday and well you get the idea. That is the way we were. Today's reality is clearly different, but you can still re-create that time in this project. A little embroidery, a little applique. It gets no better.<br />
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Now I cannot speak for the other great instructors except to say they are all first rate. It keeps getting better and better. Nancy Kerns brings lovely applique to the table with her beautiful vase of flowers in the bottom row second block. Beautiful! In the top row third square is a gorgeous slightly contemporary spray of flowers. You need to see this one close up, it is breath taking.<br />
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Jeanne Sullivan is very popular at BOTP and with good reason. Her work is lovely and absolutely meticulous. She will take you through a variety of special techniques. her blocks appear on the top row, left and the bottom row right. Look closely at both. It will take your breath away.<br />
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Don't forget Rita Verroca. Next year she will be offering two special classes using the Broiderie perse techniques as well as regular applique. Her classes are very popular and well received. her color sense is right on and her skills are wonderful. Her samples are shown in top row fourth block and bottom row third block.<br />
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Okay, now you know a little about next year and I really hope to see you there. Truth is the instructors often have more fun than the students and that is saying a lot. Come, spend a few days and i bet you will come back again and again! Let me know what you think, what you would do and what you would like to see. Happy, happy stitching, Nadine<br />
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Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-5528312549313695652012-09-25T21:01:00.001-07:002012-09-25T21:01:49.852-07:00I have really talented friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so lucky to have so many talented friends in my life. One of these is Jeanne Sullivan. She is an amazing quilt artist and has won the Northcott fabric challenge for a number of years. She has been working on her book for the last couple of years and it will soon be on the market for all to share. I am personally looking forward to working my way through the entire book and perhaps improving my own skills. Jeanne has an incredible and very tiny berry I am hoping to see in the book just to find out if I can recreate it. Okay I am also hoping to add to my own work with the skill sets I know are in this book. Now, at three o'clock this afternoon I waltzed over to jeannesullivandesign.com and signed up for my own copy. Jeanne has wonderful sewing items for sale as well as applique items and more. I know this seems like a commercial but sometimes you just have to celebrate for a friend. See you thereNadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-57371603574145242152012-08-13T16:37:00.001-07:002012-08-13T16:37:13.005-07:00Just sharing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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This was fun!Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-15647722971876851112012-08-13T16:31:00.001-07:002012-08-13T16:31:16.952-07:00Freddy Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On skis.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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On Saturday last we got ourselves out of bed early, had breakfast, did our obligatory exercizes including towel slides, walking and stretches. We headed over to Dan's apartment and were on the road. We were headed to Hartville MO. for a day in the sun and perhaps an adventure. As many of you know my husband and the love of my life has been in a wheel chair for almost two years.<br />
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So when we heard of an adaptive water ski clinic, we decided to have a look. We found ourselves surrounded by dozens of folks just like us looking to add a little adventure to our lives.<br />
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The top photo is of me, Dale and our son Danny. The woman behind the camera is our Daughter, Kelly. What began as a maybe became a you better believe it. I am so proud of Dale. He has had such a hard 18 months. He skied around the lake twice. The grin on his face when he came out of the water was priceless! He was tired and turned down a second ride, but at almost seventy three years old, he was the oldest participant. Go dale<br />
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It would be remiss of me not to say more about the volunteers. There were students from MSU. Mizzoo, Mercy hospital and many more.<br />
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U can Ski 2 was the affiliated ski club. Awesome! Now maybe we will find a group of canoe people who will know how to get my guy back into that wonderful cedar strip canoe he loves so much.<br />
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My complements to ATOP, the group who thought up this wonderful function. If you know someone who could benefit from this activity, make sure they know about this wonderful program.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-48186455209290960552012-07-19T19:53:00.000-07:002012-07-19T19:53:13.308-07:00LibbyLu, Fast Forward 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenDkdxLdvRKQgATrY0zhyphenhyphenuiBc6RAhr8Y6eIafGUukqQcJV-4yyqJdZDYgU8DHO7kDzOBirNm_ObKYhV5vByukuvvz0qk5gjK7X9JSq8L8Pm_ee-1W66enEzytR1eIMmIVsethoBTNb_o/s1600/libbys+beginning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">l<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenDkdxLdvRKQgATrY0zhyphenhyphenuiBc6RAhr8Y6eIafGUukqQcJV-4yyqJdZDYgU8DHO7kDzOBirNm_ObKYhV5vByukuvvz0qk5gjK7X9JSq8L8Pm_ee-1W66enEzytR1eIMmIVsethoBTNb_o/s320/libbys+beginning.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
LibbyLu graduated from middle school a few weeks ago. There was a lot of talk among the girls about graduation dresses, dresses for graduation dance, and well you get the idea. She asked me if I would help her make her own dress for graduation. You can imagine how happy that made me. The last two years have made these kinds of activities difficult to pull off but here we were with a window. So, to pull it off we had to find a pattern, so a trip to JoAnns. I was pretty impressed with her choice of a classic dress. Now I didn't say we wouldn't shorten the skirt. I know the rules. Above she is holding the back of the dress together to humor me when I wanted to take a photo. Nice smile though. <br />
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The dress is finished but not the story so bare with me a little longer. LibbyLu has had a mind of her own for a very long time now so i made up my mind to be patient this time so we could both enjoy our project. However, I needn't have worried. She was willing to listen to everything. So, my first suggestion was that she trace all the pattern parts she needed for her dress on vellum. You know how it is these days, a pattern is in multiple sizes and if you cut out your size it becomes somewhat impossible to easily cut out a different size. So she traced and cut out her size, As we went through the process, she stitched every seam except the one for the arm facing and she cut it perfectly so it fit without a single problem. Towards the end I realized that I have not sewn for myself for years. So I turned to my daughter Kelly. She did the zipper. yay! We are three generations on this project. It makes my heart sing. With all that said she looks proud and to her Mimi, adorable. Another reminder, take time to sew with your children. You will not be sorry and they will take away memories to share with their own children. Thank you for coming by. I know I do not post often enough to hold your interest. Life gets in the way but believe me I miss you.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-1125948030434063192012-07-19T18:01:00.002-07:002012-07-19T18:01:52.256-07:00<h2>
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I have been wanting to talk about my granddaughter's first efforts at sewing. A little older than two years old and loving to go to the fabric stores as well as quilt shops made for an interesting and fun time with her. Above you can see that she was already interested and willing to listen to Mimi, so she did not get hurt.<br />
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But let's get back to the quilt shop. I wanted to make a quilt with LibbyLu and she wanted to choose the fabric herself, arrange and rearrange the three inch squares every evening, test out the response of her dolls by placing the squares on the carpet and laying her dolls on top, only to get up the next morning and do it all again. <br />
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Finally, it was decided and I put it together on the machine. About this time her mother weighed in with concern that there were six red squares touching each other and perhaps it would be nicer if the red could be scattered over the whole quilt. LibbyLu and I reminded her that this was her quilt and she had spent a long time coming to a final decision. I stitched it together with her on my lap making sure I did everything right. Then as you can see in the above photos we tied the quilt together. It was a time I will always cherish. She is fourteen now and not interested in quilting but I think that will change. Perhaps she will make a quilt for her first child, or maybe she will quilt for the reason I do. Maybe she will do it for the shear joy of producing something beautiful. You know it doesn't matter what she does for her heart as long as she does something. Have you made a quilt with a child? No? Oh you have to. Don't forget your boys. Many of them like this experience.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-60299507731239024602012-07-16T16:12:00.001-07:002012-07-16T16:12:26.324-07:00Aunty Green Alive and well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The photo above is part of the bottom row below the large center block. I continue to be surprised at the variety of fabrics as well as design. This lady was a girl after my own heart as I just love to use as many fabrics as possible in my own work. The above circles use a fabric that looks a little the original so pleases me.<br />
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This corner block uses both vintage look fabrics as well as a contemporary look used to make those interesting flowers. I like it. I cut the flowers with a seam allowance and used the fabric to turn under rather than drawing a pencil line. Cool! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2INH3hVuBIsV5rkKTcAoiIE2V7ZmNhWeYebvohVKBe7ycPejq187wTC6h5U90Wb4RGMkc67FcEvD5-I2fTahx8hMdVC6Er-guT9uh3zlp_ROfYb1tnfuI2eBN1U2hrkTJmc5JYLR0W0/s1600/middle+left+row.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2INH3hVuBIsV5rkKTcAoiIE2V7ZmNhWeYebvohVKBe7ycPejq187wTC6h5U90Wb4RGMkc67FcEvD5-I2fTahx8hMdVC6Er-guT9uh3zlp_ROfYb1tnfuI2eBN1U2hrkTJmc5JYLR0W0/s400/middle+left+row.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
I suspect that you already know that I have been using a lot of flowered fabric to construct a look of floral bouquets. What you may not have picked up on is that I have used the same template over and over. The lines in the fabric have a kind of fool the eye appearance. I do love this technique and plan to use it again!<br />
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The original quilt uses a fair amount of a broiderie Perse' look in the applique. I confess I have had a lot of trouble finding this fabric. The red flowers above have been cut from a nice cotton print with little hint of the chintzes we would ordinarily used. I am pleased however with the substitute and will probably use it again. <br />
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Okay, I have the center medallion framed and now two sides and a corner. For a couple of weeks I will be setting it aside to work on my "Baltimore On the Prairie" project for 2013 in Omaha, Nebraska. Are you going? Have you been? Oh please, treat yourself. With Tresa Jones as coordinator, <br />
teachers: Nancy Kerns, Jeanne Sullivan and Rita Verroca, award winners all, not to mention myself, I can promise you a wonderful adventure. There is always a fabulous trip to the International Quilt Study center in Lincoln. How can you possibly stay away. I would love to see friends and love to make new ones. I hope to see you and please come introduce yourself and tell me you found out about this here! I can hardly wait for this year in September and am so honored to be asked back for next year. Thank you so much for coming by. I know my personal life gets in the way of my posting on a regular basis and some of you may give up on me. Please believe I treasure your interest and right back at you. I do look at your blogs. You are so talented. I hope to see you soon, NadineNadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-9848476942106740652012-06-09T20:26:00.000-07:002012-06-09T20:26:00.218-07:00A really nice find<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been away for awhile but should be able to share some more of my work on the Aunty Green quilt later this next week. I have no idea where the time goes. In any case I did make a really nice find recently at a local antique shop in my city. I purchased my first Singer featherweight sewing machine more than twenty five years ago. Over the years I found another and inherited one from my husbands aunt Bea. She bought it brand new and it was the only sewing machine she used. That one I passed to my daughter because she was a blood relative and because I wanted her to experience the ease of using a sewing machine that has little or no problems over time.<br />
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So, when I found another Featherweight I was delighted. I bought it, took it home and cleaned and oiled all the right places and sat down to sew. Works just beautifully. It was born in the forties. As far as I can tell the only part not original to this machine is the foot pedal and that is just a later version.<br />
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Recently my daughter opened a shop on Etsy. There she sells beautiful pincushions and up to now I have been offering my album patterns. I have decided to offer my new find at the shop. If you want to know more and have another look just click on the Etsy sign on the right side of my blog. I hope you like what you see. I know you will love this machine. No plastic parts!<br />
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I invite each of you to share a featherweight experience with me and other readers. More later.<br />Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-39131534016559367572012-05-03T17:28:00.001-07:002012-05-03T17:28:52.943-07:00Volunteers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bS-f0Vsf2qcBEOoewyeEPl_r-Xt62F8X3ilaqCqP8mVfwLcnDA2CsOWZvUt1N_t8oQfGskXeEFyj4D9UsTO3V5BjIye16XkHr2sf_VuNpDmQ0XaE2aLyJGK74vmVWg8GgMPC7SAG5Bo/s1600/missouri+blue+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bS-f0Vsf2qcBEOoewyeEPl_r-Xt62F8X3ilaqCqP8mVfwLcnDA2CsOWZvUt1N_t8oQfGskXeEFyj4D9UsTO3V5BjIye16XkHr2sf_VuNpDmQ0XaE2aLyJGK74vmVWg8GgMPC7SAG5Bo/s320/missouri+blue+bird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Don't you just love a volunteer. I know I do. I have done a lot of that in my life and know it is so important to have people working with you who are dependable. Now you may be wondering what the fellow up above has to do with volunteering? Well, every evening for the last two weeks he has come out to sit on the top of his nest box to keep an eye on me. I am thoroughly enamored of these beautiful Missouri blue birds. Up to now I have only caught a flash of sky blue, orange and white as these gorgeous creatures as they whisked through the air outside my sewing room. Now as an aside, and before my daughter brings it up, I am planning to share my beautiful space very soon! In any case, I just checked and he is once again sitting on the bird house. A volunteer!<br />
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My favorite kind of volunteer however often occurs in my garden. The sweet little violets you see above started showing up five years ago. I never planted a single seed but expect that the birds brought them in. Perhaps the guy up above? In any case they arrive and I let them flourish just where they land.<br />
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In this picture I think you can see that they have planted themselves in orderly fashion along the bricks edging a large raised flower bed. I could say they demonstrate a certain intelligence but really it comes down to availability of soil. Between each brick that very thing exists.<br />
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Now the rest of the photographs are not volunteers, but simply some of my garden. I have little time for my flowers so treasure the ones that pretty much take care of themselves. When we moved from California to Missouri I had plans to at last have a serious rose garden. Thank goodness I did not get an early start! <br />
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The second year here I had delivered a whole lot of river bottom soil as recommended by a wonderful neighbor. he was right, everything I planted thrived in that bed.<br />
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Unfortunately flowers were not the only things that thrived in my yard! I had a sweet yellow rose bush. One afternoon as I drove up my driveway, I paused to admire that rose. Imagine my horror when I saw a lot of iridescent bugs feasting on the pretty yellow petals. I had no idea what they were but was having none of it. My daughter drove up the driveway and got out of her car to see me picking those bugs off the plant, throwing them down on the driveway and stomping on them. Of course that was not an efficient way to dispose of the nasty creatures. I persevered for a couple of years and finally admitted defeat. I hired a service to help the day we filled two traps to the top with what I now know is the infamous Japanese beetles. I also gave up on vintage roses and now have only Knock out Roses. They are bothered some by the beetles but if they eat they die and the roses begin rejuvenating themselves by the next day. Really! Would I tell you anything but the truth? I have come to care for each and everyone of you.<br />
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I hope you are having a lovely spring/summer. By the way another volunteer that has not shown up this year is Cleome. I will leave you to look that one up and if you cannot find one ask and I will post a photo. let me know what you thinkNadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-34134326913409934362012-04-09T06:26:00.004-07:002012-04-13T09:55:49.624-07:00Done<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy5kKuC0tst1QzklQmgynVSNXea6tKNnA53b0HQu_9N8zmrl6kk39pQLo0ViTIYLM9E_Knkxv8EAHJxj9oC78xQ5e-qSPAsGpTxqc-WQ5UhxnYGvtaZUkhtbN4Bksx6lAxiOd63lDbXU/s1600/SDC12937.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy5kKuC0tst1QzklQmgynVSNXea6tKNnA53b0HQu_9N8zmrl6kk39pQLo0ViTIYLM9E_Knkxv8EAHJxj9oC78xQ5e-qSPAsGpTxqc-WQ5UhxnYGvtaZUkhtbN4Bksx6lAxiOd63lDbXU/s400/SDC12937.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729392643631144018" border="0" /></a>Well, to be honest I am of course not finished with the quilt but the center medallion is now almost complete. I say this because I have a little adjustment to make in the corners. The loops are too long. How did that happen? I have no idea. Fortunately, it will be a fairly easy fix. But. sigh, I hate it when that happens. I will muddle through because I will always see if I let it stand. I am excited in any case. progress is always a good thing. if this kind of thing has ever happened to you drop me a line and share. Please don't let me believe I am the only one!Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-82402856560721710012012-04-04T18:04:00.003-07:002012-04-04T18:41:52.700-07:00Trying to Say the Right Thing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTBKHnx0kDhzenzI8o78laGraelJDA72acVzkwmvjuL8_NTlXOZAzvaXCdP2OxWjj6fRXk4Yuc0_1ZtI4mir3PmZppHv4aCh-vH9VdX1iUOAdELf7vCHHU0Qqmp4LwwFiGmTlQ3nZ_aQ/s1600/libby.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTBKHnx0kDhzenzI8o78laGraelJDA72acVzkwmvjuL8_NTlXOZAzvaXCdP2OxWjj6fRXk4Yuc0_1ZtI4mir3PmZppHv4aCh-vH9VdX1iUOAdELf7vCHHU0Qqmp4LwwFiGmTlQ3nZ_aQ/s400/libby.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727716685739927010" border="0" /></a>I have struggled for the last few days over something that happened over last week and the weekend following. The beautiful young lady above is my granddaughter, Libbylu. LibbyLu has been a cheerleader for approximately six years. her plan for a long time was to go to college on a cheer scholarship. At one time her goal was to be a cheerleader and a surgeon. These days I am not sure but after all she is only fourteen and has a lot of time and living to do before she has to decide.<br /><br />I digress, so will get to the point. A week or so ago LibbyLu dislocated both hips during practice. A trip to the Dr, ex-rays, etc revealed that she has a congenital malformation of her hip sockets.<br />Last weekend was the seasons first competition in Kansas City. The problem was that LibbyLu had been grounded by her primary care doctor as well as the specialist from cheer as well as track. She was and remains devastated .<br /><br />Now LibbyLu was up front and center so her being grounded from performing was problematic. There was disappointment on all sides, for our girl as well as the rest of the team.<br /><br />What followed was unbelievable from my standpoint. Many of the parents were pretty angry at LibbyLu as well as her mother. Many wanted LibbyLu to go on. "Can't she just go on this one time?" What could it hurt?" One of the girls told her she was just faking and also said that most of the parents thought so too. The assistant coach saw Libbylu weeping and turned away.<br /><br />Now this is my point. Would any of those parents risk their own child for a trophy? Gives one pause don't you think? Even if we could separate from the fact that this is a possibly life altering problem for our girl, just what is more important. A trophy or honor?<br /><br />LibbyLu was there last weekend to support here friends because it was the right thing to do. Did she learn anything last weekend. Sure, it seems she now knows where the unkindness comes from. We all know that children learn their behavior from their parents.<br /><br />As an aside I would like to tell you that my daughter Kelly posted her own story this morning. A couple of cheer parents saw it and there was Libbylu in the middle again. If you were one who commented just know Kelly pulled the post to protect LibbyLu. Bullying is against the law in MO. I will be looking into that.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-24946307926255887292012-03-11T20:46:00.004-07:002012-03-11T21:22:34.097-07:00Slowly and Perhaps not Surely!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFgTD_kQjJbfCcQV9bW9CWjJ_gqQQJ4pLxKH_dtKd191wYuoEIjCgqV3qc5hyphenhyphenpIaiHPrYO4oXU6V4Q10BwbU3wBhBmeBAJeG2ndzHv3ExeI5UWpnP3kzsWUQ56x7rCzg3sDU78xxkywg/s1600/corner+three.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFgTD_kQjJbfCcQV9bW9CWjJ_gqQQJ4pLxKH_dtKd191wYuoEIjCgqV3qc5hyphenhyphenpIaiHPrYO4oXU6V4Q10BwbU3wBhBmeBAJeG2ndzHv3ExeI5UWpnP3kzsWUQ56x7rCzg3sDU78xxkywg/s400/corner+three.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718855022752432818" border="0" /></a> It is probable I think that many of you have not seen anyone work as slowly as I have on this project. I seem to be running a Tortoise and Hare race and I think we all know which is me. I would like to say however that slow or not I love this quilt and believe the original artist was ahead of her time. I believe she gloried in the making. Slow I may be but I can hardly wait to ove on to the next corner and I suspect many of you are thinking finaly! Me too, actually.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jMra_qjPVYlJ4vhokkmb8sfVGIg_32Xw-MbhgVVV8uKj8f2pao6NF7-doE-5Ejbu0JwGKVCUFgiuVY6TZzct59m-K9SuLRa0xqdUSJdXWPUV21G14GUZuVWVb2I8yufhxPDQNyg39kk/s1600/third+corner+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jMra_qjPVYlJ4vhokkmb8sfVGIg_32Xw-MbhgVVV8uKj8f2pao6NF7-doE-5Ejbu0JwGKVCUFgiuVY6TZzct59m-K9SuLRa0xqdUSJdXWPUV21G14GUZuVWVb2I8yufhxPDQNyg39kk/s400/third+corner+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718854045469919218" border="0" /></a>I thought I would share a close up because I want you to see some of my strategy up close. From the beginning I was intent on including some broiderie Perse work in this quilt. I so thoroughly enjoyed the roses in the center bouquet I intend to use the technique wherever appropriate. In addition, I would like to point out that the small flowers on the left have blue ultra suede centers.<br />Also I confess that the tiny flower in between the two blue flowers at the top also has ultra suede. The leaves are teeny tiny and I decided I would rather use the ultra suede that be unable to make that particular flower perfect because of the small size. Finally, don't you just love those blue flowers? Broidery Perse again. I cut the roses from fabric taking care to leave a quarter inch all around. I turned under one eighth leaving a nice eighth inch to frame the flower.<br /><br />Please remember to share something you are working on. For me show and tell has always been more fun that anything else. Happy quilting.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-83240175911969177142012-01-29T20:06:00.000-08:002012-01-29T20:39:53.763-08:00Birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1o00XkNx-05w70a_ew9GziWA_c8J1dWDKJuCcK2_2S6BqxFZY70YT_EC5YQhIZA3fKJvwXprTfej9x5E4aUz3A0rpJfeAj4ldEYBLIGVuI5j6izZCwuZTxyRmctXPLq3bmH63NGRPqw/s1600/nanas+apron.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1o00XkNx-05w70a_ew9GziWA_c8J1dWDKJuCcK2_2S6BqxFZY70YT_EC5YQhIZA3fKJvwXprTfej9x5E4aUz3A0rpJfeAj4ldEYBLIGVuI5j6izZCwuZTxyRmctXPLq3bmH63NGRPqw/s400/nanas+apron.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703273733016814450" border="0" /></a>My beautiful daughter and very dear friend turned a year older this last week. I have decided not to reveal her age as I think that is a personal thing and lets face it. This is a time to be discreet, don't you think? She is a woman of many talents, a collector of vintage aprons, Christmas ornaments, china, vintage linens and more. So, when thinking of a wonderful gift, one thing came to mind at once. Why not another apron? I found this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kwik</span>-Sew pattern and knew right away I would make this for her. I have to say it was easy to make with really good directions. I think she loves it, I know I do<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK4QfQtqnSYBLLcWDNANPszLRAb4rM73jSRVH-UiCqu3fJHCnHPGQFi27ZqBFbBhr1ems9RcKoBVmgxM2aRF1z8Mee2uDdxrt5sUP_EyTpeGq9pzGPTEppEvazP8J-knKScM_qIQZBcc/s1600/lucyapron.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK4QfQtqnSYBLLcWDNANPszLRAb4rM73jSRVH-UiCqu3fJHCnHPGQFi27ZqBFbBhr1ems9RcKoBVmgxM2aRF1z8Mee2uDdxrt5sUP_EyTpeGq9pzGPTEppEvazP8J-knKScM_qIQZBcc/s400/lucyapron.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703272972247777570" border="0" /></a>Now my story is far from over. This pattern also included a pattern for a child apron. Bingo! Kelly has a sweet little granddaughter known as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LucyLu</span>. I have spoken of her before. She is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">whiz</span> at opening packages. She will sit in her high-chair in Nana's kitchen for a very long time supervising the construction of yummy cup cakes. So an apron of her own seemed a very good choice. They were so cute together! If you want to see the real deal, just click on the cute cup cake in the left hand column and find yourself in in Undeniably Domestic. You will not be sorry you looked. I hope to hear from you soon, NadineNadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-34161357127224531892012-01-20T19:46:00.000-08:002012-01-20T19:57:34.722-08:00I Think You Will Like This<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq925qFj-9_bOUHQ_4DOOJXhfDC-MF1ylngvSgT_7clnsRVokr5XVVpM5KhTyXaGwD3ttXNbBcQv6CseEOq2OG13CJsDdbaKNOebNkrk6upybhwCFCPClMzDf5Jeybsiti_28JWJv044/s1600/red_green_quilts_jpg_300x300_q85.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitq925qFj-9_bOUHQ_4DOOJXhfDC-MF1ylngvSgT_7clnsRVokr5XVVpM5KhTyXaGwD3ttXNbBcQv6CseEOq2OG13CJsDdbaKNOebNkrk6upybhwCFCPClMzDf5Jeybsiti_28JWJv044/s400/red_green_quilts_jpg_300x300_q85.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699926988986906690" border="0" /></a>If you have not seen this book it is time you check it out. As you can see at the bottom this is published by the wonderful French publisher "Quilt Mania." For me this was a Christmas gift from my dear friend Kathleen J. I am so blessed with friends like her. This book is written both in French and English. There are thirty two featured red and green quilts and five of them are profiled with templates and and instructions. With little time to sew these days, I am so glad for books like this one. I hope you go to the Quilt mania web sight to view this in all it's glory. You can turn the pages and see many of the wonderful quilts. Come back and tell me what you think.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-53117899092327809422012-01-11T19:16:00.000-08:002012-01-11T19:38:34.124-08:00Aunty Green January 2012<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEG10GQh1Y0ZGHIhXbRS5BPO4dYykXunmEwBwC5a9cnSmWbMeTun6CDa3V8HUN-c84ye0LSytmOc31OcOGrrHPTkwXI6HgUhhX86tiWUgA5IW2Xxf81tpiI7C_2I7A6fqqp5Ff4nBb_lw/s1600/aunty+green+one.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEG10GQh1Y0ZGHIhXbRS5BPO4dYykXunmEwBwC5a9cnSmWbMeTun6CDa3V8HUN-c84ye0LSytmOc31OcOGrrHPTkwXI6HgUhhX86tiWUgA5IW2Xxf81tpiI7C_2I7A6fqqp5Ff4nBb_lw/s400/aunty+green+one.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696580874311835074" border="0" /></a>I know it has been a long time but hope you like what you see so far. Don't forget I have to draft the patterns myself as we only received one corner of the medallion, the lower right. It is not easy for me to draw so I have to agonize for sometime before I get it right. In any case I was able to work things out and so here it is. I love working on this but have little time during the day and am often too tired in the evening.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfMio3sPYtqaVBc8wSnRznfE7LJ84A6x7OtuXbMvKRzBELvnjd6ucY5-sH7MxHbxubYiNRHXPzIGZ-2ygu5K0jB3dI6JKU98J6V6vsHjmFINCuLBYQdxn2l7tKCtkpWZU_0G6szE384o/s1600/lower+right+corner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfMio3sPYtqaVBc8wSnRznfE7LJ84A6x7OtuXbMvKRzBELvnjd6ucY5-sH7MxHbxubYiNRHXPzIGZ-2ygu5K0jB3dI6JKU98J6V6vsHjmFINCuLBYQdxn2l7tKCtkpWZU_0G6szE384o/s400/lower+right+corner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696580086212277250" border="0" /></a>I continue to rely on my fabrics for inspiration in this special class. I hope you have seen the original quilt. Full of flowers in every shape and size. I hope to have more time to work on this project as winter sets in here in the Ozarks. There is a little snow in the forecast tonight and perhaps that will mean time to stitch after therapy, laundry, cooking, well enough to give you an idea.<br /><br />I do notice that a great many of you are also quilters. How about an online quilt show. I would so love to see what you are doing. There is something about a quilter, don't you think? I do appreciate all of your kindness and concern for my family and hope you continue to drop by. I will be watching for you.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-34081053289868773712012-01-11T18:01:00.000-08:002012-01-11T18:30:01.949-08:00Sometimes there is Joy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGkL3kHjM4Su18FHA3Z8u4hnhcVi18yvdAPGHpeiHZJbnJirKn7NWG9TqovbpuFvi1DjfsldMXJb1-iRmtCQBA1NUVh9_idOA5lIoyhdOlheSaUy0WV7_VbkuZ_-ODHYoJEQMRSUNwAM/s1600/lucy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGkL3kHjM4Su18FHA3Z8u4hnhcVi18yvdAPGHpeiHZJbnJirKn7NWG9TqovbpuFvi1DjfsldMXJb1-iRmtCQBA1NUVh9_idOA5lIoyhdOlheSaUy0WV7_VbkuZ_-ODHYoJEQMRSUNwAM/s400/lucy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696560340710896578" border="0" /></a>As many of you already know this last year and a half has been difficult for our family. Having said that there have been moments of real joy. A daughter and son-in-law who have stepped up and stepped forward to help in every way possible. Joy! A son who when he was convinced his dad was not going to die stepped up to care for the hero in his life. Joy! A grandchild by family who rarely gives a hug who always hugs her papa coming and going. Joy! Grand daughters by marriage who visit by choice and have conversations with papa that make him laugh. Joy! And then there is LuLu at the top of this story. It would take all day to tell you about LuLu so I will share a few highlights. She is a precious, smart little girl. She is the fifteen month old who walked down the hallway of the skilled nursing facility calling "papa, papa, where are you papa?" Upon entering the room she would head for the electronics which in this case meant the panel of buttons that operated the hospital bed! She is the little girl, who, when she sees you will run across the room and throw herself into your arms. Often she will tell you how happy she is to see you, her words not mine. Did I mention she is only two? There is also a rumor that she sings gospel. Oh Joy! As it turns out she is also a world class Christmas package opener as the photo above attests. I think the Hello Kitty on that gift bag really had a ride!! Such Joy. I am so grateful for my family. Even in the midst of chaos one still needs the Joy. Thank you for mine.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-89007053791701074222012-01-11T05:21:00.000-08:002012-01-11T05:56:50.177-08:00Remember Him?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQNIW0Hz_NccAmFcl_5tcwzBI61P9j7KwdLiHF1rJ0QJuEGiRL7pNNOIUf35ZbjX6ZrwNPBla5UT6O_0KxZFX4BNniSSqf7JZNwL9gqFrDxt-uwkKxqA6bsEf7MX3SmKr3MlK04ceGqs/s1600/my+danny.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQNIW0Hz_NccAmFcl_5tcwzBI61P9j7KwdLiHF1rJ0QJuEGiRL7pNNOIUf35ZbjX6ZrwNPBla5UT6O_0KxZFX4BNniSSqf7JZNwL9gqFrDxt-uwkKxqA6bsEf7MX3SmKr3MlK04ceGqs/s400/my+danny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696365649108814306" border="0" /></a>You have seen this guy before. This is my youngest child, Daniel when in trouble, Dan when he is acting like a grown up and Danny when the sweetness of his nature comes to the surface. He is an adult with developmental disabilities and always struggling to be seen as an sdult with his act together. I have always worried about Dan and what would become of him as he grew older. I am the most fortunate of mom's as both my children have grown up to be good caring adults who often put others ahead of themselves. Danny will call to let me know there is an Amber alert for a lost child and continue to update me until the problem is resolved. When he was a little guy he began to look forward to the day when he would have a car of his own. Since I am always looking ahead I worried what might happen when the magical age of sixteen came around and he did not get that car he was dreaming about. That day came and went and he simply continued to speak of someday.......<br /><br />His dad had several strokes over the last year and a half and it was quite awhile before Danny stopped asking me if his dad was going to die. Like his older sister he began to be one of the care givers in the family. He fetches for dad, wheels him in to dinner or to the bathroom, watches over him outside and endlessly uses dad's laptop to search out the web sight of his high school or any new news of his beloved "Dukes of Hazard"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWPCgcqG-wUgzC3zxY8ZtJ7BYSmoR_2c1XDwIciPkENrma1Z4Gk8u21mjhcaF4xEc3_YCAR934itrmfwGKpjqPu0-zNhLfGqZ2UwKCrEv70s5EKf36oKyijSt0K_tSV_PxyZgdIJN6uI/s1600/danny+one.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWPCgcqG-wUgzC3zxY8ZtJ7BYSmoR_2c1XDwIciPkENrma1Z4Gk8u21mjhcaF4xEc3_YCAR934itrmfwGKpjqPu0-zNhLfGqZ2UwKCrEv70s5EKf36oKyijSt0K_tSV_PxyZgdIJN6uI/s400/danny+one.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696365243734239698" border="0" /></a>I have not had as much time as I would have to attend to Danny's needs over the last year and counting, much to my sorrow. I often feel guilty about that. His sister and "brother" have been amazing. I don't know what I would have done without them. However, it seems that without even trying I have hit a home run with the boy in my dreams. The shoes above look a lot like the ones we bought for Dad to use during the months of therapy and beyond. <br /><br />A friend of Dan's at the apartment complex shared with us a sweet little thing he had observed about Danny since the new shoes arrived. Danny does not walk on the grass because he doesn't want to get his new shoes dirty. Oh that makes me smile! Those of you in my situation will understand how I felt. As Danny grew up and older I remember hoping, perhaps praying that I could always see that little boy inside the man struggling to be a grown up. The little guy who could always make me smile. It has been a long year Danny but you did it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///Users/nadinethompson/Desktop/danny%20two.JPG" alt="" />Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-56417536381037360932012-01-10T17:59:00.000-08:002012-01-11T19:53:40.614-08:00Sometimes I cook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBQAJJl_OhwsL52hASnWS10joZfuHFFlKpKrLt0F3dYGvDpWcqI-rycY0ZlZEIEIsmYWZvarOvr9BkVIHdpCjRWDuramc-cD6aTA5Kf8teYUDiU31IxK4FUmjszWAr6MFFzKIZmZX2dY/s1600/taco+number+one.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBQAJJl_OhwsL52hASnWS10joZfuHFFlKpKrLt0F3dYGvDpWcqI-rycY0ZlZEIEIsmYWZvarOvr9BkVIHdpCjRWDuramc-cD6aTA5Kf8teYUDiU31IxK4FUmjszWAr6MFFzKIZmZX2dY/s400/taco+number+one.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696244062356208306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I do cook although these days I am not sure just why. I suspect that with so much going on in our lives it has had a real impact on my concentration and therefore on my success in the kitchen. My pot roast is not as tender as I remember. These days everything also seems a little off. But a girl has to eat. So when I received a really pretty red pie pan with a ruffled edge from two of my favorite nephews, I knew I had to try again. There was a recipe inside!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrxHSeeYzhzw7k-9l2Sx1-5OCrCWiCby8oNfO3vCKZX9Xg4q3XpmGqN7TsgRCKpnJP5syY3i1G12oqswWU08d_JD1hZ7x8y_KzSKoJ6z3eaLjnnpvcx0pKOfuV25gSmbxN7J43MJ8sTI/s1600/taco+pie+one.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrxHSeeYzhzw7k-9l2Sx1-5OCrCWiCby8oNfO3vCKZX9Xg4q3XpmGqN7TsgRCKpnJP5syY3i1G12oqswWU08d_JD1hZ7x8y_KzSKoJ6z3eaLjnnpvcx0pKOfuV25gSmbxN7J43MJ8sTI/s400/taco+pie+one.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696189233219190930" border="0" /></a><br />This recipe has quickly become a favorite around here so I am going to share. I think this is a first for me as I usually write about quilting with family and friends scattered in as well. However this is an easy and tasty dish and I have decided you need to try this for a quick, popular dish.<br /><br /> Easy Taco Pie<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />One can of crescent rolls.<br />One pound lean ground beef.<br />One eight ounce container of sour cream.<br />One eight ounce package of finely shredded mild cheddar cheese.<br />One package taco seasoning (dry).<br />1/2 pkg water. Use taco seasoning package.<br />1/2 bag crushed tortilla chips. ( I used really thin chips)<br /><br />Spray a pie plate with cooking spray.Line the pie plate with the crescent Rolls, making sure to overlap. Fill any gaps and bring up to the edge.sprinkle with half of the tortilla chips. Brown and drain beef. Add taco seasoning and water. Simmer for ten minutes. Top crescent rolls with the meat mixture. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese and remaining tortilla chips. bake in a 350* oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve with extra sour cream, salsa, or salsa con queso or other toppings of your choice. It has a casual look and tasted really good.<br /><br />Thanks for dropping by. I promise to get back to regular quilt related posts very soon. I will post progress on Aunty Green in a day or so.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-77452019785446210212011-12-25T16:20:00.000-08:002011-12-25T18:29:10.305-08:00I know it has been awhile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57OTQA5H8jHo_Yfwyhd0M105gQtIK4DkLmdPkIxZLlriXDKZVgg0mLlsJWOJZJSZrnyZQ6noPGnd8kbrnU8fQUtSdPZF3kyrbdZJWWFFRKGJEP6jI1Kd7cu1tbBGCwcPz75auZJfQ4To/s1600/angel%25231.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57OTQA5H8jHo_Yfwyhd0M105gQtIK4DkLmdPkIxZLlriXDKZVgg0mLlsJWOJZJSZrnyZQ6noPGnd8kbrnU8fQUtSdPZF3kyrbdZJWWFFRKGJEP6jI1Kd7cu1tbBGCwcPz75auZJfQ4To/s400/angel%25231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690255299356129842" border="0" /></a>This young lady has graced the Thompson tree tops for 49 years. For the the majority of those years our oldest child has been the one to set it in place atop the tree. Our very first Christmas we had a tree with blue balls that my husband wired up with tiny lights inside. We thought we were very cool! However the very next year we found this pretty little angel in a local florist shop and we never looked back. Early on she sat on daddy's shoulder, graduated to a step stool and finally for about nine years she placed the angel on top by climbing upstairs and reaching down to put her in place. We have a lot of sentiment for this piece. tattered though she is we can't bring ourselves to replace her. We tried for a few years to get another so we could preserve the original with no luck. So she will probably fall completely apart some day but she has had a good run.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxuFTwypeyI5odEWUSd_hL_IQQXallDkaQsAhyphenhyphenQi0zyJBkgiXZuqwebuoBhTUMTpl9e3Fe2EGKU9aEGbql7c0O8IVX-oSVX0ku3OR1TCijCXZwkL2_j-q42Ybnl942PIdCoYDKP9XfMo/s1600/newest+tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxuFTwypeyI5odEWUSd_hL_IQQXallDkaQsAhyphenhyphenQi0zyJBkgiXZuqwebuoBhTUMTpl9e3Fe2EGKU9aEGbql7c0O8IVX-oSVX0ku3OR1TCijCXZwkL2_j-q42Ybnl942PIdCoYDKP9XfMo/s400/newest+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690228972653027122" border="0" /></a>It has been awhile what with life and now Christmas. I don't have much in the way of quilting to speak about but what I do have is awesome. My daughter gifted me with the book, "The Quilter's Hall of Fame" It is beautiful. The images take my breathe away. There are stories about some of our favorite quilters. Go look, you are going to want this book too.<br /><br />The photo above is my Christmas tree this year. It is four feet tall, the smallest tree I ever remember having. I have taken a number of pictures during the day, morning and afternoon, even at night but no matter what it looks like a Charley Brown tree. Now I admit this is not my usual style. My trees are usually very sentimental, with ornaments I made myself perhaps, often ornaments made especially for me by dear friends and family. I usually begin decorating the day after Thanksgiving. But things have not been usual for awhile. My time to get ready for Christmas is not the same anymore. So I did most of my shopping online and haunted the mail box everyday because I was so worried someone would be slighted if their gift was late in coming.<br /><br />That day after Thanksgiving when I decided to begin sprucing up for the holiday it hit me. There was no way I could put a tree on the floor. Never mind that two year old Lulu would be here but a big tree would get in the way of home therapy which we do every day seven days a week. Wheel chairs, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hemi</span>-canes, splints, towel slides, braces, OT, PT and ST rule the day in this house. So, move over Charley Brown, we are here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWxHfS4_Jc8ebQUfmzEd3w1qfDnWg2zY0-sGFHReNWmu8mwoCh8n3tRD4yy-q7P4p0JRlXjGRXquz2fGsTCuF3-75fRZue2QmRIcm0xsUNU0QPcx0kS1H0P2wO0FKkRpUsYlbbE4dZww/s1600/second+treehere.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWxHfS4_Jc8ebQUfmzEd3w1qfDnWg2zY0-sGFHReNWmu8mwoCh8n3tRD4yy-q7P4p0JRlXjGRXquz2fGsTCuF3-75fRZue2QmRIcm0xsUNU0QPcx0kS1H0P2wO0FKkRpUsYlbbE4dZww/s400/second+treehere.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690227766420352034" border="0" /></a>I bought this tree last year. This tree is seven feet tall and decorated more in my style. Dale was not home yet. He had spent a month in the hospital and was transferred to Quail Creek, a skilled nursing facility to spend his 100 days. We celebrated Thanksgiving in the hospital and Christmas in the care center. He came home in late March and the tree and decorations were there for him to see.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXS8Nuo1qPACyHIUyBpREjhCyTDnEJXGfSQ-1pRHo9PC8lO5fmJRa_ohhYRegXWUXW0o5eZjGuHSxgNfrEtygcvP1RE_e8LtYKxQUWw_jnQDXX-IdYXl82lei3OOGIpNrMJDoFu-MYjk/s1600/first+tree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXS8Nuo1qPACyHIUyBpREjhCyTDnEJXGfSQ-1pRHo9PC8lO5fmJRa_ohhYRegXWUXW0o5eZjGuHSxgNfrEtygcvP1RE_e8LtYKxQUWw_jnQDXX-IdYXl82lei3OOGIpNrMJDoFu-MYjk/s400/first+tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690226264717700850" border="0" /></a><br />Now this tree was our first tree in Missouri. Nine feet with a lot of room to spare. Loved it, but they last only so long. There were some wonderful as well as sad times. This is the only tree we had that actually was not decorated that first year. Bare. Fifty years together and one undecorated tree. Depression can be a very bad thing. However we weathered that storm and moved on. As I write this I realize it is probably boring to all of you. I have come to believe that boring can be a good thing. I hope that you have had a wonderful holiday and if not that you are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Merry Christmas to you and yours. I hope you are surrounded by those you love and those who love you back,Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816906549366028385.post-44502132508902450582011-11-24T20:37:00.000-08:002011-11-24T20:49:54.863-08:00Something to Think About<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnpOmteU_JFer6yTh3d7nbm8eJzCwhWHaPAbK-H3u8BOUdhyphenhyphen85Ep9Ek5m-GMI82HHq5gs9rvF831RlvYpAoWp3pfaHu6Te_DgYmfxA7vrFwVfU89thk4l0oZca0_54AzsxaGPACNnu_w/s1600/the+help.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 1px; height: 1px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnpOmteU_JFer6yTh3d7nbm8eJzCwhWHaPAbK-H3u8BOUdhyphenhyphen85Ep9Ek5m-GMI82HHq5gs9rvF831RlvYpAoWp3pfaHu6Te_DgYmfxA7vrFwVfU89thk4l0oZca0_54AzsxaGPACNnu_w/s400/the+help.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678788626698147138" border="0" /></a>If you look to the left you will see the book I recently added to my collection. The Help is one of those books you cannot put down. Today I saw the movie and have to say it was amazing. My stomach actually clinched in the same places it did while reading the book. I promise, I am not starting a book club here. I am after all a quilter!!! however, I would love to hear from those of you who also read this book, and what your feelings are. It took my breath away.Nadine Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17183228536390286281noreply@blogger.com4