Life Blessings!

It's been ages since I posted..
Life changes happened right before my eyes!!

In December 2013 I went to a Christmas party with friends and I met a gentleman who has the greatest smile ever..  He was friendly and we chatted at dinner.  We went our separate ways and again we crossed paths at another neighborhood gathering, this time it was Valentine's Dinner..we sat together and had a great visit...several months later we saw each other at a Birthday celebration of a mutual friend..and we danced!  He took my phone number and couple months passed, he called!!   He asked me to take dance lessons with him as his partner and I said YES!  And so our journey began...many dance lessons and practices, we said let's just be friends, after all neither of us were looking for a relationship...but God had another plan for us...We are now a couple and he is a blessing indeed.  Chuck and I have had our share of peaks and valleys in life since we became one, but thru it all we have conquered!!

In June,  while walking to the pool in our subdivision on an uneven walkway due to tree roots pushing a flat rock upward, I fell and developed a blood hematoma on my leg.  I spent a week in the hospital, with severe  pain, swelling and lots of skin breaking down causing blisters.  I injured my leg, knee, hip and shoulder/neck area..In July I had surgery and was attached to a wound care vac pump for about 6 weeks, a walker, and elevated leg.  As of today, I am mending - no walker, no pump and my open wound is almost closed.  My next step is to see the orthopedic doctor for evaluation and therapy or whatever he recommends.  Baby steps, one day at a time!

I hope to start sewing/quilting soon.  I have made two pillowcases and using the left foot is kinda weird if I may say so myself!  My quilter brought me 5 quilt tops that I need to bind and I need to sew about 6 or 8 more backings for the next batch...Hope to be back in the saddle before long!!

Love, TJ

Ready for 2014???

Here we are at the beginning of a New Year!  I set resolutions last year, but with the hustle and bustle of life, I did not get them done.  I had good intentions like all of us to do at the start of a new chapter in life.

This last year, I have been fortunate enough to do part time work at our local quilt shop, One Quilt Place.  I taught a Janet's Tote bag class and a quilt class for a pattern I designed.  And I taught a local lady and her sister in law from out of state how to make a quilt..sort of a whacky stack and cut...really cute quilt tops Mary and Susan made..Now if I could just learn how to copyright and market those patterns...

As the leader for a group of about 30 women, we had a monthly club meeting with newsletter, recipes, events and new happenings at quilt shop..kept me busy sewing samples for club and the shop.

I am excited to announce this year I will be organizing the Block of the Month club kits for about 8 or so programs..really gets your anxious to get new projects started...

Check out the website at www.onequiltplace.com  for classes and events.

It has been a year since I posted to my blog..A lot has happened..I am working part time in a local quilt shop and teaching a few classes as well..busy keeping up with three awesome grandchildren: Kyleigh is 12 years old, a sixth grader and cheerleader at IDEA South Flores College Preparatory Academy, Cohen is 9 years old in December and is in the third grade at IDEA Carver Academy - your typical boy, always busy and full of questions with a heart of gold and the youngest is Abby Lu who will be 5 years old in December..she is an active little girl with a big imagination and really lights up the room when she enters..I am truly blessed with these grandkiddos and two wonderful daughters and their awesome husbands.

I have written a couple quilt patterns this last year..now that was challenging.  At the quilt shop, One Quilt Place, I lead a group of about 30 women in a scrap club that meets once a month.  We have lots of fun sharing ideas and  "show and share" projects.

Our local guild holds a quilt show in the even years..so we have one scheduled for the end of August in 2014.  About 20 or so guild members made our raffle quilt that has lots of feathered stars and applique.  It was entered in the Houston International Quilt Festival and we are so excited to announce that it won 1st place in the Group quilt division...who would have thought it!  We are a very proud group of quilters and whoever wins this raffle quilt will be a lucky person.

My goal is to work on my blog and get some tutorials posted for my friends and followers.  Wish me luck! I need to find some more hours in a day!


Love, TJ

2012 WHERE DID IT GO???

I've been away for so long...2012 was a wonderful year..I am so blessed!  I was able to go to the Houston Quilt Festival and met Eleanor Burns, Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson.  Even had a photo with them..that was the highlight of my quilting journey.  You see I made my first Trip Around the World in one day with Eleanor Burns method.  It was in a shop in Austin, Texas...Little did I know that I would meet such wonderful quilters along my journey.  

My youngest daughter is an awesome seamstress and quilter and my oldest daughter is very creative and crafty.  Both girls have inherited their Nana Beaver's talents.  She was such an inspiration to all. I cherish being able to sit, sew, craft and brainstorm on whatever projects we tackle.

I have two awesome son in laws who are very good to my daughters and their children.  Both are talented in different fields, which helps when I need assistance with whatever.  I am so proud of them.  We were talking that past week and realized that both of them came into our lives about 18 years ago..Deanna and Marc have been married 13 years and Tiffany and Shaun, 14 years. Lots of dating time..guess that might be the secret to their relationships..they know each other well.

Grandchildren update:  Kyleigh is becoming a beautiful young lady..oh my she is 11 years old and very tall, just like her daddy.  She is on the broadcasting team at school.  Cohen is  an active 7 year old who will turn 8 on December 23rd.  He is reading at 4th grade level and he is in the 2nd grade.  Very proud of both for doing so well in school.  The youngest, Abby will be 4 on December 29th and is a very witty and humorous little girl.  It amazes me that she is able to carry on such vivid conversations with us.  She never forgets anything, so be careful what you say!  I spend as much time with my grandchildren as I can and I am thankful that my daughters and son in laws allow me that privilege...I am truly blessed!

2013 brings new ideas and projects.  I will be doing a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt with my friends, Kathie and Nina..Better get started, Nina has her first mystery block under way and I have not bought my gray fabric yet...Look forward to this quilt with a variety of purples, aquas, limey greens, turquoises, black on white prints and winter flannel grey..Should be interesting!

My Be Joyful Bee group will be tackling a challenge quilt, making two donation quilts, working on our quilt show boutique and sharing lots of ideas and recipes with each other.  There are some very talented ladies in this group and I hope to learn from each of them.

Life is good.  God has given me an awesome family, friends and neighbors that I am truly thankful for..

Hope you had a wonderful 2012 and I wish you a joyful Holiday Season filled with love and memories.  

See ya in 2013!!!!

Hugs, TJ

Wow, where has this last year gone?? I retired in September 2010 and moved to Fredericksburg end of November. I could not believe a year has passed and it was time to renew my lease.

I have been sick with bronchitis, allergies and sinus infection for a few weeks now and need to get going on Christmas presents or I will be in lots of hot water. My daughter, Tiffany went out of Black Friday and grabbed almost all items on my list. Thank you..

Will leave home next Tuesday and go to Leander to see Deanna and her family. Will attend Abby's dance recital and her mother's day out church program..Marc and Anna leave at town end of week for a few days and Abby and I will be playing!

Leave Leander and go to New Braunfels for Cohen's 7th birthday on the 23rd. Will spend Christmas Eve and Day with Tiffany and her family. Return to Leander on 29th to celebrate Abby's 3rd birthday. Whew, this is tiring me out already....

I love the Christmas season, family and good food. Hope to catch up with an old friend in Austin during the holidays. Really miss seeing her!

Happy Holidays to all and drive safe.

Lov, TJ

It's been a long hot summer! I have completed two more quilt tops. One is a pattern I designed and I named it "Kyleigh" for my oldest granddaughter who will be 10 this month. I used the Amy Butler "Soul Blossoms" collection. The other is a quilt top I made at a quilt retreat last month. It was made using a jelly roll from the Arcadia collection by Sanae. Hope to get both quilted next month. Might learn to machine quilt on my brother sewing machine. I've watched several u=-tube videos and I think I can do it. If I can use a longarm machine, surely I can do a small quilt on my machine at home, right? Also, I am working on a design for my grandson, Cohen. And then, I will work on one for Abby. Thank goodness for EQ6..it helps with designing quilts. I am glad I can spend time sewing, it helps me get thru the days when my health prevents me from tackling much of anything else.






Once a month, at the local quilt shop, I lead a group of about 25 women in a scrap club. Each month I provide them with a quilt pattern, a scrap fabric project, newletter with tips, upcoming shows, etc. and a recipe. We have a great time with a show and share segment and lots of good food together. After lunch, we sit and sew on our projects and brainstorm new ideas with each other...It's a great group of ladies and spending time with quilting friends is like drinking a good cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day! Yum, yum!



On another note, I have been teaching a group of ladies how to sew. One of these gals did not have a sewing machine last month and when we met last week, she had purchased a new machine and was eager to learn how to use it. We made cosmetic bags with zippers and a composition notebook cover. Everyone was excited to leave with a finished project.



As soon as I figure out how to get camera photos in my computer, I will post photos.



A week ago, I went to a quilt shop in New Braunfels where my daughter leads a group for a purse party. All six of us left with a finished purse, a Heather Bailey Smart Bag. Fun, Fun, Fun!

We meet again next month and will make a pruse using grommets. Can't wait to see how they look.

Working on several gift bags made from fat quarters for a group of little munchins who are having birthday celebrations this month.

Gotta run! Need to start packing for my trip to see Abby. She has a surprise for me! I wonder what it is..Shhh- I have a surprise for her too!



Pray for rain...



Happy quilting!



Love, TJ

Kyleigh

My granddaughter, Kyleigh in her outfit for the talent show......she sang and did an awesome job! Isn't she cute? These 9 year olds look so much older...her dad better get ready!!!

Love, TJ