Busy, busy, busy...

Hello everyone!!! I hope y'all are doing well out there....getting ready for the holiday season that is barrelling towards us at lightning speed. Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is in 5 days! I was so busy working on another Quilt of Valor for a friend of mine. I lost all track of time. Our guild's ceremony for the veterans is usually mid-November; this year, it was the 21st. I'm very grateful for that; I was working on my quilt until 3pm; the ceremony was at 7 pm. I sewed the label on while I was getting my oil changed. Believe me, I am ALWAYS working like that. You know, finishing Christmas gifts on the drive to Orlando in the car. But I am usually very happy with the end product, as are the recipients, which is what matters most.

And judging by everyone's smiles, they loved Darren's quilt. I hadn't seen Darren and his family in almost 20 years....so yes, time definitely does fly by. The last time I saw his sons, they were 6 and 2...The oldest just found out he's going to be a dad...the gender reveal is going to be today...I can't wait to find out!!! I crocheted both boys blankets when they were young, so now I will have a new generation to make things for! The youngest has grown to 6'10" and is a diesel mechanic. Makes me smile to see everyone doing so well. Other than making this quilt, I have not been crafting as much as I'd like. This week I'm trying to deep clean the house for Thanksgiving. Yes, I'm cooking, and I love it! The boys will all be here with their families, as will a couple of friends. I really do love this time of the year. I had better get back to it....I need to put up my Christmas tree so we can take our Christmas card picture as well. I can't wait for Friday either...not for shopping, but to get on the river for some peace and quiet. Here are a few photos from last weekend...I needed to get a new, lighter kayak. I have an 11.5' ocean kayak that I love, but cannot wrangle by myself. It's too heavy and bulky; not to mention the rivers are running higher and faster than usual due to the storms we've had down here, so going against the current is tough in Take a Break.

Just the way I like it...few people, lots of birds, turtles and yes, even an alligator or two basking in the sun. We did see otters, but I can never get their picture...they move too fast! I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving with your family, friends, and loved ones. I will talk with y'all soon! Much love, Beth

Something New!!!

Hello my friends! I wanted to share with you what I have been doing for the past 6 months....working, lol. I've been trying to craft, but haven't been very motivated nor successful. Our lab has been short staffed with summer vacations, techs/folks moving on to other places, etc. I haven't even been motivated to go to the gym in the mornings. I seemingly go to work, come home, go to sleep and get up to do it again, 5 days a week. I spend a lot of time on my weekends watching TV. Never used to, but have lately. Not even the Olympics...old episodes of Ink Master, lol. I love to watch and then go talk with my son, Jeff, who is a tattoo artist. I tell him all the stuff I learn from Dave Navarro, Oliver Peck and Chris Nunez. Jeff just rolls his eyes and says "yeah Mom, there ya go..."

I have been working on a Quilt of Valor for a long time family friend who lives in Alaska. I wanted to finish it in June, but life got in the way. Here's the top:

Here's the back:

and the other side:

I've known Tim (intended recipient) since I was 6 or 7 years old. He used to cut cords of wood for my parents at our cabin in upstate NY (Wilmington). He was always very helpful to my folks. My mom adored him for all he did for us. I have to admit, Tim was my first big crush. Soooo, when he went away and joined the marines, I was heartbroken. Fast forward to the early 2000's and with the power of the internet, I found out Tim was living in Alaska. Once I joined the quilt guild, Country Road Quilters of Ocala, I became involved with the Quilts of Valor program. It is my honor an pleasure to make this quilt for Tim's service to our country; and as a keepsake so that he knows that the Thomas family remembers and appreciates him. I hope he will like it. I am planning on giving it to the long armer this week and can hopefully get it mailed to Tim's daughter in North Dakota soon! Then I have another one to make for another dear friend who was in the Air Force...more to follow on that when I get it going! Yesterday, I did take a Memory Bear making class at Beyond the Stitches in Crystal River, Florida. I love that little shop. The folks there are so sweet and helpful. The owner, Dondi, and her Mom, Jan, run the shop. Dondi's hubby has serviced my machines since they opened a few years ago....2018, I believe. Jan taught the class and has made over 200 of these bears. Here's a picture of me with mine:

and here he is all finished:

and me hugging him...I really do love how he came out!!! I stopped by to show my son Steven, dil Nicole and of course Xander...Xander promptly grabbed him, hugged him and wanted to keep him. Guess I'd better get busy making one for the little guy!!!!

The fabric I used was left over from my Fort Worth Fabric Studio sew along, Sunshine on My Mind Tablerunner. Here the runner top is finished:

Fiona is guarding it and posing in her queenly pose for the picture! I really love the fabrics from Fort Worth Fabric Studio. Their sew alongs are a lot of fun! Check them out here: https://fortworthfabricstudio.com/ So I guess I've been busier crafting than I thought. I hope to post sooner with more updates! I have soooo many things to show and tell...Like my haul from the All Florida shop hop that my friend Gayle and I did in March and April. We are having a girls weekend next week in Daytona with Lori, Laurie, Gayle and myself to celebrate Gayle's birthday.... I cannot wait!!! Til next time, keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!!!!! Beth

Cold, wet, rainy days

Hello my friends! It is cold, damp, wet and rainy here in North Central Florida. Yech! I hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's day! Mine was lovely, as I received beautiful red roses from my hubby the weekend before:

I love fresh cut flowers. For those of you who know me, my birthday is on Valentine's Day. I have two rules on that day: I do not attempt to go to a restaurant and please do not buy me flowers. Every other day of the year, flowers are affordable...well, except for Mother's day. I'd rather stay at home and have a nice meal with my family. This year was wonderful: Stevie, Nicole and my 4 year old grandson, Xander, came over for a pot roast dinner made by hubby. It was delicious! And I got to spend time with some of my favorite people. THAT makes my heart smile!

I was supposed to go kayaking with a few friends Saturday to see the manatees at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. Out of 10 of us, four guys did brave the cold and managed to dodge the rain until AFTER they were off the water. I chickened out. Like I told my friend, Craig... I get whiny and bitchy when I'm cold and wet....and NOBODY wants to see that! But kudos to the guys for not only braving the weather, but getting pictures, too! Bob and I did meet the guys for lunch afterwards, so it was fun.

So today is Daytona 500 day, but we just saw that it is rained out until tomorrow. I hate when that happens. I always love the track and the races. But, it's Monday and I have to work. Guess I'll have to be satisfied with the highlights. I haven't been able to make it out to the track for a long time. Maybe I'll try for the Coke Zero 400 in the summer. At least if it rains in August, it shouldn't be as cold! Onto my crafting: I'm working on a quilt for my great niece Madelyn Rose. She turns 15 on February 22. She loves Paris and usually has an Eiffel tower themed birthday. I've had this panel for her for a few years, but finally got the top put together:

I know it won't get to her before her bday, but I am contemplating bringing it to her in March. We are travelling to NY to visit my brother and to see Maddie in her first high school play. I can't wait! We are planning on going opening night, so it will be really special. I hate to wait that long to give her her birthday gift; I know I love to receive mail, so I will probably mail it once it's done. Ok, that's it for now. I need to get ready for my birthday lunch with Tim and Sarah at the Indian restaurant in Ocala, Amrit Palace. I only wish it wasn't raining. Oh well. maybe I can get more done on Maddy's quilt! Til next time..... Beth

Hello Again, Hello!

 Hello Again!

(and yes, that is a reference to a Neil Diamond song...just love him and his music!)

I am going to give this blogging thing another try, lol. I can't believe it's been almost two years since my last post! A lot has gone on...changing jobs, heart cath for hubby (he received a stent in August and is doing well), rescuing an abandoned pit bull, trying to kayak and hang more with my friends, births, deaths, and traveling to NY to spend time with my brother and nephews. All the time trying to squeeze crafts in there and kayaking too. Whew...writing it down, it's an awful lot. 

  This is Gabbi, short for Gabbiano...yes, she's named after a bottle of wine, lol. She was left in a garage for 7 days with no food nor water when a friend of my son's broke her out. Gabbi is an absolute love, but hogs all the attention from Slash and Fiona. She also loves to chase cats. Sooo, we keep her on a leash and in the harness. We've found she doesn't like to be without her harness. It's her security blanket. 

On to the crafting front: I recently finished this table runner:

I found this kit on my latest shop hop with my friend Gayle. This is last year's all Florida Shop Hop fabric,,,the kit was precut, so it was a quick stitch. I'm trying to work on my quilting skills as I have two Quilts of Valor to make this year for a couple of guys near and dear to my heart. I probably won't do the quilting, I have a friend at the guild who has a long arm and does great work. Betty did the quilting for the first one I did for a friend of a friend. 

  This was fun to do, when it wasn't frustrating, lol. But when I saw Gary's reaction to the quilt I made for him, it was all worth it. I also arranged for Tim's friend Diego to receive a QOV through the guild. Whild I didn't make it, I'm so happy to have helped in his receiving one:

I was finally able to meet Diego's mom, Carolina, who is my FB friend and big supporter of my boys. She's an absolute delight and I'm very happy to have met her in person. 

   

I was able to finish at least one crochet project; my crochet cable wrap that I began 13 years ago, lol. I had ripped it out and started over, but here it is finally finished:

It's super warm and I love it. A friend asked me to make  her one in white. That one is in progress; it will not take me 13 years to finish it, lol.

Oh and I did make one other quilt I wanted to show you. I made this for a dear sweet daughter of another mother of mine for Hanukkah/Christmas, as she celebrates both:

This was fun to do and even more special because Meghan is a sweetie. 

   That's it for now. I will post more of my adventures over the past two years with pictures. Let me leave you with our DiBiasio family Christmas picture. The theme was GWAR, thanks to my son Tim.

Til next time, show me what you all have been up to, stay safe, keep moving forward and be kind to one another! Beth

Reggae, weddings and quilt tops

   We went to a wonderful Propaganjah concert last night. These guys are absolutely awesome..and personable with their crowd., mingling amongst the audience during their breaks. 

We were at The Shed at McCrae's of Homosassa, an outdoor tiki bar of sorts. It was fun. The other place we like is across the bay, Crumps Landing. They had a band as well, but it was nice not to be able to hear them over Propaganjah. There is an island in the middle of the channel called Monkey Island. "Bad" monkeys are on the island with a little house, ropes and trees to climb. Someone goes out twice a day to feed the monkeys. It's pretty cool to see and be entertained while dining. Unfortunately, I can't upload my video of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" as the file is too large. It featured my oldest son, Jeff, on bass and was quite good, if I do say so myself! But if you search Propaganjah on YouTube and  Spotify, you can give the boys a listen. I really do enjoy watching them..they have a lot of fun. 

   Last Thursday, my friend Lori and I went to see Mike Love, another reggae dude, in Deland. My son Steven turned us on to him as he is usually on You Tube when we go visit Steve, Nicole, and Xander. 

He's a lot of fun to watch, too. 

  Prior to this reggae fest, Bob and I traveled to Oklahoma for the wedding of one of Tim's marine buddies. When they say the "Wind comes whipping down the plains..." they weren't kidding.  I'm glad I brought a sweater..it was quite chilly to this Florida transplant. The weather was perfect and the wedding was beautiful  We hope Dougie and Breanna ( and Kadence and Kailynn as well...Dougie even married the two girls and promised to be there for them...everyone was crying..it was so sweet) have a long and happy life together~~~

It was so great to see my OK family. I last saw them all in 2019 for my soul sister Tricia's 50th birthday party on July 4th. They are still as fun loving, great cooks and as hospitable as they come. I truly miss being around their family. They all have such a great bond, it's wonderful and refreshing in this day and age to experience and be a part of! They had never met Bob in person, but from the time we landed in Tulsa, this wonderful family treated him and I as we are one of their own. We need more of THIS!!!!

And when I was on vacation, I also worked on a baby quilt that a lady at work commissioned from me. I re-learned how to use my Cricut from Tricia while I was in OK, so I was able to cut out elephants that I liked and use for the applique of Mommy & Me:

I am so happy to say that I finished the embroidery and piecing today. I was nervous about the embroidery of all the names. I have been fighting with my embroidery machine lately as the thread usually gets stuck on the spool and breaks my needles. Soooooo....I have learned to stand and watch it to ensure the thread comes off the spool easily. It has finished off at 42" X 64":

The original pattern called just for a Mommy and baby, but Amy wanted Daddy, Mommy, and Gracie. Soooo, that's where my Cricut came in for resizing! I'm pretty pleased with this one. (and so is Amy, most importantly!) Now all I need to do is sandwich it, quilt and bind it....hoping to do that this week and next weekend. Will keep you posted!

  OK, it's time for Talladega...I still love that NASCAR track...gotta run and watch it! 

Til next time, Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars~~~~ 

Beth