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