Crafts after BC is good for the soul

Sahalie, my mother-in-law made a cushion she takes with her when sitting on folding chairs.  When I mentioned it, she said she used a cushion that people use in the car to take the pressure off their tailbones.  I use one to raise my hips higher than my knees.  I find I don't lose feeling in my feet as much when I use it, especially during long trips.  They came in sets of 2 so I am going to take the other one and make up a cushion to use at my quilting classes.  I thought I'd add some panels on the sides for storage and a padded back.  I think I'll wrap the seat pad with some quilt batting for some extra softness.  We'll see what happens.

Arnie, you are just down the road from me!  Yes, I am still a MSU fan.  Both DH and son are U of M diehards so I just yell louder.  It was so sweet when MSU went to the finals and U of M didn't.  Our son was accepted in the School of Music at U of M but ended up going to Western Michigan instead.  It really has been a wonderful fit and I think he will graduated a much more rounded trumpet performer than had he gone to Michigan.  They put out fantastic classical musicians but not everyone can get into an orchestra after graduation.  He has one more year so we'll see what happens.  He has been hired to play at quite a few venues in the area and really enjoys that.

I love your woodworking, especially the kitties.  Do you sell any of your work at any of the craft shows in the area?  I'm always on the lookout for something else "kitty".  Let me know.  It's good to meet a new friend in the area.  The next time the MI group meets for lunch I will have to let you know.  I missed the last one because of a nasty stomach bug but the group meets quite a few times for lunch.  I know the group is walking on May 30 downtown for the breast cancer 5K.  I'm going to plan on walking and DH said he would come with me.  They are always looking for new group members.

I should get going and fold some towels.  Take care and I hope to talk to you soon.

Blessings,

Wendy

Jasmine,

Just wanted to tell you that I laid out my purple squares on the floor today and I can't believe how it looked.  I'm usually so "matchy-matchy" and have to have everything really coordinated.  It is amazing how random fabrics with only purple in common could come together so perfectly.  I just wanted to thank you again for sending some of your stash.  I shared a couple of the larger pieces with the lady at our office.  She really appreciated them and asked me to pass along her "thank you".

I hope you have a wonderful visit with Spar.  I know I would love to meet you in person; you are a real blessing.  Have a restful evening.

Blessings,

Wendy

Wendy, I can't wait to see a pic of your purple tree quilt!!

Sahalie, fun stories of life on the farm

for all the comments on my woodworking...Spar your necklaces are gorgeous! Yes, sunkistmi and I live just a town apart... she's gonna let me know the next time the gals get together for lunch.. I have sold pieces in the past, after 9/11 I made patriotic heart hangings with Support our troops on them. Had quite a few requests for them. Believe it or not my biggest commissioned project was a 6 foot marine I made for a friend whose son was in Iraq. She lives up my the Mackinaw bridge in northern MI and wanted it at the end of her driveway to welcome him home... That took me months! I also made Uncle Sam's holding flags and those were a big request item. After that period of time...I realized I enjoyed doing it for fun instead of money making... I make all the nieces and nephews wedding gifts and they choose what they want. I also make them their children's name plaques. I loved making fence sitting critters last summer...  Anyway, you know how addicting something you truly enjoy is...just look at those necklaces!

Sahalie... I used to live in the country, we only had an acre but there was a farmer across the street that owned hundreds of acres...  Spent a lot of my childhood and teen years helping him with his horses, etc.  I married a city guy and now live in the city...still dream of retiring back to the country.

Sunkistmi...YEAH!  So glad your a STATE fan... my dh, ds and son-in-law are die hard UofM fans... yuck!  My dd stays neutral! ha!  My son always tell people the story of when he was growing up he'd ask for something and I'd say, "Say GO GREEN"  or my dh would say "Say go blue" Ha!  LOVE MY SPARTIES!  Both of my brothers went to MSU so spent a lot of time on that campus...    No I don't sell anything at craft malls, do it for enjoyment and to give as gifts.

Where are you headed Jo?

Hi fellow crafters! I just stumbled upon this thread! I love it... I have always thought that crafting is very therapeutic! In fact... while I was going through chemo, I had an on-going project... spread out on my kitchen countertop... it was a mirror that I bought at goodwill... and a friend had given me lots of sea shells... so when ever I was feeling "okay" I sat at our kitchen countertop and worked on it. The mirror occupied our countertop for 16 weeks... the duration of my chemo... but it was awesome! As sick as I was... I was able to feel productive and creative. It helped me deal with it all. Here's my sea shell mirror!

JO,

I'm not sure whether it would be out of the way or not, but on our way home to MI from Florida, DH and I stopped in Hiawassee GA, just shy of the NC border, to visit a world-famous rhodedendron garden.  Unfortunately with all the cold weather they had, most of the bushes were not open.  Those in the know said it would probably be another 2 weeks or so.  The dogwoods, redbuds, and some of the azaleas were blooming so it wasn't a total loss.  We were there the Friday after Easter.  I would really recommend them to everybody.  It's a permanent garden located in the area fairgrounds.  After walking around the gardens, we visited a couple of the many waterfalls in the area.  I amazed myself with all the walking.  The gardens are very easy, mulch covered paths.  The one waterfall, High Shoals, was a walk of 1.2 miles back off the road and were well worth it.  As we were standing there contemplating whether or not to go, DH voting NO!!!, a family reached the parked cars.  We asked about the trail and they all really recommended it, well not the 10 year old.  The grandmother was 82!  She said to just take it slow and steady and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.  It was stunning and not too difficult.  If the flowers had been open, it would have been perfect.  We then visited another fall, Anna Ruby Falls, that was only .5 miles from the visitor center and I think that one was actually harder, even though the path was blacktoped.  It was quite steep but was well worth the walk.  The stream ran right alongside the path and ended in a 3-level waterfall.  Took my breath away.  It's too bad the pictures just don't do them justice.

I am just 5 months out my last surgery on the thigh, where they took the fat for the breast reconstruction, have ruptured discs and a vertebrae out of place in my back and have had both knees replaced.  Be sure you have water with you and a walking stick would have helped but I had no problems.  Course you can be sure I did feel it the next day and for several days after.  The whirlpool at the hotel was not open and I'm sure that would have helped.  We were also in the car for 15 1/2 hours the next day driving home so maybe if we would have taken it slower our legs would not have hurt so much.  I would love to go back down and stay in the area for more than just 1 day.  There is so much to do.  I was very happy it wasn't warmer with all the walking.

It is probably way out of the way from where you are going but I wanted to pass it along.  I can't believe that a craft person isn't taking any crafts on their vacation.  Of course, it's better than me who takes everything but the kitchen sink and never works on anything!  DH gets so peeved at me because of all the 'stuff'.  I always feel it's better to be safe than sorry.

I hope you have a wonderful trip with your family.  Falling asleep to waves lapping on the shore is always wonderful.  Safe journey.

Blessings,

Wendy, 

I missed this page when I posted about the lighthouses. Wendy, Hiawasee GA is on the opposite end of the state from the coast. Murphy NC which has the Hiawasee river close by is as far west as you can go in NC and you can go from TN to GA through NC rather quickly.

Sheila

I don't know about the Hiawasee river but there is rafting on the Natalaha. I think they have both white water as well as easy rafting. I know that outside of Murphy is the Hiwasee Dam school, my niece taught there for 3 yrs and Murphy is about 4 hours from my house.

Sheila

Hi I haven't been posting much as I can' t type well with my left  hand yet.

Arnie, your woodwor king is so cool. I never saw th show yet, but I will watch the NJ housewives.

Spar , oh my, I didnt know about your ducks. I am so sor ry to hear!!!

Sahalie , what a  good idea on making cards.  I am sure I have stuff to mak e  them al r eady.

Laura, love your mir ror.

Can't wait to g et  stitches out  and have splint taken off so I can do some cr afts.

hugs and pray ers

I looked for the post card to check what it was but can't find it.  Maybe later.

It had some tall fun painted thing on it near trees, water and a park like setting.

Look at this adorable thingy I found.  How cute to make for party favors, give to

your favortie trick or treater or baby shower little fun table gift.

And how easy to make.

SPAR.   Have fun with your hens and chickens.  They take little or no water. 

Good hens and chickens.  :  )

CANDIE.   I hope your hand heals quickly. 

It must be a major challenge to type with your hand in wrapped up mode.

This has been my constant typing week for work and my hands are screaming

"enough already"

WENDY.  I'll go on a white water river trip with you!

We also grow Rhododendrons here big time.  Down by Bolinas and over here at Freestone.

They love this coastal climate.

JO, have fun in the Hatteras.  That is a beautiful part of the country to vacation in.  Will you be taking a laptop to check in from time to time?