Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

I Was Cleaning Out a Drawer.....

 I was cleaning out a drawer in my sewing room this week when I found a cute applique piece I'd done in 2010....signed and dated but not finished.  I don't even remember doing this piece!  Well, vaguely I remember doing several similar ones but thought I'd used them all in something or other.  I just added a border, quilted the whole thing and made a pillow.  Another Christmas present finished!  :)

Maybe a little closer to see the quilting?


I had already done the blanket stitching and added the buttons so I just did a few loops on the background and a wave type design on the border.  I've had a lot of fun doing free motion quilting since I gave myself permission to be a beginner forever.  :)

While I was in the sewing room I decided to stitch up a scissors holder I'd seen at Vicki's Fabric Creations - click here for the tutorial.


Maybe a side view?

Mine didn't turn out exactly like hers but I like it a lot anyway.  She showed hers with three sizes scissors in it....I found it will hold scissors, seam ripper, a pencil. a seam gauge...whatever you want it to.  I do like that I can slide my scissors down in it and slip the whole thing in my to-go bag when I'm headed to my stitching group.  The points won't poke a hole in anything and they are all easy to find.

Meanwhile, I'm working on a counted cross stitch piece for an upcoming blog hop - it's been years since I've done any cross stitching but thankfully it's all coming back to me!

On a family note.....our grandson and his wife signed the papers yesterday for their very first home!

Isn't it just awesome Christmas present to give each other - buying their first house?  And you want to know the best part of it all?  They are right down the street from me!  Yes, I'm thrilled!  And look at the gift the family of the former owners left for them....

Such a kind and thoughtful gesture.  We've moved several times and sold several houses but I never thought to do something like this.  I love to catch people at their best - too often we see the negative things people do.  I will remember this act of kindness and I know our grandchildren will too.

32 comments:

Gail said...

I love your pillow. It's always nice to discover forgotten treasures.

It is a wonderful sign of commitment and maturity for the grandson and wife to purchase a home so young.

Handy tote for tools. I have all my scissors in an old carpenter's box. This would be a better portable option.

Kyle said...

What a blessing to have "new neighbors down the street". Cute pillow and now it's DONE!

Carol Swift said...

Cute, cute reindeer pillow! That is just the sweetest idea to leave a gift for the next owner...love it!

Jan said...

A beginner forever...what a great thought! I think I may follow your footsteps. Just think how good we'll become as beginners with experience.

How wonderful to have your grandson so close by. Two of my four kids are within 2 miles of me...if I had my way, we'd all live on the same street! I love having family close by!

Happy holiday preparation!
Jan

Julie Fukuda said...

I am smiling at your finished pillow. I find your scissors holder more useful than one that holds three pairs of scissors. AND, such good "new" neighbors! Terriffic.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Cute pillow. What a sweet gesture and congratulations to them on their first home, and yippee for you that they are so very close.

charlotte said...

Love your reindeer pillow. Cleaning up can net some great surprises. I would love to have family live on my street. You are blessed.

Jeanie said...

How fun to rediscover your lost reindeer.... he's so cute! And how nice for your grandson to be so close to you. I know you'll enjoy having them as neighbors. The sellers certainly made them feel welcome with those sweet gifts. Good luck to them in this exciting new adventure!

Belinda said...

Isn't that the cutest thing?!!!

Karen said...

I should dig in my blocks and see what I can find to make a quick gift like you did. The deer.....cute, cute.

Adrienne said...

Congratulations to your grandson and his wife. What a wonderful way to feel welcome in your new home. I'm going to try to remember that for the future. Your reindeer pillow is absolutely darling!
~Adrienne~

Needled Mom said...

Love your cute little pillow!

How nice it will be to have your new neighbors. That was such a thoughtful gift to leave for them.

Peggy said...

What a cute little Christmas pillow - great find. Pays to clean out drawers now and again! Congrats to your grandkids - what a huge step in life.

Vickie said...

THAT...is one cute reindeer pillow my friend !!! I think the scissor keeper would be a nice gift for quilty friends in the quilt guild. Thanks for the link. And a big congratulations to your grandson and wife....how wonderful that they will be living so close !

Lesley said...

Love your little Rudolph. Congrats to your grandson and his wife. What a lovely gesture that the previous owners made to make them feel welcome!

Farm Quilter said...

Love the reindeer pillow - someone will be happy on Christmas morning! Your scissor holder is perfect with all your necessities in it :) You are getting the perfect neighbors - how wonderful to have them so close!!!

Rosa said...

Congratulations to your grandson and his wife!!

Your pillow is super cute,love it.

Createology said...

Congratulations to the Grands for buying a home and such a sweet thoughtful gift left by the former owners. Fabulous Pillow Finish and from just cleaning out a drawer! Nice scissor/tool holder. Sharing Joy and Jingles...

Sherrill said...

Love the reindeer, LOVE the kids' signing papers and LOVE what the former homeowner did. What a GREAT idea (I, too, never would have thought of that!).

Sparky said...

love the reindeer and the scissor cover and your grandson and his wife..first home.. how exciting...xx

BarbCarol said...

So glad grandson...my third cousin...or cousin twice removed?...was not so ambitious as to take on the nightmare house across the street from you. Happy for them and happy that you have him so close. Kat lives 30 mi for us, but she slept a couple of hours on our sofa after dinner last night.

the girlfriend gap said...

Your little reindeer pillow will bring some merry to someone special. Fun to see how Christmas is coming together day by day as we all put our little elf hats on. I am thinking a scissors pouch would be handy to have as I travel with my scissors often. Thanks for sharing. Janita

sandra said...

Love your reindeer he is so cute, neat idea the scissor holder.
Congrats to your grandchildren and how wonderful they are close to you. . People can be so giving when we moved to St. Louis our Real Estate lady brought us a lovely homemade gift and it made us feel so welcomed moving down from Canada. Blessings Sandra

Judy said...

I remember buying our first home in December of 75. The years go by so fast. Love your pillow! Found your blog on another. I always enjoy following ladies with grandchildren, like myself. Have a nice day!

Thearica said...

Love that pillow! I think I made that same reindeer or one very similar a few years back. It was for a swap on a quilting forum. I need to go drag out the book I used because they are so darn sweet!

So happy for your grandchildren and their new home! A perfect Christmas present!

Sharon Dawn said...

How nice to have them so close! In the rush of moving out, it was sweet of the former owners to leave a welcome gift. Happy Holidays!

krislovesfabric said...

What a cute find and great finish :) Congrats on their house purchase and your new neighbors!

Thearica said...

Coming back to let you know I have changed the name of my blog without starting a brand new one. So PigTalesandQuilts.com wont update any longer.

Will you please add www.stitchandquilt.com to your side bar and then I will show as Stitch and Quilt.

Then please delete the pigtalesandquilts entry.

Thanks so much. :)

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Oh my gosh! How exciting for your grandson and his wife and exciting for you too! That is wonderful and I wish them every happiness.
Oh and I love that deer. Sweet!

Linda said...

What a lovely pillow!

Nancy said...

Hi Marlene, Just wanted to stop by and Wish you a Very Merry Blessed Christmas!! Your Reindeer Pillow is Adorable!! and Congratulations to your Grandson, a Christmas Gift to each other they will never forget!!

With Holiday Blessings,
Huggs, Nancy

Gmama Jane said...

Hope you enjoyed your Christmas and none of the rest of the family came down with the flu! My son and oldest grandson had teh official "flu" as well but got over it relatively quickly mainly because they are both in such good health in general. Your grandson has the sweetest smile signing the papers for his first home! Newlyweds are so sweet and what a bonus to have them living so close to you!! You may have to "accidentally" happen to cook too much for you and Hubby on several occasions and Just happen to share with a sweet little couple down the street.
I too am looking forward to getting back to cross stitching! I've got to buy some ink for my printer so I can print out the patterns! I'll be behind before I get started! My usual way of doing most anything!

I'm So Grateful for your friendship even though it is long distance. Some people just "click" and don't even have to meet...you, my dear friend, are one of those special people in my life.

Blessings
Happy 2015
Jane