Anything goes Quilt 'n Sew #30 - Making new friends

A week ago I mentioned how I am the type of person that is quite happy in my own little space, not bothered too much about interacting with others, being content with my own thoughts.  But over the weekend I made a new 'sewing' friend.  She contacted me, in the hopes that I could help her out downloading machine embroidery designs from the internet and writing them to her machine.

Well, we ended up spending a few hours together over two days and it was so much fun, seeing and being in the presence of someone who enjoys and appreciates all and everything 'fabric' related.  She herself makes quilts, enjoys making clothes, crocheting and embroidery.

Its almost a year and a half since the 'quilt bug' bit be, and in that time I have only seen quilts made by others via pictures from blogs, and the internet, but I have not seen any up close made by someone else.  Yes I know how much work goes into making a quilt, and I can appreciate the skill and technique that goes into making a quilt.  I thoroughly enjoy seeing everyone's work, especially all your link ups every week, but after actually touching and seeing someone else's quilts up close, I have a new appreciation for this skill and art.

It was such a joy spending time with her, being in her sewing space, seeing all the tools and gadgets, and how organized she is even when everything is scattered around, bits and pieces all over the place.  I had a lot of fun.  

My eyes are now completely open, and I can honestly say, that I see quilts for their complete and true beauty instead of just a pretty quilt.

In some other news, I have received my tote bag from my 'angel' partner assigned to make my bag as part of the secret tote bag swap.   

and.. some time ago I submitted my Gone Golfing, Back Maybe quilt to the Quilting Gallery's Show and Tell Contest, and thanks to all who voted, my Dad's quilt won.  My prize was these awesome hand dyed fabrics.  She even sent a cute little fabric bookmark.

It felt like Christmas, receiving these packages and a bonus making a new friend.
I cant wait to see what you have been up to...

Anything Goes Linky Party

Please link up any current projects, anything at all...  This link is open for a full week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish, feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

The rules are simple:

1.  Link up ANY post you'd like to share that features any quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, if its hand made, why not...

2.  Somewhere in your blog post, you must link back here to my blog with a text link, or grab the 'Anything Goes' button for your sidebar.

3.  Be nice, comment on at least a few other blogs linked, the whole point of having a party is to connect, share and maybe get a few new followers...

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy quilting.

Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #29 - Family visit and shopping

To be honest, I am the type of person that is happy to be at home.  Not too bothered with going places, seeing people or getting out.  Most of the time when I do get out the house is when I have errands to run.  But last week I just had the urge to get away.  So we decided to visit my sister in-law that lives about 3½ hours drive from us in Vryheid, KZN for the weekend.  I am so glad we did, I enjoyed our visit so much, I even felt a bit depressed coming home yesterday.  That's when I realized that I actually DO need to get out more and interact with others.

Yesterday morning we got up bright and early for a day of golf before the long drive home.  I was not planning on playing, because the last time we played I had a sore wrist for almost a week, but at the last minute I decided to play along.  This time I made sure to just warm up a bit and stretch my muscles, I guess that made a huge difference, and I'm happy to say that I out drove the men a few times, that was a great high, LOL

Of course I went shopping too, and came home with a few pieces of fabric and bit and pieces I needed in my sewing room.  This coming week I am going to finish up the baby quilt I've been working on so hopefully I will be able to show you a finished quilt soon!

Anything Goes Linky Party

But for now I'm sure you'd like to share some of your projects you've been working on, please link up any current projects, anything at all...  This link is open for a full week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish, feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

The rules are simple:

1.  Link up ANY post you'd like to share that features any quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, if its hand made, why not...

2.  Somewhere in your blog post, you must link back here to my blog with a text link, or grab the 'Anything Goes' button for your sidebar.

3.  Be nice, comment on at least a few other blogs linked, the whole point of having a party is to connect, share and maybe get a few new followers...

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy quilting

Moving on...to greater things!

Its officially the last month of winter, and I am excited to say the least!

I am NOT a winter person, and usually I find it very hard to be productive during the cold, dreary and colourless winter months.  Sure in this part of South Africa our winter days are still sunny, but with every flower gone, trees without leafs and grass dry and dead I find it far too depressing.

Yes, I would be lying if I said I could not see the beauty, but for me its probably the worst off all with August winds howling around the house, making it impossible to want to spend time outdoors, but luckily its the last stretch, and I cant wait!

Every season has a story, and memories going with them, and sadly the worst ones are always easier to remember.  A while ago I shared with you my story of undergoing miscarriages, and this month will be the one year anniversary of loosing my last baby at four months pregnancy.

But with remembrance there's also acceptance, forgiveness and closure.  I want to concentrate on the good things, moving past the sad memories, seeing the beauty rather than remembering the pain.  I have so much to be thankful for in my life, and looking back at the past year, seeing more beauty, remembering the good things rather than bad, it is giving me the energy I need to get through this month.

I hope you too will see all there is to be thankful for, seeing the good in all things, remembering even sad times with acceptance, and look to the future with an open and forgiving heart.

There is light beyond every dark cloud, all that is left to do, is wait for the storm to pass....

..................................................................................................................

Anything Goes Quilt 'n Sew #28 - Busy weeks ahead!

I have been contemplating for weeks now whether I should start doing what I know I have to do, which is getting a head start on spring cleaning, or what I want to do...which without a doubt is spend time in my sewing room.

When we moved into our home in the beginning of 2012, I was in such a rush getting everything unpacked, that I was not bothered to do it properly.  I basically just unpacked boxes, putting stuff in cupboards, and closed the doors...  Now, I find myself frustrated with having to look for things, opening doors, and finding things not really where they should be.  So for the next few weeks I am planning to get a head start on Spring cleaning.  

We have two outside rooms, one we use as a laundry, and the other, is filled with stuff that should actually be in the garage.  To get things properly sorted out inside the house,  I need the one outside room to store away things, so before I can even start I need to sort out the garage first.  This will be on my agenda this coming week.

'Before' we drained and started cleaning the koi pond

At least we got a head start outdoors, during the past week we made time to clean our koi pond. The area we live in is surrounded by very large trees, so during autumn and winter there is a huge amount of leaves that fall into the pond.  Although we scoop it out almost on a daily basis a lot sink to the bottom and with time it can cause problems to the health of the fish.  

The only thing about this job I don't like much, is the smell.  Its not so much a fish smell that hangs in the air, but algae.. After a full day of scooping out goo from the bottom, brushing the sides and using the pressure washer to get it all clean, the smell can be a bit overwhelming... I wore boots, there was no way I was going to risk slipping and falling into that stinky water, but my husband was not so lucky. He slipped and as he lifted his foot out the water, his one toe nail was completely ripped out, he bumped his foot against a stone/brick that was at the bottom.  So after playing nurse, we decided to call it a day.

So yesterday, after giving it a day to dry in the sun, we rearranged everything and started filling it up.  More than 8000 liters of water!  It took about 9 hours to fill up...

I did not neglect my sewing room completely.. I made some time to carry on quilting the baby quilt I'm working on, but progress was slow.  I think before I start sorting out all the rooms and cuboards, I should make an effort to finnish the quilt.. The only thing I'm afraid of, is if I put it off for too long, I might not get to it at all...

Anything Goes Linky Party

But for now I'm sure you'd like to share some of your projects you've been working on, please link up any current projects, anything at all...  This link is open for a full week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish, feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

The rules are simple:

1.  Link up ANY post you'd like to share that features any quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, if its hand made, why not...

2.  Somewhere in your blog post, you must link back here to my blog with a text link, or grab the 'Anything Goes' button for your sidebar.

3.  Be nice, comment on at least a few other blogs linked, the whole point of having a party is to connect, share and maybe get a few new followers...

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy quilting.

Anything Goes, Quilt 'n Sew #14 - A long, LONG time ago...

2002 - I chose to put this one first as it's my favorite!

...I used to enjoy pencil sketching.  So I thought of sharing these with all of you today.  Some of these are not complete, you'll notice that many of my pictures don't have a face or even a head.  That was the one part of drawing that I messed up completely, oh and the hands... 

I've tried to put these in order, from NEWEST to OLDEST... I wrote the dates on the back so it was easier putting them in order.  I have not tried to draw anything in such a long time, I wonder if I even still can...

2007

2007

2007

2001 - I drew this one from a greeting card.

2001

2001 - My first try at using charcoal

2000

1998

1998

The next two pictures was my very first drawings, both was done in 1993.. I was 15 years old!

1993

1993

Let's get to this week's linky party

It's Monday and a new week, so lets all share some of our projects, please link up any current projects you've been working on, anything at all...  This link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, since this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

All I ask is that you either add the 'Anything Goes' blog button to your sidebar or add a text link to your blog post, and comment on a few of the other links too, share the love and make this weekly link party a fun way to connect.

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Happy quilting.

Happy birthday Kayleigh!

Yes, my baby girl is NOT a baby anymore.  I guess every parent realize how fast time goes by, just by looking at the 'speed' at which our children grow up.  It feels like yesterday when we came home from hospital when Kayleigh was born, not to mention that Marco had his 17th birthday a few months ago.

Proud 'Oupa' Grandad holding Kayleigh a few days after she was born

Kayleigh at ONE year old

Kayleigh at TWO years old

Can someone, ANYONE just his the pause button, only for a little while!

I thought it would fun to share with you when Kayleigh blew out the candles on her cake (which I baked by the way).  I think the whole experience was a bit confusing to her.  The whole time I was afraid she'll burn her little fingers, it looks like she wanted to grab the flames...  

Happy birthday my girl, I love you so much!

If this video does not appear, click here.

Happy day, it's almost Friday.

Anything Goes - Quilt 'n Sew #12 - Up close and personal

NOTE:  As I wrote this post I had to keep a few tissues close by.  So please know that its not my intention to make you sad or to feel sorry for me.  Remembering and talking about things sometimes help with the healing process.

Many of you know that I have three children.  Marco age 17, Ruben age 13 and then Kayleigh who will have her 2nd birthday in less than two weeks.  

Ruben & Marco

Kayleigh

What you don't know is that I've been pregnant a total of 7 times.  After I had Marco, when he was little over two years old I was pregnant twice and both those pregnancies ended in miscarriage between 6 and 8 weeks.  Then about 7 months before I fell pregnant with Kayleigh I was pregnant with twins, sadly I lost them too very early in pregnancy. 

Now all of the miscarriages was very devastating, and the emotional and physical toll it takes on your body and on your marriage is something no one should have to go through.  

Last year I fell pregnant again.  I feel awful admitting this, but I did not want to be pregnant again.  Kayleigh is still so little and the thought of having another baby was too much for me.  Luckily that feeling did not last long and soon after I got very excited and I really started looking forward to having another baby.  I bought these little charm packs to make a few cute baby quilts for our new addition to our family.

  

But the pregnancy also ended in miscarriage, this time I lost the baby between 16 and 18 weeks.  It was a boy!  I was in a terrible state after that.  I blamed myself.  I felt that if I was more excited and accepted the pregnancy from the start it would not have happened.  I felt that I subconsciously wished the baby away.  Now I KNOW its not true, and I KNOW its not my fault, but at the time it was all that made sense. 

For a while I completely withdrew from everything and everyone.  It was a few weeks after I had returned from hospital that I realized that if I don't change my mindset and start believing that there is still so much to be happy about and lots to be thankful for, I would loose the ones closest to me.

So I allowed myself to grieve.  The one way I knew how to calm myself and my thoughts was to keep busy in my sewing room.  My desire and love for patchwork and quilting saved me from myself.  If I did not have that, I doubt that I would have made it!  

The other day I was busy cooking and I softly spoke to myself, saying "two months" and my eyes started tearing up.  That's how old he would have been now if all had worked out the way it should have...  Marco asked why I said that and why I looked so sad?  I explained to him that that's how old the baby would have been if he was born at term.  The poor boy was at a lost for words, he gave me a big hug, and it felt good!!

I'm not telling you this to get you down or even sad.  Instead I'm sharing this with you because if it was not for the support from my husband and family, AND my love for this craft, I don't think I would have survived it. I have so much to be thankful for.  The time is HERE and NOW, not the past.

I have finally decided to at last use up those little charm packs and make a few baby quilts.  I could either sell them, or even give them away.  There's no point hanging on to it, and dwell on what could have been.  At least this way another little baby can enjoy them, that's after all why I bought them.

We all need closure!

So please, share what you all love to do, after all it is what keeps me going, QUILTING!!  What drives you?

Sew now it's time for this week's linky party

It's Monday and a new week, so lets all share some of our projects, please link up any current projects you've been working on, anything at all...  This link is open for a week and will run every Monday.  Remember to come back next week, or follow my blog to get regular updates.

If you wish feel free to add any other blog posts you write during the week, since this linky stays open for a full week, I think its a great idea to share and keep sharing.

All I ask is that you either add the 'Anything Goes' blog button to your sidebar or add a text link to your blog post, and comment on a few of the other links too, share the love and make this weekly link party a fun way to connect.

<div align="center"><a href="http://marelize-ries.blogspot.com/" title="Stitch by Stitch"><img src="http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj592/MarelizeR/LinkyButton2_zps83805f35.jpg" alt="Stitch by Stitch" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Happy quilting.

Just because...

... she's so damn cute!!! ♥♥♥

... hang in there, it's almost weekend!

I'm glad this week is over and done with!

This week was way too busy!

I did not get any time to do what I wanted to do.  I realize it must sound a bit selfish, but I really miss my sewing room...

My husband worked afternoon shift this week, which meant he was home for most part of the day.  So I became his personal assistant, I had to help him with typing and editing some of his documents for work.  I don't mind helping him out, but doing it day after day, is a nasty reminder that I had done it every day for too long. I quit my job as a maintenance planner on a coal mine April 2011, to stay home after our baby girl - Kayleigh was born.  Not once have I looked back, and thought of going back to a normal 9 to 5 job.  

I admit I am much busier being at home, between running errands, taking care of 3 kids, school, cooking supper,.. the list goes on and on and on..  I still get time for me!

I mentioned a while a go that my husband hurt his wrist at rugby practice, and underwent an operation.  Well today we went back for his follow-up visit.  Bouncing from the doctors rooms, getting x-rays done, we ended up going back to the hospital to have the pin that was in his wrist removed.  It was hectic!  We live in a small town and I suppose we are used to things being slower and quieter. Driving in the city, everything was so rushed even though it took forever. 

   

Kayleigh was NOT a happy baby, as you can see by the photos she is the exact opposite, always smiling.  I hate having to drag her every where we go, especially when I know we'll be on the road the whole day.  She really gave me a hard time.  So to sum it all up, I'm glad its all done and over with.  My husband will be back to work at his normal hours, and things will be back to the way it was... I hope ☺

On the upside I got backing fabric and a few extra bits and pieces, so now I can carry on to quilt this UFO, something to look forward to!

Happy quilting