Fabric Garden Has Gone Live

  

Our Fabric Garden Quilt Shop's website

 has gone on line.  

We are so excited.  

As an old radio broadcaster

 used to say,

 "Stand By For News!"

Link to Fabric Garden

Missing My Mom

This is a picture of one of my sweet sister's saying a last goodbye before leaving. The dust is settling (no pun intended) and all in the family are back in their own homes scattered here and there in different cities across North America.  


The turn my mother's  health would take towards the end of March was a surprise to her and to all of us.  She and our son had planned a road trip touring the Canadian Rockies.  She came up with the idea - He was still recovering from his health issues and she was going to enjoy being driven to see some of the land that she loved.  Relaxing, no stress ... It was not to be, she fell a few days before he was to fly there, and he decided to go instead to be with her in her recovery (no broken bones, thankfully) and perhaps take her on little day trips after her hospital stay was over.  The hospital stay was good, in that tests were done to understand more about her fall and a diagnosis made.  


Mom passed away July 8th.  Her journey this last three months was a hard one.  Seems so short a time looking back now, but it was long and hard for her.  Between my sisters and my step-sisters and brothers she was never alone.  Her doctor in the hospice unit said to me, "Dying is hard work for her and hard work for those attending to her."  It was.  For me it was a blessing to be with her the last weeks of her life and to be with her when she took her last breath.   


Ever a mother to the end the lessons she taught me will be treasured always until we meet again.  

A Message Meant Just For You

Slowly I am catching up on reading my favourite blogs.  Opening Fabric Garden a little over a month ago has been wonderful.  If you have stopped by - thank you.  Our web site will be up and running in the not to distant future - when that happens I will let you know here.

In the middle of the Fabric Garden Adventure my mother's health has continually declined.  She who was one of my biggest supporters from the inception of Fabric Garden has never seen the shop.  She now is in hospice and struggling with the loss of her independence and that she is not going to be going home.  So many of you have faced these same experiences with your mothers, so many of you have learned the lessons my sisters and step sister are learning now.  Each of us, but one, live in a different city, and we share the latest needs and changes via email and phone, as each of us takes a turn flying to be there with her.  

Sitting for a bit this evening and reading blogs was meant to be - I read Becky's post at Sweet Cottage Dreams and it was just as if her post was for me.  I got to pondering and thought that you might think the same after you read her thoughts from her heart.

Take a moment to follow this link - it will not take long to read Becky's post and just maybe it will lift you, as it did me, just when I needed it most.

Becky at Sweet Cottage Dreams

Tomorrow I am going to buy some flowers!  Thanks Becky!

Tootles

God Bless Those Who Have Prepared For and Gone to War

God Bless all those who have returned and God Bless those who mourn the valiant that have not returned home.

My heart goes out to you who care for loved ones that have returned from war.  

My heart goes out to our son who works hard and long hours on the wounded who return to Bethesda Navel Hospital.   My heart goes out to his sweet little family who carry on while he is away from them.  

My heart goes out to the beautiful quilting angels who make quilts for our wounded warriors.  Their time and talent being given freely.  It is an honour to host them at our quilt shop - Fabric Garden.

My heart goes out to my father, long dead, and who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force all through the second world war and beyond.

My heart goes out to my dear husband who served with honour for six years during the Viet Nam War.

All brave and true to their commitment to serve others.  

I remember and our family remembers, we will never forget.


Thank you.

Collage of Fabric Garden

One of my partner's proud daughter's sent this collage to her this morning.   Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought that I would send it on to you - since I have not been using my camera a whole lot and just having fun running behind myself at the shop - Fabric Garden.  Enjoy.

Open, Open, Open Fabric Garden is Open

The dust is starting to settle, and we had a wonderful three day Grand Opening.
The following are some of the photos in our early morning preparation before we opened the doors.  Enjoy.

It was a wonderful three days!  

If you are in the area stop on by:

Fabric Garden

Town and Country Village

2623 El Paseo Lane

Sacramento, CA  95821

Tootles.

Three More Sleeps

Until FABRIC GARDEN is OPEN!!


Saying, good night, to all you kind blogettes who have commented and emailed me.  I am flying home tomorrow from "the Old Country" where I have been for the past four days.  My mother took a turn for the worst (cancer), is stable now, and under very good care.  She has enjoyed hearing about my Fabric Garden journey all along the way. And she informed me she wants to hear updates about our Grand Opening.  She has been my cheerleader.


If you are in the Sacramento area come on by and say, "Hello".


My previous post has the dates and times.


Saying Good Night from the land where the snow has just finally gone and the promise of Spring is knocking at the door.  

Fabric Garden Grand Opening

We are all so excited - our Grand Opening is Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 5, 6, and 7th, 2011.

Our hours for those days will be 10-6.  Come on by and enjoy!
Fabric Garden
Town and County Village
2623 El Paseo Lane
Sacramento, CA   95821

Phone number 916 - 483 - 2955

Come on by for inspirations in quilt making and embroidery.

PS - The Knot-y Embroidery Lady can be found there stitching away or having a "Knot-y Good Time!"

Fabric Garden Temporary Web Site Is Up

Our temporary web site is up while our permanent one is being created.  Stop by and leave a comment and your email address so we can keep you up to date.  These are exciting times.  

The link to Fabric Garden is here - Fabric Garden

We Are Building A Quilt Shop

We are building a quilt shop

A wonderful quilt shop

Inspirations abounding

Excitement surrounding

My blogging got pushed

to the bottom of my list

You thought I was in hiding

That is not surprising

I am bursting to share

My partners are extraordinaire 

Oh, it will be so inviting

A place of good tidings

I am building a quilt shop!

A most wonderful quilt shop!

Something Worth Looking At

National Film Board of Canada - Film Called Quilt

Valentine's Day

Yes, I know when you read this it will be the day after, Valentine's Day, but I am up still, probably from the chocolate I have enjoyed this evening.  It was a chocolate kind of day here and we all enjoyed wonderful chocolate from Belgium, a local chocolatier - Capital Confections,  Bridge Mix from The Peanut Shop in Williamsburg, Lindt, and last but not least Ghirardelli.  

This morning something so special happened that I have to share it with you.  While I was in the garage working hard on sorting my fabric stash into bins to put onto the shelving DH and son#2 & #3 installed all day Saturday, a special delivery came to my front door step.  No one knew when it arrived.  It was all wrapped in cellophane and tons of pretty white scalloped tissue.  When I opened it I burst into tears of joy and deep appreciation of the precious treasure I held in my hands.  Melinda, one of the Knot-y Embroidery Ladies made this.  It is beautiful to see and hold.  

It is still bringing tears to my eyes.

I feel loved by my friends and family and I sure do love them.  Son#1 called me across the country at the end of his shift as he headed home to "the other two women in his life", my daughter-in-heart and Tinkerbell.  Got to talk to my 85 year old mother in the "old country". I am blessed beyond measure and far more then I deserve.

Addicted

Yes, I am addicted!  

My name is Gran and I am addicted to blogging.

94%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Survey taken January 20th.

92%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?
Survey taken today.


Way back in January, Kelly Ann's Quilting Blog had a blogging survey on her blog and I, like a follower with an inquiring mind ... decided to see what the survey was all about.  94% Eeeeickes!  The reality scared me into an, "OMGosh, I am spending to much time blogging mind set."  Life was busy then and has been for the time in between and I thought that I would check out the survey again, yes, it had been bothering me ... 


So, while I am not blogging, I think about my blogette friends and felt like a "smuck" because I have not spent the time with you that I have enjoyed in the past.   Truth be told, yes, I am addicted to the time that I blog and the friends that I visit.  You mean a lot to me.  Yes, time can get away from me, I have a timer for that now, and I think that it is safe to travel in blogland again.  


Did you take the test?  How did you do?  

Thoughtful Thursday

I had a whole other post planned for Thoughtful Thursday, until I read High Road Quilter's post yesterday, January 26, 2011, titled "Oprah's High Road".  High Road Quilter's blog post

Shasta asked,  "What does taking the high road mean to you?"

My comment, "Taking the High Road to me is letting the sunshine around me shine through me. When I gather up my talents, and stretch the undeveloped ones, I get closer to this desire of my heart."

My question is the same to you,

 "What does taking the high road mean to you?"

Wordless Wednesday

 The other day - gulp

 and swallow.

Gran's Tidbit Tuesday

I love the name Tidbit Tuesday that I read on a blog called Freckled Whimsey Link to Freckled Whimsy.
Soooo, after checking with Karrie Lyne, at Freckled Whimsey,  and she was totally "down" with using her Tidbit Tuesday Title, I am starting my own Gran's Tidbit Tuesday.  Do you want to know something?  Most of what I know is "tidbits" and why not share those morsels with you, eh?!  

The Rings have it. 

When I am using skeins of floss for an embroidery project, the rings hold it all in addition to my needles and scissors.  The two sizes (3'' and 1.5") that I use the most can be found at thrift or office supply stores.  This particular cluster goes with my "Never Ending" project, really it is never ending!  The ring clusters keeps my supplies handy in one place, can easily be picked up and tucked in an embroidery bag or basket for when I am on the go. 

Tidbit Tuesday Tootles to YOU

That Civil War Look

You have got to go see what I just found through the Quilt Hollow link - here 
She talk about bathing her quilts in a tea bath.  I hope she shares how she does that.  On top of all the good information I always read on Mary's blog, she is one outstanding and gifted long arm quilter.  She has done some of my Schnibbles quilts and they were beautiful when she is finished with them.  Yes, she is so good, I send them clear across the country!

Barbara Brackman's Civil War Blog

Barbara has put together a blog just to "Commemorate the 2011 Sesquicentennial with a Block of the Week".  I even got so excited about finding this blog, that I added the button on my side bar, to give you a permanent link. There now, see that late Christmas present "Blogging for Dummies", is coming in handy!  Well you are in for a treat at these sites.  

Let me know what you think, eh!?

Thoughtful Thursday - Update on Need

Received today from Melinda S.

In my January 13th, 2011 post  I put out a call for help - here - for 
our Knot-y Embroidery Sisters in Queensland, Australia.  I am so thankful for your emails and dropping embroidery supplies on my door step and sending here by mail. I hope more of you are able to spread the word of this great need, no it is not giving blood, yet it is important.  For years these same women in Australia have developed a strong embroidery tradition.  Their talents have reached our shores and we have embraced them whole heartedly.  We can show them we care and are thinking of them.  I am going to share a couple of emails from my dear friends who live in Queensland.




Alison email January 12

Hello there  and so wonderful to get your email.  It is very difficult here - and there's so much devastation. Our relatives were rescued from Murphy's Creek - the worst hit and they are still looking for 2 other families who were simply washed away. Our relatives have only the shirts on their backs and it was a miracle they made it onto their roof. They have their lives and for that we are so so grateful.  I am waiting to be sent into the zone as part of my job includes community recovery - so I have been on the "helping side" before but not had people / relatives / friends who have been caught up in the actual disaster.

It is affecting everywhere - we are safe and high and dry - and so are Lorraine and Keith -  both of us send you a great big hug back across the pond.

Take care.        Ali xxx

It was after reading Ali's email that I realized that there was something that we could do to touch the hearts of the hands hanging down in Queensland.  Her email and Lorraine's email show you the kind and caring, Can Do Women, that they are.


Ali's email January 13

Hi there and that is such a generous idea. I actually get to work in the worst affected areas - and am happy to be the recipient / conduit for you. My address:  Alison George, 169 Niebling Road, Tarome via Aratula, QLD 4309 AUSTRALIA

You tell me where you'd like them to go and I'll make it happen on the ground - if you are unsure of where they should go then I am also happy to coordinate through the various guilds / organisations that do know where the greatest need is ... if that helps.

Your generosity knows no bounds ... thanks Gran it is wonderful of you.

Thanks for your kind thoughts - your sisters in stitchery

ALison (and Lorraine too)

Lorraine's email January 14

Hi Gran,  that's a wonderful idea for a collection of threads and materials for all the unfortunate ladies who have lost so much.  And, because they would have necessary home items to buy first, craft supplies would be right at the bottom of their list.

I am a member of Country Bumpkin in South Australia, who are embroidery suppliers and will act as a collection point for anyone wishing to donate materials and threads, and will contact guilds in the affected areas to distribute them.

Their address is 916 South Road, Edwardstown S. Australia 5039

Alison also has contacts through her quilting group. It would be so devastating to lose everything and just to know people are thinking of them would be a wonderful boost to their moral. 

Where we are there was no danger of flooding but some towns approx. 2 hours away from us had to be evactuted and all homes were distroyed.  It must be so hard to pick up the pieces and start all over especially the elderly.

Hope you and you loved ones are well, Love Lorraine

Please note the address you can directly send to if you wish.  Laurie Becker emailed me she has a contact address and was sending Fat Quarter muslin for embroidery in a box.  Feel free to send your embroidery supplies to:  

Lorraine W., 

c/o Country Bumpkin,  

916 South Road, 

Edwardstown, 

QLD 5039 AUSTRALIA 

or

Alison G., 

169 Niebling Road,

Tarome via Aratula, 

QLD 4309 AUSTRALIA

or

Moi 

Received in the mail today from Lillieanne C.

Any questions please do not hesitate to email me.

• Yes, you can send your partially used floss.  
• Remember all those skeins of floss we gathered during the cross stitch craze - well, that is the kind of stash you can get rid of - see it is a win/win for all of us.
• A Big Thank you to YOU for caring about our stitching sisters in Australia.

Wordless Wednesday

What no words?   

This is going to be hard, eh!?

Word Up - UP

For "Word Up" - Can you believe my word is - "UP", eh?!


MUF'S GIRLS

You know when Kelly announced her word challenge for us in Charming Chatter, she used a cute button with "Word Up" to inspire us to pick a word to reflect on for this year.  Well, right from the first time I read the post, all I could think about was the word "Up".  Now, I am a person who loves words, have been since I was knee high to a grass hopper.  So, what was the matter with me, just "Up", no brain twisting pun or a word  borrowed from 17th century Scotland (and there are plenty of those words spinning around in my head), or no profound word that reflects the meaning of life, etc., etc., etc.  Just "Up" surfacing again and again.  So "Up" it is and I am excited about it.

With getting that off of my chest, phew, I am "Up" to sharing a poem that my sweet Daughter-In-Heart, Tianna, posted in her reflections of 2010 blog post.  Our family has been through so much since the beginning of the year, yet we are all "Up" to the challenges ahead, the fun times, and all the dreams that we dream.  "Up" is a verb to me.  


I do not know the name of the poem, yet the meaning is so beautifully stated - Perhaps the author would consider naming it "Up", eh?!


For every Winter there's a Spring-
   Oh, that's the beauty of the thing!
For ev'ry midnight there's a morn,
   For ev'ry loss a hope is born,
For ev'ry sultry day the dew,
   For ev'ry old year there's a new!

Yes, buds for all the leaves that fall-
   That is the beauty of it all,
New dreams for all the dreams that die,
   For ev'ry night a dawning sky-
For ev'ry heartache, failure, fear,
   Another chance, another year!
                         -Douglas Malloch


Goals for January 

1. Reorganize "The Room" and find places to hide relocated my stash. (Son #3 needs to move back into it during his recovery). 
2. Make a Fermentation list, with looking ahead, due dates and shop sample dates need by dates.
3. Find the colour chart for Callie's embroidered quilt, send to my Daughter-In-Heart (we are making it together).
4. Begin the embroidery on Callie's quilt.
5. Make an "Up" stitchery.
6. Start Jenny's BOM Give Thanks (Make the hanger/base for the monthly sayings.
7. There is so much that I am "Up" too -  take time for rest. 
8. Write shorter and more often on my blog - who wants to read my long windiness - not me, that is for sure.
9. These goals are something that I can accomplish - starting now until the of the month.

Take care and be kind to yourself - you deserve it, especially after reading through all my bather.