Can't stop to take a breath...

So much activity, so little time, so much to do--but it's all good. Wedding plans are coming along. The wedding quilt is finished (hurray!), thanks to the help of some very dedicated friends who really came through at the last minute. How would we survive without friends?? I don't think I could. I couldn't even have taken this picture if my friends weren't helping me! Anyway, the quilt is my original design, "Crystal Hearts", and I'm hoping to publish the pattern soon. Aside from that, I've knitted another pair of booties for the little darling (we finally found out she's a girl!!) and completed a baby blanket knit from organic cotton by Debbie Bliss. Now if I can just stay out of the baby departments at all the stores until she arrives my bank account might survive. I never realized how cute baby girl clothes are! I've never been able to shop for little girls before, so this is really a novelty for me.

We're very excited about the wedding on the first Saturday in May. Family members are coming from far and wide, and it will be a nice reunion with those we seldom see. The rehearsal dinner is all set, food and flowers ordered, tables and chairs rented. We're just waiting now for the big day. Here's a photo of a purse I made for Ashley, our DIL2B:

Can you tell that she's a fan of NC State University? She and David are a great pair of fans!

My friend Sue Dial of Harvest Moon Handspun and Clay Cat Designs sent me this luscious 100% Peruvian Wool after she dyed it these gorgeous shades of blue. I'm knitting the Karabella Loose Fit Jacket with it, and I can't wait for it to get cold again so I can wear it! The color is just beautiful! If you'd like for her to dye or spin some yarn for one of your one-of-a-kind projects, you can contact her at suedial@gmail.com. She does custom colors and will match anything you want. She also does custom color work with polymer clay, so you can have buttons and earrings to match your new hand-dyed sweater! Isn't that the coolest thing you've ever imagined?

She also sent me some wine glasses that she customized with polymer clay for me. They are dishwasher safe. These are especially unique and my favorite glasses of all! I just love entertaining with them because each glass has a unique design, thus eliminating the need for "wine glass charms". What do you think?

You can email her for more information and to find out what her show schedule is for the near future. She has a group on Ravelry, too. If you're a member of Ravelry, you can join her group and find out all sorts of interesting things about her.

Gordon and Lucas went on their annual turkey hunting trip last weekend in Ohio. They met the usual crew, friends and family, and while they didn't get to see many turkeys, they did have a good time.

While they were out of town I took advantage of an empty house and invited the Popular Girls for a mini-retreat. Because it's such a busy time of year for everyone. Only one other Popular Girl was able to attend, for the same reason I had a free weekend--her husband was also out of town on a hunting/fishing trip. So Debbie and I were here being popular all by ourselves! We knitted, talked, knitted, ate, knitted, drank a little wine, and just did what Popular Girls do. It was great fun, though a little quiet and tame for a Popular Girls Retreat. We decided that we are the most Popular Girls (whatever that means).

Lucas will be going to the National Whitewater Center with his science class on a special field trip. He's looking forward to rafting the rapids. I hope they don't get absolutely drenched, but I'm not holding my breath.

I've joined Twitter to see just what all the fuss is about. You can find me there as Quilter300. I'm still trying to decide if it's worth the time and effort. I love Ravelry for the fellowship of knitters, crocheters, spinners, and other fiber artists, patterns, advice, sharing of projects and photos, and inspiration. I wish I could find a similar venue for quilting. Let me know if you find one.

Our Easter was blessed. We were able to attend Sunrise Service with our son and his family, and then more family arrived later in the day. We are fortunate indeed. I hope your Easter was as blessed.

We're having a wedding!

Wow! When it rains, it pours. We can't have just one thing at a time in our life--we have to have everything happen at once! And we've had so much rain I feel like my feet should be webbed! It's been awhile since I posted (my New Years' resolution already broken), but for a very good reason--too much going on to have the time to post. It's a good thing, though. God continues to bless us.

We're having a new grandchild--a girl!! After 12 grandchildren, only 3 of them girls, we're getting another granddaughter! I think it's our turn to have a girl in the family, and God is good. We're all so excited, we can't wait to hold her, love her, and play with her. I've already started knitting and planning for the quilt(s). I knitted a red blanket before I knew she was a girl, knowing that she would be attending NCSU Wolfpack football games, rooting for the home team. She will be stylin'!!

Next, we're having a wedding! My son David will be married to Ashley on May 2. They are an adorable couple, and we are so happy for them. Plans for the wedding are sailing along, rehearsal dinner is all set. David almost missed the shower due to a cancelled flight out of LaGuardia airport into Raleigh, but he managed to rent a car and drive straight home. He was about half an hour late for the shower, but at least he made it safe and sound! We were all glad to see him arrive. They received many nice gifts from friends and family, including this quilt made by Ashley's grandmother. It is signed by family members.













Many out-of-town family members will attend the wedding, including my parents from Oklahoma, two grandchildren from New York (Kate and Greg), and my son and his family from Florida. It will be a great reunion!

Happy Easter! We're planning to attend the sunrise service at our son's church in Eli Whitney on Easter morning and then we'll spend the day with him and his family. I'm looking forward to eating salmon for lunch, the first meat I will have eaten since the beginning of Lent. I hope your Easter is blessed.