My How time flies!

Here it is the end of 2019. It’s been a long time since I blogged.  I am still active, healthy and full of excitement to always do things for others. I still make baby quilts for charities, and spend the rest of my time with family.  There is nothing quite like family, church and friends.  Hope this coming year gets even better.  My husband and I

are healthier and happier than ever since we started Keto way of life a couple years ago. No one believes we are in our 70’s.  He’s hitting near 80 but no one can tell.  We expect to be around for a long time. You GROW OLDER BUT DON’T HAVE TO LOOK OR ACT LIKE IT.

More Baby Quilt Donations from Denim

It has been a few months since I posted. Gee where does the time go! So much has gone on in my life in these golden years!  I stay so busy but do love it.  God gives me the talents to sew and I try to do some each month to donate to the hospital babies here in the town I live.  I belong to the HOOK n NEEDLE club who crochets, knits or sews many things for the needy in our community.  I finished 2 denim quilts in the month of April  to take to our next meeting. One is for a boy and one is for a girl baby.  I did machine embroidery on the boys, but the girls was bright enough without it.


This is the highlight of my life.  The Bible says. God so loved the world that HE GAVE his only begotten son for us.  So that same giving Spirit lives in me, and I am so thankful that I can still continue in my old age to sew and craft and give to others, needy or not needy ones..

Here are photos of the 2 quilts.

A Highlight of My Life.

This past week was our regular HOOK N NEEDLE CLUB MEETING and it is one of the great highlights of my life. I completed this smaller version of the quilt that I had made, so that made 2 quilts to take this month to the club to be donated to the hospital newborn babies. I enjoy giving these away so much.

I am so thankful to the Lord that has given me strength and time to do these. I am also thankful for the wonderful people who have donated jeans to me to cut up for these projects. They have a valuable part in giving unto the Lord. I could not be doing this much without them.

Sometimes it is a hard struggle trying to cut out all the denim squares for the quilts but it keeps my arms strong and in shape. I do a combination of machine and hand sewing on them, and I pray and sing songs to the Lord when I sew them. That way they are blessed quilts for the one who receives. The hems are done all the way around by hand which gives me lots of special time to pray while I sew.

I love meeting with these group of ladies each month who all have the same heart. They make blankets, booties, scratch mittens, bonnets and so much more for these babies. Our Livingston babies leave the hospital in style!

The fellowship with the ladies is absolutely wonderful and we give each other hints on projects. Some of us come early and eat lunch together. This is something that I have longed for ever since we retired here in 2004. I am so glad God led me to this club.

Every time that I bring the denim quilts to the meeting, I always have someone asking me to make them one and they will pay. I just can't accept that offer because it will take away time from my sewing the donating items, and I just don't have time anyway with other ministries that I do. I do feel very honored though that they like them and want one. I give God all the glory! It is He that has given me the time and talent to do them. Without Him I could not sew or give to anyone.

I am hoping to make at least one denim quilt for next month, but first I am making a few small flannel receiving blankets and scratch mittens for the babies for March.

Somewhere in my busy time, I have to start on a quilt for my granddaughter for her birthday! Shhh! Don't tell!

A Little About Me!

Just in case you wonder about me, here is some things of my heart and desires:

My life is simple. I want to love, live, laugh, do for others, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever He desires. He is my life and the greatest love of my life.

I want my life to be an example of Jesus's love in action and not just words.

I accepted Christ as my savior when I was 8 years old and surrendered my life to full service for him when I was 12 years old, and have walked with Him ever since. Everyday with Jesus just gets better.

The Lord is my strength through the trials and the storms of life. He has never failed me. He has given me all the promises of the Word of God and I study them and believe in them. He has promised me salvation, health, wisdom, and much more. Without Him, I can do nothing!

He gave me a wonderful husband when I was 18 years old who treats me like a queen, and 3 beautiful daughters who have blessed my life greatly. I have 5 wonderful grandsons, and 2 beautiful granddaughters, and 1 beautiful great-granddaughter, and I pray that the heritage of the Lord that I will leave with them will carry them through life here and in the here-after.

I am so grateful for the talents the Lord has given me and I want to use them to benefit others. I love sewing for others, charities, and giving to the less fortunate.

I enjoy life to the fullest because Jesus said that "he came to give us life more abundantly and enjoyable" even on this earth. Recently I joined the Red Hat Society just to have fun, connect, share, bless, and let the young girl inside me stay free!

I love to spend lots of time in prayer and God has called me to be intercessor for many. God blessed me with a wonderful prayer garden building that I spend lots of time in. I enjoy my moments with God in prayer and worship more than anything else in my life.

I enjoy every moment of my life because life is a gift from God, and since my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, I try hard to take good care of it not to harm it. I try to obey his word in how to eat proper food for health and healing. I plan to live a long prosperous life as He promises in His Word.

I desire to live my life in such a way that those who don't know Christ will come to know Christ because they know me and I pray everyday for those who don't know Him because they do not know what they have missed. I am so grateful that the Lord called me when I was 8 years old and I chose to surrender.

I have served in many positions in church over the years and planted much seed. I know I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength, but my first and greatest ministry is that of being wife and mother and I never lost sight of that.

My greatest desire is one day to hear my Saviour say "Well done thy good and faithful servant".

Most of all, I truly know who I am because of the Great I AM that I know and serve!

Baby Quilt Finished

This months baby quilt donation is now complete! It will be given to a hospital baby.

I made this one with material on the back that has hand and foot prints on it. I machine embroidered hand prints and foot prints on pockets that I sewed on the top of the quilt. It will be taken to our Hook and Needle Club meeting in February. Hopefully, I can get another one made by then. I am working at a slower pace now since I am not seeing well with these glasses. I am waiting patiently for my new pair of contacts and glasses.

Say a prayer that I can complete a second quilt before the meeting.

PURPLE HAT DAY

Well, this was the day for our Red Hat Luncheon, but this time we reversed our colors. Purple hat and red clothes. So I put up my Red hat and got out the purple one.

We do this on anniversary month of the Chapter, the anniversary month of the RED HAT SOCIETY, and our birthday month. So I will be wearing purple hats in January, April, and July. Guess I need to stock up on purple hats too! LOL

The only purple hat I owned was the western one, so I dressed western today. We had a great time eating lunch at a local restaurant, laughing, sharing and talking for 2 hours. I was appointed by our Chapter Queen, as our Chapter Chaplain, so I said the blessing over the food today. I was so honored. God knows that is my hearts desire.

As you can see in the photos, I had my glasses on which I can't even see well out of since they are so old. I had trouble with my contact lenses last week and the doctor examined my eyes and has me another pair on order. The old contacts were damaged.

So in the meantime, I am having to try to see from these old glasses. So a day of fun today took away some of the frustrations from not being able to see well.

Red Hatters are planning to go to a Tea Room in March and I can hardly wait for that event. I love tea and tea rooms. Guess I need to make me a Tea Room Party Dress and Hat.

Well, Shabby Denim Rose had her fun for the month, so now back to work.! I am working on a baby denim quilt for the Hook n Needle Club meeting coming up. That quilt will be given to the hospital to give to some newborn baby. I made 3 small fleece blankets last month, but this month, I cut out some denim squares to make a quilt. Pictures will be shown on next post when completed.

Until then have a blessed month.

SHABBY DENIM ROSE HAS RISEN AGAIN AS RED HATTER!

I knew that Shabby Denim Rose would not die!

Shabby Denim Rose is now my Red Hatter Name! No longer am I JUST Lillian Isabelle while on the Red Hat adventures but Shabby Denim Rose! I know that name must live on! Now my love is now for Red or Purple roses!

I recently joined the wonderful world of fun in old age The Red Hat Society and I am having a fun time! Only age 50 or above can wear a red hat which is an honor saved for the benefit of the aging. The ladies ages 21 through 49 years old have to wear pink hats.

This is the first time in my life that I have ever been part of anything that just has a great time and no work, and no requirements except to bling all you want and wear your red hat and purple clothes with pride. It is all about, fun, friendship, caring, and being free to be yourself.

The big hat pictured above was a simple one sent for me to decorate when I first joined. And decorate it I did with what I could find in my sewing room! I had the honor to wear it to my Red Hat Christmas Party and won the Beautiful Hat Prize.

Then another hat was the one I wore on the day, I went to go see my precious newborn first great granddaughter Sophia Isabella, who was named after my middle name Isabelle. Of course I had to wear my hat to greet her!

When my husband and I went to a family outing at the zoo during cold weather, of course I also pulled out another red hat and scarf to keep me warm!

Next week I will attend a lunch with the Red Hat Chapter I am in. This time I will wear my purple denim jeans, shirt, purple rose earrings, and Red Hat yet to be seen! Pictures will follow later. FUN! FUN! FUN! Who said old age is boring!?

There is always room for red hats and purple clothes in my closet! Loving this new SHABBY DENIM ROSE! It is great getting old and knowing that you can have the freedom to be yourself and just have fun after all these years of serving others, taking care of family and doing for others! Of course those things still reside in my life but I am in the season now of some me time! Come join the Red Hat Society! Check it out! You will love it.

BEAUTIFUL MAGAZINE/RELAX AND READ

This new issue of the Shabby Lane Shops has arrived and it is a beautiful issue. Be sure you get yours! click here to order your issue.

While at Shabby Lane Shops online mall you can visit the beautiful shops also. This was the online mall that Shabby Denim Rose belonged too and it is wonderful. So many beautiful shops, easy shopping and free stuff too!

I wrote many articles for the past issues of the Shabby Lane Shops magazines, so order some past issues too if you forgot to get yours. During these cold winter days it is so nice to relax and read and also shop online instead of fighting the crowds at the malls.

Happy New Year and enjoy your winter!

Shabby Denim Rose Has Retired!

Well here it is now January 1, 2012. Changes and New Beginnings in so many ways! Excitement in the air everywhere! Another year to do and be all that we can be!

Several months ago the Lord spoke to my heart that it was time to retire my website Shabby Denim Rose and spend more time SMELLING THE ROSES! More time with children, grandchildren, and now a great granddaughter. I am even planning a spring tea party for the girls in the family. Memories to cherish! Life is so short so we should make everyday special and full of memories. Today I realize that even more, since I lost my special childhood friend and cousin who was 5 years younger than I am. We don't have time in life to live in regrets.

I will continue the talents the Lord has given to me of sewing and crocheting, but I will broaden now to sewing more for charity work. That has been my heart all my life and what I love to do most. I began my first denim quilts in 1981 when I made them for teen boys in our neighborhood. Then I was hooked on denim. I love sewing with it. In my heart I will always be Shabby Denim Rose.

I recently joined the Hook n Needle Club in my home town to help make items for the newborn babies at the hospital and also items for children for the Empty Stocking Program.

I recently had the honor of making 2 quilts for teens for The Christmas Stocking program and it thrilled me so much to do this. Pictured above are the quilts. The boys quilt has a pillow to match. The girls has a pillow and a purse to match. The girls quilt also has detailed machine embroidery on it.

I want my quilts to have a special touch of God's love for these teens. God loves them dearly! When I sew these and all my quilts, I pray that the ones who receive them will know the Lord one day, and be covered by God's protection, love, grace, and mercy, and that they will feel that love every time they touch the quilt. So I guess I can call them prayer quilts. I even sing praise songs while sewing them so they are anointed with praise.

Now that Christmas is over, I will be making more quilts through the year for the 2012 Empty Stocking program and baby blankets for the babies at the hospital every month. Oh, how wonderful in old age that we can still be used to help others. That is what we are created for!

(Wait Until you see my next post about my new adventure with the RED HAT SOCIETY!)

LONG HOT SUMMER

It has been a very long hot and dry summer here in Texas. We are in a severe drought all over the state and it is heart breaking. We lost all our plants due to the extreme heat of 108 degrees sometimes. I was so sad not to have any beautiful flowers to look at each day, but my sweet husband brings me beautiful roses from time to time. Yesterday he bought these and it cheered me up so. There is nothing quite like roses! I can't seem to grow them but I do love them.

This morning God blessed us with 55 degree temperatures in the early hours so I climbed out of bed, put on my sweat suit and sat in my prayer garden all alone at 7:00 a.m. and spent some time in prayer for all those suffering from the wild fires in Texas. It was such a joy just watching my waterfall and the hummingbirds. My husband has been faithful to keep our bird feeders and birdbaths full for the birds. It is hard to see the animals suffering from the heat. One day when it was 108 degrees outside we saw a squirrel laying in the middle of our birdbath full of water. Poor darling!

It will turn into the 90's here this afternoon, but I am so thankful for the little touch of cool weather we are getting so I can open the house and air it out. I am praying the rain comes soon but I am truly thankful for any of God's blessings even if it is cool air for awhile.

SPRING YARD CLEANING AND PREPARING BEDS GOES ON!

My husband and I keep finding more places to clean up and prepare flower beds. This was my old potting shed that was an eye sore that had piles of limbs, brush, and branches all around. We spent a whole week cleaning it up, burning the limbs, digging, pulling roots, and preparing a cute little flower bed around it. We used an old bird bath fountain that didn't work anymore to put in the middle of the bed and planted impatients in plus other plants in the bed. It is a very shady spot here so it will grow good. We were so excited to see how cute it turned out. Now we are trying to find a white picket fence bench to sit close to it and relax and enjoy the spot.

This Spring fever just goes on! My husband is still not finished. He plans to prepare another bed near the side steps of our home, but I am taking a break for awhile. I hear my sewing room crying too loudly!!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Oh, how beautiful Spring is! The feel in the air of new beginnings just keeps me wanting to go outside, enjoy the sun, and dig in the dirt with my husband! What is so funny about that is that I have never been an outdoors girl! I was always inside doing the housework, sewing, baking or cooking. Even when I was a child I would do the inside chores while my Mom and Dad did the yard work.

Now I love being outside. I just wish that I had of asked my mom questions about flowers, plants and keeping a pretty yard before she passed away. Now, I am just learning by trial and error and some searching.

I thank God for my sweet husband, who is learning with me, and is so willing to dig and plant with me. We inherited my parents property 6 years ago, and it has been a true blessing keeping up the property. Unknown to them, my mom and Dad worked so hard to seed some great things for my husband and my retirement living. We had always lived in apartments so this was new to us. So with 4 lots full of oak trees that shed those leaves, and some shrubs, we stay busy. I have tried to plant a few flower beds, but fighting the heat of Texas summer sun, it is a constant battle to keep them looking nice.

This week after my husband and I spent a whole week raking and burning leaves off the property, we started some flower beds. It might take us a few months to complete, but we are enjoying it so much.

Sometimes I hear my sewing machine crying "Come visit me please, I miss you" but it will just have to wait, because I hear the Springtime calling "Come outside and play". So I will play in the dirt a while longer! Hopefully it will rain soon and I can go outside and dance in the rain!!

Spring is about to arrive!

It has been a long cold winter so far even here in Texas where we seldom get cold weather. I am excited about seeing more sunshine lately. When I went outside the other day, I saw that my azaleas are trying to bloom! I can hardly wait to see some more come out.

It won't be long until the Dogwoods will bloom too.

Spring always brings feelings of new beginnings and new things coming. I heard that Shabby Lane Shops has some exciting things going on. Hop over there and see what all is going on. There is always so many free offers and great shopping. I love to beat the crowds and shop at home and let the mail carriers bring me my packages. How about you?

One of my favorite shops there is Isabella's Roses. There are so many things that are restored to beauty. I love watching every week to see what is added.

I was so very busy that I did not get to do much sewing this past fall and winter to add to my website at Shabby Denim Rose. But I am looking to the longer days and more time to add some special handmade items.

Hope everyone has a great and refreshing spring this year. Thanks for stopping by.

HURRY UP AUTUMN

It has been so hot here lately in Texas and I was longing to see some autumn beauty. So I got out my material and put on my thinking cap and created a pattern. With the sewing machine and the hand needle, the result was some cute pumpkins. I was going to make only one but after I finally figured how to design it, then I made 3.

I love looking at these pumpkins because Autumn is my favorite time of the year. It just does not last long enough here in South Texas. We seem to go from Summer to Winter.

We live on property with many oak trees and when the leaves begin to change colors I get so excited. I love the beauty of autumn. Of course with the falling leaves come work trying to rake them all up, but to me it is all worth it. If I had my choice in life autumn would last all year.

I remember so well in autumn of 2008 when my daughter and son-in-law took my husband and I to the Smoky Mountains! Those pictures are forever in my memory. It was absolutely breathtaking to me!

I hope you enjoying going to my website and seeing the Autumn designs that I created and hope you have a very fun filled autumn season.

Making more Cards for the Troops

Today I met again with a large group of ladies to continue our mission to scrapbook cards for the troops so they could have them to send to their family and friends.

Together we made about 1000 cards today. One more meeting next month and we should have them all complete so we can mail a package of cards to each one. The F.A.I.T.H. Military Group usually has about 200 names we have to send supplies to each month. We will send these with the October mail out so they can use the Thanksgiving cards and Christmas cards for the holidays. They will now have their very own CARD STORE right with them thanks to many ladies who are showing up to do these.

I met another friend today for the first time. After a long conversation with her, I found out she loves Shabby Lane Shops and goes there nearly everyday. I gave her a Shabby Lane Shop Magazine and she was so excited. She was going online to order the next magazine coming out and download the beautiful free postcards.

SCRAP BOOKING AGAIN

Today I went to my really first scrapbooking class for 5 hours long and I had a great time. I got to work on 4 projects. I met some wonderful friends and it was a fun day. I so look forward to next month to go and learn more.

I am going to have to get some scrapbooking supplies before next month. I love the tiny albums and the cards the best. I am still not finished with the photo page, but will finish it at home.

I can't believe that I have waited this long before trying this!! Maybe it was because I always have so much sewing, embroidery, and crocheting to do. But I heard it was good for the brain to always learn new things!! Good excuse to start this now!

"Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You"

Well, today I got back to my sewing machine and completed this cute Toddler Quilt to give to 2 precious little girls. It is a JESUS AND ME QUILT with a quilted book included.

I think I enjoy making my quilts and giving them away more than anything in my life. I guess because I feel part of me goes with it. My quilts have always been just one of a kind created just for the person in mind. I will never forget the first one that I made for a young teenage boy who in now my son-in-law and helped give me 3 wonderful grandsons who have grown to be wonderful men. They brought lots of joy to my life.

I had meant to make a quilt for these sweet girls a long time ago but when we lost our home during Hurricane Ike, it set me back 2 years so I am just now getting to it.

The mother of these 2 sweet toddler girls was a small child when I met her in church many years ago. She saw me make and give quilts away years ago at baby showers. Now I remember her telling me once, "When I have a baby, I hope that I get one of your quilts".

Then life's retirement took us miles from her, and Hurricane Ike displaced us and it absolutely slipped my mind. But I guess it is never too late. I make my quilts to last a life time if cared for properly because they are very durable. But the best thing is they are warm on a cold night.

I do hope these sweet little girls will be blessed by this quilt for many years to come.

NOW BACK TO THE MACHINE TO START A QUILT FOR A MARINE!

I might get addicted to scrapbooking!

Today, I left my sewing machine for a few hours to go help a scrap booking group make some cards to mail in the packages we send to our troops once a month. It will be a set of 6-8 cards so they would have some cards to send to family and friends. We are making a variety of cards for them such as: hello, miss you, thinking of you, Christmas etc.

That was the first time I really learned anything about doing any kind of scrap booking ideas. I had a blast and might really get addicted to it. We will meet again next week to make more. We got 300 made today.

I think now after doing this, I decided to join the scrapbooking club that meets once a month to scrapbook etc. It should be fun and another way for me to learn something new. I sure don't need anymore projects to do at all, but there is just something inside of me always wanting to create and to learn something new.

My next big sewing project will be to make another quilt for a soldier and mail it to him to keep warm this winter in Iraq etc. The last one that I made and mailed to a soldier was used during 2 deployments and he loves it.

Back to Sewing Again!

Goodness, the time has flown by since I have last blogged. It has been a very busy spring trying to get the garden taken care of, flowers planted, and yard in good shape. Now that the hot humid Summer weather has set in, I find myself wanting to be inside more than ever. So this week I finally got to my sewing room again. I have missed it! It is my therapy and I can tell I have been missing it.

Today, I finally finished this quilt that I made and donated for a worthy organization The Quilts for Kids. They are an organization that makes quilts for very sick children in hospitals. I sure hope that mine will make some sweet little boy smile. The backing on the quilt has tractors, trucks and all those things little boys love. You can go to my website and see a better view of it and also see the other items under my donated category that I have donated to many places. I get so much joy out of sewing something and giving it away. I guess that is why I feel so blessed.

The Bible says to "Give and it shall be given unto you" God has given me so many blessings in my life and I am so thankful.

Say What Is In Your Heart

Have you ever wanted to expess the feeling of your heart to someone, yet you did not really have the words to express with your mouth? It is so hard for some of us to say what we really mean at times, so we just give a gift. That happens to many people, but did you know that the choice of color of the gift you give someone can give them that special hidden message of your heart?

We think of flowers this time of year as our gardens are now blooming so beautifully. Many of us will choose flowers as our gift to give to others. I think the rose is the flower people give to loved ones the most. They have captivated so many hearts over the generations. Even with the thorns that come with them, most of us choose to never even see them, but just enjoy the beauty of the bloom.

There are so many beautiful colors of roses. Yet there is a message with every color of rose or any flower whether you receive the gift or give it. So we can say it with your heart with the colors too.

Even your favorite color, or the color of flowers you plant in your gardens can express something about your personality.

Here is just a few of the colors and their meanings:

Red: Love & affection, Romantic & Abiding Love, True Love, I Love You, Desire, Courage & Passion, Congratulations, Job Well Done, Respect & Appreciation, Honest Beauty, Courage & Passion, Bliss to Marriage

Dark Red: Deep passion, Readiness for a commitment, Unconscious beauty, Dying love

Light Pink: Gentleness, Joy & Grace, Admiration, Sympathy & Gentleness, Harmony & Warmth

Pink: Grace & Elegance, Admiration for beauty and refinement, Sweetness

Bright pink: Appreciation & Recognition, "Thank You", Gratitude, Admiration

White: Purity & Innocence, Reverence & Humility, Heavenly & Honor, Everlasting love, Marriages and New Beginnings, I am worthy of you, Beauty & Youthfulness, Remembrance

Yellow: Friendship and "I care", Unbridled joy, Promise of a new beginning, Gladness, Delight, Warmth, Good Luck, Welcome Back, Remember Me, Dying Love

Peach: Modesty, Closing of a new deal, Great cheer, Sincerity & Genuineness, Sympathy, Gratitude and Thankfulness

Blue:. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven

Purple: combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence.

So the next time you give a gift take the time to choose carefully, and give them a message from your heart just by choosing a special color.