December 2013 | Go-Go Kim

sewing + social media + so much more

Monday, December 16, 2013

Saying goodbye to the boy

I realized after my post about the super amazing surprise quilt that many of you thought it was my husband that went on deployment.  My husband did but many...many...many years ago, lol!  We are that old!  My son is the one who left in November.  He is number two out of the four that span three decades of children.

The two younger children and I were able to drive up and see him off. His older brother, sister-in law and two nephews live in OK and were unable to come and since the in house engineer decided to go for his Master's Degree instead of buying a motorcycle he was stuck home doing schoolwork. So off the two youngers and I went...to Tennessee!  Mind you this decision was made two days after I returned from Quilt Market and so I was completely unprepared for the journey but those are usually the best ones.




 When we arrived Adam was already telling Michael who the boss was and it was not me,lol.


I had no idea how much STUFF was needed to go on deployment.  When the in house engineer deployed I drove him to the squadron ( he was a Navy P-3 pilot) and off he went. There was nothing extra to do, it was all taken care of.  I swear we must have spent 95% of our time in shops trying to locate all the things he needed to take with him.  The worst part for me was the dogtags. It is funny when things become real in your brain, when reality takes a sledgehammer and gives you a solid WHACK and reminds you of what is really going on. He needed dogtags and for those of you not in the military, the purpose of dogtags is identify the deceased. There is one one a larger chain and then one on a smaller chain.  The one on the smaller chain is a toe tag.  This was my sledgehammer. I am sure the guy in the shop understood why I went from zero to bawl in less than 8 seconds.  He is my baby...


After we had all the stuff we needed for THAT five seconds and I was able to snap out of my reality check, we had a small fender bender in the parking lot.  It was so crazy! Did not even see the car and she did not see us!  So we sat around goofing off until all the proper stuff was done.  Adam even found a quilt pattern for me!!!

We spent so much time in the car doing errands that on Sunday Michael decided that we were going joy riding and we did. Through the back roads of Tennessee and Kentucky.  We saw all kids of beautiful sites and some fun barn quilts too...even though these are not on barns :o)  The one in the middle is my favorite!



Little Miss took full advantage of Adam's quilt and slept in every morning.  She had been hanging out with Michael and staying up late so I did not say a word. She needed both the time with him and the extra sleep.


Michael did not have a sewing kit so I made sure that he had only the best to take with him!

 The morning that he left there was one of the most beautiful sunrises I have even seen.  I could not possibly take a photograph that could do it justice.


So, my son, my baby boy is off on deployment.  I have to give BIG APPLAUSE to the airport  for letting us have special passes to see him off at the gate, to Southwest Airlines for holding the plane a little longer so we could properly say goodbye ( my apologies to the passengers on the plane and my eternal gratitude), and to all of my dear sweet caring friends here for all of your support and well wishes.




SHARE:

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Thank goodness I put on my bra this morning! ( the story of friendship and hugs)

I was working on my Friday post that obviously did NOT happen because of three little sneaking girls and one super handsome quilty guy and their scheming ways that rocked my ENTIRE little world!


This all started when Amylouwho was organizing a sewing play date at Becky's ( Sarcastic Quilter) house. The local gals try to get together to sew and mostly chat about sewing and things related to life outside of "Where the heck did you leave your shoes!" and " Did you remember to flush and wash your hands?" ( I am speaking of the kids here and hopefully not the husbands but well...).  I was so super excited to go play at Becky's house.  I had not had the chance to get up there and check out her sewing room ( which is SUPER AWESOME) or meet her fur babies or any of her people babies either.  I was looking forward to my sewing mama escape!

Monday of last week I found out the kids had early release.  Early release is a code name for parent torture.  By the time I drop them both off, I have about one hour to get whatever  I can done completed and turn around to start picking them up again. On these days I get very little accomplished and so I debate just dropping them off in my jammies and socks with not even brushing my hair or throwing on a bra to save some time. My sewing mama day was not going to happen. I really hate early release days!

Amy called and we were trying to figure out some way to make all of this work and it simply was not going to happen.  Then she suggested that they all come here.  Now, I am not usually opposed to have my friends come to my house, in fact, I love to have people over.  It is one of the great joys in my life.   But like many people, I was having an off week.  It happens.  Overwhelmed,under energized and just plain BLAH! I put my foot down right there and said NO...numerous times.  Amy is not usually a bossy person and I was wondering why she was being so odd. I was to find out very soon...

Friday...the dreaded early release day...dum...dum...dum...

Becky called in the morning and told me that she and Amy were on their way to the Joann's near my house and asked would I like to meet up with them for a coffee or some fabric groping ( okay Becky did not say that part but I knew she may have meant it).  I really had to get caught up on some work related items and told her I would have to call her back in a few minutes but I REALLY did want to meet them.  By the time I had finished it was just too late.  I called her to let her know and then was even in MORE of a funk...GAH! Stupid early release...

I was in my sad place and I heard a loud bang on my door. I ignored it since I was in no mood to say hello to the bug guy or even my favorite Fed Ex delivery person.  I just sat click, click, clicking away and the phone rang.  I have caller id to weed out those pesky sales calls and I was thrilled to see it was RACHEL!  I had not talked to her since Michael left for deployment.  I was going to whine to her and then feel much better.  She is awesome that way.

I said "Hello"

She said " Hey, what are you doing?"

I said, " Working."

She asked " From home?"

I said, "Yes."

Riveting conversation so far right? It does get better so please hang with me ;)

She said, " Come to your door..."

WTF!!!!!

" YOU ARE NOT AT MY DOOR!"

I pretty much ran down the stairs ( without breaking anything) and opened my door to Rachel standing in the POURING rain with a big smile on her face.  " I love you" Is what she said and gave me a big hug!




again...WTH and THANK GOD I had decided to put on a bra this morning!

Now, Rachel lives in Ohio...I live in VA it is about a six or seven hour drive to my house from hers.  I saw that she was off to somewhere on Instagram ( I would have no clue what was going on in the world without Instagram) and asked where she was going. Thinking she was off to teach.  She never responded.

Amy and Becky were there too and so was Rachel's sweet husband Shane ( Sweetie, you are the BEST!) and my Babylouwho!  I was pretty speechless, which never ever happens.  Amy came out of the car and I instantly would not speak to her!   Could not believe she did not tell me about any of this and then it only got better.  I had to ask where Rachel was going and then Amy said the most amazing thing..." She is here to see you!" What! Why the heck would anyone drive all that way to see me?  I was confused.  Then I had to take a minute to shake off my confusion by getting a snuggle from Babylouwho.  I am convinced that Babylouwho was a strategic move on Amy's part so I could not really be mad.

Then Amy, Becky and Rachel asked me to look in the back of the van.  I looked over the seat and saw nothing.  Then they asked me to come outside and then they showed me the quilt...the quilt that they had made for me.  The reason of the visit was for these three friends, these sisters of deployment to offer me a hug. This is my hug




Becky has a mid arm and created the sweetest whimsical quilting with Aurifil 50wt in white to match all the colorful scrappy prints including Heather Ross, Happy Zombie, Robert Kaufman, Tula Pink LADYBUGS, Denyse Schmidt and many many more that were used to brighten my spirits.  And Becky did not forget my Magic in the Middle Pellon batting either. Becky thinks of everything ;) It was even bound in my signature red.


And the thing that touched my heart the most was the label.


This quilt pattern is named The Deployment Quilt from Rachel's new book.  If you have not seen Rachel's new book, you need to RIGHT NOW!  It is called Quilts Made with Love and is published by Martingale.  It is filed with quilts to make for situations of celebration or times when people you love or sometimes people you do not even know need the comfort of a quilt.  The patterns are clearly written, easy to follow and these are quilts you will have fun making and be proud to give.  You can believe me when I tell you that this girl believes in these quilts, in the love that they bring...and I can testify that is is 100% right!




Was this to be the end of it...OH NO!!!!  After I was able to get my mouth to close and pick up the kids I hauled my troops up to Becky's house and we had another visitor...JOHN Q. ADAMS ( the man I lovingly refer to as Grizzly) ...WHAT THE WHAT!?!  Best hugger ever...just sayin!!!!

We spent an amazing evening eating, talking, laughing and we all took turns on Becky's midarm using Aurifil...of course...I love her!

Here is John doin his magic!

And Rachel rockin the swirling loops


Thank you so much to my dear friends...I LOVE YOU and life just would not be the same without you!


SHARE:

Monday, December 9, 2013

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

I have had a crazy bust weekend so I am doing a last minute Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day post!  I love this day so much!  It is so much fun to go to all the blogs and see all the great offerings! Make sure to go and see all the hundreds of offerings!

Here is my Giveaway...

Ten fat quarters of Dear Stella fabric and two matching large spools of  50wt Aurifil thread!

This combo just makes me so happy on this icy cold dreary day :o)






You wil notice that there are a few little drops on the spools because when I went out is started to drop ice pellets!  The spools were quickly back to the safety of the warm dry house as soon as I realized what was happening.

Thank you everyone for all of your comments!  I am giving you all a BIG HUG for participating and making me smile and feel a bit warmer!

Congratulations Jenny!  I will be sending you an email for your shipping info.  I sure hope your sister is okay!

Blogger Jenny said...
last year my sister was watching my kids...she doesnt know how to cook, nor is she familiar with gas stoves...yep, she caughter her long hair and baggy sweatshirt on fire...she was scared, but stop dropped and rolled and got put out...my kids? thought it was amazing and asked her to do it again!
December 11, 2013 at 9:36 AM



SHARE:

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Catching up with Hide the Turkey!

The little man brought home a project from school for Thanksgiving where he was supposed to disguise a turkey so no one would find it for dinner.  FUN! My mind goes directly to something I know and he loves...FABRIC!

I had him go through some of the scrap baskets I keep in the sewing room.  He finds the best colors and really has a blast doing it.



We  learned about the joys of freezer paper and worked on tracing. I need more practice than he does,lol!

He asked if he could quilt with me and I may have squeeled with delight a wee bit.

He helped me with bubbles and some geometric designs


and it turned out to be ME!  Adam and I had a good laugh at our turkey and a very nice day together :)

SHARE:

Monday, December 2, 2013

A quilt for my girl

I have made quilts, many quilts...but never one for my girl. She has her own taste and style and honestly has not found anything that she LOVES enough for me to make a quilt just for her. I have asked over the years and she will say that she is okay with this or that but until now she has not been overly excited about anything. I have not insisted that she choose anything.

She does not feel left out in the least and has not given me any grief about not having one of her very own. This past weekend was the big Joann's sale and I braved the Black Friday MADNESS to buy some flannel. It was about 81% off so how could I possibly pass that up!

I had my sister here for a visit with my niece and nephew so we all bundled up and expected to find the store packed. Thankfully it was not and so I had my cart filled up with all sorts of fabric. They had a decent selection of blues, purples and greens, Katy's favorites. I bought them with the intention of making jammie pants and then asked if she wanted a quilt. She thought about it and said YES! So on Sunday morning I did this...


I had Katy figure out her random placement.  I like for the kids to help out with any project I am working on especially if it is for them.

By the time Once Upon a Time was starting I was sewing up the last row!

This is how it looked like last night...WOOT WOOT!  She is super excited!

Now I just have to choose the Aurifil thread color and weight.  I asked for opinions last night on instagram and I think we all decided the purple is the best choice.


SHARE:
Blogger Template by pipdig