Stabilizer Holder

After a VERY rough week at the office and a LARGE Margarita last night, I decided to turn on the sewing machine today and finish up at least one little bit of sewing.  I had gone to a class to do this stabilizer holder and had it all done except to add the hanger at the top and load it up with my various stabilizer rolls. It's done!!  Now on to other things, like the mound of paperwork I brought home to do and deciding which project to start on next.  I have a few ideas, but nothing is just jumping out at me and over the course of this last few weeks, my inspiration is just not up to par.  Guess it's best to take one day at a time.  I have been told that the sadness really never goes away, but that it just becomes more tolerable as each day passes.   I have so many wonderful friends who are encouraging me every day--Thanks for that, ALL of you!  Happy Sewing-Carole

A Special Thanks to all my FRIENDS!

Difficult times happen and we have to pick ourselves up and keep going.  I've seen it many times happen to somebody else and I send my encouragement along the way.  Never, has such a horrific event hit so close to my own life as it did on February 11th.  Nobody could ever tell me the pain I would feel, or that I would  have to see so much pain in the eyes of my own family.  I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the support and love that you have sent in my direction as well as to the rest of my family. It has been comforting to know that I am blessed with so many wonderful friends.  Know that I love you all and will strive to be the friend to you that you have been to me.  Nobody could possibly get through something like this alone.  For you all, I am thankful!  Carole

RIP-- Melissa Donati 9/19/1980 - 2/11/2010

Dear Melissa--Yesterday our family joined together to celebrate your life.  It was a beautiful and inspiring service.  The Church on Fillmore was filled to overflowing capacity of more than 600 people, with standing room only as people were standing even along the walls.  They had to put speakers and chairs outside the sanctuary so people could hear.  The line to get in the church was at one point wrapped around the corner and the people trying to come in just never seemed to end. Your dad found strength somehow and delivered an amazing eulogy and you could hear in his words how he will forever be so proud to be your dad.  When he talked about the kids, he mentioned how Mia looked just like you.  At that very moment she turned around in her seat and I could see the very best part of you looking right at me.  She is still trying to get a cell number or e-mail from god so she can talk to you.  TJ was quiet, but I did see a few smiles from him and he promised to FB me sometime.  Tiana was trying to make sense out of all this and she sat with a garbage can trying not to throw up.  I told her she was like me as I carried around my "throw up cup" and I asked her if she wanted a cup like me.  She declined but told me she would be okay.  Timothy and Nae, well, you could see their pain, but I really do feel that together, they will get throught this.  Your sisters both were able to speak and you could see the love that all three of you girls had for each other.  Toward the end, Melanie read a letter from your mom.  She told me that you must have been with her, since she did not think she could have done it on her own.  Many other's also spoke of their memories of you.  I wanted to, but all I could find were tears.  So, Melissa....  from me to you, I'll think of you often and know that I was honored to be your Aunt and one of your many friends.   Love, Aunt Carole

The SADDEST day..................

Yesterday morning my phone rang way too early.  It's never been a good thing to hear it ring before 4AM on the house phone.  As I looked through squinted eyes at the caller ID, it was my mom.  I knew immediately something was terribly wrong...  I just could not comprehend how terrible this day would be.  When I answered the phone, all I could hear was the uncontrollable sobs that my neice (my brother's oldest daughter) had suddenly died.  I certainly was not hearing correctly.  I just "saw" her on face book a few short hours before.  We were complaining of the new layout.  In shock, I asked if she was sure and of course she was.  The day did not get any easier, I can assure you.  I had to wake up my own daughter to let her kow that her cousin and friend had left us.  The heart aches.  My sister and I split forces and I went  to get my dad and she went to get my mom.  Upon entering my brother's house, my heart hurt in a way that it never has.  The grief of my dear sister in law Cindy was so sad and I wanted to hug away her pain more than anything.  There is nothing to take away this awful feeling.  Melissa and Timothy had 3 beautiful children.  TJ, Tiana and Tamia.  Her world revolved around her children and her family.  She worked hard (2 jobs).  She worked for Wells Fargo and also taught at the Univiersity.  She was strong in her faith and active in her church.  I worry for my dear brother who is trying to hold it together for his family.  I worry for the children and how their lives are forever changed without the mother who loved them so much.  I worry for the grandparents having to live with the heartache of losing a grandchild.   I worry for Michelle and Melanie the younger sisters who will now take on the roles of being more than Aunt's to the children.  I worry for Timothy and all the heartache and sadness he must be feeling.  I worry for those of us left behind trying to deal with this terrible pain.  Yes, I know life goes on, but forever a piece of our hearts has died with Melissa.  I close my eyes and imagine her free and happy soaring with the angels trying to console the aching heart of her mother and holding on to her children. As the day ended, the pain stayed with me.  I thought about the quilt I had for her was un-done (like so many others) and now I can't give it to her.  I thought about how she would never again be in one of our "crazy" family pictures at Christmas.  I thought about when she was little and of the birthday parties in the front yard on Granada street.  Melissa-you are missed more than you will ever know. May you rest in peace and assurance that we will all gather around Timothy and your babies and love them forever.  I am proud to have known you all your life.  Aunt Carole

Where there is a "Front", there is a "Back"!

My last post showed the shirt front I put together for my group of fellow embroidery/quilting friends for us to wear to the upcoming Anita Goodesign event next weekend.  I made one for each of them and gave them out last Friday.  After I got home, I thought it would be cute to have something on the back.  Afterall, it was a blank canvas just waiting for something.  Since we all quilt as well (or not as well as some), I thought adding this design to the back was quite fitting.  I did both a front and back to a sweatshirt, since I'm always cold, but did not add the back to my original t-shirt (just yet anyway).  We are all looking forward to our embroidery weekend get away.  Happy Sewing!  Carole

Whew..... Busy!

Last weekend was a whirlwind of so much fun!  Friday and Saturday were spent all day at the Phoenix Quilt/Craft event.  The time flew by so fast and the days were done.  I did manage to make some pretty nice purchases and attend a couple of seminars that were very worthwhile.  I have been putting some of the stabilizer information (along with the purchased Floriani stabilizer) to use.  I wanted to make a shirt for the Anita Goodesign Embroidery Event coming up on the 12th-13th.  I used lettering from Bunnycup designs and the crown is from Anita Goodesigns.  I used metallic threads and I think it turned out nicely.  I'm still doing the binding on my NY Beauty.  Final row.  Happy Sewing!  Carole