This is a blog where I share my projects and you can share yours as well. I also like to feature other Artisans. I just choose a shop randomly so you never know when yours will be featured next.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
I'm Not Ignoring You
Until then, just remember, I'm not ignoring you!!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
An Amazing Airline Pilot
'Yes', she said.
'Is there an escort?' I asked.
'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.
'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck? You can board him early," I said.
A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.
'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.
I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.
We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia .
The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it, I said. I told her that I would get back to her.
Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.
Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:
'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'
I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'
Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.
'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft, we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'
I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public
address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'
We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.
When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', ?I'm sorry?, ?thank you?, ?be proud?, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.
Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.
I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA .
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Tak Unique Designs Featured Artisans
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
An Amazing Tribute To A Fallen Soldier
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Curiosity's Piqued Featured Artisan
This weeks Featured Artisan is Lori - Curiositiy's Piqued. Lori creates
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Hardest Mother's Day So Far
Here is a picture of my mom and dad on their wedding day, October 24, 1949.
Again, I LOVE YOU MOM. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
My Gemstone Designs
This weeks Featured Artisan is Hazel - My Gemstone Designs. Hazel has wonderful creations in all her shops! A Very active supporter of handmade and a lovely person, Hazel is a joy to all she meets! You can find My Gemstone Designs at"
She also has 2 other shops: Classy Classic Jewels and Big and Beautiful
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Yanni Truth of Touch Review
So now back to this project. I was chosen to listen to the new cd from Yanni called "Truth of Touch" then right a review. Now I'm going to for warn you. I've never written a review before and I hate to say anything negative about anyone/anything. So, I'm going to give you the negative on this cd first. For me when I listen to this type of music, it's for me to relax by. I don't want singing, just really good instrumentals and a good song. Don't get me wrong. This man has a really good voice. I guess what I am trying to say, there really isn't a bad side to this cd, it's just personal preference. Almost half of the songs on this cd are instrumental and the other half has words to it. The really good thing about this cd is the instrumental songs. Also with any other cd, there is always at least one song that just isn't your taste and this cd, there is no exception. Now remember, this is just my personal preference.
Yanni has many different cd's out there but I think this one is one of the top three that I have listened to. "Truth of Touch" is more "up beat" . I recommend this for anyone that loves the type of music that you can relax to or even when you are driving. I had to travel about a half an hour to visit my parents once a week and I chose to listen to Yanni on these trips. It helped me to relax when the traffic was heavy and it gave me something to calm my nerves when drivers we not so considerate. Again, this in my personal feelings on this type of music.
So to break all of this down for you....Yanni "Truth of Touch" is a cd worth investing in.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Luna Essence
Etsy
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Just A Little Note
On the other hand, I'm going to be honest. This surgery scares the heck out of me. The only other surgery I have had is arthroscopic 2 years ago on the same hip. I was home the same day. They (the doctors) tell me that this surgery will last about 75 minutes (could be 90) and that I will be in the hospital for 3 days at least. I haven't stayed the night anywhere in over 3 years. I went to a information type class last week about this surgery and the restrictions are just about worse than what I am going through right now. They tell me that I won't be able to bend over and have to keep my hip no less than a 90 degree angle. I have been paying more attention to things in my home that I will have to change because of these two restrictions (there are more, these are just the ones that concern me the most). My height of my bed is about the only thing that I have that is close to being correct. Everything else, like my chair, tub/shower, and most important, the toilet, are too low. Now I could purchase the things that would make these a little easier but they cost a fortune. The nurse and physical therapist that talked at this class seem to not care about how much these things will cost US. For me to get all the equipment that they recommend, it will cost us almost $1000. That's about what I make right now in just a month. I really don't know how I'm going to do this but I guess that I have to find a way.
I've got some new projects lined up for after I get home from the hospital since I won't be able to sew for a little bit. I'm going to go back to making my beaded ornaments that I use to make years ago. Here are a couple that I had made my mom before she died. They are made using the Delica beads.
Now, I do make these to sell however they do take me 2 to 3 weeks each to make. You might think my price on these are high but because of the time and materials that I have in each one of these, I'm only paying myself 50 cents per hour when it comes down to it. The cost to purchase one of these (an I'm working on a different pattern all together right now) is between $85 - $100, depending on the pattern and colors. For instance on the price of supplies, for silver, costs me $10.45 for 5 grams and the one I'm working of right now takes 14 grams for one ornament. The one right now is an Iris and it has 17 colors. I will post pictures of this one when I am finished.
Well, speaking of working on this ornament, I better get busy on it. Keep checking back to see this one when I'm finished.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Finshed My Last Quilt for Awhile
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Almost Done!!!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
What's Been Going On
That's what has been going on with me here lately but I will get back to featuring an Artisan a week when I'm stuck in my recliner. So keep checking back. You never know when you will be featured.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Cameo Jewelry Art
This piece is the one that caught my eye. The description that they have on this piece is
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Dianes Dangles
This weeks Featured Artisan is Diane's Dangles! Diane has wonderful creations for you to see in her shops. Not only does Diane creation true treasures she is dedicated to promoting her fellow artisans which is a wonderfully kind act! You can find Diane's Dangles on:
Daine also has a 2nd shop on Artfire called BeadSouk... take a peek there too!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Featured Artisan Jewelry By Nala
This weeks featured artisan is Jewelry by NaLa! NaLa has truly unique creations.. works of art you can wear!
You can find NaLa at:
NaLa also hosts a wonderful group on Facebook call Handmade Harbor!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Featured Artisan Heart n Sow
Here is a really cute purse. She made this one out of leopard fleece with khaki fringe along the top.
The second item I would like to share are a mother/daughter apron set. This is really cute. If I had a daughter, I would love to have a set like this.
Finally, here is an adorable flower hair accessory. I love the color (well, purple is my favorite color). She did such a good job on this one and you can really see the detail she put into this.
So go on over to her Zibbet shop and look around. You might just find something you just can't live without.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
My Projects and Custom Orders
Right now I am working on an order for a Celtic quilt. I've always wanted to make one but never have had the opportunity. This one is going to be a king quilt. I will have the top done is about 2 to 3 weeks but the quilting will take the longest. I don't have a longarm (can't afford one) so I quilt my quilts on my regular sewing machine.
The quilt the I just finished was a king size Broncos quilt. I took the logo of the Denver Broncos and I modified it. I sketched out the horse as best as I could being the I can't draw all that well. I " stained glassed" the design in the middle of the quilt and the border. My customer was really pleased with it.
I also made a horse quilt for a friend of mine. She wanted one for her daughter that was in her first year of college. This one was a lot of fun to make. My favorite book to use for block design is " 501 Quilt Blocks" . I can find anything that I need to make a quilt.
I have made several other quilts but for now, I'll only share these two. I will add more as I have time. So now I have the Celtic quilt to work on then I have two more to work on. Like I said before, I have to stay busy to help keep my mind off the pain that I am in all day, every day. Well, now it's time that I got and work on this new venture. Hope it turns out as well as the others have. Oh yeah, did I tell you that I have only been sewing for a little over 2 years?