Fingers are a-flying...

In the past few years Laura and I have gotten busy getting a little hand craft business going. 

Knitting, crocheting and sewing...

Generally we do business through the J.C.Marie HandCrafts site on Facebook.

This link will take you over to the site.  

If we aren't working on orders, we love to craft for charity.. There are many sites to be found that are in need of hand crafted items. 

The Micky and Minnie Mouse hats are two of our most popular items. 

Snowmen are fun this time of year.  With earflaps and braids it keeps you warm on our snowy winter days.

Infant and toddler flannel bibs with waterproof backing.  

Super soft and squishy blankets for boys and girls

keeping cozy

double thickness potholders... all colors are available...These were for Christmas

super soft blankets for baby girls.... or big girls

Luke modeling the very popular beard hat

Kimberly modeling the twirly top earflap hat

This is where our business started...This can be sized newborn on up

I love the black and white colors or this kitchen set.  It includes 2 potholders, 2 dishcloths and on hanging dish towel.

Another popular item... the wolf hat

Gracie modeling the ear warmer

Assorted hats and mittens.

Toddler sized flannel bibs, now with waterproof backing

Another very popular design... the fox hat

These are the roses that I sell to help little ones say the Rosary. You can see a link to how we used these roses at this link. 

A reusable swiffter pad... just throw it in the washer and dryer...It saves a ton of money

These little booties were made for favors at a baby shower.  Put a tag on them and chocolate coins and you are all set.  

Thank you for taking a look at our recent creations.  

Pieces of My Heart

We celebrated Christmas.  I had 9 of my 10 Kids and a dog at home...Missing were my Hawaiian family members.  My son Matt, his wife Alexis and my first grandson, Carson.  

They were very busy this Christmas season.......

 Sophia made her debut a little early on December 11th.

God is great!!

 Big brother meeting his sister for the first time. 

 I believe he will be his baby sister's biggest protector.

 Things started out a little rough...but after a stay in the NICU Sophia is home and doing great.

 Carson put the baby bassinet to good use before Sophia came home.

 DISCHARGED!!!!  

 The very first "tummy time".   

 The visit with Santa...Carson was happy to sit on his lap since Santa gave him presents. 

The sweetest gifts under the tree

Time in paradise is coming to an end very soon...  my kids and grandkids are coming HOME...

I just can't wait to hug everyone...and smooch these babies!

Tickling the Ivories

 This is my view of the beautiful Christmas altar at Our Lady of Good Counsel church.  

I recently came out of retirement and am again playing the organ for one Mass a week. 

 I was taught to play the organ from the music teacher at my elementary school 41 years ago. I was 12 years old and my instructor walked across the street from the school to the church 2 times a week to teach me.  

I've spent many, many hours up in this choir loft playing for church and choir,  I have no idea how many years I have played...I would take breaks when I had new baby and when my arthritis was acting up.  

Right now my fingers feel great and I am love being able to play music again.

To top it off, when I started playing again I had to go to the church to practice...but since then I have been blessed with the piano that stood in my husband's family's home for all the years I have known him. The piano is getting a lot of use.  It seems someone is constantly playing,

Thank you for this beautiful gift, Grandma Collins.

Review: Welcome to Marwen

"When a devastating attack shatters Mark Hogancamp (Steve Carell) and wipes away all memories, no one expected recovery. Putting together pieces from his old and new life, Mark meticulously creates a wondrous town where he can heal and be heroic. As he builds an astonishing art installation—a testament to the most powerful women he knows—through his fantasy world, he draws strength to triumph in the real one. Welcome to Marwen tells the miraculous true story of one broken man’s fight as he discovers how artistic imagination can restore the human spirit." 

Amy, Laura and I enjoyed a girls' night out recently.  

I had seen the previews of Welcome to Marwen on the tv and I wanted to see it.  What I didn't know is that it is based on a true story. 

I very rarely go to the movies, and when I do it is usually with the younger kids, but this was one for us ladies.
It is rated pg-13 for minor foul language and top frontal nudity of a Barbie doll (nothing that isn't in our toy boxes)
Steve Carell did an awesome job in a dramatic role.  If your looking for a Steve Carell comedy, this isn't it.
I know if time passes quickly it was a movie I enjoyed--I didn't even want to take a bathroom break.
I give this movie 3 stars.
Laura gives it 3 stars
Amy gives it 3 1/2 stars
When you have a chance, look up the true story of Mark Hogancamp...it's an amazing story.

I can't wait for our next girl's night out movie.

We're Back...Things are a'changing

I came over from facebook to take a look at this space...and I realized that I like all the history within my blog.  

I also realized I have missed a lot of life.

One piece of life, who arrived last July is beautiful Jason, my second grandson.

I was there when he entered the world...I was blessed to be witness to this great miracle.

My husband and I have flowed easily into the role of Grandma and Grandpa.  

 Grandpa is still the baby whisperer.  

He learned from our ten kids and has seamlessly adapted to grandparenthood.

 Amy and Becky (Jason's mom) are both working at Holy Cross. Amy is a teacher and Becky is the school secretary.  

This is the school that Grace, Luke and Kim now attend...

 Luke and Mark cleaning the kitchen after a family dinner. 

Luke is no longer homeschooled.  He has adjusted very well to a brick and mortar school.  

Mark has entered the workforce.

 We are no longer living in the "little house".  Our house is bigger and the kids are very glad it has a dishwasher.

 Kimberly is in 7th grade with Luke...  She is also doing great.  

This evening was spent with 9 of our 10 kids for dinner and our family secret Santa gift exchange. 

Mark is happy with his gift...  The kids and couples all exchange names on Thanksgiving and then we have a get together for a party.
We've had this tradition for many years.

Luke is becoming a wonderful young man.

Kimberly and Laura.  Laura is working as a nanny.  She is a natural taking care of any little one. 

Dan and Grace, Grace is in 11th grade (this is so hard to believe) and Dan is a hard working man.

The oldest (Pat) and the youngest (Kim) and a photo bomber. 

Hopefully I will be able to keep up with the blog again. 

I also have a new camera, and I love taking photos, so hopefully we will have many photo heavy posts to come.