Sew Thinky Thursday

As I'm not back to quilting yet, I am linking up with Emily's new linky Sew Thinky Thursday.  She presents a sewing related question, and everyone shares their answers.

This weeks question is -

When did you start sewing? Tell us a bit about your sewing history. When did you realize you were really hooked? 

No one in my family sews, so my first exposure to sewing was in High School in Home Ec.  We were taught the basics in using a sewing machine and how to make garments.   I made garments for myself for a few years, but I took a quilting class at a local craft store because I wanted to learn how to quilt..  That was back in the day when we used scissors to cut the fabric and made our own templates out of sheets of plastic (sometimes undeveloped xray sheets).  We worked on a sampler quilt, making 12 different blocks.  At the end of our class, the teacher showed us the "new" tool that had just been introduced to the market.  The Rotary Cutter!!!

I never finished that quilt because my sister in law learned how to make the Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Log Cabin quilt.  That changed my quilting life and I was hooked!

Quilting is not only a hobby, it has become my therapy.  I can't wait to get back with it!

Happy Quilting!  

Quilts, quilts, and more quilts

Another look at quilts from Quilting Under the Palms.

So much variety!

More next time.

Winter Quilt Show

Winter time in Florida is host to lots of Quilt shows in our area.  We love having all the northern visitors basking in our 70-80 degree weather.

The Quilters Crossing guild hosted Quilting Under the Palms this past weekend.  It's always fun to see all the quilts that are on display.

Don't you get all inspired by seeing the different types of quilts?

I'll show you more tomorrow.

Happy Quilting!

Postage and giveaway

There has been a lot of talk about the increase in US postage rates.  And none of us are happy about it. 

I thought I would share what came in the last Hawthorne Threads Newsletter.

Rising US Postal Service Rates

As many of you may already know, the USPS has had to increase their postage rates, effective this weekend. However, despite these increases we are looking to maintain our current Shipping Rates for our Domestic customers! What's more, we are looking to maintain our current shipping rates on USPS Flat Rate Boxes for our International customers! The only increase you will see for International Rates will be on First Class Mail and the Flat Rate Envelopes. While these increases will be a great deal for us to absorb, we will give it a try for at least a trial period. Thank you for your understanding and support.

 You might want to take advantage of this while it is still available.  Here is their website.

http://www.hawthornethreads.com

And don't forget if you have not signed up for my January GIVEAWAY go to THIS POST and leave a comment.

Sunday Scripture

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,." Isaiah 55:10

Hunting for treasures

It's so fun to look for treasures when I go into a thrift store. I seem to look at them with new eyes.

I loved finding this dishcloth with the sweet embroidered girl. I'd love to find more with the different days of the week.

And then there was this pretty cross stitched tablecloth, in perfect condition.

Things like these are getting harder and harder to find in our area.

And then one day I walked into an antique shop in Plant City, and spied this vintage quilt.

oooo what fun!

Isn't it pretty? This is only the second hand made quilt I have ever bought, and they are both in perfect condition. And I might add that both times I made an offer and the owners accepted it!

Friends

Friends. What does that word mean to you?? How have friends influenced your life?? There seems to be different types of friendships. Fair weather friends, passing friendships, heart friends, lifelong friends.

Through the years, I've met gals whom I've befriended. Yet there had never really been that "heart" friend. You know the one that you can share your dreams and deepest thoughts with, and know that they will go no farther then her ear.

When I met Diana, she was such a warm and likable person. She was the type of gal who was everybody's friend. Through the years she became my BFF. We would talk together almost every day. She was giving and hospitable. She loved life and laughed a lot. But the one thing about Diana that made her special, was her unselfish love. Now that's the kind of friend a body needs. Eight years ago she lost her battle with cancer. And I have missed her so much.

God in His kindness brought another lovely lady into my life. We met about 14 years ago as we worked together at a week long conference. She lives over 1000 miles away, but we clicked.  And as communication started to flow between us, we discovered that we had so much in common. We would only see each other about once a year, but our friendship started sticking like glue.

Through the years our friendship has grown and blossomed. I value her thoughts and prayers. She visits me a couple of times a year, and I try to visit with her as well.  She is truly my Heart friend.

          

What does it mean to have such a special friend??

"Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort, of feeling safe with a person. Having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words. But to pour them all out just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away." (George Eliot)

Can I challenge you to take a few minutes and write a note to your special friend. Let them know how much they have invested in your life. It will only take a few minutes of your time, but the rewards will last a life time.

Soup for a Cold day

Being that there is no sewing going on at my house, I thought I would share this recipe.

If you want to warm your tummy with a fast and delicious bowl of soup, try this quick and easy recipe.

I found it on the back of a package of Swanson Chicken Broth.

Sensational Chicken Noodle Soup

4 cups Swanson Chicken Broth
Ground black pepper
1 medium carrot, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 cup uncooked egg noodles
1 cup shredded cooked chicken or turkey

Heat broth, black pepper, carrot and celery in 2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil

Stir noodles and chicken into saucepan. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 10 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring often.

3-4 servings

That's it! For my family we increase all the ingredients and add some crushed garlic. It sure makes a great bowl of Chicken Noodle soup on a cold day.

Linking up with HOME. 
Minutes for Me 
Foodie Friday

Golden Quilter Awards

Quilters from all over the world are invited to recognize those in the quilting business by nominating them for categories of Golden Quilter Awards, as appropriate.  You can submit one or more nominations for each category, by providing the name of the nominee and a url to their site.

 These are the catagories -

1. Best Quilt Designer
2. Best Fabric Designer
3. Best Quilt Book Author
4. Best Teacher/Instructor
5. Best Quilt Store (physical)
6. Best Quilt Store (online)
7. Most Innovative Product (software)
8. Best New Product Introduced in 2012 (physical)
9. Best New Product Introduced in 2012 (software)
10. Best Quilt Book Published in 2012
11. Lifetime Achievement Award

You can get all the details by visiting Insights From SewCalGal

Collecting

I love to collect sewing paraphernalia. So digging around in the craft bins at thrift stores, I sometimes come away with little goodies.

Most of these items were 29c each.

And at times they get in an assortment of crafting books, so I always check out the book section. This book on cross stitch patterns really grabbed my interest. It has some really cute patterns.

But you know how it is when you have been searching for that one particular thing that you would really love to grab a hold of?  As I was browsing through the books, I found this! The one craft book that's been on my list for a long time. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw the title in the pile of books.

101 Patchwork Patterns by Ruby Short McKim. This was the Quilting bible back before quilt books were an every day occurence. I've looked for this book everywhere, even online. I could buy a newer edition on the Dover website for $10, but when I looked inside this book, it was marked $1.00!!!! Wooo-hooo. Absolutely made my day!

Have you found any treasures lately?

Amazing Snow Crystals

Many parts of the U.S. is blanketed with a lot of snow right now. So when I came across this information, I thought how fun to learn more about the perfection and beauty of God's perfect snowflake -

SNOW

Check out these websites.

Snow Crystals Photo Gallery

A Snow Crystal Primer

Let It Snow

Snow Ice Cream

Wilson Bentley - The Snowflake Man

The last project of the year

At the end of November, before my surgery, I was able to finish this Christmas table runner.

  

It was supposed to be a prize for a giveaway.

 

But things happened, and the whole month of December slipped by me.  So maybe I have a prize for a giveaway next Christmas!

Finish It Up Friday

Can I Get A Whoop-Whoop? 
TGIFF

Sew Darn Crafty

Be sure to stop by and sign up for my January GIVEAWAY.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

A Faithful Friend

I have a very sweet friend. She has been a friend of our family for over 20 years. Mrs. D. is a lively Southern belle who loves to bake goodies for my family. She will invite me over for lunch and we visit for the whole afternoon. Mrs. D's hubby died about 7 years ago, and it has been a lonely time for her. Her children and grandchildren live in differents states, so it is hard for them to come very often.

A couple of years ago I made this little quilt for her birthday. I made it from a fat quarter bundle that I found at the big cloth store. Thankfully I was able to obtain some closely matching fabric for the borders.

It was a very easy pattern (Sticks and Stones) which made it quick and fun to put together.

Mrs. D loves to watch the Food Network and the Travel shows on cable. She tells me that she has traveled the world by watching these programs. And she loves the chefs that design new recipes. We often are the recipient of a new cake or cookie recipe that she has experimented with. She usually tells me she took a taste test and she did not think it was very good. When I bring the treat home, my family has it gone in no time flat. But that is her hobby now, esp since she had hip surgery a few years ago. It really limits her ability to walk very much. Her limited walking has not limited her heart. She can whip out a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich at the sound of the doorbell.

Here's my sweet friend...............

"A faithful friend is a strong defense; and he that has found such a one, has found a treasure."

Tuesday Treasures

Beautiful BOM

I don't want you to miss this!!  Open Gate blog is hosting a beautiful free BOM!

 

(picture borrowed from Monique's post)

GO HERE to visit Monique's blog for details about the Blogger Girls BOM.

If you missed it, be sure to sign up for my January Quilt book giveaway.  NO, don't comment here.  Go to Thursday post and leave a comment HERE.

Happy Quilting!

January - it's a giveaway!

I've been pondering what to write on a quilting blog when I am not able to quilt?  I love keeping up with all of you, from your comments and visiting your blogs.

SO!!!!  I've put my thinking cap on, and decided that for the next several months I will have a monthly giveaway of some fabulous new quilting books!  How does that sound?

The first quilt book I'm giving away is Cute as a Button Quilts.

12 quilting projects (hey you could do one a month) using buttons for embellishments.

There are some very cute pillows.....

Both of these patterns also make cute quilts ......

and a couple of tote bag patterns........

All make for some very fun quilting projects.

Leave a comment on this post.  This giveaway will be open until the first of next month when I will post a new giveaway.

Thanks for stopping by.  And Happy Quilting!

Happy New Year

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.

 

~Martin Luther

Thanks so much for all of you who follow my little blog. It is such a joy to meet each one of you as you share your life with me. I appreciate every single sweet and generous comment.

Wishing you a very Happy and Blessed New Year!