Just for fun

A couple of years ago I made these cute little snowmen for the children of some friends.  They were fun and easy.  There is a Hershey bar wrapped under the snowman.  I still think this is one of the cutest little gifties for someone whether they are young and old :-)

You can find a link for the template HERE.
(p.s. be sure to turn the template to the Landscape position before printing)

Happy Christmas Quilting!

The Southern Special
Holiday Goodness
Sew Darn Crafty

Happy Thanksgiving

May your day be filled with love, laughter and gratitude that brings joy to your heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Two more done

I'm happy to say that two more of these little bags are finished.  Again using the beautiful Island Batik fabrics.

Christmas is coming in a big hurry.  And I have so many things to finish!  

The winner of my Thanksgiving Giveaway was Rina.  Congratulations!  Your package is winging it's way to you.

Wishing you a Happy Quilting day!

Fabric Tuesday
A Handmade Christmas Challenge

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop

Bread for the Journey

Progress

Progress in the  Quilt room has been moving, somewhat slowly, but it's getting there.  I've had to move books, magazines, a ton a fabric and a variety of sewing accessories upstairs.

But here's where I'm at for the moment.

Sewing machine is currently situated in front of the window for the best light.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know that I  love to read.  I've moved many of the beloved novels here, so maybe one day I'll be able to have a comfy chair where I can do some reading or hand work.  The closed cabinet door holds quilting projects bagged and ready to go.

So for now, this is where I will start.  One day I'll get a design board set up instead of the flannel backed tablecloth.  There are lots of possibilities with this space.

But for now, Happy Quilting!!

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway, which ends this afternoon :-)

A Thanksgiving Giveaway

I appreciate everyone that reads my little blog.  I know a lot of people have moved on to other social media as evidenced by Facebook and Instagram.  I've never had a Facebook account but I do post on Instagram.

But again, I am grateful for everyone who takes the time to read Happy Cottage Quilter.  I've been blogging for almost 6 years and it's been a delight to meet so many of you.

I meant to have this giveaway a week ago, but I've been moving my sewing area into a vacated bedroom, and truthfully I forgot.  Soooooo................ better late than never :-)

For the giveaway, I'm giving a piece of Happy Thanksgiving fabric, by Michael Miller.   The piece is 27'x 45'

The giveaway is open to the FOLLOWERS of this blog because I love you guys!  I will include a matching thread.

As Thanksgiving is only a week away, this giveaway will be quick.  I will close the giveaway at 5:00 pm EST on Friday November 21.  If the winner can let me know their address by Saturday, I will pop it in the mail and hopefully you will receive it before the big holiday!

Leave a comment on this blog post, letting me know how you follow.  You can follow me in any way (GFC,Bloglovin, Feedly, by subscribing etc) .  Even if you just post me on your sidebar. ## PLEASE be sure I have a way to contact you.  I have already received two comments that are a no reply :-(

Thank you again, for being a follower.  I wish everyone a Happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Happy Quilting!

A Christmas Challenge

It always feels good to accomplish goals.  I've been able to complete a few Christmas presents in the last month or so.  These little handbags are being made for my little nieces.

I used the gorgeous Island Batik fabrics that were sent to me.  As an Ambassador for Island Batik I have had the privilege to use some of their upcoming fabric lines.  You can actually read more about Island Batik fabrics on SewCalGal's blog post today.

I have a couple more in the works which I will share with you later.  

Happy Quilting!

Show and Tell Tuesday

Fabric Tuesday

A Handmade Christmas Challenge

Bread for the Journey

One project down!

I made this little bag for a friends birthday.  She loves Fish, and this fish fabric was perfect :-) I hope she enjoys using it.

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop

Finish it up Friday

Traveling..........

...... to the great state of Texas was an unusual treat for me and my hubby.

I had never been to Texas before, and it's big!  Believe me it's BIG!

We took our trailer, which made for easy overnight stays.

Unfortunately our hot water heater went out, but thankfully it was not cold in Texas ;-)

While we were there I was only able to visit one Quilt shop.

Samples to glean inspiration.

There were some very territorial quilts, which I thought were fun.

It was easier to get around then I thought it would be.  Lots of minimum access highways, which made highway driving fast.  It was easy to get off, make a u-turn and travel the side roads into so many shopping areas.  

On our return trip, we were about 2 miles from home when the brakes on the trailer locked up.  My hubby had to do some creative thinking to get our little beauty home.  She is now sitting in our back yard, minus one wheel.  I guess she will be getting some new shoes before the next trip.

Oh well, I hope you have a Happy Quilting day!

On the Quiet Front

My blog has been quiet for a while.  And there is reason.  Firstly, I traveled with my hubby to the great state of Texas a couple of weeks ago.  Nothing creative happened during that time away.

Secondly, my hubby's father had a stroke, while we were away.  So that has changed the complex of family life for the time being.

Thirdly, I have undertaken the task of moving my sewing/quilting room into the vacated room upstairs.  Our youngest, soon to be married, son moved out last month, and being that it is an available space, I have captured it to be my Quilting Cave.

Here is the space.  And little by little I've been moving things upstairs.  My hubby and my older son moved the heavy furniture last week, but there is still a lot to be done.  One thing that I have come to realize is that I won't need to buy any fabric until the year 2020!!

I will let you peek in as I organize this room.

Until then  - Happy Quilting!

Somewhere...........

It is always so awesome to fly among the clouds.  On my return trip from visiting my friend in Ohio, I had such a great view from my window.

And then just as we were banking to make our final approach to the airport, I was blessed to glimpse this amazing rainbow.

Can't say that I've ever been above a rainbow before!

Outdoor Wednesday
Sky Watch Friday

Where did it all begin for you? And the winner!

I've often thought about how the quilting resurgence has created a whole industry for  quilters.  Not seamstresses or the casual sewing enthusiasts.  But quilters!

When I started quilting 30 years ago, I remember it was a little difficult to find 100% cotton fabric. And there were no "lines" of coordinating fabrics to create that perfectly coordinated quilt. You bought a piece of blue fabric with a tiny floral design and tried to find something, anything, that would go with it!

So I was thinking about how the quilting world has grown to such huge proportions, and I wondered what brought YOU on the quilting trail?

Is it fabric?

Or designs?

Patterns? Magazines?? The challenge of quilting??

How did you become interested in making quilts? What keeps your interest? What challenges you? I'd like to know. As this is the week the Quilting World awaits every new line of fabric and every designer shares their latest and greatest at Quilt Market, I'd like to hear a little from you.  Share a little insight with all of us.

Thank you so much for all of your comments on the It's All About the Kids blog hop.  SewCalGal did such a fabulous job of arranging the blog hop and securing so many great ideas and wonderful prizes.  The winner of the $25 gift certificate from the Fat Quarter Shop is OhioLori.  Thanks again for everyone who visited.

Happy Quilting :-)

Hello November

Where has the year flown to?  Can it really be November already??  What plans do you have for the New Year?

Remember that today is the last day to comment for my It's All About the Kids giveaway.
I hope you visited all of these great posts.  It's been a very fun week!

Monday, October 27th

SewCalGal - Event kick off

Tuesday, October 28th

SewCalGal

Sarah Vedeler Designs

Wednesday, October 29th

SewCalGal

Happy Cottage Quilter

Thursday, October 30th

SewCalGal

I Have A Notion

Freemotion by the River

Blue Feather Studio/Marjorie's Quilting Bee

Friday, October 31st

SewCalGal

Jacquelynne Steves, The Art of Home

Hoffman California Fabrics blog - The Creative Canvas

Wendy Sheppard/Ivory Spring

Happy Quilting!