Happy New Year

What will this new decade bring?  Let's hope for more Happy Quilting!

Year in Review

It seems that every year we post what we have accomplished during the year. I have not finished many quilts this year, but there were a few.

 

 

 

 

And between quilts the countless pillowcases for Ryans Case for Smiles. 

 

 In addition to quilting, 36 Book reviews in 2019. Not including the additional books I have read that were not reviewed.

So, that's most of what I've done in 2019. Share your bounty.

God's Amazing Snow Crystals

Much of America is blanketed with a snow right now. So when I came across this information, I thought how wonderful to learn more about the perfection and beauty of God's creation -

SNOW

Please take a few minutes and check out these websites.


A Snow Crystal Primer

Snow Ice Cream

Wilson Bentley - The Snowflake Man

You can also watch an amazing Youtube video about Bentley.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAnb4oMXJtU

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands
~ Psalm 19:1

Day 28 -What's your word?

 

For the last several years, bloggers post their one word for the coming year. It's been an interesting concept, one that takes the place of a New Year's resolution. I tried doing it a couple of times. The problem was, I'm not sure I followed through. What's really funny is I can't even remember what those words were.

So tell me, do you have a new word for 2020? Has your one word encouraged you to fulfill your goals in 2019? I'd like to hear how your one word for 2019 motivated you throughout the year. And then share with us your new one word for 2020.

If I were to choose one word I think it might be "kindness". I think it's something that I need to work on. I want to show more kindness to others. Whether it's sharing a smile with a stranger in the grocery store, holding the door open for someone else, or letting someone go ahead of me in the line. Being kind means not being selfish and thinking only of myself and my needs. At the end of my life, I would like to be remembered as being kind.

What about you? Does your word reflect a quality you desire to share?

Okay, your turn! What's your one word?

The best Christmas present

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter.

She was the best Christmas present ever!

Day 26

 

Job 38:22

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas

May the celebration of the birth of Jesus inspire us all to rejoice and to serve Him with humble hearts. May we always remember the "Reason for the Season". That our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave His beloved Son to this fallen world, to die for our sins so that we may live forever with Him. 

It's a gift that cannot be earned or worked for. 

It's free to all men.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Day 24 - It's Christmas every day

Enjoy!

Day 23 - Writing Challenge

I like to think about the true meaning of Christmas. 

Not the tree, or the lights, or the presents. 

But what we truly are celebrating on December 25th.

"Though he was in the form of God, (Christ Jesus) did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men,"
Philippians 2:6-7

Day 22 - the last project

I guess this will be the last project I will finish for this Christmas.

 Can I get a Whoop Whoop! 

 Finished or Not Friday 
Brag About your Beauties

Day 21 - Writing Challenge

When people take the time and care 
to make the presents they give, 
they put into the gifts not only the materials needed,
  but also a part of themselves.
~ Tasha Tudor ~

Day 20 - 31 day Writing Challenge

Christmas is a special time. Time for family, friends and renewing of hearts. Its also a time of giving. We tend to give more at Christmas than any other time of the year. Whether it be gifts for your loved ones, the Salvation Army pot, or your favorite charities. But the giving that keeps on giving is the kindness you show to others. Is there someone who is lonely, a widow, or someone going through a difficult time. There is so much heartache as Christmas brings back memories of happier times.

Take the time to give the gift of yourself to someone today.

Day 19 - 31 Day Writing Challenge

I wanted to share with you again, these fun carolers that are displayed in one of our department stores. I'm not sure who made thm, but they bring a smile to my face every year when I see them.

Even though we have 80 degree weather, don't they look snug in their hats, sweaters and mufflers?

Do Carolers still visit homes in your neighborhoods?

Are you ready for Christmas? 

Day 18

We love making this recipe during the holidays.  Although it's a refreshing salad/dessert any time of the year.  But the festive Whole Berry Cranberries goes so well with the holidays.

Cranberry Pineapple Salad

1 can (20 oz) Crushed Pineapple

2 packages (3 oz ) OR 1 large package Raspberry Gelatin

1 can (16 oz) Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

1 medium apple, chopped

2/3 cup Chopped Nuts

Drain pineapple, reserve all liquid.Add enough cold water to measure 3 cups and pour into saucepan.

Bring to a boil, remove from heat.  Add gelatin, stir for 2 minutes until completely dissolved.  Add Whole Berry Cranberry sauce, and stir until well blended.  Pour into a large bowl and refrigerate at least 1 1/2 hours until slightly thickened.

Stir in remaining pineapple, apple and nuts, stirring gently until well blended.

Pour into mediums size cake pan (or festive bowl) and refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.

**I have also used Strawberry Jello as a substitute for the Raspberry, when in a pinch.  

Enjoy!

Day 17 - Let's build a tree

Many years ago, my friend and I made Peppermint Trees for table decorations for a Christmas luncheon.  Over the years I've made the trees to give as gifts. They are great for co-workers, friends, teachers or for someone who is just hard to buy for.

Start with these basics -

I've always used hairpins, but you can use straight pins too.  I like the hairpins best because you can just pull a candy off the tree and the pin stays in place, and you don't have to worry about discarding a straight pin.

Start with the bottom layer

 You can make the candies as tight or lose as you prefer.  I like to leave a little space between rows.

The closer you get to the top, you will need to angle the pins into the styrofoam.  

Cut pieces of thin green ribbon and pull them into a knot (not too tight) 

 then insert another hairpin

 which goes right into the tree.

You can put as many or as few ribbons into the tree as you like.  I loop some ribbon and take another hairpin and stick it into the top of the tree.

 All About Home
  Share Your Style

 Saturday Sparks 

Day 16

Decking the halls is always a fun time, enjoyed with my daughter as we decorate right after Thanksgiving.

We put up two trees. One in the living room....

And one in the family room.

And my quilts take a place in decorating too,.

Day 15 - 31 Writing Challenge

What is your earliest sewing memory?

I did not grow up in a sewing home. My mom did not sew, and I did not have a grandmother around to teach me. So my earliest memory of sewing was learning in high school Home Ec class.

We made two garments that year. I went on to make other garments after I graduated. That was during the leisure suit days. 

 I sewed on a Featherweight, or rather I should say I wrestled with that machine. I ended up selling it after I got my first job and bought a Singer Stylist. That was before I knew that Featherweights had any value. I just wanted a machine that I could sew on effortlessly.

Any way I did not start sewing for quilts until after my second baby was born. After that I never sewed garments again :-)

What's your story?

Day 14 - 31 Day Writing Challenge

Day 14 is show us your fabric.

When I started quilting almost 35 years ago, there was not much of selection of 100% cotton fabric. And there weren't any quilt shops. At least not in my area. You bought fabric from the department stores, or Cloth World.

Then along came the quilting craze and cotton seemed to be everywhere. JoAnns's expanded and other fabric stores started showing up. Quilt shops were growing across the nation.

In those days I had little stash, so I made it my goal to feed my stash.  Now, however, my stash has grown too much. And some of the fabrics that I loved, have fallen out of favor.

Of course, it's just so hard to not buy a piece of fabric when you visit a quilt shop. Right?

Happy Quilting!

Day 13 - 31 Day Writing Challenge

What is your least favorite color? Wow! As a quilter we are not supposed to have favorites, right? Like which child is your favorite. Same goes for least favorite. But truth be known, I think my least favorite color would be orange.

About the only way I like orange is if it is associated with a sunset.

Or fall

or pumpkins

Happy Quilting!