Snip, snip, snip

Kaaren over at The Painted Quilt is an amazing artist and has shared her passion for scissors! Yep that's right, scissors. I don't think I have quite the collection of scissors as Karren has, but mine is pretty healthy.

You see it all started with this little one -

I was with my Mom once, when I was young, and we were shopping somewhere. I saw some kind of kit, and these little scissors were in it. I've had these scissors for over 40 years. They are marked JA Henckels/Germany.

This is a pair that belonged to my Mom.

And as time went on, I started picking up scissors here and there.

Assorted colors -

Thrift store finds -
Fiskars, which I love!

My official Fiskateers scissors -

Craft scissors -
(and don't even go there about how many scissors we have for scrapbooking. This is only a sampling :-)

So a pair of scissors for every occasion! Sewing, crafting, scrapbooking, card making........ cloth scissors, paper scissors, manicure scissors, hairdresser scissors, the list could go on.

So how many scissors do YOU have?

Just a quick.........

......... late night post.

Kim from "an oft traveled road" has shared a wonderful tutorial on her blog. "Share the Love" free tissue cozy pattern with a challenge to make two for a friend who will keep one and give the other one away! How cool is that? So I made a proto-type from some scraps (this is very scrap friendly).

It went together so quickly. So I thought I would try another one.

I made my second one with pre-quilted fabric that I had left over from making my sewing machine cover. You could make these assembly line fashion in no time flat. I can't remember how many Kim has made so far, but you can go to her blog and get the details there.

And now, back to Schnibbling........

Have a great weekend!

The rest of the story...........

I thought I would share with you about the rest of my trip to Ohio Amish country.

It first started with a beautiful flight from my beloved Florida.

Sad day turns to glad day

First off, I want to thank everyone for their sweet comments on yesterday's post. I hesitated to write it, but I wanted to share from my heart. Some who left comments have a no-reply or no email, so just know that I truly appreciated everyone's thoughts.

And today when I picked up the mail, there were some great surprises in my mail box!

I always love it when the mailman leaves me a package, but when there are more then one, well, woo-hoo....... happy dance :-)

Amanda from Scrapsational had a little giveaway with a sweet Christmas book panel. She drew my name, and it arrived today!

Now you need to pop back over here because she is having another giveaway! This time she is giving away the most delicious blue and yellow strips, all ready to be sewn up for that special Christmas gift. At least that is what I would do with it ;-)

And then the other package came all the way from California. Beth from Beth's Crafts was reorganizing her stash and patterns and put together a mystery gift!

So this is what arrived.

I know, I know you want to see what was inside the package.

Can you believe it?? 15 of the most wonderful patterns to be had. I am certainly going to be busy in the new year.

My dear friend Kelly Jackson from I Have a Notion also sent me a little gift. She shared an Eleanor Burns book, Day and Night.

The book has a little boo-boo, but you know what? That doesn't make the book any less usable. I've been a big fan of Eleanor Burns for years. This book actually comes with the acrylic template to make these cool looking blocks. Go and visit my friend Kelly. You will be happy that you did!

It really made my day to find these little packages in the mail. Quilters are the best! I've found them to not only be talented and creative, but they also have kind hearts and are most generous. Thanks for making my day :-)

Memories

Today has been a different day. It is a day of thoughts and memories. Every year I try not to allow this day to get me down, but something inside of me just won't let it go.

Thirty years ago today my sweet Mom left her place here on earth and walked the streets of gold. She left suddenly and quickly. Which does not make it easy on family.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

I know thirty years seems like a very long time, but when you are young and you lose your Mom, there is a hole left in your heart. It really does not heal, but it becomes like a wound that has a scar over it. You always know it is there.

With time the pain does subside, but the memories are still there. And I am so thankful that our loving Lord has come along side of me to lift me up on the days when the memories bring back pangs of pain.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Spread your wings............

Using up those reds and greens

Several of you left very sweet comments about the fall quilt that I made for my friend. It is an Eleanor Burns pattern that I gleaned from watching one of her Quilt in a Day programs. She was teaching an 11 year old how to make the strippy quilt. I thought I would show you the Christmas one that I started.

It is such an easy quilt, and I think the pattern is published in Eleanor's Christmas book.

And while we are touching on the subject of Christmas quilts, hop over to my little friend Natima's blog and see what she is doing with a Christmas quilt using up her scraps. Be sure to check back with her as she is including a tutorial (once she works out all the details :-)

Can we all enjoy another giveaway? Elaine from Faithful Quilter: Elaine's Journey is having a Thanksgiving giveaway. We all have so much to be thankful for, and it's always fun to be included in a giveaway. And did you know that if you sign up for SewCalGal's giveaway blog you will be notified of giveaways that she is aware of. You can also let her know when you are having a giveaway :-) Great way to get the word out!

I hope you have a wonderful quilting day!

Bed and Breakfast

This is the lovely home where I stayed while visiting my BFF in Ohio. She offered for me to stay in her beautiful basement, which is almost like an apartment. We had plenty of room to spread out fabric, patterns and sewing machines. While I was there I thought I would take a few pictures of her quilts.

This is the quilt that my BFF made when she visited me several years ago. I taught her how to make this pattern, and she has not looked back ever since :-)

When we both met in Chicago for the Chicago Quilt Festival in 2007, we bought this Lori Smith pattern and the Judie Rothermel fabric and made this little quilt together.

I love how she has hers displayed.

This is her Peace on Earth, from last year's visit to Nashville AQS show.


And here is the quilt I made for her from my last visit to Ohio -

I love how Fallish this one looks. I am linking up with Sew and Tell because I always like to share quilts that I've finished :-)

Now, have you visited Inch Worm Fabrics? Jeanette is having a Grand Opening giveaway. She is the niece of Barb from Bejeweled Quilts by Barb. Barb is also having a giveaway that you will have to check out on her blog.

Also Sandy from A Legacy of Stitches is having a very sweet giveaway celebrating her 400th post. She's got some unique rules, so you will need to pay her a visit.

And my sweet friend Wendy is having her first giveaway. If you have never visited Ivory Spring, you are in for a real treat. What an amazing quilter she is. She was part of the 100 Blocks giveaway, but she is also having Giveaway #2. So go and sign up!

And last but not least, hop over to Larkspur Lane Designs. Sue is also a 100 Block featured designer, and she is giving away a copy of the latest issue.

I like to help my friends out when I can :-)

(p.s. I am adding one more fantastic giveaway to this post. Hawthorne Threads is having a wonderful giveaway that you need to check out!! You won't be sorry :-)