2011 in Review

Lots of you are sharing your year in review. I am not a fast quilter, but I did complete a few projects this year.

However, I think the quilts that were the most rewarding for me were the ones completed to help others.

There were quilts for JAPAN and JOPLIN after the devastation that hit those areas.




And the most recent were sent for the Project Linus in Miami

As I look back over this past year, the post that probably meant the most to me was Welcome to my Cottage. It was my blogiversary post and giveaway. But the youtube The Power of 1 really impacted me. If you have a few minutes on New Years Day, please watch it again. Because you see, YOU are the Power of 1.

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!

A finish for 2011

I keep finding those little pieces of fabric that I've set aside to make a mini quilt. So this week I decided to get one more done before 2011 was just a memory.

You can pretty much judge the size by comparing it to the rotary cutter.

And I got a little bit brave with my machine quilting.

On opposite corners I quilted some loops. The rest of the border is stippled.

I really need to decide how to bind this. If I bind it with the darker red, I'm thinking it would really frame it in. Any suggestions?? Do you have any projects that will make it under the wire this year??

Finished It Friday
Sew Darn Crafty
Quilt Story

After Christmas sales

Do you hit the stores after Christmas, looking for some fabulous sales?? We have been known to cruise through the malls, Walmart and Target, picking up half price sale items. There is an interesting article about how to repurpose some of these great bargains. Find it HERE.

Yesterday, I had to take my car in for servicing at the car dealership. It's quite a distance from home, so on the way back I made a little side trip to one of my favorite Quilt Shops in Lakeland.


I wonder if there are any treasures to be found?

One of the reasons I love the Patchwork Pig is their continual updating of samples.

Always so much inspiration.

AND.....................

there was a whole wall of sale fabric..............

for $5.00 a yard. And on the other side all of their Christmas and Halloween fabric was also on sale.

I picked up a couple of pieces to add to my stash and some yardage for backing.

Yay!! for after Christmas 1/2 price sales!!

Glimpses..........

of Christmas 2011..........




There's not much buzzing going on with my sewing machine. It's been a busy season :-)

Behold

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo. the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST,
AND ON EARTH PEACE,
GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN."
Luke 2:8-14

On this Christmas Day I am most thankful for the gift the Holy Child brought on that first Christmas night. May you know the One who brought this free gift.

Merry Christmas!

Do you do this??

Why do I do this every year?? Down to the wire, last minute sewing...........

My biggest problem this time is that I lost the pattern. Twice!!! So I've have to make up something to get this finished.

I found this block in the latest American Patchwork and Quilting magazine, so I am going to try to see if it will work.

Sigh............. Happy Quilting ;-)

A Peek inside

Christmas certainly adds a special air of magic to our home. I love the twinkling lights and the warmth of opening our home to family and friends.

Welcome to our home.

The front entry

We have a little greeter by the door

Our tree in the Living room


The Fireplace
The Formal Dining Room

Our breakfast room table and hutch, all decked out


The tree in the Family Room.


We bought this tree when our youngest was just 1 year old. So we've enjoyed this Christmas tree for 19 years. She's still beautiful and full of memories.

The Christmas Village.


This is our favorite part about the holidays. Enjoying great food, talking with friends and gathering around the fireplace singing Christmas Carols.


Enjoy your holiday week. Merry Christmas!

When in a bind............

Okay this is not quilt related, but I was desperate so I thought I would share with you a little fast and easy way to make filler for a basket.

I've been making baskets for gifts and I ran out of the filler tonight. So I attempted to make my own.

I had this little basket that actually fit under the

But you could also just empty your shredder and let it fall to the bottom.

From our days of making cards, we have a Crimper.

And you know those good pieces of paper that come out of the copier and you just can't throw them away, but they won't go back through the copy machine?
Well you just run them through the crimper.

And then send it through the shredder.

YAY!!

I'm ready to fill another basket :-) This would be fun with colored paper too. And oh my, so much cheaper then the bought stuff!!

It's a winning day!

The Blog Hop Party was so much fun and I have enjoyed reading all of your special comments. Finding out why you have a blog was so interesting. Some have blogs to journal about quilting. Others blog to keep up with friends and relatives. Many shared that blogging is like having a Quilt guild right at their finger tips. For those of you who said you have a blog but don't feel like they have anything to say, well you do. And we want to hear about it :-) I would suggest that you link up with a party or giveaway and you will see how many readers will find your little blog.

So today I am announcing the winner of the Blog Hop party. Mr. Random Generator selected ...

Quiltin Sandy from Sandy's Sewing Circle. She lives all the way over across the BIG pond!! Stop by and congratulate Sandy.

And you want to know a little secret?? The publishers of The Wedding Quilt sent me TWO copies of Jennifer's book. So I let Mr Generator pick another number to send the second copy to. And that winner is .............................

Jen at Papillon Playground
Jen has a new blog, so please go by and give her some bloggy love! See if you can find out who Papillon is :-)

So ladies, please send me your mailing info and I will get your packages out the first of the week. If I don't hear from you by Tuesday, I will draw another winner.

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and left a comment. I hope that each one of you will enjoy a very joyous and happy Christmas week.

JOY

I am trying to get as much Christmas sewing done as possible. So these little quilties were next on the I bought the pattern and frame at Paducah this year and was determined to make it for this Christmas.

I made one slight change to the pattern. The "O" was supposed to be an ornament hanging from the top of the "Y" but I just liked it plain. And I wasn't quite sure how much quilting to do, so it was minimal. I would love to find more patterns to use with the frame. It would be fun to change it out for different seasons.

How are you doing with your Christmas sewing??

Today is the last day to sign up for my Blog Hop Party giveaway. I finally made it through the whole list. Busy days ;-)

Finish It Up Friday
Sew Darn Crafty
Little Quilt Monday

Christmas Glow

You know I think we all know we have 365 days from December 25th until the next time it rolls around again. But for some reason my projects are always heading for the finish line with a time crunch!! Do you have the same problem?? I've got two quilts that I REALLY need to get finished before the 25th, but the clock keeps ticking, and I've yet to make much of a dent in getting them completed.

I did find this little beauty tucked away.

It's called Christmas Glow by Anka's Treasures. This is what the completed top looks like.

I am determined to get this finished up and on the table before Christmas Sunday.

Okay, let's see how many things we can get up finished in 12 days :-)

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway HERE.

O Tannenbaum

Finished!! Well almost :-)

I was finishing up this wall hanging last night and I dropped the needle as I was putting the last yo-yo's and buttons on! And you know of course I could not find another needle anywhere.

I found these cute buttons last year and knew that I could use them on some project.

I will check my sewing box again and hopefully get this wall hanging up by tonight.

A big party at my house :-D

Be sure to stop by and sign up for my GIVEAWAY!!

Sew & Tell
Finish it up Friday
Finished for Friday
Occupy Your Sewing Room