Saturday, November 30, 2013

Working on...........

...... last minute Christmas projects.


I've got this one last quilt to make for a little niece that lives in another state.  The clock is ticking, and I'm hoping to get it finished before I see her.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Harvest


Autumn Harvest

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:16-17

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

On the Needles

Making a gift for a little friend.




Saturday, November 23, 2013

The need is great

Please check out Bonnie Hunter's blog post.  Janice Grimes has written a letter explaining Quilts of Compassion.


quilts4midwest

Friday, November 22, 2013

A Remembrance

Do you remember where you were 50 years ago??  Many of you were not even born, but as a schoolgirl I remember hearing the news about the assassination or President John F. Kennedy.  It feels like it was the end of an age.  The end of innocence.

My Mom had these magazines, and I have kept them all these years.  As a remembrance.






Monday, November 18, 2013

More Gifty ideas


Grab your cup of coffee and visit these interesting and informative tutorials.

Sew Prim Khris did a very cute tutorial on making a Needlecase. What a great gift idea for a hand quilter.

One of my all time favorites is Travel-sized Tissue Cozy pattern.  Kim shares her easy tutorial on "an oft traveled road".

The Pink Penguin shared her tutorial for a sweet Fabric Basket.

A quick pattern by Tea Rose Home,  called Modern Square Garden quilt.

Who couldn't use another purse in your choice of color. Bola Chica offered a tutorial on the Pleated Purse. You could certainly make one for every outfit. And who wouldn't love and use this adorable Friendship bag courtesy of "p.s. I Quilt"?

Have you got a little buddy to make a gift for? How about this TOO cute Softie doll from "60piggies".

And for all my tea loving friends, a Tea Wallet Tutorial (Is It Naptime Yet?). Perfect to stick in someone's stocking this year.

Stuck on zippers? ............. Noodlehead shares a tutorial on a sweet Lil Cutie Pouch. Make them by the dozens. For teachers and friends. And add a Notebook Cover from "My Patchwork".

Crazy Mom Quilts is a prolific quilter and shares many  Tutorials  on her blog.

I love to read Karen's blog  Sew Many Ways  She always comes up with new and creative ideas.

And if you really want easy tutorials, you can always check out Missouri Quilting Company.  Jenny Doan shares lots of great patterns.  Quick and easy.

Now if you want to make something too adorable for words, and does not involve sewing, check out these Snow Man Candy Wrappers.  Let me tell you that I made mine with those 99c stretchy gloves you find everywhere right now.  Just stick one on as a hat and tie it up.  The fingers will look like the fringe on the pattern.  What a great little stocking stuffer or gift for that special child in  your life :-)

Have fun and create!!

Saturday, November 16, 2013

And the winner is............


Thank you to all who entered the giveaway for a copy of the Elm Creek Quilts Companion.
The book will be winging it's way to Sallie.  Sallie, please send me your mailing address.  I will be sending you an email to confirm.

Have a happy quilting day!


Friday, November 15, 2013

Sugar Pops

Let's make some Sugar Pops!

Start with a Fat 8th piece of fabric. (9"x22")

 Fold in half
 and fold again

You will need some Baby Cakes sticks.  All the craft shops carry them in the candy section.


I added a piece of tape to hold the fabric secure.

 and start rolling,
 rolling

til you have it all rolled up.

I could not find my candy wrappers, so I had to improvise

 with a sandwich bag
cutting the zipper part off

 twist at the bottom

add a ribbon...............


Doesn't the Sugar Pop make a pretty package decoration??  The perfect addition for your best quilting buddy :-)


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

A new project

Sometimes learning something new can be so rewarding!







Monday, November 11, 2013

Making gifts??


Are you making gifts for Christmas this year??  I know how the time starts to get away, and it feels like a crunch to get things finished.  Here are a couple of quick and easy projects that might give you a jump start on gift giving.

Abbey Lane Quilts posted these easy table Runners a few years ago.  They call it the Ten Minute Topper.  

Freemotion by the River offers some really nice tutorials on her blog.

Check out Crazy Mom Quilts and her tutorial on how to make an easy Zig Zag quilt.

A really pretty tutorial for A Holiday Table Runner can be found at My Quilt Infatuation.

If you are looking for a nice gift for a fellow quilter, let's not forget that our friend Kelly Jackson has a great shop I Have a Notion.  She will ship directly to your special quilter (even if it is YOU!).


And don't forget to thank a Veteran today!  They gave their all to keep our country free.  If you would like to read about one woman's effort to thank a service man, click Aussie Hero Quilts.

Happy Quilting!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Giveaway

Do you enjoy the Elm Creek Quilters series by Jennifer Chiaverini??  I have read about half of her publications.  Always some fun and interesting stories about quilters.

So today I have a new Jennifer Chiaverini book to offer my readers.  It's called An Elm Creek Quilts Companion.  


Here is an excerpt from the fly leaf.
"Over the course of the bestselling Elm Creek Quilts series, readers have expressed a longing to visit Elm Creek Manor,  meet the quilters themselves, and admire their beautiful creations.  An Elm Creek Quilts Companion is the next best thing to a guided tour.  Inside, readers will discover a treasure trove of delights, including the Bergstrom family tree, character biographies, quilt block illustrations, full color photos of quilts featured in the novels, and an exclusive short story inspired by questions from real readers."

Truly this is an encyclopedia of everything you ever wanted to know about the Elm Creek Quilters.  With descriptions of each book and all of the characters that have played a part. I love the family tree, which helps in understanding some of the time line of the books.


And actual pictures of the beautiful quilts that were part of the series.


Plume Books has offered a copy of this new publication to one of my readers.  Leave a comment on this post telling me where you are from and which is your favorite Elm Creek Quilts book.  Be sure that I have a way to contact you.  Followers of my blog (either by GFC, email, or any of the other readers) may leave a second comment for an additional entry.  I will close the giveaway next Friday.

Happy quilting, and reading :-)


Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Scrap Busters

Here are a couple of great websites.  If you would like to do some Scrap busting check out these free patterns.

Tipnut.com

Scrap Happy: More Than 50 Fabric Scraps & Remnant Ideas



Fabric Pieces


Plus -

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Baby quilt.....

in the making.


After 15 years of faithful service, my iron decided to quit working this weekend!


I tried using my travel iron, 


but it just could not make it for the long haul!

So off I went to purchase a replacement.


I hope this baby will last as long as my first one!

Happy Quilting!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

November 2, 2013

alarm clocks,clocks,households,timepieces,times

Don't forget to turn your clocks back!

What will you do with your extra hour??

Friday, November 1, 2013

Are you ready?


Well it's the first of November!

27 days until Thanksgiving.

54 days until Christmas.

61 days until the New Year!

Are  you ready??