Reading

I got this for Christmas and just downloaded 2 new books on Sunday. I have wanted to read Happiness Key and Fortunate Harbor by Emile Richards. The catalyst for getting going on the reading was a post on her blog that she was writing a novellini (somewhere between a short story and a novella) to tell us a little more about what the characters were doing between Fortunate Harbor and the last release, Sunset Bridge, due in July. This sounded so interesting I read Happiness Key in 2 days. Of course, I didn't do anything else! It was wonderful and I can't wait to start the next one. She will run this from February-July....every Tuesday. Pat Sloan will join her with a free BOM the beginning of each of those months. I need to read Fortunate Harbor before Tuesday....I think I can do it!


But.....I really need to work on this before next Tuesday also. That is when the next Birdie Secrets pattern comes out. I really don't want to get behind.



And just because he is such a little doll, a picture of Oliver at Christmas!

Round Robin

Thanks to a sweet friend, I received another friend's pictures to share from our round robin reveal at last week's quilt guild. Thanks, Judith! All the gals made their center motif, included some fabric, put everything in a clean pizza box and it went on its way a year ago! Every 2 months the boxes were passed on to the next gal. It never ceases to amaze me at the creativity!
This one's owner is Carol.


This one belongs to Elaine. I think it was the third person that did the large sunbursts....amazing.



This one belongs to Judith.

This one is Karens.

This is Sue's quilt.

And this one belongs to Midge. Those Irises around the outside are simply stunning in person.

Great job girls!

Goodies

I'm borrowing Tudy's picture to show you what I won in her recent blogiversary. Thank you so much Tudy for these sweet, thoughtful gifties! She told hubby to pick a number between 1 and 25 and he picked 8....me! She saved a lot on postage also. We live about 2 miles apart and have known each other for years!
Slippers, pincushion, mints, bookmark, totebag and air freshner have a new home.

Christmas Fun

Some of the older grands got hats from Santa (us) this Christmas. They are back in style for the younger set, I guess! Jordan from OK.



Jared from OK. I think they need them out there this week....it is brrrrr!



Mia......

Graham.....

And Ethan.

And this is the whole bunch at Aunt Lo's house on Christmas Eve. Boy I feel old when I see how they all have grown!

I planned to share pictures from last night's guild meeting. I turned on my camera and "Battery Exhausted" popped onto the screen.....grrrrr! I took pics of the 6 round robin quilts that were revealed after a year of working on them with my phone, but they didn't turn out good at all. They were all gorgeous....congratulations to Elaine, Carol, Karen, Midge, Judith and Sue!!

New Stitching

The other day I went here.....


To buy this.....




and to join in with the group making this! Haven't done hand stitchery in awhile, so am looking forward to this BOM!



Christmas pictures of the grands to come soon!

New BOM

Jenny is offering a really sweet BOM over at her blog. A really great idea for yourself or as a gift to keep us aware of just how many blessings we all really do have!

My wins

I wanted to show you a couple of wins I had last month....last year! These darling patterns and notepad was won from Pam. She is a wonderful designer and does it for Elizabeth who has the sweetest fabric line out now, Red Rose Farm for PB Textiles.

I got my pick of patterns....and I picked this purse....when I won over at Lynette's blog. Maybe I can get this done for next Christmas. ;o)

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of my friends here in blogland! It is already January 1st for many parts of our extended family and soon will be for others. I hope you all have a safe and healthy new year and all (or most) of your dreams come true! ;o)

Gifts Given

Here we have the three pillows that I made for the 2 DDs and 1 DIL. I don't remember who got which one....just sort of wrapped them blindly. I really like that Fruitcake fabric!



I used the pattern from Camille's book Simplify. It was easy peasy, but I would do the envelope back a little differently next time. I would definitely allow more fabric for the foldover. Have made a note on the pattern.



Then I made a dozen of these....fun pillowcases and the eight grandkids took their pick....and a couple adults got the rest! Very fun simple pattern. It is called the 20 minute pillowcase and it encases all of the seams....sweet! I don't remember where I got the pattern, but if you google the name, I bet you will find it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

My oldest son and his family are on their way here from Oklahoma and so my next few days are going to be filled with loving on them! I want to wish everyone in blogland a very Merry Christmas. I have made some wonderful friends on this laptop and for that I am grateful! I will be back the beginning of next week with pictures of the sewn presents. Yes, I remembered to take pictures before wrapping!

Friday Night Sew-In

Last night was Friday Night Sew-In for the last time this year. Heidi organizes this and it was a great way to get caught up with our holiday sewing and knowing others were doing it at the same time. Of course it is gift time, so I can only show you the fabrics I worked with.



This will be the fabric for the back .....




And this is the book that had the great pattern.....I really heart this book! Hope everyone that sewed had fun and had some finishes like I did!



Merry Christmas FNSI buddies........

Snowman and Soup

I finished my Snowman stitchery and really love the way it turned out. I really like Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas, but Fruitcake is right up there also...I love the way all of the prints come together.



I used the extra charm squares for the backing also....love it.



And tonight I made homemade chicken noodle soup....yummy and some for the freezer also. It was great on this snowy day that never made it out of the teens for our temperature.

Does anyone know where I can find a quilt block pattern for a house? I know they are out there in blogland because I have seen them, but I can't find any today. It can be wonky or "regular". It should be 12x12 inches finished. Thanks for any help .
And because no post is complete without a picture, our Browns did not win today in Buffalo....even though I wore my shirt! :o(

Decorating

I have been sewing, but I can't show any of those things right now...might be gifities or pressies as our down under friends say. Our quilt guild has a sit and sew on the 2nd friday of the month, so I plan on going to that this week and getting a lot accomplished. There won't be any computer distracting me there! I have done some decorating. I don't decorate with a lot, but there are some special things that go up each year. Like my little tree in the kitchen that has my beagle ornaments on it (those were a gift from my sister Cathy). Of course they are in honor of my beloved Barney.



Like this one for instance....I think it looks a lot like him. Heart you Barn!