A Wish & A Word for 2013

Wishing you and yours a blessed, healthy, prosperous and joyous new year. 

Me and mine hope that 2013 holds everything you and yours desires. 

I've been thinking long and hard about my 'word' and goals for 2013.  I can't seem to settle on one particular word or a list of goals.  Quite frankly, I really don't want to.  :-) 

During National Sewing Month in September I had the best time - do you remember?  I suddenly realized it was National Sewing Month and I jumped in with both feet vowing to sew every day with no particular plan in mind.  Guess you could say I was being very spontaneous. 

Maybe my word for 2013 could be Spontaneous or Spontaneity. 

However, if that were the case then I guess I wouldn't be very spontaneous - would I?

:-)

I don't want to dwell on the stress and heartache I suffered during the first half of 2012 but I did learn a very important lesson.  I've tried to live my life for TODAY.  Yesterday is gone; tomorrow is a simple surprise but TODAY is now.  So, while I don't always succeed, I do try to live for TODAY.

In 2013 I simply need to continue to meander my way through every day and try very hard to enjoy the journey. 

(guess I do have a little goal - teehee)

I remain.....

In Friendship!

p.s. I've received many e-mails and comments regarding my hacked e-mail.  Please know that I'm not ignoring you.  I'm being regarded as a 'spammer' so I'm having difficulty sending e-mails.  I've been wabbit4412 since 1994 when we were advised not to use our real names; I hate to give it up but I think that may be my only option - this mess has become a HUGE challenge.  Bear with me and if there's a change I'll let you know.  Thank you!

E-Mail has been Hacked!!!!!

Hello, my friends,

If you've received an e-mail from me regarding an on-line electronics shop please delete, delete, delete.  Apparently someone decided it would be fun to HACK my e-mail account. 

Some people don't seem to have enough to do!!!!  Darn it!!!!!

I'm terribly sorry!

In Friendship!

Christmas in Review



It's been a very eventful and busy week here!  We celebrated Christmas with our daughter and her family on Christmas Eve and had a delightful time.  It's always so much fun to watch the kids open their surprises.  :-)  Once most of the gifts were opened our daughter and son in law had to take our little Shaye (23 months old) to the ER. Won't bore you with the details - home with antibiotics and hopefully she'll be 'all better' very soon. 

Christmas dinner with friends- relaxing and fun!

I spent the next two days in bed with a tummy crud that appears to finally be gone.  Ugh! 'nuf said - LOL
  Before Christmas I scrambled to get gifts in the mail but discovered that I missed mailing one - dagnabbit!

Morsel - pincushions sent to blog friends!
 December Another Year of Schnibbles project :-)

Gifts in my mailbox from blog friends!

Sweet table topper from Cheryl - a perfect addition to my gingerbread men
Thank you, Cheryl

Cute needlebook from Carol

Inside of needlebook.
Thank you, Carol.



Box of wonderfulness from Carol - sigh!
Adorable gingerbread boy/girl measuring spoons; pincushion; organizer box to put by my sewing machine (yummy)
Pandora bracelet with angel wings charm (this one brought big tears)
Thank you, Carol

Adorable small quilt from Mary

Not a creature was stirring - not even a mouse!
Sweet mouse and tin from Paulette
Thank you, Paulette!!!!



Adorable wool runner from Wendy.
Thank you, Wendy!

Adorable zippered vinyl bag from Wendy.

Thank you, Wendy!

Blogger does not want to play nice so I will say good night and be back soon with my thoughts and plans for 2013.

(I don't understand why some of the words are red with links - ugh)

In Friendship!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. 

Our days have been "Merry & Bright" .... extremely full of Christmas Joy.  Our son, Steven and his family came from Washington to celebrate Christmas with our daughter, Kris, her family and the two of us.  Oh my goodness, it was wonderful to have two of our kids, their spouses and a total of six grandchildren together. 

 We're still smiling! 

I hope your days have been and will be "Merry & Bright" during the holiday season.  I'll be back after Christmas to share pictures of wonderful Christmas gifts I've received from blog friends.

Wishing you Christmas Joy....In Friendship!

Brown Paper Packages

I'd like to think I was a good cheerleader every month for the Christmas Through the Year Club - would you agree? 

Well, I didn't do a very good job about cheering myself on - sigh!

I am way behind and it's no one's fault but my own.  Bigger Sigh!

 I thought I'd figured out what to do for a handful of blog friends but it simply didn't work out.  I'd never made a mug rug but have loved this pattern by Jodi at Pleasant Home.  Mug rugs and few extras sounded like a good idea until I figured out that I probably should include a mug....screeeeeech......they are not easy to mail. 

Another Sigh!!!

Plan A was scratched and I moved on to Plan B  :-)

(maybe I need to stop making and sending gifts...it's obviously not my forte - walking away mumbling to myself)

Brown Paper Packages are making their way hither and yon. 

I hope Plan B will become one of their favorite things. 

Oh, the cute mug rug? 

It's here to stay.  :-)

I hope your days are merry and bright.

In Friendship!

Wrapping and Tagging

I'm in the process of wrapping and tagging Christmas packages.  I'm not very creative about that entire process - wrap it, tag it, put it under the Christmas tree.  Christmas paper and tags - that's it.  LOL :-) 

I have to show you some extremely creative use of a tags!

Wendy's (Snippets of a Quilter)  blog post on Saturday showed some adorable Christmas ornaments that she stitched using this fabulous variety of tags found here.

Last year I received a Christmas gift from Wendy with the Gingerbread Man tag attached.

Of course, I kept it. :-)

Carol (Brown Quilts 4 Me)  got very creative last year and used the same tag to make this sweet woolie Gingerbread Man.

Maybe you'll get more creative with wrapping and tagging than I do.  :-)

Friday's horrific events in Newtown have left me numb and angry.  Please take a few minutes out of every day to (hug) your loved ones (young and old).

Make your day Merry and Bright.

In Friendship!

Tis the Season

24 bell ornaments for close neighborhood friends - idea found on Pinterest.  Our couple friends will get mismatched pairs and three widowed lady friends will each get a single ornament. 

Rolo pretzel treats in small tins for a handful of neighbors - YUM

A layer of Hershey peppermint kiss pretzels in the same tin - YUM YUM

Our Stockings
(designed by Shepherd's Bush)





Back in the day......

Before quilting took over my life it was consumed with x-stitch.  I x-stitched for over 20 years - even had a successful shop for approximately 6 years while living in Texas.  These are stitched on 18 count linen with perle cotton and are designed by Sherpherd's Bush in Ogden, UT. 

I do miss x-stitching and long to do it again but my eyes don't like the idea - LOL 

Those were the days!



For the next few days I'll be in the throes of finishing gifts for friends but sadly I'm suffering some stress and angst.  Why?  Well, I'm asking myself.... will this be enough, will she like it, etc.  Sigh - such silliness!  I'm planning to get packages in the mail by the end of the week. 

I hope your days are pieceful and stress-free.

In Friendship!

My Beau

During the Christmas holiday season I have a Beau - my gingerbread guy and friends who reside in my kitchen.  :-)

I started this little wall hanging last year but didn't get around to appliqueing the Gingerbread Boy until a couple of weeks ago.  Wow, my applique skills are very, very rusty.  Yesterday I finally took the time to do some very simple quilting and sew down the binding. 

I added his eyes this morning but I can't seem to locate the red heart shaped buttons I purchased at Joann's recently.  I obviously put them in a safe place - safe from me.  grrrr 

I'm going to hang him in my kitchen and add the buttons as soon as I find them. 

I hope you're enjoying pieceful days.!

In Friendship!

Winners & Big Announcement

 

 

November CTTY Prize

 The winner of the November Snowman Trio table runner is
 Sandie - Crazy 'bout Quilts

Darlene's Grand Prize - CTTY

The winner of my Grand Prize is
Karin (Ranch Wife)

The winner of Cheryl's Grand Prize is

Carrie P - A Passion for Applique

Congratulations to all the winners throughout the year. 

Cheryl and I are excited to announce that the Christmas Through the Year Club will continue in 2013.  WooHoo!!!!

Kim from Lily Patch Quilts has volunteered to take over the club and has already been working hard getting ready for a better and bigger year. 

Please take a few minutes to visit Kim and tell her how excited you are.  :-) 

I need to say thank you one more time for making Christmas Through the Year tons and tons of fun.  Whether you jumped on board the CTTY Train, cheered us on or simply lurked we appreciate it. 

It would have been fun to do it again in 2013 but it's time to mosey on down the road. 

"I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year"

Charles Dickens

In Friendship!

I'm sorry I'm a bit late posting today.  Planned to post last night but had a bout with my tummy.  Wish it had been because I'd been out celebrating my Power Ball win ......sadly that wasn't the reason.  :-)

The Christmas Through the Year Train is pulling into its final stop today.  I hope you were on board and ready to link your blog to show gifts you've made during the month of November. 

Remember if you link up you're eligible to win a prize.  This month it's this uber cute (at least I think it's uber cute-LOL) table runner.  I'm obviously still working on the binding but I promise it will be finished when I send it to the winner.  :-)

Tomorrow (Saturday, Dec 1) we will be posting the winner for November and 2 grand prize winners.  If you've participated this year we tossed your name in a hat and you're eligible to win 11 prizes from Cheryl and 11 prizes from me.  :-)

In Friendship!

 This is my final cheerleading, pom-pom shaking post for Christmas Through the Year in 2012.

I know that there are many around blogland working on Christmas gifts and projects - remember to relax and enjoy. 

No stress! 

The Christmas Through the Year Christmas Train will be pulling in to it's final stop on Friday, November 30.  I'll have Mr Linky up and ready for you to link up your blog to show what you've accomplished recently. 

Allie started the CTTY club in 2011 and after one year decided she needed to focus on new challenges and adventures.  I didn't participate in 2011 but was looking forward to participating in 2012 so I was very sad when Allie decided to stop.  Cheryl had been an active participant and wanted to carry Allie's torch through 2012  so we thought it would be fun to do it together.  Fun?  Oh yes we've had lots of fun.  We've decided one year was enough and Carol volunteered to do a CTTY in 2013 but she's now decided she has other challenges and adventures she'd like to pursue so she decided to step back.  :-) 

Maybe YOU would like to volunteer to lead the CTTY club in 2013? 

I'll be back on November 30 to post the final Mr Linky - see you then. 

"I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep all the year!"

Charles Dickens

In Friendship!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and blessed

Thanksgiving Greeting. 

In Friendship!

A Fun Finish

Yesterday I finished my Starry Eyed Quilt Countdown to Christmas flimsy and I am beyond thrilled. 

I discovered this pattern on the Moda Bake Shop last year and wanted to make it very badly.  I'd already made several other projects using Countdown to Christmas and simply couldn't justify spending more money.  So, I printed the pattern and added it to my 'someday list'.  Sigh!  :-)

Fast forward to 2012. 

Not long ago I was chatting with my friend, Carol at Brown Quilts 4 Me and she mentioned that she had a fat quarter bundle of Countdown to Christmas and wasn't sure what she wanted to do with it.  Well, I immediately sent the link to the Moda Bake Shop pattern and she was instantly smitten.  :-)  I like being an enabler.  teehee!  The pattern requires a layer cake and two charm packs (ironically I had four charm packs).  She offered to share her fat quarter bundle with me and I offered to send two charm packs to her - TA DA - now we could both make this quilt.  (insert happy dance)  LOL

Carol and I have shared fat quarter bundles in the past and have some wonderful quilts. 

We have lots of fun planning and sharing projects.

Carol, thank you so much for being such a great friend. 

I appreciate your visit - I hope you're enjoying a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

Countdown to Christmas

Hi, Hi, Hi

Here I am....have ya missed me?  LOL

I won't bore you with details regarding what's been keeping me busy.  :-)

BTW, I hope you haven't felt ignored because I've been peeking over your shoulders and enjoying your doings. 

Since I finished my Swoon quilt top I haven't spent much time with my Bestie - Miss Molly

(aka my sewing machine). 

 I have been working on my Snowmen A...Zzzz blocks and making great progress. 

I failed to get a picture of O-Ornaments and I'm almost finished with P-Plum Pudding - woohoo!!!!!   

Snowmen A...Zzzz by Crapapple Hill Studio
(oops I forgot O-Ornaments)

Today I finally spent time in My Happy Place working on yet another Christmas quilt.  I'm using Countdown to Christmas - the hugely popular fabric by Sweetwater for Moda.  Last year I made several small(ish) projects with Countdown to Christmas but I really wanted to make a larger quilt. 

There's a story about this quilt that I'll share when it's finished.  :-)

 November is the final month for Christmas Through the Year for 2012.

It's the final month for Cheryl and I, as well. 

We've had lots of fun taking care of the club but it's time for us to move on down the road. 

The CTTY Train will be making it's final stop on November 30. 

If you make a gift or two and link up your blog post to show the gift(s) with Mr Linky you'll be eligible to win a prize from me.  We will, also, draw two winners for our grand prizes (each of us has 11 gifts for two lucky winners). 

Until next time I hope you enjoy a pieceful day.

In Friendship!

AYOS & CTTY

"Listen to the whispers of your heart"

My new favorite quote I found on Pinterest.

So, I did and took a tiny quilting and blogging break. 

 It's time to show my completion for the month of October for Another Year of Schnibbles hosted by Sinta and Sherri.  We had the option to make Hubble or Bounce.  I was super excited when this was announced because I'd already made Bounce back in July.  WooHoo!  I used Hello Luscious and Bella white both by Moda. 



Bounce by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.
made with Luscious by Moda

 Here we are on Halloween talking about Christmas.  LOL  It's really difficult to believe that Christmas is less than 2 months away.  Cheryl's been really diligent about posting ideas and tutorials on a very regular basis hoping to help you get those gifts made early so you can have a stress-free holiday season.  I've nagged you quite a bit, although, lately I've been a bit quieter.  LOL

The Christmas Through the Year Christmas Train is pulling into it's next stop - October 31.  If you've made a gift or two during the month of October please add your name/blog to Mr Linky.  Don't forget you're eligible to win a prize from Cheryl and she'll post a winner in a day or two. 

I hope your days have been pieceful.

Don't forget to

"Listen to the whispers of your heart". 

In Friendship!

A Final Swoon

 I spent the afternoon and evening finishing my Swoon quilt. 

Swoon - block #7

Swoon - block #8
That's Inspector Cooper in the upper right hand corner  :-)

Swoon - block #9

Swoon - Finished! 
(the cream background looks like two but it's the photography)

This quilt has been on my 'quilting bucket list' for almost a year.  I'm glad I waited until I found fabric that would work for me; I'm beyond elated.  I'm anxious to get it quilted so hopefully that will happen very, very soon. 

Thank you so much for sharing my little Swoon journey with me; it's been fun. 

I can hardly believe that tomorrow is Friday - where do the days go.  Seriously, where do they go? 

I hope your Friday is pieceful.

In Friendship!

The Snow Flies Again :-)

Remember my Roh-Roh post about my Snowmen A...Zzzz and Kona white/snow? 

Thank you so much for all your in put and advice.

An executive decision has been made :-)

I took a trip to Joann's and purchased enough yardage of Kona for all the blocks.  I'm continuing on with the letter G - Gifts and others that have not been stitched yet.  When I have finished then I'll check to see whether or not the first four blocks I stitched last month (B,C,D & I) look good and if they don't look then I'll restitch them then.  I think it's the best solution for now. 

After I printed G-Gifts I realized that was my last sheet of Sulky printable solvy so I traced the letter

H - Holly Berries and it's been slow going. 

 I have a tendency to trace very lightly because I fear my traced lines will show.  Bird Brain Designs to the rescue - a new package of printable solvy has arrived.  WooHoo!!!! 

Swoon block #7 was finished today :-)

Two to go!

Wishing you a pieceful Wednesday.

In Friendship!

4, 5 and 6....check

Saturday was a total bust :-( 

My needles and thread did not meet.  

I made up for it today - woohoo!!!  

Swoon blocks 4, 5 and 6 were completed today.  I'm a very happy girl because this means that I'm two thirds of the way through this project.  :-) 



Swoon - block #4



Swoon - block #5



Swoon - block #6

I hope you had a pieceful week end. 

Wishing you a very pieceful week.

I appreciate your visits - come again soon.

In Friendship!