The Great Swap of 2008

Last Spring, Carol and I were chatting via e-mail about the sweet quilt Wendy showed on her blog and how much fun it would be to swap 3" 30's rail blocks. We got super excited and we asked Wendy, Judy & Sharon to join us in swap. Kathie was going to swap with us but life got in the way! Everyone was thrilled and enthused and we started swapping immediately. We finished the swap a few months ago and my blocks have been sitting in a basket waiting to be sewn together. The other day I decided that I needed to get this quilt assembled before the new year!

Here's a word problem for you - teehee!!!

When you add five bloggy friends, Carol, Wendy, Judy, Sharon and I

Plus - 414 3" 30's rail blocks ( 1,242 1.5" x 3.5" pieces)

Plus - 374 3" white Kona alternate blocks

Plus - 78 white Kona setting triangles

Plus - 4 white Kona corner pieces

Equals - 76" x 100" adorable quilt filled with great memories!

Ladies, thank you so much for playing along with me - it's a treasured quilt and one with a great story!

This quilt would be adorable made with darker prints for the rail blocks and beige/tan/cream, etc for the alternate blocks and setting triangles (Libby made one and it's great). Whimsical brights for the rail blocks with black for the alternate blocks and setting triangles would be super cute!

Thank you so much for visiting and please come again!

In Friendship!

Time for Tea Swap

(more wabbits finished, too)

I believe it was sometime in January I received an invitation from Stephanie to participate in an 'by invitation only swap' called Time for Tea. Oh my goodness stop the presses, I started fretting, agonizing, stressing, wringing my hands, rubbing my forehead (I do that when I stress - lol), etc because sometime last year I swore I would not participate in any more swaps. Why? I'm just not good at them - I play the 'what if' game; what if I can't find the perfect gift, what if my partner doesn't like what I send, what if my partner doesn't like me, what if my partner is disappointed, what if....yada, yada, yada. Do you play the 'what if' game with yourself? Anyway, after chatting via e-mail with Stephanie I decided I'd play. After all, it was Stephanie and I adore her, how could I say no. LOL

Stephanie has been the most delightful swap hostess - someone in the swap group called her 'the hostess with the mostest'. She's been sooooooooo organized; Tea Talk Tuesday on her blog every week - passing along swap ideas, sneak peeks from other swappers, etc. It's been a ton of fun.

Bear in mind through all this I've still been playing the 'what if' game with myself and actually trying to figure out how to back out. LOL! I stuck with it and mailed the package to my partner earlier this week and she received it yesterday - visit Carrie and you'll see pictures of the treasures and goodies I sent her way. Whew, I think she was happy! :-)

Recently I received an envelope from Stephanie with this delightful treasure enclosed (there's a little pocket on the back with a tea bag tucked in it - it's a thank you for participating in her swap. She sent one to everyone in the swap (30+ swappers). Thank you so much, Stephanie!

Drum roll please - my package from Carrie has arrived. We did not realize that we were matched as partners - Stephanie kept that a secret. LOL

Look at what I found when I opened the box. Is that delightful or what? I mean, really, check out the tiny Dresden plates in the corners and Carrie's handwork is exquisite. Sigh!

Under the pillow a tissue wrapped package with a card addressed to 'Darlene' - that's me :-)

Once everything had been opened and admired (and given the sniff approval by Cooper) I posed it all for a picture to share!

The pillow is darling - I love it. It will look wonderful in my bedroom (yum). The red tote on the left was full of goodies - tea time stickers, an adorable quilting journal, the strawberry is a needle case (too cute) and the little red snap case held a spool of red thread and a sweet teacup button.

Carrie, thank you so much for your wonderful attention to detail - the box is 'all about me'. :-)

Look..............more wabbits preferring embroidery! These are blocks #2 and 3. This project is moving along nicely and I couldn't be more pleased. Guess what? I decided to treat myself - very little fabric has come into this house for months (I've been a very good girl). I ordered the Chelsea Manor fabrics to finish the project - should be here early next week. I wonder how many blocks I can get done before the fabric arrives?

I hope you enjoyed your visit with me today! Please stop by again...........I love it when you do!

In Friendship

3 Inch Blocks :-)

Take a look at Wendy's blog to see the sweetest rail fence quilt made with 2 1/2" finished rail fence blocks. I love that quilt and I appear to be hooked on 3" blocks - LOL. I want to make another quilt but not sure which blocks to use. So sometime in February as Wendy and I were finishing our 3" nine patch swap I started playing with 3" finished shoo-fly, nine patch and rail fence blocks. Any of these blocks would make an adorable quilt. Sigh! :-)
Maybe three quilts. LOL

Thanks for letting me share!

In Friendship!

Schnibbles & Small Quilt Swap

Schnibbles:

I've had a very strong urge to sew, however, I can't seem to settle on a project. I feel like a hummingbird - flitting from charm packs, jelly rolls, layer cakes, fat quarters, pattern, books, etc. What to do, what to do?

I waste so much time - I need an assignment - LOL

Yesterday I rolled out of bed bound and determined to spend some time sewing. I knew I wanted to work on the June Schnibbles project - Leap Year. Cue my inner hummingbird - flit to those charm packs, no wait, maybe I'll use those, hmmmm maybe I'll use those! LOL Finally I grabbed the pattern, two charm packs of Ruby, bolt of Bella and chained myself to my cutting table (this way I couldn't flit - LOL)

I cut and made a handful of blocks, took a break to go to breakfast with my man; once home I got back to work. Wheeeeeee - a finished Leap Year flimsey. :-)

(needs to be pressed with starch and hot iron - sheesh)

Small Quilt Swap:

A couple of months ago I signed up to participate in a Small Quilt Swap through Kris at Dandelion Quilts with a May 31 deadline. I mailed mine off to my partner, Chrissy from Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts and earlier this week I received my small quilt from Chrissy. It's absolutely adorable and will be enjoyed. I love the polka dot binding :-) BTW, you saw the quilt I made for Chrissy last week when I asked for you for your opinion. Thank you Kris and Chrissy for making it a fun swap.

(should have pressed the folds - sheesh)

I'm off to cue my inner hummingbird and do some flitting. LOL

Thanks bunches for stopping by - come back soon.

In Friendship!

Spoolin' Around
(this is what Dawn called it - LOL)

Carol, Wendy, Judy, Dawn, Sharon & I have finished another block swap and we are thrilled with the results! The final five blocks arrived today and I couldn't wait to add the final two rows!!! We swapped these blocks for six months and the arrival of new blocks every month just made all of us giddy with the results - it just makes me smile :-) Swapping with these ladies has been a wonderful experience. Carol, Wendy, Judy, Sharon & I have swapped before - you might recall our 3" 30's rail fence blocks that we swapped last year. It was fun to have Dawn join us this time.

It's finished just the way it is - no border - just a nice dark binding to create a frame. Everyone else is almost finished with their quilts, as well, so stay tuned to their blogs.


Thanks for letting me share! And, I appreciate your visit - please come again soon & often.

In Friendship!

A Week in Review!

(warning - very long post)

Monday - They Made Me Cry - tears of joy!!!
Started out a very hectic and stressful day but ended with me crying (actually sobbing) tears of joy.

I received a huge box full of treasures and gifts from friends in the Land of Blog. As you know my quilting mojo was missing (and I'm still struggling a bit) and I gave some very serious thought to deleting my blog (because if I'm not quilting then I have nothing to show so why keep the blog - this was my thought). Instead I chose to take a 'blogging hiatus' and did very little during that hiatus. While I was on my hiatus friends were busy making surprises for me - yes for ME! This was done in hopes that it would help me find that missing MOJO. Carol from Carol's Crafty Creations coordinated efforts with many blog friends. She collected churn dash blocks and fat quarters, assembled the large quilt, sent it to Mary at Quilt Hollow to have it secretly beautifully quilted. Carol from Brown Quilts 4 Me contributed backing fabric so the decision was made to send the fat quarters to me (love them!!!)

There was a sweet card and letter enclosed that explained everything - when I started reading I immediately started crying. And, then when I unfolded this beauty I had to sit down because I was sobbing. I couldn't believe that bloggy friends from all over the world had contributed blocks for a quilt for ME! I think these ladies know me very well - it's very ME. I was and still am very stunned. My goodness how do I thank everyone involved? I mean really - how do I thank them? But I WILL thank them!

Everyone involved sent a label so Carol sewed them together and made a BIG label. The ladies involved are: Carol (Carol's Crafty Creations), Mary (Quilt Hollow), Carol (Brown Quilts 4 Me), Nancy E (no blog but regular commenter), Kim (Creating by the Lake), Stephanie (Loft Creations), Stina (Kviltstina), Terry (Terry's Treasures), Karen (Quilts a Lot), Lori (Humble Quilts), Carrie (A Passion for Applique), Mary (Mary on Lake Pulaski), Paulette (Sweet P Quilting), Lisa (Salem Stitcher), Candace (Squash House Quilts), Wendy (Snippets of a Quilter), Cathi (Shakerwood Primitives), Kaaren (The Painted Quilt), Kim (Stillmeadow Quilting), Kelly (Charming Chatter), Michelle (Dresden Quilter), Kim (Magnolia Bay Quilts), Caryn (Pieceful Chaos), Kathy (Kathy Quilts), Karen (Log Cabin Quilter), Millie (Millie's Quilting), Katherine (Quilter Going Bananas), Jocelyn (Happy Cottage Quilter) & Sherri (A Quilting Life)

After I read all the names on the label I unfolded this cutie. I started laughing, crying & saying "oh my goodness it's a quilt for the Wabbit Daze Gang". Carol machine embroidered the wabbit laying on the carrots (can you say CUTE?)

Tuesday - I have decided to have a Christmas Ornament Exchange party later this month so I spent most of the day working on those plans. I'll share more later - cute invitation my sweet DH, Ron, made and party favors I'm working on.
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Wednesday - Veteran's Day

My DH is retired from the US Air Force and he's very involved in a veteran's association here in our community so we were both busily involved in a ceremony. I surveyed the attendees and totaled up the number of years served by vets and we have over 600 years served in our Armed Forces - isn't that awesome?
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Thursday - worked on getting my Christmas Swap package ready to go to Simone. This will be a second package - the first one never arrived. Ugh! (yes, I'm very late)
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Friday - More of the Christmas Swap package. Hopefully I'll have it in the mail by the end of the week.
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Saturday - Wide awake at 3:00 am!

After a little computer time, one cup of coffee, and my morning walk I decided to sew! WooHoo!!! I sewed practically non-stop. This was a "Quilt du Jour". LOL

I saw a sample of this quilt on Jocelyn's (Happy Cottage Quilter) blog a couple of weeks ago and knew it was a must do! This was one I cut during my cutting frenzy awhile back :-) It's "I Can't Believe It's a Beginner" by The Pattern Basket. It's made with 90% Jo Morton fabrics and a few others thrown in. It doesn't fit on my design wall very well so please excuse the wrinkles and such.

I hope that you've had a wonderful week - thank you for stopping by! Please come again and come often.
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In Friendship!
(i'll be back tomorrow to do all the links)

No Flitting

Found a Flower

:-)

Depressing sight.

LOL

I learned a very good lesson this week. Last summer Karen at Sew Many Quilts led a red and white charm swap. Initially I missed the deadline :-( but then I noticed a call on Karen's blog for a few more swappers. I left a comment and got in just under the wire. :-)

When the charms arrived I was a little dismayed - 'now what' I thought to myself. The variety of charms was overwhelming to me. I put the Ziploc bags away to think about another day. Annette at Sunshine Yellow immediately made a fabulous quilt and I asked if I could be a copy cat and make one like it. She kindly said yes but my immediate thought was that mine wouldn't be as cute as hers. Silly, I know but real in my mind. LOL

Fast forward to this past Monday - while searching in my closet for something else I came across the Ziploc bags of the red and white charms and tossed them out on my sewing table. The time had come to do something. LOL I went to Annette's blog and looked at her quilt one more time and decided to jump in with both feet.

The pattern is Charming Stars and featured on the Moda Bakeshop blog. I made four blocks and was instantly smitten. Oh my goodness my blocks were looking very cute so my quilt surely would look at cute as Annette's. Wouldn't it?

I spent all day yesterday (Tuesday) making the rest of the blocks (there are a total of 16) and assembling the quilt top all with a huge smile on my face. :-)
I thought I'd have to shop for a border fabric but before I went to bed last night I remembered something I have in my stash and it's going to be perfect.
WooHoo!!!!

The lesson learned - don't discount something just because it overwhelms me or may not immediately appeal to me.

I love, love, love this quilt top.
Maybe it is as cute as Annette's - teehee

Annette, thank you so much for graciously allowing me to be a big old copy cat. :-)

Monday morning before I started playing with the red and white charms I whipped up these two small quilts.
Kathie continues to inspire me to make small quilts - they are so much fun.
25 charms and a background fabric - TA DA!
(approx 21" x 21")

Top one made with Renewal and bottom one made with Lollipop by Moda.
I've been having so much fun. LOL

Probably won't get much more done because Eli (8 year old grandson) is coming to spend a couple of days with his Nana & Papa. That will be tons of fun.

BTW, there's a brand new cone on my pretty cone holder.
:-)

Thanks so much for stopping by - come again soon!

In Friendship!

Four Seasons Quilt Swap - Fall

I joined the Four Seasons Quilt Swap recently full of anticipation and then the anticipation turned to anxiety! I just didn't know what to do - I thought and I thought and then I thought some more (can you hear the Jeopardy music?). And, then there it was, the lightbulb moment - four huge oak leaves with a nice border would make an adorable tabletopper (you know I love table toppers!). It could be a wallhanging, too. On Sunday, I made eight blocks (well, I had to make one for my table, too - LOL) - added sashing and borders and called it a flimsy. Then yesterday I quilted it; sewed the binding down last night and now it's DONE!!! I need to add a label and then pack it up and send it away. Now, I'll just say silent prayers and hope that she likes it. Sigh!
Just a little note - I received an e-mail recently that my swap partner mailed my quilt - it hasn't arrived yet. :-(

Thanks for visiting - please come again!

In Friendship!

Hello!

Have you missed me? Even if you haven't, tell me that you have - it'll make me feel good. :-)

It's Fall Market crunch time so I've been busy proofing patterns, sewing small quilts, etc. for my friends, Me & My Sister Designs. So, it's been a hubbub of activity. Sigh!

All work and no play tends to make me very unhappy. :-( So, I worked for a few hours this morning and then gave myself the rest of the day off. I finished assembling the blocks for "Summer" of the "Primitive Four Seasons" block of the month by The Country Loft. Hopefully, the first "Fall" block will be here today. And, I finally got around to making block #4 of the Designer Mystery Block of the Month from The Fat Quarter Shop - block #5 will be here soon. I've done a few embroidered blocks for a new project but they need to be pressed - I'll show them to you soon. BTW, if you sent an e-mail about The Sewing Bird and didn't hear from me it's because you're set up for "no reply". The pattern is on a CD by Kathy Schmitz and available from Colonial Crafts.

A few friends, Carol, Wendy, Judy, Sharon, and I recently completed a block swap for an adorable quilt. In the final package of blocks we all sent treasures to each other. I can't show you what Sharon sent because Judy has not received hers and I don't want to ruin the surprise!

The following mini quilt is from Judy - isn't it adorable? Gotta love those cute cards, too. :-) Thank you, Judy!

From Carol - a wonderful sewing machine cover and pretty post its with matching pen. How did she know I'd been wanting a sewing machine cover? Blue and red - my favorite colors. Thank you, Carol.

From Wendy was this beautiful Schlep Bag and cute mini book titled "The End". I've been using my bag often and really have enjoyed it. Thank you, Wendy!

I wish I had more to show and share but this is it. That's all folks! Thanks for stopping by - please come again soon and often!

In Friendship!

The Chosen Ones

(flimsies to be quilted in August)

If you looked for this post yesterday I'm sorry I'm late! I don't know what happened to the day - poof it was gone!

Here are flimsies pulled from the pile to be quilted in August.

left to right: 3" rail fence swap blocks, Four Seasons stitchery project, Whirligigs with Oh Cherry Oh fabric, X-Rated (enlarged Schnibbles pattern), A Quilter's Journey stitchery project, and an oldie (need to find the stats for this one). Take note there are 6 flimsies shown rather than 5 I promised in Friday's post.

Last week I quilted my "High Cotton" flimsy. This pattern can by found in Kim Diehl's new book, Simple Comforts.

And, I pulled this oldie; "Sweet Treats" by Fig Tree Designs.


I realize I have set some huge goals for the month of August. I work really well when I have a "To Do" list so I'll check them off as I go along and hope that all have been accomplished by the end of August.

I still need to set a goal for Kelly's, Charming Girls' Quilt Club. I've chosen something so I'll be back tomorrow to show that, as well.
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Now, if you need me, you certainly know exactly where you can find me. LOL A friend told me one day that I don't seem to know how to do nothing. I think she might be right! ;-)
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I hope that you'll leave a cheer or two through out the month of August as I pop in to show you my progress.
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I appreciate your visit - come again soon!
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In Friendship!

Feast or Famine

If you’re a regular reader of my blog then you might recall the “Great Quilting Slump of 2006”. LOL That slump is now completely gone (wasted so much time!!!!) and now I’m in full stitching mode and can’t sew fast enough. You all know that old cliché “so many projects, so little time” . Sigh!

We’ve had stressful days in our household since the first of the year but especially this past week and the only thing that’s keeping my heart happy is to sew. And, whoa have I been sewing!

The picture shows the beginning of my project with the 3” nine patches that I’ve been working on with Chocolat charm squares (prints and plaids). Oh, I’m loving this one! And, yesterday the little package arrived with my needed Picket Fence charm pack so I can finish my sixteen patch project – another one that I’m crazy about.

Now, I’m hanging my head in shame as well – BIG Sigh!

I have not made string blocks for Nancy as I promised – I will do it, Nancy, I’m sorry!

I signed up for the Siggie Swap with Cynthia and have not worked on those blocks and, of course, they are due this Saturday (obviously, I’m way too late to get them made and sent) I’m so ashamed as I’m usually very dependable but I’ve been self absorbed! How can I correct this HUGE faux pas!

I have two packages for winners of my 101st posting and those are still waiting to hit the post office. Gail and Cynthia you’ll have your surprise goodies very soon!

I have a package for Nadine that I need to finish assembling and there it sits!

I have not taken time to leave comments on so many blogs I visit on a regular basis, nor have I responded to the comments left on mine. You know I like to respond!

Needless to say my selfishness has caught up with me! It’s definitely “Feast or Famine” – I feel good cuz I’m sewing and I feel really, really bad cuz I’ve let some “friends” down.

So, while I’m hanging my head in shame!

On a happier note, I must wish a Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter – Kristie! (can she really be 32???? Oh my!) I’m so proud of her – she’s an incredible woman – a good wife and a wonderful mother to two super terrific boys, Seth and Eli. Happy Birthday, Sweetness!!!!

Just Sharing!
(more wabbits, too)

You've seen all the wonderful treasures Carrie sent to me for our Tea Time Swap and I directed you to her blog to see what I sent her. Thought it might be fun to share a picture here, too.

My theme for her was a "Tea Party for One" so I sent a table topper for her tea table; a teapot/teacup/saucer combination with a teabag for her tea; a calorie free dessert (cupcake pincushion with cute cupcake pin) and included a scissor fob and mini teapot just for fun. I've had that teapot fabric in my stash for several years and remembered it as soon as I accepted Stephanie's invitation for the swap. I have enough fabric for a second table topper - hmmmm! LOL

I've been stitching, stitching, stitching and stitching some more! Blocks #4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. To my delight yesterday the postman brought a package with my Chelsea Manor fabric I just ordered on Thursday from The Fat Quarter Shop - WooHoo!!!!!

I'm stitching my "Rabbits Prefer Embroidery" on Moda Bella (ivory) and have fallen totally in love with this fabric. I've used it in the past as a background for a quilt but this is the first time I've used it for embroidery - wowzer! I'm thinking I need to buy yards and yards to keep on hand for future embroidery projects - if you have an opportunity to try it please do.

Have you spent time with your needle and thread this week end? I don't have to explain the bliss you feel when you do so please take a stitch or two.

I hope you've enjoyed your visit - come again very soon!

In Friendship~

Lots and Lots of Fun Mail :-)

You can't help but smile when you look at my "sewing sitters". Aren't they cute? I saw these on Tammie's blog recently and decided I needed a set for my sewing room. :-) Thank you, Tammie!
Edit: Sewing Sitters here - http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item75077.aspx?esalsritm=1 the shipping is alot more than the sitters but well worth the price. LOL

This package contained new patterns from Nan - she's launched her new pattern business and these are first two adorable patterns. Take a look at the corner of the pink envelope - the stamp is a picture of Nan and her friend. Isn't that great! Nan, great job on the patterns - they are incredible. I can't wait to see lots and lots more!

Wendy and I have been exchanging 3" nine patches since August and this was her January package to me. Besides the nine patches she included an adorable pin cushion that she made and the cute doll. The sentiment on the tag hanging off the doll's hat says "Experience the inspiration of every moment of happiness". Isn't that great? Wendy and I have been having so much fun with this swap and it's almost over. She's been working on her quilt and I have yet to decide on my fabric for the alternate blocks. AARRGGHHH!! :-)

And, last but definitely not least! I received my beautiful Winter Swap Quilt from Suzanne B. She does not have a blog but reads them on a regular basis. Thank you Suzanne so much for this gift from your heart and hands!

I can't believe that we've reached the end of January! I hope that you've had a month full of JOY in your corner of the world. Thank you for stopping by - do come again!

In Friendship!

Rested and Relaxed!

We had three wonderful days in the mountains of Northern Arizona. This was the most relaxing and restful retreat week end we've had in a very long time.

I spent some time working on an Easter embroidery pattern and two mini quilts however, I didn't feel pushed to be super productive. I usually have pedal to the medal and come back with several completed flimsies but not this time. I spent Friday evening and all day Saturday working on my 9 patch quilt. You might recall that these are 3" nine patches that I traded with Wendy for several months and you'll notice that I chose the double pink for the alternate block. And, I absolutely love it. BTW, there are 209 3" nine patches and 180 3" alternate blocks. Whew!!!! LOL I am so thankful that Wendy agreed to swap these cuties with me. Thank you, Wendy - I will treasure this forever.

I will catch up with e-mails and blog reading tomorrow - thank you for popping in to visit! Come again soon!

In Friendship!

Reasons to Smile :-)

Sometimes with the burdens and challenges of everyday life we have a tendency to forget about all the little thing that make us smile.

Please allow me to share a handful of things that have put a smile on my face recently!

1. In Friendship - I've been signing off on my blog postings with "In Friendship" for approx 2 years. This week I received a thank you note from a bloggy friend and she signed it "In Friendship, xxxxx" - I actually got tears in my eyes because she really gets what those two words mean to me.

2. There's a new girl in town! And she's oh so cute!

A couple of weeks ago I was chatting via e-mail with Janet regarding directions that she'd figured out and she offered to share her findings with me via snail mail. I was expecting an envelope and was stunned when a package arrived instead. I found a Homespun magazine and this new little bunny - talk about a huge smile on my face. I haven't introduced her before because a sweet name eludes me - do you have any suggestions. Remember she's joining Thimbles, Joy, Millie and Bea Bunny - my Sweetie suggested "Stitches" but I'm not sure. Please leave some suggestions. Janet, thank you for making me smile!



3. Taking time to cut two new projects! This really makes me smile! :-)

I've been asked on numerous occasions how I get so much done. This is my biggest reason - I take time to pre cut a couple of projects and then I can 'power sew'. Besides, I do love to sew. LOL

The fabric on the left is Oh Cherry Oh and the fabric on the right is American Primer - both by Moda. Yummy!


4. Two flimsies quilted and ready for binding. This really puts a smile on my face!

On the left is North and South and on the right is my 3" nine patch swap quilt I did with Wendy over a year ago.

5. My shiny, new, red bobbin wheel full of "Frostings" threads by Superior Threads - this is an awesome variety of colors ready to use with my hand applique. I ordered these from Piece o'Cake after Carrie posted the information on her blog a couple of weeks ago. Thank you, Carrie!

6. No picture to share but I have finished stitching "Rabbits Prefer Embroidery" and will start assembling the blocks.

Please take a few minutes to think about the things that made you smile recently and would you please leave a comment and share one thing with me!

Thanks for visiting with me today - I hope you'll come again soon!

In Friendship!

Polka Dot Girls

I'm on the mend - not 100% but better than I was earlier this week. Last night while watching three Law and Order episodes I finished stitching another Polka Dot Girl(s) block.

Wendy has finished her 9 patch quilt - you must visit her blog and take a peek. It's stunning! Yes, I'm going to repeat myself - sorry, bear with me! Last August I asked Wendy if she would like to exchange 3" finished 9 patch blocks and lucky for me she excitedly agreed. Now, we each have a wonderful quilt filled with a memories to share for years to come. I've participated in block swaps in the past but never a one-on-one swap and I much prefer the one-on-one version. If you have an opportunity to do something like this with a far away friend, I highly recommend it.

Thank you for all the get well wishes - I appreciate your kind words! And, do stop by to visit again!

In Friendship!

Company's Coming

(the Elves are busy)

A couple of weeks ago I decided I wanted to have a Christmas Ornament Exchange Party! Now you must understand that this is odd for me because I have serious Hermit-like tendencies.
My sweet Ron (he's the sweet DH that's always around to help me) and I got busy making lists and plans.

First up - the invitation! I spotted these cute cards at Wal-Mart and Ron made the insert I glued inside the card. He took pieces parts from the front of the card and using his graphics knowledge put it all together for me! The RSVP's started coming fast & furious - 28 so far. Whew! LOL

Then we started working on gifts - I want everyone to leave with a Christmas gift from us to each and their significant other. I spotted a perfect gift on Terry Atkinson's blog - the Molten Chocolate Recipe made in a mug. We're going to need 50 mugs, 50 bags (made in an afternoon), the ingredients for the cake (still to come), the recipe card (notice the same cuties from the invitation), ribbon for the recipe card and ribbon to tie the bag.

And, in the same picture you'll notice we've made name tags for everyone, too. The invitation cuties are on the name tags, as well. :-)

Still to come-----party favors. I have an idea!

And, I have several games planned - of course a game for the ornament exchange; a game that involves 10 ornaments on a tray with questions about the ornaments & one other simple game. teehee!!!!

BTW, would you like to join us?

Company's coming so we must have a new Christmas quilt to hang on the quilt rack in our entry way. So, yesterday I spent the afternoon working on a new quilt. WooHoo! I fell in love with this pattern, "Cameos" by Fig Tree Designs, when Sherri showed it on her blog a while back. I knew it was a must do. The pattern calls for a Honey Bun with border & background yardage. I had a Holly Jolly Jelly Roll with some yardage so I cut the strips down to 1 1/2" and got busy! Six out of twelve blocks done and plans to make more today, maybe the other six.

I'm having so much fun with this quilt the block is fun to do! If you're looking for a different and fun project this is the one you must do! Thank you, Sherri bringing this cutie to our attention. I'm planning to make it again in some wonderful Spring fabrics after Christmas.


And, in the midst of all this I managed to finish up my Christmas Swap goodies for Simone and will have that package and other promised goodies in the mail on Tuesday!
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Yes, I have been a busy girl but I'm having a ton o'fun.
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I know that most in the U.S. are busy getting ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday but I hope that you've still found time for your needle and thread.
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Thank you for visiting with me - I love that you stop by. Come again and come often!
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In Friendship!

There's a New Girl in Town!


A new Tiny Annie arrived a few weeks ago and I failed to share her with the world. She's tiny, adorable and quite cute!

I've had some busy days and while I don't feel that I've accomplished much I actually have!

I've been doing a block swap with four blogging buddies and I'd gotten behind - sigh! LOL So, I whipped up the blocks for June, July and August! (basically, late, on time and early). teehee! August is our final month so I'm officially done. They are packaged up and ready to go to the post office today!

I finally packaged up the Pay It Forward gifts for Nan, Linda and Sara - ladies watch your mailboxes!

My list of promises and obligations is still quite long but I'm moving right along!

My sister is coming today for two weeks but she'll probably spend more time with my DD and her boys (Eli and Seth) than she will with us. She's 16 years younger than me but only 5 years older than my DD so they have more to share!

I hope you have a wonderful Monday! Hopefully I'll have something quilty to show you in a day or two - tomorrow and Wednesday appear to be free days for me. :-)

Thanks for stopping by - please come again and often!

In Friendship!

Tying Up Loose Ends

I decided to devote the week to tying up a handful of loose ends. Made the list and made my check marks. Wahoo!!!

August Snowbound blocks for Terry & Kelly - stitched & in the mail - woohoo!


Nine patches for Julie's Great 9 Patch Celebration Exchange - done and will be mailed on Monday. Woohoo!
Four patches in 30's prints for a swap with a bloggy friend - in the mail on Friday - woohoo!!!


Caught up with the Designer Myster BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop. Followed Dianne's lead and assembled the first row. I'm ready for Block #4 in September. WooHoo!!!


Of course, you already know that I finished Raggedy & Friends block 1 for Carol. In the mail on Friday - woohoo!! Almost finished with block #2. Thank you, again, Kaaren, for sharing your talent.

I have one more loose end to tie up but I can't seem to wrap my head around it. GRRRRR! I need to make Cindy Lou Who Schnibble for Year of the Schnibble but selecting fabric has been a daunting task. Need to focus on just that project. Wish me luck!!!! :-)
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I feel super productive and that makes me very happy. It's the little things that make me happy.
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Happy Day to you!
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In Friendship!