Happy....

last day of November!!!! Well, tomorrow the countdown to Christmas begins.... I finished my two prim santa's - ready to go????. well, that's a secret!

A special thank you to Lori.... she is a sweetie - she knows why!... and I am sure lots of you know it! She has a great Etsy shop, too; so, if you need any special gifts for Christmas, make sure to stop by her shop.

I participate in a lot of swaps and have been pretty privileged and lucky to meet some great people. Every once in a while, tho, someone doesn't come through, and I just put it down to bad timing. I have been reading a lot about this lately, as there seems to be an abundance of swaps going on in "blogland". So, my thought for today is for those of you who just don't bother to come through and who just don't care if you do. You are missing out!

Thought for the Day
You can never do wrong when you do right.
Rabbi Shmuley

Christmas memory....

I was driving to work this morning and it was slightly colder than usual. A mist of cloud was hanging over a field, as I drove up over the hill, and I thought of Christmases past.

When my son was young, about 6 or so, he always wore some sort of hat or cap. Starting about October he usually started wearing his santa hat. He also got lots of comments about it..... but he always used to just smile and not say too much. I thought he looked adorable, of course. When he was around 12 and in Grade 7 he stopped wearing his santa hat.... I guess it's just too hard to be a teenager and be different at the same time. I thought about him today and smiled remembering his red Santa Hat.

Tonight I am watching the first of my Christmas movies. It is a newer movie, but will become an old favorite - Polar Express.

Thought for the Day

Always show the you in you that makes you the you that you are

Chidinma Obietikponah

Tooie the Boston Terrier wants to play.....

this poor old quilt- LOL

Nine Patch....

Today I received two blocks in my nine patch swap. I have one more month to complete in this swap and I will have enough blocks for a great quilt. My theme was civil war prints and I am really excited about putting this together.

The swapper, Becki, also sent me a great vintage quilt block - it is a log cabin block from Gerald, Missouri and was the estate of a 90 year old woman. This block was purchased at an estate sale 9 years ago. I am so fortunate and blessed to be given this wonderful block, and I think it will look great framed.

I just want to take a moment to wish all of my American friends a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thought for the Day
The minute you alter your perception of yourself and your future, both you and your future begin to change.
Marilee Zdenek

It's One Month....

till Christmas.... With our crazy weather and no snow - you wouldn't believe it in our part of the country. Today, I am working on a quilt that I was doing for my guild challenge. I am no longer part of this guild, but since I started it - I should finish. We were given paint chip cards and had to make a quilt from those colors... here is one of the blocks from mine. I have to make 4 more blocks like this... then decide on some sort of border. Yes!! it is paper piecing - honestly what was I thinking - LOL. PP is not my favorite, so I guess this really is a "challenge". The colors, also, are not something I would usually go with, again, a challenge. The end piece will be fairly small - about 48" X 48". I doubt if I will get all 4 done today, as I have to work this afternoon, but I will keep at it, as I am sooooo close.

Thought for The Day

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.

Dale E. Turner

Happy Monday.....

Today I received 4 squishees in the mail. They are the remainder of my blocks in my ornament block swap, hosted by dear Betsy from Quilting Fiesta. Thanks to Teresa, Jenna, Treasa, and Rebecca. I received all my blocks on time and they are all just perfect. What more can you ask from a block swap!!!!!

If you would like to know how to make these blocks, click here.

I also did some quilting today to finish up a quilt. I just love quilting feathers and I had some real fun with this one. Over the weekend I finished up several smaller little projects that I wanted for Christmas presents. These are all done and I am quite happy to have these ready for gift giving. I want to concentrate on a couple of older UFO's that I have - my One Block Wonder and my Baltimore Bunnies.





Thought for the Day
People of high self-esteem are not driven to make themselves superior to others. They do not seek to prove their value by measuring themselves against a comparative standard. Their joy is being who they are, not in being better than someone else.
Nathaniel Branden

'Tis the Season......

to finish another Christmas quilt that has been in the UFO pile this year. I am soooo happy to finish this one, as it is a favorite. It is called Reindeer Frolic, by N'eedllove. The white fabric is wool that I machine appliqued with a button hole stitch. The machine quilting is fairly simple, although I did over-quilt some snowflakes in the center with bronze metallic thread.

On Thursday night I was driving into town and I saw this.... I was completely scared out of my wits and really not sure exactly what I saw. When I got home later that evening the meteor shower was all over the news. It was breathtaking and a once-in-a-liftime opportunity for sure.... I am grateful for the chance to see such a sight!

I am working feverishly over the next few days to get all my Christmas prezzie's ready...... and then I can relax and enjoy the season.

Thought for the Day

It is not who you are that holds you back, it is who you think you are.

Author Unknown

Another great...

Ornament Block received in my swap. This one is from Toni, The Quilting Pirate. I don't usually join block swaps, but I have enjoyed this one; perhaps it will get me into some more swaps!! Yes, I need more to do!!

Quilting, Quilting.....

I have been sewing and quilting the last couple of days, because the weather has been cold. We don't have lots of snow but we have cold weather. A couple of Christmas's ago, I received a Christmas block in a Santa swap that I did..... I added some corner triangles and made the block into a pillow..... The block itself is completely handsewn and is lovely.




I also finished a Christmas present for a friend. It is not in Christmas colors, but I have had the fabric for about two years and wanted to make up the table runner. The fabric is actually redder that it is in the photo, and I am sure she will like it. I am busy getting cleaned up with lots of little things, sending out swaps, organizing little Christmasy type presents.


Thought for the Day
If you have zest and enthusiasm you attract zest and enthusiasm. Life does give back in kind.
Norman Vincent Peale

Wintery day....

well, now it does finally feel like Christmas!!!! This is the view out the door this afternoon - not too cold yet... but it's a'coming - LOL. The lake has finally frozen with a thin layer.....

My swap partner, Lindsay from England, gently pointed out that there should have been chocolate in my picture of the goodies I received from the Stocking Swap. Well.... technically there should have been.... but we ate them - LOL.... They were delicious....

With the cold snowy day, it was fitting that I received two more blocks in my ornament swap - these are from Betsy in Florida..... plus she sent me some Christmas coasters made from fabric... she's a sweetie, that's for sure.

Thought for the Day

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.

Mark Twain

Christmas Swap........

I had a very productive weekend... a couple of customer quilts done and I finished a couple of my own projects..... Last week I received my Christmas Stocking Swap from Lindsay from England. It was hosted by Robin. Neither Lindsay nor I could wait until December, so we opened them up together.... Here's a peak at some of the goodies I received..



This stocking is made from burlap and is extremely huge..... The applique is sewn on with teeny little buttons. The picture above show the fabrics that she sent. The Christmas fabric is quite stunning and I doubt if I will be able to cut it up... I think I may make a table runner with it


The remainder of the parcel included the cutest little clothespins with little trees on them, a patchwork stamp... and well, you can see the remainder of the booty! What a great swapper Lindsay is..... and the best thing about this swap is that I have made a new friend in England!!



I came across a wonderful site today... Stitching Cow, and she is having a giveaway for her spectacular block of the month.... check the link on the side of my blog too.!

Thought for the Day
Failure is an event, not a person.Yesterday ended last night.
Zig Ziglar

Ok, Ladies... help me out......

I think I had my first hot flash!!! This morning I was sitting sewing and all of a sudden my face got extremely hot - like it was on fire... I went and looked in the mirror and it was sort of red around my cheeks and nose... then both my arms got the same feeling from the elbow down, on the inside... and some red patches appeared in the crook of my arm. I kept checking to see if I was getting hives, cause I have had them before and it kind of felt creepy like that... but nothing... and after about 5-7 minutes it all stopped. My arms were a little pinkish for a few minutes longer... but nothing else.... Is that a hot flash... is this it???????

Moving right along...... I also finished up another UFO. I received the Follow Your Heart, Moda Tin Box Sampler last Christmas from hubby.. so I made it up yesterday.. sheesh (as a good friend of mine says all the time!!) - it measures 12.5 X 12.5... not something I usually do... here's a pic of it... Maybe I will make a pillow from it......cross another off the list!!!!

Thought for the Day (again)

I'm trying very hard to understand this generation. They have adjusted the timetable for childbearing so that menopause and teaching a sixteen-year-old how to drive a car will occur in the same week.

Erma Bombeck

Stitcher's Angel...

I participated in the Stitcher's Angel Swap on Hugs N Kisses blog. My stitcher's angel was Simona from Italy! and this is what she sent me..... I feel so fortunate to have had a great swap partner!! It doesn't always work out when you swap on the internet... and that can be disappointing... but most people are so honorable... . Thanks Simona! and thanks to Helen for hosting such a great swap.

Thought for the Day

Be honorable yourself if you wish to associate with honorable people.
Welsh Proverb

UFO'S and.......

I have had a busy week, but before I go on about my week, just a quick note to remember all those who have served our Country - Lest We Forget.

Yesterday I received my quilt from ALQS - the quilt is the Virginia Reel and it is from Elizabeth, from Virginia!!... I just love it... plus all the little goodies. It's hanging in my studio where I can see it every day.

The ice is beginning to form on the lake, so it is a real good time to get busy on my UFO's - which is what I have been doing the last few days. We have two little muskrats that like to come and play everyday on the ice. The lake should be frozen by now, but we are having unseasonal weather at the moment. Hopefully we will have winter soon, because without the snow the lake will be down in the spring.

I spent the weekend quilting my "All Things Christmas" by Bunnyhill Designs. I just had so much fun.... I just have to add some buttons and bows and it will be done - my 2008 Christmas quilt!

I also have been wanting to make a sock monkey for the longest time..... so this is my first one - has some festive clothing..... my niece collects them and I thought it would be a nice Christmas present.... and I finished a small wallhanging done with crayons, and finished 3 wool applique ornaments - so I am on my "UFO completion" way....

Thought for the Day

I'll wear a little poppy,

As red as red can be,

To show that I remember

Those who fought for me.

Well...... it finally happened....

we have snow!! How fitting it was to receive my first ornament block today from Christine. The background on this block is teeny tiny little snow flakes - very cute. I can't wait to get them all, now!

I quilted up my four patch stack quilt - here's one of the fancy feathers that I put in the bottom borders. This was a fun project to quilt. I guess if it keeps snowing I will just keep quilting!!!

Oh, and congratulations to President Obama.......

Thought for the Day
Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow, Filling the sky and earth below, Over the housetops, over the street, Over the heads of the people you meet. Dancing, Flirting, Skimming along.
J.W. Watson

For my U.S. Friends....

I know that today is election day... and I hope that all of you will vote! I have several friends in the U.S. - some democrats and some republicans... doesn't matter what party you vote for, just vote. I have been watching the election for weeks. I admire the way that everyone is so passionate about their candidate - I loved the debates and I really enjoy the updates on MSNBC. Today, I heard Maya Angelou talk about the first time she ever registered to vote - what an astounding woman she is. I did enjoy Sarah Palin too!! She seemed to add a little bit of excitement to the McCain campaign, not to mention how good natured she was on Saturday Night Live. If we don't see her in the White House this time, I am sure we will see her around in the next election. I wish our Canadian elections had the passion that the U.S. elections have! Our candidates only campaigned for one month - not nearly enough time

I had a nice surprise in the mail from Regina at Creative Kismit. She sent me a package of handmade cards from her etsy shop. Thanks, Regina.

And on a positive note, today I received a hug from a little girl in the reading program that I volunteer in. Totally out of the blue, and spontaneous - made me think why kids are the best people!

Thought for the Day
History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.
Maya Angelou

Wool Applique

Happy November - Christmas just keeps getting closer and closer - LOL. I am working on another few blocks (don't know how many I am actually going to do) from the Chestermere Block of the Month Quilt, that was designed by my friend Laurel Francis, of Shaggy Dog Designs. I made this quilt a couple of years ago in homespun fabrics - it is the quilt that is in my profile picture. You can also see a picture of it here. This was my first attempt at a hand applique quilt - and needless to say, without the encouragement of Laurel, I doubt if I would have finished it. I have decided to do some more blocks in wool applique - and wool applique is a whole lot easier than hand applique!

Thought for the Day

Those who wish to sing, always find a song.

Swedish Proverb