Ice on the way....

Well, the ice storm is on it's way. Hailey will be getting out of school 2 hours early. Gentry was already home from being sick. I tried to sleep late today. I was up until close to 5:00 working on Christmas stuff and checking on Gentry over and over again. Thankfully, he is doing much better now...having gone from "listless" to "bored". LOL! I honestly think that the more "fun" things I do with them, the more bored they are during down time. I cooked and baked all weekend long. The kids decorated some gingerbread cookies for themselves and I made and decorated some reindeer cookies for gifts. I still have some wonderful friends (and a very few family members) that still appreciate handmade gifts. I also made my own version of Santa's White Christmas Snack. I call it my own version as I originally made it with what I had on hand instead of what the recipe called for. It turned out well though, so I'm keeping it like that. I made a few other Christmas treats as well. I spent the whole weekend in the kitchen. Would you believe I'm still not done yet??? I did manage to make some more ornaments while cookies were in the oven. However, I haven't finished trimming the tree or decorating the house, and I'm seriously behind on the wrapping! I've been going non-stop since before December, and I'm still not done. I'm not complaining, I'm just perplexed! Well, I know in the end it will all be done, but this year I'm wondering if I'll be too exhausted to enjoy it. LOL! As you can probably guess, I didn't find any time at all to quilt. I'm really missing it right now too. I would love to work on something right after I post this, but it will be time to work with the kids on their homework. That's okay though, they only have this week left and school could very possibly be cancelled tomorrow. :)

We Have A Winner...Mystery Solved!

Congratulations to Heather AKA Peachy for solving the mystery!

Peachy said...
You're getting your own shop or an enormous
new sewing room! An 18x22foot room of periwinkle painted creative space?
LOL!

I have a wonderful quilt studio now! I did paint the walls periwinkle, it is 18 x 22 feet, with a nice view, where I hope to create wonderful things! My plan to was that by the time someone solved the mystery, I'd have pictures to show. However, that hasn't happened. I am still a great deal of time away from having the studio organized and all set up. I promise to share pics though as soon as it is all finished.

Peachy, send me your mailing info and which pattern you would prefer.

In the meantime, I'm working on three quilts simultaneously. I have to as I can't decide which one is top priority.

The kids have really been getting into the Christmas spirit by making ornaments for all their school and church teachers. Aren't they adorable little elves?!

I've also made some ornaments. Here is one I did for the guild's Christmas exchange.

'Tis the season....

Monday...

I swear, I feel like I'm in slow motion today! I'm amazed at how much time is flying by and I'm not being nearly as productive as I had planned.


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The kids even made some ornaments for their teachers. We started a tiny bit on the shopping, taking care of a few great sales.




Sadly, I didn't get very much done on the quilting side of things. I did do quite a bit sewing at the guild on Tuesday night. We are making some quilts for a less fortunate community in the Appalachian mountains. My back was so sore for the next couple of days, but it was worth it and I was more than happy to do it.

The only little thing I have to show at the moment was the last BOM. I just love doing these tessellated blocks!








But for now, I hope I can manage to find the time to work on the Christmas quilt today. Kids will be home before we know it and then homework will swallow up the rest of the day. So, wish me luck.

We got Elfed again!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Holidays are coming...

I'm definitely feeling the euphoric effects of the approaching holidays! I'm singing holiday songs, planning out Christmas presents, pondering new Thanksgiving recipes. The temperatures are cooling down and oh, how I love that! I even added a Holiday Gift Set at my Etsy store.

My Quick Christmas Quilt is coming along so very slowly. However, I must admit that I'm sewing on it and several others simultaneously. I guess you could say that I'm having a bit of trouble prioritizing them. Also, the Christmas one has to be pressed after each individual seam, so I'm using the other projects as my "leaders and enders" in an effort to be more efficient. I'm not sure it is working but I'm having fun all the same.

So, did that last Mystery Clue stump anyone? Here is an update on the clues so far...

Holidays and Mystery Clue #5

Well, I know that I was promised I could finish the Christmas top from the workshop in a day, but I didn't even come close! Now, granted, I did leave a few hours early, as I wasn't feeling very well. Even if I had stayed I wouldn't have finished even half of it. I'm soooo slow and I am big in pinning everything! Not to mention I was having a serious OCD moment when it came to where I was going to put each and every fabric. So, as you can see from the picture, I have a long way to go. LOL!

In order to make myself feel a little more productive and to please my son, who was begging me to do this, I made a little mini quilt for Thanksgiving.

Okay, time for Clue #5.

Happy November!

I really can't believe we are this far along in the year...practically on top of Thanksgiving already! I do love Autumn though and hope that Winter doesn't come to quickly, though I'd love some cooler temps. In the meantime, I'm enjoying this time of year. The kids had a great Halloween and you can imagine how pleased I was when they both said they wanted to wear last year's costumes...and they still fit!

I took some "regular" costume pics, but they also wanted to have "scary" pics too. LOL!

They drew out their pictures on to the pumpkins and hubby carved them out. You can really see their creative differences.

I also decided to try my favorite pumpkin cookie recipe in a mini-loaf form...yummy!

Oh, and a dear friend of mine, Jayn, made this great picture for me. She is so creative!

After Halloween, came the elections. I know that there were just so many different opinions on this one and that each of us chose whom we thought would be the best. In my household, we couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome. But I'm still saddened that things became so negative, especially with all of the false emails being forwarded left and right, without people bothering to check them out beforehand. It really doesn't take but a minute to go to Snopes, for example, and find the facts. I'm also saddened that people quit respecting that we have the "right to choose" and that is part of what makes our country so great. We don't have to have the same opinions, but we should respect each other either way. I am just so glad it is over. I really saw the "ugly" in a lot of people.

As for quilty things...I'm going to a workshop on Saturday. It is for a quick Christmas Quilt. Our instructor has been promising that we will leave with a finished top! Now, I'm pretty slow, but if it is even mostly finished that would be great! If anyone in the area is interested, it is only $20 and from 9:00 to 4:00. Just let me know and I'll give you more details.

I've started work on my next pattern. I have the design done, but I'll still have to piece it together, quilt, photograph and write up the pattern. But I can give you a little hint... I'm using the new Bistro line by Deb Strain from Moda. I'm a big coffee lover so I couldn't help but be drawn to it! Another hint...this pattern will use one layer cake and one jelly roll.

Speaking of hints, here's the 4th Mystery Clue...

I know that some of you have already made your guesses and I can't tell you if you are right or wrong yet...as it isn't time for the reveal. So, feel free to keep guessing. ;)

Mystery Clue #3

Well, sadly, I haven't had a chance to do any sewing at all. It is all because of "the mystery". I miss it dearly and I'm so going to try and do some today.

In the meantime, here is Clue #3...

Quilting and Clue #2

It looks like I might actually have a chance to do some piecing today. I think I'd like to work on a UFO fitting of the season. I have several, I'm ashamed to admit, but I might work on the Twin Autumn Sassy Sixteen. I made the first for my sister and I'm going to have one just like it. I worked a tiny bit on it at the retreat. Doesn't it look a mess?

Or, I might work on my Halloween Candy now that I have the border colors picked out. However, I don't recall where I put the fabrics...oops. LOL!

Oh, and before I forget... Clue #2 is pictured below.

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Halloween Pumpkin Maker & MySpace Layouts

An Honor, a Printer and a Mystery

Let's start with the honor...the Fat Quarter Shop asked me to post on their blog, The Jolly Jabber. In the post, I give a little insight to the name of one of my patterns. Be sure to stop by and take a peek.


As for the printer. I had to get a new one this week. It's a shame as I loved the one I had. Then again, I guess that was the problem. I can easily estimate that I printed at least 12 thousands sheets on that tiny little thing!


Now, let's move on to the "Mystery". I mentioned previously that I had some news but that it wasn't the right time to share it, and well, it still isn't. But I'm excited and figured I could share little bits here and there. So, that's exactly what I plan to do. And, anyone who guesses the mystery will received any one of my patterns that they like. The first Clue is "Periwinkle".

Quilt History

The kids and I had a good time yesterday taking pics with the birthday quilts I've made for them. We managed to find all 7 of Gentry's...
However, we were missing a few of Hailey's. So, perhaps the next time we are Spring cleaning we can find the others and do another pic.

Christmas Placemat Purse & JMC Kits

I promised to show you the placemat purse...here it is. I think it turned out pretty well. More importantly, it gave me a basis on technique and now the creative ideas can flow. This one was made with two placemats. I'd like to try making the next using only one.

The Fat Quarter Shop has some adorable new kits made with "The Jelly Maker's Cabin" pattern. I just love seeing all of the different possibilities! I'm particularly fond of the "Mother's Cotton Patch" as the colors remind me of Christmas and gingerbread. I guess you could say I have the upcoming holidays on my mind.

Now, I know I promised some good news...but the time still isn't right yet. Hopefully, I'll be able to share soon.