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.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, everything has been whirling around me as I've been so busy lately. I just got back from a quilt retreat in Maple Mount, KY. It was gorgeous there and the weather was perfect! I taught my Sassy Sixteen and had the best students!

I took a class at the retreat for making Christmas Placemat Purses. It was quite fun and I'll be sure to post a picture of my creation on my next post.

Karen Combs was also a teacher at the retreat, so now I have a new pattern and project to add to my "future to do" list. I think it will be something special for the hubby.

I've just released my newest pattern, "Charmingly Twisted" made for charms and nickels. This is the one I had meant to have available in the spring, but I just wasn't satisfied with the previous layout. However, I finally moved things around until I was pleased and then quickly finished it off.

Now, I know I have been absent a great deal the last several months, and I can't tell you how much I've missed it, but I promise I'll be around a lot more often. You can even sign up as a follower (on the right hand column). Besides, I have some more news as well, but need to wait just a short while to announce it. ;)

Also, a friend of mine, Tanja, has released a great new pattern! It is beautiful and the redwork is perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Be sure to check it out... http://www.southsong.etsy.com/ I even made a block from the pattern last Christmas...

Checking In and Catching Up

Well, as usual, things have been busy here. School starts next week, church activities are on the horizon and Gentry's birthday is coming up. I can't believe how big he has gotten. He recently lost his front tooth and he sounds so cute with his temporary lisp.
I'm still on the quilting stages of Gentry's birthday quilt. But I know I'll get it done just in time. I used the X-Block tool and one of their patterns.

The BOM for the guild this time around was paper piecing. I did the demo for it, but I really don't think I did a good enough job to convince those that are not big fans to give it a try.

Pat at The Quilting Barn asked me to teach the Twisty Cakes pattern this coming October. If you are local, you know the classes are limited. So, if you are interested, be sure to contact her right away and get your name in.


I got a wonderful surprise package in the mail yesterday from New Zealand. Sue from Country Dawn Quilts sent me a wonderful FQ and a copy of New Zealand Quilter magazine.

Inside was their new ad featuring my Jelly Maker's Cabin quilt! I was so honored when she asked me if she could use it to promote her new store.

I have also recently received some original Jill Eugena hand-dyed fabric for use in one of my next patters. There were so many amazing ones that it made it really hard to choose!

And speaking of patterns, I decided to give my cover pics a bit of a makeover. I really like the added element of color framing each one. I look forward to finding just the right shade for the upcoming patterns.

My dear friend, Beaver, is now online. So, you can find this super quick and easy pattern, Toadly Ten at her new Etsy store.