The Calm

This always seems like such a calm time of the year.  The cooking and parties are behind us and it is such a wonderful time of the year to pause and reflect on Christmas. 

We had a wonderful, wonderful Christmas.  I am still trying to dig out and have not located my camera with the Christmas pictures on it yet, but I am sure after a few more rooms are cleaned it will appear.  I am not worried YET!!!!   Meanwhile I do have a few pictures from another camera that I happened to grab. 



Before....




Getting ready to open gifts.




Opening gifts.




Enjoying the excitement.




Ohhhh.....a new seat in the house!!!



Christmas Day brunch on the patio.  Please pardon the lattice stripes!

I have been thinking that I should grab my keys and head to Las Vegas.  Like many of you, I signed up for different giveaways on the recent Blog Hop Party and I actually won.  In fact, I won several of them.  I guess it makes up for years past when I did not. 

A wonderful package arrived from Cherry.   I am actually quite excited about starting another Christmas themed quilt and she has me off to a good start with the Flurry jelly roll.   I don't know if you remember seeing the incredible Accuquilt Christmas tree tutorial that she did - the red one, but you must check it out.  She has put kits together to sell due to the huge response from her readers.  That is another project on my list for next year. 

From Scott at Blue Nickel Quilts I won some wonderful spring fabrics.  These too will be so much fun to incorporate into my sewing next year.   I guess it is never too early to start thinking about spring!!  That's my way of thinking as well.

Marlene at Kissed Quilts chose me as her winner of her ombre fabrics.  I LOVE these fabrics.  They feel fabulous and the shading is spectacular.  These will really make up nicely and be beautiful when finished.

From Because I'm Me I won some lovely coasters.  Don't the colors remind you of a tropical vacation with crystal blue waters?   They do me.  I also LOVED the little card that was enclosed with them.  It is so sweet with the button flowers, but it also has the instructions for care of the item on the back.  It is such a fabulous idea and I think I will start doing that on gifts that I make and give.

 

I did have a chance to do a little sewing with my granddaughter who wanted to make a small quilt for her parents.  She did an incredible job on it and did the FMQ by herself.  I sewed the binding on for her, but she chose the fabrics and sewed them all together on her own.  I see a budding quilter here!!!

2011 has been a great year around our home and I am looking forward to ringing in the new year with all that it has to offer.  My wish is for a very happy and blessed 2012 to each of you. 



Merry Christmas to All

I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I have actually been trying to catch up on things that need to be done around here

One thing that I am thrilled to have been able to accomplish is some sewing.  I had purchased some of the wonderful laminate fabrics before I broke my arm.  It has been in my sewing room and I was expecting that I would not get to the gifts until after Christmas.  My arm was freed up last Friday and the machine has been smoking since. 

Accomplished.....four raincoats.  Actually they are fully lined in flannel so there are really EIGHT coats!!!!  

Sewing on the laminate was a breeze.  I was really worried about it, but it went well.  The first one I used clips to hold my seams (per the directions) which were awkward, but I quickly learned that pins do not leave holes and the rest were made using pins to hold the seams.  These are Amy Butler patterns and made up easily, but I did make a few changes to the instructions when I felt I like another technique better.

We have been enjoying the Christmas season and all the fun preparations with the grandchildren.   Cookie making is always exciting especially when it appears a flour bomb has exploded in the kitchen.

We had our semi annual quilt giveaway at our December guild meeting.  Look at the stack of quilts on the table that were given to our different charities - 344 total.  As well we had stacks and stacks of pillow cases, burp cloths and bibs that went out.

We enjoyed a Christmas brunch with our son and his family last weekend. 

 As well, we have been celebrating birthdays.   We have three grandchildren with birthdays in December - one on Christmas Day. 


The buddy is asleep on it's back!!!!

I received some wonderful mail lately.  Maria sent me this darling fabric from her little corner of the world.  She does the hexie flowers each week and I think I may have to join so I can use this cute fabric in one.  Thank you so much, Maria. 

I also received a lovely star ornament kit from Paper Pieces through the Christmas Quilt Show from Sew Cal Gal.  I think these will be beautiful hanging on the tree next year. 

Connie had a giveaway of a handmade ruler holder that I won.  This was made by her husband, Builder Bob, and he did such a wonderful job on it.  It is made out of red oak and is such a nice addition to my cutting table.  I really needed one to keep my many rulers controlled.  Thank you, Connie.

I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with blessings.