Decicions, Decisions

A little champagne and a whole pile of 4" red squares that I won several years ago brought a new year of sewing to a great start.

A lot of trimming left some nice scraps for the birds.

The neat pile left me with a lot of decisions.

I've always loved the look of a simple HST quilt, but then again......

how about a great zig zag....or

a star (oops...a misplaced one, but you get the picture).

Then again, there is this option....

and Flying Geese too.

Maybe a bigger zig zag would be nice.

There is always the classic pinwheels.  I have close to 400 of these HSTs so I hope to make a decision soon as I would like to complete it this month and participate in A Lovely Year of Finishes.  Which is your favorite?

Another insane project that has been a few years in the works is my cross stitch nativity scene.  Between the eye strain and the intense concentration required on this project, I am sure it will take me a few more years to complete.

This is what I hope it will eventually look like.

I welcome January with the new-ness that it brings.  There is so much to look forward to and dream about.

To all of you in the path of this latest artic blast, stay safe.  I vote that you just stay inside and sew instead of venturing out.

End of the Year

Another year is rapidly coming to a close.  It seems inpossible that we are saying goodbye to 2013 already. 

The last month has been so busy and we are now left with great memories.  It was hard to find time for stitching of any sort and my cutting table was in sorry shape.  Everything got dumped on top of it when I was rushing around.  Yesterday was a day for cleaning it up and getting ready for new and old projects. 

Christmas was fabulous!  This was a shot of a very full room as gift opening started. 

Nedra had showed the cutest napkin folding technique on her blog so I used it for our Christmas dinner setting.  It was quite the hit.

I did manage to finish up the newest Christmas stocking for the grandbaby born this year.

The weather for Christmas was amazing and provided us with fun outdoor entertaining.  One flower that grows really well in our area is the poinsettia.  They are all in full bloom right now and this one is at my neice's home.

I received a stunning gift from a dear friend of mine.  She is an accomplished artist and you will see her artwork in many places - LAX and cruise ships to name a few.  This is a new project that she has taken on in her journey.  These are large fabric beads (about 3" across) and can be strung on ribbons, leather or chains.  This one she put on a hand dyed silk ribbon.  She has started an Etsy shop to sell them if anyone is interested.  I cannot tell you how many compliments I have received when I have worn it. 

The little sewing that I have accomplished here has included my mini quilt for the ALQS8 swap coming up next month.  It's not too late to participate if you are interested.  I LOVE the way this swap is run and have participated in the last 4 or 5 of them.

I also completed a couple of wonky houses for Beth's annual Neighborhood Party - one for the party and one for a charity quilt she will make with them.

A couple of fun squishy packages have recently found their way into my mailbox.  These were wins from the most recent Blog Hop Party.  First off was this package of beautiful charms from Kristin at goobadesigns.

Then I received these wonderful mini metal barn quilt designs from Barbara at Cat Patches.  These have little holes so they can be attached with needle and thread if you desire to do so.  They will be fun. 

I wish all of you a wonderful upcoming year.  I will look forward to another year of amazing creativity and inspiration from all of you.   

No Room at the Inn

Over the weekend my DIL, several of the granddaughters and I went to an incredible display of Nativity sets.  Each year the local churches hold the No Room at the Inn event.  The donation fees made go to helping the homeless in our community and it is a fantastic event to visit during the Advent season.  The hundreds of nativities are all displayed by local collectors and range from simple ones to very elaborate and elegant ones.  Here are just a few that I found extra interesting.

A must have when you live near the beach. 

Loved these stamps from India.

Talk about imagination...these were all made of office supplies, cassette tapes, coil charger cords for fluffy sheep, light bulbs for heads, discs for halos, large clips for cow legs, paper clips for crowns....so fun.

LOVE the recycled paper!

From Africa

Look at the cross stitching.  WOW!!!

I found the figures so simple in this pretty set. 

Made of seed pods.

We had our big Christmas dinner here last Saturday night so the busy cooking/entertaining is done now until Christmas Eve.  So.......after doing some cleaning, I managed to slip away into my sewing haven and finish my California Sunballs quilt.  I love the way it turned out and it adds some whimsy to the Christmas decor.   I have entered it into the Quilting Gallery Christmas Quilts contest that starts Friday.

Tuesday night we went to visit Santa with one of our children's families.  I always enjoy those visits.  The facial expressions are so priceless.  What is Christmas without little believers around?  He was an awesome Santa too - real hair, beard and all and he was soooo good with the kids. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the season while maintaining your sanity as you rush to accomplish all of the things you thought you would have done last month!!!

Holiday Hullabaloo Blog Hop

Today is my day to showcase the Holiday Hullabaloo Blog Hop.   It has been  five days of fun as we prepare for Christmas.  Jacquelynne is such a talented artist  as you will see from her lovely fabrics, cards and her blog. 

Each day of the hop will have prizes - SURPRISES!  No one knows what they will be, but will be valued between $15-30.  All that you need to do is leave a comment on the bottom of this post to be entered to win   the giveaway on my blog.  Then...... be sure to visit all of the participating bloggers to have a chance to win theirs.  Also .... be sure to visit Jacquelynne's blog, The Art of Home, and leave a comment to be entered in the Grand Prize worth over $100.  You can enter each day!!! 

Monday Dec. 2 Lily Pad Quilting http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Dec. 3 Sew Cal Gal http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/

Bejeweled Quilts by Barb http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/

Wednesday Dec. 4 Upstairs Hobby Room http://upstairshobbyroom.blogspot.com/

Freemotion by the River http://www.conniekresin.com/

Thursday Dec.5 A Quilt & a Prayer http://aquiltandaprayer.blogspot.com/

Tami’s Quilting Adventure http://tamichaulk.blogspot.com/

Friday Dec. 6 Needled Mom http://needledmom.blogspot.com/

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For those who are visiting my blog for the first time, I thank you.  I am kept busy as a wife, mother, daughter and grandmother, but do try to make some time for my passion which is needlework of any kind.   This was our family picture taken last Saturday at our Thanksgiving celebration ....five children with their spouses and all 27 grandchildren. 

One of my loves is quilting and it is at this time of the year that I enjoy decorating with my Christmas quilts. 

I hope to get my snowman flimsy quilted next week so I can add that to the decor as well.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog.  Since we have our big Christmas dinner here on Saturday night, I will pick a winner on Sunday night.   Good luck in the giveaway.

Holiday Hullabaloo Blog Hop

Today marks the first day of the Holiday Hullabaloo Blog Hop.  Although my featured day is not until Dec. 6th, I am sure you will want to check out the other participating blogs throughout the week.  The schedule is as follows:

Monday Dec. 2 Lily Pad Quilting http://lilypadquilting.blogspot.com/

            Tuesday Dec. 3 Sew Cal Gal http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/
            Bejeweled Quilts by Barb http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/
            Wednesday Dec. 4 Upstairs Hobby Room http://upstairshobbyroom.blogspot.com/
            Freemotion by the River http://www.conniekresin.com/
           Thursday Dec.5 A Quilt & a Prayer http://aquiltandaprayer.blogspot.com/
           Tami’s Quilting Adventure http://tamichaulk.blogspot.com/
           Friday Dec. 6 Needled Mom http://needledmom.blogspot.com/

 

 

There will be surprise prizes each day at the participating blogs....doesn't that sound like fun?  As well, you can enter each day for the Grand Prize Giveaway worth over $100 at http://jacquelynnesteves.com/blog. 

 

 

 

If that isn't enough, Jacquelynne is also having a sale at her etsy shop during the blog hop.  I'm sure we can all find some lovely Christmas gifts there.    So....hop and have fun!!!