Whirl Into Winter Giveaway

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Find the winner on this post.

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Happy New Year! I signed up for the Whirl Into Winter Giveaway, although it sure feels like winter has been 'in' for some time. I have a pattern for a spool wallhanging called "folksy spools" and will include one yard of fabric with spools on it that you may choose to use for the borders. The quilt finishes at 39" square and would look really cute in your sewing room. You must have an email where I can reach you and the sign-up will begin at my midnight, EST, January 1, 2009. On January 15th, someone in the comment section who has an email will be chosen to receive the pattern and fabric. There are no mailing restrictions. Debi, who is organizing this event, reports at least 60 bloggers participating. Be sure to visit them and leave a comment.

SSCS Gift Sent

The clock is ticking down and soon 2008 will be a memory. It flew by so quickly! I need to step up my game for next year or I'll never get those UFOs into a finished pile.

This is the gift I sent to Peg from Happy in Quilting. It was one of the first patterns I purchased years ago when I began quilting, but I had never made it. How many can relate to that statement? After making the mini log cabins for the Broken Star top, I was in the mood for more. This pattern has always remained in my favorite pile 'to do someday' so I began. I really enjoyed making this and maybe the next one will be for me. Thanks to Peg for letting me borrow her pics as they turned out better than mine did.

When all of the presents were opened and the tree skirt was clear again, Jasper couldn't wait to claim it as his holiday bed. Annie didn't really pay much attention to the tree, but was always looking for attention.




This afternoon I have a dental appointment for a crown prep. Not my idea of a fun time.

The raffle quilt for our guild is at my house and I will quilt on that when I get home. I signed up for the Whirl into Winter give-away. I will post more about that on January 1st.

I'm enjoying seeing all of the wonderful gifts that were sent for Chooky's SSCS this year. She is featuring them in several posts on her blog.

And the Lions made history yesterday going 0-16 for the season! What a sad year for the team and the fans. I heard that Marinelli is now history as the coach, also.

SSCS Gift

I made it this year! I set my package aside when it arrived all the way from Australia and didn't open the gifts until Christmas. Look what was inside! Kris of Life at Rosemary Hill sent lots of Cadbury Chocolates to accompany this wonderful striped bag with an inside zipper. Kris also made lovely co-ordinates - a zippered pouch bag, an eyeglass holder and a little drawstring bag. The fabrics are wonderful and everything is so well made. Thank you, Kris and thank you, again, to Donna for hosting and coordinating this swap. It's a huge undertaking and she does a terrific job of it!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends!

BOM, Snow & Christmas

I really enjoyed the cute stitchery BOM that Bea at Capricorn Quilts so generously shared on her blog during the year. This is my block for December. I have stitched each month, but have two bonus blocks yet to do.


Last Saturday I made this bag and tag at my LQS, based on Abby's Treasure Bag pattern. What a fun afternoon and I came home with a finished project! I will definitely make more of these.

Today was a snow day for many workers in the area and almost all of the school children. It snowed and blowed and more is expected. Our neighbor came home from work early and couldn't find her driveway. She did unfortunately, find the ditch between our driveways. Thankfully, she wasn't hurt, but her new car has some bumper damage. This picture was taken inside my house looking through the window as the wrecker driver worked to get her car out.


My SSCS package is still tucked safely away, but the days are getting fewer until I can open it. Wonder if we will get our tree up tomorrow? Will the presents get wrapped? How about some cookies in the oven? Yes, there's still plenty to do, but I'm trying not to stress about it.

Christmas gifts & Ian Update

Yesterday was our Bee day at Jane's house. We always have a fun afternoon when we get together. Jane made a delicious chocolate pudding cake that she served still warm from the oven (we had seconds) and a cute little purse for carrying credit cards using fabric with little bees on it. Connie gave us each a card with Santa busily finishing a quilt while using Rudolph's antlers to organize his tools, and a Snowman box that held a set of Snowman salt and pepper shakers. Mary finished the cross stitching on Aunt Ruth's last project for us. Aunt Ruth never had UFOs and was working on these gifts when she died in May. She would be so happy to know that Mary not only completed the pieces, but also made us Aunt Ruth's delicious molasses cookies in the shape of thread spools. I made cross stitch ornaments for each of the girls and gave them a Quilter's Chocolate tin (dark chocolate).




Today the mail brought a wonderful surprise all the way from Brazil. Beth made me a wonderful tea cozy. She also sent several fabrics and a bracelet made from the leaf of a palm tree called 'Buriti' from the Amazon. Isn't it beautiful? Beth was one of people who signed up for my PIF last year. She also has a gorgeous cat, named Bilbo, that could be Jasper's twin.

Ian saw the eye doctor and trauma specialist yesterday. He was given good reports from both doctors. He does have some nerve damage, but it shouldn't be permanent. He can now sing, play his trombone and practice free throw shots for basketball. No scrimmages, though. Thank you to all who sent good wishes for Ian.

SSCS Package & Bee Sew Whimsical Swap

My Christmas card and ornament package from the Bee Sew Whimsical Honeypot Christmas swap has arrived. Isn't this a cute angel? It has wonderful blanket stitching all around. Thank you very much, Sharon (no blog).

My card and ornament were mailed without me taking a photo. I hope the recipient will share one when she gets it.

This morning a package with a SSCS Alert came all the way from Australia. I haven't opened it and will try to be good.

Kari called this morning to tell us that our 11 year old grandson, Ian, fell at school yesterday and broke three bones in his face (tripod fracture). He can't sing in choir, play sports, play his trombone, or even blow his nose. He needs to see a pediatric facial trauma specialist next week and the eye doctor. He also has one good black eye. Being a trooper, he commented to his mom, "I can still use the computer!"

Swaps

My first two swaps have been sent out with one being received. Lorraine was my recipient for the Polka Dot & Rick Rack swap. I made her a project bag with pet screen and made the rick rack with polka dot fabric. Lorraine loves to stitch so I sent a collection of DMC variegated floss and a thimble note pad.
My package for the SSCS was mailed on November 26th, but it has a long way to go. I hope it has a safe trip.

The last two pictures are the DNP tops that I made at the DJ Retreat in Shipshewana. Wednesday I will take them to UGRR sewing and they will be layered, birthed and tied.