Ready for 2012

I get very excited each time the new year rolls around. It's a fresh start on making things better, getting organized, finishing those UFOs, etc. This feeling usually doesn't make it through the month of January, but I enjoy the days that are hopeful.

Yesterday, I finally caught up with my blog readings. (over 2500 posts) I didn't leave many comments, but Sunday is a new year!

I'm cutting fabrics to make some DNP quilts in 2012. That pattern is wonderful with novelty prints.

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Buttons & More

This adorable, button bouquet was made by my talented cousin, Mary. I am the lucky recipient.

My talented friend, Helen, made this gorgeous towel for me.

And my talented sister, Connie, made this pretty poinsettia pin for me.

Christmas Gifts Done

No, that doesn't mean I have finished my shopping and wrapped all of the gifts. It does mean that Helen, Connie and I have each finished our Christmas Gifts tops. This is the pattern that LuAnn from Loose Threads so kindly wrote the directions for using a charm pack instead of the layer cake. We finished the blocks in Shipshewana and put the top together at our December 'Sleep At Home' retreat. Thanks again, LuAnn. We had lots of fun making these together.

Sunday

It's been a busy week-end. Friday started out with Clothesline Club and then Quilt Red's Christmas party. The theme for CC was yo-yos.

Friday evening was the Fantastic Friday Christmas Party. (more good food) At each table was a Christmas fat quarter, a charm and some candy. I finished the present quilt that LuAnn at Loose Threads kindly gave directions for on her blog here. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and an evening of sewing or knitting.

Have you seen those ruffled scarves? It's almost impossible around here to get the yarn to make them. Luckily, I secured a few skeins while in Shipshewana last month. (and I don't even knit)

Yesterday, I finished the applique for my snowmen noses. Now it's ready to baste and quilt.

And tonight was our Christmas Concert at church. Jim and I sang in the choir and Jim also played hand bells. IMNSHO, it was a very nice concert.

Can you believe there's only two weeks until Christmas? We don't even have our tree up! Anything baked has been taken somewhere, so no progress on that front either. I'd better get busy this week.

Quilter's Knot

Reading through a few of my blog links this morning and I came across Rebecca Silbaugh from Ruby Blue Quilting Studio. She shares how-to versions of the quilter's knot for both left and right handed quilters. There are other tutorials on her blog, also.

The little, felt ornaments are ready to hang on a tree. I really enjoyed making these.

Prairie Woman's Sewing Circle

Connie and I make the quilts ahead of the meeting time for our Prairie Woman's Sewing Circle. This paper-pieced one was fun to do. Here is Connie's on the left and mine on the right. Pinned to the bottom of each quilt top are our month 2 blocks for the Cotton Club BOTM. They finish at 5". I love the fabrics used for this project.

Following PWSC, Wilma's Woolies meets at the shop. We had a work session yesterday after show and tell. I brought an ornament pattern/kit that was purchased several years ago. Now, they are all ready to stitch and one is even finished.