Seeds for the New Year

It's been a very good year with 18 quilts and lots of other crafty things completed. These are some of my favorites. Each of the pieces I've made has been a learning experience. I've only been back to quilting for a year, though it feels like I've been quilting all my life. In a year I've developed a distinctive style, created designs that are all my own, tackled free motion quilting and applique, and for the first time in my life collected a stash of fabric. Stash, the seeds for 2009. I'm so excited to see what grows from those seeds and what new adventures might be just around the corner.

Last January when I began this blog I posted goals for 2008. It was fun to look back at these and see how I did... pretty well except for the hand quilting...didn't do much of that at all, and that thing about finishing what I start, still working on that one!

I have to think a bit more about what my goals are for 2009, but I do know I want to start the year finishing up those ufo's. As of today I have 12 quilts in some state of unfinished. I know, 12....piecing is the most fun and basting and quilting are avoided if possible. Need to work on that in the new year too. Most of them are tops that need to be quilted. I have three basted and ready to quilt. That should be a good start for 2009.

In a few days I'm going to be announcing a collaborative project idea that I've been considering for a few months. I would love to have you join me. I think it will be a great way to challenge myself and it will be so much fun to do it together and support each other. How's that for a tease? Stay tuned for that announcement.

Most importantly, Happy New Year! It's been wonderful to have you with me on my quilting journey. 2009 is going to be fabulous!

What do you want to accomplish next year?

A few more mosaics to help me remember 2008.
The quilts...
The applique...
The minis...
Crafty things...
Pillows...

Bluebirds of Happiness

If Christmas lasts all year then finishing a gift today is no big deal. This is the bluebirds of happiness quilt for my mom. She did open the box Christmas morning with the quilt inside, though unfinished, I think she loved and appreciated it immediately. I'm going to deliver it to her today when I finish hand sewing the label.

I love this quilt. My mom loves bluebirds. I love my mom.

Making Christmas Last

Christmas was magical here. Family gathered, good food, warm house, twinkling lights and a visit from Santa. We simply spent time together with our friends and family and enjoyed each other.

The magic of Christmas touched me from afar as well. I was touched by the wishes from many of you and special gifts from new friends.

Beth, of Modern Jax sent me a rotating light for my silver 50’s pom tree. She had an extra and sent it to me when she read I didn’t have one. We have enjoyed our tree so much more this year. Thank you, Beth. Your generosity brought us much joy and we will think of you each year when we set up this special tree.

Michele, of Calico Daisy sent me the most beautiful pieces of redwork embroidery simply because I said I liked them. I’m almost done with the project where I’m using them. They (and Michele) deserve a post of their own. This week you’ll see them and learn more about Michele and the collaboration that she offers for all us quilters.

Terri of Purple and Paisley emailed me one day letting me know that my blog was all out of wack…lots of weird spaces and pictures and text not in the right places. I’m a blog novice, so I didn’t have a clue. Isn’t it great when someone cares enough to let you know when things aren’t quite right. She did it so sweetly and offered to help me. With a few emails back and forth I was able to figure things out. (at least I think so). Thanks Terri. What a great gift you gave me.

I waited obediently to open my SSCS gift. It was worth the wait. My secret santa was Catherine, otherwise known as The Quilting Canuck. I had her blog on my reader and was merrily reading her blog not knowing that she was my partner. I received a gorgeous log cabin quilt. The picture simply doesn’t do it justice. The colors are spectacular! She also gave me a needle felting kit. I’ve wanted to learn, and now I can. And then there was chocolate, but not just any old chocolate…special for me from Canada. I’m savoring those little by little. Thanks so much Catherine. I’m glad we’re already connected through our blogs. I so appreciate the time you put into this quilt for me. It will hang in my studio where I can look at it every day.

I was given a Kreativ Blogger award by Lisa of Candlelite Quilter. Thanks Lisa. You give me a gift every time you come by to visit.

Emily from Em’s Scrapbag gave me The Spirit of Christmas Award. I was thrilled. I’m supposed to list five things I love about Christmas. I’m going to let the lyrics from one of my favorite Christmas songs say it for me.

Old City Bar by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra

“If you want to arrange it, this world you can change it.
If we could somehow… make this Christmas thing last.
By helping a neighbor, or even a stranger.
To know who needs help, you need only just ask.”

I’m not very good at the whole awards thing, but I would love to honor these ladies with the Spirit of Christmas award. These are the types of acts that will make Christmas last all year long, stay in our hearts and enter the hearts of others.

Beth of Modern Jax
Michele of Calico Daisy
Catherine of the Quilting Canuck
Lisa of Candlelite Quilter
Emily of Em’s Scrapbag
Terri of Purple and Paisley

Let's make this Christmas thing last.

It's a Top

Step 1 done...it's a top. Now I have to stay focused and get the back pieced, baste and quilt the darn thing. I do love it. The quilt is made very much like this one. Each block is unique. I love how the randomness draws me in to look at each block as well as how the fabric ties it all together.

The fabric is so gorgeous. So many have asked what it is and where I got it. It's "Feathered Friends" by Wendy Slotboom. I got most of mine from Contemporary Cloth and some from etsy. The birds are the most beautiful blues and there is a dash of green, this wonderful buttery yellow and barn red. It's happy fabric too.
This is my favorite block. I'm imagining daddy bird in an intense, extended discussion with mom about the benefits of an empty nest as the flighty teen zips out to an unknown destination.
Thought you might like to see these finished and warm and crinkly. I have so much to share, cookie recipes, fabulous mail, awards to acknowledge, blogs to read (I miss you all!), but it will have to wait....I have a quilt to finish.
I want to win this! You all know I'm trying to be crafty, creative and FIT. You should go enter too. Though I really want to win. Picture me in my tv room wii fitting all over the place.

Holiday Preparations Continue

If I were a cookie, I would want to live here. The cookie boxes are Martha Stewart that I found at Wal-mart. I'm in the middle of making hundreds of special cookies from my great grandmother's recipe. I'll share those when they are snuggled in these boxes and ready for giving.
This block is for Nadia in my Common Threads virtual quilting bee group. I wanted to get it done before Christmas so I set aside Saturday morning. She said make a block you love so I combined my fav blocks, pinwheels and a log cabin. She also said she loved embroidery...honestly I tried, but I decided my embroidery is not yet ready for public consumption, so I did a bit of applique. I think it's cute. Loved her fabric choices. I do hope she likes it.

I know I must be nuts, but maybe I can start and finish a quilt out of these fabrics for a Christmas present. When you find perfect fabric for that special person, it's hard to resist. I'm going to give it my best.

A Colorful Christmas

The colorwheel quilt has taken its place in my studio. I'm pleased with it. Learned a bunch about piecing a dresden plate and applique to apply to the next ones. I have a quilt idea in my head using these. That's for the new year.
I'm in full gift production mode these days. Can't show much, but since my neighbor doesn't read my blog I can show her gift. I wanted to make a little something for Catherine. She's in her 80's and a native Strawberry Hill resident. Native means that her family has been on the hill for generations. She was the first "native" to welcome us to the neighborhood (with some skepticism at first). But when she figured out we were a good addition to the neighborhood, we have become fast friends. She shares her bountiful crop of basil and tomatoes from her garden and we provide her lots of entertainment. She watches all the teens come and go from my house, in fact, she keeps an eye on all our comings and goings. I came up with this simple design for her. She may get this one, or maybe she would like one of the ones in the more traditional colors? Last year I gave her a little package of baked goods. She had tears in her eyes. She doesn't have many friends left and her family is far away. I'm sure when I bring it to her tomorrow, we'll have tea and hours of conversation. I love to listen to her tell stories of the neighborhood.

After doing the little tablerunner for my mom, I came up with a new version, but instead of houses....trees. As you know, I'm a bit obsessed with trees. I like it...has that sense of whimsy that I love. I think the possibilities are endless. Don't you love endless possibilities?

We've been dealing with some illness here. Fudge has the right idea, relax and let your body heal. Sweet dreams...good for the body, good for the soul.

Productive Mishaps

Friday night was a productive night and then the sewing genie stopping smiling on me. I had a tough weekend of sewing. I started on my colorwheel quilt on Friday night. I finished quilting it and I was so happy until I saw the center circle. The dense quilting there highlighted a problem I didn't notice earlier. The color wedges showed through the center circle in a VERY distracting way. I was going to live with it, but decided that I simply couldn't. I had to rip out all the quilting...take the whole thing apart to trim under the center circle. The center circle had to be remade, reappliqued...I have essentially made this quilt twice. I'm finished quilting again and have the binding left to do. I think I'll be glad I did it over. Pictures soon, I hope.

Then I started on the quilting and binding for these little Christmas quilts. In the middle of pressing I dumped my coffee and ruined all the binding(it was originally white with red polka dots). I did manage to finish them, though.












I turned this orphan block into a table topper. I thought it might turn out to be a pillow, but the last thing I need around here is another pillow. This will be fun on the kitchen table in the spring. Doesn't it say spring to you?

















I have some thank you's today. I won giveaways at Doris's blog, Threads of Conversation and Sherri's blog, A Quilting Life. Doris sent me that lovely stack of blue fabric. That's some fabric goodness! Thanks Doris! Sherri sent me this cute basket and two potholders. The potholders are in use in the kitchen (so much better than my nasty black ones) and I use the basket in my sewing room. Thanks Sherri, they are so great and I use them both every day! Lastly Lisa Boyer of Dorky Homemade quilts sent me this gorgeous Hawaiian fabric as a thank you. She won my little quilty neighborhood. Thanks Lisa, the fabric is fab!

A "fun alert" for all of you. Nanette, of Freda's Hive is celebrating her one year blogging anniversary. She's celebrating all week long. Be sure and check her out. She has the most gorgeous fabric collection and wonderful patterns to buy and her blog is such a happy, inspiration filled place. Head on over and say hi and congratulations.

Festival of Trees

Thanks so much for participating in my little giveaway. I had so much fun reading your guesses. Some of you thought 9 was a crazy big guess. Just you wait! Without further ado, I give you the festival of trees!

I got my first tree as a college student. I still have that one. College was a long time ago and I've been collecting ever since. Each tree has a story and is a Christmas memory. I don't put them all out every year. And I don't have a big house, just lots of Christmas spirit! Let's start outside.

the front porch - a lighted tree to welcome folks to the house

my studio - a feather tree with my vintage shiny brite ornaments

hubby's office - a birch bark tree to remind him of his Wisconsin roots

the landing - a pipe cleaner tree

the bedroom - a shiny 50's pom tree with my collection of Polonaise glass ornaments

the kitchen - 3 Swedish trees, a winterberry tree for the table and 3 trees to shade baby Jesus

the living room - 3 sparkly trees on the mantle, 3 miniature blue spruces, my red glitter tree, a silver branch tree for special ornaments, a mercury glass tree, a bottle brush tree, 2 pink and green bottlebrush trees, a sparkly tree for my miniature santa ornaments and a tree to lead you down the hall

the family room - a white feather tree for the kids' handmade ornaments, and finally the mother of them all, a nine foot live Frasier fir for all of the family ornaments.

adding it up:
front porch 1
my studio 1
hubby's office 1
bedroom 1
landing 1
kitchen 7
living room 14
family room 2
still packed away ?

total Christmas trees 28

Only 2 people out of over 300 guessed the correct number of 28. The first person to guess correctly was Meredith, so the little quilt is yours. Please let me know which little quilt you would like. Cygnetsmall also guessed correctly so you win a fabric bundle. The other fabric bundle winners are those who guessed either 27 or 29. I chose you in the order of your comments. The other fabric bundle winners are: 3inunder3, Mommyshome, Anonymous (Chris), Kelly, and Sara. Please send me your snail mail addresses and I will get all the packages in the mail on Monday. Chris, I don't have a way to contact you so if I don't hear from you by Sunday evening I'll pick the next person on the list. Thanks for helping me have a little holiday fun! I hope you had fun too.





















































































































Oooh wait, hold the phone. There is one more giveaway happening here. For all of you who left a comment on this post to help me with my redwork quilt, I did the random number thingy and the winner is #31, Michelle of Michelle Sews. Congrats Michelle. Please send me your address and I'll mail your little Christmas surprise on Monday too. Want to see it now? Nah, it's Christmas, you'll have to wait till Santa (your jolly postman) brings it to you! Congrats and Merry Christmas!