A Christmas Wish BOM

Gail Pan has offered a Christmas Wish BOM over at her sight. This is the first block. I really enjoyed stitching it; in fact I'm getting really into this hand-embroidery. I haven't added the borders yet. I think I'm going to wait until I complete the blocks and then decide the border fabrics. Check out my side bar and click on the Christmas Wish BOM for more details so you can join the fun.

January Gift of the Month

Here is a Christmas tablerunner that I completed this weekend - easy, peasy! Just some focus fabric with two borders. I quilted a cross-hatch pattern on the focus fabri and stitch in the ditch on the borders. It is my January Gift of the Month. I hope to get one more item completed this month.

Kim's Having a Give-Away

Go over check out Kim at Bitty Bits & Pieces. She is having a give-away of some of the cutest little bag w/goodies and a second gift -- a love note! All in celebration of her 100th post.

Be sure and tell her Kathy at Humble Quilter sent you.

A Tisket, A Tasket

I have taken the plunge and started the "A Tisket, A Tasket" BOM....I spent most of today handstitching around the applique using the blanket stitch with Presencia thread. I think this is going to be a really cute quilt.

Birthday Bouquet of Flowers

In a previous post, I gave you a "teaser" with a picture of this quilt on the longarm. The gift was received today, so now I can show it since it made it safely to Virginia! Here is my daughter-in-law, Patience, with her Birthday Bouquet of Flowers" quilt that I made her for her birthday. She loved it!!!!

Awards, Awards, Awards!!!!

My dear Wacky Friend, Molly, over at "Molly's Place" has just given me not one but TWO awards! I am so honored!!!!!

The first award is "Honest Scrap" (not to be confused with "crap" she says). I am to reveal 10 things about myself to you which will require me to "search my soul"......oh dear.......here goes:

1. During high school, I worked for a doctor part-time. After I graduated, he contacted me and offered to send me to nursing school and then work for him! I turned him down. I had just started to work for Shell Oil Company and was on "top of the world". I often think about that and think "how could I be so dumb?"

2. I took a few semesters of college but never finished; sometimes I wish that I did graduate, but then I also think I faired quite well in the business world even without a college education.

3. I have stared cancer in the face, fought with all my might, and am now a 5-year survivor. This experience was a life lesson that taught me how precious life is and how precious my family and friends are to me.

4. I have a friend that I've been friends with since we were toddlers. We went thru school together -- 1st grade thru graduation from high school. We worked together at Shell Oil in Houston. We went thru pregancy together; We no longer live near each other but we remain friends. We don't have a lot in common anymore (I mean hobbies, etc.) but we do cherish each other's friendship and are always there for one another -- just a phone call away.

5. I met my husband at a dance and the rest is history. We knew each other 'maybe' six weeks before we got married. In June of 2009, we will celebrate 38 years together. He is my best friend and greatest ally.

6. I consider my two sons my greatest accomplishments. They are wonderful young men and have become very successful in spite of their parents -- LOL. I consider them both gifts from God and love them both very, very much.

7. I have a strong faith in Jesus Christ and know that it is by His grace that I have made it thru some of the situations in my life.

8. I spent over a month in Europe a few years back. I never in my life thought I would ever do anything like that. I'll always cherish the memories of that trip.

9. I've wanted to go on a cruise my entire life. My husband would never go; it just didn't interest him at all. I 'finally' got to go and it was a 'quilting cruise' with eight of my dearest friends.

10. I zip-lined thru the jungles of Roatan, Honduras. I still can't believe that I did that as I am afraid of heights. I had a panic attack and truly thought I was going to die! I still can't believe I did it, but, by golly, I have a T-Shirt, pictures and witnesses -- LOL

Here we go to Award #2. I am to list five addictions:

1. Quilting

2. Blogging

3. My grandchildren

4. Reading

5. Eating too much!

Now, I must forward these awards on to five deserving folks. Have fun!

1. Teresa at Stitchin Friends

2. Jen at Cre8ative Quilter

3. Pat at A Little of This and A Little of Pat

4. Lani at The Never Ending Adventure

5. Katy at the Country Blossom

A Weekend of Sewing

What a great weekend I am having......and it's not over! I am off work tomorrow as well -- YEA!

Here are a couple of things that I've worked on. First is a picture of what is (was) loaded on the quilting machine, "Betty Jo". I would give you more detail on this project, but it is a gift and shhhhh......this person may be a reader of my blog.......sew.........I cannot talk about it. The quilt is quilted and I am in the process of stitching down the binding. I'll post completed pics later.

The following is my completed quilt for the Teeny, Tiny Squares Doll Quilt Swap. It is made of two colors and the blocks are 1-inch finished. I can't say "who" will be receiving this little quilt, but I sure do hope she likes it. I am really enjoying making these miniature quilts. I believe that it is really improving my piecing skills. I will be posting more pictures of some miniatures later on........sew, stay tuned!

It's a Blogatine!

Crazy Lani is have a Happy Blogatine Give-Away. It is going to be sew much fun. Be sure to go to her blog and check it out! Lani, you rock!

A Picture....Worth a Thousand Words

Our Town Block Swap

As promised in yesterday's post, Here are the pictures of the "Our Town" block swap that we did at this weekend's retreat. Now I have to decide to put them together. I think I'll make a few more blocks to go with these. We were supposed to have 12 blocks, but two people opted out so I still need a church and a police station.

Barn Block made by Kathleen from Mexia, TX

Flower Shop Block made by Brenda from Centerville, TX -- check out the machine embroidery and silk embroidery flowers

Railroad Station Block by Joyce, Palestine, TX



Flower Shop by Brenda of Tennessee

Hospital Block by Anna, of Centerville, TX -- Check out the machine embroidery trees and ambulance

Beauty Shop Block by Bobbie, Palestine, TX

Library Block by Kim of Crosby, TX
Sweet Shop Block by Pat, Porter TXSchool House Block by Caroloyn, Palestine, TX

Fire Station Block by Me!

Weekend Retreat

I attend a quilt retreat this weekend at the Lakeview conference center in Elkhart, Texas. This was the 10th anniversary of this retreat. My very first quilt retreat I attend was this retreat. I am still attending (in self-defense! NOT REALLY -- just kidding). It is a great group of ladies and we have lots of fun.Here is the group picture that was taken this morning. Back Row (L-R): Joyce, Brenda, Katie, Brenda, Kathleen, Bobbie. Middle Row (L-R): Susan, Kim, Kathy, Carolyn, Anna, Brenda, Carol,
Sitting (L-R): Michelle, Joan, Vicki

Each year, we choose a project to swap at the next retreat. This retreat, we swapped buildings to make a "Our Town" quilt. There were 10 swappers who participated. Watch for future posts showing pictures. This year we decided to swap homemade pin cushions for the 2010 retreat.

We had a great show 'n tell that I will talk about in a future post.

Join the Fun!

Do you want a handmade Christmas? Come join the fun at Gift of the Month.

Oh My! A Surprise for Me!

I received the nicest surprise from my friend Fran at Making Memories One Stitch at a Time from Canada. She sent this really cute Reindeer Bag with a card and candy.

Along with the bag with the card and candy, I received fat quarters and a really cute snow man pattern.

Thank you Fran!!!!!

Gift of the Month

There was enough interest in the Gift of the Month that I have created a blog so we can share our accomplishments. Terri at Purple and Paisley was very gracious and created a badge for our project.

If you would like to join in the challenge, please leave a post at Gift of the Month and make sure you include your email address. If you contacted me about being part of the challenge and did not receive an invitation to post on the Gift of the Month Blog, that means I didn't have an email address for you. Send me you addy so I can get you added.

Whew!

Whew! The Holidays were lots of fun, but I'm sure glad they are over! I'm just plain ole tired! I was off last weekend visiting family and friends out in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. I returned to work today and boy has it been busy. Of course it is the first of the month and all those reports are due.

I am ready to get some sewing done! I am going on a quilting retreat this coming weekend, so I will be getting lots done during the retreat -- I hope!

I hope all you have had a great start for the New Year!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone! I am out of town and have limited internet connection so I want to take this chance to say Happy New Year! I hope you each have many, many Blessings in 2009 and make lots of quilts.

G. o. M.

G.o.M.? What the heck you say? What does it mean??? This is something that my little feeble brain has come up with (I know that is scaring some of you!). G.o.M means "Gift of the Month"!!!! I know, I know, there is still another year before Christmas. But how many times have you said "if I had only started that sooner" or "if I only had more time"? Well, if we set a goal to make a minimum (more if you can) of one gift per month (mini quilt, pillow, table runner, coasters, etc.) by the time December 25, 2009, rolls around, you will have TWELVE gifts ready for giving (and more if you can manage more than one gift per month).

If we do this together, we can encourage each other to get it done! So what do you say? Are you up to the challenge?????

If there is enough interested, perhaps I'll start a separate blog for interested folks so we can post pictures, links, tutorials, encouragement to each other, etc. for making our gifts. Hey, maybe even a picture/icon thingy to post on our blogs.

What do You Call It????

When my husband and I were first married, he asked me to make him some "French Toast" for breakfast. Now mind you, I did not know how to cook much less some fancy French dish! I told him I didn't know how to cook that dish but if I could find a recipe, I would try to make it. He looked at me like I was crazy! He proceeded to tell me what he was talking about and I finally realized what he wanted. He wanted EGG BREAD! Why, I never in my life heard anyone call Egg Bread "French Toast".

When I was a young girl, I always spent a lot of time with my maternal grandparents, Grandma and PawPaw Busch. Every morning for breakfast she made Egg Bread. Hers was the best. She fixed 5 pieces -- 2 pieces for PawPaw, 2 pieces for me and 1 piece for her. She ate hers plain with nothing on it. PawPaw sprinkled granulated sugar on his and poured his coffee in a saucer and drank from the saucer. Of course, being a kid, I had to have sugar on mine too -- and I still eat it that way.

Egg Bread is very easy to make. Just beat eggs in a bowl (1 egg makes 2 pieces), dip a piece of bread in the egg and pan fry (in an iron skillet of course).

This is Egg Bread sprinkled with sugar -- YUMMY FOR YOUR TUMMY!!! (and your hips too "grin")

Now here is Hubby's take on Grandma's Egg Bread.......Creamy peanut butter and syrup -- YUK! YUK! YUK!

So now the question is 'WHAT DO YOU CALL IT?"

Looky Here Now--I really wasn't that good!

So, what did you get for Christmas??? Did you get something you were really wanting, needed, or just flat didn't want? LOL

Our family had a GREAT Christmas. We spent Christmas Day with our DS#1 and his family. DS and DIL cooked for us and made the day very special. We played with the three grandchildren and their new toys. DS#2 and DIL were with us in spirit as they were unable to come home for Christmas (from Virginia.)

Well, I say...I did fare well! I received a quilting charm "Bee Quilting" to wear as a pendant. I also received two charms for my charm bracelet -- a cute little bow and a pair of scissors. AND, I received a gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop -- yummy! Then I received one of those digital photo frames -- I LOVE IT! It is so cool. I got one of those electric foot massager thingys....awwwww.....feels good.....A really cute snowman to use in decorating next year, a box FULL of cute socks......lots of socks.....really cute ones with all different themes....got a scrapbooking kit......a Brighton necklace and matching earrings....a little compact Bible that fits perfectly in your purse or tote bag AND it has a darling red leather cover on it with a flower fastener. It matches my red camera case. Also got the DVD "Mama Mia". Yea! My Wacky Sisters went to see it one day and I didn't get to go. I have already watched it -- GREAT CHICK FLICK. I also got a new little puppy -- a dachshund named Toby. He is a chocolate color and is already ROTTEN! I'll be posting pics later.

Yes, I got lots of goodies, material things and I'm appreciative of each and every one. BUT, the most wonderful gift I received is knowing the real meaning of Christmas -- the birth of Jesus Chris and the gift of forgiveness. I hope that each of my friends here in the blogging world had a Blessed Christmas as well.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, The only one sleeping was Quilter's dear spouse. The Log Cabin stockings were almost completed, "Just a few stitches left, "our sweet quilter repeated, "Then I can hang them and head off to finish The pillows I'm making, fulfilling Mom's wish For something "quilty" to put on her couch", As she pricked her poor finger, our quilter yelled, "Ouch!"

....When from out in the kitchen there arose such a crashing, She sprang from her work , and she dropped all her sashing. Away to the doorway she flew like a plane, Wondering just what was happening and who she could blame. When what to her wondering eyes should appear, But Old Mrs Claus and her bag of quilt-gear.. .. ....With her elves bearing gifts, through the kitchen she came, She directed and pointed and called them by name. "Now Elna, now Pfaff, now Bernina and Viking, The Hoffman and Mumm should be just to her liking. To the sewing room - there, it's just back of the hall, Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

"My Dear," said The Claus (as she liked to be called), There really is no need to worry at all. Your projects will all be completed this night, I'm terribly sorry we gave you a fright. Sit down. Have some tea. It's relaxing, you'll see. My friends and I've come a long way to help Thee.

She thought she was dreaming, our Dear Quilter did, In fact she quite feared that she'd near' flipped her lid! But the flash of the needles and twist of the thread soon gave her to know she had nothing to dread. They spoke no more words, but went straight to their sewing. How the work went so quickly she had no way of knowing. The stitches, how tiny! The corners, how straight! This Claus-woman' s talent was awfully great. They finished the pillows, then started a quilt. Before they all knew it, the whole thing was built!

...Now old Mrs. Claus, she knew quilters real well, And she knew they'd need help on this night most of all So she said to our quilter, "Just move over, dear, I've brought my own needle. We'll get done, never fear. I told dear old Santa about what quilters do. How they plan all these projects but have other work too. So he taught me his magic for doing things fast. There, that pillow's done. Now this is the last."

They tidied their thread snips, and picked up the scraps And chased our dear quilters six cats from their laps. They left behind gingerbread (just to be nice) And the whole house smelled sweetly of Christmas and spice. As they scurried away with their thimbles still gleaming Dear Mrs. Claus paused, her cap ribbons streaming. "Merry Christmas, my dear, now just have a ball! Relax and enjoy. Happy Quilting to all!"

Note: The above was writtne by Brenda Groelz, Kathy Rockbugs, Marilyn Root, Cindy Swafford (courtesy of one of my quilting lists)