Merry Christmas to all

Santa's coming.....the age old belief of children young and old.  He brings with him the reminder to be caring, mindful, and kind to those around us.  I believe in Santa.  Or rather, I believe in the spirit of Santa.  He reminds me what the season is about.  It's not about the gifts under the tree.  It's not about a jolly man in a red suit.  It's about faith, family, friends, and forgiveness.  If I stay still and ponder these things, it becomes clear that it's all about Christ.  The caring for those less fortunate; the sharing of what we have with those who are in need; the loving of all mankind.  This is what this time of year brings to me.  He is the reason for the season.  Let us be mindful of those around us.  Enjoy your families and friends.  Live as Christ has lived and still lives.  May all the blessings of the season surround you each and every day.

Naughty or Nice

We had our potluck soup day at work this week and the Naughty or Nice quilt was won by Bonnie.  She's a great gal and I am glad that she was the lucky one to win the Christmas quilt.  It's always nice to share lunch goodies with your co-workers and share a smile or two.  Especially if the day has been a bit difficult at work.  This season, the Christmas season, truly does make me appreciate the good people around me and reminds me to be patient with those who seem to enjoy making the day less bright.  So here's to all of you who bring light and joy into lives around you.  You know who you are.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  May God Bless you each and every day.

Quilting is such great fun

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I don't think I am going to piece another quilt until after the Christmas holidays.  Now that doesn't mean that I won't be thinking about the next quilt.  There's always a design going through my mind.  Whether it's one I want to design myself or a pattern in one of the quilting magazines, there is always a next project in my mind.  My mind is really working overtime this week.  You see I just received my new strip die cutters from Accuquilt this week.  Oh my!  I bought the 2 1/2" and 4" strip dies.  I use the 2 1/2" strips on all my bindings and with all of the jelly roll patterns out there I may be constantly in quilting mode this coming year.  I hope you all have a great day.  Let's all be aware of those around us who are in need.  Share your smile, your love, and your bright spirit today.  Enjoy the journey!

Naughty or Nice

I had to play with some of the flannel that I bought at Joann's Fabric the day after Thanksgiving.  By cutting out the stocking shapes with my Accuquilt die cutter this took me almost no time at all.  What great fun I had.  It is a simple pattern I designed and I finished quilting it last night.  Now it feels like the holiday season.  I don't know how I got so behind in making a Christmas quilt.  I am usually done with one before Thanksgiving.  Anyway, let's all begin this week in good spirits.  Share a smile or just nod at someone today and see what happens.  Keep enjoying the season and have joy in the journey. 

Deer Days

Finally finished the last in the series of deer panel quilts.  This makes number 4.  I called it "Deer Days".  I used lots of flannel to surround the cotton panels and used flannel for the backing.  This will be a nice quilt to snuggle with.  The machine quilting was fun too.  I actually did deer pantograms on the top and bottom borders.  Lots of swirls and loops in the body of the quilt.  It was a fun quilt to play with the machine quilting on.  Hope you all find joy in what you do.  Share your talents with those around you.  Always be thankful for what you have and for those who share your life.

Day After Thanksgiving Sale

This morning my daughter in law and I arose at 4 am to get ready to stand in line for the Joann's Fabric Day After Thanksgiving Day sale.  We have done this before and always end up with great flannel and fabric.  This morning her oldest son decided to get up with us and spent the morning standing in line waiting for the doors to open at 6 am; pushing carts; gathering his favorite prints for PJ's and quilts; and helping others around us move their carts and fabrics.  It was a great day!  We enjoyed each other's company, got tons of fab fabric and notions, and then had lunch from Carl's Jr.  I am thankful to have such wonderful people in my life.  I hope you all took time to think of those who enrich your lives in so many ways.  Happy Thanksgiving to all.  By the way, I am still machine quilting the final deer quilt.  Hope to have it done soon.  Christmas awaits.

Still Quilting

This month has been a busy one but I have still managed to put in some sewing.  I have another deer top ready to quilt.  However, I accepted a commission to quilt 2 full size quilts for a co-worker.  She made beautiful cross stitch blocks and her friend pieced the tops.  I have had to make the backing, machine quilt, and hand sew the binding on.  I have one finished and the second one is pinned and ready to machine quilt.  I hope you all enjoy this time of year and take a moment to give thanks for all that you have.

Four Bucks

I am still trying to use the last of my deer panel fabric.  I used some of my stash flannel with the deer squares from the panel.  I love the bright green Timeless Treasures flannel.  It really makes the quilt "pop".  The name of the quilt is "Four Bucks".  I have one more deer panel to use and am actually in the process of making a similar pattern to this one.  Machine quilted with free motion meadering stitch.  Hope you all enjoy the fall season as much as I do.  Enjoy the journey!

My new Brother PQ1500 machine!

 

 

I had a great time making these quilts using various fat quarters, yardage, and scraps.  The "Hope Blooms" quilt was made using my Accuquilt die cutting machine and my Brother PE150 embroidery machine.  I chose one of the Lace patterns to embroider the floral design on the white blocks.  I chose a bright orange and purple fabric for the borders.  Yes, I seem to love the bright fabrics.  The small pink quilt utilized fabric I bought from a yard sale and have used in other quilt projects.  Again, I used my Accuquilt die cutter to cut small and large squares.  The prairie points were a natural edging to use some of the extra small squares.  I chose these two quilts to practice my machine quilting with my new Brother PQ1500 sewing machine.  I used the walking foot and did random lines on the small pink quilt.  The free motion foot was a breeze to use on the Hope Blooms quilt.  I meadered with circles and flowers.  I was lucky enough to buy the machine from a small quilt store in St. George Utah - Quilt & Sew.  The owner was very kind over the past few months in trying to get a machine in for me.  She also sold it to me at the original quoted price (what a bargain!).  With the wild month we have had, quilting has made my days and evenings more creative and calming.  I hope all of you enjoy the journey each and every day.

Finding Service Projects

I have been contemplating how I can use my quilting skills to benefit others.  There are local shelters, hospitals, half way houses, humanitarian projects, and other needy organizations.  I am going to try to be more giving this year.  There are those who have had such a great impact on my life, some of whom are no longer with us, that I want to honor them and their memory.  I hope some of you will be able to find someone who needs the gift of your talents, whatever they may be (we all have some kind of talent).  Imagine what a wonderful influence we can have on those around us.  Keep enjoying the journey.