Saturday, December 31, 2011

Another one bites the dust.....

My 23rd Beyond the Cherry Tree block is complete.

It looked like this on the 27th of December.


and since it wasn't a very difficult block, I finished it up late (very late) on December 30.


Here's a couple close ups of the two different colorways for the flowers.



Block #21 is prepped as far as the freezer paper is concerned.  I will pick out my fabrics for each piece and get busy on it. 

Block #25 will be coming soon (patterns are offered up on the 10th of the month)  and then the center of this quilt can be put together.  It has been a long time coming. 

The border patterns are being offered one side a month.  I have three of those patterns, but I won't be working on them until the center is done.  Saying that, I don't feel so far behind on this quilt. 

It's been a long 29 month block of the month.  In the end, this quilt is going to be well worth it though. 

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year!



Tuesday, December 27, 2011

December 27, 2011

Wow....time is flying and I haven't had a chance with all the holiday preparations to get back in here and share a few things with you. 
First off, I have to thank Sharon for the wonderful blog prize that I won and it got here just in time for Christmas. 

This magnet (or should I say, several magnets) is such a great prize.  I for one was not able to attend the big Red and White quilt exhibit in New York, but this nearly makes up for it.  You can visit Sharon's blog here....http://grassrootsquilting.blogspot.com/  Thank you Sharon.  I feel so lucky!

For one of my gifts from one of my quilty friends (Nancy), I received the Cheryl Ann's design wall.  I put it up yesterday and thought I would try it out with my Beyond the Cherry Tree blocks.  This is what I have accomplished so far. 



I am a bit behind, but life has been a little crazy around here.  I will get caught up though.  This isn't going to be one of those quilts that gets put away indefinitely.

I, also, want to share the gift that my son made for his sister and her new husband.  It actually is a belated wedding present that he has been working on, but his life has been busy, too.


This is a maple TV cabinet.  It is his design and all made by hand.  The glass looks a little funky on the picture, but it is one of those glasses that looks like water.  He has made a few beautiful pieces of furniture and this is just his hobby.  Always good to have a man around that can produce beautiful furniture like this. 

Well, I am headed off to the sewing room today. It's been ages that I have had the time to do this, so I need to take advantage. 

If I don't get back in here, I wish every one of you a Happy New Year and may 2012 be a happy and prosperous one for all of us. 


Friday, December 16, 2011

Not too many more days until Christmas.....

So, my gal pals and I got together for our annual Christmas/mini quilt group get together.  We had such a great time chit chatting, eating and doing our show-n-tell....and best of all our gift exchange.

I thought I would share our show-n-tell with you first. 

Didn't think I would be thinking Halloween this close to Christmas, but Nancy's quilt just makes you smile and wanting to have Halloween come soon.


and she always makes such great quilts with her primary colors.



Sharon shared her great baby quilt made with shirting fabrics.



and here's the backing.



and here's one of hers that will put you in the Christmas spirit.



Love that quilt!

I served Pasta Fagioli for our luncheon.



This was the first time I made it and it was quite easy and pretty tasty, too.

I just have to share all the wonderful gifts I got, too.

My friends know me so well.



If you know me, this little ornament is SO ME!  (yeah, I can see some of you smiling right now!!)

That was from Nancy.  She, also, got me this.....little carrying case.



and what's in it is this.....



an insulated shopping bag.  I so think that I am going to keep this in my car and when the three of us go to the French Laundry (a great little restaurant) and we have half of our sandwich to take home with no cooler in the car, this will serve the purpose.  I am excited!



Nancy, also, got each of us one of these nifty, portable design walls.  She has one that we have taken on retreat and it works great!  I have as yet to put mine together, but I will be doing that very soon.

Now, Sharon, was really thinking ahead.  She is going to make sure we make plans on going to our favorite little retreat getaway.  I got a gift certificate for the place along with a great candle.



Can't wait to start making plans for this trip.

Last, but not least, I thought I would share my one and only little contribution to the show-n-tell.  I have finally completed another one of my Cherry Tree blocks, #23. (which I completed today rather than yesterday) I am a bit behind, but all is not lost.  This quilt is NOT going to get put away and forgotten.  It is going to get done....just maybe a little later than the designated BOM  schedule



I'll show you a close up as it is hard to see the light green flowers with the busier background.



Lots of little reverse applique on this block.  I am so ready to move onto the next one.  Hopefully it won't be as long as it took for me to get this one finished. 

Well, I hope you are all ready for Christmas.  My decorations are up, the gifts are wrapped, I am late on my cards, and food will start getting prepared this week.  All-in-all, it will be here before we know it and then it will be 2012. 








Sunday, December 11, 2011

Blog Giveaway

There is a blog giveaway over at Sharon's blog, but I would rather you NOT go over there because I want my chances to be better at getting this great memento from the Red and White Quilt show that was in New York this year. But...if you must, here's her website.... http://grassrootsquilting.blogspot.com/  ;D

Michigan quilters, take note

  Come see us at our first Quilter's to Quilter's sale.   Don't know what that is?  Well, it will be 28 quilters/vendors selling...