Happy New Year!

Thank you for the Christmas wishes - we had a wonderful day! I spent a few days before and after Christmas nursing a head cold but it's finally clearing out.

I'm here to wish you and yours the very best in the new year. I hope that 2010 will be full of everything wonderful and delightful.

Personally and outside our home 2009 has been challenging for many. My family and I are very happy to see 2009 coming to an end and have high hopes for new beginnings in 2010. I could go on and on about the distress and challenges we faced in 2009 but that wouldn't change anything and only fill me with negative feelings. Sigh!

I try to choose a word every year that I carry in my heart and mind. In 2010 I want to focus on two words..... "Gratitude & Generosity".

I'll be back tomorrow, January 1, 2010 to issue a small challenge. I hope you'll check back with me.

I'm very grateful for your visits and comments! Thank you!

In Friendship and Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!

In Friendship!

Happy Birthday, Mary!!!!!!

Please visit Mary at Quilt Hollow to wish her a happy birthday!!!

Christmas Surprise!

This Christmas Surprise arrived last week from Mary at Quilt Hollow! This little quilt will look adorable in my home; Mary remembered that my favorite colors are red & blue - PERFECT!

Mary, thank you so much for your incredible generosity - you've made my heart smile.

Christmas is coming whether or not we're ready! LOL! Don't stress, enjoy the season.

Thank you for stopping by to visit - come again!

In Friendship!

Dear Santa,

It has come to my attention that you have Elves assigned to The Fat Quarter Shop and they will pay attention to my wishes for Christmas.

My biggest wish is that all my bloggy friends receive everything their hearts desire.

I have very simple wants and wishes and would be very happy with a few Moda precuts (I love Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, Honey Buns, etc).

One of my desires is Civil War Homefront by Barbara Brackman for Moda - it's YUMMY!!!

I've tried to be a very good girl all year but please bear in mind that I Can Explain! :-)

Thank you for visiting my blog Santa and I remain.....

In Friendship!

A Heartbreaking Day

:-(

These Gingher embroidery scissors were a Christmas gift from my Dad in 1987. My parents were divorced when I was a baby and I didn't have a relationship with my Dad until my daughter was born. I'm sure there were gifts from him as I was growing up but these scissors mean the world to me because he really encouraged my love of sewing and such. I love scissors and have a delightful collection but these have been near and dear to me.

Oh the memories! They have been with me through many handwork projects - the silver is worn off in the fingers holes and that makes me smile. :-)

I didn't cry but I wanted to - why? Yesterday I was moving my stitchery project and the scissors slid off my hoop and hit my tile floor - they are ruined - one tip is bent! Huge sigh!!!!

I plan to put them away in a special box with a note in hopes that one day my daughter will find them and realize that my Dad and I are smiling down on her. :-


I will look through my collection of scissors and start making memories with a new pair. :-)

Thank you for letting me share about my heartbreak.

In Friendship!

The Sweetest Things

Recovering from the Ornament Exchange Party, a little shopping, enjoying our colder temps and a little stitching will account for happenings the past week.

I finished my Holly Jolly Cameos quilt top the week before the ornament party but I haven't quilted it yet. Why? Well, I love it but I want to 'age' it. I think it would look wonderful with a coffee and/or tea aging. I'm not sure how to do it - should I age it before or after it's quilted, would you just spray it with a mix or would you dunk the whole thing in a mix? Help!!!!




Sweet package arrived from Carrie at A Passion for Applique. I was instantly in love with the tissue wrapping paper, the tag, and tiny ric-rac. :-)


And, when I opened it I discovered an adorable embroidered, felted wool mitten filled with more tiny ric-rac and a candy cane. There was a fat quarter of red fabric (she remembered that I love red) and chocolate. Carrie, thank you so much for your thoughtful gift.



Another sweet! Years ago we discovered that all of our Christmas decorations and such had been stolen. I won't bore you with that story again this year! I did lose some collections - Santas, ornaments, cookie jars, feather trees, etc. Every year since then we've purchased a few new things and began making new memories. It was difficult the first couple of years but I finally moved on and we have treasures we enjoy. I discovered Thelma's blog (Cupcakes'nDaisies)recently and she showed her wonderful collection of Christmas themed cookie jars. Inspiration! Here's the first of a new collection - he makes me SMILE. :-) BTW, Thelma and I agree that we don't have to fill the jars with cookies. LOL


I've been doing a little stitching in the evenings. I'll share soon!
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These are busy days - take a few minutes to enjoy your needle and thread.
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I appreciate your visit - thank you and come again.
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In Friendship!

The Party's Over

Yes, the Christmas Ornament Exchange Party is now history but won't be forgotten. :-) We had a fabulous time and wish YOU could have been here.

Father Christmas waited and anticipated everyone's arrival.

And, Santa watched over everyone from the kitchen!

The Gingerbread Men were ready to stand guard over all the sweets.

Santa and his helpers have been busy baking cookies and such!

Father Christmas had name tags for all 29 guests!


The Snowman Tray was ready with 11 ornaments so a "Holiday Eye Spy" game could be enjoyed! They laughed, snickered & giggled while the game was played. LOL
There were three winners so the ornaments were split between them. :-)

After the "Holiday Eye Spy" game we played the planned ornament exchange game. OMG, we laughed so hard. Our guests had been instructed to bring their ornament wrapped and in a brown paper bag. The bags were passed out, their name tags and bags had been numbered so they were to verify that the numbers did not match. I wrote my version of T'was The Night Before Christmas" and basically had Santa driving through our community making lefts and rights to visit each guest. Everytime the words "LEFT"or "RIGHT" were mentioned they were to pass the bag to the left or the right. There were several times when someone either didn't have a bag or someone had two or three because lefts and rights were being confused. LOL When my story was over the passing of the bags stopped and they were to double check their numbers and make sure they didn't match! The variety of ornaments was incredible - cute, beautiful, sweet, adorable, were adjectives we kept hearing. :-)

Good food, good friends, laughs, giggles, hugs, kisses, etc were shared and enjoyed.
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I had party favors to send home with everyone - we spent Thanksgiving afternoon assembling the Chocolate Molten Cake mugs.
They had arrived with a brown paper bag and were leaving with the surprise mug in a brown paper bag. Married guests took two bags and single guests took one bag.


We spent lots of time preparing for the party and are happy to say that it was a success. They are all reserving the Monday after Thanksgiving next year so we can do it again. :-)
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In closing I'd like to add - this party would not have been such a success without the incredible support and assistance from my sweet husband, Ron. And, I need to acknowledge the help from my daughter, Kristie.
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And, now life gets back to normal and I'll continue to prepare for our family's Christmas.
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Thank you so much for visiting with me - I hope you'll come again soon!
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In Friendship!

My hope for you and yours is a safe and wonderful day of gratitude!

In Friendship!

Company's Coming

(the Elves are busy)

A couple of weeks ago I decided I wanted to have a Christmas Ornament Exchange Party! Now you must understand that this is odd for me because I have serious Hermit-like tendencies.
My sweet Ron (he's the sweet DH that's always around to help me) and I got busy making lists and plans.

First up - the invitation! I spotted these cute cards at Wal-Mart and Ron made the insert I glued inside the card. He took pieces parts from the front of the card and using his graphics knowledge put it all together for me! The RSVP's started coming fast & furious - 28 so far. Whew! LOL

Then we started working on gifts - I want everyone to leave with a Christmas gift from us to each and their significant other. I spotted a perfect gift on Terry Atkinson's blog - the Molten Chocolate Recipe made in a mug. We're going to need 50 mugs, 50 bags (made in an afternoon), the ingredients for the cake (still to come), the recipe card (notice the same cuties from the invitation), ribbon for the recipe card and ribbon to tie the bag.

And, in the same picture you'll notice we've made name tags for everyone, too. The invitation cuties are on the name tags, as well. :-)

Still to come-----party favors. I have an idea!

And, I have several games planned - of course a game for the ornament exchange; a game that involves 10 ornaments on a tray with questions about the ornaments & one other simple game. teehee!!!!

BTW, would you like to join us?

Company's coming so we must have a new Christmas quilt to hang on the quilt rack in our entry way. So, yesterday I spent the afternoon working on a new quilt. WooHoo! I fell in love with this pattern, "Cameos" by Fig Tree Designs, when Sherri showed it on her blog a while back. I knew it was a must do. The pattern calls for a Honey Bun with border & background yardage. I had a Holly Jolly Jelly Roll with some yardage so I cut the strips down to 1 1/2" and got busy! Six out of twelve blocks done and plans to make more today, maybe the other six.

I'm having so much fun with this quilt the block is fun to do! If you're looking for a different and fun project this is the one you must do! Thank you, Sherri bringing this cutie to our attention. I'm planning to make it again in some wonderful Spring fabrics after Christmas.


And, in the midst of all this I managed to finish up my Christmas Swap goodies for Simone and will have that package and other promised goodies in the mail on Tuesday!
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Yes, I have been a busy girl but I'm having a ton o'fun.
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I know that most in the U.S. are busy getting ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday but I hope that you've still found time for your needle and thread.
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Thank you for visiting with me - I love that you stop by. Come again and come often!
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In Friendship!

Wednesday Whine!

Many Wednesdays I read blogs titled "Wordless Wednesday" - well my Wednesday is Whiny!
Bear with me, I need to do this out loud for the world to read. LOL


I discovered a wonderful blog yesterday, Cath's Pennies and I'm quite smitten (I've been using that word quite a bit lately). I have fallen head over heels in love with these designs - HUGE SIGH!!! So, why am I whining? Well, because as much as I love the designs I can't make any of them - BIGGER SIGH - why(?) - I'm allergic to wool. It's not the wool fiber - it's actually the lanolin in the wool. Last Spring Kaaren from The Painted Quilt sent an adorable penny rug to me and I love it but I want more!!! LOL I want penny rugs and/or candlemats for every holiday or season.

Thank you for letting me WHINE. Sigh! LOL :-)
(walking away muttering "I wonder if I should just order a wool project and suffer with the rash & itchies?"

I hope you're finding time to play with your needle and thread - these are busy days with more ahead!

Thanks for visiting - come again very soon!

In Friendship!

A Week in Review!

(warning - very long post)

Monday - They Made Me Cry - tears of joy!!!
Started out a very hectic and stressful day but ended with me crying (actually sobbing) tears of joy.

I received a huge box full of treasures and gifts from friends in the Land of Blog. As you know my quilting mojo was missing (and I'm still struggling a bit) and I gave some very serious thought to deleting my blog (because if I'm not quilting then I have nothing to show so why keep the blog - this was my thought). Instead I chose to take a 'blogging hiatus' and did very little during that hiatus. While I was on my hiatus friends were busy making surprises for me - yes for ME! This was done in hopes that it would help me find that missing MOJO. Carol from Carol's Crafty Creations coordinated efforts with many blog friends. She collected churn dash blocks and fat quarters, assembled the large quilt, sent it to Mary at Quilt Hollow to have it secretly beautifully quilted. Carol from Brown Quilts 4 Me contributed backing fabric so the decision was made to send the fat quarters to me (love them!!!)

There was a sweet card and letter enclosed that explained everything - when I started reading I immediately started crying. And, then when I unfolded this beauty I had to sit down because I was sobbing. I couldn't believe that bloggy friends from all over the world had contributed blocks for a quilt for ME! I think these ladies know me very well - it's very ME. I was and still am very stunned. My goodness how do I thank everyone involved? I mean really - how do I thank them? But I WILL thank them!

Everyone involved sent a label so Carol sewed them together and made a BIG label. The ladies involved are: Carol (Carol's Crafty Creations), Mary (Quilt Hollow), Carol (Brown Quilts 4 Me), Nancy E (no blog but regular commenter), Kim (Creating by the Lake), Stephanie (Loft Creations), Stina (Kviltstina), Terry (Terry's Treasures), Karen (Quilts a Lot), Lori (Humble Quilts), Carrie (A Passion for Applique), Mary (Mary on Lake Pulaski), Paulette (Sweet P Quilting), Lisa (Salem Stitcher), Candace (Squash House Quilts), Wendy (Snippets of a Quilter), Cathi (Shakerwood Primitives), Kaaren (The Painted Quilt), Kim (Stillmeadow Quilting), Kelly (Charming Chatter), Michelle (Dresden Quilter), Kim (Magnolia Bay Quilts), Caryn (Pieceful Chaos), Kathy (Kathy Quilts), Karen (Log Cabin Quilter), Millie (Millie's Quilting), Katherine (Quilter Going Bananas), Jocelyn (Happy Cottage Quilter) & Sherri (A Quilting Life)

After I read all the names on the label I unfolded this cutie. I started laughing, crying & saying "oh my goodness it's a quilt for the Wabbit Daze Gang". Carol machine embroidered the wabbit laying on the carrots (can you say CUTE?)

Tuesday - I have decided to have a Christmas Ornament Exchange party later this month so I spent most of the day working on those plans. I'll share more later - cute invitation my sweet DH, Ron, made and party favors I'm working on.
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Wednesday - Veteran's Day

My DH is retired from the US Air Force and he's very involved in a veteran's association here in our community so we were both busily involved in a ceremony. I surveyed the attendees and totaled up the number of years served by vets and we have over 600 years served in our Armed Forces - isn't that awesome?
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Thursday - worked on getting my Christmas Swap package ready to go to Simone. This will be a second package - the first one never arrived. Ugh! (yes, I'm very late)
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Friday - More of the Christmas Swap package. Hopefully I'll have it in the mail by the end of the week.
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Saturday - Wide awake at 3:00 am!

After a little computer time, one cup of coffee, and my morning walk I decided to sew! WooHoo!!! I sewed practically non-stop. This was a "Quilt du Jour". LOL

I saw a sample of this quilt on Jocelyn's (Happy Cottage Quilter) blog a couple of weeks ago and knew it was a must do! This was one I cut during my cutting frenzy awhile back :-) It's "I Can't Believe It's a Beginner" by The Pattern Basket. It's made with 90% Jo Morton fabrics and a few others thrown in. It doesn't fit on my design wall very well so please excuse the wrinkles and such.

I hope that you've had a wonderful week - thank you for stopping by! Please come again and come often.
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In Friendship!
(i'll be back tomorrow to do all the links)

"Between Friends"

Do you remember this quilt - it's my own pattern and came about completely by accident a couple of years ago. I had numerous people ask me for the pattern but there was no pattern - I made this up as I went along. :-)


My friend, Carol at Brown Quilts 4 Me asked for some basic instructions. So, with instructions that were probably 'clear as mud' she created the quilt and was thrilled with it (says it's one of her favorites). She basically tested my rough instructions. LOL Lizzie asked for the pattern as well and she was able to make not one but two beautiful quilts with very basic information. Check out her blog to see pictures of "Darlene's 16 Patch".

In the meantime I've had numerous people ask me to please write the pattern. So, after many promises it's done - I made the quilt again with "Simple Abundance" by Moda and yes with lots of help from my sweet DH, Ron I have written the pattern

"Darlene's 16 Patch" is now called "Between Friends" and I am dedicating it to Carol Crago at Brown Quilts 4 Me because she was very instrumental in getting this pattern written. She tested my rough instructions and then proofed the final pattern. Carol - thank you so much for your encouragement. I need to thank Lizzie, as well, she's been incredibly encouraging. Ladies, YOU ROCK!!!

One of the first things you'll notice about the pattern is that it's Fat Quarter, Jelly Roll, Layer Cake and Charm Square friendly. I'm a huge fan of Moda fabrics and have often referred to myself as the Poster Girl for Moda LOL Do you think the Movers & Shakers at Moda will notice that my pattern can be made with so many of their precuts? I'm just a little fish in a big pond so it would surprise me if anyone notices. Big Sigh! :-)

The free pattern for "Between Friends" is available here
If the link doesn't work please send me an e-mail and I'll forward the pdf directly to you. The pattern is FREE however I hope that you'll give me credit when you use it. Thank you!
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Disclaimer: I'm not a pattern designer so please bear with me if you happen across an error in the pattern. Be gentle we tried!
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I appreciate your visits - please let me know whether or not you've opted to download our pattern. And, I'd love to see a picture when you finish the quilt.
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In Friendship!

Got Scraps?!?!?!?!

My "MOJO" is back and it's back with a vengeance :-)

When my "mojo " disappeared a designer said she might be able to help me find it - would I be interested in working on a sample or two for her. Absolutely! On Thursday I worked with "Snippets" on a sample and now I'm just waiting on border fabrics. I have to admit that I sewed and sewed and I didn't stop until I had the quilt top assembled. I was having so much fun! WooHoo!!!!

I've also worked on a project that I'll reveal later this week - a little teaser with Simple Abundance. I hope you'll be excited. :-)

Using the 100+ two inch strips that I cut during my cutting frenzy; these sweet little piles are lined up waiting to become scrappy four patches.

Scrappy 4 patches + fabulous Jo Morton red = "Moose Munch" by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co (Carrie Nelson). You won't find this pattern on Miss Rosie's web site; presently it's only available as a download from All People Quilt as a class download. I have it on very good authority (Carrie told me - teehee) that the pattern will be available in "Miss Rosie's Spice of Life" by Leisure Arts due to be released in April '10. Carrie's new book "Schnibbles Times Two" from That Patchwork Place (aka Martingale) is also due to be released in April '10 (you can preorder at Amazon)

I've been very, very bad and have not responded to your comments :-( I promise you'll hear from me very soon - I've been sewing!!! :-)

Your visits are important to me - thank you! I hope you'll visit again and often.

In Friendship!

The Journey!

I was chatting with a friend earlier this week about quilting - specifically about why we quilt. It was a short conversation and one we've had before but always enjoyable. :-)

After our chat I was quietly reflecting about the fact that we agreed that we're very passionate about quilting. Yes, it's definitely a true passion. And, it occurred to me that I took my first quilting class in October 1999 - has it really been 10 years?

I'd been a 'quilting wannabee' for years! During my Corporate America days there was a small quilt shop across the street from my office building. I remember strolling over there during many lunch hours looking and wishing I could quilt. I'd fondle fabric, leaf through books, stare at finished quilts - wishing I could quilt. I lacked the self confidence to try.

I learned to sew on my grandmother's treadle sewing machine when I very young; took home ec classes while in junior high (aka middle school); got my first Kenmore sewing machine in 1975 after the birth of my daughter Kris; took Stretch & Sew classes in the mid 70's making tons and tons of adorable outfits for said daughter and yet I didn't think I could quilt. Wishing I could quilt for many years and then in 1999 I decided it was time to learn - I was ready to take the plunge. LOL Little did I know it would be such an incredible journey!!!

It's definitely been a journey - one with many memories. :-)

Cabinets and baskets full of 100's of finished quilts.
The pile of over 100 flimsies (waiting to be quilted)
All the fabric I had to have stuffed in drawers and such (teehee)
Purchasing a couple of new sewing machines
Purchasing a Centennial edition Singer Featherweight
A trip with a friend to the Sister's Quilt Show
A trip with a friend to visit 21 quilt shops in Iowa, Minnesota & Wisconsin
A trip with a friend to the International Quilt Festival in Chicago
A trip to the quilt show in Paducah
Lots and lots of quilt classes
Quilting retreats with friends

Lots and lots of wonderful memories and a few not so wonderful. ;-)

I've asked myself over and over in recent months why I continue to quilt and could not come up with an answer..........................guess what? I've decided that it doesn't matter how many unfinished projects I have or how many flimsies are piled and waiting to be quilted or how much fabric I own - no it doesn't matter! I now have a very definite answer to my question

I quilt because it's my passion!

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Thank you for letting me share! I appreciate your visits and hope that you'll continue to visit and enjoy my journey with me.

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In Friendship!

I'm Ready!

Saturday morning I was blog stalking and tripped across a couple of quilt patterns that really spoke to me. And, I mean they spoke LOUD!!!!! :-)

I hit the road Saturday afternoon - a very long trip across town (needed a change of scenery) to do some shopping. I'll tell you about that trip in my next post - I had too much fun.

I spent ALL day Sunday cutting out four quilt tops - now I'm Ready to sew when the mood strikes. Now let's hope the mood strikes very soon. :-)

1. Remember when I told you about "Kitchen Sink" in the book Scrap Basket Surprises? I put that project aside but Sunday I finished cutting 168 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" different dark rectangles and 220 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" light rectangles.

2. A project inspired by a fellow blogger. 40 different Civil War prints
3. 100 different 2" x 21" strips - Civil War prints for a Miss Rosie pattern :-)

4. 100 different 2" x 21" strips - 30's prints for another Miss Rosie pattern. :-)

Thank you so much for sharing some of your "Quilting Mojo".

I really appreciate your visit - please again soon!

In Friendship!

Five Long Weeks!

Hello - have you missed me as much as I've missed you?

It's definitely been a very long five weeks.

During this period I've gotten quite a few e-mails from so many of you to let me know that you've been missing me - thank you, thank you, thank you! I've visited a few blogs and left a comment here and there but sadly I have not done a good job. Forgive me!

I'd love to tell you that I've been super productive but sadly that's not been the case - huge sigh! The quilting mojo is still missing in action - although there is something in the works that will hopefully help jump start it.

I wasn't completely unproductive - I did do a little stitching! This is "Homespun Santa" by Bird Brain Designs. Definitely kept me smiling. :-)


A few weeks ago I had an overwhelming desire to do some x-stitching (it was a true passion for 20 years before the quilting bug bit) I did a little digging and discovered that I'd stitched three of the shown designs but hadn't stitched the one relating to Autumn. With a happy heart I visited a local x-stitch store to pick up the needed overdyed threads. These are designs by Homespun Elegance and are called "Delivering Winter", "Delivering Spring", "Delivering Summer" and "Delivering Autumn" (this is the one I worked on). Bear in mind that I still need to attach the wooden buttons (the wheels on the carts) and a charm or two on each.

I wish I could get back to quilting but sadly the desire is simply gone! I've asked myself over and over what it would take to get back on track but can't find the answer. So many have provided some terrific suggestions but nothing has worked. BIG, BIG Sigh!!!! My sweet, incredibly supportive hubby has assured me that it will return - we'll see - it's been gone for quite awhile now. Enough said! :-)

During this time I received a sweet package from a dear blogging friend - I'll be back very, very soon to show and share! You might recall that I had some RAK's to send to friends - well I did manage to mail one but the others are still waiting. I'll try very hard to get them in the mail in a day or two.

Thank you so much for stopping by to visit with me - are you willing to send some of your quilting MOJO? Please do! LOL

In Friendship!

Extra, Extra

Read All About It!!!

Some of you already know that Darlene's quilting MOJO is gone. We're not sure if it's 'burn out or a slump' but we do know that she's not spending any time with her needle and thread.

So, since it's been more than 10 days since Darlene has posted we're here to make an official announcement.......................

This blog is officially on a hiatus until further notice.

Please feel free to e-mail Darlene at any time as we know she'd love to hear from you. She appreciates all the sweet e-mails she's received recently - keep 'em coming.

psst, psst if you can think of anything that will help us help Darlene get back to her quilting please leave a comment with your suggestion.

In Friendship,
The Wabbit Daze Gang

Needle Inspiration
(need a little inspiration)

Yesterday I spent all afternoon and evening working on this adorable project. This is Kaaren's (The Painted Quilt) First Friday Freebie. Thank you, Kaaren, for sharing your talent with the world!

I've been thinking about my September project for Kelly's Charming Girls' Quilt Club and have decided on two new projects- woohoo!


#1 This book from Kim (Magnolia Bay Quilts) , is fabulous. The timing for working on a project from this book couldn't be more perfect! Why? In the introduction to the book, Kim writes about her friend who once told her that she felt 'burdened' by her fabric collection - screeeeeech - that's exactly how I've been feeling! I've challenged myself to make a quilt called "Kitchen Sink". BTW, every pattern in this book is based on 2 1/2" strips.


#2. I have yards of this fabric - it's an oldie by Sandy Gervais called "Nature's Kalidoscope". I don't do much in Fall colors but I'd love to have a new Fall quilt to hang in my entry way. Many have asked me to write the pattern for my "16 Patch" quilt so I've challenged myself to make the quilt while writing the pattern using this fabric and matching fat quarters. :-)


I hope that you'll stop by to cheer me on with these two new challenges! I'm going to need all the cheering I can get. LOL

Thanks for stopping by and thank you especially for all your encouraging and kind words.

In Friendship with Gratitude!

The End!

Earlier this week I finished stitching the final Truly Scrumptious block - Gracie! All nine blocks have been stitched, blocks are assembled and now it's time to put the entire quilt together. Hopefully that will happen very soon.

Still no desire to sew and/or quilt - it's been several weeks since I've spent much time in my sewing room. Yes, I know, this is growing tiresome and I'm sure some are tired of hearing about it (second verse, same as the first - LOL). However, can you imagine how I feel - incredibly frustrated! I have finally figured out exactly what's bugging me and now I just have to work on getting past it.

On a happier note - all the Random Act of Kindness goodies are finished and will be hitting the mail on Tuesday. I can't wait to make others smile and hopefully put a song in their hearts'.

Are you enjoying time with your needle and thread - do a stitch or two for me.

I appreciate that you're still visiting and I hope that you'll continue to do so.

In Friendship!

Swaps & Random Acts of Kindness

I've been waiting patiently for my July Christmas Swap package to arrive! It's a delightful package from Shiree in New Zealand and worth the wait. :-) Be sure to click on the image so you can read the sweet sentiment on the bag and you know how much I love redwork and stitchery! Shiree, thank you so much for sharing your talent with me - the table topper will be wonderful on my kitchen table at Christmas. :-)


A while back I made a firm decision to stop participating in swaps - they are too stressful on me. I'm never sure about the package I'm sending - will it be enough, will be cute enough, etc. I decided to participate in this particular swap with Linda and Stephanie because it was an 'invitation only' and I felt honored to be invited. Thank you ladies! Sadly, my partner has not received the package I mailed to her - this has never happened to me. Sigh! I know it has happened to others and now I know the stress and angst you must have felt. My partner has asked me not to send a new package - she's still hoping that the package will arrive. For obvious reasons I will put a new package in the mail soon.

Now my decision to stop participating in swaps is more than firm - I'm definitely done! :-) BUT....(you knew there had to be a 'but') LOL

I don't have much desire to sew or quilt for myself so I've decided that Random Acts of Kindness (aka RAK's as Kaaren calls them) are the thing for me. :-) Maybe if I work on something for an unsuspecting friend the desire to sew something for myself will return!

These are the first four that will be headed out the door before the end of the week. You might recognize the little quilts I made with scraps of 1/2 square triangles leftover from a project. There are four little quilts but one is staying home with me. teehee! (yes I do have a selfish streak) The blue fabric with the chickens is actually the back of a small quilt that will be going far, far away - I can't show you the front right now because she might guess it's hers. LOL


In the meantime, I've continued to work on the Truly Scrumptious girls - this is Miss Scarlett and she's #8 (one to go).

I appreciate your visit and I hope that you won't give up on me!

In Friendship with gratitude!