Happy New Year !

Happy New Year! Looking back I can see how wonderful, busy and creative this past year was .  Most of the early part of the year for me was taken up making No Squirrels Allowed, a wedding quilt for my niece. Her bridal shower and wedding were highlights of the spring, followed by a 85th birthday family party for the mater. During the summer I got busy and made some artsy pictures for the blog - yes, you'll see some this winter ... and I made up some teacup bird feeders for the garden. In the fall I made purses - 5 to be precise, and numerous (at least a dozen) purse covers. I took a wonderful spinning 4 patch workshop in the fall which turned into 2 lap quilts for the mater and father's partner, and a lovely table runner given to an aunt. I also ventured into the Lil Twister territory and practiced my machine quilting on that! Throughout the year I visited the pater several times helping him with his computer. He's still  digitizing family pictures, hence you'll see some childhood pics of me in the collage :) All in all it has been another great year, here's hoping 2013 is just as great!

Happy Holidays to all my friends in blogland . Here's a pic of my wee tree. I know lots of  people don't bother anymore, but personally I can't get into the spirit unless I put up my tree. It's not that big an effort and really helps my holiday mood. How about you? So far this "vacation" has been different. I took an extra week off, yeah, and it's a good thing. The pater had a wee spell in the hospital, but all is well now. I'll be over there Christmas eve to spend some time with them, apparently we'll be playing Crokinole! I haven't played it in years, hope my fingers hold up :)

Last week was busy ... our stitch-n-bitch group got together for our third annual potluck. June kindly hosts this, and she sets a lovely table. Unfortunately I was not well placed and I guess I was concentrating on eating all the delicious food. Sorry ladies, I did not get enough pics!! Here's Deb, and Mibs (with the wine) and Susan. All in all there were 11 of us and the potluck was a success! I made my now famous Candy Cane cake, my third for December! I'll not make another for a very long time!

We did a secret Santa gift exchange and fun was had by all! I'm so lucky to have such as great group of friends. Thanks ladies :) Yesterday I finished off my "cleanup" chores, by sorting and filing away my scraps from this fall. I'm all ready for a new year of quilting, but still undecided as to what project to start. You know how it is ... so many interesting, challenging and fun projects and not enough time! Guess I'll have to try them all .

TTFN and be of good cheer,

Inspiration ....

I realized as I was wrapping my holiday gifts that I didn't show you the last of the purse covers. I really like 

this brown/turquoise paisley fabric. And here is the reverse side! Ive used this floral before, for summer purses. This time it goes with a dark brown purse. Hope the recipient likes it :) .....
Since we are a divided family, I've already had one holiday gift exchange. Timely for me as the $ given were quickly spent yesterday at our local quilt fabric store, Cornerstone Quilts, which was having a sale! Yeah - sales are GOOOD.

I haven't felt like sewing/quilting lately. Instead I have been going thru all my Q magazines and printouts, sorting and tossing out, and in general getting inspired for the new year. Anyway, look what I found!  This is a semi quilt top made from left over blocks from a cobblestone workshop approximately 3-4 years ago. After the quilt was done I  randomly put the left over blocks together. Periodically I would dig it out and add a border or two. Anyway, I have finally decided who I should give this to, and how I would like to finish it up .... so off the the Q store for some fabric to add 2-3 more borders, or possibly some more blocks then a border or two, who knows! I'm improvising ;) Wish me luck ...
TTFN

Do Cats Fart?

She looks totally innocent, right?  Well, I have to say she's not - Phew!!!! I haven't been doing much quilting lately. Just vegging out under a vintage quilt watching, err sleeping in front of the boob tube. Sweetie Pie, aka Iris, sleeping on my lap, keeping me warm and farting in my face. What the heck! Well, this has got to stop! So instead I'm renovating my blog .... new background, and changing over my blog roll into a blog list. Bear with me as I do all this editing. :)
TTFN