We had a Pinterest Christmas

Did you?  This year, well technically last year, our family decided we would cut back a little on our Christmas presents.  Seems like every year, we spend more and more on gifts.  We ended up deciding to draw names...we drew twice so each person would have 2 gifts to open...one larger $$$ and one smaller.  For about 6 years now, we have been renting a cabin at Pigeon Forge for Thanksgiving.  Great family time and fun Black Friday Shopping!!   One night, we were back at the cabin sitting by the fire, and we all  (well, the girls) had our laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc on looking at Pinterest...I had the idea of everyone making a small gift inspired by something we found on Pinterest and swap in Dirty Santa.   It was so much fun...We will do it again next year too...I wanted all the gifts!

Carter thought Woody and Buzz needed to be included.  Sons made the sign, wine cork trivets, and framed black and white photos.   Terry made the chalkboard globe.  We found this small one at an antique mall.  I made one earlier in the summer and love mine...Carter painted the picture frame with a picture of he and Callaway.  Of course, Grandma got this one and dared anyone to take it!  One DIL made the memo board and the other one made a gift bag with our favorite dip ingredients and a bowl.  She had made brownies from a recipe she found, but wasn't happy with them...We ate them for supper, and I didn't see anything wrong with them!

I made the wreath using my boys old toys and some of my mom's Christmas ornaments,   She was so special to them.  I think each one of them had the wreath at some point in the game.   I'll make another one for the other two.   I love the photo of Callaway.  My son took it the night we did a "walk" through Tanglewood's Festival of Lights.  Think I need to drop another hint that I want one too!  

Debbie

BOM Rehab 2013

Better late than never!   Computer, yahoo, or blogger issues have been resolved so hopefully I can show my progress tonight.   With all the new BOMs creeping into my sewing room, I may need additional rehab!   One of the new BOMs that caught my eye was the sampler from Country Threads.  This surprised me because I generally don't like most sampler quilts, but I liked the variation in thesize of the blocks and the layout.   This was one that I knew I could make completely from my stash.   For a long time, I have wanted to make a neutral quilt using various shades of cream.....so...here are my first 2 blocks.....

 The print in the large star has just a touch of blue.  I plan to use this as a focus fabric throughout the quilt.  I don't know how many years this fabric has been waiting for the right project. 

I also finished the 12 inch ribbon block for my Gingerbread Joy quilt.  A couple more units to go on the 6 inch one.  Hope you don't get tired of looking at these blocks.  One of my goals is to finish this quilt this
 year.  I'm at the point where this one could easily get pushed to the side.  May need some cheerleading to keep on track!

I would love to have a quilt made with these blocks!

Join Sinta's Rehab if you think you may need extra motivation to finish all your  new 2013 BOMs. Maybe I'll see you there next week!

A New Year

Over two months have passed since I have blogged.  Whirlwind of the holidays plus a cold, bronchitis and flu really did a number on me!   This week has been the first week I have even ventured to blogland.  Just in time for all the new projects, sew-alongs, challenges, BOMs, etc.....So many I want to join in on.  I spent the majority of New Year's Day in my sewing room cleaning, sorting, inventorying projects, and actually sewing a little.   Boy, it was much needed therapy. 

I do want to back up and thank my Santa Sack Swap partner for being such a great Santa.  Sharon of Vrooman's Quilts was my partner in this fun swap organized by Cheryll of Gone Stichin   My little grandson couldn't wait to "Opening Day".  He had such a good time all year watching the bag fill with presents.   Of course I waited til he got home from preschool to open them!  

 

Here's all the goodies from the sack.  Carter carefully placed them for the photo.  I had wrapped one for him and is little sister to open too.  

 

 You can see Santa did a great job in loading his sack.  Thanks so much Sharon.  

Hopefully, this will post.  I have spent most of the night on this....issues with blogger on adding pics.....downloading Moxilla.....fighting with cookies.... Crossing my fingers as I click Publish!!!

Debbie

Hubble Hubble Toil and Trubble

Well Blogger published my title minus the text and photos and now it has disappearred!  So I will start all over.  I chose Carrie's pattern Hubble for my October Schnibbles project.  After considering several fabric options, I decided on a black and white combination.   Many many many years ago, I cut out a magazine page featuring a bedroom decorated for Halloween.   Twin beds were covered in black and white quilts and the room was decorated with orange accents.   Thought it was  about time to use that inspiration.  I used more of a creamy white than a pure white.   I played with the borders and added some applique.  I wanted a quilt I could use through Thanksgiving...not just Halloween.  My first thought was to have some pumpkins on the bottom and an Autumn or Harvest Blessing at the top, but I decided I would need something on the sides as there was a lot of "white" areas.  I thought some sunflowers would grow fine there!  Anyway...this is what I ended up with.  The pictures are not great.  It has been SO WINDY from Sandy that I couldn't get a good outside shot.  I took a few quick ones today.

 

 

 

Carter, my 4 y/o GS, drew one of the pumpkins.   I had him write his name on it and then I embroidered it.  My sweet hubby wanted to know if this was a squirrel or our cat.  Guess it could be either one!

 

 

After I appliqued the mouse, it looked like a little Sunbonnet Sue with a tail!!!

 

 

Hope everyone is having a fun and safe Halloween.

 

Debbie

 

Applique Thursday 10/11/12

How about that date!  I think I need to call it applique design Thursday.  I am designing a fall border to go on a top I just finished.   I want to have sunflowers on the sides, various pumpkins on the bottom and some autumn "wording" on top.  I have spent most of the day drawing, cutting, and positioning...I think the sunflowers will be the most challenging.   I finally found a placement  I like and I have one side ready to applique....hopefully tomorrow! 

I'm using the ribbon for my bias stem placements.    I recently finished another couple of blocks to my Gingerbread Joy BOM. 

 

 

How about some eye candy.  Recently signed up for this BOM.  I just can't resist Christmas Quilts!

Picture from  Ladybug Hill Quilts

 Linking to Applique Thursday..... Check it out! 

 

Debbie

Rehab Session

This weekend we took probably our last long beach weekend of the season, and the weather was perfect...Did a little fishing....golfing for the guys... shopping for the girls....And a great weekend to watch football and baseball...(if we don't count the Braves game!)  Anyway a great weekend with friends.  So this session of rehab was spent on applique and embroidered projects.  I almost completed another block of Gingerbread Joy and worked on some of the wording sashing strips.  We left Sunset Beach around lunch time in temps in the 80s.  By the time we got home Sunday night (made several stops at antique malls) we were in the low 50s.  Hello Fall!  Definitely quilting season and soup season.  What a great combination!

Debbie



BOM Rehab

I was able to finish a couple more blocks for my Gingerbread Joy BOM....a 12 and 6 inch Oregon Star.  When this quilt is finished, it will be a long time before I make 6 inch blocks again!!  Make sure you go to Sinta's blog to see who else spent some time in Rehab.  I sure hope she continues this next year....I've already signed up for 2 more new programs! 

The rest of the weekend was spent working on some non sewing projects around the house.  I'll share some pictures when they are completed...On Friday, we went to the Antique Show at Liberty.  I was able to find a couple of things there.   There was more quilts at this show than I remember in times past.  Several that really caught my eye but I resisted!   I'm glad we went on Friday as we had a beautiful day.  Drenching rains came on Saturday.  The "pickers" from the PBS show, Market Warriors, were coming to tape an episode on Saturday.  I'm sure they got soaked.  Can't wait to see the episode and what they purchased.  Here is one of our finds.   My husband collects anything pertaining to Gulf Oil.  We saw this big grease can...not in great condition but perfect for a fall arrangement. 

I'll be showing some of my fall quilts over the next few days.  Above is a little candle mat I made years ago. 

Debbie