Happy New Year - 2012

Blessings for a wonderful New Year. 

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2012 NewFO's Challenge

Oh boy, this should be fun!   I love the planning of new projects.  Choosing pattern or following ideas.   Being inspired and the excitement of a new project.  Picking out colors, fabrics and threads.  The first part of being creative, dreaming of your project.  And, sometimes changing your mind.

The best part of this challenge is we don't have to finish any projects in the month or year they were started in, but that will be my goal.  Now I may change my mind about what project(s) I'll start.  Many will be smaller quilts like wall-hangings, table-runners and some quilted bags.  There will be some larger quilts too.

My maybe NewFO's for 2012:

1.  Quilted Bag in the hoop

2.  Special Quilted Bag Sampler

3.  Watermelon Runner

4.   Autumn Table-runner & Place-mats

5.   Fourth of July Wall-hanging

6.   Oriental Quilt

Oh, so many things to make, where will this challenge take me.

What quilting project have you been wanting to start? 


Hop on over to Barbara's Cat Patches to see what every one else is planning to make start next month.


Thank you Barbara for hosting and the prizes for the NewFO's 2012 Challenge.

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Design Wall Monday - December 26, 2011

Oh dear, I want to be sewing, and I'm sad I'm not sewing.  Sweet hubby said just "Go Sew", but he doesn't do any of this tax stuff and it will still be waiting for me.  Not a fun thought!   And what is that sweet hubby doing now - making more Christmas Cookies!  OK,  DH does the majority of the cooking, and yes, he cleans the kitchen too!   I haven't wanted to deal with balancing of accounts, paying bills, filing and such.  The files are already getting full since it is close to the end of the year. But look at all of these bills, receipts and such that need to organized for December.  Generally I'm pretty good about staying up to date with these things, ugggd, but I kinda let it go this month.  So I'm biting the bullet and getting everything ready for 2012, and playing catch up today and tomorrow for the remainder of 2011.  I think I can do it in just two days.  I'd better get back at it!

What are you working on?

Go on over to Judy's Patchwork Times and see what is new on every one's design walls this week

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Stash Report - Week 52

This is it  -  the last stash report for the year.  I didn't get started with Stash Reporting until Week 22.  While I didn't do as much sewing as I wanted to during the year, I certainly did more than enough shopping.  I have a couple UFO's in progress that I've not counted fabric out for yet.  My challenge next year is to be accountable for the fabric I have purchased  and to get more sewing done.

My Secret Santa gave me a gift of twenty fat quarter fabrics.  Do I count these fabrics?  Would you?  After all they are a gift, but it is fabric coming IN.  OK, I'm counting it.   She did more than she should have.  Thank you!   Look at these pretty tropical batiks.  Aren't they wonderful - I love batiks!

And I know just the project for this fabric.  I've seen this neat bag by Bella Nonna a "Pocket Full of Rulers" #156 made up.  It uses many different decorative stitches and has lots of pockets and room for a cutting mat and project.  This will be on the new project list for me.



Stash Busting - Week 52

Added this Week: 5 yards
Added Year to Date: 267.894 yards
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date:  13.582 yards
Net Used for 2011: -254.312 yards


To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

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Christmas Time

Happy Holidays

  

I just got around to taking a few pictures of our Christmas Tree. It took us 3 days to decorate it, we took our time, lights on one day, most of the decorations on the following two days. We could have had it done in two days, but I think it was more fun not feeling like we were working at decorating. Still it is a big tree,  (twelve and one/half feet tall)  and it makes the living room look smaller.

For over fifteen years we decorated my MIL home at Christmas after her husband passed away.  It was always a really big deal for her and both  hubby and I worked at  it.  She got so much pleasure from it, we were happy to do it for her.  It got so we just didn't have time or energy, we both working full time+ jobs, to do a tree for ourselves after we did her tree and outside lights.  This is why we are enjoying our Christmas Tree every year so much.

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Souffle Au Fromage for Breakfast

Derin got up early this morning and made this yummy cheese souffle for our breakfast.   It looks like a lot of food but is full of hot air.  You should see it deflate.  When the movie "Julie & Julia" was so popular I got him Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" book.  He's made a lot of good food from this cook book.  No, he didn't try to make all 524 recipes in 365 days.  The instructions for this souffle are excellent, it does take a little time to make and bake though.  We've added other filling ingredients, like asparagus or broccoli, cooked bacon or ham and different kinds of cheeses, Asiago, Fontina, Farmers or a Cheddar.  (I say use the kind of cheese you like.) The recipe calls for 4 egg yokes and 5 whipped egg whites, we always use 5 eggs total.  The important thing is to follow the sequence and technique and you will not fail.  This souffle makes enough for 4 servings.  Pictured in a 6 cup Pyrex mixing bowl.  Now that's fancy!

Breakfast Souffle

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Stash Report - Week 51

The week flew by.  I got a little more sewing in, we are done decorating, and I let my fingers do the walking and ordered presents 'on line'.  Next year I should do my on line shopping earlier in the month as some of the things I wanted were "Sold Out".  I searched and found other gifts that will work also.

We were going to get groceries and my DH said lets stop at that big warehouse sale you've never been to.  What!!!   Now how many of you go fabric shopping with your hubbies? How many DH even suggest something like that???   Mine is very good about letting me check out quilt/fabric shops when we are traveling.  I always need to look . . .     He took me to the private sale at the Kona Bay Cotton warehouse.   The first two days the quilt guild I belong to are welcomed then that it is open to the rest of the public.  We went on the second day, I had not planned to do this.  Fabric is priced $10 per pound and about 3 1/2  to 4 yards are a pound.  So, in we went - yes, hubby came in with me "to help" he said.  As I went thru and sorted out fabrics I liked, and put fabrics back I noticed that hubby was adding to my stack with the fabric that had Koi fish and dragonflies.  I decided that was time to stop, pay and leave.  After all, we still had to buy groceries.

Stash Busting - Week 51

Added this Week:  37.5 yards
Added Year to Date: 262.894 yards
Used this Week: 2.25 yards
Used year to Date:  13.582 yards
Net Used for 2011: -249.312  yards



To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

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Blog Hop Party Winner

   

   WOW!

What Fun!

This is the first time I've hosted one of the Blog Hop Parties.  I didn't know what to expect.  It was fun and I'll do it again too.  I thought about trying to do the other giveaway hop that was running at the same time, but for a first time go at this I think one was enough.  Thank you for visiting to my blog and leaving me a sewing tip.

I had 148 wonderful sewing tips left as comments.  It was fun to read them all and see how many of us have the same favorite tip.  Great minds think alike, right?  If you are interested you can read these tips here.  

I also had 29 No-Reply comments, of the 29 comments I was able to trace back to 6 email addresses or back to a blog where I could leave a comment.  I really don't like to have to work that hard though,  and hope you will take the time to check and make sure your are not a No-Reply Blogger or will leave your email address with your comment.  See the No-Reply Bloggers Tab above for help.  Please remember if I can't reply to you, then you are a No-Reply Blogger, you can not win and there were 23 comments left I could not reply to.

Now, drum roll please, my lucky winner and her great tip is:



Congratulations

#35 - Billie K. from Texas.
http://billiebeesblog.blogspot.com/


BillieBee (billiemick) said . . .

"Read the pattern and then read it again and if you are like me read it one more time."

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Stash Report - Week 50

I wasn't going to buy anything, really I wasn't but they such a good deal I had to buy some fabric.  They had buy 1 cut of fabric and get one equal cut free including all of their half price fabrics.  So, I got half yard cuts of these cute fabrics.  I'm still working on my Halloween table runner for next year.












Stash Busting - Week 50

Added this Week: 2 yards
Added Year to Date: 225.394 yards
Used this Week: 1.333 yards
Used year to Date:  11.332 yards
Net Used for 2011: -214.062  yards


To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

 (Sorry, I didn't get linked this week, fighting off sore throat and ear infection.)

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Blog Hop Party

This is my first try at a Blog Hop Party.  Click on the link starting Saturday, December 10th and you can hop around to 241 different blogs and register to win prizes.  Good Luck to you!

My BLOG HOP PARTY is now CLOSED!

Blog Hop Party

My favorite fabric - I just love batiks.   I'll have four beautiful batik fat quarters for my prize.

    

Batik Fat Quarters

RULES

1.   To win leave me a comment about your favorite sewing, quilting or machine embroidery tip. 

2.   Please, only one comment per person.

3.   Please leave me a way to contact you. If you are a No-Reply blogger, then please leave your email address in your comment.   If I can't contact you, you WILL NOT and CAN NOT win ever.  That would be so very sad, don't you think?   If you do not know if you are No-Reply blogger then read the NO-REPLY Blogger Tab above and how to fix your No-Reply settings.

4.  This giveaway is open to everyone, including international blog hoppers.

5.   This giveaway will end on Saturday, December 17th, at 8:00 pm PST.

6.   The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 18th by 6:00 pm PST.

7.   I will use a Random Number Generator to select the winner.

After you have entered my giveaway, remember to click on the link above or HERE to take you to all of the other giveaways.   The list of links will be available Saturday morning, December 10th, shortly after midnight.   Have fun and Happy Blog Hopping!!

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Putting up the Christmas Tree

Derin getting the tree ready

Yesterday we went and picked up the Christmas Tree at the lot we purchased on Thursday.  It is 12 1/2 feet tall.  We been getting big trees for years.  The tree is really a too big for our living room but since we both enjoy our Christmas Trees so much it is OK.  These big trees are heavy and hard to handle.  It is mandatory it comes in whole but doesn't have to leave that way if necessary.  It takes us a few days to decorate it, and that's part of the fun.  One day for the lights and one or two days for the other decorations depending on how we feel.

Put poles to steady it while tying it place

New floor lamp

This is my new floor lamp in the living room. 

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Stash Report - Week 49

I was busy this week with cleaning, washing and other assorted chores this week after all the Thanksgiving holidays / weekend.  The busy week made busier with 2 Christmas parties, quilt guild,  some classes that I attended and taught.  Whew!  So much for getting any sewing done when you're having too much fun. 



Stash Busting - Week 49

Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 223.394 yards
Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 9.999 yards
Net Used for 2011: -213.395 yards


To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

Some more Show 'n Tell

We had our last Software Sampler of 2011 yesterday at Bernina Northwest.   The Joy Wall Hanging was the project using applique made in the Bernina Embroidery Software.   The  J O Y  lettering can be cut with the CutWork tool.  We are already looking forward to this program for 2012. Here are some more pictures.

Joy wall-hanging

Quilt Block with embroidery

Happy Holidays wall hanging

Made by Maxine E.

And Christmas is happening at Bernina Northwest.

  



Looking South

Looking North

Glorianne and Caitlyn



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Antique Lamp

The Monday before Thanksgiving we decided to get another lamp for the living room.  It's one of those funny rooms that has track lighting on the balcony of the sewing loft.  There is a soft lamp in the ceiling fan and an antique floor lamp from Derin's Grandmother.    But at night, especially in the winter, there is just not enough good lighting in there.  So Derin said "Why don't you look on eBay".  So I did and there wasn't much there.  Then I looked at the different lighting websites.  Nothing - I found things I thought were OK, but still not quite the right lamp.  I tried Vintage and Antique Lamps and Bingo! I found one almost exactly the same as our antique floor lamp.  It is a signed "HERCO ART, Meriden, CT"  W2-11842 floor lamp. brass and brass plated with a rich, even patina c.1940s, with four feet, three lights, and mogul bulb in a central diffuser bowl.  Has 3-way switch for arms and another for the mogul bulb.  Can make lots of light or use smaller bulbs for ambiance lighting.   (WOW - just like the other floor lamp!)  Has replacement pleated shade,  Measures 62" high by 17"  across bottom of shade.  Rewired.



After looking at the shade that was on our old lamp I knew that would also have to be replaced.  So it was all ordered.  Then they didn't have two shades the same color.  Chose another color.  Both had to be shipped special, but the dealer kept the other shade.  Spent of a week of worrying that I made good choices since it was coming from the the other side the country.  "Good grief !"  I thought every time I looked at the shipping costs.  It is here at last, and we're pleased with it. 
















 

Design Wall Monday - November 28, 2011

Ony a few seams actally got sew last week, so this is still on my design wall.   I'll get back to sewing Thursday, with Tuesday and Wednesday already scheduled with working and already a Christmas Party! 

This pattern would also be a great quick table-runner for Christmas or a Winter theme. 













What are you working on?

Go on over to Judy's Patchwork Times and see what is new on every one's design walls this week.

Stash Report - Week 48

I'm ever hopeful that I'll get more sewing done than I sometimes do.  That was the case this past week.  Although  I did get a some sewing done, I wanted to do more, but unfortunately it didn't happen.  So not enough done this week  to count any fabric out, and I didn't buy any fabric even though I was at one of my favorite fabric stores for the big Black Friday Sale.    However, I did purchase these cute decorator trunks that I can use for storage in the sewing studio.   With Thanksgiving Holiday week, and the I think the stitches in my mouth bothered me more than I expected, I think it all went pretty well.  The house looked nice, we got our baking done, made lots of good food and had a wonderful time visiting with the family over the weekend.




Stash Busting - Week 48

Added this Week:    0  yards
Added Year to Date:  223.394  yards
Used this Week:   0 yards
Used year to Date:    9.999  yards
Net Used for 2011: -213.395 yards

• To see more stash reports, head on over to Judy’s Patchwork Times.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving time brings family, friends and food together.

The holidays are here!        Let the celebrations begin.

Apple Pear Pies

Pecan with Semi-sweet Chocolate

Pumpkin Pies

Fresh Bread

Roasted Turkey

Dixie watches & hopes while we cook

At this time of year we pause again to count our blessings.  Best wishes for a bountiful Thanksgiving - - - and may God bless you with much happiness, prosperity, health and peace filled New Year.

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Works in Progress Wednesday - November 23, 2011

Charm Square pkg.
and binding & backing fabric

Crazy week with hosting Thanksgiving dinner/family weekend - but I wouldn't trade it - and trying to get some sewing done too.  I've got this cute ONE Charm package table runner in progress by Deb B.   With Deb's permission I'm taking pictures so I can post instructions on how to make it. 

Laid out and ready to be sewn together

What are you working on?







Go on over to Lee's Freshly Pieced and see what projects everyone is working on.

Design Wall Monday - November 21, 2011

We received this fat eight of pretty shades of blue (you wouldn't know it from this picture)  Robert Kaufman star fabric for our Stray Threads Block Lotto in December.  I found this pearlized looking fabric in my stash to make the 12" finished star block.  I think it looks pretty good.  Just need to have it done for December 1st.  If I'm lucky and have enough fabric, I might be able to make two blocks to turn in.



Go on over to Judy's at Patchwork Times and see what everyone else has on their design walls.