Christmas is Coming!

Busy stitching.....

Sewing....

Quilting......

Card Making....

Living Life with an attitude of gratitude.......Sunny

A Great new-to-me Quilt Book!

Fiona, my sewing machine, does not like to do stipple quilting, so I took her to the sewing machine doctor today.  The ladies at the quilt store were very kind and very helpful, but what it all boils down to is Operator Error.  I got some tips on stippling, bought new needles, and some new thread.  Then I made the mistake of wandering around the store for a few minutes.  This, after I've recently sworn off buying any more fabric or books.  After all, I have enough projects to last at least a few years.  But when I saw this book, I knew I had to have it.  It's using quilt blocks instead of a diary.  The blocks are 6", and there are dozens to choose from to personalize your quilt.  There are blocks for hobbies, quilting, family, friendship, love, heritage, etc.  You can make as few or as many blocks as you choose to tell your story, and there are several setting options.  I can't wait to get started on this one!  And it's possible that I may have accidentally purchased a fat quarter bundle so I can get started right away.  I have a few small Christmas gifts to finish, but three of the next four weekends are three-day weekends for me, and there are two FNSI's this month.

No sewing today, because we had dinner guests.  And there's snow in the forecast for tomorrow.  So in addition to going to the quilt store today, I had to pick up a few groceries on the way home.  Then dh and I did the final raking of the year and planted some bulbs, cleaned house for a couple of hours, and it was time to cook dinner.  Fortunately for me, this dinner was his idea, and he helped with the cleaning and did most of the cooking.  He even planned the entire menu.  He also recorded a Celtic Thunder special on TV earlier this evening, which I'm listening to now.

If you haven't already entered my drawing for the Stocking giveaway, go HERE to enter.  The drawing will be late on December 8th, so you still have plenty of time.  International entries are most welcome.

Living life with an attitude of gratitude....Sunny

The Great Stocking Giveaway of 2010

I'm late!  Sorry, but I had my quilt club tonight, and it lasted later than normal because we had goodies to eat, and a lot more Show and Tell items than usual.  Something to do with Christmas?

One of my Show and Tell items was this stocking.  In a week, this will be on it's way to one of you, my lovely readers.  It comes with a coordinating mug rug, and a few other little surprises.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  Please tell me what one word would sum up your life in 2010.  I'm working on a journaling project for December, and this is our first assignment.  I've chosen my word, what's yours?  Please feel free to blog about this giveaway!  The more the merrier, and international entries are most welcome.

I'm a day late with my Secret Santa Swap.  I put the finishing stitches in the binding while I was at my meeting.  It will be in the mail tomorrow.  Sorry partner.

Off to cruise blogland!  Live life with an attitude of gratitude!!      Sunny

Baking, Binding, and Boyle

It's late, and I still have some sewing to do, but I wanted to check in and let you know what I've been up to.  Tomorrow night is our Quilt Club at the local quilt shop, and because it's December (!?!?!), we take goodies!  I have a pumpkin muffin recipe that I've been wanting to try, so this is the perfect opportunity. 

Funny looking muffins, you say?  Well, it turns out I no longer own any muffin tins.  And I had even bought cute Christmas baking paper cups.  I'll be heading to the kitchen store soon.

Just as I put the 'muffins' in the oven, Susan Boyle came on TV for the Lighting of the Tree special at Rockefeller Square in New York.  I heart Susan Boyle.

Then it was time to head downstairs to make some binding.  This is the first time I've cut striped fabric for binding.  After I sewed my first seam, it was obvious that I was going to have to match the stripes, so I ripped out the first seam and started over.  I think it turned out pretty well.  I guess my Secret Santa Swap partner will be the real judge!

And now I must go sew down this binding so I can get my table runner on its way to its new owner.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow to find out how you can get a chance to win this stocking and a few little goodies stuffed inside.

Living my life with an attitude of gratitude.......Sunny

Busy Weekend

My, my what a busy long weekend!  I was off work on Wednesday, so I did some sewing, cleaning, and ran some errands.  On Thursday we went to a nephew's house for an enormous feast.  We also watched Bruce Almighty, which was pretty cute. 

I'm glad I didn't have to cook for 14!  And they always send leftovers home with us, so we still had ham, salads, and cranberries on Friday.

Of course, on Friday, we went shopping.  We don't go out until late morning, when some of the madness is over.  Spent some time and some money at the mall and then at the outlets.  Then I took some packages to the Post Office, and made a quick trip to the quilt store.  Did someone say "SALE"?

I drive by this flag every day, but on this day, I just had to stop and take pictures.

On Friday night, we went to an Italian restaurant with our Dinner Club.  We meet once a month, and go to different restaurants each month.  I haven't had Italian for awhile, and really enjoyed my seafood lasagna.

On Saturday, I spent the first part of the day making sandwiches, and I'm not talking leftover turkey.

The rest of the day was spent quilting, which is where I should be right now!  I must put the finishing touches on my Secret Santa Swap piece, as well as my stocking for the Great Stocking Give Away of 2010.

And now I must get off the computer and get to work on the sewing machine.  More quilting to be done.

Until later......living my life with an attitude of gratitude......Sunny

One Two Three Flower Wednesday

One of these will be on it's way to Australia in a couple of days.

I have to use up some vacation time in the next couple of weeks, so I was off work today.  I woke up at my usual time, but I got to lay in bed for awhile instead of jumping up and into the shower.  Then I did some cleaning and organizing before I headed down to the sewing room.  I got the border on my Secret Santa Swap gift, and then realized that my plan for the backing wasn't going to work out, so off to the fabric store I went!  It was a cool but sunny and nice day, so I made sure I had my camera with me.  I stopped to get pictures of this orange bush that I've driven by a few times.

I parked around the corner, and found this bittersweet when I got out of the car.

This little guy didn't get the message that summer is over, and we're well into fall.

We have a Winter Advisory for tonight/tomorrow morning, so these may not be around much longer.

I then drove across town to photograph this little bird's next.  I found it last night while walking with a friend, but it was dark and I didn't have my camera, so I wasn't able to get a photo last night.  It's a tiny little thing, about the size of a baseball.

On the sewing front, I've been bitten by the Mug Rug craze!  I worked on one today, and have ideas for a few more.  One will be a stocking stuffer for my Great Stocking Giveaway.  You can register for the drawings on each of the participating sites between Dec 1 and Dec 8th

Tomorrow we'll go to a nephew's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  They host Thanksgiving and we host Easter each year.  We'll have a huge dinner, followed by a family-friendly movie, and then pumpkin pie.  It doesn't matter how much we eat, we're expected to have some pumpkin pie!  It's a very nice day, and we try to get home before dark if possible. 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

living my life with an attitude of gratitude.......Sunny

Weekend Results

I completed my fall wall hanging, and it's still fall! 

I also finished the binding on my Bling Thing.  I started it a couple of months ago, and I thought I was almost finished with it, but I had a lot left to do.  It's now off the UFO list.

I also made this adorable little mug rug.  Even hubby likes this, and said I should make more.  Perhaps I will.

Last on the list of finishes was a long, long overdue siggy block for a bloggy friend.  It took me a long time to decide what I wanted to do with it, and I'm pleased with the result. 

So what did you get done?  I'm off to make a hexie flower now before I head for bed.

Living life with an attitude of gratitude......Sunny



Prizes, treasures, and Friday Night sewing!

I was one of the lucky winners of the Friday Night Sew-In drawing last month, and my prize arrived a couple of days ago, just in time for another Friday Night Sew-In.  Look at these luscious fat quarters!

The colors are actually nicer than the photograph shows.

I was off work today, so I did some cleaning, sewing, organizing, and treasure hunting.  I couldn't stay in the house all day, could I?  Here are my treasures.

Have you noticed that I like linens and laces? and buttons? and jewelry?  Some of the lace is destined to end up in a quilt, as is part of one of the hankies.  And who knows what might happen with the rest of the lace.

And now, I must go whip up a batch of gingerbread to take to friends tomorrow, and then get back to some sewing!  Tomorrow I have a trip to G Street Fabrics on the agenda.  I haven't been there for several years, so I'm hoping I'll find some goodies!

living life with an attitude of gratitude......Sunny

One Flower Wednesday

My garden is growing!

Most of the fall colors are gone now, but I found this spot of color at our corner this morning.

living my life with an attitude of gratitude.......Sunny

It's almost Friday!

This is the week for Friday Night Sew-In.  And I happen to be off work on Friday, so I'll be sewing all day and all night. I've got a long list of what I'd like to accomplish.   Go to Heidi's blog if you're not already signed up.  Anyone is welcome. 

Living my life with an attitude of gratitude......Sunny