eq & the generosity of friends . . .

Yesterday I played around with that Christmas table topper, mentioned my color/fabric dilemma, asked for input, and got it! One dear blogger friend, Pat, from A Little of This and a Little of Pat, didn't just make suggestions, she opened up her EQ7 and did a little playing around for me!

First, she replaced the cream with a green and sent me this one:

Then, at my request, she tweaked it just a tad and sent this one back. I love this!!! The holly fabric has just a hint of gold glimmer going through it; I think it would be pretty if the green did, too. Look, it even has the binding on it!

Then she just played around with the block and sent me three alternatives:

Of the alternatives, this last one is my favorite! I didn't realize how easy/fun/handy EQ was. I've never seen it used. I'm rather fascinated by the catalog of fabrics it has in its library. I think this convinces me that I'd like to have it! I may have to adjust my birthday list! :)

Pat thank you *so* much for doing this for me! I do hope today finds you feeling better!

And my son sent me a smile. I watched Sawyer on Saturday evening when they set him down with the book -- he turns the pages and everything! What a precocious rascal he is! And a reader, to boot -- gotta love it!

Moo, moo!

:)

this , that, and the other . . .

Today was my optimum Monday. I'm off, Todd's on shift, and there's really very little that I *had* to do! Talk about a day that just feels goooooooood!

I got a load of laundry in early, but the danged dryer portion of our combo unit is not working, so there's not point in putting in a second load. I'd really wanted to have all the laundry completely caught up, but c'est la vie. I don't think I'll let it stress me. ;)

It's been a rather soft, gray day. The temps aren't too hot, though they're certainly not cool! Rain has danced all around us, but other than a very few sprinkles, I've not seen any precipitation of substance. As I type, I'm watching a doe walk up the road, like a sentinel watching the borders! The birds are busy, busy, busy this afternoon, flitting, eating and drinking.

I did head out mid-morning to get my Lissa blocks in the mail and do my weekly bookkeeping for the builder I help out. From there I headed over to have lunch with Kim & Sawyer! I didn't take any pictures because I can either hold him or take pictures of him . . . guess which I chose? LOL!!

I made some finishing progress on Sawyer's quilt, too! It's all quilted and squared up, ready for the binding!!!! Whooohoo!!

By the way, you do see the view I have while sewing, right? Sometimes it's hard not to be distracted!

My hope was to get all the binding cut, put together, on the quilt and have it ready to finish. But my foot started aching, so I decided it was time to take a foot-icing break. I did manage to get the binding cut and ready to go, though. (Although I admit it's been so long, it took me a while to figure out what I'd done with the fabric I'd set aside for the binding! Shhhhh!)

Anyway, it's all ready to go, when I'm ready to go!

I probably shouldn't tell on myself, but my quilting supplies niche has seen better days! Of course, given that I haven't really been into it for three months, and Todd moved us during that time, makes it look not *nearly* as bad as it could! This was one of the areas I had wanted to re-organize for my July/August Charming Girls goals, but being up and about still takes effort, and I'm not quite ready to tackle this yet.

On the other hand, being organized will mean I don't spend so much time hunting what I'm looking for, and will have more time for the actual doing!

I think I mentioned Saturday that I wanted to do something with Christmas fabric with the Heavenly Stars block from Quilter's Cache. Though the block is done with 2.5" strips, I'd like to make it a little bigger and use 3" squares. I'd like a single block as a table topper. I was playing around with photos of my fabric and came up with this . . . help me out here -- I *really* am set on the center star being the holly fabric, and I like the way the red borders it, but I'm not completely sold on the gold/cream print in the surrounding stars. Any thoughts?

Finished it would be 20" square. I'd probably bind it with whatever I use for the outer circle of stars.

I also finished working on a power point project for Todd. He's leading a session tomorrow evening for the Madison Baptist Association's leadership conference. I'm his wing man -- I'll do his audio/visual! He typed up his notes, and then I did the student handout and the presentation from that. He's put a lot of work into this, and it's going to be good! I'm *so* proud of my dear husband!!

So, for now, I'm off to have a cup of tea and switch out ice bags on the ol' foot. Tomorrow is my re-evaluation and I sure don't want to get bad marks! From here on out, I'll just be wildlife watching!

:)

sewing party . . .

* * * Calling it a night! * * *

Well lucky me -- I got a text from my son late this afternoon, inviting DH and I over for pizza and time with the grandbaby. Ummm, ladies, time with the grandbaby??? Sewing was *all* over! I'll have some free time tomorrow and Monday to finish up and post pictures! And probably some Sawyer pictures, too!!

I so enjoyed your company today -- have a great night, filled with visions of sugar plums!!

:)

* * * Update * * *

Three o'clock and all's well!

I've got lots of things cut; some things pinned; some things I'm still thinking about. I *can* tell you that I'm doing a little something with this pretty little block, from Quilter's Cache. I hope perhaps I'll be able to take pictures of it later.

I'm *also* doing lots of playing with this darling little tutorial, found on Prairie Moon Quilts!

I cut, stitched and pressed my blocks for Lissa, too. I'll send those off on Tuesday!

I've also had my last cup of coffee (I moved on to pomegranate iced tea, which is red, so still in the spirit), eaten a fare share of my kettle chips, and only had a bite of my Hershey bar! I've been too intent on projects, if there's still chocolate left at 3 o'clock in the afternoon! :)

* * * Original Post * * *

I do love having choices and today I've got plenty!! I mentioned last night that I wouldn't be able to necessarily discuss details, nor show finished products, but I can show my options . . .

Today's Christmas sewing may involve a little of these . . .

Or possibly a little of these . . .

And maybe even a little of this . . .

And most likely a little of these . . .

But most definitely it will include this:

Now, go check out Charming Chatter and see what everyone else is up to today!!

HO HO HO!

:)

christmas in august . . .

It's time for a . . .

Check out the Charming Chatter blog and join in the fun!

To get in the mood, I stopped by the store on my way home tonight and picked up a few things to add a little life to my party! I got my salty chips, my chocolate, and plenty of coffee mate! It may not look like much, but the ability to share this fare over the cyber-waves is endless! :)

I even bought my *favorite* flavored coffee mate -- Peppermint Mocha is not just for holidays any more! That, and my pretty Lenox Christmas tree mug, are *sure* to put me in the holiday sewing spirit!

I'm not sure how much I'll be able to share about what I'm actually sewing . . . it is Christmas, you know! (I dearly love Christmas secrets -- especially when they're mine!)

:)

Hearts snowflakes and birdies

Thank you all so much for dropping by ...

One thing and another ... I got a bit behind with my Christmas blogging. So, a little later than I'd hoped, I would love to share with you some of the really gorgeous RED cards and gifts I was given for Christmas. I do feel blessed by nice friendships and love

This fabby ATC is my Christmas card from Karen - Missy K





















This ATC was my Christmas card from Karen. I absolutely love this cutie! We also exchanged hearts in a swap. Karen made me a prim folk art heart and I know how much love went into this. It's now hanging on the front of one of my dressers - because a heart is for life not just for Christmas!

A heart made with lots of love from Karen - Missy K





















Lovely printed heart card from Chris Gray





















From Chris I received a heart card and this beautiful textile art brooch. There is a lot of work in this, so much machine and hand embroidery, tiny little stitches and beading. It's very beautiful

Beautiful textile art brooch from Chris Gray















Sharne showered me with goodies. Some of them I have already shown on my textile art blog. She made me a lovely hand printd card, a beautiful bird ornament, lots of snowflakes and charms and this wonderful bracelet made from layered buttons. It's very special!

Such a beautiful gift - a button bracelet made by Sharne for ME!











Jo showered me with goodies too. I received a lovely hand made card in winter white, a Jo Downs leaf coaster, Autumn leaf fabric, linen with a green leaf on, a book about natural fabrics, lots of ribbons, charms, threads, rusty ornaments, candles with berries, a stitched heart and an angel she had made for me ...

Lovely red skeleton leaves and hand made card from Jo
Photographed on last year's pressie - The Christmas Book













Detail

















Beautiful "White Christmas" card from Jo





















My beautiful heart with stitched birdies





















Hearts inside my dresser





















Stunningly beautiful snowflake heart made for me by Judy
















Judy screen printed this beautiful card. She loves birdies too!

Beautiful card screen printed by Judy













This week, I had two lovely "Happy New Year" surprises in the post. I received a treasured, and very personal, hand made card/letter from Pom Pom and I received "Libby Love"

"Libby Love"







A really gorgeous fabric postcard made with lots of layers, tiny stitches, french knots, beads, sequins and a beautiful snowflake

A new year surprise in the post
Fabulous snowflake ATC from Libbyquilter















A perfect one of a kind snowflake

















Libby knows I love snowflakes! I had little ones hanging on my tree made from Swarovski crystals that really sparkle and glitter

Swarovski crystal snowflake on a photo of frosted fruit














I keep my crystal snowflakes in a little box which was made from cutting and folding a Christmas card



















While all the country is experiencing the worst winter for a very long time and deep, deep snow and ice ... we had just a sprinkle a few days ago. It's hardly anything but just enough to dust everything with pretty white sparklies ...

Snowy rooftops





















I haven't ventured out much. I've been keeping warm by the fireside with choccie treats, knitting a tea cosy from a pattern Suzie gave me, making lists of things to do, "thinking" about crochet flowers (Connie) and my projects for the year ...

Birdie garland and twinkle lights





















I've left my birdie garland hanging up for the rest of the year

Lil birdies ...













This gorgeous little birdie, made for me by Cathy, was a Christmas card and an ornament all in one. I hung it on my Christmas tree and now it's in my dresser to be enjoyed for the rest of the year

believed in hope and joy





















I had lots of robins on Christmas cards. This one is special because it's from my beloved Nanny. She is 92 now and I'm so grateful to stil have her in my life

Special birdie

















A very special card from my cherished Nanny





















Well I'm all caught up now!

The week ahead ... I'm in the middle of clearing my room, making desk space, gathering materials for the first few projects on my list and updating my inspiration books

Have a really lovely weekend. Keep warm and snuggly, take care on the snow and ice!

Carolyn ♥

Season's Greetings

I hope you had a lovely Christmas!



We had a quiet one, just hubby and I, watching lots of favourite feel good films like "White Christmas" "Bridget Jones" "Down With Love" "Yanks" and "Atonement" snuggled up in front of a real fire with a tin of Quality Street between us

The tree glistened with white lights and white and silver decorations, snowflakes, angels and frosted ornies

Dreams





















The fairies I made earlier in the year went on for their debut

Love Fairy





















A couple of them flew away to Cathie and Jo ...

Heart Fairy





















Heart from Cathie

















The prim snowmen came out for their umpteenth appearance






















I tried to resist (honest!) but new decorations this year included another large berry heart. They stay out all year round






















... and this adorable little snow covered berry heart






















Hearts featured quite a lot this Christmas. I made heart cards and hearts as small gifts and received hearts back too! You can never have too many hearts made with love ...

You can see more of my hearts on my makey stitchy blog and I will have more in the next post ...

Heart for Missy K





















Heart for Jo





















I wrapped some of my little gifts in paper I painted and printed myself

For Chris


















My friends laugh at me when they come to visit my cottage ... they think it looks like Christmas all year round because I decorate with red berries and prim angels and a lot of my Christmas ornaments stay out all year round like these Santas!






















Hope you continue to enjoy the holidays. Wrap up warm and snuggly. Take care if you have to go out on the icy snow

Carolyn ♥