End of 2012...

Well here it is at last, the end of the year.  It's been a rough one for sure.

Politics the worse we have seen in a long time, but that is the way politics goes.  It's when it is bad that we find out the most about what is going on.  And I feel that is a good thing.

I am so thrilled at the birth of my grand daughter this year.  Also happy that my daughter, having graduated with her PHd, has found a job.  I have my quilting business finally started in earnest, just waiting for all those customers to beat down my door.  I am hoping that I will be turning them away by this time next year..

I have two custom quilts on the books for January, rebuilding my website and shopping cart as we speak, have lots of good stuff to sell, both new fabric on the bolt and vintage items, a wedding quilt to make, a new quilt for my Mom, drapes for daughter, diaper bag for a friend...

I don't think there is any reason to think I won't have anything to do

So whats the number for today? Everyone else thinks it is 2013 but no, it is:

~~~10,000~~~

Its been just a few days over the one year mark for my blog.. and even though I have not been very prolific, I am going to hit 10,000 page views by the end of the year..I think..we are only 42 away.

Soooo, when we hit the big number, I will be posting a fat quarter pack give-away to celebrate.

I think it will be a pack of 30s reproductions.  Won't that be fun?

It's snowing here today, and its supposed to get very cold tonight..so, I think I will have to pass on the New Year's Eve party invitation.  Just dont want to try to drive home in icy conditions at 12:30..

I am knitting a cowl for my daughter, to I think I will stay right here and try to finish it today...

Everyone have a safe and happy new year's eve..and Ill see ya next year.

Merry Christmas!

Well the sewing is all done for this year..

Oops, you weren't supposed to see that!

Now, its on to the cooking.. I have been invited to my Son's for Christmas Eve dinner and gift giving.  How did this month go by so fast?  It's tomorrow and my contributions need to be made a day in advance.  Whew, just in time.

So, this is a new dish for me.  I had it at our family reunion this fall in Alabama.  Made by my newly found cousin Sandra, it made a big hit with me.  And with all the red and green vegies, it just looks so festive.  She gave me permission to share the recipe with you, so here it is.  Now I just need a pretty dish to serve it in and Im good to go to the party....

Corn Salad

2-4 cans white corn, drained

2-4 cans Mexicorn, drained

Celery, green onion, white onion, chopped

Green, red, yellow bell peppers chopped

Cucumber chopped

Tomato chopped

Grated Cheddar Cheese

 

Combine all ingredients in a bowl,

 

Dressing

 

Mix one package dry Zesty Italian Dressing seasoning

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 cup mayonaise

pepper and garlic salt to taste

 

Mix dressing and pour over the salad, mix well and let sit overnight in the refrigerator.

 

 

This is soooo good, but it makes a LOT..so you could cut it down for serving at home.

I have had it on a bed of lettuce with dinner and it rocks..

 

It just tastes so Southern..I hope you enjoy trying it.  This one has made it to the family cookbook.

 

Now where is that pretty bowl? 

 

I sure hope everyone has a safe and joyful holiday.  Give all your family a hug and remember,

"It's not the gift but the giving"

 

 

Peace to you and yours!

 



Angel Gate Quilt, in progress

Most of the Chirstmas sewing is done..just two more small projects to go..

So I took a little break from that and sat with my pencil and paper to work a little bit on the
Angel Gate quilt. 

The Angel Gate is a commission custom quilt project that I have been working on for a little while now.  It is inspired by a photo of a gate in the shape of an Angel that is mounted in a brick wall at Bismorton Court in the Westershire, United Kingdom.

http://www.birtsmortoncourt.com/uploads/pdfs/birtsmorton_court_brochure.pdf

I have appliqued the gate onto the center of the top..

Then, I took pictures of the bedroom that will be surrounding this quilt as well as flowers in the yard.  I hope to incorporate these things into the finished piece.. These pink flowers are called Colonial Roses.  The look  like paper roses in person and are just beautiful. 

 

 

Here is my rough sketch for the border.

 

 

Then I opened the image with a paint program and started putting in some color.  I just wanted to see how it would look before I start in with fabric..

 

Well, it looked pretty good to me, so I colored the whole thing, replicated it, reversd the image, and put the two pieces together.  Now I have a representation of the whole border. It will be an 18 inch drop and run the 78 inch length of the quilt as well as across the width at the foot of the bed.

 

 

 

So, now its on to gathering up fabric to get on with this project.

I sure hope she likes the results of my labor!

 

Happy creating!

Well, with just one week to go before the family gathering, I am honing in on the end of the sewing for this season.

It's time to think about all the family and hope that they love, or at least like the gifts I have made.

I love making things and but I also know the heartache that comes with giving a hand made gift that you have put your heart and soul into, just to have it cast aside as not good enough or not right.  Many of  my quilting friends have experienced this and so, have had their feelings hurt.

You know, working for days on end to make the perfect quilt, just to find it lining the dogs bed or in the trunk of the car.  The thing is, those who do not make things often do not know the time and expense it takes to create that wonderful gift.  What is one to do?

Well, I have decided that I will make things and when I give them, I must let them go.  Just not worry any more about what happens to the gift.  It is, after all the act of giving that is important.  I am a giver. I love to give.  Now, I know that I love it more when the recipient thinks that it is as special as I do in the making.  And that is a wonderful feeling when it works out perfect on both sides..I love the making and they love the receiving. 
This year of meager funds has forced my hand to give ALL hand made gifts.  Some I know will be happy, others, not so much..

So here is what I aim to do..I will carefully watch as each person opens each gift. I will also see if it is ever seen again and where.  Then, committing that to memory will dictate what I will do in the future gift giving.  Those who do not care for or use their hand made gifts will get something else next time around. Knowing that the funds may be meager again next year, it just might not be much..but at least that little piece of my soul will be reserved for those who love their hand made things.

This is the very hard part of giving so much of yourself instead of shopping..

Well, Ill be back in about a week to share with you my recipe for the Christmas Eve dinner..

Corn Salad..

Made with things red and green, it is perfect for winter holiday meals..

Peace be with you..

Christmas List...

With very little money to spend on the holidays this year, I have decided to give all handmade gifts..

Here is whats on my list, with only 24 days to get them done..
UPDATE,12/7 :  Well we are down to what, 17 days left.  I have had a bad couple of days and have been out of commision.  What a waste of time being ill is.  Now I have a lot to make up in a much shorter timeframe. Chug, chug, goes the train...
UPDATE, 12/13 : With only a little over a week to go, Im  working down the list, I sure hope I can get it all done in time. Two big projects and one small one left..and I need the 23rd for cooking...Im holding my breath here...

1 qt jar of home made bbq sauce   - Done
1 very large tree skirt for a 9 ft tree - Fabric in hand..time to get started.
two snoman table runners = Done and Done!

a KU Ipad tote bag - Done

a stuffed teddy bear made of minkee - Done 

bedroom drapes, this will have to wait till after the holidays..sorry D.
1 Harley quilt - Done

1 iron tote - Done and delivered..

1st annual christmas ornament for new grand daughter
fruit cakes for about six people, new tradition..dried fruit soaking in Rum..baking on Wed. Sat. boy that fruit has been soakin' in Rum for about a week now..that will be some boozy fruit cake.  Well, maybe it will make up for a shorter soak time after baking..
Done! Six fruitcakes out of the oven..

 and to share at dinner:
1 caramel pie, 1 corn salad, Grocery shopping done, ready for the big day.

and for me:
1 tub of hot buttered rum mix...Done, so yummy, bring on the cold weather!  Had my first cup on Friday evening..oh yeah!

Whew!

Now all I need is someone to organize my time so that I can actually get it all done in time
Im very excited about these gifts, they are so much better than going shopping in the big crowds
at the local big box stores.

Happy Holidays to all of you.  I am hoping to build out this site in the coming year...
you know, New Year's Resolution and all...

I hope you will come along and I also hope that I can actually accomplish my new goals..

See you around the internet..

HO HO HO!!!