Merry Christmas!

I wanted to wish all of you a very...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WINNER!

Thanks to everyone for playing, there are several movies I have put on my list.  Also, BIG thanks to the sweet gals over at DESPERATE QUILTERS...

I don't know who gets more excited for a drawing - me or my little guy.  ANYHOO....the winner of the $25.00 gift certificate is...

QUILT N QUEEN!  WHOOHOO!!!



Please contact me so I can send you your prize!  Have a great week!

HOLLY JOLLY BLOG BINGO!

The sweet gals over at In Stitches, is hosting their 2nd Annual Holly Jolly Blog Bingo!  Just click HERE to sign up for some fun!

Star Struck, Amazed, Giddy...

describes how I'm feeling.  When I got an email from MSamm saying my wreath was chosen for the December banner...I'm thinking NO WAY!  There are too many talented ladies (& men) out there with much more amazing quilts than mine.  But after reading the email for the eighth time...it was true...mine was picked.  I'm so EXCITED, I can't stand it.  IT IS CHRISTMAS!!!!  Just click HERE, to check out the rest of the ladies who made the December banner.

Happy dance, Snoopy dance, the water sprinkler, jitter bug....I'm shaking it (and I have a lot to shake...lol!) because I am filled with joy!

MSamm...Thank you!

Secret Santa Christmas Swap - DONE!

I made my partner a candle mat.  I hope she likes it.  I used Holly Taylor ~ Northwood Botanicals.  The colors are so rich and vibrant.  After Polly posted her very cool gift & said she mailed it, I figured I needed to get the lead out.  And why not?  I mean it's done so there's no excuse for it being late.  I'll be mailing this tomorrow.

SewCalGal - Christmas Quilt Show 2010

When I saw this pattern on the Moda Bake Shop blog, I knew it has to be on my list.  And I was able to cross it off last month, when I finished it.  I used 'Makin' New Friends' by Deb Strain.  This is the first time I worked with 2 1/2 inch squares and oddly enough...I really liked the process.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

This is the large Schnibble version of McGuffey.  I used Northwood Botanicals by Holly Taylor.  I love this fabric line!  I love log cabin patterns!  I love Holly Taylor!  It was a fun quilt to make...it was my first completed Christmas quilt.

I want to thank SewCalGal for hosting such a fun, festive event.  There will be amazing quilts to be seen and you can check them out HERE.  And if you would like to share your quilt(s) you have until Nov. 21.

Holiday Traditions...

 That is our theme for the CGQC...there are two I would like to share.

1. I used to put the Christmas tree/decorations up the weekend of Thanksgiving but it really put a strain on me.  Between the cooking, visiting & shopping - it can get CRAZY!  So for the past 2 years, we've been putting our tree up the weekend before Thanksgiving.  This has made the holiday time more fun & less stressful.

2. On Christmas Eve, we let our little guy open one present.  The catch, we are the ones that pick the gift (wink wink) and wha'da know????  New PJ's!!!!  And those Christmas morning pictures come out a little sweeter when he's in his new pj's.  I wonder how long before he figures out the system is rigged...giggle!

I look forward to reading what everyone else has to share.  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Handful of Change Quilt (aka Coin Quilt)

Just finished this top this morning...it's my version of a coin quilt.  I used 12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain.  I used all the material that was in a scrap bag, 15 (?) charms and back round material.  I might be able to quilt it tonight.  I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Fall 2010

This is my second Schnibble - Decoy, that I completed last month.  I bought this pattern over year ago because I just love the 'star' theme.  It was a great feeling to have finished this quilt.  I love it.  I love stars.  It was also the first time I used the 'Angler', which is an extemely awesome tool when you don't want to spend the time drawing lines.  I used 12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain.  It is such a festive line...I'm ready for Christmas! LOL!

Well, there are many more beautiful quilts to look at during this AWESOME quilt festival.  You can go to Amy's website to discover many beautiful quilts.  It's going to be an amazing week!

Thank you Amy for throwing such a fun festival!!!!

Secret Santa

I'm not waiting anymore!  LOL!  I started working on the Christmas Wreath Wall Hanging that's on the Moda Bake Shop blog.  I've wanted to make this ever since it was posted.  I'm working on it with the intention of making it for my secret Santa partner but once I find out who she is I might change my mind.  I mean, I would like to give/make something that will fit her taste.  So I'll be doing some chain sewing in the next day or two!!!  I can feel the excitement pulsing through my veins!  Oh, if your interested in joining the Secret Santa Swap, just click the picture on the right side and it will take you to the post where you can sign up - the deadline is Oct. 8th.  You don't have to be a Charming Girl member...anyone with a blog can join in on the fun.  But Joan has all the details so if you want to get your Christmas on - this might be for you.

ps...I've got the t-shirt quilt and the backing loaded.  I plan on quilting it on Saturday.  Since it is a big quilt, I want to be able to take my time & not be rushed in quilting it.  Talk to y'all later...

Christmas Memories...

like everyone, I have a lot of them.  But it was only about 4 weeks ago, the most bestest, sweetest Christmas memory was made.  This is the first year my son really understands Santa.  He's even learned all the words to 'Santa Claus is coming to town'.  So several weeks ago, it's bedtime and he goes to his room to go to bed.  Not even 30 minutes later I hear something coming from his room - an odd sound.  I couldn't tell if he was screaming or having a nightmare - it was just an odd sound.  So I (& DH) jump up and run to his room, swing the door open and there he is - singing...Santa Claus is coming to town! We don't go in his room, we closed the door and stood there listening to him sing.  All at the same time, we're standing there listening, giggling and trying to figure out if he was awake.  Then before you know it - silence.  We crack the door open and he is out!  He was singing in his sleep.  It was a sweet moment.  I NOW have the video camera ready - just in case.

He is soooo excited about Santa coming, he can't stand it.  And to tell you the truth, neither can I.
Merry Christmas everyone!

DONE! WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!

 

 

Well, thank goodness I started this back in August! It was the only project I listed to complete in December for the CGQC.  Just to let some of you know, it was a top secret mission because it is a gift for my son.  I'm just glad I had those moments when my DH took our little guy grocery shopping.  There were several times I've stayed up til 1-2am to work on it and it just reminded me of my 20's (BIG GRIN on my face) when I could stay up late or later & bounce back in a blink of an eye (I don't bounce like I used too)...those were fun times!  And just for the record, I was always the designated driver - 95% of the time.  Sorry, I digress...back to the quilt.  I didn't label it but instead I sewed the date & some special words into the quilt.  I can't wait to see his face when he opens it!

Well, Christmas is right around the corner & my Mom & sister are coming sooooo, that means my time is just for them.  I probably won't be blogging for the next week or so, but I will be checking in on what everyone else is doing/saying.

So, I hope you have a wonderful & joyful Christmas!  I also want to take this opportunity to wish Jesus a 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!'

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

&

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

My Secret Santa...

is AWESOME! & the sweetest when it comes to gift giving.  I am the LUCKIEST girl.  Carolyn of Lakeside Quilting, had my name.  And this is what she gave me...a beautiful card.

 

 The prettiest tote...the fabric is soft & much prettier than the picture...

 

 And then all of this...

 

Everything was wrapped, in that pretty tote...and the small quilt kit (in the brown bag) is AWESOME! When finished, it will measure 15 x 18! How cute is that?  As I was going through my goodies, I couldn't help but (for a brief moment) feel like that cartoon character - Daffy Duck.  There is an episode where Daffy is holding onto something, yelling 'It's mine! All mine!'.  I really feel like a little kid, I can't stop giggling!!!

Carolyn...(again) thank you for all the wonderful gifts.  I can't wait to make that quilt.  I really am a lucky gal!  Merry Christmas!

CGQC December Tag...

Our co-leader, Joan, has tagged us. We are to show a few of our favorite Christmas decorations.  I have quite a few decorations that I have acculmulated over the years and I adore them ALL.  This is the first year I didn't put EVERYTHING out.  So here are a couple of my favorite...
 

 

I just love seeing kids (& adults) giggling when they see the wreath on my car...it makes me laugh!  It's one way I spread Christmas cheer!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dear Santa...

It's been forever since my last letter.  I stopped writing because it's more important for you to focus on the little ones so I just stopped.  But don't take it the wrong way - I will always BELIEVE!  So the little helpers over at the Jolly Jabber suggested that we write you and tell you what we would want from the Fat Quarter Shop.  Well, I only have one thing that I would want...and it's the CAMPING UNDER THE STARS QUILT KIT!  I've attached a photo and link so you can find it faster...

As you can see, it's the most wonderfulest quilt in the whole wide world and I would love to make it!  Hope you can make it to my house...
 Love,
Michelle

ps...if you can't make it to my house - I won't be bitter.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

I can't stand it!

Ok, I got these a couple of weeks ago...

Nice, huh?  They weren't in the budget but ya know - it's Christmas time.  Anyhoo, I got them from the Fat Quarter Shop when they first came out.  See, I was thinking one for me, one for you (?) and the other would make a few nice little 'happy' bundle gifts.  My 100th post is coming up & so is Christmas.  With all the festivities starting, I didn't want to forget & I want to make sure the winner gets it by Christmas.  So, I figure I would do my 100th post giveaway after Thanksgiving...even though I've only posted 88 (?) times, at the rate I'm flapping my gums #100 should be here in no time!  Hope everyone is having a great week!

Ahead of schedule...

by a week!  I broke down and put up our Christmas (not 'holiday'...can I get an Amen?) tree & decorations.  And as we were going through the boxes and putting out the Santas and tons of other Christmas figurines, I found this...

I got this wall hanging a little over 10 years ago.  Before I left CA, I gave myself a day of shopping and I found this.  I've seen Mary's things before but this tapestry spoke to me.  It's our theme for Christmas & pretty much throughout the year.  And look at me now, I'm using her fabric to make quilts...LOL!  Who would have thunk it?  And last year I added a little bling to our collection...

Is there anyone else out there that has put up their tree yet?  If you don't want to say, I don't blame you.  Who wants to be called a freak? : )   I sure hope the next three days go by fast!

BLACK FRIDAY! It's on!

It's the SUPERBOWL version of the best shopping day of the year...and if you haven't seen some of the deals going on, and your into the event, you really need to go check out www.bfads.net.  For example, Jo-ann's is having one heck of a sale...like 50% off of quilting notions - thread - all batting, 40% off of quilting bundles and they also have a Rowenta DX6900 Duo Iron for $39.99 (reg. 79.99).  I can feel my heart pounding from all the anticipated excitement to come!  Oh, and then there's Target, Kohl's, Michaels & Hancock's...too many stores to list them all.  If you want more infomation, you really need to go check out the website.

DISCLAIMER...Prices & discounts are subject to change so make sure to check/verify the vendors ad to see what they will have on sale.  I don't want anyone mad at me for a misprint.  LOL!  This website is supposed to have all the black Friday ads listed on it's website - www.bfads.net.  Even though it's about a week away, it doesn't hurt to start planning ahead!

CHRISTMAS MUSIC!

If you have DISH Satellite - they now have Christmas music!  There are 4 channels to choose from:

1. 091 (AUD20) Holiday Music
2. 093 (SIRI) SIRIUS Holly
3. 094 (SIRI) SIRIUS Holiday Traditions
4. 097 (MUZ) Christmas Music

I happen to be off today & usually when I'm home alone, I turn on one of the music channels.  And wha'da know - Christmas music! LOVE IT!  I love it so much that I have about 25 - 30 cds in my collection.  One day I will have to show you.  Anyhoo, just wanted to share the info.

Hope everyone is having a great day!!!