Quilting Gallery Fall Mini Swap

The DHL man was knocking on my door the other day and to my surprise was this absolutely stunning Quilt from Lynne in Leicestershire England. When I signed on for this swap, never in my wildest dreams did I think someone would take the hours of painstaking precisions to complete this for little ole me. This incredible "Trip to Ireland" mini quilt is 19" square and comprised of all 1" squares. I decided to make an inchie quilt one time and it is still in a bag somewhere among my UFO's. Lynne wrote and told me she was very mathmetical minded and likes working out her own designs. I bow down to you Lynne. I wish I had that in me. I have to see something to make it happen, while I have done some playing, it is out of my comfort zone for sure.

If things could get any better, she also included these little treasures with my quilt. I have new fabric and trim to play with and a package of inspiration to help me along the way. LIFE IS GOOD!   Thanks so much Lynne, I will treasure this for many years to come.

For any of you, who have considered swapping online, my advise is to go for it. I have made some wonderful new friends, and the inspiration you get from a new view on quilting can't be beat! Oh yeah, and for my quilt, it will be on it's way to my partner across the globe today. Hope she is half as happy with it as I am with mine!

Learning something new in the new year

  With a new year starting I am looking to learn some new techniques. This is a little sampler that I did  with paper fabric. The base is a muslin with tissue paper on top. Threads and colored tissue paper in between the  layers give it a dimensional look. Fabric paints were then used to give it color. It was a very interesting process that proved to be a lot of fun. For those who aren't afraid to try playing, there is a great website. http://www.free-lunch-cafe.com/  You can sign up for classes monthly. Check it out, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

My New Years Thought for You

HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down..
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5.. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life apart from God, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it.. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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This was sent in an email to me from my sister in law, and was so timely that I couldn't wait to share it with you all, for the new year. I hope that it provokes as much thought for you, as it did for me. May you all have a Wonderful New Year!

Merry Christmas

While I am a little late in posting this, I do hope that Santa flew over your place last night, and delivered all of you, many wonderful Christmas memories. It has sure been a great year blogging and reading all your blogs. You have inspired me beyond my wildest dreams. May you all, have a wonderful holiday season. This is my last Christmas project posting for this year, an Anita Goodesign tile scene done on my embroidery machine. Hope you  enjoy!

While the Stocking were hung!

Or at least my version of that Christmas story. This week has seen a finish to my 22 mug wraps for the holidays. Part are gifts and part are going on my Christmas Eve table, so everyone gets to take home a little taste of holiday candies. Oh yeah, the ones that go straight to the hips!  It's the holidays, so it doesn't count right?  :-)  :-)

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season! And may all our hips survive them!