Ta-done!

 

I started this quilt over a year ago.  The top has been sitting on the to-do shelf since November 2011, but I wanted to custom quilt it and needed a chunk of time to work on just it.

 

It measures 68" x 93" and used an "Easy Breezy" pattern from Quilt Country.

 

I love how the morning sunlight lets you see the quilting.  I used  patterns from several different designers.  In this picture you see Holly border 2 and Wedge 1 Triangle by Kim Diamond (Sweet Dreams Studios).

 

 

The inner border is Owls on a Wire by Anne Bright.  Doesn't the metallic thread look amazing on the green dimples?!  If you have a moment and want to be amazed check out this video of Waldorf doing his work. 

 

 

 

The center is quilted in Christmas Snowflakes by Anne Bright.

 

My favorite part is the back.  It is a rich mottled red flannel - very cozy.  The quilting is amazing back here.  You can't see it that well in the picture...I guess I have to do some photo-shopping to get it to show better....but you get the idea.

It feels so good to have this last top off the shelf and on the couch.



God is good...

I am so blessed, there are not words to describe the wonders that God has surrounded me with.  He is there, all the time, in every moment, taking care of my needs.

What a pity I don't recognize it.

I know, it is Christmas time.  There are bright lights and decorations every where you look.  Even in my home.  There is Christmas music 24/7 on the radio (wish it would stay all year round.) There is hope in the air, even when the world seems hopeless, there is the notion that something good could happen at any moment.

The seems like I should be "Happy, happy, happy." (Thank you Phil Robertson for that quote...that is him up above NOT Santa Clause)  Which makes it all the more shocking when I find myself, happy quilter, suddenly turned Hulk...

...in a room, all by myself, with the Gammill happily doing all of my work for me and the critters napping peacefully in  the rest of the house.  Weird huh.

I haven't a clue what it was all about...not really....menopausal mood swing?, drop in blood sugar?, alien possession?, paranormal reaction to the warm weather?  All I know is that it wasn't good. 

 

 

 

Enter husband, three hours early from work with one bouquet of pink roses and daisies.  I spent the afternoon putzing around the studio playing with scraps while he finished his work day sitting next to me.  It was soooo sweet to just have a warm body sitting in the same room. 

 

Not knowing what had happened, what triggered it, and that I was due for another day by myself, I was a little worried about today.  Myself has been wearing very thin on me of late....having people around keeps me focused on what is really important.  Enter God!!  (oh how I love Him.)

 

 

 

This morning my Johnny had to go into school early.  So I had to get out and take Ben to school. 

 

Then I discovered that I had to get gas for the car.  While I was pumping gas I got to help another lady figure out the pay at the pump feature.

 

I got home to find my kitten demanding some attention.

Then the phone rings and the most encouraging person I know wants to know if I can quilt something for her.  She stayed on the phone for nearly an hour.  When we finally hung up I knew that God was "messing" with my day.

Then the other phone rings and Mom wants to know if having a bowl watching party (at which her Alma Mater and my little brother's go head to head) at my house (where I have already invited my family to come but am trying to figure out when.) might be a good idea.

No sooner have I hung up with Mom than my sister-in-law calls.  It has been ages since I had a good talk with her.

Do you see how my day has gone?  It is just shy of 1:00.  I have to eat lunch still, but then there are only a couple of hours left until the boys all come home from school.  God didn't leave me alone today at all. 

Isn't He good?!

November In my review window....

I woke up this morning and the calender said it is December 1.  The first day to open a little door on the advent calender!!

The thermometer says it is 74 degrees outside, headed to 77 with lots of wind and humidity.  No rain, just dampness.  So I am dressed in shorts and a t-shirt listening to Christmas carols.  No matter how long I live in Texas, I don't think I will ever get used to this; but, live here I do, and I'm not planing on moving any time soon. 

Anyone have some warm weather holiday traditions I can borrow?!

November in my rear view window looks like this....

Tops to Treasures, the business did a whomping 8 quilts for customers.

 

Tops to Treasures, the designer, produced three new quilts,  and finished a silly knit wash clothe...pattern found on Ravelry.

( Look for directions for quilt on the bottom left on Moda Bakeshop later this month.)

 

I received two darling little quilts by participating in the Little Quilt - Sew, Vote, Swap on Flickr.

 

 





These are the two that I sent.

 

 

I am still waiting for my Fab Little Pincushion to arrive from my partner.  It must be traveling a very long ways.  However, I received the most wonderful surprise in the mail yesterday.

 



Isn't it wonderful?!    Thank you Carol of Mamacjt  fame.  You are a treasure!  This pinnie is huge!!  I am confident that my new helper will not be able to carry it off.

 

While I wait....

 

I am participating in the Fab Little Pincushion Swap - FLiPS - on Flickr.  Some weeks ago I sent my creation off to it's new home.
 

Now I am waiting for the one made for me to get here.

WAITING,

WAITING,

 WAITING,

 WAITING,

 WAITING,

 

While I am waiting, I am dreaming about what it might look like.  Here are some images that have captured my imagination.

 



I hope my partner has sized this for my Great Dane/Pyrenees Pup!!

 

 

I'd have to throw one like this.

Cool huh?!

My kind of burger!!

Love this....maybe with an evergreen in the back.

LOL!  My kitten keeps steeling my pins....really.

I'll let you know how it turns out....any day now.....

Advent

It is my favorite time of year...and no, it isn't because I love little boxes (although I do), nor is it because I am anxious to receive a gift (although I do like getting them).

I love Advent because it is filled with joy....and to some extent a delightful spirit of adventure.  I'm not about to drag out my OED to look up roots and derivatives, an ant would need glasses to read that print, however a quick peek at Merriam-Webster on my I-pad (I can control the size of the font on this one) suggests that the words are related.  Both are related to things to come....like Christmas, and birthdays, and surprises.

During Advent I spend inordinate amount of time thinking about the people I love, enjoying the gifts of friendship, and plotting ways to make known, on no uncertain terms, that my heart belongs to them.  I want them to know that.  I love them.  I want the best for them.  And there is nothing that they can do, or neglect to do, that will ever change that.  My gift giving is NOT dependent on my gift getting.  It doesn't work that way.

Sometimes these activities keep me stuck in my head....I always have thought too much...and I don't stop to participate.  This is NOT a good thing.  I neglect to enjoy the wonderfully intoxicating joy of anticipation.  I suspect that I don't really believe that I matter, that my love and loving could ever be returned.   There is a part of me that thinks I will forever be the kid on the outside of the window looking in.  It is all hogwash.  (Anyone know what hogwash is?  Really...why do we use that expression.)

I have publicly shared that I am a Christian.  It is no secret.  I KNOW without a doubt that my God loves me.  He wants the best for me, and there is nothing that I can do, or neglect to do, that will ever change that.  His gift giving is NOT dependent on my ability to give something back to Him.  It doesn't work that way.

I don't understand why He does what He does, nor do I understand His timing.  If consulted, I am sure I would do things differently...  be very glad that I wasn't consulted.  God doesn't see any differences between people.  He made us all.  Could a father love one son more than the other?  Really?  Okay a human father could, but my heavenly Father doesn't.  He is perfect.  There is room in his mansion for all of us.  Short, fat, tall, thin, black, white, blond, brunette, ginger, male, female, young, old, quilter, banker, inmate...all of us. There is a gift under His tree for everyone who enters the house.  There is love overflowing, unending, and intensely personal for anyone willing to accept it.  No strings.  He loves us, all of us.  He wants the best for us, and there is nothing that we can do, or neglect to do, that will ever change that.  His gift giving is NOT dependent on our ability to give back.  It doesn't work that way.
 

One day soon, the days of Advent will be over.  People all over the world will celebrate Christmas day.  It will get here.  As will the day when my Lord returns to gather His own....and then it really will be Christmas. 

Oh what a day that will be....I can't wait to greet you there.