Every year around this time I start wondering where all the time has gone since Thanksgiving. I had such good intentions. We always plan to have a "White Christmas party" where we invite people over to view the movie "White Christmas" with us. I always plan to make lots of cookies and goodies like I used to make and take them around to all our neighbors (whom I still haven't met). Then there are all the sewing projects. I remember when I used to stay up past midnight on Christmas eve finishing them. Sigh... Now I have one day left and lots of presents to wrap for our grandchildren and there was no party and no goodies and the projects are still undone. We are going to Missouri to spend a few days with our parents who have not been well. We're so thankful for the family and friends that we have and maybe next year I'll get around to doing all those things I want to do. So here's the latest undone project. I displayed it the day after Thanksgiving and had intended to continue making the little quilted numbers to change it every day. It's still displayed and still says "27 Days 'til.... Ha ha Maybe next year!

Christmas Quilts

I made this Christmas quilt in in 2005 as a Block of the Month project from the Cotton Patch. It originally had 9 blocks but my stitch group friend thought it needed 12 so we designed 3 more blocks (Tradition, Worship and Joy). It hangs in my foyer this time of year. As much as I like that Christmas quilt, I really, really like this one. It's all flannel and it's the coziest quilt to snuggle up with. I keep it out throughout the winter, even though it has Santa on it.

Christmas time

Okay, it's time to blog again. I managed to get our Christmas tree put up just before we went to Springfield last week for Tim's dad's open heart surgery. He is recovering, but still in the hospital. Also, Tim's mom was in the hospital for a few days with a severe sinus infection. She is still not feeling well. We would appreciate your prayers for both of them.

I decorated the tree this year in blue and white to please Tim (he loves blue lights and ornaments). The last two years I've done it in my favortie color (red) so it was time for a change.

Thanksgiving

Timothy really enjoyed the chocolate pie I made for Thanksgiving...

while Gabe has always been a pumpkin kind of guy.

I tried to get everyone in the Thanksgiving picture. After several tries...

I got everyone except Timothy (and me, I was taking the picture!) Leslie and David joined the rest of us so we had a total of 11--Tim, me, 2 daughters, one son, two sons-in-law, 2 grandsons.

We have sooo much to be thankful for. Thank you Lord for my wonderful family and friends.

Challenge Quilt

Guild Challenge

Last week I entered the Green Country Quilter's Guild "nine patch challenge" (Greencountryquiltersguild.com) I won third place for the little quilt pictured. I machine pieced, machine appliqued and machine quilted it. Most of the fabric was given to me by a friend and I got the idea from an Australian Patchwork and Quilting Magazine.

Here are the winners: Paula F., Me, and Margie Thompson

Aren't these the cutest little cap and booties you've ever seen? My daughter, Calista knitted them. The hat was really cute without the "greenery", but when she added that I think it pushed it over the top in cuteness. Some little pumpkin will look adorable in them. She plans to give them away, but I think she should keep them in the family.

I made this label for my friend Sue's quilt. Her mother hand pieced the quilt and she had the pleasure of quilting it. She's pictured with her daughter-in-law, Theresa.

This is a good picture of the quilt I helped Catherine make. We got together last week and I showed her how to make a label and put it on the back. Her grandmother Mary Grantham was a quilter but didn't get to see Catherine's quilt finished. She passed away this summer. I'm sure she would be proud of Catherine's work.

Random fall pictures

Here is my family of pirates. Arrrrrrrrrr...... Calista outfits the entire family for Haloween. Timothy was happy...he really was. I guess I caught him offguard with this picture. Maybe it was because Gabe was about to stab him! ha ha

My friend Brooke made these sock doggies. Aren't they adorable? Sophie thinks so!

Last week we had autumn. This is one of my little trees in full red (my favorite color). Today we're entering winter. The wind is blowing like a hurricane and there are no leaves left on the trees.

Snowman table runner

I made this table runner for my freind, Theresa (Happy Birthday, girlfriend!). She collects snowmen. The snowman, his scarf and the snowflakes are flannel as well as the backing. I quilted it by machine with invisible thread. Don't forget to add labels to your quilts. Someday, someone will want to know the history.

X Block Class

Last week I taught a class at the Cotton Patch using the x-block ruler. 5 ladies took the class and we got great results. (Some preferred not to show their faces). I'll be offering the class again on Dec. 2 and again sometime after the first of the year. It's so simple, yet looks complicated.

Aaron's quilt

This is one of my favorite quilts (aren't they all?). I made this one for Aaron's (son) high school graduation (2003). It still remains in my possession until he chooses to take it and take really good care of it. (Picture taken with my phone--so I'm seeing how it looks on the blog)

Another Gift from God

I brought my Hibiscus plants and Gardenia in from the patio to keep them from freezing this week. The Hibiscus obviously likes being in the house. Isn't it beautiful!

Stitch Group

Part of my stitch group came over today for lunch. Thought I'd show you some of their "works in progress" Here are June (hand embroidery and machine piecing) and Emma (hand applique).

My really, really, really, good friend Leslie. She's taking a class in hand piecing. She loves doing most of her work by hand and she's really good at it. (Requires patience)

Speaking of patience...this stocking Coleen(doesn't she have a terrific smile?!) knitted is quite detailed. Santa even has a rhinestone buckle on his belt. She made this for one of her close relatives. They are Auborn, Alabama fans.

Friends and Family

Clarification: John was best man at our wedding. Tim was best man at their wedding.

More quilts

Our friends John and Cindy spent the night with us last night. Cindy showed me some of her "works in progress". This one is so colorful!

This is Cindy's Salmon wallhanging. They spent the summer in Alaska, thus the salmon.

Here are John and Cindy with Cindy's "flip-flop" quilt.

Friends and Family

Phyllis, Aaron and David... Mike, Theresa, and Calista on next post.

Birthday Celebration

I'm so blessed with friends and family. My stitch group (T-Town Stitchers) gave me a birthday party Thursday morning. Then I went from that meeting to the Cotton Patch (www.ecottonpatch.com) where I work part-time for another party. They are all SO GOOD to me. Tim gave me the beautiful wool cape that he bought in Vermont while we were there. Calista made me a beautiful had and scarf that I took along on our trip. I used them when we were on top of the highest mountain in Vermont.

Birthday Celebration

I celebrated a birthday this past Friday. My sister Greta, her husband Joe and daughters Brittany and Lora Beth were here from Missouri. We enjoyed a great weekend together. Andrea shot Brittany's senior pictures Saturday afternoon. She's a great photographer and she likes to pose, too.