Snowbound

is an official flimsy!

I decided not to include the embroidered snowflakes that were on the original.  

I'm not that good at embroidery, so I would not want to ruin it at this point.

While searching for a lost quilt in my "quilt closet," the one with the warning sign on the door, I decided it was time to make something out of all the random blocks I have collected.

I choose my favorite house blocks and put them together into this little fellow.  I was inspired by Temecula Quilt Co.'s version.

I also quilted and framed my twisted heart from a few years back.

Now I just have Farmer's Wife blocks, Barbara Brackman Civil War blocks and two collections of exchange blocks to figure out what to do with. 

We had a lovely visit over Thanksgiving week in northern California. Now it is time to decorate for Christmas!  I don't think I will get to any of my blockhead projects until the end of the month, BUT...I am working on 2 cross-stitch ornaments!  Stay tuned.  Mary and Darlene will get a laugh out of this one.

Christmas Through the Year

Finished 2 projects to use as gifts next year.

My Blackbird designs mini X-stitch ornament and

another Primitive Gatherings Wool Stocking.

I think these will be great with a candy cane and twig to go on the top of packages.

A big thanks to Darlene and Cheryl for keeping us motivated.

I have a good start on my Feb. ornament as well.

It will be hard to stay on track with these goals when I am so obsessed with these:

the nursery and 

the patriot's home.

However, true to my promise, finishing up my 1880 Sampler is my primary February goal.

Cross your fingers I can accomplish it.

And BTW, I did finish all the applique on my Easter table runner!

Quilting it is on the list for Feb.

Construction Zone

Although our housing industry is in a slump, there still seems to be a lot of building going on in blogland.  

Here are my first few houses for Jeanneke's Building Houses from Scrap. 

You can find the link on my sidebar.

 Beware though!  They are addicting.

I thought I would be lucky to make perhaps just one block a week; but once I got started, it is all I want to do.  I have decided to paper piece mine (the pattern is available on her website.)

I just love choosing the fabrics for each house and fussy cutting out what I want in the windows.

They will be such fun to use in small quilts to give as Christmas presents next year.

Unfortunately, my machine is about to go into storage.

Having a big party here (baby shower) soon, and I need to focus my attention there.

With that said, I apologize for not posting the border instructions for the 1880 Sampler Quilt.

I promise it will be my priority in the first week of February. 

 Just keep working on those HST units until then. 

Twas the weekend before Christmas...

...and all through the house,

the sewing machine was buzzing,

and my fingers were stitching.

I cannot show you many of the projects, 

since the recipients read my blog,

 but I can share a few things.

A Quaker Snowman

I started this fellow last year with the hopes of stitching ornaments for each of my children, but alas, he became a UFO stashed in the back of my closet.

Then I saw Carol's, of Stitching Dreams, post here and it inspired me to start stitching again.

A visit to The Attic Needleworks shop in Mesa, AZ left me rather light in the pocketbook, but full of ideas and materials to make enough ornaments to adorn my own garland next year.

And what do you do with left over jelly roll strips?

Why make an adorable photo album cover.

Wish I could take credit for this one, but again it was that creative DD of mine who came up with the idea and embellishments.

For those of you following the progress of the 1880 sampler, I invite you to check out the flickr group.  Carol has sashed and set her beautiful blocks and posted a picture for our pleasure.

I was not too successful with keeping up with the CW QAL hosted by Barbara Brackman this year, but that did not stop me from joining Jeanneke's Building Houses from Scraps 2012 project.  

You can find out more here.

Wish me luck!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

May your holidays be filled with joy and laughter and 

may the New Year be full of promise.

See you then,

Cheryl