What a wonderful day we had yesterday. It's always a little crazy and loud when we're all together, but that's half the fun! Yesterday was no exception. The weather here was beautiful, the food was awesome-Mom outdid herself and topped it off with a phenomenal pumpkin trifle dessert. I think my favorite part of the day were all the traditions-mom's 38 year old turkey candle on the table, my Aunt Bonnie's cranberry salad, grown-up kids gift exchange, reading the ads and wish books (catalogs) together. Nothing unusual, but there is comfort in tradition and just being together. For that I am most thankful.

I even managed to be productive by getting the binding sewn on quilt #2 (Rachel's). And after such a "loud" day it was nice to be at Mom's machine sewing. Hoping for more of that productivity to continue today. While many are out hustling and bustling at the "day after sales", I'm here at home working on my handmade holiday. Enjoying music of the season and soaking up the sunshine as it warms the house-the perfect setting for creating. All that's missing is Starbucks-sometimes I wish they delivered!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year!

fini!

One down. Yes. I've finally finished quilt #1. In reality it didn't take all that long. I wish that I'd tracked the exact number of hours. Jeff says about 400-funny guy! I have really enjoyed working on these quilts for my sweet nieces. The quilter has done an amazing job on both of the quilts.

I love the way she played up on all the shapes in the rickrack and the fabrics for the quilting designs. I love the back almost as much as the front! Rachel's (quilt #2) has been quilted I hope to get the binding on it next week. I didn't have a chance to take photos yet so now I'll wait until it's bound. I still need to do some kind of signature tag on each of them and I'm also planning to make a pillow case for storing them by using some of the jelly roll cutoffs for the cuff. But then they will truly be fini!

I wish I could say the same for the other projects that are in various stages on my kitchen island. Not sure when I started working on multiple things at one time, but it's not the best idea. It just leaves more unfinished projects resulting in frustration. I tried desperately this weekend to make some headway, but just grew more and more frustrated after I started yet another project before finishing up the others. Why do I do that to myself? I hope to focus on the odds & ends of several this week so I can concentrate on the quilts and a couple major projects over the holiday weekend. Here's a peek at a couple of the projects I have going.

advent calendar inspired by Becky Novacek-spent way too much on the frame when my junk store frame turned out to be too small. liking these tags, but may start over and make them more french and shabby-not sure yet.

milagros (sacred hearts) inspired by Teresa McFayden-these are addictive-going to make a couple with Amy Butler papers next, but these I copied from Teresa-except for the handstitching-after binding quilt #1 I was in no mood for handsewing.

I almost forgot to mention that a blogging buddy of mine is hosting the MOST AMAZING give away on her blog. Cindy of Hyacinth Quilt Designs is giving away a quilt! That's right-a quilt! Head over to her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win one of Cindy's beautiful quilts. Be sure to say in your comment how you heard about the give away. Have fun and good luck!

Okay, time to get something accomplished this evening-take care!

hello there

forgive my tardy post about this past weekend. i know i promised to share the fruits of my crafting labor, but i didn't get near done what i'd hoped. although i did make good progress and overall i was able to get alot crammed into those two little weekend days including a movie with the family and shopping. hope to have some show & tell later this week. by the way, i'm loving the project I've been working on that was designed by Teresa McFayden. a little different, but alot of fun to make.

took a couple minutes this afternoon to take my camera out and snap some photos of our holly bushes. they have been so loaded with berries this year and the light around 4 o'clock here is stunning so I just couldn't resist. i've heard the hollies have been so pretty because of all the rain we had in the early fall. the birdies will be very thankful particularly, if we have the kind of winter they are predicting. brrrrr.

check out the wooly worm i caught a shot of several weeks ago on a bright indian summer day. yep, if you believe those sort of things you'd better bundle up. it's going to be a cold one!

have a great evening snuggling inside. i'll be watching dancing with the stars snuggled under quilt #1 working on hand stitching the binding. :)

Feeling a bit like Cinderalla this morning. This weekend is the 3rd annual Silver Bella paper arts retreat. Today is the Bella luncheon with guest speaker Mary Engelbreit (a longtime favorite of mine) and last night was the Bella Prom. Really wishing that I had gone. The vendor faire last night (part of the Bella prom) would have been worth the drive alone. Andrea from One Hundred Wishes and Deb from Curious Sofa in Kansas City were going to be first time vendors along with goodies from Pam Garrison, Heather Bullard and the queen Bella herself, Teresa McFayden. Oh, well. Maybe next year. Still, would've loved to have the chance to take a class with Sally Jean, Jenni Bowlin and Rebecca Sower again. I learned so much last year, especially from Rebecca.

So today I'm going to have my own little mini Silver Bella. With Starbucks in hand and Christmas music playing, I'm going to dive into my creative to do list. My list includes a project designed by the Queen Bella and an advent calendar by Becky Novacek, another Omaha native. Hopefully, by Sunday evening I'll have lots to show you. Until then, have a lovely weekend!

Me in Rebecca Sower's class at last year's Silver Bella.

photo by Kim Haynes

Not For the Faint of Heart

Well, I did it. I've completed two quilt tops (with pieced backs). Whew! My mom can testify that there were times-especially this week, I wasn't sure I could do it. As my dad so aptly put it this evening, "you can't be on a time schedule with quilting". That's for sure! But I'm soon to reap the reward for sticking with it. Tomorrow I pick up the first one from the quilter. I can. not. wait to see how it looks after being quilted! Here's a peek at the top of the second one. Those of you have been following this adventure will notice I decided to do the same pattern, but in different material-Heather Bailey's Pop Garden and Bijou. Mom says she thinks this one is her favorite. It's hard for me to choose-I love both sets of material! A friend suggested that I make the girls pillowcases for storing their quilts with the jelly roll cutoffs from the pieced back. What a cute idea, huh?

Off to bed for some much needed rest. A shout out to Mom who has diligently stayed right beside me this week cheering me on. Thanks, Mom! Quilting is definitely not for the faint of heart!

happy birthday to you!

I've been in quite the blogging funk lately writing several posts, but then feeling as though they aren't blog worthy and not posting them. Hopefully, I can get it together with regular posts again soon.

I'd be remiss however, if I didn't take the opportunity to wish my sister a very happy birthday today. Happy Birthday, Missy! Hope you had a wonderful day. Love ya!