A new adventure...

A new JOB!

Tomorrow I will head out for training for a new job!

The past month has been crazy with many interviews and quite a few job offers.

I made a decision two weeks ago and this past week it all came together and

I can now reveal the NEW JOB!

Store Manager, Joann Fabric and Crafts, Holbrook, NY

FIND ME HERE!!!

Training will take me out of town for 2 weeks and then more local for 2 additional weeks.

Personally, I cannot wait to actually get to the store and dig in!

Being a creative person (very crafty) that has participated in many crafts this job is right up my alley.

I have to admit that I have put my all into every job I have had over the years:

Sears Roebuck and Company

Smithtown Library System

Independent Nail Technician

Craft Show Vendor

Calico n Lace - shop owner

Amy's Beauty Salon

Ben Franklin Crafts

Harry and David

Pieceful Quilting

LOVED EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!

And now, I  move on to another job adventure!

Hope to see you at the store if you live in the area.

Keep on sewing...I know that I will!
Colleen

The Purple Butterfly Project

The Purple Butterfly Project

My sister Doreen has Early Onset Alzheimer’s.  Early on in her diagnosis she told me that it felt like she had a million Butterflies flying around in her head bumping into one another and all scrambled.  She said if she could just capture and grab one of them she could have a good thought or a good memory.  All it would take is just one.

The Purple Butterfly Project is a way to honor Doreen’s thoughts and a few of her passions in life; butterflies, the color purple and quilting.  My hope is to make a quilt from blocks made by her friends and supporters that could be put together into a quilt to be auctioned off to raise awareness and funds for this devastating disease.

I have designed a quilt with two different layouts.  Both are made from the same block design ~ the Friendship Star.  The difference is that I have twisted and turned them in the second layout.  I like them both and will decide later (or with a little help from participants) which layout to use.  The butterflies are suggestive of an embroidery design of purple butterflies that I will do in the open spaces.

Quilt Layout #1

Quilt Layout #2

The quilt is made up of 36 star blocks like the one below.  The layout is a setting of 6 rows with 6 blocks each.  The blocks finish at 9” and the border finishes at 4” for a total quilt size of 62” x 62”, a nice lap size quilt or wall hanging.

So, this is a request to all you quilters out there to make one (or more) blocks to add to this quilt.  You will need to follow the layout below for an unfinished 9 ½” block.

Please use good, quilt shop quality fabrics for this project.

Colors to use:

• Star points ~ any PURPLE you want to use
• Star background ~ light green solid or tonal 
• Block background ~ white solid or tonal

Please follow the layout with the star points in the correct orientation as the picture.
Each patch of this block is 3 ½” unfinished.

If you need instructions on how to make this block email me at the email provided below.  It really is a very simple block.

All blocks need to be mailed to Colleen by August 1, 2015 so she can assemble, quilt and bind in a timely manner.  Please include your name, city and state, and phone number in with the block(s).  In addition, if you have an opinion on which layout you prefer please let me know.   If I receive more than 36 blocks there will be more than one project produced!  The label will contain the name of all contributing quilters that helped make this possible.  If you would like to make a personal donation please visit our facebook page link below.

An Online Quilt Auction will be held via the Team Day by Day Facebook page and will run from September 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015.  (earlier if possible) Of course the quilt will go to the highest bidder and the money will be donated to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s via team Day by Day. The opening minimum bid will be set at $300.

Please email me at the following email address if you need more information or for information on where to send your completed block(s).

Americanaqueen@hotmail.com

Thank you in advance for your participation in this project!
The quilt label will contain the names of everyone who makes a block for the quilt.

Sincerely,
Colleen

Here is a glimpse at a draft of the rules on how the Online Auction will work. This is subject to change if needed but the auction will follow these general guidelines.

Online Auction Rules:

1. A picture of the auction item(s) will be placed on the Day by Day Facebook page in an album titled “The Purple Butterfly Project”.
2. Bidding will be open from 12midnight September 1, 2015 until 12 midnight September 30, 2015.
3. By bidding in the Online Auction, each bidder agrees to these auction rules.
4. Day by Day reserves the right to add or withdraw items, without notice, to or from the Online Auction
5. Auction item purchases are final.  No returns or exchanges will be issued.  All items are “as is”.
6. Day by Day provides no guarantees, warranties or servicing of auction items and is not liable for any personal injury or damage to property that may result from the use of the items sold.
7. To place a bid for an Online Auction item, type your name and the amount you wish to bid in the comment section of the item picture on Facebook.  The Opening minimum bid is listed with each item.  Each subsequent bid must follow the minimum increment of $5.00.  Any bids not adhering to this format will be declared invalid and voided.
8. In order to maintain confidentiality, bidders will need to email their contact information including phone number to Americanaqueen@hotmail.com.
9. There is no “upper limit” for your bids!
10. Once the auction is declared closed, the last bid entered in the comment section that adheres to the designated increment shall constitute the winning bid and will so be marked.
11. Winning bid will be posted on Facebook by 9:00am on October 1, 2015
12. The winning bidder will be contacted to arrange payment of a donation to Team Day by Day on their official page on the Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Page. http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2015/NY-LongIsland?team_id=255858&pg=team&fr_id=7678 
13. PAYMENT MUST BE MADE WITHIN 5 DAYS OF THE END OF THE ONLINE AUCTION.

To the winner:  Once payment to the page in the form of the winners donation in full has been processed, arrangements for pick-up/shipping will be determined.
Happy Bidding!

Some more fun on Lady Tiara...

Last night was a good night to play on Lady Tiara.
A facebook friend posted a video using a straight line ruler quilting inside a triangle so I decided to give it a try.
Here are the pics from that little practice session.

First I traced three triangles onto the practice square.

Then stitched at it!

This was fun and fairly easy.  The friend who posted the video stated that this was a very good design to practice ruler work and she was right.  This session really made me focus on holding the ruler, finding your stopping point and speed.

The first triangle was a little too large.  When doing the first couple of 'rounds' (calling them that for lack of a better term for it) the bottom of the fabric that needed to align with the ruler was off the table so I had to fiddle with that.  So the solution was to divide the next triangle into four smaller ones.

I like the look of both.

Now there is a Pyramid Quilt or a quilt with triangles in my future.

Hey, I wonder if there is one in my large pile of quilt tops waiting to be quilted?

Better check that out before starting another one!  LOL!

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful quilting Moms out there!

Happy Stitching,

Colleen

Red, White and BRIGHT!

The Hunter Star Red and White quilt needs another border and then it is ready to quilt.

This will be a class I will teach at the LQS in August so that will have to wait.

Last night I cut strips for a red outer border only to discover

under the light of the sewing machine that they

are definitely two different reds.

I will add the last border when I get the time but for now...

...we look like this!

So, that's the red and white...

...now for the BRIGHT.

Here is what is on my cutting board tonight.

This is for a class being taught by my good friend Alice.

The second half of the class is a week from Tuesday

so I have to complete the strip sets and cut the block units.

The quilt is from the book "Bargello with a Twist"

and will be very pretty, and very bright.

A little out of my comfort level as far as colors go but

I am really looking forward to seeing how it looks when it is done.

Happy Stitching,

Colleen

Seeing Red and White...

FINALLY!

That's right...I finally have some progress in the works on a 

Red and White Hunter's Star Wall Hanging

that I have been working on.

Pulled it out yesterday and finished half of the units

for the 16 blocks needed.

All the other piecing is complete...

I just need to assemble the units and put this puppy together!

Here's a look at the design wall so far...

This is my 'nod' to the Red and White show from last year.

I didn't get to attend but was awestruck by the many 

photos of the amazing quilts.

Have you done a Red and White quilt?

Happy Stitching,

Colleen

A Great Quilt Show

As mentioned in a previous post, the ELIQG Show was this past weekend.

The show was wonderful and all the quilts were simply amazing.

I entered my son's wedding quilt into the show.  This was the first time for me entering a quilt.

Here she is hanging in all her glory. (Finally a better picture of this quilt)

I never expected to win a ribbon.  That isn't why I entered the show.

A group of ladies decided last year that we would all enter a quilt this year.

Well, 3 of us did (out of about 12).

All three won ribbons.

My quilt won three ribbons:

Third Place in Large Duet

Judge's Merit for Piecing

A Vendor's Choice

That's kind of neat.  It was also very nice to see your quilt hanging gallery style 

alongside many other amazing quilts.

I really have to thank my friend Debbie (Divine Quilting) for the most amazing quilting 

she did for me on this quilt.

I adore it and so does my son and his wife.

Now that the show is over I can finally let them take this quilt home with them so they can enjoy it.

Will I enter a quilt in a show again?

Probably!

Happy Sewing,

Colleen

I'm Back!

I cannot believe it is June 1st already.  Where does the time fly too anyway?

I have been so out of the loop the past few weeks but I need to get back on track with everything.

My daughter and grandson were here for 9 sleeps...and Pop and Nan need 9 sleeps to recover.

He is a great boy and he is all boy...boy oh boy.

Lots of playing and having fun.

It was great to have them here for so long, longer than originally planned.

A morning at the beach with Pop!  Very cold water...

On Sunday, May 20th my Father-in-law passed away unexpectedly.  This was very sad and my heart broke for my Mother-in-law.  She is such a sweet person and in a nursing home where they take great care of her.

She was so sad and really did not understand.

Because of this my daughter came home on Tuesday instead of the following Saturday.

My sons and daughter-in-law came on Wednesday.

The house was full and somehow this always makes a sad time a little better, especially with a small child.

Yesterday when we dropped my daughter at the airport my husband said it was such a rough two weeks but he was glad to have then here for so long.  I told him to think of their long visit as a final gift from his Dad.

And a special gift it was.  We really enjoyed it.

Now that it is June 1st I have made a realization.  Last year (2011) I made a promise to sew everyday and I did.  This year I have not done that.  So, starting today, June 1, 2012, I once again promise myself to sew everyday.  You really get a lot accomplished that way.

Here's what I finished today.

This is a shop sample and so quick and easy.  Kits are available for this.

Saturday and Sunday is the local guild quilt show...very excited for this.

I entered a quilt in the show.  Not expecting to win a ribbon or anything.  I reached my goal which was to actually enter a quilt in a show for the first time...check that off the bucket list.

This is the quilt I entered.

My son's wedding quilt.

I wish I could take a better photo.  It should be hanging nicely at the show so I will take a photo at that time and then post a nicer pic.

Have a great weekend and enjoy some sewing...

Colleen

Finished it!

My friend's secret scrap quilt is completed and on it's way to her...it's a surprise so don't tell.

Here is a photo of the lap quilt I made.

Very colorful for me, wouldn't you say? 

I used an assortment of Batik strips cut from my (growing) stash of Batiks.

I too was amazed at just how many different fabrics I have collected.

What I started to do was to purchase 1/3 yard of some Batiks I thought were pretty and that I liked.

The 1/3 yard cut (for me) works better than a FQ or a 1/4 yard.  I have found that with collecting certain fabric lines getting that size offers me a good amount of fabric to work with in quilts or toppers that I want to make.

This quilt was quilted using a variegated Sulky #12wt. thread.  The thread colors were a perfect compliment to the fabrics.  I simple quilted through every other strip in a straight line.  Easy as can be!

Made with 1 1/2" strips.  Finished size 41" X 50".

The other thing I did was to put a label on the back.  Yes, I know that we should always do this but I must confess that this is the first time I have done this!  Shock throughout the nation!

Usually I simple stitch my initials and the date on a corner in the back but this time I actually made and attached a simple label.

When I started to stitch down the fourth side of this label a strong feeling of pride and accomplishment came over me.  I cannot explain it and it wasn't a sappy kind of a feeling...just felt good.

This isn't a prize winning quilt or anything. It is really cute and very cheery.  The label thing was about the label.  So perhaps there is more to adding a label to a quilt than just identifying the maker and date and some other things like perhaps the recipient and the occasion for which the quilt was made.

I don't know what it was - it just felt good!
So now, I will need to label my quilts from this point on.

I think my friend will like this little quilt!

Happy Spring!  Take time to watch the flowers grow!
Take time to sit and sew!
Colleen

Finally ~ a goal for 2012...

Well, a goal that relates to sewing that is!

Last year I had planned to "mash my stash".  I did use a lot of my stash fabrics but I also realized that if I made a purchase say last week and used it this week I called it using my stash.  LOL!
All I can say is...my game ~ my rules!

Upon giving this deep some thought I decided that this year I would choose three (or so) fabrics from my stash each month, take a photo of them and try to use each of them in a project by month's end.

Again...my game ~ my rules!  

My Rules

1.  I can use some or all of the fabric

2.  They can all be used in the same project or they can be used individually

3.  I can use them in any project any way I want

4.  If I don't use them that month I will put them into a 'special box' and if they haven't been used by the end of the year I should donate or give them away (maybe ~ remember, these are my rules for me!)

5.  I will try really hard do my best to use a wide range of the fabrics in my stash; from ugly fabrics to my most coveted favorites

6.  This does not mean that I cannot buy more fabric for my stash

Now that the rules are in place (and subject to change) here is a photo of the fabrics I have picked for March.

Pink fabric = 1 yard

Green fabric = 3/4 yard

Large floral fabric = 1 yard

Stay tuned to see where any one of these may show up!

On another note, today I did a little Spring decorating.  My 'secret sister' sent me this wonderful runner and I just had to put it out with my bunnies and chicks!

And then, I organized a drawer in the office for my ribbons.

That felt good!

Tonight I have some hand sewing to do and some paperwork to finish for my husband's business...it's Tax Season madness I tell you!

Happy Sewing!
Colleen

Leap Day Post

I feel like I really needed to post today because I won't be able to post on February 29th for another 4 years!

I have two small quilts basted and ready to quilt tomorrow.

Here is one...the February Small Quilt Challenge with Kathleen Tracy.

I missed the finish for February but at least I have it almost complete.

I decided on the floral border.  It really is so cute.

The other one basted and ready is the 12 Days of Christmas from the Temecula Quilt Co.  No photo of that one but will post after I quilt it.

Tomorrow is the first day of March and spring is fast approaching.

The other day I realized that I hadn't set any goals for this year.

Last year the personal goal was to sew everyday...AND I DID!

I had other typical goals; use the stash, don't buy more...and so on...that never works.

Quilters just have to have more...you see it...you want it...you buy it!
Goes without saying, the stash grows quickly!

I have a goal in mind and am sort of excited about it.

Tune in tomorrow when I share it!

Have a great 'extra' day!

Colleen

Somethin' Scrappy...

We have a challenge in one of my groups for Something Scrappy...an exchange.

The rules are to make something...anything...for your Secret Sister out of scraps!
I hope I have enough?  I certainly do!

I started with this pile...

And now I have this done...just a peek...because it's a secret...

I have a little bit more work on this and cannot show any more pics...because it's a secret!
I am not a huge fan of batiks so I couldn't believe that I actually have so many pieces in my stash of scraps.

In addition, I sort of like this combination of really pretty colors (shh!  don't tell my friend Debbie)!

The strips for this part of the scrap project finish at 1".

I will show the rest of the photos when I know the secret is out!

Have a great day and remember to sew...I will!

Colleen

Another UFO...

So this was suppose to be a Valentine's gift for my daughter.  Now it's just another UFO.

That's right, other projects got in the way and this one did not find it's way to completion.

I like the pattern it came from and had this charm pack laying around the sewing room for a few years.

I made a few adjustments to fit what I had on hand and it really is cute for Valentine's Day.

All it needs is to be layered and quilted (I plan to do the decorative applique stitching as quilting for this).

Anyway, Happy Valentine's Day to my darling daughter (who really doesn't read this blog)...maybe you'll get this for next year.

From Kim Schaefer's Calendar Quilts pattern 

On another note, you really need to visit my friend Debbie's blog today.  

Her post is about how she quilted my son's wedding quilt.  Go see it here.

The quilting on this is so wonderful, it made the quilt so much better than it was.

The newlyweds love it too.

Now for a funny Valentine's story.  When my husband (gotta love this guy) and I were out to dinner the other night I told him not to get me flowers this year for Valentine's Day.  They are too expensive and I would prefer 12 cans of my favorite soup.  That's right people, I said soup.

I won't go into the reasons why I want the soup except (aside from the obvious) for the most important one which is that it is the only flavor that NEVER goes on sale like the others.  

His response was "why should I get you anything when all you do for me is make me a card, you don't even bother to go buy one.  You just give me some home made job".

Like I said before ~ gotta love this guy.  This year he is getting a store bought card.  Which means I have more time to sew.  Yup, gotta love a guy that allows you more time to sew.

And, Happy Valentine's Day to all my blogger friends.

Have a wonderful day full and make time to sew...not make cards.

Colleen

Is winter here?

It's chilly outside and there some rain/snow showers...so is winter here?
NOT.

This isn't going to be a big snowstorm today.

Just a little mix with perhaps an inch or so with slippery roads this evening.

That's what the weatherman is saying.

This week I didn't do a lot of sewing, I did sew everyday but not marathon sewing.  Minor small stuff.

I have an awful stiff neck, which now I am realizing is a really stiff shoulder that is causing a lot of pain.

Cannot imaging what I did to aggravate it.  So annoying.

I am participating in the February Small Quilt Challenge with Kathleen Tracy again this month.

Another quilt from her book Prairie Children and their Quilts.

On schedule so far.  Last night while waiting for the husband to bring home pizza I pieced all the squares and after pizza put the rows together.

In the book it is the Broken Dishes Quilt but she encourages you to expand and offered an alternative red and white option with an embroidered heart in the center.  I didn't want to do the heart because I will keep this out all year long.  Loving the red and white.

I hit up my stash of 30's prints and added some shirting scraps and a red/white star scrap for this.

My challenge now is to decide on the borders.

The red inner border is a go but I am thinking of a few others from my stash for the outer.

Decisions...decisions...what's a girl to do?

Top/bottom/left/right?  Not sure.

Or perhaps this other choice...

I think I have narrowed it down to the bottom and the "other choice" seen above...

What do you think?

Have a great Saturday.  I am off to work and then a night in with my sewing machine.

Remember, take time to sew...I do.

Colleen

It's Saturday and the sun is shining bright!

I can honestly say that we have been very fortunate with the weather this winter.

This time last year we already had over 3 feet of snow on the ground and were wondering where to put it after we shoveled it.  Not that I miss the snow but I do realize this is winter and we have at minimum 6-8 weeks to go and could see some white stuff at anytime...but according to the weatherman...not in the next 10 days at the very least.  YIPPEE!

I have had a very productive week of sewing.

Finished this top for a class sample.

It measures about 58" x 74" and is a quick one.

The colors are just wonderful and very cheery.

During piecing the strips I saved the little snippets and now I have a bunch of batik HST's for a swap in March.  They just need to be squared up and set aside for the balance of the scraps that will go into this scrap swap project!

Also started cutting and piecing the blocks for this class sample.

This uses a special ruler and a pattern that coordinates with the ruler...more on that at a later date.

So far I have 48 blocks complete but I need 80 total...more sewing tonight.

I also had a lot of 30's snippets from this project and stitched them together into this little lovely.

Still thinking about where this one is headed as a finished table topper perhaps.  It might need a solid blue inner border before the muslin border.  For sure there will be a muslin border, I like the way muslin looks with the 30's retro prints.  There also might be some yo-yo's needed here.  I plan to have some fun with this one.

Have a delightful day and remember to make time to sew...

Colleen

Maybe now I can upload those photos now AND always purchase extra fabric because...

This was my option #2 border...

Still didn't work for me.

So it was on to #3 and that was the one!
What do they say...3rd times the charm...yes it is.

I like this border.

This little quilt finishes at 25" x 25".

As I mentioned before it is "Crosses Mourning" from the book Prairie Children and Their Quilts by Kathleen Tracy.

The fabrics were entirely from my stash of Civil War prints and my CW scrap bin.

Now for the 'always purchase extra fabric' part of this post.

I had to use a cream print from some yardage I had purchased.

It wasn't for a special pattern or project so I only purchased 1/2 yard (a while ago).

When I pulled it out and 'squared' up the fabric prior to cutting here is what happened.

As you can see from this photo, I cut off the two ends that were not even.  From a 1/2 yard cut I have a 15" piece of fabric that goes full width.  (Photo shows about 14" because I am working on another project so I cut out an extra 1" on one uneven side for that so I knew I would waste less.)

In theory I lost 3" of fabric that could be cut WOF.  

None of what I cut off is waste because I can use it in another (many) projects at a later date.  

But if I needed that full 1/2 yard to cut strips by the WOF I would not have it.

This is good quilt shop quality fabric from a reputable company.  It is not the shops fault and maybe not even the companies fault.

The take away on this ~ ALWAYS PURCHASE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN YOU NEED!!!

Had a great day cutting out some projects and now I am off to sew while my husband watches the game!

Game time = sew time!

We had snow...

Yup, we had snow that actually had to be shoveled.

And today ~ well today it will be sunny and chilly BUT tomorrow it will head back up to 40's with rain and all the snow (only about 3") will be gone again and the week ahead is expected to be in the upper 40's and sunny.

Do you think that's all the snow we will get this year here in NY?  Not!  But that would be nice!

Anyway, last night I finished the Crosses Mourning top I was working on this past Thursday (see previous post).

In the morning I picked out the sash and cornerstones and cut them.  Then I cut the borders that I had set aside for this right from the beginning.  Laid it out, took this photo and decided not good!

Too busy and light for my liking.  But you will see this border fabric somewhere on one of my quilts in the future because I really like it!
Then, option 2...

No option 2...photos will not upload!

I'll be back with more on this little quilt top.

TODAY I SEW!
My husband is bringing home Chinese food for dinner because he MUST watch the big game tonight.

I asked him if he thinks the Giants will win...the answer...they have a 50-50 chance!
Such wisdom!

Remember, take some time to sew!
Colleen

Me and My Sewing Machine...

We sure had fun today! It was very productive and we accomplished a lot together.

I do have to give some credit to the rotary cutter also...and the iron...and the seam ripper...LOL!

I was determined to choose sashing and border fabrics for the 12 Days of Christmas quilt.

(Posted about that a short while ago) I went "shopping" in my stash and came up with some great choices.

Mission accomplished and it is all together and ready to be layered and quilted.

The teal border really felt right for this.  I think I will border it in the same brown/pink print that was in the borders. 

Many  other quilters participated in this little quilt along and some of the photos of the quilts they made are wonderful.  I am inspired by those who made it using red and green fabrics for Christmas and just might have to make another one!

Next on the to-do list for today was the Crosses Mourning quilt.  Kathleen Tracy ~ find her here ~ is doing a challenge to make a small quilt a month this year.  Crosses Mourning is the first quilt and the pattern is from her book Prairie Children and Their Quilts.

First I choose the fabrics...

I started by digging in my Civil War scrap box, then moved to my Civil War stash.

The result ~ 9 black prints, 9 cream/black prints and 9 different color prints ~ to make 9 wonderful little blocks...

Next step will be to decide on sashing and borders which will have to wait because I need to do that in the daylight ~ maybe tomorrow!

Then I need to decide on how to quilt these two little charmers.

Right now we are having a little winter visit in the form of a very light snow.  Just a dusting!

They are saying that Saturday may bring a bit more.  Cannot complain because so far the weather has been very nice this winter!

Remember to take time to sew!

Colleen

12 days...and a Birthday Block!

The last block was posted yesterday and I made it this morning ~ now I have all of the 12 blocks for the "12 Days of Christmas" mini quilt!

Next should be the layout and finishing instructions.  They will most likely come today but since I have to go to work today I will not be able to pull them up until tomorrow.  

Depending on the layout I might have to redo #8 or #9.  I did them both in red and cream.  Plus I see a lot of blue (my favorites) up in the right hand corner.

Maybe I could change the layout if it doesn't work...heck yeah, it's my quilt!

Making these tiny blocks (3") was fun and ~ now don't laugh ~ my favorite block of the bunch is...

TA-TA-TA-DA!
#9

What is it about a simple 9 patch?  Love it!

All these blocks were made with snippets and scraps from my stash.

(no yardage or fat quarters were harmed in the making of these blocks)

In other sewing news (lol)...there were 3 Birthday girls in my Birthday Block Swap for December.

One I didn't take a photo of before I gave it but it was really cute.  The BD girl wanted Christmas red, green, and white.  I made her a block with red and white pinwheels and green squares.  Called it Peppermint and Pines!

This block was for the BD girl who wanted a Blue and White block.

It's a Double Pinwheel.  In the new Japanese Block book I purchased they called it

'Yosegi niju` kazaguruma' and it is assembled with strips instead of half-square triangles.

It's a nice block and I will make it again.

The third block ~ can't show you yet ~ I will be giving it to the BD girl tonight when I see her at the shop for "First Friday Finishes".

Have a super day and remember to sew ~ even just a little!
Colleen

12 Days of Christmas...

I don't know if you are aware but the Temecula Quilt Co. is doing a "12 Days of Christmas" Mystery Mini Sampler.  Like a host of other bloggers and quilters I have been following along.

Today was Day 8!  I have all 8 blocks complete and so I am up to date.

Here is a photo of my blocks so far.

I laid them out this way on point because I have a sneaky suspicion that might be the way they are planned.

If you notice in the photo below, each block has total pieces corresponding to the day; day 1 is just a square, day 2 is a HST and so on.  Very cool concept and it's a bit of fun too!

I will be sure to post the final blocks when they are complete.

Today my husband and I went to the Japanese Market in New Jersey (Mitsuwa).

It was very, very crowded but fun none the less.  We go a few times a year to stock up on some of the Japanese cooking supplies we cannot get locally.

In addition to the groceries, there is a Japanese Book Store there (Sanseido).

I love to look through all the Japanese Quilting Books they are amazing.

Today my husband bought me these two...

 Honestly, I could have looked through the books all day and purchased about 10 of them so I had to control myself!  

I also enjoy popping over to the Stationary Department.  They have the neatest stuff.  Today I picked up this "monkey valentine" to send my little guy for Valentine's Day.

TOO CUTE!  Cannot wait for him to get this!
I also got some Valentine envelopes ~ now I have to make cards to go in them for the adults.

There are 3 of each.

So, now that dinner is done I have to decide what I want to do tonight; work on a sample for the shop or sit down with a nice cup of tea and browse through my new books.

Tough decision but I think the books will win!

Happy Stitching,

Colleen

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I want to wish all my blogging friends a very Happy New Year!

I just read my goals that I posted for 2011 and updated them.  

Missed a few but had a fun year sewing so that's okay!

Maybe 2012 will be a better year for FINISHING ALL THOSE UFO's!

Wishing you all good health, happiness and good fortune!

Colleen