Prize Winnings!

Thanks to everyone taking the time to vote for me, I was able to get some new supplies with my gift certificate, from This-n-That Fabrics. My big buy was rotary cutters, I use those a lot and having new sharp ones, makes it a lot easier on my hands. I also treated myself to some Christmas fabrics and ticking, so I can get a head start on the patterns I have been wanting to make. One of the items I have been wanting to try is Thimble-it.

I used them today for quilting the baby blanket and I loved them. I have been using bandaids to protect my middle fingers and they work, but they tend to get sticky and gum up the needle and if I have to do things, I have to take them off and put new ones on. With Thimble-it, I could take them off and put them back on when I got started again. On the bottom finger they are perfect, I could push the needle through and hit the thimble-it instead of my finger. It is hard enough so the needle doesn't puncture it, so I highly recommend it for the bottom finger. On the pushing finger, it was a bit harder since the hard plastic made the needle slide when I pushed, but as I went along it started to work better as it softened up from the needle, but it also makes it wear faster and wasn't sticking as well by the third time. All in all, I would buy more, I do like using them, I like being able to stitch without pricking my poor fingers to death. They do make another product that has a softer stick on for quilting, so I might try that for my pushing finger.

Another prize I won was from Maureen Cracknell Handmade. She had several prizes and I was the lucky winner of a bundle of fabric from Form and Fabric. They are pink shades with beautiful patterns, beautiful fabrics for a little girl's quilt or maybe an art piece for my daughter.

We had a wonderful week paddling but yesterday was a good day to rest and stay home. It was also a good day for a cookout with the kids and of course my sweet grandson. Grandpa got some cuddle time while Nicholas slept soundly on his arm. He is such a content and sweet baby.

Christmas Quilt Top Finished!

First a reminder, the voting for The Awesome Autumn Challenge, ends soon, so if you haven't voted, please visit and leave your vote. They are also doing  a new giveaway, so just leave a comment to be entered into the newest giveaway.

Today I finished the top part of my quilt and then I sewed that to the bottom blocks. I went with a simple homespuns green with stars for the border. It matches nicely and has a soft touch, so fun to work with, since the border is also the binding.

For the top, I took a design and spread it out to fit in the space. Now I just need to add the batting and back and I will do a simple black stitch in the blocks and around the border I will probably go with a tan, so it shows up. I even sewed the newest piece, wonky, so it matches the rest;)

The designs are by Tiffany of Primitive Blessings, all free designs.

For those of you who are in the storm's path, stay safe. I plan on enjoying the nice weekend, before we get hit with the wind and rain.

Christmas Goodies!

Today was a rainy day and I was having one of my bad days, too much paddling  yesterday;)
The mailman bought me an unexpected package, what a way to perk  up my day.
My friend Lauri, Threads of Miz, sent me a box of goodies.

This is a quilt that she made years ago and never finished. It is made up of christmas kitty fabrics with a kitty border and she does the most beautiful piecing I have ever seen. I will just need to add a border for the binding and quilt it, now I need to decide, how should I quilt it? Would love suggestions for designs.

Of course, you know who, had to check it out.

She also sent me finished blocks that I can make into a table cloth or runner, will have to play with them. She made the ear muffs to keep my ears warm when I go for walks, she does beautiful work, and I think that is roving that she made herself, yes she even spins her own yarns.

And a lot of wonderful patterns that I can make and use for gifts, what a wonderful package and lots of wonderful things that I can make. Because I have been so blessed with so many wonderful gifts and prizes this year, I was thinking of starting a giveaway box, filled with goodies that I won't use anymore and have a drawing for those who are interested. Then the person who wins the box, can take what they like, add items from their stash that they won't be using and pass it on in a giveaway on their blog. What do you think, would you be interested in starting something like that?