It's snowing again...

I just hope my DGS makes it back to Boston all right before they get hit with all this snow we're expecting.  He was supposed to fly out at 4:30 pm today, so he should be ok.

What a lovely Christmas we had.  For the first time since we bought this house in 1976, we didn't have Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner here.  Hubby and I had our own little turkey breast dinner with Katie and Patsy Cline and had a relaxing evening in front of the tree Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning we had our gifts after breakfast and "the girls" gave their "Daddy" a new pair of fur-lined moccasin slippers.  Now he can throw away those old stinky ones he loved so much (and they like to sniff---ewwww!)

I finally got to open my gift from Australia in the SSCS 2013 Swap held by Chookyblue every year.  When we receive our package in the mail, we can immediately open the small ornament gift that is part of the swap and enjoy that.  Here's my cute handmade ornie from Vickie in Humpty Doo. (Don't you just love the name of her town?)

But we have to put the big gift under the tree til Christmas Day!  Do you know how hard that is to leave something alone when it sits right there and dares you to pinch it or prod it or squeeze it?   And to make it even worse, my gift this year came wrapped in the most adorable Christmas fabric with little koala bears wearing Santa hats all over it.  That fabric is going right into my "special" stash of unique fabrics from all over the world.  (I've been very lucky in my international swaps to receive fabrics made in other countries.  I'd like to eventually get fabrics made in all the different countries I've visited, but that's just a "wish" now.  If I get enough, some day I may make myself an "international" lap quilt.)

My big gift from Vickie is a darling pleated bag.  I can't imagine how much time it took her to make all the pleats!  It has a pocket inside that's just right for my cell phone and the bag is just the perfect size.  Inside that bag was another smaller bag that will be perfect for carrying a couple of paperback books or for carrying my current stitchery project.  I think right now, I'm going to fill both bags up with things I need to take to the hospital for my surgery stay.

Included in the smaller bag was a really neat table topper pattern called "Something Sweet"  that will be just right for Valentine's Day.  If I can't get to it this year because of my surgery, I'll have something new to look forward to making for next year.  And also in the bag were two adorable teddy bear quilt labels all ready for me to stitch and use.  They're an Australian product made by Teddlywinks.  I can't wait to try those out.

Vickie's lovely gifts have sure made this a very special Christmas for me.  Thanks so much Vickie.  I hope you enjoy your SSCS prezzies as much as I'm enjoying mine.

I'll be back tomorrow to show you all the fun things I received in my Stocking Swap with my friends in my Scrappy and Happy Yahoo group.  Until then...

Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline

Merry Christmas !

From Our Home to Yours

Christmas Fulfillment

By Joanna Fuchs

This Christmas,

may you have the fulfillment

of seeing around you

the people you love the most.

May you have the satisfaction

of giving the best gift,

special memories that will last forever.

This Christmas,

may you feel peaceful and contented,

knowing what Christmas means to you

and celebrating it your way.

The Christmas Gift of Knowing You

By Joanna Fuchs

The Christmas season fills our hearts with joy;

Bright, happy days bring special kinds of pleasure.

We're wrapped in the excitement of it all,

The sights, the sounds, the smells, the tastes we treasure.

Yet when we have some quiet time to think

About our finest blessings all year through,

We focus on our family and our friends,

And appreciate the gift of knowing you!

Let's All Be Friends

Katie and Patsy Cline hope you've all been good this year so Santa will be sure and stop at your house to fill your stockings with lots of goodies.

And don't forget to say a prayer to keep all our service men and women safe during this holiday season.  We owe them so much.

God Bless Us One and All


Merry Christmas Everyone!



Thought for the Day

A friend just sent me the following in email.  I loved it and thought I would share with all of you.

THE BUZZARD

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet

and is entirely open at the top,

The bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner.

The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground

with a run of 10 to 12 feet.

Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly,

But will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT

The ordinary bat that flies around at night,

a remarkably nimble creature in the air,

Cannot take off from a level place.

If it is placed on the floor or flat ground,

all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and,

No doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation

from which it can throw itself into the air.

Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler,

will be there until it dies,

unless it is taken out.

It never sees the means of escape at the top,

but persists in trying to find some way out

Through the sides near the bottom.

It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE

 In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee.

We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations,

never realizing that all we have to do is look up!

That's the answer, the escape route,

and the solution to any problem...

Just look up!

 

Sorrow looks back,

Worry looks around,

But faith looks up!

Live simply,

Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly, and

Trust in our Creator,

Who loves us.

Share this with a friend... I just did.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

I hope you've all had a lovely Thanksgiving day today and remembered to count your blessings and say a big "Thank You" for all the joys in your life.

I have to apologize because my posts have been missing since October.  For the most part, it's because I've been busy with life, but I will admit to going on a quilting retreat in November with friends. 

But, this year has not been a good one for me, mostly because of physical problems.  I've finally made a decision I've been putting off for several years - that I have to do something about my shoulder/rotator cuff problem.  I had surgery 6 years ago to repair a huge tear in my rotator cuff.  3 of the 4 tendons were torn and the repair was not successful.  Because of atrophy, no further repair could be done. 

Now I've seen a new surgeon to our area, who does a shoulder reconstruction reversing the ball and joint in the shoulder.  She thinks her surgery is perfect for me and will finally give me relief from the pain.  But--it's a lot more complicated than a repair, so it will take up to a year for me to be normal ( ??? - she doesn't really know me yet, lol) again.  But the good news is, as soon as the incisions heal, I can start rehab and not have to sit in a sling for 8 weeks like with the rotator cuff repair.

The down side of this means I have a ton of things to get completed before my surgery the beginning of January,  So I probably won't be posting much between now and next summer.  Physically I'll be unable to as it's my right shoulder and, of course, I'm right handed.  The doctor says I'll need help at home for 2-3 weeks after I come home from hospital, so I know I won't be on the computer much, if at all.

I'm hoping by summer to be able to sew and pick up on my blog, but we'll just have to see how it goes.  So thanks to all of you who have been faithful readers of my blog. I hope you'll check in every now and then to see if I've posted anything.  I'll be back as soon as possible, but until then, I wish you ....

Happy quilting and peaceful days,

Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline

A new blog hop is coming....

A Fall Machine Embroidery Blog Hop will be sharing inspiration with an emphasis on Fall, and Christmas ideas too! They'll also be some tips, tutorials, and giveaways in this fun blog hop. And, you don't have to do machine embroidery to join the fun in this event.

Mark your calendars and come join the fun November 5th - 9th.  I found this info on SewCalGal's blog, so check out the bloggers there.  Since I just purchased an embroidery machine and have only used it once so far, I'll be waiting impatiently for this hop.

My BFF, Donna G, who's birthday we celebrated this week, made another new purse to drool over.  It's in gorgeous fabric that she tried to rip right out of my hands one day at the fabric store--but I was too tough for her, and she had to find this somewhere else, lol.  Isn't it pretty?

Usually a bunch from our Wednesday sewing group goes on a retreat for our Yahoo group during the summer.  The last 3 years we've gone to Canton, Ohio, but this year only Donna and her daughter, Jill, were able to go.  Another Yahoo member, Lyn from New Hampshire, did a tutorial on Celtic Knots at the retreat and Donna took it.  It's all hand applique and here is the piece Donna finished.  She wants to do more soon.

On Wednesday our group went to Hammondsport, NY (officially one of the coolest small towns in America) and visited the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum to see a small quilt and embroidery exhibit being held there.  The museum was fantastic!  Curtiss was the father of naval aviation and supplied the US with the first naval airplanes in WWI.   He also invented many motorbikes and cycles, plus water planes.  Very interesting trip thru history. 

Only a few quilts in the exhibit, but lots of lovely hand embroidery and applique.  The museum also had a large exhibit of miniature and dollhouses--especially liked the Irish Cottage with a thatched roof.

After the museum we headed off to lunch at Snug Harbor, a neat restaurant on the lake.  During the summer I love to eat out on the porch or dock, but a bit windy and cool today, so we enjoyed the indoors instead.  We had a lots of laughs and good food, and gifts for the birthday girls, Donna G and Gail P.

Then off to the quilt store, Lake Country Patchworks,  for some fabric shopping.  They carry lots of Orientals and batiks, so I picked up 3 Oriental fat quarters to add to my stash for my some-day quilt.  They also carry a great selection of grape fabric because, after all, they're located in the heart of the Finger Lakes grape country.

So until next time,
Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls

 

Are you ready for the drawing?

Today's the day I said I'd draw for the prizes I donated to the Leafs Me Happy Blog Hop.  It's my BFF Donna G's birthday, so she'll bring someone some good luck today.  

So to DONNA:

May you have cake all day long, lol.

What a fun experience this was for me.  Everyone was so nice.  And so many people stopped by and left lovely comments about my projects.  I was very nervous about doing my first hop, but since it was so pain-free, lol, I think I'll do it again.  My buddy, Joan, at MooseStash Quilting does them all the time and gives me lots of encouragement and inspiration, so look for me to do more in the future.

Thank you to our wonderful, hard working hostess, Cherry, at Cherry Blossums Quilting Studio and to Madam Samm at Sew We Quilt, the inspiration and bestest (?) cheerleader behind this and many blog hops to come.

With further ado, here is the winner of our little drawing:

Kathy H said...

I am a new follower and love the pictures of your cats. The maple leaf quilt is going to be gorgeous. ANd how cute with the cat and the pumpkin. The mug rugs are a great idea with all the different colors for the seasons. It turned out great too.

So thanks, Kathy H, for your kind comments (and Katie and Patsy Cline thank you, too).  I've sent you an email, so as soon as I receive your snail mail info, I'll get your Fall mug mat and charm pack in the mail to you.

And thanks to all of you out there that stopped by and left lovely comments and mercy me, even became a follower, lol!  This was a wonderful experience.  If you haven't tried it yet, I encourage more of you to join in.

Until next time,

Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline

Day 6 of the Leafs Blog Hop...

Today is the 6th day of the hop and more quilters will be posting their leaf-themed blocks. Cheerleader and hostess Cherry, at CherryBlossoms Studio, has all the info. Visit her to see the schedule on her sidebar and get ready for a fun trip. The blog hop goes until October 10th.

Don't forget the Halloween paper-pieced blog hop is also going on, and doesn't end til the last day of October.  Stop at Whims and Fancies to see the schedule at the bottom of her post.  Lots of great, new, original blocks on this hop.

Until next time,

Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline

IT'S HERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is DAY FIVE of the blog hop and my day to post THE BLOCK!  Thank you to our wonderful, hard working hostess, Cherry, at Cherry Blossums Quilting Studio and to Madam Samm at Sew We Quilt, the inspiration and bestest (?) cheerleader behind this and many blog hops to come. What an experience this has been.



I've been a nervous wreck worrying that I would do something wrong and end up being banned from all future hops (and maybe even from blogland, lol.)  So take pity on me and remember this is my first attempt at a blog hop.

Since Fall is my favorite season and I live on a street that is lined with maple trees, what better block for me to do than the Maple Leaf.  I chose the 12-inch finished block from Marcia Hohn's  Quilters Cache and did it in just two colors for a challenge on one of my Yahoo groups.  We've been doing an Amish BOM for the past year, so my colors for the block are orange and black.  This will fit right in with the other blocks I've done for the quilt top. 

But because I love that block so much, I've also been working on another quilt done completely in Maple Leaf  blocks of all colors.  So far, I only have five of the 12-inch blocks done, but it's a work in progress, so it will get done sooner or later.  Here's Katie helping me choose my fabrics.

I think I want to make several of the future blocks in batiks.  Since I started working with them, I find I really love them.  And here's what I have done so far.

Once I started working with my Fall fabrics I found I didn't want to quit.  So then I went on and made a Fall mug rug to set my tea/hot chocolate on.  I've been in several mug rug swaps and they are so much fun.  I'm sorry but I don't remember where I got the paper pieced pattern I used, but it could have been from Carol Doak,  I belong to her Yahoo group and have several of her paper piecing books and CD's.  I like this pattern because I can make it in lots of fabrics for different seasons.  I've made it in pastels and darks for Spring, Summer, and Fall.  I like to use my fancy machine stitches on these just for a little zing. Do you like it?    



My last project is a Carol Doak freebie for her Yahoo group.  She gave it to the members to use in August and it's really what made me decide to join in on the Leafs blog hop.  I love the little cat peeking out of the pumpkin.  And since it reminded me of my kitty, JayDee (RIP Jade), I had to make it!  Plus, it's a great fall deco piece for the seasonal wire hanger I have on my entrance table.  I used the diamond stitch on my machine to make his little green eyes.  Isn't he cute?

The pattern is a 3-inch block that Carol offered to be used in a Fall card, but I blew it up about 200% to 8-inches and then paper pieced it.  I added a 1-inch first border and a 3-inch outside border to make it fit into my wire hanger.  I'm really pleased with how it came out, but if I make another one I would add extra border width at the top and the bottom so it filled the length of the hanger better.  As you can see, I'm camouflaging the bottom with silk leaves because it's a few inches short.  Because I might hang it somewhere else for Halloween, I sewed plastic rings on the back to hang it, instead of a hanging sleeve.  But what a fun project it's been--you should try it.

  Here is a list of today's bloggers:

 

Insanity Defense

Michelle May and the Bunnies

Sparrow In Flight

Quilted Delights

Quilting With a Marmalade Cat (you are here)

Traveling Quilter

A Stitch in Time

Cherry Blossoms  (our fearless leader)

Tea Time Creations 

Moose Stash Quilting  (my fabulous buddy Joan)

Stitchin By The Lake

Make sure you stop by and see them all.  And don't forget--Monday there'll be new bloggers posting, so come back then and start again.

Now, for more fun!  How about a little giveaway?  If you become a follower and leave me a comment, I'll put your name into the drawing for my Fall Mug Rug and a fabric pack of fifty 4-inch charm squares.  I'll randomly select a winner on Monday, Ocotber 15th--my BFF Donna G's birthday!

And thanks again to Madame Samm and our hostess, Cherry.  We couldn't have done it without you!

Until next time...
Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline

  

Day Four...

Today is the 4th day of the hop and 11 quilters will be posting their leaf-themed blocks. Cheerleader and hostess Cherry, at CherryBlossoms Studio, has all the info. Visit her to see the schedule on her sidebar and get ready for a fun trip. The blog hop goes from October 1-10. Today's bloggers are:

Debby Kratovil Quilts

Patchouli Moon Studio

Freemotion by the River

Quilt Doodle Designs

Apple Avenue Quilts

Jane’s Quilting

Spoilt Dog Quilts

Ramblings of a Quilter

Deborah

A Passion For Appliqué

Gracie Oliver Arts

Make sure you stop in and check out their blocks.  Maybe you'll find a tutorial to do or a giveaway to enter.  And tomorrow is DAY FIVE!!!!!   Yikes!   That's the day I have to post my block and projects.

I hope you visit tomorrow and like what you see.

Until next time...

Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline









Blog Hop Day Three...

Today is the 3rd day of the hop and 11 quilters will be posting their leaf-themed blocks. Cheerleader and hostess Cherry, at CherryBlossoms Studio, has all the info. Visit her to see the schedule on her sidebar and get ready for a fun trip. The blog hop goes from October 1-10. Today's bloggers are:

Plum and June

The Recipe Bunny

VroomansQuilts

It's Sew Kiki

PigTales and Quilts

Quilting fiesta

GrammieQ's

Nancy

Just Let Me Quilt

Selina Quilts

The Learning Curve~Quilts and Such

Make sure you check them all out and enjoy their lovely Fall blocks and projects.

Until next time...

Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline



 

Blog Hop Day Two...

Today is the 2nd day of the hop and 10 quilters will be posting their leaf-themed blocks. Cheerleader and hostess Cherry, at CherryBlossoms Studio, has all the info. Visit her to see the schedule on her sidebar and get ready for a fun trip. The blog hop goes from October 1-10. Today's bloggers are:

Mrs.Pickles Garden

Gingersnaps Quilts

Petit Design Co

Jessisca

A Passion For Applique

Annie Oak Designs

Michelle's Romantic Tangle

CherrysPrairiePrimitives

Krislovesfabric

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle

Be sure to stop and see them all.  Some may have tutorials and others may have giveaways.  See you there.



Last week was my birthday and I had a wonderful luncheon prepared by my quilt club friends at Joan's

house on Wednesday and they even gave me prezzies!

 

Gorgeous tote bag made by Diane S

Fall WH made by Donna G

Scarecrow Pumpkin from my Secret Pal

Outdoor Mat from Ann

But Ann said that I'm still on probation, so not to get too excited, lol.  And Donna G made me a yummy homemade chocolate-cherry cake with chocolate frosting to top off all the prezzies!

 

Then on Thursday the gals that come to my house to hand stitch or knit, etc. all got together for the day, then we went out to dinner and came back to my house for more prezzies! Wow! What a great group that one is too.

Friday night my family took me out to dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant and I got to have Chicken Picatta--my favorite meal.  So that capped off a great week.

Until next time...
Happy quilting from Sharon and the girls, Katie and Patsy Cline