I have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. I have wonderful family and friends both near and far. Watching the news gives you the feeling that everything is wrong. But it is our challenge to move away from fear and worry, have faith and do the best we can as we care for each other. I owe a "ginormous" ;-) thank you everyone of my friends and a special thank you to several of them that are dear to me. Every day comments and interaction from my blog give me encouragement and joy. Life has been very hectic and challenging lately and I've neglected visiting my regular blogs and seeing what is going on but this weekend I'm going to get caught up with e-mails and posts in my google reader.
And speaking of holidays . . . Christmas came early this week.
My friend Sandi at A Legacy of Stitches sent the biggest early Christmas extravaganza box to me. Here are a few of the thoughtful things she included in her box. There was a letter telling me what everything was and how to proceed through he contents. Sandi is so kind.
She is also a vocalist, writer, quilter, artist and pattern designer. She sent me some of the patterns that she has designed and other goodies for me to enJOY.
Contents in the box were wrapped up and cushioned in this huge bag of felted wool. I've not had a lot of experience using felted wool very often but I've loved seeing things others have created with it. So now I have an opportunity to do the same.
Cradled inside the felted wool were these 2 boxes with the vintage creamer and pitcher. You can see why she sent them to me. Beehives and Vintage! They are really darling and will hold a special place on my sewing room shelf. Thank you so much Sandi, words aren't enough.
Jane of Jane's fabrics and Quilts also sent me a box of quilting treats. If you don't know Jane, you are missing out. Jane is such a willing and supportive friend. And she seems almost clairvoyant and always makes me feel special. Look at this funny/true group of quilter's sayings she sent me. I love it. Can't you see pincushions and fun treasures using these cute quips.
Here is some of the loot - darling stuff all of it with me in mind. And Jane made me a very special cottage block. Now look at the little ribbon candy fabric in the left upper corner. I mentioned to Jane how cute the fabric was in a post she made a week ago. I certainly wasn't fishing to have her send it to me but she did and so much more!
I wanted to use it to make more of the little tree ornaments I've been working on. The ribbon candy reminded me of vintage Christmases from my memories and something kids might have found in their stocking many years ago. It worked out "sweetly" in my trees. I can't thank you enough Jane, for everything.
Last night was our local quilt group meeting and I took lots of pictures to post later. But Kim caught me in the hallway as I was leaving and handed me this sweet gift and a big hug. Thank you Kim. Your work is perfection on everything you do. I'm so proud to have a Kim "gem" to tuck in my purse and use. And just like Jane's fat quarter of quilter's saying goes Chocolate is included as one of a quilter's basic food groups, especially Dove chocolates!
In light of all the Joy sent to me I would be remiss if I did not give to others. Melissa Jones (the sweetest girl) is involved in a great children's charity called Signs of Hope here locally. And I'm so happy to donate a couple quilts to this needful cause. I know this year charities are hurting as well. It is important to show gratitude by giving. Thanks for this opportunity, Melissa, and I wish you much success in your year long efforts for the upcoming event and I wish you all the support of local folks.
And speaking of holidays . . . Christmas came early this week.
My friend Sandi at A Legacy of Stitches sent the biggest early Christmas extravaganza box to me. Here are a few of the thoughtful things she included in her box. There was a letter telling me what everything was and how to proceed through he contents. Sandi is so kind.
She is also a vocalist, writer, quilter, artist and pattern designer. She sent me some of the patterns that she has designed and other goodies for me to enJOY.
Contents in the box were wrapped up and cushioned in this huge bag of felted wool. I've not had a lot of experience using felted wool very often but I've loved seeing things others have created with it. So now I have an opportunity to do the same.Cradled inside the felted wool were these 2 boxes with the vintage creamer and pitcher. You can see why she sent them to me. Beehives and Vintage! They are really darling and will hold a special place on my sewing room shelf. Thank you so much Sandi, words aren't enough.
Jane of Jane's fabrics and Quilts also sent me a box of quilting treats. If you don't know Jane, you are missing out. Jane is such a willing and supportive friend. And she seems almost clairvoyant and always makes me feel special. Look at this funny/true group of quilter's sayings she sent me. I love it. Can't you see pincushions and fun treasures using these cute quips.Here is some of the loot - darling stuff all of it with me in mind. And Jane made me a very special cottage block. Now look at the little ribbon candy fabric in the left upper corner. I mentioned to Jane how cute the fabric was in a post she made a week ago. I certainly wasn't fishing to have her send it to me but she did and so much more!
I wanted to use it to make more of the little tree ornaments I've been working on. The ribbon candy reminded me of vintage Christmases from my memories and something kids might have found in their stocking many years ago. It worked out "sweetly" in my trees. I can't thank you enough Jane, for everything. Last night was our local quilt group meeting and I took lots of pictures to post later. But Kim caught me in the hallway as I was leaving and handed me this sweet gift and a big hug. Thank you Kim. Your work is perfection on everything you do. I'm so proud to have a Kim "gem" to tuck in my purse and use. And just like Jane's fat quarter of quilter's saying goes Chocolate is included as one of a quilter's basic food groups, especially Dove chocolates!In light of all the Joy sent to me I would be remiss if I did not give to others. Melissa Jones (the sweetest girl) is involved in a great children's charity called Signs of Hope here locally. And I'm so happy to donate a couple quilts to this needful cause. I know this year charities are hurting as well. It is important to show gratitude by giving. Thanks for this opportunity, Melissa, and I wish you much success in your year long efforts for the upcoming event and I wish you all the support of local folks.Happy Thanksgiving Lovely People
-nanette
So my first cottage flimsy is done. But I haven't taken it to the quilter. And I found out I missed the deadline to submit it to the local Festival of Trees. I will be sure to donate one of the quilts I make next year. I have some other ideas for the other 2 cottage quilts I'm making but I've had to set that aside for a bit. You know how that goes. It is such a crazy busy time of year.
Here is one of my vintage kitchen prints. I like the brick and I will most likely fussy cut the piece into projects. I can use the brick when I make "other" cottages, too. The blue in the fabric just pops out at you.
Carrie sent me a sweet and fabulous gift. 
Carrie knows I love novelty fabric. And houses. Of course. She sent Christmas house fabric, lovely architecture fabric, and darling kitchen fabric. Sweet stuff.
I ordered one of Jodie's new acrylic templates and it arrived yesterday packaged very well. I use 8 1/2" blocks from time to time and I love having a square template for each size I use. It was affordable and a good idea. The graphics are raised so I figure I can turn it upside down and it's like having a non-slide surface, sorta. Nice job 
Glenna mailed me her pattern. Thanks Glenna! And that arrived yesterday, too.
About a week ago or so 
I think I may do a one fabric border for this one. I want to save the rest of my tree fabric for one of the other cottage quilts. I will say this - the blocks are so big that they sew up really fast. I made this progress just sewing Saturday evening. My plan is to get this to the machine quilter Thursday.
Here is my latest sample bag for the "Mixed Bag to Quilt" pattern. I forgot to leave a sample bag at the store when I left so I'll be dropping this one back off at American Quilting. I did put some kits in my etsy store. It is a fun bag to make.
