A Child is Born

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16




Merry Christmas, dear friends! Hoping you have a day filled with family, friends, and much love!


Becky

Swap

Do you ever feel like the more you add to your "To Do List" the less you really get done? I have a list of blog topics, but don't seem to get to enough of them. In November, I showed you the front and back of the tote bag that I made for the Secret Santa Christmas Swap. I didn't want to post photos of the completed project until I knew they had arrived in New England at Laurie's house. I had great fun sewing for Laurie of  Simple Things in Life. She had some unfortunate experiences with swaps so I hoped she would enjoy this one.

I used a jelly roll and some yardage of Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas fabric line. The table runner is one of my favorite called Ten Minute Table Runner. The bag is Good To Go bag from Silver Thimble Quilt Company. There were enough strips to make a case for sunglasses, too. 

Here are the swap items safely at Laurie's home.  Laurie, I'm enjoying your blog! I love making new friends. Thank you to Joan from Ouvrages dune Acadienne for organizing this wonderful event!

Winner - My Favorite Things

The winner of the Gift Card to one of "My Favorite" Places, Chick Fil-A  is Kelly from Charming Chatter. Congratulations, Kelly. Please send me your address and I'll get your gift card in the mail.  You should be able to treat your family to milkshakes or just treat yourself to several:) Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway and played along with me  with "Your Favorite Things." We're ready for National Ice Cream Day. Mark your calendars - July 19th:)

UFO Challenge for 2011

My UFO's (Unfinished Projects) are taking over my sewing room. I find that I'm avoiding my sewing room because I don't want to face the "orphans". Several UFO challenges for next year are popping up on blogs in Blogville. This so appeals to me. It doesn't mean that I won't begin new projects. That approach has been unsuccessful in the past. It just means that I will focus on one UFO a month and attempt to complete that quilt top.

Judy L. from Patchwork Times has issued a UFO Challenge. Read more about her challenge here. I have her button on my sidebar. 

Nancy from Patchwork Penguin has issued a challenge, too. See the list on her sidebar of the challenge participants who have already accepted the challenge.

Pat Sloan had a series of  12 tips to bust UFO's. Go here to read her posts about her experience busting her UFO's.  New Years Eve and New Year's Day Pat is hosting a UFO Busting Party.

The Charming Girls Quilt Club makes goals every two months. Many of us list quilt projects as part of our monthly goals.

One day, last week I made a list of the projects that I want to complete in 2011. Of course, I now cannot remember which of my many notepads I used to compose the list. It is MIA:)  Here is my newly written list of projects to complete in 2011:  

1. Scrappy Nines in Black and White

2. Friendship Crossing

3. Christmas Lights

4. Star Gazy

5. Patches and Pinwheels

6. QE Blue Second Saturday BOM

7. White Chocolate

8. Vicky's quilt

9. Chelsea Lane BOM

10. Dotty Log Cabin

11. Christmas Pineapple

12. Portobello Market  Jelly Roll Quilt Along

New

1. French General project

2. Halloween Quilt

3. Nickle swap Morning Star

4. Layer cake project

5. Mon Ami Schnibble

6. Comfort and Joy

7. Retirement Fresh Cotton

8. Jellystone

9. Black and white BOM

I'll definitely blog more about these projects in 2011.  I only need to get a project to a completed quilt top to complete a UFO. I do tend to take care of the rest of the steps once it's at that stage. I do like to play mind games with myself. I've also listed some new projects that I'd like to work on in 2011. It will be a reward to begin these projects in addition to completing my UFO goals.

Note: Now that I've recreated my list I found the original one. Who would have ever guessed that I saved it as a Word document on my computer. No wonder I couldn't find it:)

Bloggy Giveaway

Quilt Frenzy is giving away a subscription to Fons and Porter Love of Quilting magazine. I'm crazy about quilt magazines. I subscribe to many. Visit her blog and enter for a chance to win this one year subscription. Don't hesitate. Friday, December 17th is the deadline to enter. Enjoy:)

My Favorite Things

On my car radio this morning, one of the DJ's mentioned it was National Ice Cream Day. I LOVE ice cream. As I continued to drive, I decided that I'd do an ice cream giveaway to celebrate. Hmmm! It's been record breaking cold here in Atlanta, but shipping ice cream does present a problem. I continued my errands, but in the back of my mind I was thinking about ice cream (on a day with wind chills in the teens).  I stopped with my MIL at Chick-fil-A (another one of my favorites)

 Their holiday Peppermint Milk Shakes is a family favorite (even though I think I've only tasted it once:) My DS has already had several this holiday season.

As I was sitting there sipping my hot coffee (another one of my favorite things), my brain clicked. I purchased a  gift card (another favorite thing) that should cover a milkshake or an ice cream or even something else. 

I began to worry that only folks in the Southern US would be able to use this card. I was surprise to find that all the states  in red have a Chick-fil-A restaurant.

While I was "Googling" Chick-fil-A, I decided to check on National Ice Cream Day. I couldn't find any indication that it was today. In fact, National Ice Cream Day is July 19th.

My giveaway changed from National Ice Cream Day to "My Favorite Things" giveaway:) Even though we have the fireplace on full blast, I'm wearing a heavy sweatshirt and covered with a quilt and dog, I did stop and purchase some of my favorite ice cream, Bluebell. And YES, I will treat myself on" My Favorite Things Day" with a serving of Bluebell Ice Cream. My two favorite flavors are shown below:)

To enter "My Favorite Things" giveaway for a Gift Card to either Chick-fil-A or Walmart (if there is not a Chick-fil-A  near your home), leave a comment on this entry telling me some of your favorite things.  Can you tell I've been watching the Final Season of Oprah? The deadline to enter is Saturday, December 18th. I'll visit the Random Number Generator on Sunday and announce the winner. Hope you have a day filled with "your favorite things!"

Secret Santa Swap

What a treat! I received my Secret Santa Swap package from Donna N. (blog?) Not one, but two beautiful, elegant table runners. Donna choose the perfect gift for me. I've been making table runners this Fall for my MIL's apartment. I made a holiday one for her, but not for me. We have two tables, breakfast area and dining room. This Christmas we will host my husband's family on Christmas day. We will need to use both tables for our holiday meal. Donna, your table runners will definitely add to our holiday meal. Thank you, Donna for this wonderful swap gift!

Design Wall Monday

Wow! It's been some time since I posted what was on my Design Wall. That could be because there was NOTHING on my design wall. There was not alot of action occuring in my sewing loft. Last week, I began working on my project for the Secret Santa Swap. I've actually been planning and plotting all along, but wasn't getting the right "feeling." I know you know what  I mean. I purchased a jelly roll and a bit of yardage of Kate Spain's, 12 Days of Christmas (it's Brenda's fault). I began a Christmas tree skirt. Somewhere in the haze of the pain medications following my surgery, I did have the clear thought that I'm not much of a machine quilter on a good day. What makes me think I'll do better post jaw surgery. So I changed my plan:) 

I'm making a Good to Go bag from Silver Thimble Company using the jelly roll strips (cut down the length). I do love string piecing and I've been successful with this bag in the past. Today, is SEWING DAY. The bag must be finished to bring to the post office tomorrow. The photo on my wall is of the 8 blocks that make the front and back of the bag. Back to the sewing room to finish! See other Design Wall projects on Judy L's blog Patchwork Times.

P.S. Thanks to all the kind words of encouragement about my jaw surgery. I followed doctor's orders and my two weeks of "self-imposed" sofa time is up. I'm completely off any pain medications. DH is turning the key each night on my jaw expander. I drove yesterday with success. I still don't have a complete day's energy, but breaks are scheduled. I still have some bruises on my face and neck, but it's definitely improved. 

Gone to the Dogs!

Do you remember the animated cartoon program staring "Deputy Dawg"? When I look in the mirror these days, Deputy Dan seems to be reflected back at me. A week ago, I had 3 teeth extracted AND jaw expansion surgery. As my "favorite" brother said, it's hard to imagine that Becky's mouth wasn't big enough:) I've put this surgery off for almost 30 years because I wasn't having any problems. About a year ago I began experiencing some pain from the situation. I'm spending most of my time with the elderly these days instead of my years with elementary kids. I want to be vital and lively in my 80's, so I scheduled my surgery, braces and all the other inconveniences to fix this problem. I don't want to say, I should have taken care of this, but it's too late when I get "OLD."

Wow! Did my face every swell and bruise. When I went for the check-up with my oral surgeon last week, he walked in and said, "A Bruiser." He got that right. Lots of blue, like George Rodrigues's Blue Dog (artist from my hometown of Lafayette, LA) , green, purple, black and yellow. Colors that would make a great quilt, but rather strange on a face and neck

But with prescription pain meds, I'm  as happy as Huckleberry Hound. I made the mistake of backing of the medications and doing too much. I crashed and burned this weekend. I did get some wonderful visiting time with my Silver Thimble friends, so it was worth it. I'm back on my meds, back on the couch with Dr. Rusty and trying not too talk too much (impossible). I guess when they said it would be a two week recovery period, they meant it:) C'est La Vie! I did take a photo of my face, but that photo dear friends is one that I won't post:) Just use your imagine!

Scraps Giveaway Winners

Thanks to all the kind words and comments about our string quilt project and scrap reduction project. The two winners of my scrap giveaway are Linda from Stray Stitches and Quilter Kathy from Kathy's Quilts. Thank you Jodie from Pleasant Home for organizing this fun event! It was wonderful meeting new bloggers and making new friends.  Linda and Kathy, your boxes are in the mail. Again, thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway. It was great fun!

Christmas Quilt Show

Christmas quilts! What's not to love about a Christmas quilt! I have several holiday quilts started but only one that I've actually finished and used. This quilt is one of my all-time favorites. The red and white toile shows Santa and his sleigh flying over a village. The fabric is an older Moda line. The pattern is an early pattern from Pat Wys. It is an earlier version of her Star Gazy pattern. I used extra fabric to make matching pillowcases On Thanksgiving night, I place this quilt on our bed. It marks the beginning of the holiday season for my husband and me. One day, all our beds will have Christmas quilts. The quilts are already started. I just need to complete them. Merry Christmas, dear friends!

Head over to SewCalGal's blog to view other quilts in her Christmas Quilt Show! There are wonderful prizes from sponsors for those who make quilts and those who view all the quilts.

Merry Christmas, dear blogging friends!

Scraps Giveaway!

Jodie Nelson, creative blogger at  Pleasant Home blog is hosting a humongous quilting scrap giveaway. Jodie has been encouraging her readers to use their scraps. She has posted photos of her method of organizing her scraps, making scrap blocks, projects using scraps. My scraps are "taking over" my sewing room. I do cut scraps into strips for future scrap projects. I enjoy Bonnie Hunter's scrap quilt patterns. Having the strips already cut, is extremely helpful in piecing her scrap projects especially her mystery quilts. The fabric requirements for Roll, Roll Cotton Boll, Bonnie's newest mystery quilt have been posted here. I'm trying to resist beginning this one. I still have the last two mystery projects to complete. I was derailed by those things called borders:)

I also enjoy making string blocks. Making string blocks is pure  "pedal to the medal" with machine sewing. It's liberating. Recently, I met with my friend Debbie (no blog) to make string blocks for our guild project for Quilts of Valor. We each cut strips from our red, white, and blue scraps. We sewed, talked, eat and had a blast making these blocks. We were both having a "bad hair day" so no people photos:)

We sewed scraps on 12.5 inch muslin squares. The organizers of this project asked that we not trim the blocks. Much information about string quilts, projects, and donating them can be found on the Heartstrings website.

I am delighted to offer a giveaway of some of my favorite scraps. I got carried away going through my scrap box so I there will be two winners.

I'll pack them up in the small priority mail boxes (on my "to do list" for today). To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post. In your comment, share with me the things you like to do with your scraps. I love reading what other quilters do with their fabric. The giveaway will end on Saturday at noon. I'll use the random number generator to choose the two winners. I'm having oral surgery on Friday. As soon as I can during the weekend, I'll contact the winners. Good luck to everyone. Thanks so very much for visiting my blog!

In the Company of Others

Jan Karon's new book, In the Company of Others has finally been released.This is the second book in her Father Tim series. Two years ago when my friend (in crime) Kathy and I attended a book signing and met Jan Karon, she was working on this novel.

Becky, Jan Karon and Kathy D. at book signing 12/08

 Ms. Karon spoke of her travel to Ireland which is the setting of this book. I'm reading this one slowly to savor each part. I should finish it this evening. The timing is perfect since I picked up the audio book today from our public library. I plan to listen to it on my drive to Baton Rouge tomorrow. 

Last week, the Georgia Center for the Book hosted Jan Karon as part of her book tour for In the Company of Others. Brenda e-mailed me this summer about the visit. We both put it on our calendars. The doors opened at 6:00 pm. We drove into the parking lot at 6:00. We had second row seats. As we were sitting waiting for the event to begin, two ladies across the isle were looking at  the vacant seats next to us. We recognized one of the women as Brenda Furman, Jan's sister. Brenda was the editor of The Mitford Bedside Companion.

Brenda D., Kathy D, Brenda Furman and Nancy, Brenda's friend

We assured them the seats were available and reintroduced ourselves to Brenda. Kathy and I had met Brenda at the book signing in December of 2008. It was great fun visiting with these ladies. It added to our enjoyment of the evening.

Brenda (The Quilting Cowgirl) Me, Brenda (Jan Karon's sister) Nancy (Brenda's neighbor and friend)

After her talk, there was an opportunity to meet Jan and her editor. 

This is the Front of the bookmark from the event.

This is the front and back of a bookmark from the event

Sometimes, it's really a small world. The next day I attended an annual retirement luncheon sponsored by our school system. There were probably 600 retirees at the event. Imagine my surprise, when I recognized one of the ladies at our table as one of the women sitting behind us from the Karon event the night before. It was a "Kodak" moment. It was a pleasure sharing lunch with another Karon fan.

Joan G. and me

 

Suggestions

Hi Friends! I have two quick things that I need help with today. I am leaving in the morning to drive to Baton Rouge to spend a few days with my Dad. During my trip to BR this summer, I tried to visit a quilt shop that I had previously visited only to find it closed. Anyone have a suggestion or two of a quilt shop that I can "visit" on Friday or Saturday? Thanks for any and all input!


Secondly, I have had e-mail from a wonderful blogging friend who works at the War Veterans Home in Reserve, Louisiana. I can't find your e-mail address.  Please e-mail me again. Your information on the veterans home was invaluable. I plan to visit the facility while in Louisiana this week.

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat for Halloween

Trick or Treat for Halloween

Trick or Treat for Halloween

I'm knocking at your door.

Don't know what songs kids sing today while out on the streets Trick or Treating, but as a young girl this was the song that we sang years ago. I only remember two Halloween costumes. My cousin Peg and I were Beatniks. Easy costume - large white sweatshirt and black tights. The other costume, I remember, was putting on a sheet and becoming a Ghost. Again, we may have had awesome costumes as kids, but I don't remember:) Of course, when you work in an elementary school, there were many Book Character Parades on Halloween Day. My favorite was the year many of us wore white shirts, white pants, black dots, dog ears and were 101 Dalmatians. 

Of course, DS was a dalmatian that year, too.

We are getting lots of mileage out of Rusty's costume. Yesterday, we attended a Halloween fundraiser. He was quite the star in his hotdog costume.

Wishes you with lots of treats!

 

Give yourself a treat this holiday season! Enter your favorite Christmas, Hanukkah, or any winter holiday quilt in SewCalGal's Christmas Quilt Show. The Christmas Quilt Show will add holiday joy all across Blogland. SewCalGal has collected a wonderful collection of prizes donated by generous sponsors. Check this post for more details about the Christmas Quilt Show.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

Today begins The Bloggers Online Quilt Festival hosted by Amy from Amy's Creative Side. Twice a year Amy organizes an "online" quilt show. This is the fourth annual show. Hundreds of blogging quilters  post photos and the story behind their quilt. You will most definitely want to visit Amy's site to view the quilts. It's wonderful to leisurely view the quilts throughout the week and in weeks after the show deadline. Anyone can participate by blogging about their quilt and post to Amy's site during the week of October 29th  through November 5th. 

For some reason I had a hard time deciding on the quilt for this year. It has been my year of not finishing projects. Every Christmas I do love to make and give a quilt to a special friend or family member. My friend Kathy who treasures quilts (she GETS quilts)  is a friend who is like family. We both grew up in Louisiana, but met each other in our neighborhood. I  originally choose this quilt because the fabrics from the kit coordinate with Kathy and George's master bedroom. I don't think the quilt every made it upstairs to the bedroom. It lives in her family room. This past year Kathy had knee replacement surgery. It was gratifying to visit her and find her wrapped in her quilt. 

The quilt was a from a pattern and kit from our Stitch'n Sisters monthly program. Pat Wys, from Silver Thimble Quilt Company choose the pattern and fabrics for this kit. The pattern is from the booklet Garden Magic by Barb and Alma from Blackbird Designs.

Thank you, Amy for continuing to organize this fabulous quilt show!!! Amy was a guest this week on Pat Sloan's Creative Talk Radio show. I love listening to podcasts while sewing. Join the fun and excitement. Enter one of your quilts on Amy's site and enjoy the SHOW!