What I've been working on......

The lull after the holidays always leaves me feeling a little blah.  I have been working on some stuff...

Bonnie Hunter's latest mystery quilt, Celtic Solstice.  I chose to use different colors.  We'll see how it turns out when it's all said and done!

Bonnie gave directions for 2 different sizes - a smallish full size, or a king size.  Originally I was planning to make the smaller version.  More recently, I decided to make a queen size, which means I need to make a lot more blocks than originally planned.  I will need 81 blocks, for sure.  We'll see about borders after I get the 81 blocks done!

Here are 2 of the completed blocks.......

Let's just say that I have a long way to go.......

My friend Julie has enjoyed taking part in Block Lotto.  I have decided to give it a try as well.  Here are my blocks for this month --

The maximum number of these blocks we can make this month is 6.  I think I will make a few more.  Oh, and I'm not sure what happened to the bottom of the picture.  It was taken with my phone...... on a really cold day.  :)

Perhaps you saw the neat tutorial by the Missouri Star Quilt Company on the Disappearing Pinwheels.  You can see it here.  Jenny always does a fabulous job with tutorials.  So easy!  I decided to give it a try, even though I didn't have layer cakes I wanted to use, I cut my own 10 inch squares.  

I believe this will be on ongoing project!

Today I tried a new recipe - Malted Chocolate Chip Whoppers Cookies - recipe found here.  They are fantastic.  

I used Brach's Malted Milk balls instead of Whoppers.....I must say, the Brach's are so much better! 

And finally, here is a photo of what I haven't been doing......as in, I haven't been taking down the Christmas decorations.......

Oh well, tomorrow is another day, right?  :)

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to share our Christmas card...

Wishing you all a blessed holiday season!

Busy Days

It's hard for me to believe that: a.) it's almost Christmas 

and 

b.) it's been close to a month since I've last blogged!

I'm not sure where the time has gone.  

I have been busy with some projects - 

I made these mittens using Jodi's pattern, found here.  I opted for the easy way out, and used a decorative stitch I had on my sewing machine, rather than hand embroider.  I do love the look of hand embroidery more, but I was pressed for time.  The mitten on the right went to my church's "Time and Talent" Auction.  The one on the left is still hanging on the peg - and will soon be joined by Christmas stockings.

These mug rugs, the mugs, and the hot cocoa mix all went to the "Time and Talent" Auction as well.

I started working on Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Solstice Mystery Quilt.  I have a few of the week 1 blocks finished, a few more of the week 2 blocks finished, and none of week 3.  I will have more time after next weekend, so I should be able to get caught up.

I made some drawstring bags using Jeni's tutorial found here.  It's a great tutorial - I've made the bags before, too.  I donated these to use for toiletry items for the women's crisis center.  

 I got the "I'm a Wiener" back from the quilter - got the binding on, washed and dried it.  

It's on its way to my sister in Arizona.

I first talked about this one back here.

As you can see, I ended up piecing the backing - I didn't have one piece of anything that was big enough.  It's not a huge quilt - more of a throw size - I made it larger than the one in the book, as that was just a baby quilt.  I just added more borders around the dog.  

And finally - one more thing - 

A bag to hold my daughter-in-law's birthday gift.  It's made of recycled/repurposed materials - the polka dot fabric is a dishtowel, the pocket is a thrifted napkin/fingertip towel, and the handle is made from a belt.  I wasn't so sure on the belt (wondering if I should have just gone for white fabric handles), but she liked it this way.  I did offer to change the handles for her, if she ever decides she doesn't like it this way.  This bag is lined with plain white fabric.

So, anyhow, you can see that I have been keeping busy!

My big giant star

My church is having a "Time and Talent Auction" tomorrow.  It's a fund raiser.  We haven't had one of these auctions for several years.  I decided to use the free pattern "Made in Cherry".  I believe I first blogged about it back here.

I got the binding sewn on last weekend, and washed and dried it to give it the crinkly look.

I used a red and white striped binding...... I just love using stripes for binding!

It is difficult to get a good picture of it, due to the time of year, and the size!  It measures 80"x 80". 

Here's a shot of the back.  I threw in 5 color catchers when I washed it, just to be on the safe side!  :)  

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts Finish It Up Friday!

Have a great weekend!  Stay warm - very cold here today....

Not quite sure if it's finished or not........

I just put the borders on my scrappy "I'm a Wiener" quilt.  

Here it is --

I was thinking about appliqueing a dog bone in each of the corners.  Or a dog bone and a dish.  But now I am thinking I should just leave it as is.  What do you think?

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilt's Finish It Up Friday.  Even though it's Saturday.  :) 

WIP Wednesday - Scrappy Do

Just a quick post here....... I have been working on a quilt.... I am calling it "Scrappy Do".  The pattern is from the book Dare to Be Square Quilting, by Boo Davis.  It's the "I'm a Wiener" quilt.  

I apologize for the poor picture..... I took it with my phone.  

Anyhow, rather than use 1 blue fabric for the background, I am going scrappy.  Very scrappy, as you can see!  It takes a lot of time, but I am loving the way it looks.  

This quilt will be for my sister...... she has 2 Dachshunds, and loves all things Doxie.  :)  I am making it larger - in the book it is a baby quilt, and finishes at 40 1/4" square.  I think a narrow brown border will be next, followed by more scrappy blues.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday over here.

Just a few wedding photos......

I have a few pictures to share from my son's wedding last Saturday......

My dear hubby made the cake.  The bottom 3 layers are "fake cake", as in Styrofoam layers covered with fondant.  The top layer is real - one that has been frozen, and hopefully the kids can enjoy it on their first anniversary.  I know, it seems like a long time to save a cake in the freezer, but tradition is tradition!  The fondant on the top layer didn't travel so well.... the wedding was about 80 miles from home.  He ended up taking the fondant off, and re-doing it.  It was a beautiful cake.  We served sheet cakes to the guests.

Here we are.... don't we clean up nicely?  :)

Here's the happy couple.....

I was so happy that Julie and Tractor Joe could help us celebrate!

We had a great time.