Favorite Christmas Gift Of All!

Christmas has quickly come and gone after so many weeks of planning and preparing for its arrival. As always, I like to ask the kids what their favorite gift was. Each one gave me their answer and then I thought what was mine?? I would have to say with no hesitation that it has to be the "Cassidy Calendar 2009 Edition" made by Neil's niece and nephews, Jack (14), Simon (12), Iain (11) and Robinson (9) that we received all the way from Nova Scotia, Canada. The drawings are computer composed with lots of color and creativity. I am so thrilled with my calendar (because the kids took the time to do 12 drawings, printed them, made into a calendar and sent in the mail in time for Christmas. As well, apparently there were also some goodies that Rachel sent along but some how was consumed very quickly by Neil but that's another story) that I would like to share with you each month from now until the end December 2009. The first one, for January of course, is "Snowfort" by Jack. I hope that you will enjoy along with me the upcoming year of monthly drawings!

Christmas Arrival

Just before Christmas, I received a quiltie in the mail from the Spring Fling Round Robin (final exchange for 2008!!) I had been busy participating in this Round Robin during this past summer and into the fall season and have posted pics in my blog along the way. This is what I received in the end!! The center block and flying geese were paper pieced. The center block was made by Lisa Sanner from Pennsylvania , first border by Helen Conway from St. Helens, United Kingdom, second border by Dorian Lee from Illinois and quilted with finishing touches by Solidia Hubbard from Indiana. The quiltie has found a permanent home on the wall in my living room where everyone can enjoy it! Thank you one and all for the beautiful quiltie!!

Spring Fling Round Robin

If you will recall from an earlier posting, I had been working on a center block for a Round Robin that I was participating in. Here is the end result!! I can't take all the credit. Margaret from the USA added the 1st border, Alicia from the USA attached the 2nd border and Wendy also from the USA did the quilting and binding. The proud owner is Laila from Norway. I am very pleased and honored to have been part of this exchange. Thank you goes out to Margaret who is the hostess of the Round Robin. A job well done for organizing the exchange.

TIQG Small Quilt Sale

A couple of weeks ago, the Thousand Islands Quilters Guild which I am a member of, had a Small Quilt Sale. This is what I came home with!! It is a beautifully stitched wallhanging containing some pretty funky prints! The fabric is not what I normally work with, but it really caught my eye. Perhaps it was the border print! Anyways, it has found a permanent home on Chelsey's bedroom wall since it contains a lot of purple (Chelsey's favorite colour). Lucky girl!!

It's Christmas Time!

It's December 2nd and officially "Christmas Time"! I recently took Koda for a walk in a wooded area north of Brockville where I came across some branches that had been discarded. I quickly scooped them up and went home and got busy. This is what I came up with for the back door. I found the old shutter at a yard sale this past summer for a couple of bucks. The welcome sign was found at a Farmers Market in Halifax, Nova Scotia (one of my road trips with Nellie). You will find at my front door an old granite pail (just like what we had on the farm to feed the calves) filled with more greenery and dogwood. Total decorating cost...not much!!

Another Sneak Preview

Here is yet, another sneak preview of something that I'm working on. It's Christmas time and you're not suppose to ask questions! I'm trying to get it pieced and then off to my friend Tammy Spencer for quilting. When it's completed, I'll post a pic.