A BIG GIVEAWAY

Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.
~Dave Barry

Is everyone going out shopping today?  I'm not.  I'm enjoying family, relaxing, and just enjoying the day.  I haven't gone shopping on Black Friday in many, many years.  I do most of my shopping online, away from the crowds and the noise.  Did everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving?  I DID!!  Ate too much but had a great time with family and friends around the table.  And the smoked turkey made by my DH was absolutely delicious!!  Thank you, honey!

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PHOTO OF THE DAY

My Santa collection

Since it is now officially the Christmas season, it is time to bring out my Santa collection.  Do you know who Santa Claus is?  He is based on a real person, St. Nicholas.  St. Nicholas, or Sinter Klaas in Dutch, was a very shy man and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it.  It is said, that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney.  It landed in a stocking which a girl had put by the fire to dry!  This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children's stockings.  When the Dutch introduced him to the Americans they called him Santa Claus.

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No sewing yesterday, or even Wednesday.  Too much preparation, too little time.  Did you check out my two new blogs?  If not, please do.  The are Block Swap Adventure and Let's Bee Together.  If you are looking for something to start after the first of the year, add these to your list!  We are still looking for new members.

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GIVEAWAYS

The day has finally arrived for my next giveaway!  No special reason this time other than I found this when I was putting back all of my sewing crap mess.  Wouldn't you like to see?

Doesn't help much does it?

OK.  Let me tell you about it.  What I am giving away it the mostly complete set of Thimbleberries Quilt Club 2006 BOM Quilt Kit.  It appears that I am missing the fabric for the outside borders and maybe a little of the backing.  I did a google search for fabric from this collection and there are still some pieces available.

Here is what is included in this giveaway....

12 months of quilt blocks, fabric for sashing, binding, and most of the backing.  The backing is supposed to have a center piece with some blocks in it that I apparently never got (who knows why not). 

This shows each of the twelve months.

This is the sashing, binding, and some of the backing fabric (8 3/8 yards of fabric just in this grouping alone!)

This is a sampling of the fabrics in a few of the monthly squares.  Pretty, rich, fall colors.

This is a picture I found online of the finished quilt.  See the outer border fabric?  That is what is missing.  Perhaps you already have something that will work or you can find something online.

Anyway, that is my giveaway!  What do you think?  Worth waiting through my hints the last couple of days?  Even with the missing fabric, you have to admit that this is a pretty good haul.

Here's how to enter to win this Thimbleberries BOM from 2006...

1.  Leave a comment telling me what you favorite movie is. 

Mine?  I have three - Steel Magnolias, African Queen, and Twister.  Yes I know, Twister isn't much of a movie acting wise but for some reason it just keeps me glued to the screen every time I watch it.  And I can only watch Steel Magnolias if I want a good cry and nobody else is home.  Love Sally Fields!!  And for a classic you just can't beat Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.

2.  Blog about this giveaway, then come back and leave another comment telling me you did with a link to your blog for that day.  (If you leave it with the first comment then it will only count as one - make sure this is a separate comment).  So now you have two chances to win.

3.  There will be an additional chance to enter next week, but you will have to wait until I post that.

You do not have to be a follower of my blog but I certainly would like it if you were!  This giveaway is open to everyone!  Make sure that I have some way to reach you!  If your name is drawn and I can't reach you,  you can't win.  So, if you have a no-reply blogger then leave me your email.

This giveaway will end Friday, December 10th at 9:00 pm PST.  The winner will be selected by random.org.

GOOD LUCK

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FINAL THOUGHT

As you head into the holiday season it is important to remember why we are actually celebrating, no matter what your religion.  It seems that commercialism has taken over everything.  Children do not understand the true meaning of any of the holidays except that it means they will probably receive gifts.  And I'm just as guilty as the next person in perpetuating this practice.  I lavish toys on my grandsons and buy too many gifts for other family members too.  Today I will stop and think about what Christmas means to me.  I will try to do this at least once a day until that special day arrives.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

~Burton Hillis

Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend!!