Peace and Love

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness.
~Bob Hope

I finally wrapped the last gift yesterday.  One more thing done that can be checked off the 'to do' list.  I'm hoping I can get a couple of days of sewing in before I have to clean up the extra bedroom in anticipation of the arrival of our DD#2 and her husband on Saturday.  I know there are things I'm forgetting to do.  I still have to make the grocery shopping list for tonight.  But there are things I can't do yet - make the ambrosia and the breakfast roll - until this weekend.  Hopefully I'll remember whatever it is that I'm forgetting - lol!  If not, then I guess it wasn't important or meant to be.  How about you?  Are you sure you have everything in order for Christmas?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Christmas Stockings

The tradition of the Christmas stockings began by a story told since ancient time about a kind noble man who had three daughters. The wife of the nobleman expired and the daughters and their father were left in a state of sorrow. The daughters had to do all the work in the house. When the daughters became young and eligible for marriage, the poor father could not afford to give huge dowries to their husbands.

One evening the daughters, after washing their stockings hung them near the fire place to be dried. Santa Claus being moved by the plight of the daughters came in and put in three bags of gold, one in each of the stocking hanging by the chimney. The next morning the family noticed the gold bags and the nobleman had enough for his daughter’s marriage. The daughters got married and they lived happily ever after. Since then children have been hanging Christmas stockings.

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ONE FLOWER FOR WEDNESDAY

With the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, I was only able to make one flower this week for One Flower Wednesday.......

This flower reminded me of the season not so much in color as in thought.  Peace and love for everyone! 

To see more of the creative hexagon flowers in blogland, Karen, of Journey of a Quilter, has provided a linky for One Flower Wednesday.  If you should stop by, make sure to thank Karen for all of her hard work this year.

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WINNINGS ARRIVED

Yesterday my mailbox contained a squishy that I had totally forgot was coming.....

I was one of the lucky winners of SewCalGal's Christmas Quilt Show giveaway.  I won my choice of 2 charm packs from Sherrod Studio.   I'm looking forward to using these charm packs to make two Loving Hands quilts.  Thank you to both Darlene and Kim!

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STITCHERIES

I finally finished the last three stitcheries for my Gardener's Journal quilt a couple of weeks ago. 

I've just started putting the squares together to make the quilt.  Hopefully I will have the top all sewn together by the first of the year.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I plan on sewing some more block together for Gardener's Journal

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GIVEAWAYS

A Stitch In Time is having a giveaway.  You could win 20 swivel clips from Charsbeads4U or $10 gift certificate to Zipit.  This giveaway ends Thursday, December 22, at 9:00 pm EST.

Confessions of a Fabric Addict is having a giveaway.  You could win a True Cut TrueSharp Electric Rotary Blade Sharpener.  This giveaway Ends Thursday, December 22.

Joie de Vivre is having a giveaway.  You could win a cross stitch pattern.  This giveaway ends Sunday, January 1, 2012.

Malt Designs is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter bundle of Northcote Range Petite, by Cabbages & Roses.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 31, at 11:00 pm EST.

KoolBeenz is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 shoppe credit to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Friday, December 23, at midnight EST.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her weekly Mystery Monday giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters and a copy of Lost December.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 24, at midnight MT.

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win one of three "quilters' candy" pack of stash fabrics including over 8 yards of assorted famous-manufacturer prints.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 26.

Have you heard about the Traveling Stash?  It's ready to hit the roads and journey to a new home.  You can enter the giveaway HERE.

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FINAL THOUGHT

It's Time To Vote

It's time to go over to SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show and place your votes.  There are 104 Christmas and Winter entries - so many beautiful creations.  Votes need to be made by the end of Sunday. Winners will be announced on Tuesday December 6th. And if you vote you will be entered in the drawing of wonderful prizes.  Go HERE to place your vote.

My entry for the Christmas theme is #48. If you like my Christmas quilt I would certainly appreciate your vote :)

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you all on Monday.



The Christmas Quilt Show

It's time for Sew Cal Gal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show and I've decided to make an entry.  This year I would like to share my Christmas quilt .......

This quilt was so fun to make!  It was the Fat Quarter Shop's Designer Mystery BOM quilt 2010/2011.  With only working on one block a month there was absolutely no pressure to get it done.  Many of you made the journey with me through the blocks each month trying to guess what would appear as the blocks were made.  DH gave me the finishing kit and backing for Christmas so it all matches front to back (not many of my quilts do - lol).  I didn't do the quilting on this but took it to my local long arm quilter and she did a beautiful job.  As of this last Saturday, it is out on the couch for everyone to cuddle under. 

Here are a few of my favorite blocks I made over several months:

I so enjoyed working with all of the Kate Spain fabrics.  It was especially fun to fussy cut the pieces like the windows in the house.  Fat Quarter Shop always sends more than enough fabric with each block and the instructions were so easy to follow.

Many thanks to Darlene for organizing yet another fun event and for getting so many wonderful sponsors.  Make sure to check out the Christmas Quilt Show for many more beautiful Christmas and Winter creations.