Merry Christmas!

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
~Norman Vincent Peale

Only two more big sleeps until Christmas!  Well, at least for those of us in the USA.  Our Australian friends only have one more big sleep!  Good thing Santa has 48 hours to make all of his deliveries  - can you imagine?!?  I think I'm ready all except for the breakfast roll and ambrosia salad but I don't make those until tomorrow.  DD#2 and her husband arrive tomorrow and then the festivities begin.  Christmas Eve is spent at my mother's along with my sister and some good family friends.  Christmas morning is at our house - it will be small this year - where we will open stocking gifts, have a big breakfast and then open Christmas gifts.  Christmas afternoon/evening will be spent at my SIL's house where there will be at least 15 adults in attendance and a couple of little ones.  The day after Christmas will be rather relaxing but then we head just south of town for dinner at our nephew's house where we will feast on Christmas dinner leftovers and visit with more family and friends.  This is the way it has been for over 38 years.  Some traditions never die.  Are you ready for Santa's arrival?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Christmas

With Christmas just hours away, I would like to share some little facts I found involving the holiday:

* Most of Santa’s reindeer have male-sounding names, such as Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid. However, male reindeer shed their antlers around Christmas, so the reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh are likely not male, but female

* The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers

* All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts
* According to the Guinness world records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221-foot Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington
* Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850
* In Poland, spiders or spider webs are common Christmas trees decorations because according to legend, a spider wove a blanket for Baby Jesus. In fact, Polish people consider spiders to be symbols of goodness and prosperity at Christmas
* Alabama was the first state in the United States to officially recognize Christmas in 1836
* President Teddy Roosevelt, an environmentalist, banned Christmas trees from the White House in 1912
* In Germany, Heiligabend, or Christmas Eve, is said to be a magical time when the pure in heart can hear animals talking

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AND A LITTLE FUNNY

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THE TRAVELING STASH WILL GO TO.......

Thank you to those who participated in the Traveling Stash giveaway.  This giveaway was fun and quick and enjoyed seeing all the different states where it might travel to.
I am ready to send the Traveling Stash on its way.  But where will it go?  With the help of random.org, the decision was made.  The Traveling Stash will be going to

OREGON

Congratulations to Barbara!

Barbara said "I'm just dying to win the traveling stash. Please send it to me in Oregon."

I will be sending the Traveling Stash out in Saturday's mail.

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TIME OFF

I will be taking the next two weeks off from blogging.  I need time to recharge my batteries and to get some projects completed.  I plan on not spending a lot of time on the computer but will check in occasionally to see what's going on in blogland and will keep current with my email.  Here are two projects I will be working on.....

I've started putting my Gardener's Journal quilt together.  I would like to have it all put together by the end of next week.  I will then spend time quilting it with stitch-in-the-ditch quilting.  As you can see, that will take just a little bit of time with all those 1 inch squares.

I'm also working on this counted cross stitch project.  I'm stitching on 18 count cream Aida with a variegated DMC floss.  This is so relaxing and a great diversion from quilting.

So I will see you all again when I post on January 9, 2012!

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GIVEAWAYS

My Go-Go Life is having a giveaway.  You could win a set of Aurifil thread and a  Moda charm pack of Lollipop.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 26.

Diary Of A Quilt Maven is having a giveaway.  You could win a complete kit for Cobblestone Lane by This & That in reds, teals, and browns.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 28.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a half yard bundle of Feather Your Nest.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 28.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Merry Christmas, my friends!!

See you next year :)

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

Traveling Stash Is Ready To Hit The Road

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. 
~Andy Rooney

How was your weekend?  My weekend started on Friday evening and as done in the final verse of 12 Days of Christmas version, my weekend went like this: 12 letters written, 11 emails read (probably more), 10 errands completed, 9 gifts wrapped, 8 dog nails trimmed (X2), 7 minutes to take a breather, 6 towels folded, 5 loads of wash done, 4 Christmas stockings hung with care, 3 kinds of cookies made, 2 sweepings of the kitchen, and 1 dog washed!  Thank goodness Monday is here!

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Mistletoe

The sprig of mistletoe plant has been associated with the Christmas holiday for ages. The power of mistletoe is known to almost everyone; it makes anyone and everyone kissable around the holiday season - whether it is a friend, a relative or possibly even a stranger. The moment anyone goes under a sprig of mistletoe at a Christmas party, he becomes a target for anyone to kiss him. However, many more things are associated with the mistletoe apart from kissing. Here are some fun facts about mistletoe:

* The American mistletoe plant is the mistletoe species that is mainly associated with kissing. However, it is only one of the two mistletoe plants that are native to the USA, the other being the dwarf mistletoe.

* Not even the mistletoe have been saved from the threat of extinction. About twenty species of mistletoe are on the endangered list.

* The scientific name of American mistletoe is Phoradendron, meaning 'thief of the tree'. Though the mistletoe plant is not classified as parasitic in nature, it comes quite close. It sinks its roots into the host tree and takes away all the nutrients

* The term mistletoe is believed to be derived from an Anglo-Saxon word 'Mistal' and 'Tan', which mean 'dung' and 'twig', respectively. Thus, the meaning of mistletoe comes out to be 'dung on a twig', quite opposite to the sweet kissing tradition with which it is associated.

* The seeds of mistletoe plant are quite sticky and easily glue themselves to the beaks or feathers of birds or the fur of other creatures. They usually fall near a likely host tree and start to germinate.

* The seeds of the dwarf mistletoe can explode from ripe berries and spurt as far as 50 feet.

* Mistletoe is poisonous for human beings, but its berries and leaves serve as a high-protein food to many animals.

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WHERE WILL IT GO NEXT?

This giveaway is now closed.

A couple of weeks ago I won the Traveling Stash over at PhillysBlarney.  This is the second Traveling Stash I've won and it's so much fun to go through all the goodies in the box......

Fabric, patterns, tools, and more fabric!  I can't show you everything.  If I did then you wouldn't have the fun of discovering what's in the Traveling Stash.

This is what I removed.  I just love those pinks and the couple pieces of batiks.

Here's what I added.  Some more fabric, a couple of patterns and some charm squares.  I'm not giving you a full view of most of the fabric - you wouldn't want me to spoil the fun for you.  The box is stuffed full!  Wouldn't you like to win the Traveling Stash?

Here are the rules:

1. You must have an active blog.

2. You may take whatever you want from the stash but you must replenish the box

3. You agree to host a giveaway on your blog and send the Traveling Stash on to the winner.

4. U.S. friends only please due to the shipping costs.

So, if you are still interested in winning the Traveling Stash and then sending it on, just leave me a comment telling me that you would like the Traveling Stash to come to your house and which state you live in. Easy enough!  Only one comment per person - multiple comments will be removed.

I'll draw the winner with the help of random.org on Thursday, December 22 at 8:00pm PST. The winner will be announced in my regular post on Friday, December 23 and if I have their snail mail info, the box will be going out in the mail on the following Saturday. Good luck!!!!

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ANOTHER BEE BLOCK

Earlier this month I received fabric from Lisa, this month's Bee In Oz hostess.  With the fabric I made.......

This somewhat wonky log cabin block - at least that's what she called it.  As most of you know, wonky and my brain don't mesh well.  I did enjoy working with the beautiful fabrics Lisa sent - those luscious blues and greens are some of my favorites.  I sure hope this works for what she wanted.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to continue working (once again) on my Gardener's Journal quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

I'm sorry that I don't have a list of the giveaways available out there in blogland.  I didn't have any time to blog hop all weekend long :(  I will be back with a list of giveaways on Wednesday.

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FINAL THOUGHT

My son-in-law recently sent this joke too me.  I hope I don't offend anyone but I just had to share it.....

ONIONS and CHRISTMAS TREES

          A family is at the dinner table. The son asks his father,
          'Dad, how many kinds of boobs are there?
          The father, surprised, answers,
          'Well, son, there are three kinds of boobs:
          In her 20's, a woman's are like melons, round and firm.
          In her 30's to 40's, they are like pears, still nice but          hanging a bit.
          After 50, they are like onions'.
          'Onions?'

        'Yes, you see them and they make you cry.'

        This infuriated his wife and daughter so the daughter said,

        The mother, surprised, smiles and answers,
        'Well dear, a man goes through three phases.
        In his 20's, his willy is like an oak tree, mighty and hard.
        In his 30's and 40's, it is like a birch, flexible but reliable.
        After his 50's, it is like a Christmas Tree.'

          'A Christmas tree?'

            'Yes - the tree is dead and the balls are just for decoration.'

Party Time Winner!

I have to admit that I'm glad that this giveaway is over.  After having two giveaways running at the same time I'm just exhausted from trying to respond to all the comments.  Okay, enough griping from me!  I've nobody to blame but myself.

I would like to thank all of you who participated in my giveaway!  It was so fun reading what you will be eating for your Christmas meals.  It made my mouth water and so many meals sounded scrumptious.  And welcome to my new followers!  I hope that you will continue to enjoy my ramblings and creations in future posts.  Now onto the winner......

Congratulations to......

KOcanQuilt

She said "What a pretty kit. I will be bringing veggies and dip to Christmas dinner at my Brothers house. Thank you for the lovely giveaway. Love your blog. "

I will be sending an email to get KOcanQuilt's mailing info.

Once again, thank you for participating and I wish all of you could have been a winner.



Giveaway Day Winner!

I would like to thank all of you that stopped by to play with me on Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day.  I was amazed at the amount of comments left- 444!  And boy did it take me forever to get through all of those and send out replies.  Sadly, there were a huge number of No-Reply comments that did not include an email - 39 to be exact. 

I would like to send out a welcome to all of my new followers.  I hope you like what you find on my normal posts and will be around for awhile - I love making new friends.

Now onto the winner!  With the help of random.org the winner of the Pure charm pack is.......

Connie!!!

Connie said "We live with Simon and Bella who keep us entertained daily! They both showed up as stray kittens last summer about a month apart. Thanks for a great giveaway, the fabrics look neat!"

I will be emailing Connie shortly to get all of her snail mail info.

I enjoyed reading all the comments about your furry friends and favorite animals.  Thank you all for visiting!  And for those of you that live in the USA, I'm giving away the Traveling Stash on Monday!



Secret Santa Arrived!

It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to.
 ~Annie Gottlier

I am now sure that I have a screw loose some place in  my head.  Whoever thought it would be fun to run two giveaways at once?!?  Well, me, of course.  I never expected to receive almost 600 comments between the two giveaways.  I'm still working on responding to each comment left plus I have comments to respond to left for me on my Wednesday post.  Now don't get me wrong.  I'm glad to have so much participation in the giveaways and I love reading all of the comments but talk about overload.  Whew!  Never again will I have two giveaways going at the same time.  And you know what?  I have another giveaway to run next week for the Traveling Stash.  Sometimes I never learn.

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Snowflake

Some parts of the country have already seen snow this year. Others will soon be watching fluffy white flakes drift from the sky.  I won't be one of those lucky ones.  We only receive snow about once every seven to 10 years and so far it's been much too warm.  Here are some interesting facts about those little beauties:

* Every snowflake has its own unique shape and is different than all other snowflakes.

* All snowflakes have six sides.

* Snowflakes aren't always white. Years ago, when coal was used in factories and homes, snow was often gray. Why? Because the coal dust entered the air and was absorbed by the clouds.

* The largest snowflakes ever recorded fell in the state of Montana. The snowflakes were 15 inches in diameter.  (Can you imagine?)

* The snow capital of the United States is Stampede Pass in Washington State. Each year, the average snowfall is 430 inches.

* In Prince Edward Island, Canada, where the soil is red clay, snowflakes often look pink. Why? Because red dust from the soil is blown into the air and absorbed by the clouds

* The average snowflake falls at a speed of 3.1 miles per hour. (5 kilometers)

* People buy more cakes, cookies and candies than any other food when a blizzard is in the forecast.

* Billions of snowflakes fall during one short snowstorm.

* Snowflakes are made up of ice crystals

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SECRET SANTA SOIREE

In October I signed up to participate in the Secret Santa Soiree being hosted by the Coloradolady.  Tuesday a package arrived in the mail......

hmmmmm......only a return address (Colorado) - no name.  Now my curiosity got the better of me and I just had to open it........

Look at all those goodies!  And isn't the button and thread tissue paper adorable?  But do you know what I first noticed?  The wonderful scent of cinnamon!  My favorite!!

Ten little gifts in all!  WOW!  And the cutest little card letting me know these were from my Secret Santa.

WOW!  My Secret Santa did a wonderful job and must have done some research on me.  She knew that my favorite Christmas decoration is snowmen.  There is the most darling snowman with the green fleece hat and scarf and real buttons down his front and a cute  little snowman ornament with blanket stitching on his hat.  There was also a pretty ornament made from ribbon and scrap fabrics (far left), and a darling knitted or crocheted pincushion that looks like a cactus.  And there is what was giving off the wonderful scent of cinnamon - two Holiday Cinnamon candles.  SS also included four fat quarters - two white on white (they didn't really show up in the picture) and two Christmas prints (designed by Sweetwater).  Also included was a set of 6 handmade note cards that have two different hexagons sewn to the front of each card.  I'll use these for special notes to very special people.  And last but definitely not least is a Bordeaux bar from See's.  My absolute favorite and it was quickly devoured soon after its arrival.

Thank you, my Secret Santa, whoever you are!!!!  And thank you to Suzanne for making the Secret Santa Soiree a huge success!!

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IT'S TIME TO VOTE

I have entered my Christmas quilt in this week's Quilting Gallery contest. 

The title of it is Christmas Mystery.  When you go to vote, if you choose to vote for mine, be careful because there is one that looks just like mine.  Mine is NOT the first one.  Mine is the 9th quilt down.  There are loads of gorgeous entries this week with a grand total of 67 submissions from 14 different countries!  Please take the time to look over all the gorgeous entries, and if you see fit, please cast a vote for my Christmas Mystery by going HERE.

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BEE BLOCK

I recently completed a block for one of the hostesses for Let's Bee Together in December.....

Marta sent out Christmas fabrics for us to work with and requested a star block - any star block.  I finally decided on Go Along Block #2 and changed it up just a bit.  Instead of making the points all the same color, I alternated between the two prints.  She also requested that we write our name and state on the block, which I did before it was mailed.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Hopefully today I will finish responding to all the wonderful comments left in the giveaways!

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GIVEAWAYS

Tattered Garden is having a giveaway.  You could win  enough Apple Cores to make your very own Apple Core quilt.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 24.

Sew Kiki is having a giveaway.  You could win an Aurifil sampler pack!  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 21.

Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway.  You could win 10 beautiful fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 18, at 10:00 pm EST.

All About Applique is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of A Year In The Life Of Sunbonnet Sue by Christine Porter and Darra Williamson.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 18, at 7:00 pm.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win a Joyful Garden fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends  Wednesday, December 21.

Thru The Red Door is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Tilda's Christmas Ideas, a fat quarter of Christmas red felted wool, a pack of charm squares by Sandy Klop for Moda, some spotty red and white ribbon, Cosmo 2 strand thread and Cosmo hanks in Christmas reds and greens, and some lovely red fabrics as well as fat quarters of delicious green linens.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 21, Melbourne time.

Quilt Story is having a giveaway.  You could win a $40 credit to Five Monkey Fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 19.

Just a quick reminder to enter my giveaways if you haven't already.  Go HERE and HERE to enter.  They end very, very soon!

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FINAL THOUGHT

Christmas Flowers

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.
 ~Peg Bracken

Have you all made it through the seemingly endless list of giveaways the last couple of days?  I'm not even half way through Quilting Gallery's Party Blog Hop with Giveaways and have barely put a dent in Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day.  There's just not enough hours in the day!  I have found some 'new to me' blogs that I have begun following that look like a lot of fun.  I'm way behind on responding to comments left for my giveaways.  Where was my brain when I decided to run two giveaways at the same time?  And once those are through, I have another giveaway coming up for the Traveling Stash.  Oh my! 

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Candy Canes

One of the most often seen symbols of Christmas is the candy cane. Not only are candy canes used as a sweet Christmastime treat but they are also used for decoration. How did this seasonal candy get its familiar shape, and when did it become part of Christmas tradition?

When the practice of using Christmas trees to celebrate Christmas became popular in Europe the people there began making decorations for their trees. Many of the decorations were food items including cookies and candy. Our modern candy cane appeared at about this time in the seventeenth century. These were straight, white sticks of sugar candy.
Part of the Christmas celebration at the Cologne Cathedral were pageants of living creches. In about 1670 the choirmaster there had sticks of candy bent into the shape of a shepherd’s crook and passed them out to children who attended the ceremonies. This became a popular tradition, and eventually the practice of passing out the sugar canes at living creche ceremonies spread throughout Europe.
The use of candy canes on Christmas trees made its way to America by the 1800′s, however during this time they were still pure white. They are represented this way on Christmas cards made before 1900, and it is not until the early 20th century that they appear with their familiar red stripes.
Many people have given religious meaning to the shape and form of the candy cane. It is said that its shape is like the letter “J” in Jesus’ name. It is also in the shape of the shepherds’ crook, symbolic of how Jesus, like the “Good Shepherd” watches over his children like little lambs. It is a hard candy, solid like a “rock”, the foundation of the Church. The flavor of peppermint is similar to another member of the mint family, hyssop. In the Old Testament hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice, and this is said to symbolize the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice he made.

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FINAL CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

I  have decided after these two flowers, I am not going to make anymore Christmas flowers.  After all, this isn't a Christmas quilt.

This flower is ablaze with Christmas candles.  It could almost be a Halloween flower with the colors that are in it.

Since we have two miniature dachshunds as part of our family, I just couldn't pass up the fabric with the doxie wearing a Santa hat.  This pup reminds me of our very first mini doxie, Schnitzel.  He was a red, short haired and oh so very smart.

Karen (over at Journey of a Quilter) has organized One Flower Wednesday and provides a linky for all of to share our hexagon flowers.  If you would like to see more flowers out there in blogland, just click HERE.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will continue working on my Gardener's Journal

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GIVEAWAYS

Want It, Need It, Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a California Girl Layer Cake by Fig Tree Quilts.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 31.

Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win Blackbird Designs’s Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle.  This giveaway ends Friday, December 16.

Sew Kiki is having a giveaway.  You could win a $25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 19.

The Jolly Jabber is having a giveaway.  You could win a mini mason jar pincushion sewing kits from Caroline Simas.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 17.

Annie's Ruby Slipperz is having her Mystery Monday giveaway.  You could win 5 fat quarters and a pattern by Rosalie Asby.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 17, at midnight MT.

I currently have two giveaways running.  First click HERE for a chance at a table runner kit from Connecting Threads.  Then click HERE for a chance at a Pure charm pack.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Posted by Bonnie of Quiltville on FB 12/10/11......

Giveaway Day!

There aren't enough days in the weekend.
  ~Rod Schmidt

I'm so glad it's Monday!  We were so busy this weekend that we barely had time to enjoy DH's two days off from work.  We left the house at 9:30 Saturday morning and didn't return until 4:30 except to drop off a few perishables.  DH was kind enough to order dinner delivered from a local Chinese restaurant because I was in no mood to cook.  Sunday started a bit more leisurely as I took my time perusing the local paper.  We spent the rest of the morning wrapping gifts and boxing them in preparation for shipping out this morning.  Added to that was the normal 5 loads of wash and a bit of straightening up and you have the total of our weekend.  I'm looking to a more peaceful and quiet day today!  How was your weekend?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Poinsettia

Today is Poinsettia Day!  All year long there’s hardly a poinsettia to be found, and then suddenly the holiday season rolls around and POOF these bright red plants are showing up in homes and offices all over the country. Here are some fun facts to help you celebrate this day:

* Did you know that the poinsettia's main attraction is not its flowers, but its leaves? The flowers of the plant are the yellow clustered buds in the center. The colored leafy parts are actually bracts or modified leaves.

* Poinsettias come in a variety of colors from red, salmon, and apricot to yellow, cream, and white. There are also unusual speckled or marbled varieties like "Jingle Bells" and "Candy Cane" with several colors blended together.

* Although every state in the United States grows poinsettias commercially, California is the top producer with about 27 million pots grown, followed by Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Michigan, each with about 14 million pots.

* Did you know that in the wild, the poinsettia can reach heights of 12 feet with leaves measuring six to eight inches across? It is actually a small tropical tree belonging to the Euphorbia plant family.

* In the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, the Aztecs used the poinsettia leaves to dye fabric for clothing and the sap for medicinal purposes

* True or False? The poinsettia is a poisonous plant. If you answered false, you're correct. The plant has been tested repeatedly and cleared of this charge by the National Poison Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and the American Medical Association. The POINSINDEX Information Service, the main information resource for poison control centers across the country, reports that even if a 50-pound child consumed more than 500 poinsettia bracts--the amount tested in scientific experiments--the consequences would not be fatal. Even at this high level, no toxicity was found.

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MINIS ALL READY FOR GIVING

I finally finished up the two little mini quilts we are giving as a gift to my SIL and BIL.....

First is this snowflake.  I was going to go with a Christmas theme but since the time for decorating will basically be over by the time they open it, I figured I should go with something more neutral like winter.

Then I decided the next holiday to create a mini for was Easter.  What better way to celebrate than with an Easter basket filled with a dyed egg and chocolate bunny.  Both of these little quilts measure 6 1/2 inches square.  They will hang on a table top wire stand.  I found the patterns for the applique at Fat Cat Patterns and shrunk them down to fit on the size block I wanted.  I now need to get these wrapped and in the mail.

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GIVEAWAY DAY !

This giveaway is now closed!

Sew, Mama, Sew! has once again organized Giveaway Day and I am happy to be participating.  I'm going to giveaway away......

A charm pack of Pure by Sweetwater for Moda.  This is a package of forty-two 5" squares.  In case you don't know what fabrics are included in the Pure line, here is a sample picture:

How can you win this charm pack of Pure?  Easy!  Just leave me a comment telling me whether you have a furry friend(s) in your family and what their name is.  If you don't have a furry friend, then tell me what your favorite animal is.

Rules:

1.  Only one comment per person

2.  You must leave me some way to contact you.  If you are a No-Reply blogger, please include your email address in your comment.  If I can't contact you, you can not win.  If you aren't sure if you are a No-Reply blogger, check out the info in my left sidebar.

3.  This giveaway is open to everyone - yes, that means international.

4.  This giveaway will end Friday, December 16, at 5:00 pm PST.

5.  The winner will be selected with the help of random.org and posted Saturday, December 17, no later than noon.

Now that you've entered my giveaway, don't forget to go to Sew, Mama, Sew! and check out all of the other giveaways!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I will continue working on my Gardener's Journal quilt

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GIVEAWAYS

Normally I post giveaways I find here while blog hopping.  However, with today's Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day and Friday's Party Hop Blog with Giveaways, I figured you had enough to keep you busy.  But don't forget to enter my giveaway from Friday (just in case you missed it) - you can enter that giveaway HERE.

I will return to my normal list of giveaways on Wednesday.

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FINAL THOUGHT

It's Party Time!

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

Every time I look at the calender I'm a little surprised how close Christmas is.  I think I have all of my shopping done and am only waiting on a few more things to be delivered.  Next I have all the wrapping to do.  Hopefully I will get some wrapping done this weekend - at least the ones that need to be sent to our daughter's family in New Mexico.  We thought about having Amazon wrap the packages and then have them sent directly to her but it was going to cost around $60 to have that done and then there were a couple that wouldn't be wrapped because they were being shipped directly from the seller. (Wow, that sentence was way too long - lol!)   I think we can beat that price in shipping alone.  Maybe I can convince DH to help with the wrapping - he does a beautiful job.  Are all of your gifts wrapped, sent and/or under the tree?

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LITTLE FACT OF THE DAY

Christmas Cards

Today is Christmas Card Day!
Christmas Cards originally started as letters sent from school children to their families around the holidays. Christmas Cards as we know them today began to be seen after the invention of the steam press in the 1840s.
The first cards printed in England specifically for use at Christmas were designed by John Horsley in 1843 and were sold at Felix Summerly's Home Treasury Office. They featured the greeting, "A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You."
The first signs of people mailing cards to each other in the United States occurred around 1845. Until 1875 Americans had to import their Christmas Cards from Europe, but in 1875 that changed when a German immigrant by the name of Louis Prang published the first line of U.S. Christmas Cards.

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DECEMBER FINALLY FINISHED

I finally finished my December mini quilt and was able to put Mr Turkey away......

Santa was a fun little quilt to make.  It ended up measuring 12 1/2" X 12 1/2".  His cheeks are supposed to be rosy and created with crayons but I don't have any crayons in the house :(  This is a pattern from Count On It by Nancy Halvorsen.  Santa is hanging on his wire stand ready to greet everyone who enters our home.

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IT'S BLOG HOP PARTY TIME!

This giveaway is now closed!

Michele over at Quilting Gallery has organized a great Blog Hop Party again this year.  Last I looked, there were over 200 participants!  That's a lot of giveaways!  I'm participating, too.  What am I giving away?  Well, how about........

A Connecting Threads table runner kit!  The pattern is called Louisa May Table Runner and measures 16" X 32".  Included with the pattern is.......

this gorgeous assortment of fabric.  There are five fat quarters (hmmmm....I see one didn't get in the picture but it is in the package) plus two 1/2 yard cuts of the fabric on the right.  This is enough fabric to make the completed table runner - top, bottom and binding.

How can you win?  Simple!  Just leave me one comment telling me what you will be serving for Christmas dinner.  My answer would be - "I don't serve Christmas dinner.  We always go over to my SIL's and I ALWAYS bring the fruit salad ambrosia".

RULES

1.  Only one comment per person. 

2.  You must leave me a way to contact you.  If you are a No-Reply blogger, then please leave your email address in  your comment.  If I can't reach you, you CAN NOT win.  If you are unsure if you are No-Reply blogger, check out the info in my left sidebar.

3. This giveaway is open to everyone - yes, that means internationally.

3.  This giveaway will end on Saturday, December 17, at 4:00 pm PST.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 18, no later than noon.

After you have entered my giveaway, remember to click on the link above or HERE to take you to all of the other giveaways.  The list of links will be available Saturday morning, shortly after midnight.  Happy blog hopping!!

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to start cutting fabric for my Gardener's Journal quilt

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GIVEAWAYS
(These are not part of the Blog Hop Party)

Dye Candy is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini or Chris's stained glass snowflake ornament or a $25.00 credit toward the purchase of Chris's quilt jewelry pieces or hand dyed fabrics from my Dye Candy shop.  This giveaway ends Saturday, December 10, at 7:00 pm.

The Q and the U is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Riel's novel The Town That Drowned.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 11, at 7:00 pm AST.

Art Nest is having a giveaway.  You could win a quilt made by Susannah on her new machine.  This giveaway ends towards the end of December.

Notions is having a giveaway.  You could win two fat quarter samplers of Just Desserts from Connecting Threads.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 11, at 11:59 pm.

I Have A Notion is having a giveaway.  You could win a signed copy of Square-agonals or a Square-agonals pattern.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 12.

Toad U Sew is having a giveaway.  You could win a Blue and White Triplets Kit.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 12.

McCall's Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win a fat quarter pack of Moda Christmas-themed fabrics.  This giveaway ends Monday, December 12.

Quilt Hollow is having a giveaway.  You could win two patterns from the designer, Debbie Allen.  This giveaway ends Sunday, December 11.

Hawthorne Threads is having their weekly giveaway.  You could win  a Mod Tod fat quarter bundle.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 14.

American Quilting is having a giveaway.  You could win six Christmas fat quarters.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, December 14, at midnight.

Canton Village Quilt Works is having a giveaway.  You could win 11 fat quarters of Kaffe Fassett's Aboriginal Dot fabric.  This giveaway ends Sunday night, December 11.

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FINAL THOUGHT