Merry Christmas to all!

In the midst of the wrapping paper, the thread and fabric, the tinsel, and the sugar cookies, can we stop a minute, you and I?

I won't keep you long.

I want to wish you a blessed, peaceful, and yes, a merry Christmas. Why?

Because this is a time of year when so many people are sad. Some are depressed because they won't get many presents. Some are sad because they can't afford to give many presents. Some are sad because there is someone special in their life who won't be around this Christmas -- perhaps because they are estranged, or perhaps that person has passed away.

They look around at the merriment and the mayhem and they sigh. It is for you, dear friend, that I want to pause and give you a virtual hug. If I could, I would wrap you in my softest quilt, and tell you that you are not alone; you are loved. Because that is what Christmas is really all about. It's about pure, unconditional, irrepressible, unbelievably awesome, self-denying love. The love that brought God to man.

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I hope that I have not offended you, gentle reader. I hope that you will have a merry Christmas. He knows what is in your heart today, and He's ready to fill your heart with the peace that passes all understanding. My Christmas wish for you is that you know Him, and that you know that He loves you, and me, and everyone.

Because that love is what makes my Christmas merry.

Love,

PS. For more Christmas thoughts, click here  or here and check them out!

Christmas time is quilting time!

Are you sewing with the pedal to the metal?

Are you finishing up some fabulous presents?

(This one is courtesy of Barb, at Bejeweled Quilts)

(This one is courtesy of Pink Penguin)

Take a deep breath.

Take a sip from your cup of eggnog.



Relax. It will be OK.

Take a peek at some lovely Christmas things from around the interwebs . . . you may see something that fills a stocking at your house!

Pinterest can take up a lot of your time, no? So much to see! I have a couple of ideas for you!

You might find this tutorial helpful, for a tea or coffee wallet to drop in a purse or pocket . . . you can use some of your scraps that will make it just right for that certain someone!

Or this tutorial for a table topper might fit the bill.

Got some family recipes you can share? Make a recipe book with a quilted cover, like this tutorial shows you how to do.

Hope these ideas help you in the home stretch of Christmas sewing!

Love,

I do loves being organized!

Don't you?

Sometimes it is difficult. 

But as in so many situations, the right tools make all the difference!

I wanted to show you a gorgeous set of tools from our sponsor, the Fat Quarter Shop, and the talented Lori Holt, of Farm Girl Vintage block fame. . .

Remember these cute blocks?

Let's get organized together, OK? I won't be so scared of my UFOs and my bulging sketchbook, if you say you'll help me here....

The first thing we need in order to get organized is a "to-do" list. Am I right?  Personally, I live and die by my lists, because I'm a little forgetful.
OK, I'm a lot forgetful. (Grin)

Next we need adorable bookmarks to hold our place in our quilting books:

I heard that "squee" from here! They really ARE cute!
Next, how about a book for stickers or journaling (or both):

And to make colorful notes in said book:

You will also want to use those beautiful pens in this Scrappy Project Planner book:

I think you will love this planner -- Lori Holt designed the ultimate tool here, for when quilting and life need to stay organized! There are five sections: a weekly planner, a project planner, a tips and organization section, a scrappy planner with six patterns (awesome!) and extra pages for your own notes and sketches. Over two hundred pages of organizing helpfulness!

Last, but not least, some gingham washi tape for making your plans super cool and pretty, too!

If you would like to check out these cool tools, hop over to the Fat Quarter Shop and be sure to leave lots of notes around your house for any Santa that might want to gift you.....just sayin.

Thank you, to all the team at Fat Quarter Shop, and thank you to Lori Holt! I think now I will really be organized!

Love,

Whoooo do you love?

I apologize to all of you Lilypad peeps out there -- I am totally awestruck and full of admiration for the bloggers who manage to blog every day and still have a life! (Grin)

Anyways, I apologize to all of you for my absence of late. Tis the season, you know, and in between working for a living, there's decorating the gorgeous tree that hubby picked out, making or purchasing gifts for special people, and so much more!

I did want to show you one of my projects -- are there any folks out there whooooo know what I am talking about when I say that I am terrified of Daleks? That I would love to take a trip to ancient Gallifrey? Or, better yet, if I give you a knowing wink and whisper that "it's bigger on the inside," do you know what (oops, Who) I'm talking about?

Haha! Can't fool y'all! Of course! 

And whoooo do you love? Which Dr. Who is your favorite? I've got two -- number four and number eleven! (Tom Baker and Matt Smith)

I want to show you what I'm working with, today, and then hopefully I will remember to photograph it before I wrap it up and place it beneath the tree! (Giggle)

First off, you need a good set of instructions. I am in love with this book, and I would encourage all of you who love to applique to get a copy!

We reviewed it before the annual Pet Show, and I've been wanting to try out Lara's method, ever since! 

Lara made this adorable needle book, and I had the idea to tweak it to make the call box blue....

So here is the background fabric, and here are some fabric auditions:

This is called "Rainy and Criminal Night"and it's available from Spoonflower, if you should want to make one of your own!

Here are some possibilities for Tardis, windows, and the rectangle that says "Police Box."

Two pieces in my stash that could be the main part of the Tardis:

Option One:

Option two:

The check is so small that it ends up looking like a solid, so that is why I included it. 

What do you think?

I hope you will look at Lara's book, and maybe put it on your Christmas wish list -- I love how clear the instructions are, and her templates for the applique are awesome! You Amazon-Primers can even get it here: click on this link.

See you next time!

Love,