A finish! Actually, several of 'em!

In an earlier post, I pointed all of you awesome, talented, shining stars to Jacquelynne Steves' web site, where she offered a discounted price on some adorable embroidery patterns, to benefit the "Convoy of Hope" effort to provide food for folks across the globe.  

These particular patterns are still available on her web site at this link: CLICK HERE!  And no, I don't get a single penny for your clicking through to see the digital patterns and goodies on her site, just the satisfaction of pointing you in the right direction to see all that creative fun!

Those "holiday sweaters" are so cute that I was determined to turn them into a project. Actually, I turned them into FIVE different projects!

Mug rugs!

These were destined to be Christmas presents, so I patted and talked to the Christmas-themed fabrics in my stash. Lo and behold, I found some old nine patch blocks I had made years ago when making several table runners.

I got out my trusty seam ripper and had a project to work on whilst watching the tv one night with Mr. Snoodles. Don't look at me like that; I know you do that, too!

Once I had piles of white squares and piles of Christmas squares, I drew lines on the wrong side of the white and then slapped those puppies right-sides together with the Christmas squares. I stitched on either side of the line I had drawn and then carefully cut them apart. Some pressing and squaring up with my trusty "Blok-Lok" ruler, and VOILA!!! Gorgeous little half-square triangles!

I stitched these together into blocks, as you can see here (polishing fingernails on shirt - how do you like 'dem points?):

I was able to make five of these to accompany my embroideries of the holiday sweaters. I put borders on the embroideries and on the HST blocks, and then chose one Christmas fabric to back all of them. No binding this time; I simply stitched all the way around and left a space for turning them right-side out.

Once turned, a line of top-stitching around the edge made them lie nice and flat.

Now, in a blatant display of shameless self-promotion (grin) here are some photos of the completed mug rugs!

Each one received a small tag that was secured in the last portion of stitching around the edge of each mug rug. "Handmade with Love!"

And yes, I know that some of the triangles point in one direction, while on another mug rug, they point in the opposite direction. Yep. I'm just squirrely that way!

I received word that these little guys were put to use right away!

I hope you enjoyed this miniature trunk show of embroidered and quilted mug rugs. I had a blast making these, and there just might be another batch of Holiday Sweater embroideries in the works as we speak. Maybe destined for a table topper. Maybe. Just sayin'. 

Here's hoping that each and every one of you enjoyed a blessed and restful New Year's holiday, and that 2022 will be a year in which we all find time to sew, be creative, and be at peace.

Much love to all of you!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

 

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 His love is what makes my Christmas merry.

Love to all, and a very merry Christmas!

Cyber Monday Part II!!

 Our friends at the Fat Quarter Shop are in the "let's have a sale" mood, too!

Be sure to follow these links and see all the great savings!!

Love,

Cyber Monday!!! Part I

 I hope you will check out the sales and discounts at the Accuquilt Cyber Monday event!

Yes, I will earn a tiny commission if you purchase there, but your price won't go up (NOT EVEN A SMIDGEON!), I promise!

Some of the best discounts of the year!!

Let the shopping begin!!

Love,

Counting our blessings!

 

I hope that all of you are warm and well fed at this wonderful time that we set aside for thanking God for all of His blessings!

I'm so grateful for all of you who encourage me!

I'm thankful, too, for those around Mr. Snoodles and me, who are like-minded patriots, truly grateful for the blessings of this amazing nation! 

This has been a difficult year for everyone. I'm praying for those I know who are facing unemployment and trusting God to help them.

Whether we are celebrating with family or with friends, or even if we are far from them, let's raise a cup of cider or a glass of tea and toast the men and women who keep our country safe - God bless all of our military who are all across this globe. Thank you for your service!

This year, I saw that Jacquelynne Steves had a special effort to help Convoy of Hope, a faith-based organization founded to help alleviate hunger. This seems like the perfect time to help them! Check out Jacquelynne's post and pick up her patterns that will result in 100% of funds going to Convoy of Hope.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Love,