Whimsicals Threads

Blog Hop ~ Day 12

How can it be?!

Is it really day twelve?! 

I can't believe that it's coming to an end, and I made it through! 

It's been so much fun going through the old photos, sharing memories, and how about all those great free projects?!   Don't forget that you can share them on our Flickr group, even after the Blog Hop is over.  It's so cool to see so many finished ones, and I'm amazed at how fast some of you are getting them done!   

Our twelfth and final designer to share a project with you is Linda from Linda Lum DeBono.  Her quilts all look so happy, so I can't wait to see what she's come up with to share with everyone.  Make sure you check it out and leave a comment!

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Now, on to today's topic....... we get to share about a craft we did as a child or one that we do every year.

What I remember most about the Christmas season when I was growing up is all the stuff that we made.  For many years, we would make ornaments and give them to our grandparents.  Some were good, some not so good.  Some made perfect sense, some...... well, not so much.  

Like this one.

I mean, everyone wants some clothespin chickens on their Christmas tree, don't they?!   I still laugh every year when I put these on my tree and wonder whose idea this was! 

And then there was the year we got the pom pom and tassel maker and made these.....

I'm still trying to figure out how Goldilocks and the Three Bears fits into Christmas, but Grandma never seemed to mind.

In one of my previous posts, I made mention of my bendies  ornaments.  We made a bunch of these one year and for several years after, these could be found not only on the tree, but in other odd places, like hanging from the lampshades (I'm sure it was my brother that did that.  It couldn't have been me!) 

Ah, the fun things you can do with pipecleaners!

I made ornaments for many years, even after Grandma & Grandpa passed away, and when our own children were young.  Then came the years when I had to find creative ways to make extra money at Christmas to buy the kids presents.  One year, I bought a bunch of Sculpy Clay and made these little pins.  My dad took them into work to get orders for me, and boy was I stunned when I had to make about 200 of these ----- every one of them individually by hand!!!   I got them all done, but I decided NOT to do that again! 

Funny, I just ran across the box of these a few weeks ago.  I had forgotten all about them.  But as you can see by the cards that they are on, this was the beginning of Whimsicals, when I was trying to do craft fairs and before I started making quilt patterns.  Wow.  Seems like forever ago!

So, even though this is the end of the Blog Hop, it doesn't have to end.  We will all still be here, doing whatever it was we were doing before this all started, still giving you updates on what we're working on, and what's on our minds.  And who knows?  We may decide to do this again.......

But, EVERYONE will have to check back to see if they win the prize!  We have decided to let you have a few extra days to catch up and get your name in, and the winner will be chosen on Monday, so if you haven't posted comments, use the links in the sidebar and hop to it!

 I have loved sharing this time with you and hope you come back.  Your comments, your encouragement, and your excitement have been such a blessing to me!!!  I feel so fortunate that I was able to participate in this wonderful event and hope that you have all been as inspired as I have been.  

Now, I do believe that I may take a few days off to read through everything and catch up.

And on that note, I have the perfect Christmas card to share with you.....

Happy Sewing!

 

Blog Hop ~ Day 11!

 It's kinda funny how things work out.....

You see, today's topic is Christmas quilts and how we decorate with them, or if we have a favorite one.  As I was going through my boxes of photos (yes, they are all unorganized, in multiple boxes!) I suddenly realized that I have no pictures that show any Christmas quilts!

So, I set my mind to trying to figure out how I could take some "creative" photos, or whether I could Photoshop a festive quilt onto my table, and started looking around in my boxes of quilts (yes, they too are stored unorganized in various boxes around my house).  Then I came to these boxes.  

And my brain went off on another tangent. 

Because I also had to come up with things to share my "life-in-a-bag" tonight with a group that I am part of at church.  And I knew what was in these boxes.  There was something in there that I needed, but didn't want to face. 

Yea, they may look pretty innocent, but don't let them fool you.  There's something bad in those wooden boxes.

Unfinished projects.

Lots of em. 

And that isn't the only place that I have them.

BUT, that's what I was after for my "life-in-a-bag" (and the connection would be that my life is an unfinished project.... do you get it?  That's ok if you don't because some of them didn't get it either.)

And guess what else I found?

Would you look at all those unfinished Christmas quilts?!  Huh.  Do you think maybe that's why I don't have any Christmas quilts in my photos??  Pretty sad, I know.  I have great intentions, but life keeps getting in the way of my sewing and quilting!  Especially at Christmas time!

I'm thinking that this year I need to finish at least one of these...... I just need to find the one that is closest to being done!

Seriously, though I do have several Christmas quilts that I have finished, and even though they aren't in a pretty Christmas photo setting, I'm going to share them with you anyway.  Just because they are my favorites!

You may not think of this as a Christmas quilt, but several of us in my local quilt group decided one year to do a red and green block exchange.  The rule was that each month, we made enough blocks for everyone in the group, plus ourselves.  We ended up splitting into two groups to make it a manageable number of 6 in each group, and you were either in the "murky" group or the "perky" group.  You can probably guess which group I chose!  We did this for several months, then each of us used our own ideas for setting the blocks and making a finished quilt.  I love this quilt because it has such variety in it.  I'm calling it "Have a Murky Merry Christmas".

 

Holly Baskets is another one that I love.  This is in my book "Cabin Fever" and hangs in my dining room all winter long.  Who says that poinsettias are only for Christmas?!

And no quilters' home is complete at Christmas without a quilted tree skirt, is it?  This is "Sleigh Ride" and is also in my book Cabin Fever.

And my little Charlie Brown tree gets a little wool tree skirt (this isn't really the tree I put it under; I just didn't have time to get the other one out!)  This Happy Holidays skirt is in my book Full Circle.

And the painted Merry Christmas sign at the beginning of this post also became a quilt....

 

This Merry Christmas is also painted, but I used Shiva Paintstiks on fabric.  If you've never tried working with these, you should give it a try.  It almost looks like a panel print and gives such a different look and feel than applique.  Oh, and this is also in the book Cabin Fever!

So, there you have it!  Some of my favorite Christmas quilts! 

Now, it's time to check out the project that Roseann has for you!  The pictures I've seen of her store make me wish I lived in Minnesota so that I could shop at her store!  Oooo, no, wait...... it's cold in Minnesota. 

I think Indiana is cold enough for me.  Maybe I'll just settle for visiting sometime.

Can you believe there's just today and tomorrow left of the Blog Hop?  If you haven't already, make sure you leave a comment on each designers' blog post for the day they have their free project.  You don't want to miss a chance at the Grand Prizes!  

Blog Hop ~ Day 10

Sheesh!!!  How are you guys keeping up?!  

In my panic to get a project completed and posted, I kinda "forgot" to read everyone else's blogs, so I spent several hours yesterday catching up, reading through all the comments you left for me, trying to answer emails, and generally trying to soak all of this in.  I am truly amazed, overwhelmed, and humbled from the response we have gotten with this Blog Hop!

Since I failed to announce a winner for the give-away from my project day, I think that needs to be the first thing today.  So, if you are.......

Paulette Doyle, it's your lucky day! 

You are the winner!  All you have to do is send me an email with your snail mail address and I'll send you the kit for the Jolly Holly Placemats.

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Since I now have Christmas stuck on my brain, I thought I would share a project from my book Cabin Fever.  This is called Meowy Christmas and is all done in wool.  If you're looking for some more Christmas or winter projects, you might check it out!

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Now....... on to today's topic.  A favorite gift from a child.  Hmmmm.....

You know, I've thought long and hard about this, and come up with a whole lotta nothin'.  I even asked my youngest son if he could remember any great gifts they have given me, and you know, he only came up with one that he remembered.......

Are you ready?

Yep.  A griddle. 

I guess this really shows how spoiled rotten our kids are!  Now you know who gets all the gifts!  

So, I'm going to put it back on you........  Tell me what great and awesome gifts your kids have gotten you, then maybe I can pass some ideas along to mine!

And since I have no story to share today, I'm just going to share some photos of what makes Christmas fun with my family. 

  Isn't this a hoot?  All Grandma wanted was a picture with all the grandkids, and they just wouldn't cooperate, so this is what we ended up with!

They really are a goofy bunch of kids!

And finally, I've gotten a lot of good comments about the Christmas cards I've shared, so I thought you might not mind another one...... This was from 2007 and once again, no one wanted to cooperate (why did I think that it would get easier when they got older?!) so we all just started goofing around.  Funny how some of my favorite pictures are from times like that.

So, your free project today is coming from Carrie at Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.  I have to confess that Carrie is another designer I have yet to meet in person, but I find her blog a hoot to read!  I'm thinking that she's bound to have a really fun project to share, so be sure to check it out and leave a comment for her.  

Unless, of course, you don't want to win the big prize.  

You know, the one we're giving away at the end.

What's that?  You don't understand how it's going to work?  Alright, I'll explain it again.......

Think twelve.  Twelve days, twelve designers, twelve comments.  

Each designer has a day that they are posting a free project, and all you have to do is leave a comment on that post.  Simple.  Now, if you want to, you can leave a comment on everyone else's  blogs for that day too, or on everyone's blog every day.  Because you know we all love reading them.  But just know that the REALLY important ones to comment on are the project posts.

The end is getting close!  Two more days!  Come back tomorrow when we get to share some of our favorite Christmas quilts.  Should be a fun day!

Until then......

Blog Hop ~ Day 9

First things first......

Thank you so much to all of you that left comments yesterday.  I am in awe of how many people this blog hop has attracted, and how many of you took the time to let me know how much you enjoyed the Jolly Holly Placemat!  Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

It's been a crazy busy day, so I plan on sitting down tomorrow morning to read through all your comments and do a random drawing for the winner of the fabric kit.  So just sit tight and enjoy another day of the blog hop!

Now, on to the topic for today:  A kid story.

Hmmmm......

I've been thinking on this one for several days, and I have to admit that I'm stumped.  I mean, I have kids...... and I've been a kid...... soooooo, you would think that something would come to mind.  

But, no. 

So, instead, I'm just going to share a story about Christmas past and Christmas present.

Growing up, presents started appearing under the tree shortly after we got it up and decorated.   One of my favorite things to do was to lay under the tree and stare at the lights. . . . . . . . . .   and the presents. Well, ok, I liked shaking them too.  Oh, and trying to guess what was in them.  And counting them. 

You see, there were three kids in my family and we all kept track of who had more gifts under the tree, and which ones were for who.  So you can imagine our surprise one year when we found that none of them were for Deb, Terri, or Tad, but instead for Grumpy, Bashful, and Dopey. 

Yep, three of the seven dwarfs.  

Do you think our parents were trying to tell us something?!

There was more discussion about the gifts that year than any other year.  Each time a new gift appeared, we all had to go shake it, inspect it, and rethink about who was which dwarf.  My sister swore that I was Grumpy (bet you can't guess why!)

On Christmas morning, we made a guess about who was who and opened up a present that we thought was ours.  I'm sorry to say that I don't remember if I really was Grumpy, or if Tad was Bashful, but it definitely was a Christmas that we all remember!

So, fast forward many years to when my kids were about 9 and 12.  I think I must have finally gotten fed up with them comparing the number of gifts they each had.  Or maybe I just wanted to make Christmas a little different that year.  Who knows.  But I can tell you that they were really surprised and confused that year when gifts started showing for Fred and Barney!

We had fun with that for several years and although we don't do it any more, I can't help but wonder if our kids will someday try it with their kids! 

Now, it's time for you to go check out the free project that Sherri has!  Sherri is another Minnesota designer, whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting in person, but hope to someday!  Everyone of the designers in the blog hop seem like such great people, so be sure to check them all out (click on the links in the side bar.)

It's so much fun to see the variety, and to have so many projects to pick from. 

Have you decided yet what you're going to try to get finished before Christmas?

My Project Day in the Blog Hop!

Well, this is it.  My day to post a project!

Many of you visiting today probably know nothing about me, so let me introduce myself....

I am Terri Degenkolb, and this is my husband, Tom.  I have been designing quilt patterns and books for almost 13 years, and quilting fabric for the past 9 years.  Currently, I am starting work on fabric line number 12 with Red Rooster Fabrics.  I've always been fascinated with the old crafts and have tried just about every type of project you can imagine, but my passion and style really falls somewhere between the traditional and the folk art. 

My newest line of fabric, called Heart and Soul will be available in quilt shops in February.  I called this line Heart and Soul because I felt like I put so much of myself into it.  I had fun finding and coming up with the little quips about life and just love the way that the colors mix so well with all those Japanese prints that I like so much!

And my newest book is called If Quilt Could Talk.  You can check this out on my website....

In addition to the one shown on the cover, these are just a few of the projects in the book...

 

 

I am actually excited today, because instead of sharing memories with you, I get to share a project!  I'm calling this one Jolly Holly Placemats.  I am including yardages for making either two or four placemats, so if you want to make only one, you'll have to do a little math.  Same goes if you want to make eight, or ten.

These go together really quick, especially if you do your applique with fusible web.  I like to have hand work ready to go, so I don't mind doing the applique by hand, but I know it's not for everyone.  As another option, felted wool works great too!

I've used a mixture of fabrics from my fabric lines.  The red is from Snow Wonderland, the beige is from Vintage Homestead, and the green dot fabric is from Heart and Soul. 

Click the link for a printable pdf of Jolly Holly Placemats

I hope that you enjoy them!  Please feel free to post pictures of your projects from the Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop on our Flickr page....  http://www.flickr.com/groups/1256651@N20/.

Oh, and everyone who leaves a comment for me will be entered into a drawing to win a fabric kit (including the rick rack and backing) for making 2 of the Jolly Holly Placemats!   So be sure to let me know what you think!

Now, on to the topic of the day.... the first Christmas on my own.

I've covered a little of this in my post from Day 4 of the Blog Hop.  Remember, the cats in the Christmas tree?  That was my first Christmas in my own apartment away from my parents, and it was the first Christmas that Tom and I spent together as a married couple.  Yes, those are the two rowdy kitties, Spatz and Whiskey! 

All I have to say is that it was a great Christmas, the first of many that we've shared together!  

'Nuff said!  I'm done for the day!  Don't forget to check out the rest of the blogs to see what they have to say about their first Christmas! 

Happy Sewing!!!

Blog Hop ~ Day 7

Ornaments!!! Today, I get to talk about ornaments and I'm so excited!   I even went up into the attic and got the box of ornaments down.....

Ok, so I never claimed to be organized.  This is really the way I put away the ornaments.  Sad isn't it?

But, there are so many that I like, it's hard to pick a favorite.  Could it be the really old Pooh Bear? No, that one was Tom's. 

 

 

Tom's nickname (that would be my husband) when he was little was Tiger Tom, so we have lots of tigers, this being one of them.

And do you notice a theme with the surrounding ornaments?  Yes, we are both graduates of Purdue University.

Then, there is the Chatty Penguin that is not so chatty any more.  Tom gave me this ornament on our first Christmas together.  He was so cute because when he was bounced up and down, he made this fun chatter box sound.  The penguin that is.  Now, 23 years later, he's all chatted out from the kids playing with him too much.

 

And who can't resist Opus?!  Bloom County was really popular during our years at Purdue, and I could always relate to Opus.  Tom used to lovingly tease me about waddling like a penguin, (maybe because I'm only 5 feet tall and have short legs), so when he found this ornament, he just had to get it for me!

 

And no tree is complete without a few tissue paper wreath ornaments!  Can you tell that both of the kids had the same kindergarten teacher?!

There are so many more, like Goldilocks and the Three Bears and the Bendies (more about those on the day we talk about Christmas crafts!), but my favorite has to be this santa, and let me explain why....

 

When I was at Purdue, I had my own little desk top tree that I put up in my dorm room and decorated with the few ornaments that I had accumulated.  One year, my Grandma Conaway came to visit me and we were looking at my little tree.  Not even thinking, I was talking about the different ornaments, and when I came to this one, I told her that I wasn't sure why I put it on my tree because I thought it was such an ugly, weird looking santa.  And with a hurtful look on her face, she reminded me that it was one that she had given me. 

Ouch. 

I was mortified. 

I tried to back pedal, and apologized over and over, but I don't think I will ever forget the look on her face, or how bad I felt. 

Grandma passed away several years ago but every Christmas I put this little "Humility Santa" (my own little nickname for him) on my tree and wish that she could come to my house, just once, to see her Santa still hanging there.

This is one of the few pictures I have of my Grandma Conaway.  Every time she came to visit, she brought her doll, Emily with her.  She loved this doll so much because it was the only one she brought with her when she immigrated to the United States at the age of 12.  She was such a special lady and so full of love. 

Ok, I didn't intend for this to be a weepy time, so....

On with the Blog Hop!!!  Make your way over to visit Kari at New Leaf Stitches to see the project she's sharing with you all.  Then, check out what great stories the other designers have about ornaments....

Linda, Roseann, Carrie, Sherri, Kari, Pam, Heather, Pat, Terry, Sandy, and Gudren.

We're having a lot of fun with this and hope you are too!

Oh, and Pat Sloan has set up a Flickr group for you to share pictures of your projects from our blog hop.  Just click on this link....    http://www.flickr.com/groups/1256651@N20/  

Until tomorrow!!

Blog Hop ~ Day 6

So many pictures (none of which are in order or in albums), so many memories, so little time!!!  Whew!  I feel like I've been running down memory lane here and realizing that it would have been a much more relaxing stroll if I had taken the time to organize my photos as I took them instead of trying to go through 20 years worth in a few days!!!

Today, I'm going to start out with a new picture.  One that I just took today.  

We have several traditions for Christmas, things that we do every year, just because it wouldn't seem like Christmas if we didn't do them. 

Like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  Don't ask me how it got started.  I can't even remember.  But every year, we drag out the old card table, set it up in the already crowded family room (because of the monstrous tree-in-a-box we've had for years) and put together jigsaw puzzles.  I remember doing this with my grandma too, and wondering how she was always the one holding the last piece.  Funny how that worked.  

 

This one is one of my favorites.  I remember putting it together many times when I was a kid.  It has the weirdest shaped pieces and the funniest things on it.  My kids like it so much that last year, we went on an ebay shopping spree to find more puzzles by the same person.  We only came up with 2 more because they got a bit pricey, but I'm going to be on the lookout early this year.  Huh, guess that means I probably need to start looking now.  Anyone know where I can get some Bob Martin puzzles?!

 

We have many more family traditions, like putting the tree up the day after Thanksgiving, and making sure that everyone helps.  Even when they don't want to (that would be Scott, who is 19 and thinks that after putting on his 10 or 12 ornaments, he's done!)

And, of course, we get together with family.  When we were little, my parents made a point of us always being at home on Christmas morning.  They felt very strongly about making it a day for us, not a day spent in the car, so our grandparents came to our house.  And now, my parents do the same for our kids and come to our house.  

 

And if we're lucky, we get to host Christmas dinner at our house.  This can be fun because ours is the only house where we can all eat at the same table.  Well, ok, there are two tables here, but the only one who knows that is the unlucky one that ends up sitting on the crack!

And yes, another tradition is the family photo.  But, being that I like to be just a little bit different, one year I decided that I wanted to include a photo with our Christmas cards that could be left on the refrigerator long after Christmas.  Some people really liked it, and some just thought that I was weird because I gave them a picture of our kids' backsides.  But I really liked the picture, and thought that this verse fit perfectly with it.  I still have this hanging up, 6 years later.

Not a traditional Christmas card, but still one of my favorites.

So, enough about my Christmas traditions.  Today, you blog hoppers need to go visit Pam from Pam Kitty Morning  and see what kind of project she's dreamed up for you.  I have to admit that I have never met Pam, but the internet is an amazing thing, because I almost feel like I know her now after following along on her blog.  What about you?  Oh, an don't forget about leaving a comment for her so you can be entered for the great prizes we have in store for you!  

And check out all the other blogs too!  You can find the links in the sidebar.  If you happened to miss someone's project, you can still go back to that day and leave your comment.  And tell your friends to get hopping too!

Ta-ta for now!

Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop ~ Day 5

Whew!  Are you tired yet?  You know, from all the hopping around this week, between the Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop and the 100 Blocks Blog Tour, we should all be about 10 pounds lighter!!  Oh.  Well. maybe that only works if you actually get away from your computer and actually hop.... 

Heather from Anka's Treasures is the chosen one today to share a project with you.  She is one busy lady, but I know that she's taken some time out to make something really great to share with you!  And don't forget about leaving a comment for her so that you can be entered into the prize drawing at the end of our "12 Days of Christmas".

Thank you, thank you, everyone for all the comments. I love it that you share your stories too!  And the winner of the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks form Today's Top Designers magazine is Bingo-Bonnie from Texas.  Bonnie, all you need to do is email me your address!  Congrats!

 So, let's see.  What is today's topic??

Could it be that jolly fellow in the red crushed velvet suit?  The one who's lap every child wants to sit on?  Well, I'm here to tell you that not everyone liked sitting on Santa's lap.  My oldest son had no problem, but my younger one.....

Well, suffice it to say that this look of apprehension you see on his face in this photo turned into real terror, then an all out wail.  He did not like Santa that year.

 

The following year, he tried really hard to smile, but it didn't go much better. 

Even his older brother had a hard time mustering up a smile.

So, my kids were not big on going to visit Santa.  But that didn't stop them from pretending to be his reindeer. 

And the girls couldn't be left out.  Well, actually, this was several years later, and we were just so excited about the gardening gloves we all got.

Then there was the year that we ALL tried to be Santa.  It was supposed to be a new tradition, but it didn't really catch on.  Grandpa D. still wears his Santa hat every year, but the rest of us have "misplaced" them.... Um, er, I mean I can't find mine. 

 

But seriously.  Here's my santa story.  I can still remember the day that my older cousin (by one year, mind you) and my older sister (by two years) told me there was no Santa.  I must have been all of 5 or 6 years old.  I was heartbroken.  But I didn't want them to know.  So, on Christmas morning, I thought I'd be really cool and instead of "pretending" that Santa brought us gifts, I said "Thanks, mommy and daddy!".

The look I got from my mom..... oh, man.... 

You see, I have a younger brother (by 3 years!) and he was sitting right there! Oh yea, I got a talking to, about not ruining Christmas for him.  I'm sure you know the schpeel.  Fortunately, I don't think he really heard me, or maybe he just didn't want to believe it, because I'm sure he believed in Santa for several more years before someone else broke the news to him.  Or maybe that's just what he wanted us to believe....

Ah.  Older siblings.  They're great, aren't they?! 

Don't forget to check out the other 11 designers in the Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop! 

Linda, Roseann, Carrie, Sherri, Kari, Pam, Heather, Pat, Terry, Sandy, and Gudren.

Blog Hop ~ Day 4

It's Day 4 of the Blog Hop.  That means that it's Pat Sloan's turn to share a project!  Pat is an amazing woman with endless energy.  I don't know how she does it all, but I'm sure she has something special for you, so be sure to check it out and leave a comment!

And I have tell you that I LOVE all the comments!  The story that Cindy shared is awesome and very touching and heartfelt.  Thanks so much!  If you have a chance, take a few minutes to read it in yesterday's comments.

Well, today is a story about a tree.  A Christmas tree story, to be exact. This can be a bit of a sore subject in our house at Christmas time.  You see, every year as I was growing up, we would go out and choose the perfect Christmas tree, cut it down, bring it home, and decorate it.  I loved the smell of the fresh evergreen and the feel of the prickly needles.  But my husband, Tom, doesn't like having a real tree in the house.  He's an engineer, practical thinker, and always concerned about safety.

One of my nicknames for him is Sammy Safety.

So, the first year that we were married, I talked Tom into getting a real tree.  At that time we lived in an apartment that had a spiral staircase leading up to a loft area overlooking the family room.  It was small, but cozy. 

We lugged this tree up the spiral staircase and decorated it with all of our "First Christmas Together" ornaments.  I thought that it worked great up there. 

Did I mention that we also had 2 cats?

Spatz and Whiskey.  They were great fun.  

They would run down the spiral staircase, tear through the family room, then back up the spiral staircase. It was fun to watch them.

 

Until the day that I heard the tree rattling.  I looked up and saw it shaking.  It took me a minute to realize that it wasn't some possessed tree coming to life, but a tree possessed by cats climbing up it.  Sure enough, they were chasing each other up the tree!  

Did I mention that Tom was Sammy Safety? 

He didn't like the idea of the cats climbing the tree.  What if they knocked it over?  And if it got too dry, wasn't there a chance of it catching fire if they knocked it over?  Could it fall on our heads? (the couch was right under the railing you see in the first picture).  I didn't want to get rid of the tree, so that night, he went up to the loft with rope and tethered it down.  I wish I had taken a picture of it, but I didn't.  I think I was too embarrassed! 

The cats still insisted on climbing it, and the tree stayed upright until we took it down a few days after Christmas, so no harm was done, but we haven't had too many real trees since then.  Even now, when we don't have any cats, we still put up a Tree-in-a-Box. 

Maybe someday I'll talk him into another real tree.  Who knows?  It could be this year!  Hey, a girl can still hope, can't she?

Well, I can't share a Christmas card today because I have something else to share....

I made one of the blocks that is featured in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks form Today's Top Designers.  Funny, I never thought of myself as a "top designer", but they chose my block anyway! 

This is a special issue that you can pick up at the newsstands or your local quilt shop starting November 17, or you can purchase it at quiltmaker.com/100blocks.  

Follow the 100 Blocks Blog Tour daily Nov. 9-13 at quiltmaker.com/quiltypleasures for inspiration, ideas and giveaways galore!  

AND, if you leave a comment for me today, you'll have a chance to win a free copy of the magazine!  Believe me, there's some really cool blocks in it from some big name designers! 

My block is called Cinnamon Spice and I used fabrics from two of my fabric lines, Vintage Homestead and Pumpkins & Spice.  I love using stripes when piecing a block, and the lopped off square on the inside of this block was a perfect place to use one.  And, of course, I had to add some applique.  Let me know what you think!

Don't forget to check out the other 11 designers in the Cross Country Christmas Blog Hop to read about their tree story.  

Linda, Roseann, Carrie, Sherri, Kari, Pam, Heather, Pat, Terry, Sandy, and Gudren,

I'm having fun getting to know some of them a bit better, (and a few of them for the first time!) even if it is just by reading their stories.  And I hope that you are too, along with getting an early start on your Christmas gift making.

Until tomorrow.....

Blog Hop ~ Day 3

Hello, blog hoppers!  (That sounds kinda strange, doesn't it?!)  Today, you need to make sure to check out Terry Atkinson's project and comment on her post.  'Cause if you don't comment on each one of the posts with the free project, you won't have a chance to win any of those big prizes we've been talking about!

Now, just to clarify about the cookie recipe yesterday..... I'm thinking that my mom actually used the sugar cookie recipe from that cookbook and added the filling on her own, so if you're flipping through your own 1963 edition and you don't see a recipe for Filled Sugar Cookies, that may be why!  I can't verify that right now, because she is enroute to Arizona, but when I find out, I'll clue you in!

Well, today's theme for the Cross Country Christmas Quilt Designer's Blog Hop (just rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it?) is a story about a gift.  I had to think hard about this one, but the one thing that keeps coming to mind is the Christmas that my husband surprised me with a keyboard.  

No, not that kind of keyboard!!!

 

This kind of keyboard!!!

I took several years of piano lessons when I was young, but had not played for many, many years, mostly because I had no piano to play on.  After getting the itch to play again, I picked up a fairly cheap electronic keyboard that didn't even have all the keys for me to play the songs that I wanted to play, but it was enough to help me get back into it.  And I had only made a few remarks about someday wanting to get a "real" piano.  

Ok, well maybe it was more than a few.  

But I never expected Tom to go buy a keyboard for me.  Especially when he never played the piano and we didn't really have a place to put one.  So, it was a big surprise when he brought it in for me on Christmas morning!  I started playing it that day, and have spent many hours with it since then.  I'm still not great, but when I get a chance to sit down and play some, it brings me so much joy!

But that's not the end of the gift story.  It gets better.  

You see, my youngest son started taking piano lessons that year, and played for about 4 years.  I loved to hear him play.  

But like many teenagers, he found other things to occupy his time, like friends and video games.  Then, he started playing the saxophone in the school band, then the electric bass, then the guitar, and finally the drums.  And this past summer, he shocked me and started playing my piano again, after not touching it for 3 years. 

It has since been moved downstairs to join all the other instruments and speakers, right behind his computer where he loves to write, play, and record music!

Now, he's a junior in high school and looking into colleges where he can study something related to music.  So the way I look at it, the gift that Tom gave me has given me back so much more because it brought out the love of music in our house and I now get to listen to Tyler play my gift!  

So, since this post is all about music, I want to share another Christmas card with you..... just because it fits in with the music thing.  Don't worry, I won't subject you to my old Christmas cards every day.  I promise!  This one just fit right in.

I did this one in 2002.  Do you see my keyboard?  That's Tyler playing it.  And the one playing the saxophone is my older son, Scott, who now plays the guitar.  And my husband Tom is playing the bass, although he didn't play it for long.  And yes, I am the singer.  Choir all the way through school.  Church choir for many years.  Music is my companion all day long while I work and sew!

Now, just to clarify about the cookie recipe yesterday..... I'm thinking that my mom actually used the sugar cookie recipe from that cookbook and added the filling on her own, so if you're flipping through your own 1963 edition and you don't see a recipe for Filled Sugar Cookies, that may be why!  I can't verify that right now, because she is enroute to Arizona, but when I find out, I'll clue you in!

That's it for today!  Go get hopping!  Blog hopping, I mean!  And check back tomorrow.  Who knows.  Maybe I'll actually have something quilty to show you!