Happy New Year

There is only 6 hours left of 2009. I think time accelerates with each passing year. There was much to be thankful for in 2009. For me it will always be remembered as the year of Leah Grace's short little life. That makes it harder to leave this year behind but I do look forward to 2010 with all of it's unknowns. There will be quilts to finish, new ones to start, new quilting friends to meet -- it should be an exciting year. Here's wishing happy new year to everyone who reads this blog.

The photos are the quilt I made for my daughter-in-law for Christmas and my sister's table topper that I absolutely love.

Planning for the new year

I love the break between Christmas and the New Year. The busyness is basically over. Sure there's the clean up from Christmas but the pressure is off. So it's time to think about a new year. I like to plan, make goals, compile a few lists, etc. I have to see things checked off in order to feel the sense of accomplishment. My lists will be projects to complete, financial planning/goals for my business, family projects, personal goals and things I hope to accomplish around my home. This year is exciting because it looks the kitchen and dining room will get a mini-make over. It would be nice to do something major but finances won't permit that. New floors are going in and hopefully that will be followed by a little rearranging of the dining room and new countertops. That's very exciting to look forward to. The flooring already sits in boxes piled up downstairs. It helps to have a son-in-law in the flooring business. I'll post pictures as this starts to turn into reality.

Winners of the Give Away

There were three gifts given away through a drawing at my open house. The winners are (drum roll): Cindy, Marcia and Janice!!! Congratulations

Open House Event

Yesterday was so fun at my open house. About 25 came and visited, had coffee or tea, ate a bowl of soup, wandered around my house and just had a great relaxing time together. I enjoyed it so much. My two daughters and son-in-law worked the espresso machine. The coffees and chai teas were absolutely amazing. It really helps to have a daughter who works at Starbucks and also owns her own fabulous espresso maker. My granddaughter came over too and I was able to give her the Christmas quilt that I had finished for her. It had machine embroidered pictures of the nativity story in each block. I traded a customer work for the embroidered blocks. It was great to see lots of quilt customers and friends drop in and celebrate Christmas with me.

The open house turned out so well that I think it will become an annual event.

The photo is of my quilt studio tree -- all decked out with spools of thread, buttons and measuring tape for the garland.

Give Away at the Open House

I can't resist making Christmas things. Yesterday I decided to get into my Christmas fabric and have some fun. I made pillows, new bed shams, a covering for my cedar chest, a new Christmas wallhanging (from a panel), new pillowcases and the tops for 4 quilted pillows. One of the snowman pillows will be given away at my open house on Thursday. In order to win you must come! I know that's bribery but it's the easiest way and lots of fun to make things to give away. I'm also giving away a Christmas apron.

Particulars on the open house: Thursday, December 17 from 10:00 - 1:00. Callie will be our Starbucks barista and serving whatever kind of fancy coffee drink you want. My address is 20578 SW Colville Ct., Tualatin, OR

OPEN HOUSE

You are all invited to a Christmas Open House, Thursday, December 17 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00. There will be tea and coffee (made by my own personal Starbucks Barista - Callie) and other goodies. Tour my home and quilt studio, view lots of quilts and enjoy a festive time with friends. Drop in for 15 minutes or a couple hours and celebrate this season with me.

Marathon Quilting

How many quilts can a quilter quilt in one day? That's almost a tongue twister and it certainly was a challenge. On Sunday I had 7 quilts still to do before a Christmas break from quilting. I decided Sunday night to try and do them all on Monday! Now granted none of them were big and in fact two were just table runners. The time it takes to pin on is always a sizeable chunk of time so trying to do 7 seemed almost impossible. But I was up for a challenge. I pinned the first quilt on Sunday evening (that probably is a little cheating)! I was up at 6:00 a.m. and in my studio by 6:30. By noon I was on my 4th quilt. I took an hour break for lunch and then a 2 hour break around dinner time. My last stitch was put in about 9:30 p.m. 7 quilts, one day, sore hands and back, but feeling great with this accomplishment.

A diversion from cooking and cleaning

Lots of relatives are arriving later tonight. Tomorrow there will be 20 people at our Thanksgiving meal. So that meant a lot of preparation today. I cleaned bathroom, bedrooms, kitchen, the studio and I baked. It would have seemed like one very long day of not the most pleasant tasks, except that I took time out this morning to arrange a Thanksgiving decoration on our mantel. It was fun and turned out better than I even imagined. I took my small pumpkins and gourds and coated them with glue and then sprinkled glitter on top. Lights were laid down on the mantel first, then moss, then the pumpkins. Next the letters were suspended from the edge and last rafia and rose hips that were recently cut from my garden were added. I love the way it looks. It is truly one of many things to give thanks for!

Last Quilts

I finished up my quilting this morning. Right now I only have two quilts in my studio that are customer quilts. They should get done sometime in December but I'm into working on lots of my own projects right now. Today after finishing the customer work and delivering the quilts (yes I do sometimes deliver), I worked on a wallhanging, made two pair of flannel pajamas for my son, and loaded a quilt for my daughter-in-law on the longarm. It felt good to be free of the pressure of having to get quilts for customers done. I can play this week. I also have to get ready for a whole lot of relatives to arrive on Wednesday, but they are some of the easiest people to have around so there's no stress. It's time for me to create a few new things, make some Christmas gifts and enjoy many of the other fine things of home. I'll post pictures of what I'm doing.

Here's a couple customer quilts that were just finished.

Last Minute Gift

Last night before I went to bed I thought I should bring a gift for two friends who I am meeting for lunch today. I decided to make two table runners. My machine was empty, I had a couple stacks of the 5 inch squares and the morning free. Up and in the studio by 7:30 I started. By 9:30 I had the table runners done and on the machine. They were quilted in about 45 minutes and then the binding was put on and stitched down by machine. I am done with 20 minutes to go until I have to leave for lunch. That's what I call a perfect last minute gift!