Only 4 more days till I got to quilt with some of my best friends! I can't wait. Question is - I"ve been so busy this week I haven't had time to figure out what I"m going to take to work on! Maybe I'll just go and visit and eat!!!!
I did finish a few weeks ago some more brownstone blocks. So thought I would share those with you.
There is nothing like a new ironing board cover, is there! I took some time this weekend and recovered my big board. It is so pretty now I might not be able to use it! 
Been working on my Winter Wonderland redwork a bit also. This is a large block, so this is only a portion, but I"m glad to have that tree done!
Betty Hutton sang this song in the opening of the musical "The Perils of Pauline" in 1947 (The true story of Pearl White). Betty Hutton was best known for her 1950's role of "Annie Get Your Gun".
Here are some of the lyrics:
Oh, the sewing machine, the sewing machine
A girl’s best friend
If I didn’t have my sewing machine
I’d come to no good end
But I bobbin and bobbin
And peddle and peddle
And wheel the wheel by day
So by night I feel so weary
That I never get out to play
Oh, the sewing machine, the sewing machine
A helping hand
If I didn’t have my sewing machine
I’d drink to beat the band
But I bobbin and bobbin
And peddle and peddle
As busy as a bug
So by night I feel so weary
That I can hardly lift a mug
Oh, the sewing machine, the sewing machine
A friend in need
If I didn’t have my sewing machine
A wicked life I’d lead
But I bobbin and bobbin
And peddle and peddle
And dream about romance
So by night I feel so weary
That I never get out to dance
...etc...
Oh, I thread the needle and fix the shuttle
And put in the cloth
And pull out the lever
And bobbin and bobbin
And peddle and peddle
And wheel the wheel all day
Oh, the sewing machine, the sewing machine
The sewing machine, the sewing machine
Is a girl’s best friend
This is the end!
Isn't this just plain fun!
I got my spool quilt done done done! All washed and crinkly! I did a swap with some online friends last year for these blocks and look at the wonderful treasure I now have! I"ve slept with it every night since it was done! 
and look at the fun backing I put on it!
Didn't work as long today, but did make some progress. I"m down to the slow moving progress - going through all the patterns and papers I had stacked up. But I"m getting there.
And here is the surprise quilt for my young friend - she is in 3rd grade - think she will like it?
OK, as embarrassing as this is, I"m going to show you how I spent my first Saturday of the new year. And before we go any farther - lets all THANK my friend Joan who made this possible. Joan encouraged and folded fabric all day and helped keep me going. Without her I wouldn't have lasted 2 hours. We spent over 6 hours working on my quilt room. I still have a lot to go - but it is just organizing now. We have the major mess taken care of. So here you go - above - the fabric pile. (Don't even ask how it got this way.)
A couple hours into it - progress being made. You can see the floor!
Then we got to building the shelves. Although basically easy, Joan had the height to do the higher ones. I"m a shorty! (See that stuff she put on the top shelf! I may never get it down!)
Go Joan Go!
And finally, some organization! So more to go tomorrow, but for tonight - I"m done for.
And to finish it off one of the 5 blue jays who have been visiting my tree and a bad photo of one of the cardinals.
Those of you who have followed my blog for awhile know I tend towards folk-art/primitive style and 1800's reproduction for sure. Well ever now and then I do something way out of the box for me! The above project is one. Look at those fabrics! They are hurting my eyes! But I love the colors and designs and the recepient I know is going to LOVE it! When I asked M what her favorite colors were she answered Green and Orange. I was floored. How was I going to make an easy green and orange quilt for this young lady! Well I saw this fabric in a magazine and knew it was "it"! Finding a pattern is easy since I wanted a simple design and pieces large enough to show the fabrics. So stay tuned to how it turns out! 
Meanwhile back at the ranch, I finished some coasters for Holly. She had seen the ones I made my sister and fell in love with them. So I had to make her some.
Then I finally finished some more clothespin dresses! I owed Holly one, and the other one is going to a very special friend. I can't wait until she gets it in the mail! I threw in 2 other surprises too for her - so I hope she likes! Holly's has a hole in the bottom of the bag - she is going to use it to store plastic bags in and then you can pull out the bag out of the bottom of the dress! 
I got some pretty nifty gifts for xmas. Above is my new scissor holder! My friend Joan's husband made this for her to give me. It is perfect! And being used I must say!
Also got this really great wool kit and pattern from my mom. Isn't that a drop dead gorgeous table topper for xmas! I hope I can do it justice.
And she got these great patterns that the center wool part swaps out for the seasons! The pattern and wool are packaged. I provide the fabric for the outside part. These will be fun to make! The patterns actually have one for each month. I thought I'd start with one for each holiday!
To wish you a happy holiday, whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year, I'm sharing a picture of my newly finished quilt!
Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season!
Finished up my Turkey Pumpkin! I didn't have it made for this year, but it is all ready for next year! Heck I may just leave it out all year round!
Been so busy working that I still don't have any new projects to share. But while working today I caught our woodpecker in a picture. So today's post is just our friend Mr. Woodpecker.
So I have a quilt back from the quilters (I'm not showing the whole thing until I get the binding on - but it isn't hard to tell what it is!). But I"m debating 3 bindings. I do have a favorite I think, but am curious to what your choice is. Above is all 3 bindings in one picture.
The middle black with tan design binding:
Or the more subtle black (almost charcoal grey) binding:
And check out the backing fabric! Isn't it cool!
Sorry I've been mia lately! Went out to Delaware to visit mom and my sister for 2 weeks for Thanksgiving. Got home this week and it took a few days just to catch up on home stuff. I did manage to get the tree up this weekend (well today actually) and some Christmas decoration out. Things are looking better around here. Holly is coming home this weekend with Adam for a early Christmas so I wanted it to feel like Christmas.
You can get a small peek at my Christmas Tree skirt. I made this way before I ever knew how to quilt - about 25 years ago. It even has the puffy polyester batting in it! And on the underside you can see where I made the ruffles with white thread! But it has held up over the years and is just part of my tree.
Even got the Christmas quilts up!
And check out my Turkey! Found this pattern at the quilt store by my mom's and had to get it. Couldn't even wait to make it - so did it at my mom's. Not quite done yet - you'll see how it goes together soon. 
Also made these fun wine glass coasters there. They were fun and easy to make! 
