Best of 2016

A big thanks to Meadow Mist Designs, for bringing bloggers from all over the world together to reminisce about what was best in 2016.

         Like all fine wines... we have years that makes us the happiest.
                 I think I would have to rate 2016 as one of the top.
                       (you knew I would have to sneak that wine
                                thing in there now, didn't you)
                                                     LOL!

It started out, with me finishing my Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt.

 For the first time ever, I kept up with the weekly clues...

The colors were way out of my comfort zone, but I love love love the finished quilt. Thanks Bonnie for helping me, break out of my box!

Then big that dreaded challenge...

Navigating the quilt world not only with a broken wrist, but having to learn to travel that world, left handed. No easy task for this righty!

It wasn't pretty, and times I was just downright crabby...

but my quilting buddies brought me around.

We worked on tissue holders for the "Meals on Wheels"

 Valentine deliveries.

Heck, I got pretty good at sewing 1 handed.

Then, I managed the AccuQuilt GO cutter one handed to make my 

Island Batik Mini Madness quiltie.

I was even reminded that all the blocks for another Bonnie Hunter quilt were done and in a tote. I was able to sew them all together and finish the quilt top one handed.

I had finished piecing this quilt top, for Wendy Sheppard's,

"Creative New Quilts and Projects" blog hop,

before I broke my wrist.

My dear friend JoAnn quilted it for me. I will forever 

be grateful, for her help.

February was our "Planes Trains and Automobiles"

blog hop with Island Batik.

August was our "Seaside Summer" blog hop with Island Batik.

The monthly challenges with my fellow Island Batik

Ambassadors were so much fun.

I designed a couple of blocks for the

"In Our Garden" quilt along blog hop.

This row for the "Road Home" bloggers row along.

And this row for the Row by Row Experience this year.

More blog hops...

Oh I definitely have a thing for Halloween!

Susie Websters "Folk Art Quilted Traditions" 

book kick off.

I went a little crazy with the Alaska Row by Row Experience.

If only I could manage to get my Colorado rows done...

Top of the list for next year!

LOL!!

I love my completed Bear Paw from the 

Modern Challenge Bear Paw QAL

at "Sew Fresh Quilts"

I'm continuing to add to my Sue and Sam Travel the World

BOM from "Seams to be Sew".

And this fun "12 Days of Christmas" from 

"Seams to be Sew" and "Art Quilt Designs"

Yep, it was a very good year, and much of that has to do with YOU!

Yes, you are the reason I'm here, your visits and comments and the friends I've made along the way...

Well, there's just not much to say other than you are all the best!

And you all, make me a better person for it!

Pat yourselves on the back and continue to be, as wonderful as you are.

I look forward to things to come in the new year. 

Your inspiration never ceases to amaze me.

I must take a moment to thank "Island Batik" and my wonderful fellow ambassadors. It's been an honor and a privilege to work with all of you.

We have one last blog hop coming up next month...

"New Beginnings"

We are showing off the new lines of fabrics about to hit the shelves.

You definitely won't want to miss it!

;-)

A "Fresh Snow" blog hop kicks off on

Jan 20th.

Fun snowy projects not made of 

cotton quilt fabrics. 

This one should be inspirational, for sure!

Have a very Happy New Year.

Til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

It's Sappy and Sweet

And really kind of neat!

When a special someone has a Christmas Eve birthday, 

They may feel short changed with all the celebrations for the year, 

at one time.

To let him know just how special he is to us all, 

we created this really big card.  

I started with a 36" x 48" tri-fold cardboard display, some carpet tape and a glue stick.  Carpet tape is a very strong double stick tape that holds up well for this project. Now, shop til you drop for candy. I found a font I liked and printed out the words in big letters. It took about 5 pages to print.

Now the fun begins.

I saw something similar online a few years back,

 and made a few changes to it.

While it's hard to see in the photo, here is the little poem...

Getting older is nothing to (Snicker) about. Your joints may start to

(Crunch) and your (What cha ma call it) may not work like it did.

In fact you may have (Snow Caps) and (Butterfingers) and your mind may play (Twix) on you.  You may feel like an old (Crow), but you'll always be a (Hot Tamale) to us. We love your (Whopper) stories and would go to (Pieces) without you. No matter what, we wouldn't trade you for (100 Grand), cause your (Mounds) of fun to have around.

You may think we are (Nerds) for making this for you...

But really we are just a couple of (Goobers) who are (Nuts) about you 

and think you deserve a little (Extra) attention.

Now my thinking cap is on, and and I'm plotting some other fun

cards to make.  

My friends better watch out.

LOL!!

Til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

The Stockings were hung...

Oh, you better make that, the caddies were hung!

The assembly line was going...

there were parts everywhere.

But this Mrs Santa, she just didn't care!

I've become obsessed with the fabulous

Catch All Caddy

from www.byannie.com

You can see from her web site, just how great

they are for storing oh "sew" many things.

I used fun "Island Batik" for my very own...

These playful polar bears just make me smile!

I'll let you in on a little secret.

Headliner fabric at JoAnn's fabric works just as well as 

"Soft and Stable" and is just a fraction of the cost.

The only difference I see right off the bat, 

is that only 1 side of the foam is covered.

It really didn't seem to be an issue in this,

 or my backpack that I recently showed.

It's all a matter of preference. I prefer to save my

$$$$$'s for more fabric.

LOL!!!!

Here's hoping the magic of Christmas fills your heart.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

Til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Tis the Season For Giving with Island Batik

With the season of comfort and joy upon us,

it's time to think about others.

Island Batik did just that, and asked the ambassadors to join in.

Yesterday I dropped a package of Kennel Quilts in the mail to the Tennessee Valley Humane Society.

With the devastating fires in the area recently, there has been a need for comfort quilts for displaced pets.

Our "Flying Quilters" quilt club has found that stitching these up, is a great way to share the day, and do some fun stash busting.

"TQPM Small Kennel Quilt Team" is a volunteer organization that is available when disasters strike. It is a way to join a larger effort to help our animal friends in times of need by doing what we love.  

                          You can find more information on this group 

                                                      HERE

This runner was among some of the things that were donated to the 

"Elks Lodge" this year.

They were raffled off to support the Little Britches Rodeo, here in our community.  I feel it's important to support things that keep kids off the street and out of trouble. 

This "quiltie"was donated to the "Future Farmers of America" 

group and auctioned off, to support their young people projects.

You might even remember these from earlier this year.

Our group stitched up 200 of these tissue holders

for a little Valentines surprise, on the Meals on Wheels dinner plates.

There are so many ways we can share our love of stitching.

I do hope you find it in your heart to bring a little 

sunshine into some one's day!

Have a blessed Holiday Season.

Until next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

12 Days of Christmas

Have you been following the 12 days of Christmas?

Janeen at "Art Quilt"

and 

Marian at "Seams To Be Sew"

(they are both linked for you)

have teamed up and done this, just over the top fabulous 

Christmas village for us this year.

I've been stitching away on it.

It's "sew" darn cute that I actually put away my

Bonnie Hunter mystery until after this one is done.

Sorry Bonnie...but this one!  It's just too much fun.

I was so excited to get the first row done.

Sitting back and enjoying, but...

Oh no, is that a mistake I see?

Yep right there!

Craziest looking tree I've ever seen!

Thank goodness it was an easy fix.

Not too much to have to take apart on this one.

Whew!

Here we are, so far...

Are these not seriously too cute?

Now, the really fun part for me...

All the appliques to dress up this town.

There are street lights, clocks, presents, lollipops, gum drops...

Gingerbread men, bears and bells...

Oh and that train, is just too cute for words.

Yep, this town is about to come alive!

Make sure you check it out.

Thanks Janeen and Marian for such a fun holiday project.

Another big thanks to 

"Sew Mama Sew" for hosting Give Away day.

The winner for my Island Batik Stamp pack 

is Anita from Norway.

An email has been sent for your mailing info.

Congratulations Anita, and thanks to all who visited.

Til next time!

Keep on Stitchin'