Christmas Through the Year

Last year I got off to a great start with working on Christmas projects each month, but sadly toward the end of the year I slacked off and shouldn't have.  My goal is to be better at it this year.  My January project was three kitchen towels, embroidered with "Let it Snow" and some snowflakes.  This was a free pattern Birdbrain designs, they have several different free stitchery patterns.  ( I am into free this year).  I purchased the towels at Hobby Lobby with a 50% off coupon earlier this year.  The towels worked up very quickly and are put away until the holidays. 

Pigs on Parade

After dyeing wool for the last few weeks, I decided that I really should make somethhing out of it.  I decided on a pincushion.  Since I love pigs it was a no brainer, a pig pincushion.  I think they turned out pretty good.  I am keeping the yellow and pink one, the purple and pink one is for a friend who likes purple.  The next one I make I think will be "when pigs fly" all I have to do is add a pair of wings.  Wish me luck. 

Stuck in the Civil War

I love to read, especially historical fiction.  Lately I seem to be stuck in the Civil War.  I just finished reading Mrs.  Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini.  It is her first historical fiction novel and it is very good, definitely a departure from the  Elm Creek Quilters novels that she is best known for.  I have always loved reading about the Civil War, and Abraham Lincoln.  I have never read that much about Mrs. Lincoln and after reading Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker I want to read more about Mrs. Lincoln.






  At the same time I was reading this book, I was listening to a book on CD in my car, My Name is Mary Sutter.  ( the radio stations in Atlanta are awful and I have had to resort to listening to books, not a hardship).   I didn't realize when I started listening to it that it would mirror, Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker.  It has been very interesting experiencing the Civil War from two very different perspectives.  The main character in My Name is Mary Sutter is a white, upper class female who wants to be a surgeon; while the main character in Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker is a female former slave.  Both books are very good reads and I would recommend both of them if you like historical fiction.  If I had to pick one, I would probably pick My Name is Mary Sutter as the best, but that is just me.  Enjoy!!!

Day off

I have had the best day, make that best weekend.  Friday night was Thimbles, got to see all of my good friends, the only bad thing was three of the thimbles are moving.  Kristie is moving to Louisiana in February, Sandra is moving to Iowa when school is out, and Mercedine is moving at the end of summer.  Boo Hoo.  I am still working on Odd's and End's from  Primitive Gatherings, it is easy to work on and talk at the same time.  Saturday was cleaning day, not my favorite thing to do, but it has to be done.  Sunday was sewing room cleaning day, this was way overdue dinner; Sunday night dinner was with some wonderful friends at Ted's.  Today was great just because I didn't have to go to work, last week was probably the worst week in my working career, so anything would be an improvement.  I did some sewing, still working on Easy Street.  I am slowly getting there.  I also got some projects ready to take to Elijay in a couple of weeks.  I also made the first block in the Dixie Diary, Barbara Brackmans' BOM.  (no pictures of anything camera problems).  I also started the Lady of the Lake block from Homestead Hearth, I had already received the first two months and hadn't done a thing with either one, almost finished both months.  I am loving this quilt.  Hope everyone had a great weekend, and if you were off for the day hope you enjoyed it.

And the Winner is!!!

I should have announced this on Thursday, but some times life gets in the way of doing the things that we would really like to do.  The winner of the Edyta Sitar Book is::::  Mary, if you will send me your address I will get your book in the mail.  I really enjoyed reading all of the different family traditions that people have.  I hope that everyone has a great New Year.

First great read of 2013

I had been wanting to read this book and it was on my Christmas list, my brother gave it to me for Christmas.  I waited until the New Year to start it and it is great!!  It is the story of Tom and Isabel, light house keepers in Australia in the late 1920's.  Tom is a survivor of WWI, who finds solace in the isolation of his job.  When he meets and marries Isabel feels extremely lucky to have both  the perfect job and wife. Problems arise when Isabel has a miscarriage, followed fairly quickly by a second miscarriage then the stillbirth of a child.  Just days following the stillbirth a boat washes up on shore with the body of a man, and a living child.  Isabel talks Tom into keeping the child.  This changes not only Tom and Isabel's lives but the lives of numerous other people.  Won't give away anyone, but will say that I cried at the end.  Great Read.

Country Threads BOM

I need to think about finishing the projects that I have started, not starting new ones, but sometimes you just can't help yourself.  I have always liked sampler quilts and when I saw this one I decided that I had to do it.  The girls over at Country Threads have started an new online sampler BOM, this isn't a mystery quilt you know what it looks like going in.  (which I like).  I also like the fact that it is monthly, I love Barbara Brackman's block of the week, but I have an awful time keeping up with them.  For January there were two Sawtooth Star blocks, a 12" and a 6" block.  I made both of them yesterday.  Check it out!!!