Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Word of the Year 2020: create


image by rawpixel.com

Soon we will be ringing-in 2020. Wow, can you believe it? 2019 held a lot of events, some happy and some sad. Here's hoping that our 2020 will have much more joy. For 2020, my chosen word is: create- to bring (something) into existence. This will include quilts and dolls, clothing and all other crafts/projects. Closely related to my goals for 2020, this sounds like a good plan. Maybe create a quilt pattern? Have you made any plans for the coming year yet? Happy New Year to you all!

♥ GRAND TOTAL: Completed WIP/UFO quilts in 2019: 15 ♥

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Best of 2019 Link Party

Yay! It is time for the Best of 2019 Link Party! Always so much fun to read everyone's posts and to re-visit. This year, my Best of are arranged in order of the 5 posts with the most comments. It was a wonderful and quilty year, wasn't it? Let's get started with the post that garnered the most comments at 52. The Quilter's Meet & Greet was a ton of fun, and I made a lot of new friends. The quilt pictured above was designed by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, and is titled Exploding Stars. It is one of my favorite patterns and finishes. Please keep reading to see more, and for comments.

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Harvest Star table topper: finished

'Finally finished the Harvest Star table runner from the 2019 Autumn Jubilee event at: From My Carolina Home. This was gifted to our dear neighbor, who has stood beside us through many heartaches and joys through the years. The background mustard-colored print cotton does not read well in the photo. It is actually a small calico-type floral print in a darker mustard color. The other end has the same brown and mustard hourglass block. Here are the stats:

♦ dimensions: 16 1/2" X 60 1/2"

♦ fabrics: various 100% cotton fabrics from my stash

♦ backing: solid mustard

♦ batting: Warm N' Natural©

♦ quilting: machine-stitched straight lines with mustard-colored thread

♦ binding: machine and hand stitched, beige calico-type floral print

♥ Completed WIP/UFO quilts in 2019: 15 ♥

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Happy holidays 2019!

Sending happiest holidays wishes to all of you. 2019 is nearly over, and what a year. For the past few holidays, I have made sweets for Christmas and Thanksgiving. This year, one of those is these cupcakes. Made of white cake mix, they are topped with fluffy white frosting, green icing, and red, white and green sprinkles. Look at the final element- the silver foil cupcake papers! How festive are those? 'Went back after this photo and added more sprinkles. Looking forward to the family members coming and tasting these. Mother and I have already sampled a few, and they are really good. What treats do you like to cook for the holidays?

Monday, December 16, 2019

#2020 Planning Party

Joining: Quilting JETGirl's 2020 Planning Party again this year. It is always so much fun, and interesting to read about everyone's plans. Here goes with my 2020 goals:

1. Keep completing all of those UFOs/WIPs quilt tops. Just couldn't resist starting new quilt tops. Too much temptation, right? Well that is OK, quilting and sewing are wonderful hobbies.

2. Keep meeting more local quilters. 'Did not get out-and-about too much in 2019 due to the broken foot and the grief over losing my twin sister.

3. Sew more charity quilt blocks and quilts, and more pillowcase dresses for charity.

4. Keep meeting new blogging quilters online and continue visiting your awesome blogs. I learn so much from you all!

5. Continue learning better paper piecing skills, as mine still need a lot of improvement...

6. Try to learn some new machine-quilting designs. 'Did not accomplish that one in 2019.

How about you? Have you made any plans yet? #2020PlanningParty

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Homespun Holidays 2019: winner!

Thank you to all who entered the yearly Homespun Holidays Giveaway. This year, Random Number Generator© selected #4, who is Karen of: My Colonial Home. Karen, please contact me via this: Contact Form. Winter Snow Girl will fit right in Karen's beautiful historical house. 'Will get these gifts in the mail asap. Currently, we are getting rain and, yes, a snowy-icy mix. Well, Christmas eve is just less than two weeks away, so maybe a snowy one this year. Is your area getting any winter weather yet?
UPDATE: Karen has contacted me. Thanks Karen!

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Virtual Cookie Exchange & Blog Hop 2019

It is day three of the: Virtual Cookie Exchange & Blog Hop at Just Let Me Quilt. 'Hope you are all enjoying the event. This tomte gnome is something that I have wanted to make for a while. 'Also learned some interesting information about gnomes as well. According to legend, they are active little sprites! 'Wonder if they like brownies... This one measures 13" tall and has a weighted bottom to stand. The body and nose are cotton fabric. His clothing is olive cotton flannel and his beard is white craft faux fur.

The recipe in that little blue plate is Chocolate Mint Brownies. They were quite easy to prepare, and do taste yummy. The filling is gel-based food-colored dyed green, and the topping is a ganache made of real chocolate morsels. The link to the recipe is below. Be sure to hop on over and visit all of the bloggers for all of their special recipes and projects. This is so much fun!
Chocolate Mint Brownies recipe: Betty Crocker-General Mills® | Privacy & Cookies Policy
re-posted with permission