What's On The Bookshelf Wednesday - What I'm Wishing For!

Hi, all!

It's Wednesday, and that means it's time to take a look at the bookshelf again and see what's there!  But today, I want to take a look at what's NOT there - the books I'm wishing for this Christmas.  You might see something you'd be interested in, too - and still have time to add it to your own wish list!

Free Motion Quilting Idea Book by Amanda Murphy.  I got to see an early release copy of this when I went to NYC earlier this year, and it is gorgeous!!  It contains 155 fresh ideas handpicked for a specific space on a quilt - great ideas when you are stumped about how to quilt your blocks.  I can't wait to get my hands on this one!

Old Quilts, New Life by Sarah Fielke.  This book has projects that are inspired by quilts from the American Folk Art Museum.  Sarah has created a sympathetic recreation of the old quilts, and then a more contemporary creation based on the old quilt.  What a fabulous idea to pay homage to those quilters who came before us!

Simply Color: Blue and Simply Color: Purple by Vanessa Christenson of V & Co.  I've been anxiously awaiting these two, especially since I acquired Red, Orange, Yellow and Green earlier this year.  The colors in these books are so lush, and Vanessa's designs are just wonderful!  I'm looking forward to having this pretty (and complete) rainbow of books on my own shelf!

So that's what's NOT on my bookshelf yet - but I'm hoping will be, very soon!  So what's on your wish list this Christmas?  I'd love to know - I'm always looking for new books!

Hugs!

Sarah

Make-A-List Monday - It's All Coming Together!

Hi, all!

It's Monday, less than two weeks until Christmas, and I am so happy to say that everything is finally coming together!  All my major projects are done (HALLELUJAH!!) and I'm feeling at loose ends...  but I think I can probably take care of that!  So let's see how last week's list went...

1.  Finish the back for Nathanael's quilt.

Done!  I found a great fabric in my stash to stretch the blues - full of animals, cars, planes, and all kinds of fun things to see!

2.  Finish the back for Lilli's quilt.

Done!  The patch you can see is the story of The Princess and The Pea - I found a nice short version and ran it through the printer!

3.  Finish the back for Emmy's quilt.

Done!  I love this vintage embroidered table cloth, and it made a perfect back for Emmy's quilt!

4.  Quilt at least two of the kids' quilts.

Done!  And not only two of them, but ALL THREE!! YIPEE!! I posted about Emmy's quilt on Friday's Whoop Whoop post and will post about the other two over the next two weeks - so no pics today of the other two.  But trust me, they're gorgeous!

5.  Try on and take in my outfit for hubby's office Christmas party if needed.  (Oh the joys of losing weight!)

Done!  What I ended up wearing didn't need taking in, but I'm happy to say I tried on several dresses from my closet that I hadn't been able to wear for quite a few years and they WILL need taking in!

6.  Try to finish up my Christmas shopping.

Pretty close to done!  I have a couple of things I still need to pick up, but if I didn't get them, it wouldn't be the end of the world!

7.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

Done!  We had a quiet week this week, only two requests...

This quilt went to an elderly woman who was just diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer...

...and this quilt went to a 28-year old military wife and young mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer this week.

I also spent some quality time with the grandkids!  Emmy managed to closely inspect her drawings the car, smearing the pencil lead  all over her face,  then posed for a picture - tell me how I'm supposed to fuss at that face!

And we took Lilli to Build-A-Bear for her annual trip with Papa to get her birthday Build-A-Bear!  I can't believe she's going to be eight this week!

And - - - we bought a new car!  Papa is one happy camper...

And look at this fabulous pic of the grandkids and their cousin Mya!  I can't believe the photographer managed to get all four of them looking at the camera and smiling at the same time!

So it's been a very busy, but also very productive, week!  This week is shaping up to be just as busy, but in a different way.  So let's see what's on the to-do list for this week!

1.  Prepare luncheon for our church staff on Wednesday.  (This involves a lot of cooking on Tuesday!)

2.  Sewing with the folks at church on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

3.  Lilli's Christmas program at school on Thursday evening.

4.  Supervise cookie-making on Friday with the grandkids - all three, because school lets out that day!

5.  Work on an antique quilt top repair job for a friend.

6.  Finish wrapping the Christmas presents.

7.  Keep up with any quilt ministry needs that come up.

I think that's enough to keep me busy - but still give me time to go see Star Wars with my hubby sometime this weekend!

So now the question is - - - what are YOU working on this week?

Hugs!

Sarah

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? One Down, Two to Go!

Hi, all!

Here we are again, Friday, and only two weeks until Christmas!  I imagine that you have been busy finishing up your hand-crafted gifts, just like I have, and hopefully you'll be able to show some of that wonderful crafting off!  It's time to get our whoop whoop on - are you ready??

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Emmy's annual quilt is finally finished!!

For those of you who may not know about the annual quilt tradition, each year since Lilli was two (the year I started quilting) I have made each of my grandkids a quilt.  They are each getting quite a collection of quilts, which they use and love.  Two years ago, Lilli told me that the only thing she wanted from me for Christmas was her quilt!  Now that makes it all worth it!

Each quilt has something in it that reminds me of the grandchild's year - in Emmy's case, it is the yellow flowers in this print.  In the spring of last year, she loved to pick dandelions, calling them "yeyow fwowers".  It was so cute, but actually became a problem when dandelion season ended!  She still loves them - we saw one in the grass the other day and she just had to go pick it!

I had a lot of fun with the quilting, too - tight swirls in the setting triangles, big flowers in the solid blocks, and a random meander in the floral blocks.  But the really fun part is the back of this quilt...

The back of this quilt is a vintage embroidered tablecloth I found in an antique shop.  It is in perfect condition, and almost exactly the right size.  I added a yellow border to bring it up to the right size.  Take a look at that beautiful texture on the back!!

Here's a close-up shot so you can see the beautiful embroidery!

And I'm happy to say that it already has a label!  It tells a little bit about things Emmy liked during the year, and what she herself was like.  I make one of these for each quilt so it's a little time capsule for the kids!

And here's one final picture, just because it's pretty!!

So - can I get a whoop whoop??

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And now it's your turn!

What are you whooping about this week?

What's got you dancing a little happy dance?

Share!  We want to dance right along with you!

And it's always more fun to dance with friends!

The linky will stay open until midnight Sunday -

Hope to see you there!

Hugs!

Sarah