I am in such gratitude to all my blogging friends. The internet certainly has opened an eye for me. A source of living when bed/house bound in recovering from that horrible accident. Now into this new venture of quilting and finding this 'thing' called blogging. Although we may have different loves of color, fabrics, styles, and techniques, we carry a bond in the threads we sew - and I say THANK YOU.

NEWFO

I had already decided to set my goals for 2012 on a smaller scale - minis, table runners, wallhangings, and some baby quilts. I was so excited in seeing this 'mini' revolution around the net - lots of fun smaller projects every where. It's in tribute to Barbara at CatPatches who came up with the idea of being OK to start NEW projects. Not that I needed an excuse, but nice to know there will be others doing the same and encouraging each along the way. Thank you Barbara.

More NEW houses. You are going to get sick of seeing these, I'm sure. I see that it has been suggested (and encouraged) to try with a larger block if the tiny 3.5" block house is too challenging. I plan to mix mine up with different sizes. I think next week I will do some 6.5" houses - then the bits can be saved to work into the smaller ones. And look closely - I laughed because I didn't see it until I put it in photo shop to fix the color. One of these houses is not like the others. It is now fixed.

This new project is covering two challenges - the Color Pallette Challenge and a Circle Challenge. Just a peek because it will be posted later this month and I have worked up a tutorial on how I sewed those inset circles. A little bit of hand quilting left, then attach the binding which I can hand sew when my SIL comes down to finish up her pillow. Oh, I am thankful that I have a new sewing partner and it has been so, sew fun playing with fabric with her - I promise to show the quilt and pillow when she has everything done.

And thank you to KatieQ for putting those wonderful buttons on your side bar. I have two new buttons for you to scope out, maybe even inspire. Scrap Attack - we all want to beat those scraps down. And, Bust Yo Scraps - these snowball blocks are for this project. Yes, another new and I am making a smaller version using 1.5" squares - that barrel is FULL. This cute pattern should definitely tame them. And I am working them up as my leader/enders.

This is block #9 for the FQ Star Quilt Along - not really new and it will be the only 'large' quilt this year. But I am re-cycling shirts for these blocks - so that makes an 'oldfo' into a 'newfo' - doesn't it?

Not really quilting, but if we keep ourselves physically, mentally and spiritually fit, we certainly can enjoy this venture better. I had seen Annie's post on this and was 'pondering' - then I was seeing the support and thankfulness for this new venture. So I am now working toward a healthier me. First goal being to eat scheduled meals. Being alone, I don't take the time to have regular meals that you sit to the table to. Maybe a new placemat just for ME will help remind me to sit and eat. And since my two grandsons have been diagnosed with dairy and gluton allergies, I think I need to evaluate my own dietary and look into gluton-free. And I think I need to add more protein in my diet. I have a floor pedal machine which can also be used on the table for your arms - so the everyday exercise has always been there - it got me out of a hospital bed and wheel chair.

THANKFUL WINNINGS

Some of you may remember - I won Michelle's original 12 of Hearts. I get to keep hers, so now I can gift mine on. I loved doing this BOM and look forward to her new BOM with Hannah & Harrington Bunny. Thank You Shell - for the give away and for the awesome free blocks.

This lovely bundle I received from Jewel at IntrepidThread. A Stitch in Color - she has the whole line just in stock and you can see it on her blog in much better color than from my limpy, wimpy camera. Thank you sweetie!

Although these weren't from a give away - these lovely spool blocks are from various participants in the Australian 6" Block Swap. They feel like winning a give away when they arrive in the mail. A few I made myself, but by the end of this year, with more swap mates' blocks and more of mine - I will have enough for a special quilt that will be my NEW UFO finish for 2013. Thank you to all you lovely ladies!

And I won Box #3 from Miki and it arrived today. Oh my how beat up this poor VERY HEAVY box is - it was not handled too gently on it's travels here. I won't open this until Friday because of other committments. Then I will do a photo shoot of contents, what I pulled, and what I will put in for the next give away and post on Saturday. I would like to move the box on before the end of the month. (Box#1 is on to Annie and Box #2 is still not posted by Ali)

CLOSING THOUGHT

Sewingy Yours,
Sharon