"Wintarmanuth"

January has been called the 'wolf month' - days of old when it got cold and heavy snows forced the wolf into villages looking for food. Yes, we have seen the wolf in our yard. Yes, we have seen snow - sparse. Yes, we are seeing cold. We were certainly spoiled with unseasonally mild weather right up until a few days ago - then BOOM - the winter wolf is here!

MINUTES FOR ME

I don't DO cold/snow, so being house bound makes me busy inside. I grabbed my ME MINUTES by playing early in the morning with that bag of scraps a quilt guild member gave me. My afternoons were with my SIL working on her quilt. This birdhouse mini evolved - 6" x 15" and I am still looking for my lovely handpainted bird buttons to add. Maybe even a tassle on the end.

Next came this little house quilt - 8" x 9". I love putting these little scenes together - and being challenged with just 'what's on the table' is fun for me.

And a few note cards came about. Just some small paperpieced blocks, light fuse to card stock and a zig-zag edge. I have some 4" x4" envelopes from the office supply store that I can use, or I can save them to put in with one of my year's swaps with a little note for swapmate. I need to make more of these for sure.

There are more scraps to play with from that bag and a few minis are in progress to share later.

My evening time for me was to work up another cross stitch ornament.

And I made up enough houses for a few days - breathing room. I prefer to do a few at a time rather than one-a-day. Actually, I could spend a whole day playing with these, so I have to set the kitchen timer to remind myself - just a few Sharon!

And since my SIL was working on her binding, I thought it was time to put the binding on my 12 Days of Christmas quilt. Now to get the other one finished.

DESIGN WALL

And I played a little with this month's Schnibble's pattern - Full House - and got parts of my houses done. I am using Moda's 'Coming Home' and probably will make a table runner with a single house mini.

It has been enjoyable to browse some of my blogging friends who are into the 'mini' zone right now too. Some wonderful doll quilts, mini quilts, mini hangers - try a little project. The quick finish is so refreshing as well as rewarding. Don't like to handle small pieces? Make a single favorite block and do it up as a mini.

Traveling Stash

Box #1 - Karen received her box Saturday and has comments open only until Monday (16th) night - so you better hurry over and get your comment in for this box.

Box #2 - Ali has yet to post stash movement - I had received word it would be last week so I don't know what's up with this box. I don't dare send another e-mail, but you guys can.

Box #3 - Miki has sent the box on to ME, so when it arrives I will be sure to take quick inventory, pick out my delights, already with replacements, and will be sure to let you all know when it's up for grabs.

GIVE AWAY TIME

This is my 200th post - gosh I got gabby! Since there are so many 'scrap' challenges right now, I thought I would offer up goodies from one of my pre-cut barrels again. This time it is 2.5" squares. AND, that is a plastic shoe box - I did not count how many are in there - and more may be added before this goes out. This is my year of 'small projects' so these are my postage stamp quilt supply and they need a home. You can comment on any of the post, but please be sure you let me know you want to be 'thrown into the hat' for the squares. I will draw the winner next Monday - 23rd - be sure I have a way of reaching you as I will make every effort to personally contacting the winner as well as posting it.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Wolf Song:
Speak to the moon, scream to the sky, sing your beautiful song.
Let the chorus ring as high as the bird flies.
Let the message echo clear, your freedom song.
You tell the world that you are yours alone.
- Zammy -

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

**Side Note** I have several blogs I follow that I cannot get into the last couple of days - I am not ignoring you, but get a 'white screen' when trying to get into your blog. I see some bloggers are having issues with comments again, too. I know blogger is dropping non-blogers from the 'follow' thing - I really don't understand it all - trying to get information that even I can understand to pass on to all of you correctly. I miss: Quilt Time, MamaSpark, One More Quilt, Quilt Monster in My Closet, Moose Stash Quilting, Love,Laugh,Quilt, and Jane's Fabric

I hope I don't lose more!!!