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

Scrappy Quilt Challenge

I participated in Marcia's Scrappy Quilt Challenge using her Denim Block Pattern Tutorial. You still have time to make a small item to enter (she's drawing for a free quilting of your piece) as she is leaving the link up from Jan 17 - 23. Bits and pieces of progress were in some of my past posts, but here it is fully mapped out in it's growth.

First one of my many stash storage items was selected. Well, I don't stress over that one when I'm 'scrappin' - just pulled a drawer - and I'll see what treasures will grab my attention.

Here was my selection to start with. I found a few pieces of an old (2005) Alexander Henry fabric - little garden fairies. They would be my focal and base to play off of. And there were just enough to get some odd size fussy cuts of the various fairies and birds.

My first strip, some left over Moda of Fig Tree - glad to use that Jelly Roll Strip up.

I somehow lost the photo of the second strip, so this shows both the second and third strip added. The second strip was using some more left over Jelly Roll strips - Arboretum I believe. And the third strip was left ever scraps of green from prior projects.

The fourth strip was various burgandies to bring out some of the 'blush' that was in the fairies fabric and to add a little zing to it.

I then laid out those 'base' blocks and started to fill with bits more of Moda - Strawberry Field, some daisy print in pink/burgandy, and bits of the base blocks' fabrics. Once happy, they were added to my blocks.

This looks similar to the last photo, but shows all rows/columns sewn together - it really needs something to hold it all together, so back to the pile to look for a final border.

I had just enough of the lighter green which is the same as the darker used on the block fillers. I had to piece a few bits to get it all to work. I think there was an 1" x 2.5" piece left - phew!!!!! But that got a happy dance, as now that scrap is out of that drawer with so many and now a quilt. It measures 35" square and will make a nice table cloth for my small kitchen table come spring.

I hope I have inspired you to try even a small project - a pot holder, table topper - it can be done in an afternoon! And please visit Marcia and see some of the participants thru the week as they link up.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

"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!!!

A Bit of Maxine in Us All

I have done just bits of sewing - nothing major to show. Monday was groceries and a trip to the LQS with my SIL. I have turned over my space, machine, and time to help her make her first quilt. We shopped my stash first and then got the fill-ins.

This is the quilt she is making - in a mix of purples, pinks, greens, flowers, stripes, dots, butterflies - we pulled charms from 3 different packs. And a dark purple for border with pretty lilac for back. And she decided to make the flowers in black dot - using same for binding. We changed it up to a 12 block center for a more rectangular quilt - adjusted measurements. The top is done, basted out, and ready for quilting - hopefully she will let me share her and it on the blog - she is doing such a super job - and more importantly, having FUN.

I'm sure I am missing some things here, but the beginning of the year has been a lucky one. Lots of pattern wins and some FQs sent by a friend as an unexpected 'thank you'. It all started with Shell's lovely 12 of Hearts win and has been followed since. I even have Traveling Stash Box #3 coming from Miki - how fun!

I received this baggy of scraps from a fellow member of our quilt guild - I am challenging myself to see what and how many little things I can make from this , so I can show&tell the next meeting. Just some fun - one item has already been finished, but you will have to wait till the pile is used up to see what evolved.

Until I am finished helping my SIL, I will be on a slow mode (but enjoying seeing her excitement)- to be sure, I will grab a few minutes for myself. BUT I would like to share another blogger's exciting work in MINIS - just love them so and got her permission to link her up. Please visit Wilma at Wilma's World and be inspired to give some mini quilts a try.

This is just one of Wilma's beautiful pieces. So please go visit and leave her a comment.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Slow me down Lord
Ease the pounding of my heart
by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace
with a vision of the eternal march of time.
Give me amid the confusion of the day,
the calmness of the eternal hills.

Break the tension of my nerves and muscles
with the soothing music of the singing streams
that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking MINUTE vacations,
Of slowing down to look at a flower,
to chat with a friend, to pat a dog,
to read a few lines of a good book.

Slow me down Lord
and inspire me to send my roots
deep into the soil of life's enduring values
that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.
- ANON -

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon