The Reason for the Season

Thank you for your nice comments about Iggy.  I am not sure what I am going to do with him just yet.  Enjoy him for a while, I think.
I am making great progress on my January Island Batik project.  My quilts never seem to end up the way I visualize them at the start.  About half way through, I start changing things.  My favourite pattern is just starting with sewing a couple of pieces of fabric together and then adding more, perhaps do some cutting and resewing and then adding again.  No real vision of the end result.  I keep going until I like what I see.  However, because I make to sell and make to order, I rarely do my own thing.  I must give it a go again one of these days.  Perhaps I will set aside some of my IB scraps and do a small project between Christmas and New Year's.
Speaking of making to order, I just received another commission.  This will be a very special quilt for a very special young man.  The customer wants it for Christmas 2019 so I will have lots of time to do some extra bits and pieces.
Not sure if I will be posting again before Christmas, so I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  Take some time in the midst of all the hustle to stop and remember why we are celebrating.
"For unto us a Son is born, unto us a Son is given."
Blessings,

Iggy and SPAM

Whimsical and Wonky!  Aren't they lovely words and don't they conjure up some interesting pictures?  Add some beautiful fabric into the mix and whatever you design is going to be a winner.  Our Island Batik Ambassador challenges usually have some specific instructions but for December, we could make it any size, use any of our IB fabrics and post any day in the month.
Time was a bit tight for me not just because of Christmas but also because I am trying to make a queen sized quilt for the January blog hop and it has to be posted by January 7th (stay tuned for draw prizes and more info.)
While pondering what I could make, I realized I had already completed (almost anyway) something.  I only needed a few finishing touches and I was done.

Iggy was made from 2.5 inch squares sewn together to make a large rectangle.  The pattern sections were placed onto the rectangle, cut out and sewn.  I left an opening in the tummy to add stuffing.  After the opening was stitched closed, I added the flower, a tail and eyes.  The eyes which are hidden under the ear in the photo, was drawn in with a fabric pen so, if given to a child, it would be safe

Less than a week now until Christmas and 18 days until the 7th of January.  Back to the sewing machine, I go.

I am glad so many of you liked the dishwasher powder hints.  I also got some SPAM comments which I have deleted.  If you have trouble commenting, let me know as settings may have changed automatically.

Blessings,

Followers

I see my blog has a new follower.  I really appreciate those do sign up as I know everyone is so busy and even taking just a few moments to read something is another addition to the days list of activities.  When I do my draws, followers do get extra points and, therefore, more chances to win.
I have been really lax in posting this week.  the trip to and from the North Bay hospital, even though it is only a 100 km away,  really wore me out.  The weather was a bit iffy going and then it was dark by the time we came back so it was difficult to see the road lines under the slush.
I haven't done much the past couple of day other than what had to be done.  That still meant meetings, appointments and the usual house stuff.  Today, I finally got to my baking.  I am only doing 2 or 3 things.  We are going away for Christmas Day so I don't have to plan a big meal although we are going to do something special between then and New Year's.  I am hoping to get to my brother's for the first day of the New Year.  He only lives an hour away but it seems to be next to impossible to find a workable day.
If you belong to any of my groups, you will already have seen this but it is too good not to share.  A lady in one group posted these hints for using dishwasher powder for other cleaning purposes.  I tried it on the glass in my oven door earlier today and it worked like a dream.
Blessings

Dry dishwasher powder is my go-to, and just about only, cleaning product I use around the house. A tiny bit in that cruddy pan dissolved in hot water and soaked for awhile or just used with a scrubby pad will do the trick. I use dishwasher powder for everything that needs a cleaning, degreasing or dissolving action, including bras and undershirts (deodorant residue, body oils), gardening gloves (earth, grime), plastic lawn furniture (scuffs, grime), bathtub, tile, shower surrounds (soap scum), walls, appliances...you get the idea! It works for everything! You will know by the toughness of the task how much to use. And no job takes very much product to be effective. This is a powerhouse of a product! Dollar store generic brands work as well as the name brands, but I always look for "no phosphates". Would you believe I have used dishwasher powder as a low-sudsing, deep-cleaning laundry powder for years? Just two level tablespoons per load - whites, darks, colors, of whatever material. Three tablespoons if a really big load, and perhaps a bit of baking soda, first dissolving separately in some of the hot water, and then adding to the wash water before putting in the laundry. My whites, even the oldest, are white, and everything is fragrance-free, even if I use a powder with lemon scent. Be sure to dissolve the powder completely if you choose a cold water cycle.

A Special Day

Thank you for your kind words regarding the video.  I am sorry some of you had trouble hearing me.  I thought I wasn't talking very loudly but I didn't want to disturb my husband in the other room while he was watching TV.  Perhaps next time, I will wait until he is out tending the chickens.
I have started working on my projects with these fabrics.  They are so nice to use; no fraying, no checking to see which is the correct side and, of course, beautiful colours.  I am planning on doing a full size quilt this time so I am using a 15 inch (finished) block.  My blog hop post will be on the 7th of Jan.  (if I am remembering correctly) so I doubt I will get more than the top done as I still have 3 more customer quilts to do. Don't forget to follow along with the hop as there will be lots of draw prizes.  A full list of participants and the day of each post will be given.
I got to quilting today for the first time in 3 weeks and it was lovely seeing everyone again.  We had our Christmas dinner and exchange a few gifts.  It was a special and fun day.
Blessings,

Show Time

Something a bit different tonight.  I have made a short video showing (besides my messy quilt room) the Island Batik line that has just arrived in the stores.  This is my package.
Hope you enjoy the show.
Blessings,

More Winter Photos.

We woke up this morning to an additional foot of snow.  I went out after breakfast to clean off the deck and make a path to the bird feeder.  Although there was a lot of snow, it was easy to shovel as it was the light, fluffy kind.  The sun was really bright so, of course, I had to take some photos.  Our plow guy came after supper so I will be able to get out tomorrow to get a hair cut and do a bit of shopping.

I was able to get my little wall hanging quilted and am working on the binding now.  I also made a shopping bag to give as a gift.

Our amazing grandchildren made a couple of ornaments for the hotel staff.  They appreciated it so much they put it on their Facebook page.

Tomorrow, I am opening the surprise package of Island Batik that I received in July.  These fabrics have just been released in the stores and I will be using mine for the January blog hop.  Stay tuned for more photos.

Blessings,

A Day with the Grandchildren.

Reply to comment:  Brenda, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dear dog.  They leave behind such a large hole in our heart, don't they?  I hope your memories and knowledge that you gave it a wonderful life helps your through the difficult days.

We got back from our trip to Toronto mid afternoon today.  We are both really tired but I have had to wash all the clothes we took because hubby saw a cockroach in our hotel room.  (He didn't tell me about it until we were driving home.  Smart move.) The luggage is out in the wood shed getting good and cold which, hopefully, will kill any unwelcome hitch hikers.  I will spray the insides before storing.  Ugh!

We had a lovely visit with the grandchildren.  Yesterday their parents took a day for themselves and we spent some lovely hours with them doing crafts, playing games and watching kids tv shows that I didn't know existed.  We drove to MacDonald's for lunch which is where our grandson wanted to go.  As the granddaughter had already been to her favourite place, that seemed fair.  Took a while to find one but find one we did.
It will be another year now before we see them again but Skype helps us keep in touch so we are thankful for that.  Tomorrow, it is time to start decorating the house and getting back to customer quilts.
Blessings,