Good News

We are getting freezing rain so, although we had planned to go out, we are snug in our rural nest. 
I have been spending as much time as possible working on my Island Batik quilt for the blog hop.  I have half the blocks completed for the top and hope to get it finished tomorrow. 
My post is due on , if I remember correctly, the 29th so I have lots of time.  I have learnt though, there is only lots of time when you are a long way from a deadline.  Leave it to late and the pressure cooker starts up.
We had good news yesterday.  Hubby went to see our doctor and was told that he could resume all activities.  He just has to be sensible and not try to do everything the first day.  We are both relieved.  The tractor is acting up so we worked together to bring in wood and then fill up a bin with chicken feed.  We have been getting a friend to help with the latter as I couldn't lift the bags.
I hope you are checking out the blogs I posted on Monday and entering the draws.  Take time to read the blogs and look at the quilts.  You won't be sorry as my fellow Ambassador's are a talented group. You can also go to islandbatik.com and enter there as well.  You may win some lovely prizes.
Blessings,

Prizes, Prizes, Prizes

Island Batik is sponsoring a blog hop for the month of January. Each day, an Ambassador will be posting a blog and offering a prize.  Click on the link to be taken to the blogs.

A list of the blogs  will be included at the bottom of this post.


Our weather has warmed up considerably and will stay close to the 0 C range all week.  Makes it nicer for working outside and the chickens really appreciate it as well.
I have been working on my blog quilt as well as the New Year's mystery that I was supposed to have done on, obviously, Jan. 1st.  Off to work on those now.  Trying to spend less time on the computer.  I will see how long that continues.
Blessings,


Jan 8 Fulton, Jennifer www.inquiringquilter.com
Jan 8 Lynch, Cheryl www.CherylLynch.blogspot.com
Jan 9 Steely, Carol www.funthreads.blogspot.com
Jan 9 Vermilya, Alison www.littlebunnyquilts
Jan 9 Wood, Jean-Sophie www.sophiejunction.blogspot.com
Jan 9 Dillard, Tina www.quiltingaffection.blogspot.com
Jan 10 Campbell, Connie www.conniekresin.com
Jan 10 Piland, Laura www.sliceofpiquilts.blogspot.com
Jan 10 Oddie, Marlene www.kissedquilts.blogspot.com
Jan 10 Colleran, Kate www.seamslikeadream.com
Jan 11 Baker, Nan www.purrfectspots.blogspot.com
Jan 11 Gaddy, Barb www.bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com

Jan 15 Bakken, Turid www.densyendehimmel.blogspot.no
Jan 15 Ramrath, Linda www.inspiredlayerslinda.wordpress.com
Jan 16 Denney Parcel, Sharon www.yellowcatquiltdesigns.com
Jan 16 Johnson, Sally www.quiltologistreasures.com
Jan 17 Beritcs, Stephanie www.quiltnparty.com
Jan 17 Caldwell, Jessica www.desertbloomquilting.com/blog/
Jan 18 Jones, Jeanette www.inchwormfabrics.blogspot.com
Jan 18 Kauffman, Connie www.kauffmandesigns.blogspot.com

Jan 22 Boatright, Pamela www.pamelaquilts.blogspot.com
Jan 23 Bruckman, Kathy Www.kathyskwiltsandmore.blogspot.com
Jan 23 Yamamoto, Janet https://www.facebook.com/WhispersOfYore/
Jan 24 McAullfie, Maryellen www.teachpany.blogspot.com
Jan 24 Mullis, Joyce www.heARTsCreations.com
Jan 25 Overton, Karen www.thequiltrambler.com
Jan 25 Vanden Bosch,Terri www.meanderingsalonglizardcreek.blogspot.com
Jan 25 Oddie, Marlene www.kissedquilts.blogspot.com


Jan 29 Pena, Marian www.seamstobesew.com
Jan 29 Oddie, Marlene www.kissedquilts.blogspot.com
Jan 29 Branch, Anna www.arkangelcreations.blogspot.com
Jan 30 Oddie, Marlene www.kissedquilts.blogspot.com
Jan 30 Lee, Bea www.beaquilter.com
Jan 31 Scott, Nancy www.masterpiecequilting.blogspot.com
Jan 31 Webster, Suzy www.websterquilt.blogspot.com
Feb 1 Kawano, Joan www.moosestashquilting.blogspot.com
Feb 1 Schlimmer, Vicki www.knitbug2.blogspot.com

Goals for 2018.

We continue to experience a deep freeze.  I couldn't stay out long when I was getting to wood in today.  I did a bit, came in to warm up and then did some more.  It was my face that got the coldest because you can't wear a scarf when you have glasses-they fog up and you can't see.  If you remove the glasses you still can't see.
I finished the blocks for the mystery quilt today and was ready to sew on the border when I discovered I had used the fabric that I thought would be perfect.  I guess it is off to the fabric store for me.  I have been trying to just use the fabric in my stash but I guess, as the amount diminishes, that I will have to  buy more eventually.
A friend and I are each making a dozen charity quilts which should help get rid of the rest of my stash.  The patterns aren't going to be important.  Warmth and durability are the biggest factors.
I have made a list of projects that I am going to focus on completing this year.  I have two wall hangings for friends that need to be done, the charity quilts and 4 kits that I put together and didn't get any further.  If I can get that list done plus some of the tops that need quilting, I will feel that I have really accomplished something this year.
Do you have goals or resolutions?
Blessings,

A Purr-fect Christmas

 I just finished this little Christmas     table topper/wall  hanging which I have named A Purr-fect Christmas.  I used some left over bits and pieces of Island Batik fabrics.

The kitty applique is something I have had for years and it worked perfectly for this projects.  It looks as thought the kitty is playing on a tiled floor.
I think I am getting back to routine after the holidays although  not completely.  There still seems to be a lot of extra things to do.  We had company both morning and afternoon which was nice and still had the usual chores of getting in wood and looking after the chickens.  They are a lot happier with the new heat lamp and the warmer weather.
I have started taking down my decorations little by little.  Will finish the job on Saturday while doing the laundry and other chores.
I have been working on a New year Mystery Quilt which I hope to have finished before the end of the year!  It is a Merry Mayhem mystery.
Sounds like we are getting another storm coming in.  It hasn't been bad the last couple of days and it is supposed to get quite warm on Monday.  Will be a good day to widen the walkway.
Stay warm and safe.
Blessings,

Happy 2018

I hope everyone had a good start to the new year.  We never do anything special but, this year, my son and his wife came for dinner on the 31st.  After eating, we went over a box of his old school photos, baby pictures etc.  Hard to believe he was born nearly half a century ago but that tiny premature baby has grown in to a strapping 6.5" man.  There visit made the day very special for us.
The next morning, we went for brunch with friends of ours.  Hubby wanted to start a new tradition and, of course, it had to include food.  Today, back to quilting and I came home to a very happy husband.  We had received a card from his youngest.  This young man has development challenges so contact isn't always easy. Considering we hadn't planned on celebrating the new year, it turned out to be quite momentous.
Did you do a New Year's Day mystery quilt?  There were a lot offered and I chose one from Merry Mayhem.  A number of my friends also chose this one and most of them have finished the top but I am still putting together the blocks.  I hope to have that done tomorrow after I get back from a medical appointment and shopping.
The weather across Canada has been challenging.  It took more than double the time to return from the in-laws on Christmas day.  There have been record breaking low temperatures as well as snow flurries.  We are supposed to have the latter tomorrow so hope I am going to be able to get to my appointment.
Wishing you all a great 2018.
Blessings,

Blessings to All

Last post before Christmas.  I am all ready for the big day except for making the dessert that I am contributing to the family feast.  I may do a couple of other things tomorrow while getting the laundry done.  A lady on the heart2hearts yahoo group mentioned she was making meat pie and I got a hankering for some. 
Please be careful if you are travelling.  Snow is predicted for our area but not a lot so getting around shouldn't be a problem.
To all of you who share my life by taking time to read this blog, thank you.  I hope my ramblings provide you with a little break in your day.
Bless you all and Merry Christmas

Nearly Done

How are your Christmas preparations coming?  I am just doing the odds and ends that always need to be done no matter how organized you were in the beginning.  Actually, I usually leave some things to the last on purpose.  I can't imagine how Christmasy it would feel if, a week before the event, there was nothing that needed doing.  When my son was little, it wasn't a problem keeping busy until the last second.  Now, with just hubby and I and the big day usually spent with relatives, there isn't a lot to do.  No big meal to prepare.  No piles of gifts to buy and wrap.  No dreading the credit card statement that arrives in the New Year.
Our big celebration is really when we see the grandchildren.  After that, everything else is secondary.  Still enjoyable though.
Well, time to get at the quilting job.  Hope you are almost finished as well and are starting to find time to relax and reflect on the reason behind the celebration.
Blessings,