In The Front Yard We Can Build A Snowman

This is what our yard looked like on Sunday, two weeks ago.

We had much more snow to come after this fun day of play.

Uncle David helped Caleb, Noah and Landon build a snowman.

Noah and Landon are directing Uncle David

Noah watching closely as the snowman is dressed.

                                They had fun helping or maybe watching the snowman be built.

Later that week this is what our front deck looked like.

These trees are directly out front.

These two trees are in our neighbors front yard.

It was all very beautiful.

With all of the snow on the ground and more time than usual inside I have done some stitching.

The picture below is called Winter Wonderland by Kaaren Johnston at The Painted Quilt. This is one of her First Friday Freebie patterns.  Kaaren did hers in red thread but I chose the same thread that I used for my Winter Wishes pillow shown here.  I hope to finish the project this weekend.

I also did a little stitching on a wrist pincushion I am working on.

I ran out of thread for my Winter Wonderland Project.  I really like the way it is turning out.  I just ordered more of the thread I needed so I will share the finished project soon.

The snow is gone now but I have spent a couple of days at home because of some pain in my right shoulder.  Blogging is a challenge because my arm aches when I type so this is it for now.

I Love Pincushions

While visiting some fun blogs today I found that at Love Laugh Quilt was having a Pincushion Parade link party.  I have not had the chance to look at all of those participating but I plan to.  I thought it would be fun to share a few, or most of my pincushions.

This lavender scented pincushion sits by my bed for late night projects.

This pincushion I purchased at a little fabric store while visiting Maui a few years ago.

My sister Michele gave me this sweet little bird.

This pincushion was a gift from a librarian I worked with in San Diego in the 70's.  I made her wedding suit and she brought this back from a trip to visit her family. 

A pincushion from one of last years swaps.

This was my grandmothers little sewing box, I love the little pincushion.

Hearts and Flowers cross stitch pincushion.

Tomatoes made by my sister Lynda.

Fall pincushion I made for my sister's birthday gift.

Crocheted cupcake, flower pot and tea cup I made last year.

I was part of the Shabby Fabrics pincushion of the month last year and I did not keep up with making them. I will  have several pincushion kits to work on throughout this year.

Visit Love Laugh Quilt and see the others participating in the Pincushion Parade.

Winter Table Top

.  After taking down Christmas decorations all table tops have  remained blank, until now.  

Today I spent a little time arranging a winter table top. 

The inspiration was the fact that my new curtains are complete and hanging and the walls have been painted.  I hope to share the completed before and after living room soon.

The bird candlestick was a Christmas gift from Micah and Lyndie.

The little cottage was a gift from my sister Lynda, several years ago.

The birds were a gift from my friend Sandy.

It is fun to "shop" around the house and move objects I have to a new place and create a new look.

We have snow on the ground and more coming down as I write this.

I hope you are all cozy and warm.

Linking with Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life

and Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses

Scrappy Plate Club

I have always wanted to make a Dresden Plate Quilt.  That is probably because my grandmother made several in her lifetime and I always loved them.  I have gathered a few scraps of fabrics over the years to use in my quilt but have not yet tried it.  When I saw than Anne at Bunny Hill Designs was sponsoring a Scrappy Plate Club I knew that this was the time for my Dresden Plate Quilt.

I gathered my fabrics and a Dresden Template and I am ready to begin cutting and stitching.  I chose to use some 1930's prints I had been given as a gift and I purchased a few small pieces. I will also use the scraps I have collected for years. 

I will be posting about my progress, soon I hope.

 Take a look at the Dresden Plate Flickr group and see what others are doing. 

Winter Wishes and Stars

This has been a relaxing Saturday and I spent much of it working at my sewing machine.  Actually it is a loaner sewing machine while mine is being repaired.  It is interesting that I still miss my machine even though the loaner is the same model. 

I completed a pillow today that was fun to do and I love the design.  It is called "Winter Wishes" and the pattern is available from  Michelle at "The Raspberry Rabbits".   It is stitched in Valdani 3 strand floss in a color called Vanilla Sky. 

The other project I worked on was Block 8 of the Fat Quarter Stars Quilt-Along

Easy Spinning Star by Colleen M. Lunt

I was also able to get a couple of embroidery projects traced on to the fabric and ready to get started on.  While all of this creativity was going on inside the snow was falling outside.  Our first snow this year.

I opened the door and snapped a picture before our dog Emmy tracked up the porch.

She then zipped past me and ran around sniffing and eating snow.

We didn't get all that much snow but the house did look warm and inviting as I walked back from the mailbox.

It is now time to finish off the wonderful bread our daughter in law Lyndie made for us.

We will enjoy lemon chicken, rice pilaf, green beans and this yummy bread while staying warm and cozy at home.  Happy Saturday!

12 of Hearts Finished and a Giveaway Win

I completed my 12 of Hearts Block of the Month wall hanging.  It was fun working on these blocks each month and I like the way the project came together.

This block of the month was designed by Michele at The Raspberry Rabbits.  Her New Block of the Month begins January 15th and it is called

Harrington and Hannah

Visit Michele's blog and join the fun.

I am trying not to overwhelm myself with new projects but there are some that I just have to do.

I want to share a pillow I won when Carla of Grace and Favour participated in the Fat Quarter Shop Blog Hop Party in December.  She also sent me a Studio magazine and a quilt pattern.   I love the fine work on the embroidery, look at all of the french knots.

I am still working to put together the Blocks of the Month projects from last year and organizing for this year's projects.   The hardest part is telling myself that I have enough to do already when I see another fun block of the month project, does anyone else have trouble with this?

Day 2 of the New Year

Happy New Year

This picture is now hanging in our living room.  I bought it last year and came across it while putting Christmas decorations away.

 It is almost noon and I am still wearing the cozy pajamas and slippers which were a Christmas gift from my sister Michele.  Sewing makes me hungry and I want to thank my hubby for bringing me a Subway sandwich so that I could regain my strength and focus. 

I spent the morning working on blocks for the "Fat Quarter Stars" BOM and the "Bloggers" BOM.

Some of this was a challenge for me  but I learn something new each time I make a new block.  I am thankful for the talented people who share these blocks trough their blogs.

Fat Quarter Stars Block 6 designed by April Mazzoleni

Fat Quarter Stars Block 7 designed by Terry Griffin.

Bloggers Block 4 by Pat Sloan.

I hope that this has been a good day for you so far and again

Happy New Year!