Review of 2011.

Here is a collection of pictures which depicts a glance into my life during this past year. It was difficult to choose the ones I did,  as there are just so many more that showed the various adventures of this past year. The Lord has been faithful & gracious to me in granting me good health & much happiness during 2011. I will continue to look to Him to guide my footsteps to where He will take me in 2012.

In January, this was my project of the month, to complete this quilt for myself.

In late February, I packed my bags & joined Albert in Tennessee, volunteering for MDS until the end of March.

We greatly enjoyed helping many people who had lost their homes due to flooding in Lyles, TN. A wonderful sight was all the daffodils growing in ditches & along the roadsides.

This is my mom, granddaughter, Katie & myself.

In May, we celebrated my mom's 95th birthday. This is a picture of my mom & my  3 handsome sons.

Due to a cold wet spring, I had lots of time to sew baby quilts.

In July, spent a few day with our kids at a cottage in Minnesota.

Could this be me jumping off the dock? NOT!

 

 

 

 

In August, my travel buddy & myself greatly enjoyed a shopping trip to Albertville & Mall of America.

In September, it was time to get back to quilting.

In October, I posed for this photo opp at Peggy's Cove, NS.

In November, I made this lap quilt for my sister.

In December, I made this Christmas quilt to add to my own collection.

Brown Christmas December 25, 2011

This is the first brown Christmas that I can remember.

Just a few little patches of snow in the back yard.

Had to recorded this event for my records so that I can look back on this day  & say " Remember when ---"

Christmas Day

May this Christmas bring you joy & peace as you reflect on the wonder of the Christ Child.

The Sports Quilt

I sewed this quilt for my grandson, Brandon.

The backing is flannel with the baseball print all over it. I was pretty happy to find this fabric as it fit in perfectly with the sports theme.

I found various sports prints & also used some solid blue & the black with the blue & white spots.

I machine quilted it with a meandering pattern.

On the border, I quilted around the hockey players.

I guess it ended up with all winter sports but I hope he will like it. Guess I'll find out Christmas Day.

Almost Christmas

The carollers on the shelf have been part of my Christmas decor for many years & I still enjoy them throughout  the Christmas season. The ceramic Christmas tree is also retro & I just can't part with it as it also  has its' place on the table. I try to add one new item to my Christmas decor every year & this year I actually parted with some items & brought a box to MCC where I hope they went to a good home to brighten someones Christmas.

Baking Gingerbread Boys & Girls

 

 

Project for the morning was baking gingerbread boys & girls.

Now to decorate.

Fun decorating with different colours of icing  & lots of different sprinkles.

Holiday Home Tour

Wordless Wednesday

It's Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by for a tour of my home. I love to decorate for Christmas & now that my grandchildren are old enough to help me, decoration has become a huge fun event for all of us.

My Christmas Quilt

 I have been wanting sew myself a Christmas quilt for the past few years and just never have taken the time before Christmas to sew one for myself and just never got around to it after the holidays.

 So I decided that this was the year to do it.The quilt pattern is called " Nine Patch Christmas Quilt." It also has 6 blocks of appliqued trees so I got to practice my applique skills.

I used a plaid fabric for binding. I just love the look of red & green plaid on Christmas linens.

I found a tutorial on a faux piped binding & thought I'd try it on this quilt & thought it turned out quite well.

 

The quilt is displayed on a "half wall" right beside the entrance stairs. I live in a bi-level home.

I love it! I'm so happy I took the time to sew this quilt just for me & for whoever come to our home during this Christmas season, to enjoy it too.

Walk in the Woods Quilt

 I sewed this lap quilt for my sister as a Christmas gift. I started it on the Sunday during the Grey Cup game & finished it the following Wednesday evening. That's the fastest I've ever made a quilt of this size. I used 10 " precut squares & 2 1/2" strips from the "Walk in the Woods" collection from Connecting Threads.

This is the first time I have sewed with batiks & now I just can't wait to do another project with batiks.

One excited sister expressing her thanks while another sister is asking  "So next year it's my turn?"

I think she likes it! On the coffee table is the gift I received from her - a quilted table centerpiece she purchased at a quilt auction. It is very beautiful & very neatly made and no, I will not be making one like it as it is much too detailed for the kind of quilting that I enjoy doing.  Thanks for this lovely gift, Helen.

They came to my Town

Two of the ladies from "Mennonite Girls can Cook" were in my town Saturday for a book signing. So I took a few minutes before company arrived to go to ":Ten Thousand Villages" to get my copy of their cookbook signed. I was very excited to meet Betty, on the left & Charlotte, on the left, in person.

I brought my camera so I could have my picture taken with them & I also included my grandson, Adam, who was spending the day with me. These  ladies have an amazing recipe blog, with wonderful recipes, instructions & pictures. Go to www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca. Not sure if I got this link to work & if it doesn't, then google - mennonite girls can cook.