A little bit of progress, and some cuteness

Before I show you the progress I've been making on the latest barn project, thought I'd share the cute gift we got from Theo....

It's hard to get a decent picture of a coffee mug, but at least you can see his sweet face!

Yesterday I got back to working on my latest barn and hopefully you can see some progress from what it looked like at the beginning...

....to now....

I'll explain a little bit of what I did so you can see that, yes, Virginia, there not only is a Santa Claus....but I DID do something to it!!

The areas circled in pink show where I have simply added a little bit of netting to soften the colours of the underlying fabrics.  The area circled in red was created using Texture Magic, which 'bubbles' the fabric up into the most amazing textures (looks a bit more tree-like than the flat fabric did).  For the areas circled in blue I created some fabric lace using my sewing machine....placed cheesecloth really tightly in a hoop; dropped the feed dogs; and stitched, trying to use mainly circles to create a lacy effect with the cheesecloth.  Then I added little snippets of the green fabrics I used elsewhere in the grass and stitched them on.  Cut and appliqued to the areas on the grass where I wanted them.  The barn itself has been painted and I also used Sharpie markers to add definition.  The fence, after much thought, was created out of a pipe cleaner also 'painted' with Sharpie markers.  

Christmas wishes

Today I would like to share one of the Christmas songs that consistently brings me to tears (happy ones, don't worry!).  It is performed by Faith Hill.  Please have your sound on and enjoy the melody and the message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1g1hp_Eb3o

I would also like to share several quotes that you might find inspirational....

"Want to keep Christ in Christmas?  Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you"  (Steve Maraboli)

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.  To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas" (unknown)

"Christmas gift suggestions...To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect"  (Oren Arnold)

"Always remember the greatest gift you ever own is not found in the shops or under your Christmas tree.  It is found in the hearts of your family and your true friends"  (unknown)

And finally...one of my favourites..."Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more"  (The Grinch)

This will, I think, be my last post before Christmas because I know we are all busy with preparations, get togethers and time spent with loved ones.  So from my family - to yours - our best wishes for  a very blessed, safe and happy Christmas.  

The last one, mail and gifts

This is the last of the postcards I made and sent to unsuspecting victims over the holiday season...

I meant to post a picture of a wee surprise that arrived in my mail a week or so ago.  This beautiful ATC was a very unexpected gift and I thought you might like to see it...

THANK YOU CRIS!!!

The mail yesterday had another sweet little surprise from my friend Sherry.  She is an amazing tatter and she sent me this beautiful Christmas wreath...

Isn't it gorgeous?

Thank you Sherry!!

And - to add to the gifts I received....yesterday I had lunch with a very long-time friend and she gifted me with these...

Only another quilter truly 'gets' what makes up THE best gift - and she knew I had been searching for fabrics for my barns.  Aren't these perfect?? AND she also gave me the adorable scrubby and the most incredible scented hand sanitizer.  Methinks I'm spoiled!  Thank you MEK (oh yes - and there was a tin of homemade goodies too!).  

Today the quote is from Larry Wilde..."Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.  In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall"

Another postcard, a rant, and something new

Another of the postcards.  Sorry that the quality of the photos is dismal - obviously I took the pictures on a day the sun was in hiding.   You can get the general idea though.

WARNING:  A RANT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!!

Many of you will remember my -itching awhile ago about my new sewing machine (due to the unfortunate accident that befell my oh-so-beloved Janome) and the ensuing 'fix' from the shop (for the new machine, not my Janome, unfortunately).  Over the weekend I started creating a new barn landscape which requires the use of a zig zag stitch and (fingers crossed) invisible thread.  Well, all I have to say is, under NO circumstances, ever consider buying a Bernette 20 sewing machine.  No matter what I do it will not cooperate.  I have tried every single tension setting.....I have tried every single suggestion that came from my loyal readers (and several more I found elsewhere online).....I purchased a fancy metal 'holder' that ensures that the thread feeds correctly off the spool into the sewing machine.....I even went so far as to use the suggestion of taping a safety pin to the side of my machine and running the thread through that for additional tension.  Hah.  My machine continues to thumb its nose and I'm certain I can hear it saying 'gotcha again'.  The words I'M saying are definitely not so nice!!  In a perfect world Santa would come out of the woodwork and there would be a new Janome under the tree this year, but alas poor Santa hasn't won the lottery lately.  So....I guess I'm in for a ton of hand stitching.

****** Updated to add:  Guess what?  I just checked the online shop for the store I got it from....and they don't carry Bernettes any more.  I wonder why THAT would be!!!!!! ***********

RANT OVER AND NOW A RETURN TO THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MUMBLINGS....

Now that you have read through the rant (or perhaps skipped right over it, for which I wouldn't blame you!), how about a picture of the beginnings of the next barn landscape?

 Your quote today is from W. J. Cameron..."There has been only one Christmas....the rest are anniversaries"

And....another one....

This is another of the postcards. 

Instead of a quote today, I thought I'd share this...

And....another one.......

This is another of the postcards that are now in the hands of the recipients...

*************

In yesterday's comments, Sarah asked how I do my images for my crazy quilts, so I thought I'd answer here so everyone can know.  The images I use come from the internet - just search 'Christmas images - free' (or whatever criteria you like).  Then I save them to my word processing program on the computer and re-size them to suit whatever I'm creating.  You can usually get several images on one page.  

I then choose either a white or off-white fabric with a fine weave (good quality cotton is my preference).  Press it really well to be sure there are absolutely no wrinkles.  Cut a piece of freezer paper (the stuff that butcher's use to wrap meat - waxed on one side) to approx. 10 x 13" and press it onto the fabric.  Re-cut to measure 8 1/2" x 11" and then carefully re-press the edges to be sure they are adhered thoroughly.  Make sure there are no loose threads anywhere.  (Note: you CAN cut your freezer paper to 8 1/2x11" to begin with but in my experience the edges never seem to adhere properly and often catch in the printer).  

At this point I run a 'test' piece of paper through my printer so that I know which way up to place my fabric.  If you're satisfied, load your fabric/freezer paper sandwich and print.  Press really well once again to 'set' the colours as much as possible.  Remove freezer paper and use in your projects.  NOTE:  This process is NOT water proof, so don't use it in anything that you plan to wash.

***************

Today your quote is from Francis of Assisi...."For it is in giving that we receive"

Another postcard

Here is another of the postcards that winged its way around the world to an unsuspecting recipient...

And, here is another of the things that was created in our kitchen for Christmas giving...

There were three aluminum turkey roasting pans filled with what we call 'Kibbles 'N Bits' (probably better known as Nuts & Bolts).  Our recipe calls for more 'bits' than the traditional one...hence the massive amount it makes!  

This morning when we woke up we were greeted with this...

There was one on either side of the sun (they're called 'sun dogs' - not sure why).  What an amazing framework for the sun! Of course they were much more brilliant in real life. Don't know if you can see the snow piled on the tree branches....we were rather dumped on over the past 24 hours.

Today your quote is from Henry David Thoreau...."The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much"

Little crazy quilts

Some of you will remember my moan awhile ago about how I managed to spill my glass of water onto some crazy-quilted postcards I was working on and how the ink ran on the images.  The surviving ones were completed and mailed out and I think they have all been received now, so I can show you. 

I'll share the rest with you over the next few posts.

Today your quote is from Norman Wesley Brooks..."Christmas is forever, not just for one day.  It's for loving, for sharing, for giving....not to be put away likes bells and lights and tinsel.  The good you do for others is the good you do for yourself."

Stir, stir, bake....awwwww......

Over the weekend DH made these...

AND...

this appeared in my sewing room...

Do you suppose this means that after 

38 years he still loves me?

Your quote today is another one from an anonymous source..."When a child gives you a gift, even if it is a rock they just picked up, exude gratitude.  It might be the only thing they have to give, and they have chosen to give it to you"

More for 'the box'...

I've been toying with the thought of making soap for several years and this became the year.  The picture isn't very clear (sorry!) but I was trying to show how I packaged them.  Melt & Pour soap  some done in a feminine scent and some in a masculine....wrapped in light-weight brown paper....added a colored band made from scrapbook paper....a label (from Avery, printed on my computer) and the whole thing encased in little cellophane bags.  They smell so nice!!  

Today I have another quote from an anonymous source...."A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.  A friend is someone we treasure, for friendship is a gift.  A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy and grace.  A friend makes the world we live in a better and happier place."

Another thing for the Christmas box

This is a sweater for our oldest grandson.  Pattern is 'Flax' by Tin Can Knits and can be found in sizes from 0-6 mos. up to 4XL HERE.  I used Vanna's Choice yarn and it worked up beautifully.  An easy pattern with just enough interest to make it not at all boring to knit.  I will be making this one again.

Instead of a quote today, I found this....

Bubble, bubble....

Here at Chez Magpie, you never quite know what will be happening on the creative front.  Yesterday it was time to start making some of the gifts that will be coming from the kitchen and this was one of them...

Red Onion Pickles!  

Whilst in the mode (and mess!) of canning, there was also a batch of Cranberry Relish and some Praline Sauce created.

Another quote today that comes from an anonymous source:  "Some things are just wonderful, like friendship and chocolate cake"

Another thing for 'the box'

It's really hard to get a decent photo of this, but it's another gift that's going in the Christmas box. ..

It's a crocheted shawl - in the very lovely (and sparkly!) yarn called 'Shawl In A Ball' from Lion Brand.  Pretty easy to make  - it's just rows of double crochet, chain one.  Took about 2 balls of the yarn because I wanted to make it a little wider than perhaps the norm.  

Today your quote is from Winston Churchill..."We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give"

A recipe...from the postcard winner!

Judy won my postcard giveaway and was kind enough to share her favourite Christmas recipe with all of us.  She says it was her Mom's recipe and 'is the best'.  Enjoy!

***********

Mom’s Boiled Dark Fruitcake                         3 hours                 oven 275

Step 1

Put the following ingredients into a saucepan & simmer about 15 minutes:

1 cup brown sugar                                           1 tsp. Allspice

1 lb. Raisins                                                         1 tsp. Cloves

1 lb. Currants                                                     1 tsp. Cinnamon

½ lb. Dates (chop up)                                     3 cups boiling water

½ cup molasses

After above has simmered, add ¾ cup butter/margarine (I use margarine) & a jigger of dark rum or whiskey to the mixture. Dark rum is best!

Cool completely. (I usually do this one day & the rest the next day)

Step 2

Add 3 eggs after mixture is cold. Put in a large bowl to complete the following steps:

Step 3

Add the following to the cold mixture:

2 tbl. Marmalade

2 tbl. Jam or applesauce (I use jam)

¼ lb. Walnuts (if omitting nuts, add extra mixed fruit)

1 pk. Cherries – 8 oz

1 pk. Mixed fruit – 8 oz

Step 4

Combine the following dry ingredients:

3 ½ cups flour

1 tbl. Cocoa

1 tbl. Instant coffee

1 tsp. Baking powder

1 tsp. Baking soda

Step 5

Mix everything together & bake.

I use a tube pan, lined with wax paper. It’s important to bake at 275 & no higher. Test for baked cake by inserting a wooden skewer into cake – if a bit sticky add another 5 minutes to the time. Put a small pan/bowl of water in the oven when baking cake – adds moisture. Let rest in pan no longer than 5 minutes, turn out on cooler. Cool completely. Cakes freezes well. Wrap in plastic wrap, then in foil wrap.

*****************

Thank you Judy!
EDITED TO ADD: You can see a picture of Judy's 
wonderful cake HERE.  

****************
And just to prove that things are not
slacking off here at Chez Magpie...

Butter tarts - lots of them!
Ready to go in tins for Christmas giving.

Today your quote is from another anonymous source..."Some things are just wonderful, like friendship and chocolate cake"

And......drumroll......the winner is......

..............

 After putting all the names in the

tin can (that doubles as a 'hat'), 

shaking them up well, 

and asking DH to draw a name....

JUDY COOPER!!

Judy wins this crazy quilted postcard

created by moi....

Judy's favourite recipe is her mother's dark fruit cake, so hopefully she is willing to share the recipe with the rest of us.  And, please contact me with your snail mail addy Judy and I will pop your card in the mail the first of the week (email me at....marmic1954 AT hotmail DOT com).  

Thank you to all who were kind enough to want to play along with my little giveaway!

The quote of the day is one I found about winning, author unknown...."If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success;  if you don't, you have achieved half your failure"

Accolades and mumblings

I don't often do any sort of company review here, but after having received some exemplary assistance from one such company I thought it would be nice to share so those of us who live in Canada are aware that there are good ones out there.  I recently placed an order for some yarn from 'Yarn Canada' and was impressed with their prompt service.  I started knitting the sweater I had planned and quickly realized that it was going to be too small and I would need to frog it and make a larger size.  Of course that meant that I would run out of yarn before I ran out of pattern.  I emailed the company and asked if there was ANY chance they could check their supply to see if they would happen to have any left of the same dye lot.  I didn't hold out a lot of hope, but a lovely person named 'Gina' promptly emailed me and said she would see what they could do.  A further email from her (within 24 hrs) let me know that indeed they did have that dye lot and told me what to do in order to be sure it was the one they shipped.  These days good customer service isn't always forthcoming and so I thought it was fitting to give them a shout out here and let folks know that they're a great company! 

UPDATED TO ADD:  Yarn Canada is no longer in business, sadly

*************

***************

I'd like to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to my friends in the US - they are celebrating today whereas here in Canada ours was in October.  

**************

And finally, your quote of the day comes from Zig Ziglar...."The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times"

Reminders, giving and mumblings

And here is what you could win
(once I finish it, that is!).

Today your quote is... "In my life, I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've hurt, I've trusted, I've made mistakes, but most of all, I've learned"

And now - for something different...

How about a recipe?  I haven't shared one for awhile and we found this one really tasty, and even better?  It's made in the slow cooker so it's easy.  Win/win!!

KIELBASA STEW
(SLOW COOKER)

12 oz. kielbasa, cut in half lengthwise & then into slices
4 EACH of carrots and parsnips, cut into 1" pieces
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 large onion, diced
2 c. shredded cabbage

3 c. beef stock
Halved baby potatoes (approx. 3 c.)
1 T. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. marjoram
1/4 tsp. pepper

     Combine all the above in slow cooker.  Cover & cook
on low for 6-8 hours (veg's should be tender, if not cook a little 

longer).  Combine 2 T. butter (or margarine) and 3 T. flour and drop into stew.  Stir and then cover & cook for 15 mins. longer.  

Today your quote is from an unknown source..."If you like someone, tell them.  If you miss someone, tell them.  If you love someone, show them.  Life is too short to keep your feelings inside"

More additions for the Christmas box

I've added a couple more things to the ever-growing Christmas box...

The first is a set - hat and cowl.

And the second is a hat...

Both hats can be worn either as a slouch or with

the rim rolled up for extra warmth.

Both can also be worn with the brooches

attached or not, as desired.

The brooches were ones my mother wore and hopefully my daughters-in-love will enjoy having them on their hats, or to wear on their coats.  Here's a closeup of the brooches...

The hats were both made using the 'Sandoval Hat' pattern from SheMakesHats and the pattern can be found HERE.  This is the absolute best hat pattern I have ever found - for both women and men.  Very stretchy and fits a multitude of head sizes.  The cowl was made using the same hat pattern and just knitted until I thought it was done (or you run out of yarn, whichever comes first!).  

Today your quote is from an unknown source..."Don't change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you"

Something else for the box

Last night I completed three more things for the Christmas box which I'll show you over the next couple of days.  This time I'll show you what our grandson will be receiving...

and here's a closeup of the pattern

The pattern is the 'Seamless Baby Hoodie'

by Jeannette Murphy and can be 

found HERE. 

Yarn is Heartland by Lion Brand.

I chose to add a button band with buttons rather than using the zipper as called for, mainly because our grandson is very (!!) tall and I needed to add extra length.   

Today your quote is about that awful white stuff (only because we woke up to it this morning) and comes from Carl Reiner..."A lot of people like snow.  I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water"    (My sentiments exactly!!!)

The big reveal!!!

Today is reveal day for the 11th Tea Cup and Mug Exchange ever so capably held by Stephanie of 'The Enchanting Rose'.  Welcome to all who are visiting from that!  

Back in September she opened registrations to sign up to swap either a mug or a cup and saucer and she organized over two hundred participants and matched us all up with partners.  Excitement was in the air as everyone chose special gifts for their partners and then the anticipation as we waited for something to arrive in our mailboxes.  

My swap partner was the lovely Judith  who spoiled me absolutely rotten!  Just look at the treasures she sent for me to enjoy... 

There was a lovely mug with a matching spoon, accompanied by a lovely wooden coaster/holder - some tea (including some special Canada 150th birthday tea) and some hot chocolate.  A beautiful floral apron in my favourite colour; a super pretty rose-themed journal book; and a 'Time For Tea' coloring book filled with not only pictures to color but also great ideas for embroidery patterns.  There was a beautiful handmade card and a lovely letter too....along with a little Canadian flag pin.  I was absolutely in love with everything and have taste-tested all the tea already.  The hot chocolate is being saved for the first snow - because I need a little treat to console myself over the beginning of winter...hee hee.  Judith, you made my day, my month, and my whole entire year so special!  Thank you soooooo much!!!

My swap went to a lovely lady named Heidi and these are the things I included for her...

Her favourite colours are brown and green and she has kitties, so I simply HAD to give her the mug with the cat on it!  She also likes to crochet and of course likes tea, so I included a doily, a coaster, and the rose candle holder; along with a pincushion and a scissor holder.  Of course there was tea in the parcel too.    I had great fun choosing and making special things for her!

I thank Stephanie for all her work arranging the swap and for matching us up so well.  I know it has to be a huge amount of time she invests into this amazing swap  -  she is obviously a very special person!  

Today your quote is from Job Lazarus Okello...."This is your life, and you've got to fight for it.  Fight for what's right.  Fight for what you believe in.  Fight for what's important to you - what adds value to your life, what makes you a better person.  Fight for the people you love, and never forget to tell them how much they mean to you.  Realize that right now you're lucky because you still have a chance.  So stop for a moment and think.  Whatever you still need to do, start doing it today; don't procrastinate.  There are only so many tomorrows.  Every moment that passes you will never get back.  Therefore make the best use of it."

A lesson

Okay, children.....file in and take your seats.  No talking in the back!!  Today we will be having a lesson in how not to.  

Please note that today's lesson is as a result of a life lesson that needs to be learned by all who aspire to stitch....all those who believe that the use of an iron is advantageous to same.

We begin with a stitcher - holed up in her sewing room, by herself, with no one to take her by the hand and guide her in the facts of life.  Said stitcher is facing time constraints with the creation of items seemingly necessary for a 'certain' date that is just around the corner (and yes, children, sometimes Santa DOES need a helping hand).  

Said stitcher has plans.  Plans to create a number of crazy quilted postcards that require some sort of little Christmas-y picture on same.  Said stitcher decided that a much easier (and thus faster) method to print said pictures was to simply use paper.  Said stitcher, having screwed the dimmest of her light bulbs into her brain, did that very thing and then coated same with Mod Podge on front and back to (at least in her brain) render the paper tear-proof.  So far, so good. Stitcher then carefully, and lightly, glued coated pictures onto fabric.  Twelve of them.  

Now children - can you guess what happened next?  First we will have our recess, peruse some mumblings, and then I will tell you the rest of the story.

***************

***************

Okay boys and girls, take your seats and we will continue the story.  Did any of you guess what happened next?

Stitcher began to stitch the fabrics around the lovely Podged pictures and, as is usual with such an endeavour, needed to press the seams in place so they were nice and crisp.

What to her wondering eyes did appear but something closely akin to slime.  Why was that you ask?  Well it seems that heat from an iron applied to  Mod Podge is a recipe for disaster and the Mod Podge simply melts and adheres all over the fabric AND the iron.  

The moral in this story, children, is that a stitcher should learn never to cut corners and be smart enough to rely on the tried and true method of printing onto freezer paper'd fabric.

The end.

****************

Today the quote is from Stephen Colbert...."Contrary to what people may say, there's no upper limit on stupidity"

Pile result

Here's what I made with one of the piles of fabric I showed you yesterday....

The fleece turned into this pillow for our grandson for Christmas.    The pattern modifications I made were to use some other fabrics from my stash for the eyes and beak rather than the fleece it called for and I didn't use buttons for the eyes, opting to use fabric instead.  I adhered the eyes & nose with some lightweight HeatNBond before stitching them down - otherwise the fleece likes to 'travel' as you stitch.  

Another quote from an unknown source...."Every single person on the planet has a story.  Don't judge people before you truly know them.  The truth might surprise you"

Two piles!

I have to have THE most indulgent husband!  The plans we had on Monday with my relatives fell through so he offered to take me to Len's Mills...woo hoo!!!  The closest store is nearly two hours away so it's not a quick hop-in-the-car trip.  Normally I am able to stop in when we are visiting our #1 son and his family and it's easy to justify going, but for him to suggest a trip JUST to go there was something I certainly wasn't about to say no to!!!

I came home with lots of wonderful goodies, including this pile of fodder for making my barns...

I could easily have picked up twice as many possibilities but tried to limit myself to just these.  Can't wait to play with them!!

Another little pile to show you...

It's fleece!

Obviously NOT for barns.

Hopefully I'll be able to show you in the 

next day or so what it's destined to become.

Stay tuned!

I also got some iron-on interfacing, a few balls of yarn and some invisible thread by Gutermann which I'm hoping will work better than what I have.  

We capped off the day by having a very late lunch/early supper in one of the restaurants we like.  All in all a wonderful day!!  

Today your quote is from another anonymous source:

Logic to Live By

- Make peace with your past so it doesn't spoil your present.

- What others think of you is not worth listening to.

- Time heals almost everything, give the time some time to work.

- No one is the reason of your happiness except you and yourself.

- Don't compare your life with others, you have no idea what their journey is all about.

- Stop thinking too much, it's alright not to know.

- Smile, you don't have to solve all the problems of the world.

Alas....

....I don't have much to show you today, but I do have a few extra mumblings that I wanted to share.

The only picture I have shows the project I finished up late last week.  One of my friends spearheads a knitting group at her church and they often produce knitted squares that need to be put together into either a lap robe or an afghan.  Unfortunately none of her  friends knows how to crochet, so I get enlisted to crochet them together.  This is supposed to be the last one they'll be doing and perhaps it's a good thing.    It's such fun to try to make a square that measures 8 x 11" (which some of them did) end up small enough to 'marry' with the rest.  It's done, but it's certainly not a thing of beauty!

A word of warning - if you receive an email claiming to be from 'Account Security' at Microsoft Outlook stating that they are discontinuing support - it's a hoax.  Do NOT open it and by all means don't do what they ask!!  I got the email and was suspicious enough to check into it before I clicked and I'm so happy I did.  It pays to have a suspicious nature when it comes to the internet!!

Your quote today is an anonymous one and is in honour of Halloween...."This witch can be bribed with chocolate"

and that can be said of a lot of us!

Happy Halloween!!

Rugs - of the muggish sort

Yesterday was our crafting group meeting and Sue was the birthday girl this month.  She likes pink so I created this mug rug for her...

And further in the muggish rug-ishness theme....I made two of these crocheted coasters that are heading to the Christmas box..

Today the quote is from another anonymous source..."Sometimes having coffee with your best friend is all the therapy you need"

Tah.....and......Dah!!

My sewing room has had a pair of second-hand drapes gracing the window ever since we moved here eight years ago.  The sun has done a good number on them (even I was astounded at how much damage had been done!!).  So.....being that my first love is crazy quilting, of course I HAD to create something that is crazy quilted!  

Behold....

A valance!!

Crazy quilted - entirely using the sewing machine.  No hand embroidery at all!  I wanted to see what the (albeit limited) 'fancy' stitches on my machine would look like in a crazy quilt and this was the result.

  Off topic, but most of you have figured out how my mind works by now and won't be the least bit surprised!  Anyhoo.....I've been binge reading a couple of book series and thought I'd share the details with you in case you're looking for something new to read.  The first series is the 'Mitford' series written by Jan Karon.  It follows the life in a small town centering around the local priest (Father Tim).  I have read them all and have thoroughly enjoyed every one.  Your local library likely has them, or can easily get them.  The other series is by Patrick Taylor and, once again, is centered around a small town in Ireland and follows the life of the local doctor.  The series is 'An Irish Country Doctor'.  I would highly recommend both authors if you like a nice light, but very entertaining, read.  You get caught up in the characters and really want to find out what happens next.  

A teaser

Last time I showed you a picture of a pile of fabrics and most of you guessed it would be something to do with crazy quilting.  Well, you were right!  However, I'm not showing you the finished project quite yet, but instead how about a couple teasers?...

You'll have to come back tomorrow to find out what it turned out to be!!

- I found this interesting chart that might be helpful to quilters.....

Today the quote is from Jim Davis..."Vegetables are a must on a diet.  I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie"