Happy New Year!!

I would like to extend to everyone, well wishes for the New Year! Thank you for visiting my blog. You are treasured souls and you are much appreciated. I try to respond to all comments. If, however, you did not receive one, check on the blog. I often write a note or two there.

For 2015, my goal was to write a post on my blog every day. Well, I did that. YAH!!!

For 2016, I would like to spend a little more time experimenting in my studio. I won't be writing every day either. There is only so much time in a day and we are in the process of renovating the house. I have become  # 1 gopher, soon to be trim painter, organizer of 'stuff' (which means getting rid of . . ) etc. etc. etc. So on that note, I wish you health, happiness, time with family, and lots of fun in 2016!!

Happy New Year everyone! 

Evening Bag

Several years ago, I designed and created a series of Evening Purses. One of the features of these purses is the Wearable Art Pin that is pinned onto each purse. It can be worn on a jacket or coat or an another one used in its place.

I kept this black and red one. A few evenings ago, I had another occasion to use it. 

Self-Healing Rotary Mat

One of the gifts I received for Christmas, was a 12" x 12" OLFA Rotating Self-Healing Rotary Mat. It's perfect for cutting any shape which requires you to turn your project or your body around. The mat is self-healing and has a non-slip back for stability. For the quilter (which I'm not), it makes 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degree cut easily.

Years ago, I had one of the rotating mats that had ball bearings in the bottom for turning. It wasn't good for cutting as it flexed in the middle. My husband finally confiscated it and used it when he made my rotating Shimmers holder.

The new one will be quite useful in my studio.
Thanks, Joan. It's perfect!


Don't forget to check out Linky Tuesday HERE. 

Gale's Quilt

This quilt is called Cub Crawl by John Q. Adams (Quilt Dad) from "Fat Quarterly Shape Workshop".  My sister made this one for my granddaughter in Chicago. Matching pillowcases were also included with the quilt. The lime green backing fabric certainly compliments the fabrics used for the front.

Woven Table Topper

During the Comfort and Joy Member's Exhibit at Devon House (Craft Council of NL) this month, I purchased a woven table runner by Newfoundland weaver, Joy Sceviour. This is a one-of-a-kind reversible runner. I just love the rich Christmas red and green.

Regular Joe

My husband received this quilt, from my sister, for Christmas. Joan finished it here last summer while house sitting for a few weeks. It is called Regular Joe by Bill Kerr and Weeks Ringle of ModernQuiltStudio.com in American Patchwork Quilting June 2014. Check out some more Modern Quilting on Pinterest.

The view on the stair railing is the true colour. I think the light from the large window (below) washed the colour out a bit.

We both love it. Thanks Joan.

back of quilt

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a great day! We had the full turkey supper with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding with sauce for dessert. So everyone is quietly contented.

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog. It's been a fun year. I had decided last January 1st to try and write a daily post. So far, I have accomplished that. One thing to mark off the to-do list!

Time to sit back and relax!

A teaser - 
Wait until you see the new quilts my sister has made for family this year.

I've had this set a long time!

Merry Christmas Eve

A very Merry Christmas to my family in the United States (Chicago, IL; Kingsport, TN; Austin, TX) and family here in Canada as well as all my friends and internet friends near and far!

It's Almost Christmas

It's almost here! 

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I love the glittery decorations, decorating the tree, making and purchasing gifts, baking and spending time with family and friends. Most of my baking is done and gifts are wrapped and sent away and the others are under the tree.

Do you have all your gifts finished and wrapped? Or do you put things off to the last moment? In any case, you have one day left to get it all done.So why don't you take a few minutes to relax and have a look at some 'stuff' to ponder for your next project.

• I've linked up with the Needle & Thread Network again.
• Please check out the 110 links on Crazy Mom Quilts. I'm sure you will need a cup / glass of something before you start. 
• I do like this free Log Cabin Hexi Potholder pattern from Craftsy.

 A baking tradition at my house are these Melting Moments shortbread cookies. Mmmmmmm!!!

Stockings

My mother made our Christmas stockings from red flannelette and hand embroidered our names with green wool. I still have mine. Santa usually had a special surprise in the toe of the stocking.  It wasn't usually anything expensive. However, I do remember one year, getting a compass in the toe. I was in Girl Guides at the time and it came in handy.

Here's some links for you to check:

• History of the Christmas Stocking  
• All Free Stockings 
• Patterns for Stockings       
• Sew an Easy Stocking 
• Knitted Christmas Stocking 
• Tutorial  another HERE 
•  10 Assorted Free Patterns 
• Stained Glass Stocking 
• Jingle Bell Stocking 
• Crochet 8 Stockings 
• Lots HERE    
• Pinterest: HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE 

I made this years ago!

Christmas Trees

There are lots of projects with Christmas trees as the focal point. Here's a few I found:

• Festival of Trees 
• Free Christmas Quilt Patterns on Pinterest   
• Christmas Tree Card  
• Tree Applique Patterns (free)   
• Christmas Tree Wall Hanging 
• Scotch Stitch Needlepoint Tree
• Christmas Tree Quilt  and another HERE 
• Applique Quilt 
• Free Embroidery Tree 
• Fabric Tree Project 
• Free Tree Patterns 
• Origami Tree Tutorial 
• Hot Pads 
• Embroidery 
• Felted Tree Ornament     
• Pintangle - free tree embroidery         

Kitchen Tree

Shimmers Tree at Some Good Market

Side entrance tree

Trees made about 35 years ago

    

Poinsettia

Today my focus is on the Poinsettia. Get some background on the Christmas tradition of this plant HERE and HERE.

• Free-motion Poinsettia 
• Free Poinsettia Quilting Pattern     
• Needlepoint Ornament 
• Poinsettia Pattern (PDF)  
• Table Runner 
• Poinsettia on Pinterest 
• Applique Block 
• Paper Piecing 
• Cross Stitch 
• Fun Poinsettia's    

 I hope you find something interesting to do or put in your 'to-do' list.

Felted Poinsettia place mat, purchased in Nova Scotia last summer.

Snowmen

It was 10C here today - wonder of wonders! I even saw a runner on the street in shorts and T-shirt. We have no snow (thank goodness) as I'm not a winter person. However, I found a few sites all about snowmen!!! Ironic, I know!!

• Felt Snowmen 
• Snowmen Star Ornaments  
• Cross stitch Snowmen on Pinterest
• Stitching Snowmen on Pinterest; more HERE
• Christmas Snowmen  
• Noel & Snowmen Crossstitch
• Free Snowmen Pattern
• More free patterns  (scroll down)
• Quilting ... Christmas and Snowmen on Pinterest  & more HERE
• Snowmen Quilt Patterns
• Snowman Stocking   
• Snowmen Mug Rugs  

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Joan!

Today is my sister's birthday!!

Here are some projects suitable for gift giving.

• How to Make a Book   
• Homemade Gift Ideas on Pinterest. More HERE
• DIY Handmade Gifts on Pinterest
• Sketch Book   
• 28 Last Minute Handmade Gifts

If you were home, Joan, I would have made you this fruitcake.

New Yarn

Here's the yarn I purchased yesterday. I can't wait to try the striped ones for some needle felted ornaments. The neon one sure will look spiffy! The Fleece Artist yarn is loopy and works well in seascapes and landscapes. Some of it may just become part of a Fibre Lace Scarve.

However, any work on ornaments, scarves etc, will have to wait until the new year. I just want to play with fibre and threads for awhile.

Shimmers on the Tree

I took a couple of photos of shimmers on the tree. They do shimmer.
By the way, have a look at a very unusual Christmas Tree, on Feeling Stitchy.

Mini-Guild Evening

Tonight the 'Mini-Guild Gals (6 of us) met at Verna's place. Her house is all decorated for Christmas and her Temari Balls are hanging in prominent places . Her newest is an egg shaped (special Christmas request) Temari in Easter colours. Beautiful work!

As we were leaving, I noticed a Christmas Temari that I didn't remember seeing before. Apparently, it was an early one that Verna designed herself. It has the star on top, three trees around the ball and a tree skirt on the bottom. Quite a lovely piece!

Temari Balls hang everywhere! 

Thanks, Verna, for allowing me to photo and post about your lovely pieces.

Pot Buddies

After retiring from teaching in 1997, I needed something constructive to do. The first thing I did was to create art cards with fabric cutouts. They worked fairly well as no one was doing that here. Wanting to experiment with other craft, I created some Pot Buddies. Each one was a different personality. I was fairly successful with these but it wasn't exactly what I wanted to do either.

Judy P., do you remember these? We chuckle about these occasionally and about how far I've gone in my art since then!

My Pot Buddies!! I made a number of these and sold them at a local flower shop. Santa was kept and he makes an appearance every Christmas. 

Enjoy!!

Tis the Season

My friend stitched this beautiful ornament for my July birthday. Now it's time to share it with you.

Now for a few more ornaments:

• Christmas Ornaments on Pinterest. 
• Crochet Ornaments on Pinterest
• Felt Ornaments.
• Free Quilted Ornaments . More HERE
• More Felted Ornaments
• Ornaments from Tip Junkie

Enjoy!!

Winter Dog Berries

Here's my latest 5" x 7" framed textile piece. All the dog berries are French knots using Valdani threads. The sky is hand dyed and the tree is made from burlap. The inspiration for stitching Dog Berries came from the view of all the Dog Berry trees I can see from my kitchen and studio windows.

New Booth

Day one, of the Anna Templeton Christmas Tea & Sale, is over! It was a great one.

Yesterday's set-up was fairly simple with my new 6 foot table top display that my husband designed and created. Have a look! The display frame and stand folds up and goes into its own custom made fabric case. The three blue and aluminum panels are packaged separately. It's all very compact. The lights have their own posts that fit into custom slots at the back.

The acrylic Shimmers stand on turntable (beside me in bottom photo), was also designed and constructed by my husband a few years ago.

All folded and ready to go (almost)!

Packaged and ready. We did a custom bag for the parts

A very well lit booth! Lots of compliments on the display today!!

More Ornaments

Here are the rest of the ornaments from the Christmas Ornament Exchange at the embroidery guild Tuesday evening: