Gnome Sweet Gnome

I made this little quilt last week just for fun and because I haven't been in the sewing room very much lately.   I think I'll hand quilt this one.

the mushrooms were really fun and easy to make.  Here they are before I fused them.

As a surprise for Mr. Fun, I got tickets to see Manheim Steamroller.  It was wonderful and put me in a festive mood.  If you get a chance to see them, I highly recommend it.

This year I'm displaying my Hot Flash quilt in the kitchen.  It's not a Christmas quilt, but I love the bright colors during these darker days.

Every year I set up my Dickens Village.  I always dread it and put it off but I also always love it and leave it up for a couple of months.

My goal is create a realistic village.

The set up is different every year.

This year I made two "town" areas

The Post Office is one of my favorite buildings.

The Church sits in the highest position.  There is Charles and his wife, Elizabeth.

I positioned the homes of Tiny Tim and Betsy Trotwood and others up behind the town square.

I love the little lights on the tree and the street lights.  Can you believe I have six different kinds of snow?  I also recycle it every year.

Here is an aerial view.   I posted a video with music on my Instagram.

Here are a few behind the scenes photos.  I start by unpacking all the buildings, lights, and people.  Nutmeg was vey intrigued.

I use styrofoam to construct different levels.  I learned this on Pinterest and it really makes a big difference!

I do a practise set up.  I also use that little string of lights under the batting to light it up.

It takes several hours, but it is magical to me.

I hope you are having a nice December.  It can often be stressful and full of commitments.

Be kind and gentle with yourself.  A few quiet minutes of meditation can be a blessing.

News of the World - My World

Here is my quilt published in a beautiful new book "The Quilters Night Before Christmas".

This book illustrates each stanza of the poem written by Clement C. Moore almost 200 years ago.   I made a santa that reminded me of these little elves that we had when I was a girl.

Sue Reich invited quilters to submit a little quilt for each stanza which was also to include a quilt or quilt block.  Here the cover quilt made by Jill Mezaros.  Each quilt is unique and many are made by quilts friends from around the country.

It is a beautiful book with vintage postcards and Christmas history and traditions.

 

 It also includes some wonderful traditional quilt patterns.

It is available on Amazon for $28.00 and is a hardcover.  A perfect gift for a quilt friend or for yourself!

In other publishing news; I was featured in the December QuiltMania Magazine for my Instagram Account.  What a nice surprise and huge honor!   I was proud to be among the other quilters who I also follow.

This year I decided to display my White House Historical Ornament tree.  I'm trying to separate the beauty of the craftsmanship and history with the current atmosphere in DC.

Each year the committee selects a past President to honor.  Here is my collection.  I am only missing 4 to complete the collection and I think Santa is going to come through this year.  They are gorgeous ornaments. The White House ornaments include the same limestone as the actual White House!

Each ornament comes in a pretty box with lovely goldleaf and an illustration.

A booklet is included with historical facts about the President, his administration and how the family celebrated Christmas in the White House.

This year I am challenging myself to read one little booklet a day.  I am learning so many things about the President and White House.

I have also been very busy lately watching the entire Bond series.  It started with watching all the Daniel Craig movies then I took the plunge and watched them all.  Here is my very sloppy tally sheet.

My favorite is Daniel Craig, then Pierce Brosnan.  It was great fun watch them in order. 

I made a new crochet pattern hat for my quilt guild's Holiday Silent Auction.  I may even bid on it myself.

We had our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday because my son, Andrew, worked night shifts at the hospital Wednesday and Thursday.

It was wonderful to relax on Thursday and have dinner together on Saturday.  It think it was the best turkey we've ever cooked!

We cooked for 12 even though there were only 3 of us.  I love the week of leftovers! 

I am Thankful for all the friends and talented people I have met through quilting.  Thank you for continuing to read my blog or visit my Instagram feed.  Quilting has enriched my life beyond measure.

See you next time~

xo

Time Hurries On

I can hardly believe it is November!  More wins for my Sparrow Quilt.

My son, Andrew, and I attended the CT Fair Association 2021 Banquet Dinner.  It used to be a small homey affair but this year was held at a hotel and pretty fancy.

My Sparrow quilt qualified for state level judging and I won First Place.  Sadly there were only two quilts in my category instead of the usual 6 or so.   As an unexpected bonus I also won People's Choice, which is voted on at the banquet.  Can you tell I was chuffed?

My daughter, Hanna, has been staying with us for 2 weeks while her fiance', David, is attending the Global Climate Summit in Glasgow. 

After two long years, we finally returned to Mohegan Sun Casino for a ladies night out.

We like to play the penny slots for fun.  No table games for us.

We both won pretty big!  We were laughing and cheering so much a man came running over to see what we won.  Hey $80. is A BIG WIN for us. 

It helps pay for this at Michael Jordan's Pub.

and this at Tao' an Asian Restaurant that is new to the casino.  Yum.

We had a wonderful family picnic lunch on the patio with this fabulous Charcuterie board that my kids arranged.

The weather was perfect for a little fire and time outside.   It felt like a mini getaway.  Can you spy my little whale pick holder ?  

In Quilting news~

Not much.  I've been working on settling contracts and getting my calendar pulled together for 2022.  

I'm joining in a mystery medallion project with my Brownstone Quilt Guild of NJ.  I've finally settled on a theme.   Btw, I cut all these out wrong but will make them work. More on that later.

The center will be a mid-century styled clock face something like this.  Can you guess what time it will be???

On instagram in November I'm sharing little quilt gifts that I have received over the years.  Here are a couple so far and you'll find more details on IG.

Katy S. of KatyQuilts

Cecile' of PatchworkInspirations

Did you know you can enjoy Instagram on your PC or tablet?  You can go here and open a free account.  You do not have to post photos to  follow people and things you are interested in like quilting, doll quilts, orchids.....almost anything!  You'll find me at Fun With Barb or Barb Vedder.

Happy November

xo