HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

May 2013 bring you happiness, good health and prosperity!!

New Class Schedule

OK, I'm ready for things to get back to normal!!  So I have spent the morning and part of the afternoon working on a new class schedule.  I have emailed that out and updated the web site calendar with the dates and photos.  Please let me know if you didn't get a new schedule and would like one and I will be happy to email out to you.

Lots of cleaning going on around here today.  My husband has been cleaning as I worked on the schedule.  Now it's my turn to tackle our master bedroom which has become a dumping grounds for all things Christmas and otherwise!!! 

And I am definitely going to sit and do some stitching tonight......I am craving it!!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

From our busy, chaotic, crowded, happy, merry, festive little home to yours, wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!!! 

And  no, I have found no stitching time AT ALL this week!!!!

Tis the Season.....

to be jolly...............

and speaking of jolly.....here's the jolly old elf himself with Reagan and Raleigh....... 

Joshua spent the day with me one day last week while Mommy and Daddy went Christmas shopping......he decided to try on my "reading" glasses so he could see me better I suppose!  I found him hidden between the sofa and coffee table with the glasses on.   

What a funny boy.  He would not give the glasses back and by the end of the day I found one of the arms but not the rest of the glasses.  When I asked him where the glasses were, he went to his basket and brought them to me and just smiled.  What's a Mina to do??!! 

A great group of ladies got together to work on a project that they have been working on off and on for several months.  They come and do a little bit of gathering, drawing, creating and then go away until they get caught up and come back and do a little more.  Soon they will have some masterpieces to share! 

Bonnie just got her beautiful quilt back from Laura.  It turned out just great and I promise you the photo doesn't do it justice.   Laura's quilting was perfect for this project and I know Bonnie can't wait to get it home and hung. 

And Joyce started this project, I think way earlier this year and is almost done.  She just has the back to put on now.  Just in time for Christmas!! 

And another flower garden quilt almost done.  Joyce has her top together but needs to get the quilting done, which her sweet sister has volunteered to do for her.  Lucky gal! 

Fifteen of us went out for a Christmas lunch after Busy Bee Finishing School today.  We ate at a restaurant in Fuquay called Bellini's.  Great food and even better company!  Looks like we all cleaned our plates! 

What a great bunch of ladies!!!  I love them all!!! 

And look how happy they are when they get gifts.  Doesn't the table look festive with all the red and green papers!  Thank you to each and every one who contributed to make this such a special day.  I couldn't do what I do without you!! 

Awww.......the bad news, look at all those checks.  Somehow mine mysteriously disappeared!  Again, thank you ladies. 

And tonight I got some presents wrapped.  I just felt like I needed to stop and wrap some things so I could see what I still needed to do.  In other words, I needed to regroup!!  I'm feeling a little more in control but still have lots to do before the weekend.  And the hours just keep flying by. 

Hope you're all getting lots done but taking time to enjoy the season.  Sometimes I feel like Christmas comes and goes so quickly and I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do.  Let me know if anyone figures out how to extend the season a wee bit longer!

As I'm sure you all feel, my heart goes out to all the families in Newton who lost their precious loved ones at what was supposed to be such a joyous time.  I cannot even begin to imagine what they are feeling right now and can only offer lots of prayers for their continued healing.  

Blessings to you all.....................

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas............

............everywhere you go!! 

I have had several people ask me to post some pictures of  my house decorated for Christmas.  I move lots of "normal" stuff out of the house and bring in lots of Christmas.  Love doing this.  So what follows are just some random pictures from around the house.  I don't think there is anything in the same place as last year.  Lots of fun!! 

My latest collection.........vintage carolers..............

I even decorate the bathrooms........and I seem to have a thing for elves this year!!

Breezeway porch coming into house

Hope you enjoyed my little tour.  Lots more to photograph but surely don't want to bore you.  What does your house look like for Christmas?

Don't forget to find a little time for stitching inbetween decorating!

My friend Lou and I made a trip to Whistle Stop Quilt Shop on Wednesday afternoon.  We had quite a good time and came home with lots of beautiful fabric. 

I made Lou pose in the store with all her new fabric.  Look at the wonderful quilt in the background.  What a great "quilt shop" photo!!  Lou was so excited to build up her stash of Civil War fabrics for an upcoming January project. 

And here's my latest purchase.  I was trying to add to my Civil War fabrics colors I might not have.  Can't wait to play in all this yummy fabric.  Looking forward to January and new quilt projects.

Connie still has way too much fabric on her shelves for inventory purposes which is good for us shoppers!!  I did empty a few bolts while I was there but I left plenty behind to share with all of you!  I loved when she rang up the total and then took the 30% off at the end.  It just made Lou guiggle!!  Now couldn't we all use a little giggle in our day?! 

Run on over and stock your coffers with beautiful new fabric so you can look forward to your new year projects too!  Remember, almost everything is 30% off so big savings.

Whistle Stop Quilt Shop

3434 Kildare Farm Road

Cary, NC

I have been busy working on new class models for January and February.  There is a Valentine wool applique pillow, a "white" flower wool applique mat, a wool block of the month and also an embroidery block of the month.  So lots to look forward to.  I'll be sending out the class schedule in the next couple of weeks.

Now go buy some fabric and find a little stitching time!! 

Merry Christmas Sale

Merry Christmas early to us compliments of Connie at Whistle Stop Quilt Shop in Cary, NC.  Connie is having a month long sale of 30% off everything in the store, except batiks which are 25% off.  I stopped by yesterday afternoon and walked out with an arm load of beautiful fabrics and would have bought more if my checkbook would have allowed it!!  So hop on over to Whistle Stop and stock up on some beautiful fabrics for all those projects you're hoping to start in the New Year.  It's not very often that we get a sale like this so definitely take advantage.  She has shelves and shelves of beautiful Civil War fabrics for those of you working on projects of that era.  That's my favorite part of the shop!  Tell Connie Sharon says "hey" while you're there!

Whistle Stop Quilt Shop

3434 Kildaire Farm Road

Cary, NC

919-387-7400

Happy stitching.........................

Buttons

It's been a year since my Mom passed away and I miss her each and every day.  Some days more than others when I think I'll pick up the phone and just ask Mom something and remember she's not there.  It's hard, especially this time of the year.  But recently I got a nice surpise in the mail from my sister..........

A big box of buttons.  I always told my Mom if anything ever happened to her, all I wanted were her jars of buttons.  We used to sit and talk and play with the buttons and imagine where the buttons might have come from...... 

My sister decided it would be difficult and expensive to mail all those jars so she emptied each jar into it's own baggie.  She said she had exactly enough baggies before she ran out for the buttons.  Then when she got to the Post Office with all those bags of buttons, the postmaster had just the right size box to hold all the buttons.  A sign that she was meant to ship those to me!! 

So I recently went out and tried to find the perfect container to hold all those buttons full of so many memories................ 

My "jar" full of memories with Mom.

I'm sad as I write this post but I smile at the same time thinking back on all the warm memories of me and my Mom playing in the buttons.  When we were younger she would make button dolls and sometimes string a large button that somehow turned into a spinning toy.  Just making do with what she had to keep her five children entertained..........with just plain old buttons.......snipped from clothing, found here and there..........none valuable but all special just like she was.

Many of you folks that know me well know that I have been preaching about supporting our country, taking care of our people, supporting our small local businesses, buying American made.  I have felt this way for many, many years and when I owned my gift shop back in the 90's I had a rule.  It had to be American made and as much hand made as possible.  That philosophy kept my business strong for ten years!!  I feel our country has given up on itself, not supporting the people who live here, taking away the factory jobs, etc.  We need to get down to business and take care of US!!  Recently my husband and I had to purchase a new refrigerator.  After visiting four stores we found one store who had two American made models to choose from.  That was very sad to me. 

A friend recently sent me the following "article" which she found on another person's blog.  I decided to share that article with you.  If you agree, share it with others.  We just need to get proactive and get this country back in shape!  And this is one small way we can start. 


A New Christmas Tradition


As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods –

merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands.

How about a gift certificate to the local Chiropractor? A local Quilt or Fabric Store?

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the dollars on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway ploughed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town.......Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by theAmerican working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.  My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.  Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list — post it to discussion groups — throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city — send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

BUY AMERICAN - BE AMERICAN - The job you save might be your own.

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's (and Grandfather's) house we go..............wishing you each and everyone a safe and blessed Thanksgiving.

My bags are packed and my stitching basket is full for the long ride to Florida where we will be spending Thanksgiving with my husband's parents.  I hope to accomplish lots while in the car and always take more than I can ever do.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if I got it all done!!!

Happy Thanksgiving............

I went for a haircut yesterday and stopped by The Rusty Bucket afterwards.  The shop is full of fun Christmas merchandise and definitely put me in the Christmas mood.  I even started my Christmas shopping while I was there!! 

I told Pam I loved the two displays with the wooden reindeer and the trees and lights.  It just made me smile.   

So if you're ready to start your Christmas shopping go have some fun at The Rusty Bucket.  It's a happy place!!

I've been super busy the past couple of weeks catching up on projects, stitching binding on quilts, teaching at Whistle Stop Quilt Shop and Miss Lou's Quilting Studio and working on upcoming class preparations.  I am excited to start the new "winter" classes as the busy holiday season approaches.

Hope you all find some time to do a little stitching...............

Simply Christmas Craft Show

Well, it's time for Dale and Sherry's annual craft show.  These gals have been at it for many years.........19 to be exact.  This is their 19th annual event and they would love to have you come visit them.

They will have primitive, handmade designs for your country home....stitcheries, wool items, santas, snowmen, dolls, soy candles, unique floral designs, handmade jewelry, all natural bath products and much more. 

DATES:  November 16 and 17
             (Friday & Saturday)
                   9am til 2pm

LOCATION:  Home of Dale Johnson
                   7433 Roberts Road
                   Cary, NC

I, of course, have class both days.  Imagine!!  I have yet to make it to one of their sales because of my kooky schedule.  I hope you'll go and support these creative, hardworking ladies.

Happy Halloween..............hope you get lots of treats and no tricks tonight!!

Faster than a speeding bullet, faster than a freight train......or whatever the words are supposed to be..........it's Superman Joshua...........flying out of the plants where he's not supposed to be! 

My Superhero grandchildren 

Raleigh as Wonderwoman 

Reagan as Captain Miss America  

And of course, little Superman 

It was hard to get pictures of this little Superman, he moves at the speed of that flying bullet! 

Can't remember if I already shared my spiderweb quilt but here it is again if I did.  Not quilted yet...... 

Jan brought in this beautiful quilt that she made for one of her Aunts.  You have to see this in person to appreciate it.  I was thinking she could leave it for me and when she left, she actually forgot to take it with her........but then she remembered and came back.  Oh well, almost got it! 

And Barbara brought in her Civil War quilt all done and quilted.  It is breathtaking and so much fun to study each block.  She did a wonderful job and again, you have to see it in person to truly appreciate all the work and beautiful piecing. 

I love the back of the quilt where she added a few leftover blocks.  A great idea that I may use myself.  Thanks for sharing Barbara! 

Barbara and Lou looking for one certain fabric in all those pieces.   

As the ladies were leaving, we discovered this little bee who appeared to be sleeping on a Camelia leaf.  Guess he just got tuckered out. 

Here's to wishing you all a fun Halloween evening.  Enjoy those little trick or treaters.  They work hard for all their loot!!