Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today was one of those days that I will never forget.  My family celebrated the holiday at my youngest brother's home which meant getting up early to make my contribution to the meal.  The day was made extra special by a surprise visit (and I mean surprise) from the Navy.  There was not a dry eye in the house and it made for an extra special day.

I finished this cushion after we returned home this evening.  As I worked I thought about everything I am so thankful for and just how blessed I am.  Thank you for giving me a reason to post my progress and for your encouraging comments.  Just being able to share the projects I love with you gives me the incentive to keep on being creative.  Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

We have a winner!!

The winner of the $25 gift certificate for Stitchin It Up Quilt Shop has been drawn by the random number generator and was #41:

Margaret said...

I am a follower via bloglovin

Margaret, I've sent you an email and I'm just waiting to hear back from you so you can go shopping!  I will be back tomorrow with my finished Thanksgiving project!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Black Tie Boogie Blog Hop

It is the last blog hop of the year, and with that come the roosters.  I was organizing my sewing room a few months ago and found everything to make this quilt, and the fabric even has roosters on it.  I had planned to make this as a picnic quilt, and I think it will work out perfectly.

The weather is not cooperating with picnics right now...as a matter of fact it is snowing outside, but I'm just sure I will love this quilt come next summer.

The pattern pieces are bigger, but they work well with the fabrics.  Another fun finished quilt!  Yay!

Thanks so much for the inspiration from Madame Samm and Vickie for all her wonderful cheerleading!  Here are today's participants.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

November 22

Vroomans Quilts

Meadowbrook

Janes Quilting

Looking Ahead And Quilting Gallery's Giveaway Blog Hop

As I was assembling my Christmas tree the other day I realized that although putting 1200 lights on a 7-1/2 foot tall tree is kind of insane, it is beautiful when it is done.  That is never the end of it though, then the ornaments need to be added.

And finished...

Then there is the tree skirt that needs to be completed (and I'm just sure it will be this year even if I put it under the tree on Christmas Eve).

There is the wall hanging that just needs to be quilted and bound...

And the pillows for the sofa.  :)  It seems I have no shortage of projects to finish, none of which need that much time, just a block of time, and hopefully there will be a few of those interspersed with all the other fun holiday activities (Christmas cards, parties, children's programs, church services, you get my drift).  And why do we do it all for one crazy month out of the year?  After working for hours on my tree the other day my husband asked if I minded if he took the next month off of work and just stayed home...because the house is always so cozy at Christmas.  That is enough reason for me.

To help you maybe start or finish a holiday project or find a completely new on for the new year I'm giving away a $25 gift card to Stitchin' It Up Quilt Shop.  To enter leave me a comment of what your favorite holiday activity is, if you are a scrooge, you can let me know that.  For a second entry you can let me know you are a follower of my blog.  The drawing will be held on November 27, at 8 a.m.  For the rest of the participants in the Quilter's Gallery Blog Hop Party go here.

Thanks for visiting and Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

I have so many, many projects I should be working on and instead...I put up the Christmas tree.  The weather is so yucky and we finally had a day where there were only two things on the calendar and not ten.  Normally I spend the day after Thanksgiving decorating, but this year we have so many things scheduled if I didn't get it up today, there would not be a day to do it.

I finished this tree ornament late Saturday evening while watching a movie with my husband and son.  I love how it sparkles and guess what, it is the first ornament on the tree.  I love the holiday season, I love the decorating, and I love all the activities.  What I do not like is how it goes so quickly and before we know it the new year is here.  Hopefully by getting the more tedious stuff done early we can enjoy it between all the activities.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

All Finished Quilts Should Come With a Warning

Ever since my son's quilt has been finished, there has not been a day yet when it has spent the entire day on his bed.  It seems that all handmade with lots of love and over 1000 piece quilts tend to entice us to bring them to the couch, look at all the fabrics and stitches, and then without warning fall asleep under them.  I smile when I see the next person who gets caught by the quilt, but I promised my son today would be the last day I did that.  ;)

Maybe instead of adding just a label stating who made the quilt and when, we should add the warning, "If you accept this quilt, you may lose many hours to long, cozy naps, especially as winter approaches."

I thought this turtle pincushion was perfect for today...I've kind of felt like a turtle all week, happy yet slow and relaxed.  What a wonderful way to spend the end of a week.  Back to work again as I have a ton of things to be finished.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

For The Boys

This is the fourth quilt finished this week, and I almost cannot wrap my brain around it.  This one has been a UFO for the longest, and is now one big finished quilt.  I started this quilt seven years ago after receiving the pattern at a quilt shop hop.  My son and I picked up random fat quarters from different quilt shops and soon I was cutting away.  I just recently bought the fabrics for the borders so it just goes to show you can mix the old with the new.  He has been waiting so patiently for this quilt, and having him help me pick out all the fabrics makes it all the more special.

Each block has a total of 48 pieces in it and there are 30 blocks for a total of 1440 pieces.  I decided to stitch in the ditch around every single piece which makes the pieces pop.  I'm so excited to see this one finished!  I think the reason this one took so long to finish was because of all those pieces, just cutting them was a huge undertaking.  This blog hop was a huge incentive to finally finish it!

My son is actually using this quilt already (is there anything better than sleeping under a brand new quilt?)  I think not.


Thank you to Madame Samm and Amy for heading up this wonderful hop.  You can check out the rest of today's participants here...

November 7^th

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans

Ridge Top Quilts

Creatin' in the Sticks

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Meadowbrook (you are here)

Malinis Quilts

Just Let Me Quilt

Kris Loves Fabric

Happy Stitching and Hopping!! 

The Third Quilt

I almost forgot this morning I was going to show this today.  I've actually been trying to decide where to use it.  It is the Tankini pattern from Terri Atkinson and I used Pam Kitty fabrics.  The reason this one sat was I couldn't decide how to quilt it and the binding.

After finishing this I am thinking I need to make something else with these fabrics.  They are fabulous and so cheery.  I'm still not convinced my loo (toilet) needs a quilt on it (which is what the Tankini pattern is for), but it might just be what the bathroom needs.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Three Finished Quilts, Design Wall Monday, and Voting

There are times in life when things get so out of control we just need to step back, take a deep breath, and work on something that takes our minds off all the other "stuff."  I had mentioned a while back that I was reorganizing my sewing room and found a lot of projects that weren't finished just because I got stuck, maybe I didn't know how to finish it, quilt it, or it had a problem and I set it aside hoping to finish them some day.  This past week I finished three, but I'm only going to show you two today (come back tomorrow).

I guess you could say this one is scary.  I hate the way the stripes turned out for the background, but it does look pretty great with some ceramic pumpkins on it...it has a use and can be used and it is finished! :)  And for the most part the background will only kind of be seen.

This one I wasn't sure on the blanket stitch around the stars.  I know, silly huh?  It is finished now and is ready for the perfect little spot that has been waiting for it.

This quilt is my son's quilt.  Started far too long ago and is on the design wall just waiting to be finished...which is going to be this week...hopefully.  My son is sick in bed and I'm just hoping I'm not going to come down with it.

Finally, if you would like to vote for my quilt the voting is now open.  You just click the little heart in the corner of the photos here.  You can vote for one quilt in each category and the voting is open until Friday, November 8.

Whew, okay that is it for today.  I will post my third finished project tomorrow.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen