Blizzard, But Life Goes On

 We had a blizzard here that dropped more than 15 inches of snow beginning on Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. Yesterday was clean up day, and there was alot of shoveling and plowing going on even though the wind gusts were strong. Thankfully my neighbor used his snow blower to clean out my driveway entrance and sidewalk, and he also helped other people on the street. God bless him. I did the walk and front porch and the inside driveway.

No sewing going on here. Hopefully, tonight maybe.

This is the snow mound on the left side of the driveway.  It doesn't look too bad in the picture  Walking is dangerous because there is so much ice, and so people stay in the street, which are all salted and sanded.  But then when you reach your destination you need to find a clear path to get to the sidewalk again or else climb over a snow mound.  The kids do that:)  That must be why they call us hardy New Englanders. 

Moxie's tipped toed out a few times, but only lasts a few minutes.  This morning the windchill was 6 degrees, the temperature 17.  But, by this weekend it will be in the 40's.  If you don't like the weather, wait a minute.

I've been out twice today to my church to serve morning Mass and to serve at a funeral.  And now I think I'm taking a walk to the library to get something to read. 

God Bless!

Merry Wednesday Before Christmas

I received a very pretty gift in the mail from Sue of Quilt Times (http://www.quilttimes.blogspot.com/ ).  It's the mug rug pictured below.   I love it.  Thanks, Sue.  (And the card is cute, too.)

I won this group of vintage Christmas fabric from Colleen of  Lucky Duck Dreams. (http://www.cyarnell.blogspot.com/ ) The fabrics are just what I like.   Thank you Colleen.

And as you can see on the left, there were more pillow cases in the works.

I won this book during SewCalGal's Christmas Quilt Show. ( http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com/ )  It's really neat.  The blocks can either make a quilt or be used to make runners,  mats, stockings, etc.  It's a sweet book by Melinda Bula.  

Thank you, Darlene.

 I also want to acknowledge Barbara from Cat Patches ( http://www.catpatches.blogspot.com/ ) who has a Fun Friday contest each week.  I won a fat quarter of red fabric which I can't show to you because I've already sewn with it.  It was the perfect color for what I was doing. 

Thank you, Barbara. 

I apologize for not being able to keep up with the posts of the blogs I love to follow.  I'm not one of those women who can do it all.   But I will catch up one day soon.  I want to know and see what you are all up to.

I hope you are enjoying this time of year and this beautiful celebration of faith.  I am. 

I also want to mention that on January 3rd I will be celebrating the one year anniversary of my blog.  I'll have a giveaway, if not on that exact day then soon after. What a wonderful year it's been for my sewing life.  It would be even better if I catch up on all of my projects.  Maybe that's what I'll get for Christmas; time and motivation.

God Bless You. 

Christmas Pillow Cases

I've been making pillow cases for the little ones in my family.  I've got fabric featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, Pooh and friends, Rudolph and that kid whoever he is and, one of my favorites, Bugs Bunny.  Somewhere in blogland one of the bloggers posted about how she makes her children and now grandchildren pillow cases and puts the gifts into them.  I loved that idea, so I'm doing it this year. 

  I am using directions I got from Janet Wickell at about.com quilting because they enclose all of the seams. http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ss/easy-pillowcase-pattern.htm

  The side and bottom seams are french seams and the band is sewn in such a way that the seam is encased when the band is turned.  I'm so impressed that I think I should never again buy another pillow case. 

I planned on showing some items that I received from blog giveaways, but alas, my camera is uncooperative.  Hopefully at a future date I'll be able to show them.

God Bless You.

Christmas Doings

When I saw the December design that Sylvia created for the cross-stitch sal I couldn't have been more pleased.  And when I went to the comment section of the post and read what the other stitchers said, I saw that I was not alone.  Slyvia designed the perfect ending for the project.

I don't know if she plans to start another sal for the new year.  I hope so.  Now I need to get my project in a frame so that it doesn't get lost and forgotten.

In yesterday's mail I received my third envelope of 5 inch squares from Benartex, and they are so pretty.  They are from the Mayfair collection by Michelle D'Amore.  Very romantic and elegant.

Yesterday I made my little pilgrimage to the LaSallette Shrine and enjoyed it very much. I attended a concert where we sang along with Father Pat, liked the music so much I bought his CD, petted the little donkey, Clopper, who is guarding the stable, and ooh'd and aah'd when the lights went on.   This picture shows the lights reflecting in the pond that circles what's called the Rosary Bridge. 

 All of the lights on the tree in the middle are shaped as doves. 

Now I'm off to another of my Christmas doings.  The local public high school has a two day craft fair each year to benefit the scholarship fund.  The auditorium has something like 200  crafters selling their stuff, so I'm going to see what they've got.  It's usually interesting and fun. 

God Bless You.

Special Post for Napkin Challenge

This is a special post for Nina Lise's Napkin Challenge.  If you can, visit http://www.mrsmoen.blogspot.com/ to see what the other bloggers have made. 
Many of you have seen these pictures from previous posts (probably ad nauseum), but here they are again as part of the entry requirement.

I'm so glad I joined this challenge because it was interesting and fun, and made me do something I didn't think I could do.  Thank you, Nina Lise, for this great idea of yours and for this fun exercise in creativity.

First, lets start with the napkin.

I played with it a little.  The skinny ribbon and fun fur didn't work.

So I made a fabric ribbon and turned the block to point.  Much better.



I decided to make a wall hanging/table cover from the block.

All finished.

God Bless Everyone.  Don't forget to visit Mrs. Moen's blog.