DOUBLE DELIGHT

Today I spent time cleaning my sewing room, sorting UFOs, etc. I also selected fabric from stash for Bonnie Hunter's New Year's Eve Mystery Quilt, Double Delight. This is the first Mystery Quilt I've done, and it has the added benefit of using stash rather than buying. Bonnie is using tradition double pinks and indigos in hers. Many of these are from Urban Indigo, a softer, more modern (but still traditional) line.

HEARTS FOR JENNIFER

My favorite author, Jennifer Chiaverini, recently lost her editor, due to lay-offs. Our small Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Quilt swap group decided to send her heart blocks in lilac, in time for her Feb. 14 birthday. This is my block for her.

ORNAMENTS

I've been making friends Cathedral Window Christmas Ornaments this year. They are fairly quick and make a nice hand-made gift.

CHRISTMAS WITH JANE

My Christmas Siggies are all trimmed, and now in their final arrangement. They are put away in order for now, awaiting their sashing and borders. This has been a very fun swap.

PATCHWORK DOG

This is my very first patchwork project. I made it while living with my Grandmother when I was a young teenager. It must be about 45 years old at least, and it is still holding up ok. Some of the stitching could use repair, but I think I'll leave it just as is. I remember some of the fabrics from my sewing projects, and some are from her scrapbag. She was always so encouraging of my sewing and other creative endeavors.

SECRET SANTA ORNAMENT SWAP ARRIVES!

This beautiful ornament arrived in my mail today. It is for a secret ornament swap, from my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Friendship Swap Group. My on-line friend Karen from Canada made it for me. She used 120 2" squares, 370 tiny pins, a styrofoam ball, and ribbon. She didn't tell me how many hours went into it!

This if the first swap I've ever hostessed. She also sent me some fabric charms and a yummy chocolate mint candy, all wonderful!

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

CHRISTMAS WITH JANE SIGGIES

I've had fun today playing with my Dear Jane Christmas siggies. We each made signature blocks with the outer fabric being any Christmas print.

I received 149 back, so I'll be making a Christmas with Jane block to go in the bottom right, to make it 10 x 15 siggies.

They aren't trimmed yet, and I noticed that a couple are upside down in the picture, but I was working on color placement more than the script.

I'll probably use a sashing around each block.

This was a very fun exchange and I thank everyone who participated!

IN COCOA, FLORIDA

Today I had the privelege of meeting my on-line quilting friend, Carolyn, from France. She was visiting Florida. We went on our own shop-hop to three stores, and then had a lovely lunch at an outdoor cafe. What fun! She is so sweet, and just the sort of person you'd want for a friend, both in person and cyber.