Christmas Gifts

I always enjoy surprises in the mail. For Christmas I received some really nice gifts from some special people.

This first photo is from Stephanie. She knows how much I love wooden spools. She also sent a piece of vintage Christmas fabric. I love the kids on the stairs

Jocelyn sent some sweet goodies too. Check out the stylish pins in the red fabric.

 My kids asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I requested the two first books. So many pretty things to make in both of them. Mary also sent me a book. (far right) I want to make just about everything in this book too. Think good thoughts for Mary. She is having sinus surgery tomorrow.

And last but not least this pincushion. Candace made it with my blog name on it. It is so special but all the gifts are very special and very thoughtful. I thank you all for thinking of me.

With Passion and a Thankful Heart,
Carrie P.

It's A New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! 2011 has come and gone! Now it is on to new things and maybe some old things. I would first like to show you an old thing that I have been working on in between my Hop To It blocks. This is a free BOM from Dawn Heese of Linen Closet Quilts. I am all caught up with what she has shared so far. This is not the way the blocks will be set. I just put them all together on my design wall so you could see them so far. I think we have four months left of this BOM.

 Something new I made is the Blogger's BOM that was designed by Pat Sloan.

 Another new thing that I am participating in Building Houses from Scraps. The goal is to make one a day but I am only making one a month. So I will have a miniature house quilt. I have an idea for the sashing which I hope have done with the next house I build.

 The new year also brings new BOM and we can always expect a great from Jenny. I have done many of her free BOM and enjoy doing them so much. Go over to blog and get the newest one for 2012.

 And who doesn't have tons of scraps. I have a big bag full that I keep under my cutting table. I am going to following along with this new Sew Scraps Along sponsored by Jodi at Pleasant Home. She will have different bloggers show ways to use up those scraps.

There is definitely no shortage of new things to do for the year. Have fun creating.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

MERRY

Jesus says," I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in the dark."


I wish you all the Most Blessed Christmas ever and a Happy New Year.


With Passion,
Carrie P.
ps I will be back to blogging in the new year.

Sharing Random Stuff

 Remember some of the ornaments I showed yesterday. I have this feather tree that I keep up so that I can have Christmas all year round. It is full of Christmas ornaments that my blogger friends have made for me. I don't keep the chenille candy canes on all year. Every time I see the tree it makes me smile to think of the friends I have made through the years I have been blogging. Do you see one that you made?

 I visited some of the blogs during the Blog Hop Party that was hosted by Quilting Gallery. I won a giveaway from Eager Hands. I won the lovely table cloth, white handkerchief, a fat quarter of vintage fabric, trim and some buttons. I also won a hand made copper "joy" charm which I love. Lora sells many hand stamped charms and other vintage things on her Etsy. The way Lora wrapped the package was cute too. It was the tissue paper from an old Simplicity dress pattern.

 Look! I finished another Hop To It block. Three more to go. I changed this one up a bit. Made three circles on the outside part instead of two. Added another petal to the tulip looking flowers. Didn't like it with just two petals. And I added the center circles. Now I am happy with this block. Onto the next one.

 I went out to check on my garden. It feels like Florida weather here today.  Rainy, warm, and humid. It is supposed to get much colder by this weekend.
Everything in the garden is looking pretty good. I actually picked a bunch of Kale on Tuesday to add to some soup. I love Kale in soup. Some of the lettuce got a little rotten because I think there was too much moisture for those tender leaves. Check out the cabbage. It will probably be another month before I actually have a big head ready to pick but they are growing good.

Here is the garlic bed. No, that is not garlic growing. Just wheat grass from the bed of straw I put on top.
Tomorrow I will be putting some dishes together and making a pumpkin cheesecake for our Christmas Eve dinner. I will be spending Christmas Eve with my hubby, daughter, #2 son and DIL. My #1son and DIL who live in DC won't be able to come down this year. They will be missed.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Almost Christmas!

Hey Ya'll! Thanks so much for all your votes on my quilt that I entered the Quilting Gallery contest. I came in 20th place out of 67. Pretty good. I appreciate you taking the time to go vote on my quilt. It was fun. There were some fabulous quilts and those that won definitely deserve it.

 I wanted to share some sweet Christmas gifts I have received and opened so far. The first one is from Sue. She knows me so well. See those sweet birds. And look at that beautiful log cabin glass ornament. Thank you so much Sue.

 Simone sent me this sweet little baby Jesus ornament all the way from the Netherlands. It was the first gift I received in the mail. Thanks Simone for thinking of me.

Oh, look at this cute owl ornament made by Karen. Her and I are bird watchers. The funny thing is I sent her a different owl ornament too. Great minds think alike, right? lol Thank you so much Karen.

With Passion,
Carrie P.