HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing you good health and lasting happiness.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

NEW PROJECT

I am making thirty-five small gifts that need to be ready mid January.   I think prepping will be the longest time consumer.

I have roughly one-third completed.  Turning out pretty cute.  You'll see.....

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

LETTER TO SANTA

My 8-year old grandson, Kalani, wrote this letter to Santa for Christmas Eve.  I just had to share.

Merry Christmas to all.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

MERRY CHRISTMAS WISHES FROM SO CAL

My city counsilwoman sent this in her recent newsletter. 

Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

I DON'T ALWAYS QUILT

Sometimes I knit.

They have the prettiest yarns these days.

Guess it won't be a gift afterall.  Oh well.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



OH FUDGE

Today was making-fudge day. 

 Chocolate Fudge

Pumpkin Fudge

I have four of these tins packed for the neighbors.  Since I promised to make some to mail, I'll be making some more tomorrow.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

WHAT A CHRISTMAS GIFT

My cousin sent me these pictures of Lauren Annalise Rudy's room.  How fortunate that the quilt fits in so well.

Saved the best picture for last. The Rudys best Christmas gift.

Lauren Annalise Rudy, December 12, 2011.  So precious.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

FRIENDS

I belong to a great friendship group.  We call ourselves the Wednesday Wackos.  Each year for Christmas, we meet at one of the member's home for a potluck and exchange gifts with each other.  We often start thinking about these gifts at the first of the year.  That doesn't mean we don't change our minds several times until we hit upon the right one.   It is fun coming up with that certain something and getting it ready for the party.

We each take a turn passing out our gifts and everyone opens just that gift at the same time. It makes that warm glow of sharing last all the longer.

This year I made these little zippered bags and tried to match up likes and personalities.  Do you see the cat person?  I used the pattern over on Moda Bakeshop see here.

I so adore these women and the joy they bring to each other.  I feel truly blessed.  No, I didn't get pictures of the party; I was too darn busy having fun. 

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

ANOTHER FINISH

Baby Rudy has arrived.  Her name is LAUREN ANNALISE.  Beautiful name.  And, the quilt is finished and ready to mail in the morning.

I like to machine stitch the binding down for baby quilts.

Here is the back.  I say good enough considering the three Ps.

Congratulations to the Rudy's.  And, I can't wait to meet you Lauren.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

BINDING TODAY

I think the Rudy baby is waiting for her quilt.

It's almost there.  Thanks to Karen Kimmel for the quick quilting turnaround.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR

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

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

A SHORT TRIP

I've been gone for the past few days.  For over 30 years my friend Sue and I have kicked off our Christmas season together by shopping and playing.  We started doing this in San Francisco when I lived in the Bay Area.  Now, we live a good 400 miles apart and meet in the middle.  And, what a nice relaxing fun time we had.  As I was leaving our serene setting, I couldn't help snapping a photo with my phone to say goodbye till next year.

That golden hill is the changing fall color of the wine-grape vines.  I saw this for miles and miles.  It was gorgeous, and the small two-lane  highways didn't distract from the view. But, in a few hours . . . . 

It was dark by the time I made it home and very windy.  Back to eight-lane roads.  Back to reality.  Back to fun life that I enjoy in a different way.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

TA DA!!!

Last June my youngest granddaughter, Noelle, was here for an extended vacation. 

While here, she designed her very own quilt using her Leapster Pad. 

OK, so it's blurry; but, you get the idea. 

Showing it to me she said "Grandma, I want you to make this for me with six snowmen".  What would you do?  Yes of course you would.  Her birthday is December 16.  So with a little quilter's license, here is Miss Noelle's Quilt.

Maybe she needs EQ for Christmas.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Definition of THANKSGIVING

1  : the act of giving thanks

2  : a prayer expressing gratitude

3  a: a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness

Today is Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday of the year.  It is all about family and being thankful.  It is also when most of us take a moment and reflect on for what we are thankful.  I have so much for which to be thankful; but, here are 10 on my list.

10.         My first cup of coffee in the morning that helps me wake up and begin a new day.

9.            Life’s challenges as they as give me the opportunity to become a better person.

8.            Rainbows because they follow the storm and offer a promise of beauty.

7.            My home that gives me comfort and peace.

6.            My hobbies that keep my mind active and challenged.

5.            Emotions of all kinds for they let me know how alive I am.

4.            Pets for teaching me patience and giving me joy.

3.            Best friends for being there for me without even asking.

2.            My family that offers me more pleasure than I could ever imagine. I  love you so much.

1.            You for being here right now.

I'M QUILTING

And look whose keeping me company.

The girls.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

SNOWMEN UPDATE

It's growing.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

WHAT I'M DOING

Stay tuned.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

TODAY

I noticed on my Yahoo homepage, that "Trending Now" was Clean Out Your Fridge. So, intrigued, I had to click on it.  That's when I found out it is "National Clean Out Your Fridge Day".  Seriously, it is.  I tried to ignore it; I really did.  I have plans to sew today.  My granddaughter's birthday is next month and she wants a quilt.  But, I went and peeked inside.

I had been having trouble finding things.  So, I did it.

Deciding to clean out the fridge:  most of the morning.
Time to actually clean out the fridge:  30 minutes
Feeling of accomplishment:  priceless

Now off to work on that quilt.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

A FINISH

I'm sending this quilt off to Florida today for a raffle.  It is called Mediterranean Neutrals. 

Hope it makes some money for your charity Jolene.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

FUNNY

Snagged this from Geta.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

HOUSTON FALL QUILT MARKET

I was lucky enough to be invited by Robin to help with her booth, Robin Quilts, Etc.  We had a great time.  I usually forget to get pictures.  But, I have a few.

Robin Quilt's Etc. Booth

Couldn't resist a photo of this.  So Cute!

Even the hotel was artsy.

Halloween night.  The birds.....

And, to prove I was there......

Meeting up with friends.

Quilt Happy,

Marilyn



HOUSTON QUILT MARKET

Off to Houston Quilt Market today. 

YIPPEE!

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



QUILTERS BY THE SEA "SEA TO SEA" DAY 2

This past weekend we had a great quilt show with beautiful quilts, wonderful vendors, along with a great boutique and raffles galore.  We even had a live and a silent auction.  I managed to spread my money around the various vendors and have a great time at the auctions.  Well, somebody has to help with the economy.  I'm doing my part.

I won this gorgeous quilt at the live auction.  I had been eyeing it on the wall.  I could not get very close to it; but, I loved it right from the beginning.  So, I decided that was going to be the one I would bid on and even put a dollar limit for it in my mind.  When it finally came up to bid, what a surprise to hear that it was made by a member of my friendship group, Pat.  This just made it all the better.  Please visit her blog and see her amazing work.  But, wait.... it is a two for one.  This is the other side of the quilt.

I know.  How cool is that?  Thank you my friend.  You did a fabulous job.

I also bought this table runner because it looks perfect in my house.  I don't know if anyone took credit for this one.  No label on the back.  Come on quilters... you need to label your work.  

And that adorable Santa was made by Karen, and I managed to place the last bid in time to win it at the silent auction.  Isn't he adorable?

And, of course like most guilds, we had Opportunity Baskets for raffle.  I'm fairly lucky with raffles.  And, I won the one I wanted.  If you know me, you understand why it is so perfect.

It is a coffee basket.  Oh yes.

Just look at the loot, not to mention the four homemade placemats with coffee fabric. 

Thank you to the wonderful Quilt Show Chairs and their committee along with the many volunteers.  Without you we never would have had such a wonderful event.

I'm still working on getting you some pictures of some of the great quilts.  Stay tuned and

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

QUILTERS BY THE SEA "SEA TO SEA" QUILT SHOW - DAY 1

Today was the first day of our quilt show and I know I told you we cannot take photographs inside the building, and we cannot.  But, if you ask really nice, you can get the colonel to take a picture for you.  He can.  I didn't push my luck; I just asked for one. 

This is Cindy from Cindy's Fabric Shack doing some last minute touches with her booth.  Tomorrow I should be able to share some photos from the DVD which contains photos of all the quilts from the show.  So until then...

Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

QUILT SHOW SET UP

Quilters by the Sea Quilt Guild is having its quilt show this weekend, October 22 & 23, 2011.  It is at the Armory is Long Beach.  We cannot take pictures inside for obvious reasons.  So we will be selling DVDs with pictures of all the quilt entries.  Therefore, the only picture I have for today is of Karen and Becky sitting outside collecting quilts for hanging.  It was quite a process setting up.  But, I must say it looked wonderful when I left this evening.

I hope to see some of your smiling faces in the next couple of days.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

THIS AND THAT

I haven't been sewing lately.  Two Wacky Women held a quilt retreat last weekend, featuring Lyn Brown.  There were 26 of us including the Wacky Women and Lyn.   Lyn designed this quilt for the retreat and we had a contest to name the quilt.

Lyn selected Gloria's name of Laguna Nights.  Isn't that a great name?  We all really had a great time.  Go check out our Two Wacky Women website and read about our 2012 retreats. 

This weekend is Quilters by the Sea's quilt show.  I have three quilts that will be in the show.

They are packed and ready to take for hanging tomorrow. 

The show is Saturday, October 22, & Sunday, October 23, 2011.  If you are in the area, I sure hope you can make it.  You can read about it here.

But for today, the two big elm trees are getting trimmed and the girls are at the groomers. 

 The trees get trimmed once a year.  The girls get groomed once a month. 

Sewing next week.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn