Merry Christmas to All!

Is it really Christmas already?  Tanya and I have been overwhelmed and worn out over the last month, burning the candle at both ends.  Tanya's mother had surgery, in which her foot was amputated and she lives a 4 hour drive from where the hospital is, but we live only 30 minute drive and as such we were the only family near her.  We spent more time then we had anticipated visiting and comforting her.  The plan originally was for 3 days at the hospital and 2-3 weeks in rehab and then back to her home.

Well after just a few days at rehab, she decided she was not getting waited on enough and she talked us into staying at our house for a week.  Oh boy did that put a monkey wrench into our family Christmas plans.  Well my mother in law is now back home and doing well. Both Tanya and I are exhausted.  Don't take this wrong, I love my mother in law, but I am so glad she is back home. I am tired, but it was great to let Grandma spend some quality time with our kids, which she is not able to see as often as she would like.

So your wondering what I am making with my cool Architectures bundle from Carolyn Friedlander.  I did not get the full bundle above, but I did get 17 of the 21 prints (its all I could find and I just had to have them).  You might wonder what would I do with such a pile of wonderfulness and well I am glad you asked.

This is the pattern I would use, but not exact order.  Last week I was pointed to a neat program called FabLib that helps to import fabric swatches into my EQ7 app.  You might be saying at this point not fair Richard got all the fun stuff.  I did good this year getting Tanya presents.

I bought Tanya Pieces of Hope a Riley Blake Design.  We have 2 Autistic Children so this one hit home for us I look forward to seeing what Tanya makes with this.  I did not stop there though I also got her another surprise.  She likes Me and My Sister Designs and I bought her a Fat 1/8 bundle of Ticklish.

Me and my family will now just take the rest of the day easy.  I do plan though to try to make a sword from  James pattern as I also got the material for it this last week.  Have a fun and safe day.

As for Julia today she got a walker/baby stroller and is cruising the house.

Link A Finish Friday #46

These are the first 2 of many 12 day wall hanging that our family is making for gifts for Christmas.  We wanted to make 40+ of them but we are running out of time we have these 2 completed and about 10 basted and another 5-6 tops completed.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is now time for Link A Finish Friday.  Today I would like to start with a big thank you to Fat Quarter Shop who has offered to Sponsor our Link A Finish Friday with Prizes.  This month's winner (December) will win a $15 gift certificate to spend on Fat Quarter Shop.

Please remember to thank our sponsor by visiting their store at http://www.fatquartershop.com/ their blog http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FatQuarterShop

Baby Quilt from A Flower Blooms in the City

Scrappy Tea Towels from The Crafting Fiend

Hexagon Shell Pouch from Handmade by Farah Lin

Quick Quilt from thREDhead

Are 4 of the the items linked up last week.  Link up yours and lets see what you have been making.

So for the rules.

1) Who likes rules. Toss them out.

2) Add a link to your finish blog or where ever you show off your finishes (Not limited to quilts but I like them the most).
3) Visit a few of the finishes and comment or encourage them on.
4) Monthly random winner picked from all of the months linkups to $15 gift card from Fat Quarter Shop.

Not required but fun to do

1) Follow my blog.
2) Follow the blog of all those that link.
3) Link back to my blog.
4) No finish, go quilt and stop reading the web.

Sword and Shield Paper Pieced I need help!

My son would like me to make the following sword and shield quilt and has created 2 paper pieced patterns.  I tried to make the shield but it was too hard for me.  Since neither James or I have experience with paper pieced things we need to know if the pattern is too complicated.  The material we ordered for the sword showed up today so I have not yet tried that but it seems much less complicated so should be easy I think to make.

Sword Pattern 

Shield Pattern 

(Tanya laughed at me Shield is spelled wrong on our pattern, So no laughing.  No I mean it No Laughing.)

Here is a mock up of the quilt.  We have bought material just nee help advice so we can make the quilt.  If any of you have experience in paper piecing we could use your help.

If any one is interested in trying to make either of the swords or shields I was thinking I could collect donation blocks and make a quilt (assuming I get enough blocks) for the Autism School that Jared goes too (and James went too) for their auction in March.  If your interested in making one or more blocks to donate  let me know.  If you just want to make one and send us a picture that would be great too (with any suggestions to improve pattern if you have any)

So any way this is my Quilting Challenge if any one wants to take me up on it?

Here is a list of all those that have contacted me with completed blocks.
Fun Threads Designs Sword and Shield Completed

12 Days of Joy at Christmas

I finished quilting the first of my 12 days wall hangings.  The 12 days before Christmas is our kids favorite time of year.  We pick 3 family's each year to giveaway too.  We have done this for 5-6 years now.  We give gifts each day for the 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve (Christmas is for family's so we end the day before).  Each year we have picked completely different family s last year we picked 2 next door neighbors which is difficult as we do a sorta ding dong ditch delivery method (up tell the last day) then on Christmas eve we deliver a bigger gift with my whole family and put the kids (we generally pick family's with younger kids) out of their misery if they have not already caught us.  They can finally see who has been bringing them treasures.  This year one of our gifts will be the 12 days wall hanging.  We made it out of non Christmas material so it would be appropriate to leave it up all year and to help that family enjoy the gift of giving.

So today is our 3rd day.  Yesterday we had some wrapping paper and bows.  The first day this year we gave some Christmas dishtowels.  So what you ask is tonight?  I am not sure my wife has a box that she loads up all year with "12 days gifts" we start buying the leftover Christmas stuff when it goes on sell the week after Christmas at a killer deal.

So why do I tell you all about this?  I want you to understand my desire to give at Christmas.  So what do I want you to do?  Pick a friend or even a enemy that is feeling a little down this Christmas and do something special for them.  If not for your own desire do it for me.  As I can only do 3 family's a year we set that limit years ago.

Jared made another treat that I promised to share so here it is.

If you are interested in commenting to me today I am interested in family traditions.  I have every year since I was married visited the lights on Temple Square here in Salt Lake City.  It is a fantastic view if you have never seen it.  I would like to add new traditions to my family but I don't have any great ideas do you?

If you are interested you can find more of my Temple Square pictures here.

Link A Finish Friday #45

This week and last week has been busy and with 2 giveaways I am behind (and sick) which means my post is going live a few hours after normal.  Good news though our Blog Hop Party with Giveaway is still open
so if you have not entered you still can.  Above though you can see Rebecca's Pillowcase finish using our new serger she was so proud of her sewing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is now time for Link A Finish Friday.  Today I would like to start with a big thank you to Fat Quarter Shop who has offered to Sponsor our Link A Finish Friday with Prizes.  This month's winner (December) will win a $15 gift certificate to spend on Fat Quarter Shop.

Please remember to thank our sponsor by visiting their store at http://www.fatquartershop.com/ their blog http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FatQuarterShop

Nine Patch with Applique from Loose Threads

Star Wars From Sami's Quilts & Crafts

A Christmas Quilt from Needles, Pins and Baking Tins

Are 3 of the the items linked up last week.  Link up yours and lets see what you have been making.

So for the rules.

1) Who likes rules. Toss them out.

2) Add a link to your finish blog or where ever you show off your finishes (Not limited to quilts but I like them the most).
3) Visit a few of the finishes and comment or encourage them on.
4) Monthly random winner picked from all of the months linkups to $15 gift card from Fat Quarter Shop.

Not required but fun to do

1) Follow my blog.
2) Follow the blog of all those that link.
3) Link back to my blog.
4) No finish, go quilt and stop reading the web.