December Monthly Mini

 I just love to wander through antique/junk shops. I can't afford to collect antique quilts, but I'm always looking at textiles and once in a while I find a little treasure. This little gem was sitting in a plastic bag in one of favorite stores just waiting for me to find it. My guess is that it was hand stenciled back in the 1980's when this was a popular thing to do. All it needed was a little light cleaning and some hand quilting and voila! It measures 6 3/4" x 8 1/4". I thought it had a holiday feeling so I chose to finish it for December. 

 

 

It is with heavy heart that I have decided to stop my monthly mini postings. I still plan to make minis whenever the mood strikes and I hope that you all will continue as well. I want to thank everyone of you who have participated over the last five (yes 5!) years. I have enjoyed seeing every single one of them. Maybe one of you would like to carry on the tradition?? If so, I would be a happy follower! 

Enjoy the offerings of our fellow mini makers! And I wish you a very Happy Healthy New Year!

Quilting Babcia (Amity Quilter)

Randy (Barrister’s Block)

Cathy (Big Lake Quilter) 

Cyndi (Busy Thimble)

Grace (City Mouse Quilter)

Barb (Fun with Barb)

Gladi (Gladi’s Quilts)

Shasta (High Road Quilter)

Nancy (Joy For Grace)

Joy (Joyful Quilter)

Julie (Julie K Quilts)

Kathy (Kathy’s Quilts)

Katy (Katy Quilts)

Sandy (My Material Creations)

Meredithe (Pomegranate and Chintz)

Angie (Quilting on the Crescent)

Barbara (Quilts, Gravestones and Elusive Ancestors)

Janet (Rogue Quilts)

The Remains of the Day

 I must confess that lately my normally bubbly "can do" attitude has lost its fizz. It came to a head yesterday when I wanted to Zoom with friends and just couldn't manage it. The plasma infusion the day before had zapped all my energy. So... as I started my little pity party about the things I cannot do right now, then I picked up pen and paper and started a list of things I am thankful for.

I am thankful that I was able to attend my local quilt group meeting a few weeks ago. I had not been since May and it was so good to see everyone! We exchanged Christmas postcards. This is the little one I made.

And this is the one I got made by Nell.

That is my friend Jennifer next to me who had a big show and tell. She cut her long hair really short and it was a hoot for her to reveal it by taking off her Santa hat! My friend Kathy finished quilting my Betsey Chutchian circles quilt. She did an amazing job!!

I was finally able to hand this over to my friend Sharon who will take it to a deserving patient at the infusion center. 

I am also thankful that I was able to spend a few hours with my Seven Sistahs last week. We had such fun. We exchanged gifts and every one of them was so unique. Including my "glass bacon" ornament from Susie Karen.

They all joke about my love of bacon and this will now have a place of honor on my tree. Karen showed her amazing quilt that she started in one of the recent workshops. Look at those circling geese!

Tina showed us this fabulous top made entirely of leftovers.

And this one boggles my mind.

She took the cutoff pieces of my "Dear Jane" failed border and made the most beautiful design for the center.

So creative! of course there is never enough food at our gatherings...

I am thankful that my blog book will cost a whole lot less this year! Every year I use "Blog to Print" and make a book of all my blog posts. It is fun to look back through the year in one easy volume. This year's will be skinny and "cheap" to print! 

I am thankful that I am able to now sit and sew most days. I have to limit it to 15 to 20 minutes at a time in between rests, but I am very thankful to be back in the sewing saddle! 

And, most of all I am thankful for a wonderful family and network of friends who have been with me every step of the way. I feel better already!! 

Enjoy your day and hope you find lots of things to be thankful for!