CHRISTMAS TREASURES

I have been helping my Brother-in-law, Gary, downsize

his 5,000 sq ft house.  Last fall his wife, Leah, of 30+ years

lost her battle with cancer.  He is 82, rattling around

this huge place, suffers with some stroke disabilities

 and is totally overwhelmed!

Kathy and Phil to the rescue!

When GARY mentioned a CHRISTMAS ROOM that needed

attention, Mrs. Claus was really excited to get started

on a room full of holiday goodies.

This vintage paper mache Santa was one of the first items

 I found and decided he should live with ME!

I just love the uniqueness he brings with his brown

paper bag and those eyes!

I also kept this this ornament tree.

I have often thought about making one.

Now, I don't have to.

And lastly. I couldn't resist this white (fake) feather tree.

I will find a very special place for it.

The downsizing in this room was no easy task.

It took me 2, 5 hour visits JUST to sort the CHRISTMAS stuff.

I found lots items to be donated.

I took 2 car loads like this to charity.

I had to sort thru all this and decide what goes where.

My sister's church in Marion, OH will be decking their halls.

with lots of ornaments

Glitsy garlands

All these large red bells will look pretty

hanging outside the white church.

My 80 yo sister hasn't had a Christmas tree

 in forever. So she will have first pick of everything.

I found these stockings and suggested to sis, she keep one 

and give the others to her friends, as Christmas gift. 

 I found  stocking hangers...for the stockings!

And the holiday happiness goes on and on!

The 3 large bins go to the church.

The 2 small bins, to my sister.

This tree remains at Gary's house.

I may bring this home to put in my great room

I have a Scottish Theme tree and I believe

all my decor will POP on this neutral color tree.

If you know me at all, you know

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I believe in paying it forward.

And with this effort, I believe Leah will be pleased

that many people will continue to love

the Christmas she left behind.

GENDER NEUTRAL BABY QUILT

I had a plan to make this for someone's baby

but found a quilt already made, that was perfect.

Still, I finished the quilt and will hold it for

a future baby.  It has all the makings of a wonderful

gender neutral quilt.  All the fabrics are from my stash.

I decided to make a disappearing 9-patch.

Make a 9-patch block

then the 9-patch disappears

when you cut those blocks into 4ths,

flip them around and sew back together.

I love having custom labels to attach to my quilts.

My name, my business name and the year the quilt is made. 

I had some pieces left over so

I made a horizontal strip to put in the backing.

It turned out so great and I am

ahead on the possibility of gifting this

to a new baby!

MODERNLY AMISH?

When I travel to Amish Country, in Holmes County Ohio

I don't expect to find anything "modern".

Once in awhile a fabric might catch my eye.

til one day...this past October

I stopped at a shop I have heard of for many years.

Mostly as a Bernina repair shop, not much fabric.

It was bigger than I thought and lots of Bernina's greeted me as I entered.

More fabric than I expected.

THEN I made a sharp left and saw the newly built classroom

It was FULL of modern quilts!.

Sassafras Lane Designs...quilts all over the walls!

This quilt is made using the Cadence Court pattern

This pattern is Arcadia Avenue

This pattern is Euclid Avenue and  was done in many variations.

And a few by the talented

Krista Moser, The Quilted Life

And I bought this pattern to bring home

It uses 2 1/2" strips and I have plenty of those!

Mapleton Avenue

I was so excited to find a modern heart beat in

the middle of traditional Amishland.

I hope this was NOT just part of the shop hop!

In any case, I was thrilled.  

COUNTRY CHARM...INDEED!

I always like to find a new LQS.

And when I do I ask the owners, if I can take pictures

and blog about the shop.

THIS was such a fun place!

Country Charm Fabrics in

Jeromesville, OH

(also new to this BUCKEYE Gal)

I saw this book and almost bought it...

but Santa likes to bring me fun gifts.

And of course...I scoped out the GRUNGE!

It was a shop hop weekend and the demo was 

a Dresden Plate specialty ruler.

I don't like Dresden Plates or Specialty Rulers...

so I shopped for fabric.

I love the Santa ....SWELL line of fabrics.

I am collecting them.

But what I bought was a couple red and white fabrics

that will work well for bindings.

AND we got the free bag for the shop hop!

Winter Hours are now in play.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10-4

Saturdays by appointment.

Go to their website or google, for directions.

GREAT-GREAT BABY BOY!

My niece, Lisa Smith, is gonna be a Grandma.

When she mentioned that to me, 

I decided my great-great nephew

would need a quilt.  

I have had this gender neutral quilt

for a while and it was a perfect choice.

The pattern is called Flip Side

by Rachel Griffith Designs.

It finished at 36" x 48"

A perfect baby quilt in sew many ways.

Trees and mushrooms with green, gray and yellow. 

And the back is just as cute as the front.

When I get a photo of baby and quilt...

I will be sure to post!