As I sit here sipping my cup of coffee and organizing my files in my computer, I found this email and thought this little verse was appropriate for our 2010 Tea And Coffee Quilt Along. Of course my email had music added and it was beautiful...sorry I do not know how to add music to a blog (yet) as I have heard several. But right now this early in the morning 'slience is golden' as I organize my thoughts FOR TODAY...may your day be blessed too. Please have an oatmeal cookie...they have zero calories. (C:

I've never made a fortune,
And it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,

I'm happy anyhow
And I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Haven't got a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough
But I've got loving ones all around me,
And that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
And the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
And the sun peeped through again.

So Lord, help me not to gripe,
About the tough rows I have hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
When the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
To help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

- source unknown...(if anyone knows who composed this article, please contact owner of this blog and I will assign where credit is due...thank you)

BUNNY HILL'S Jumping for JOY "SNOWBOUND " Project

Anne Sutton from Bunny Hill Designs has done it again! She is offering another year of fun and free patterns! Not only does Anne design wonderful quilts, she runs a business, and composes a fabulous blog! What a doll she is! If you are ready to be inspired in 2010, please check some of Anne's posts!

I had so much fun stitching the "A Tisket a Tasket" BOM in 2009 and was thinking I was going to be enduring applique withdrawl in 2010 , but Anne generously is offering FREE patterns again. And the blocks are entitled "Snowbound"...and who does not like snowmen? Well I think Anne will feature more than this one snowman (or snow 'lady') in her BOM project, don't you?

I had purchased approximately six pieces of snow related fabrics on SALE, and have decided I had better use for this fabric ASAP, as my stash need NOT grow any more. The price was right at 65% discount. And the weather has been frightful here with frigid, record-breaking temperatures...perfect for my diving right in and completing my first block. After experiencing some disappointment in adding the sashing and border to my TAT blocks, I was intending on taking a break from these blocks, but I am addicted especially to the hand applique sttiching. I find this most relaxing and therapeutic...also because my sewing machine is too antiquated and does not have a blanket stich option.

I feel this block is very different from my previous blocks as I chose a dark fabric as I just could not see myself stitching a snowman on the lighter backgrounds...here she is. Guess it is difficut to determine the sex of snowflakes, but the pink heart buttons are rather are giveaway, don't you think? And I have learned how to line my lighter pieces in this block, therefore the snow lady is warm and cozy with her doubly lined coat. But then who has ever heard of a snow person getting cold?

I think I am going to have a riot doing this quilt! As once I post my photo on Flickr, one tends automatically meets many fun and talented quilters. And what happens when a bunch of snowflakes stick together? One gets snow people of course....SEW if you like snowman and sewing, please come join the fun!

BLUE Tuesday Morning!

Brrr...this is the scene out my window these days...(with a little help from my photo editor, of course)

How does anyone else feel motivated on a cold day like this? Here in "Winterpeg", it is not even seven in the morning and I have already exhausted visiting all my FAVORITE blogs which inspire me! Nothing NEW is posted yet as everyone is still sleeping, in bed where I would also be, but a head ache forced me to stumble out of bed to ingest some aspirins about an hour ago...but I can still type, so those aspirins are helping! Now if only, I felt like doing something productive...and what is that you ask?

I was having disastrous results with finishing the border and sashing on my 2009 A Tisket a Tasket quilt and feel I have to put that project on the back burner for awhile...but yesterday I just couldn't wait any longer and have started another project, Anne Sutton's "Snowbound"!!! I just had to start using that fabric. Not only was the price right, but it all needed 'fondling' badly! Needless to say I am wondering if every project I have started recently is using BLUE fabric!!! Perhaps the block I started also has the Monday morning 'blues', although I do intend to change that soon! I am trying something different this time! Using darker background fabric as I just did not like my white snowman on an off white background.

However, it is Tuesday today and I always look forward to the 'New Topic Tuesday' Jeanne has posted for our group, that is the 2010 TEA and COFFEE QUILT ALONG! Yes, the group's members have found all kinds of links for FREE patterns too and have posted photos on Flickr of their creative works! That reminds me, have I already posted a blog of my first block?

Jeanne's ideas have been wonderful and has our entire group buzzing with discussions and excitement...and that reminds me, if you want to join a FUN and TALENTED (hmm...do I humble myself here?) group, LOVE tea or coffee themed projects, this group may be the 'cup of tea' for you! It is FREE to join! Sit down with your cuppa and check us out HERE! I have some new ideas "BREWING' on the back burner, but hopefully new ideas will be HOT soon....that is if my brain does not remain dormant...after all I did feel like hibernating this winter!

If you are not into quilting, how about embroidery as our group members do this too! In fact I am considering doing some emboridery for my next block. It all depends what my mind construes for an idea to portray JOY!

Trusting you all have a wonderful day...and week and please return to check my blog or bookmark these links for more browsing! I promise to have more photos soon...oops that reminds me...I also signed up for a Beaded Journal Project as I love bead work...hmmm...I do think I have enough WIP'S for 2010 already and it is only the second week in January!

PS. I just knew Jeanne would post her new Topic Tuesday for something to read...and I see she has posted it! This gal not only quilts beautifully, she is quite a writer also!

PS...and if your day is BLUE, try CHOCOLATE!

JOY AND HAPPINESS!

Chocolate is proof God wants us to be happy. - Flickr site

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Chocolate....it's not just for breakfast anymore!

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Equal arts of light and dark chocloate make a balanced diet.

As the year ends

It seems as each year ends,
I look back and think of my friends,
What I did right what I did wrong,
Who came into my life and who is gone.

But every year there are those who remain,
Looking only for friendship nothing else to gain,
They have stayed by me through good and bad,
Smiled when I am happy held me when I've been sad.
After so many years you begin to realize,
That a friend is life's greatest prize,
Not the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow,
That we seem to seek where ever we go.

So as I grow older and begin another New Year's Day,
I will thank God for those friends He sent my way,
And my New Years resolution will always be,
To thank Him again for every breath of life He's given me.

Then I will pray He will show me the way,
Give me the wisdom and guide me through each day,
And most of all at the end of each year,

Keep by me those friends I will always hold so dear,
And as I make new friends I'll treasure the old,
For the first are silver the latter is gold.

My First Block for 2010 Tea and Coffee Quilt Along

I forgot to add the button before taking this picture without button. Yes, I designed this...even did the writing. It was't that easy to do everything with needle turn applique, but I really started enjoying it after my 'mystery' quilt I sewed New Year's Day was finished. I first intended a bird to be sitting on top of the gift teapot, with the bird tying the ribbon, but when I enlarged my original pattern for the teapot, I also enlarged the bow, and did not leave enough room for the bird...of course I had to rip and make new smaller bow. My husband liked the 'Christmas' bird, so I chose a dove to fly instead of sit on the package..(C:....but then there was not enough room above the teapot but I added the 'peace' writing. Now I have found a theme for my blocks as each month will have a different 'theme'...guess what the theme for February will be? January's block is a surprise...still need to be inpsired but ideas are starting. I have lots of ideas for 'summer' blocks so may do summer block next, but then who knows how many times I may change my mind.

Return of the Wonderful One-Day New Years Mystery! - I DID IT!

Here is my Mystery Quilt I sewed January 1, 2010. I decided to do it after all! I am pretty happy with the end result. It is lap quilt size, that is 42 inches by 54 inches. (approximately eight hours of cutting and sewing); I would definitely do this again!

On Friday, January 1, 2010, Planet Patchwork once again hosted one of its most popular events, the Wonderful One-Day Mystery. This much-anticipated day-long quilt project featured Inspector Merry Mayhem's newest mystery offering, "Have a Nice Trip."

If you haven't participated in one of our mysteries before, here's how it worked. Planet Patchwork posted, in advance, the fabric requirements, cutting instructions, and general information to get me started before mystery day. I had time to raid my stash or visit several local quilt shops to purchase the fabric and tools I needed. However, I did not cut the pieces for the quilt before hand, since this seems to be the most time-consuming part of the process. I did everything today and wished I were more organized to have done before hand.

Then today at noon, my husband went to see his grand children, as he was warned I may sew, so shortly after he left, I got busy! It was too COLD out to venture any where! Minus 32 Celsius!Planet Patchwork Mystery Quilt was in my plans!

Now, where did I save the link to the site...and after five or ten minutes, I successfully performed a Google 'mystery quilt search and found it!!!!

HELP! Very organized mystery installments were posted and I was already behind by two installments! Each webpage or if you preferred to use, PDF files explained construction of the quilt top without revealing what the final product would look like. I was able to see the design unfold as I proceeded.

After cutting and sewing almost steadily for six hours or so, I became tired and my shoulders and neck were sore. At the end of the day, I ALMOST had a lap quilt top....

I know I won't have to set my alarm clock for tomorrow as my dear husband is usually up and clanging the coffee pot around six or seven, so I will be awake early in the morning to sew the remaining two strips and the two panels at the top and bottom of the quilt...but do I dare photo as I have a friend who wants to do this project too, and I do not feel it would be fun to reveal the mystery design AFTER she has a chance to make hers....after all not knowing what the final design is is part of the fun! Now to finish at my leisure with backing, batting, and quilting stitches.

The day is also accompanied by a chat room where mystery quilters can compare notes and talk to the mystery designer, Merry May. I was too late to qualify for the door prizes given throughout the day through random drawings, however will be sure to register early in advance for their next mystery quilt featured at different times annually.

After mystery day, participants can post photos of finished tops at Planet Patchwork's Flickr site. You can see examples of previous mysteries in the beautiful galleries that are posted there. Please have a look!

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