LITTLE FUN TODAY

I was in a TJMAXX store earlier this week killing time between a dentist appt. and an eye Dr. appt. who are right across the road from each other. I did not want to go home and then come back again so I went shopping. Last spring Karla from Karlas cottage had a swap with the Alice in Wonderland theme. I was in it and received some really neat tags. We sent in 6 and receved 6 plus Karla set it up as a book with the cover page designed by her. She is a beautiful artist and it was really great. Well what did I spy but this tin and thought isn't that cute but when I picked it up it was heavy. Inside was a mug and a coaster. The whole thing was only 6.99 so the child in me said "buy it". I will take it to Florida and sit in the sunroom drinking tea from my new mug. Apparently they made a lot of different things including a little tea service according to the book inside. That would be sweet for a child's gift.

I am off to Colorado on thurs. morning to the CQI retreat in Estes Park with Cathy K, Leslie E. and 17 others. There are 20 of us all together. It should be a fun time - no set classes or teachers - just us gals and will help with whatever we know if someone wants to learn something. Most of these gals have blogs so it is going to be fun meeting all these gals who I feel I already know. I am flying home Mon. afternoon. It has been 90 in denver so hope it cools down a bit by the weekend.

I have been cooking up a storm for Harv. plus both Sue & Mike are within 10 minutes of us if he needs help. They will be checking on him every day as I will long distance. Just hope our cell phones work out there.

I am not taking my laptop so this will be my last post until I get back. Hugs Freda

THE WINNER IS -

I added up the number of comments I received after the first posting and at breakfast asked Harv to pick a number. He said 23 and that was my sweet friend PAT WINTER.

Pat is a very giving person and always gives very generously so it is nice to be able to send this to her. I will get to the post office Mon. or Tues. and I do have your address.

Now back to finishing 25 match boxes for a Christmas swap I am in.

GIVEAWAY REMINDER

Just a reminder that the giveaway of the needlecase and sewing items ends tomorrow night. I will pick a winner Sat. morning.

LAST FOUR BLOCKS

here are the last 4 blocks from the Christmas tree skirt I just finished.

CHRISTMAS TREE BLOCKS

There are 8 squares sewn together. I normally would put a tassel on the end of each point but they have cats and Jeana said the cats wouldn't leave the tassels alone. They also have 2 large collie dogs. Beauties.

Also I will enter the skirt again and hope they do not switch it sideways. Was a wonky picture. Well still wonky - I give up.

Remember to comment on the GIVEAWAY I showed on Sept. 16th. that will end this Fri. night.

CHRISTMAS TREE SKIRT

Yesterday I finished my son & DIL's crazy quilt skirt. this is the third I have made and the last. I made mine which is a larger, different pattern one and my oldest son and his wife wanted one but I said it would have to be smaller. I found this pattern and made them one a couple of years ago. My middle son & DIL asked if I would make them one (at least she did) and so I made another one. My daughter will get mine - the first one - with all the family mementos on it in the next year or two as we are now staying in Florida for Chiristmas and I have just a small tree.

I will show the finished one today and then show closeups of the 8 blocks over the next couple of days.

GOOD NEWS & CENTER

I just received a phone call from the cardiologist group where Harv had the stress test and another Dr. called to say that it was just fine. So now we can go along as usual. What the blip was they don't know and after all the tests and blood work we will just not worry about it.

I am posting a picture of what I am going to use as the centre of my butterfly quilt. She will be attached to a good piece of muslin before I start work on her and then will eventually be attached to the background diamond shape surrounded by the four beaded corners. I am going to use beads to highlight her wings and some silk ribbon to highlight the grasses at the bottom. I have also dyed a large lace motif to wrap up one side. Will have to wait until she is done to see if that will look good or nI did not want to use a butterfly as I did not follow their pattern except for the layout which I liked. Every block will be surrounded by black. Hope you like my gal. She will be a full siz 8 1/2 by 11 pic.