Welcome 2010!

I really thought 2009 would bring a new addition to the studio.  It was such a good idea, adding on an extra 400 square ft. of working space.   I began to doubt it several months ago, when plans failed to arrive, deadlines weren't met, and frustrations began to build.  When the plans finally arrived, and the bids came in, the cost was outrageous.  Seems California will never change.  Things here cost more.  We haven’t learned a thing.  It’s a crazy business this one called construction.  Crazy. 

So we’ve said no to the addition with almost a sense of relief.  And now I start 2010 with a new goal; Learn to do with what I have and simplify my life. 

So welcome 2010!  Tomorrow I will greet you with open arms! 

Tonight I say goodbye to 2009 surrounded by the little blessings in my life!

  

And, as I listen to the fireworks going off outside, I realize I’m blessed to have an old dog who can no longer hear.  Sleep little Bitsy.  Tomorrow is a new year!

Happy 2010 Everyone! It’s going to be a good, good year!

 

Hugs,

 

Anne

Christmas Day

Christmas day brought turkey, stuffing and those oh so good mashed potatoes.   My son Doug and his fiancé Elke arrived from Germany on Christmas Eve.   Luggage was lost, but the Christmas spirit was not.  Lufthansa delivered the lost luggage to our house 6PM Christmas day!  They tried really hard to get it here, and we live a good hour 1/2 from the airport! 

 

The Christmas table was set by Doug and Elke.  The table cloth is a gift made by my friend Barbara, who blanket stitched trees, reindeer and Santa's around the border!   And, next to the adult table, was a special table for our grandkids…

That’s sparkling cider (not champagne) served in those Target polka dot glasses!  And do you recognize that little Target tree? 

And after dinner, we opened presents.  Elke tried on the robe we got her, and Chelsea tried on her new sweater.  Hummm, wonder who likes their present the best?

Hope your Christmas was wonderful!  Now it’s time to get organized.  I’ll be back with some tips to help just in case you’re in the organizing mood too! 

Hugs,

Anne

A Quilter’s Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!  Wishing you much happiness and joy during this holiday season.  For those of you who will celebrate alone this year, a special wish is coming your way for a wonderful Christmas day filled with hours of sewing fun and lots of Christmas movies!  You are never alone if you’re a quilter. We all share a common bond.

My friend Nancy sent me this poem, and took the pictures you see on this post.  I think we can all relate!

Twas the night before Christmas,
I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa
brought just for me..

Could it be fat quarters
or a pattern or lace?
Or a quilt kit, I said,
with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him,
"Hi Santa," I said
"You know....good little girls
should be in their beds ".

"I know I should Santa,
and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited
to see what you brought."

"Well, let's take a look
in this room where you work."
He shook his head quickly,
And left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough stuff, I'll see you next year!"
author unknown

May Santa be good to you this year!  Merry Christmas from Bunny Hill!

Hugs,

Anne

It’s that time of year

It’s been such a busy week! I’m not sure where it went, but it just flew by!  Seems the season gets busier every year!  School recitals, last minute gift purchases, wrapping presents, shopping list after shopping list, it’s crazy!  

Seems some of you have been busier than me!  I’ve already received pictures of finished A Tisket, A Tasket quilts!   Just look at these!

 

Amazing, don’t you agree? 

And now I’m off to my grand-daughter’s birthday party today!  This little cutie turned 8 this week.  Happy Birthday Alyssa!

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Hugs,

 

Anne

Oh Christmas Tree

I’ve always had a live tree.  It’s only in the past several years that we’ve gone to an artificial tree.  It’s against all my principles, but it’s necessary.  It’s an artificial tree, or no tree, it’s that simple.  The month gets shorter every year, and there’s never time now to get “Christmas” pulled together.  So I fill my tree with so many ornaments  you can hardly see the branches. Ahhh, but I miss the smell of pine! 

My tree is a happy one this year.  Must be because of these little red heads…

This little angel is perched in the branches, watching over the tree.  She’s new and she’s from Nordstrom! 

 

And the Allie dogs love their place among the ornaments…a pink Allie

… a gray “French General” Allie 

 

And isn’t that Henrietta Whiskers in my tree?  Can you see her?  She’s a little shy. 

 

 

My little feather tree sits in our family room and holds my childhood ornaments every year. 

 

And my sweet snow angel sits near a  container of ornaments.

 

And every year my special collection of teddy bears adorn the dining room.

 

One of these days I’m going to have a tree filled with bunnies.  Seems the right thing to do.  Of course I’ll have to get a live tree to celebrate!

Hugs,

 

Anne

Nordstrom cookbooks

Thank you to all the ladies who attended my class yesterday!  It was so much fun for me!  Amazing that everyone selected  a different fabric for the quilt!  That is truly a first for me! 

Everyone received a “Ritter Maker” from our very own Nancy Ritter!  Template plastic designed specifically to center yo-yo’s on the background blocks.   You place it on top of the background block, put a thin line of basting glue on the back of the yo-yo, center it in the Ritter Maker, press in place and remove the maker!   Has a scotch tape handle so you can pick it up!

Brigette made the Nordstrom white chocolate bread pudding.  Yummmmm!  Double baked, with shaved white chocolate and raspberry sauce.  Heaven.

Did you know that Nordstrom has cookbooks?  They publish, keep them for a bit and then retire them.  Makes me want them.  Want them enough to go shopping on Amazon to try and find the first one.   There are a total of 3 so far!  

 

You’ll find the bread pudding recipe in the “Friends and Family Cookbook,” online at Nordstrom!  Just do a search for cookbooks and you’ll see them!  These make great gifts for the cooks on your list. 

And Chickie this photo is for you…

These are from Target!  I was talking about the larger tree in class. Sold out in our area. Everywhere.  No trees to be found, and of course they are darling!  I have one of how many thousands do you think Target sold?

If you couldn’t come to class, you can still have bread pudding!  Let’s see, 4 cups cream, 18 eggs, and how much white chocolate?  Are you kidding?  Oh my!

Hugs,

Anne

It’s a party!

I’m off to teach at our local quilt store, Thimble Creek, today. I’m teaching Yoyoville, one of my favorite quilts! These little yo-yo’s are so much fun to make and after a few you’re in a party mood! Everyone is bringing a treat to share (something to eat ) and we’re going to have a party! I wish you all could come!

Do you realize Christmas is just two weeks from today? Two weeks! I’m not ready this year. Are you? Our house looks like Christmas, but I still have shopping to do and gifts to send off in the mail. At least for today I can forget the rush. I’ll be surrounded by quilters making yo-yo’s! What more can anyone ask for?

Chelsea and Bitsy did their shopping last night. Instead of gifts, they made a donation to Pilots N Paws! Did you see the story on CBS? These people pick up animals at overloaded shelters and FLY them to other shelters where they will have a better chance for adoption. My little girls dogs are really in the Christmas spirit!

Have a great day everyone! I’ll be back with more Christmas photos. Right after I get my shopping done!

Hugs,

Anne

Moving onto Christmas

While you were out shopping, going to holiday parties, or sewing those last minute gifts, I was surrounded by computers.    Bunny Hill became “networked” over the weekend and it wasn’t fun.  A love/hate relationship for sure!  I got a little sidetracked from decorating, so back to Christmas…

Remember the picture of the snowmen in front of the vintage dough bowl?

Here’s a peek inside the bowl! 

It’s filled with silver and pink Christmas balls with a few pinecone balls for texture. 

Filled is actually an understatement. 

The bowl is a large size and it took about 8 boxes of  ornaments to fill it. 

Using the containers you already have is a quick way to decorate for Christmas.  Fill those wood bowls, glass jars and baskets with anything Christmas! 

  

Pink is a basic for my decorating, but then I mix in a lot of brown, red, white and silver.

Look around your house.  Do you have containers waiting to be filled?  Put a little Christmas in them!

Hugs,

Anne

Block Twelve

I just can’t believe a year has gone by since we started “A Tisket A Tasket”!  A year!  And here we are at block number 12!  I started with a snowman and I’m ending with a snowman (ok, a snowlady).  Welcome December! 

I can’t wait to see all of the finished quilts! Take a peek at all of the blocks in my Flickr group!  So many of you have made me smile and I’ve loved seeing your work! I hope you’ll add pictures of your finished quilts!  I’ll be checking in to see them. And keep posting your blocks as you finish them.  I’ll be looking at those too!

And finally, I can show you my finished version of  the appliqué and redwork quilts!

See the rick rack in the binding?  I’ll be posting a tutorial “how to” soon, so please check back!

And the redwork!  Ohhhh, sweet embroidery!

As for next year, did you think I would just drop all of of you cold?  You, my blog readers?  My favorite people in the world?  You’ll be getting a little treat every month in 2010, starting in January. 

As always, you can see the wool version of block 12 over at Cottons ‘n Wool.  The finished quilt will be coming soon!  Anne’s waiting for flannel to arrive! That’s right, we decided to go with flannel for the sashing.  It’s going to be so cute!

If  you’d like to purchase wool to make your own wool quilt, I found the best web site for you!  Woolies will love The Wool Basket!   I’m sure I could spend some time and money in this shop.

Happy December 5th everyone!  I feel like a grand reunion should be on the agenda in 2010 LOL!

Hugs,

Anne

Glitter Me Pink

I had such good intentions.  I purchased special German glass glitter, made a Bitty Lamb from French General linen, and set about to make a pink glittered lamb.

I think I’m better at appliqué.   Here’s how she’s supposed to look, powder puff white, sweet and innocent…

Here she is in linen.  Still pretty cute and certainly innocent. There’s the bag of glass glitter…

Now add the glue.  Glue + glitter = mess.  Bad, bad stuff!  Glue is sticking to my fingers, the lamb is sticking to my fingers and the glitter sticks to any darn thing it wants to.

Had I thought this out I might have done something with those buttons before I started with the darn glitter. 

Not my best work.  I’m in awe of those of you who can make glittered treasures.   For my little ornament,  here’s the story I’ll tell:  She’s a very old lamb, belonged to my grandmother (I know, those awful buttons), and over the years she’s lost a bit of glitter.  She’s worn, but still has a special place on our tree every year.  We’ll never give her up. 

   

More decorations to come… 

 

Hugs,

Anne