2012 in review.... additional projects

I didn't just make quilts in 2012! Here are a few of the other things I made this year, bags, aprons, mug rugs, stockings, pillows and a dress! I didn't crochet a lot this year, but I did finish up some dishcloths and my fusion blanket. I love variety! It's fun for me to make lots of different things each year.

Christmas 2012

We had a lovely Christmas at the Z house. Doctor Ally received her first real stethoscope (which she promptly tested on the dog! Good news. Lexi has a heartbeat) and Steve was happy with lots of movie posters for his apartment...

I was completely spoiled by Santa and everyone else. Two beautiful necklaces to wear. The first sweet hubby ordered from The Rusted Chain, love their stuff! And the second, the adorable sewing machine, came from Leigh Anne in Arizona...

 There were other goodies too... more charms for my pandora bracelet, gift cards, books to read, calendars. Mom and Dad sent me this beautiful sewing basket that Mom and I found on a shopping adventure in Prescott last month. Dad fixed the little foot on the bottom so it doesn't rock anymore....

 They also sent the scrumptious box of Gutterman threads. Santa filled my stocking with sewing goodies too, so I tucked those into the basket.

I got some quilting/sewing books....

The first two from Santa (I WILL figure out how to free motion quilt this year!) the Liberty book from my sewing/shopping buddy Joellen and the beautiful Australia wildflower calendar and stitching book from blogging buddy Maria.

We had a little Texas surprise in the afternoon as our rain showers turned to snow. A white Christmas! I was glad I didn't need to leave the house, it's pretty from the windows but I have no desire to go out in it.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too!

2012 in review... mini quilts

I made quite a few minis this year. Many were for friends.... the believe quilt for my secret sister at church, several with embroidery for bloggy friends and my quilt guild secret pal. Some were to learn new techniques.... 2 twister minis, a double disappearing nine patch and my london quilt with twilling. I love to make minis because they are quick! I see more mini quilts in my future...

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful friends in blogland. God bless you and your families as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

2012 review... large quilts

I think it's safe to say I won't be cranking out any more big quilts in 2012! Here are most of the ones I completed this year. A very productive year if I may say so myself! AND I actually kept some of these for myself, which is rare. 

I learned some new techniques this year (like making crumb blocks in the last quilt on the top row), participated in some fun block swaps (Kaffe 9 patches in the second row, red and cream and lime and gray, in the bottom row), and completed some blocks of the month and challenge quilts (Birdie stitches in the top row and ticker tape blocks on the bottom).

It's always fun to look back at the end of the year and see what I have accomplished! 

learning to sew, the ongoing story

My young friends came to sew yesterday. I didn't get any action shots but I did get some pictures of their lovely pincushions.

 I let them dig through my scrap drawer and choose 2 1/2 inch squares for the top and big squares for the bottom. And then, of course, they got into my buttons! They also enjoyed "posing" their pincushions for the photo shoot....

 while they were digging in the scrap drawer, I did a little digging of my own. I had seen this pillow online and decided my house needed a similar one. It would have been so much easier to strip piece it, but I began with 2 1/2 inch squares so mine took a little while but I am really happy with it. I was able to feature some bigger squares of my Australian Christmas fabric too. I kinda-sorta straight line quilted the pillow topper. It's a little wonky but I like it. So there.

It's great to have all of my Christmas gifts done and mailed so I can just take a day out and sew something fun for me!

changes...

You might notice some changes here on the blog. I've had a little help redecorating! And even better... I have a new logo and a website! That's right... ellyn's place is up and running. Go ahead, check it out. I'll wait right here until you get back....

What do you think? I'm happy to have all of my sites linked up in one spot. Much thanks to Jordan Johnson, my new webmaster. If anyone would like her contact info just leave me a message here or pop me an email and I will put you in touch with her.

I have big plans for ellyn's place in 2013. I hope you'll all come along for the ride!