Sewing Christmas Giveaway!

I decided to combine this month's "Sewing Christmas" and my 600th post celebration into a giveaway!  Thank you to all of you who have joined me in the monthly sewing for Christmas and have linked your wonderful creations to my blog.  So what's the giveaway you ask?

31 - 8x8 squares of novelty Christmas fabric (all with a retro feel)

5 - 20ish" x 45" pieces of additional novelty Christmas fabric (yes, with a retro feel)

1 - "Get red, red, ready for Christmas" book by Natalie Ross

and some additional surprise goodies from me!

To enter, leave me a comment on this post by midnight December 1.  Tell me your favorite Christmas carol.  My international readers are included as well!  To see what I have created with this fabric, click on my flickr photos.  I used it to make a throw size quilt using a snowball block.  For additional inspiration, see this quilt below...

Source: diaryofaquilter.com via Renee on Pinterest

Next month, on the third Monday, we will have our final "Sewing Christmas".  Thank you for joining me through 600 posts and being such a wonderful part of my day!

Many blessings,

Sunday Scripture

Source: homegrownhospitality.typepad.com via Renee on Pinterest

With joy,

Simple Joy

All it took was an old mason jar,

some leftover batting,

and a $4.99 little tree to make

a pretty Christmas decoration!

Smiles,

With Gratitude

photo from twocrazycrafters

Wishing all of you a most blessed Thanksgiving

with family and friends!

Thank you for inspiring me to do better, be

better, create and explore possibilities.

Many of you have become more than blogging

friends, you are sisters in this journey.

Asking God to touch your lives in a special

way today.  To God be the glory!

Love,

Pondering Thanksgiving

photo by Emily Barney

"It is therefore recommended...to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the services of their divine benefactor."

~ Samuel Adams, First Official Thanksgiving Proclamation        

Words to ponder as we prepare,

It's Almost Here

Source: madewithloveby.me via Renee on Pinterest

Today I'm finishing the grocery list,

baking bread,

chasing dust bunnies,

thawing the turkey

and thinking of you doing the same!

Sending love your way!

Smiles,

Sunday Scripture

"Therefore, since we have a high priest who has

gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For

we do not have a high priest who is unable to

sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have

one who has been tempted in every way, just as we

are-yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the

throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive

mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Hebrews 4:14-16

With joy,

Field of Violets

photo found on flickr

"Forgiveness is the fragrance

the violet sheds

on the heel that has crushed it."

Mark Twain

Blessings,

Renee

Little Bits of Happy

Little things are making me happy today...

new Denyse Schmidt fabric at JoAnns.

Sewing the pieces of a tiny sweater together

for a sweet little one entering the world next month.

The morning sun shining into my sewing room,

it's 37 this morning, a few snowflakes yesterday.

Thanking the Lord for His love and grace

and for giving me little bits of happy today and everyday!

Joyfully,

Dreaming in Pastels

Source: etsy.com via Simply on Pinterest

Source: jadorablehome.tumblr.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: allemaalkleurtjes.blogspot.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com via Renee on Pinterest

Source: keelersales.com via Renee on Pinterest

What are you dreaming in today?

Smiles,

Around the House

I apologize in advance for the dark photos.  Not an ounce of sunlight in the house today and currently it's foggy and cold outside.  Last week snow, then 61 degree temps = Michigan weather.  BUT, there's flowers and sunshine in my half bath because the new wall paper is in!  I just love it!  I have fabric to match and need to make a curtain.  Yesterday I took the toliet out all by myself.  What a disgusting job.  Now it's ready for the new floor.  I know what you're thinking, shouldn't you do the floor first?  Well yes, but we're back to that if you give a Mouse a cookie theory.  One thing led to another with the remodel of this room and none of it in proper order.  Oh well!

I started adding some Christmas touches to the dining room.  I know it's a bit early but I'm excited for this year's Christmas season.  I'm already listening to Christmas music.  I can't help it.

One wee little fellow made his way onto the buffet.  Red scarf, holding the gift of a flower, perched on a peppermint candy, pure sweetness!

I'll leave you today with this picture.  What a thought that the creator of the universe wrote your life with His fingers.  Have a wonderful day, friends!

Joyfully,

Sunday Scripture

"May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Blessings,

Blueberry Crumb Cake

This wonderful book arrived in the mail yesterday.  I have been excitedly awaiting it's arrival.  Ever since I saw a preview of the fabric online, I was smitten.

I have always loved Blackbird Designs.  Their patterns and projects are beautiful.  I have been intimidated by their designs in the past thinking they were too challenging for me or too primitive for this shabby girl.  I hadn't quilted long enough to think outside the box.

This book and fabric line have changed all that (don't you love that coneflower bed runner?).  So what's a girl to do.  First buy the book...

and then use the 20% discount code that Fat Quarter Shop sent me to order a layer cake of this wonderful fabric.  I've been on fabric lockdown for so long that they've wondered where I was.  Such caring people to inquire of me, don't you think?  (insert wink)

Joyfully,

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

This is the picture from my house today.  Our first snow.  I've been singing Christmas carols all day.  I'm certain my family will put a stop to that later.

I'm not ready for boots, mittens and scarves but I better jump on board because winter is here!

Smiles,

The Last Rose

The weather here today is grey, damp and quiet.  Can weather be quiet?  I believe so.  I don't even hear the birds today.  There's one lone woodpecker at the feeder right now.

I was looking out the window at the garden, dull and dying when a shot of pink caught my eye.  What on earth?  It can't be.  Sure enough, when I got out there I saw the very last rose beaming in all it's beauty.  I wish I could describe the scent to you, it's amazing.  I like to think that the garden left me a parting gift.  One last flower until the spring.  Thank you.

I started sewing the rows together on my "Let it Snow" quilt yesterday.  It's coming along nicely.  The last Christmas quilt for this year almost done!

Smiles,

For Monday

Source: etsy.com via Renee on Pinterest

Can I get a witness?

Hugs,

Sunday Scripture

Source: tumblr.com via Renee on Pinterest

"Now what I am commanding you today is

not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.

It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask,

"Who will ascend into heaven to get it and

proclaim it to us so we may obey it?"

Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have

to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and

proclaim it to us so we may obey it?"  No,

the word is very near you; it is in your mouth

and in your heart so you may obey it."

Deut. 30:11-14