I feel like I have enough food on hand to last us 3 months! We just got our quarter beef last week, too, so that storm can just move in here whenever it chooses. We will stay inside and eat! It was already raining when I came out of the store – we have a blizzard warning for later this afternoon.
Which leads me to our next quilt along – tradition says one should eat soup on New Years Day to insure prosperity in the new year. My tradition also says I start a new quilt on New Years Day. Remember this favorite fabric? I have enough to make a twin quilt so that’s what I’m going to work on. Now to decide the pattern!
I also have soooooo many 2-1/2″ strips and 1-1/2″ strips – I’m going to look for a pattern to utilize both sizes. I’ll let you know what I find. Any suggestions?
Here are the Dirty Dozen quilts and others:
Remember this Bloomin 9 Patch by Kay? She sent me the book!
I also received this great goat kitchen set of a towel and 2 zippered bags from my Maryland friends, Diane, Bobby and Les. And they know how much I love goats! I’ve gotten many gifts through the years that feature goats!
Last night I carried Jo into the kitchen area and this is where she stayed until I carried her back to my sewing room several hours later. If she didn’t weigh 60+ pounds, that would be no big deal.
I took a chance and left her under my sewing island all night but she had not moved at all, eaten, drank or pottied by the time I got up this morning. I’m all about trying anything that might bring her out of her shell.
Last Sunday Sam and Ivy came out and she was puppy sitting a friend’s dog – a miniature golden doodle named DOUG!
Here’s Telly, Ivy, and Doug – getting acquainted.
Doug’s mom said he was still exhausted on Monday – that’s good! A bored dog is a naughty dog and a tired dog is a happy dog!
I quilted this table topper yesterday and now I’m binding it – I’m going to call it 25 Shades of Gray! Not 50 – 25! Haha!
No news here. The kids Christmas Eve Sunday School program is open to parents only this year so I’ll happily watch online. Now I’m off to work on a little wallhanging and I will start looking for a New Years Day quilt pattern. Stay safe if you’re in the path of this blizzard warning that we’re under and be still.
We are in the heart of the blizzard right now, supposedly up to 8” snow. Baking, listening to Christmas music by Mannheim Steamrollers and working on my bullseye quilt.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone! I’m glad it will be white here in northwest Iowa.
Margie – oh, I’d love to start another Bullseye Quilt this winter!!!
Nick Schifrin on the PBS Newshour still has his on the back of the couch😃
A very merry Christmas to everyone and hopes for a happy and healthy 2021! Mary, I love your 25 shades pf gray. It is fabulous. My heart just breaks for Jo. She is so very fortunate to have your love and patience. I cannot even imagine what her “before” life was like. Stay well, stay warm and stay safe.
Merry Christmas Mary. I hope the blizzard blows right by you and doesn’t leave a mess.
I love the quilts made by Karla T. I am wondering if it is all T shirt fabric put on stabilizer or a mixture of fabrics. Very unique, I really like it. Maybe Karla will read this?
Mary, thank you for continuing this blog, I know the technical problems are difficult.
Hi Janet! Yes, the quilts are tshirts and pants/jeans of my brother’s who died a year ago in an accident. I made these in his memory for his 2 daughters and the bears are for his 2 grandchildren. I did have to stabilize most all the fabrics using a fusible woven stabilizer called “Shape-Flex” (by Pellon, from Joann’s) not sure if there is a better alternative or not, but this worked ok for me. I did use warm and natural batting, and a Kohl’s twin size minky blanket for the backing so didn’t have to piece the back. (I got this idea from a smart friend who does this alot) The quilts are thick and heavy, but still drapey and cuddly. Hope this helps! And thanks for your kind comments and interest. I hope you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas! Karla.
Karla. What a beautiful gift of love you’ve made for his daughter’s and grandkids. I’m sure they will be cherished.
Janet – I believe Karla answered in a comment. Yes, the technical problems with the blog are many but I’d miss it so much if I quit!
Janet, I recently make a quilt from sweatshirts that a friend requested after his wife died. It was the first time I had made a sweatshirt / t shirt quilt. I used June Tailor T shirt Project Interfacing and I would highly recommend it. It stabilized the fabric just enough to make it easy to work with. I put the blocks together using a quilt-as-you-go method I saw on you-tube and it really looked professional. The interfacing comes in a package with a generous 60 x 72″ size. Available at Hobby Lobby or Joanne.
Thank you for the recommendation for the sweatshirt and tee shirt quilt stabilizers. I appreciate your input.
The DD’s are just beautiful today. Sounds like we are going to get your blizzard on Christmas Day! Guess it’s ok to be still, not planning on going anywhere anyway. I’ve been making some potholders & mug rugs with some of my 2-1/2 & 1-1/2 squares & strips, I have see many, trying to sort too!
Oh how I’d love a few yards of that animal print fabric but in a pink background!! It’s adorable.
Michele – I got it at Larson’s in Clear Lake – I think it was available in a reddish color – maybe it was pink. I love it and Maddie should have a quilt with farm animals, shouldn’t she? Merry Christmas to Bentley! And you and Stan, too!
Larson’s??? Oh my, I have missed that print. I’ll have to make another trip there. I’m very thankful to have nice quality fabric available so close to us. I thank the owners each time I buy fabric.
And, of course I was thinking Maddie needs a quilt using that fabric. 🙂
Merry Christmas Mary & Company.
Wow, Blanche Young! My quilting friend who later moved to TN and I took a class in CA from Blanche. There were a couple new quilters who sat by us and we gave them lots of quilting answers to their questions!
We will be opening our gifts Christmas Eve this year! First time in many years!
Have a Merry Christmas, my friend.
Had an 877 area code message this morning…didn’t answer, but looked up area for information.
The call is charged to my phone if I had listened to it…not to the caller!
Launa – No! I always wonder about those calls! I don’t pick up on any that I don’t know and if I don’t know them, they’d better leave a voicemail or I won’t call back.
I can’t wait to start a Bloomin 9 Patch! Have you made one?
I wonder if it might help if you brought the blanket Jo has been sleeping on into whatever new area you put her in so she has a touch of familiarity to help ease her fear and give her some comfort. I did that with a cat one time, and it seemed to help. Have a merry Christmas!
I fix black eyed peas for New Years Day breakfast. Then we start taking down the decorations.
We have horrendous winds, closed hi ways, trucks blown over all over the state and some snow.
I’m listening to Mannheim Steamroller and Susan Boyle…the voice of an angel.
Love the projects today. Your grey one was on the design wall last week.
Those goldens sure enjoy each other’s company. I wish Jo understood English…she would be so happy knowing what fun life on the farm will be. Oh! Mary. You are trying so hard. I know she will come around…someday. Rub her ears for me.
Everyone, make the best of the Holy Day. Friday is my sisters 71 birthday.
Merry Christmas to all.
Jo in Wyoming – Happy Christmas Birthday to your sister! Yes, I am trying very hard to reach Jo – I need a Christmas miracle!
I feel for everybody east of here. The wind started about 10:00 PM last night. Gusting all night long at about 70 mph. About 6:00 AM this morning it let up to about 40mph. Some of my new shingles have taken a trip. They will be here tomorrow to fix the problem. Such is life. Out here there isn’t much to slow the wind. Luckily, we had about 1/2″ of snow and it was all horizontal. More east of us.
We always said the wind never stopped in Wyoming. Somebody from SD wrote to the paper and said that the wind sock in Wyoming was a chain nailed to a fence post. If the chain was straight out, it was a very stiff wind. AND if a link was missing from the chain it was really, really bad! It ticked off somebody in Wyoming who proceded to write to our paper and complain……. That was probably a correct wind report.
Mary, did Rick get home yet? I don’t remember you saying anything about him getting out of the hospital.
Merry Christmas to everybody. I’m staying home and am going to enjoy it. There is so much to do, maybe Christmas cards. Be safe. We need to do this to stay safe. And keep quilting. We love to see everybody’s fun with fabrics. Betty in Rapid City
Betty – Rick got home a week ago – I’m sure I posted that but he’s feeling good and we will be home alone as usual during the holidays. Wind has really picked up and temps have dropped.
Thank you for all the pictures and posts. I enjoy all your news and the comments also. The quilts are wonderful! So much talent and creativity which will keep this world going. I hope everyone has Christmas in their heart as we begin another year. That brings me to Jo. I am really not a dog person but I have never seen an animal act this way. I usually see them as being aggressive when they are hurt or abused. Poor Jo acts haunted for sure. Does she show any kind of weakness? I noticed in the picture where you thought she was smiling that she was leaning against the building. I can only image what you have be going through. Sure wish there were a answer for her. All I can say is that you are giving your whole heart to a very depressed Jo. So I am wishing for a Christmas miracle for a young dog in Garner, Iowa. Best wishes!
Marcella – Jo and I need a Christmas miracle! She is fine physically when I am not nearby. I have a camera in the shop so I can watch her. I will continue to try different things until I can convince her to interact with me.
Hi Mary!
You might check Bonnie Hunter’s patterns. Many are free. She uses those strip sizes often in her quilts.
Hope your storm isn’t too bad. Great time to just sit and sew! We very likely will have a white Christmas here in East TN! Rarely happens – can’t go to church, so will just enjoy it!!
Merry Christmas to you, Rick, and your precious pets. Special hugs to Jo!!!🤗
Do you think Jo would be interested in playing with Hazel and Telly? Or would that overwhelm her? Just thinking out loud about what might open her up a bit. Poor girl – she’s obviously traumatized. Will she walk on a leash/lead at all? Wondering if you tied a leash to your waist and was just tethered to her to encourage closeness. Wish I had some helpful advice.
Merry Christmas, Mary!
Emily – Telly and Hazel, Ivy, Doug – any other dog is bored with her because she won’t move out of the bed. She will not stand or walk in my presence but I have a camera in the shop and she can walk fine. I put a leash on her when I’m carrying her to the house because if she bolts I’ll never find her and she will freeze to death! I’m considering another foster dog to keep her company.
I pray daily for Jo. One step at a time. Lots of pretty finishes and I do love your Gray quilt, it’s very nice. I look forward to your New Years Day sew-along; I believe that you could do that and eat soup too!
Mrs. Goodneedle – yes, I do think I can make soup, sew and then eat soup, too! How is Hannes?
I absolutely Love that farm animal fabric. You ask if we remember it, but I don’t. I wonder if it is still available? Do you know? I can’t wait to see your quilt.
Love todays post, Mary. A touch of sadness, though, with Jo hiding in behind a quilt.
Karla T….Darling bears. Everyone’s quilts and quilted things are wonderful.
Sue in Oregon – I’ll check the selvedge and let you know. I tried making that little zipper bag with this blue animal fabric because I loved it so much!
So many beautiful DD finishes. Great job everyone. Sure wish we would get some snow for Christmas. I think I need to move to NE Iowa from SE Iowa. LOL.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and stay safe.
An easy pattern to use up those 1.5″ and 2.5″ strips is Off Center Log Cabin (two sides have the narrower strips, the other two the wider ones). Google it and look at all the pretty images.
🙂 Linda
Wishing you a very blessed Christmas and a healthy 2021. And may Jo come out of her shell before long.
Thank you for the enjoyment you give me through your blog. I look forward to each one.
Love to you Christmas 2020!
We will not be at our family’s nor church services this Christmas so it’s been hard for me dealing with all of this. Our weather could turn from rain to ice right around church services times Christmas Eve so I hope they all get back home safely. We will watch it through zoom and I decided to make that pumpernickel bread bowl with dried beef mixed with sour cream and Mayo so we will have that for our snack.
The quilt show is extraordinary! Loved the picture with placemats and runner all set at the table.
You are doing all you can for Jo so please don’t lose the faith in her or yourself. Time and patience are a blessing so I am thankful you take such loving care of her.
It was such a lot of fun when we did the Bullseye quilt together as a sew along.
The DD show was a good one once again. Lots of different projects and colors. I loved the T-shirt quilts and especially the bears Karla T. Such a nice way to remember a loved one. The Christmas table looks so festive. And the grey with yellow quilt is spectacular.
It will be just 4 of us for Christmas. One son coming in from Oklahoma. Our Iowa son has covid so he and his family are staying home in quarantine. It will be quiet but we still have our faith and love.
Merry Christmas to you Mary and to all of your followers. I feel like we’re all friends!
Love your table topper. Is it your pattern & available for sale? Merry Christmas to you!
Merry Christmas and thanks for writing your blog and inspiring us all!
Mary, getting another foster dog is a great idea I think. It will give Jo company and maybe help her heal the hurt she suffers from. My heart goes out to her and you for all your efforts. Praying for a Christmas miracle for you! Merry Christmas 🎄
I loved seeing the quilts, many talented blog friends!
I really line the table topper you have on the quilter, a Doug Leko pattern I think. I made that one too. Praying that something will “click” with Jo soon, can’t imagine how frustrating this has to be for you. Good to hear that Rick is home and better. Hoping you will both have a blessed Christmas. 😊❤️❤️
Mary, I forgot to mention in my earlier post a pattern for your farm animals fabric. Why not try a barn quilt? It just seems so appropriate for the fabric. Just putting’ in my $.02.
It was a really bad blizzard here in Northwest Iowa. We had to go to the ophthalmologist for hubby this am in Sioux Falls. It was not snowing when we left home but started as we got to the eye doc. While he was there I went to Walmart and back and waited and then we went to pick up some prescription on The east side. Got home and in 20 minutes the visibility was ugly!! Lasted this 4ish. Still blowing at 7:45 pm. Ugh.
Merry Christmas to you and your family….including the animals you love 💕.
Love the Christmas table setting!
I love that goat fabric. I used Ursula Reikes MORE QUILTS FOR BABY book—Frolicking Frogs on Page 40 is nice for a focus fabric like that and uses 2 1/2 strips around the blocks. It is quick and easy especially if you follow the directions which I didn’t the first time. Also, I made Five Little Monkeys from Debbie Mumm’s PROJECT KIDS. It is also good for focus fabric. Both of mine were DD’s last year. I can send you pictures if you want. The DD’s are wonderful. Still working on mine. I like the start a quilt on Jan. 1st idea.😃. We’re getting 2 to 4 inches tomorrow and Friday and 15 degrees!! Merry Christmas everyone🎅🏼🎅🏼
Love seeing all the animals and quilts. Give Jo a gentle rub from me. She is such a sweetie.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Enjoyed all the DD’s today. Not sure she would enjoy another dog now. A sew along would be fun to start the new year with. Finished the Bullseye quilt. Plan on during another one. What were the sizes of squares cut to make the block. I can’t remember. Blessing Jennie
Hi Mary,merry Christmas to everyone! What about trying BACH FLOWER REMEDY. ? Many people use the rescue remedies for stress, and there are books describing all the different flower remedies. I used one 30 years ago when l had a dog that was a bit snappy when the boys played with toy cars,it might be worth investigating, she is very depressed, poor girl,my love and best wishes to all,sandy
Merry Christmas! Thank you for writing the blog even though it’s maddening at times…I love it and the connection to other quilters. Here in east central Indiana we’re getting wind and flurries. We were supposed to get snow overnight from the storm front, but didn’t (my cousin near Minneapolis did)! We don’t expect much accumulation but I’ll take the cold temps and a dusting for Christmas. Have a wonderful day!
You eat soup for the New Year…
In my family its Black Eye Peas for coins and greens for folding money !
The DD finishes are absolutely beautiful; thanks for posting, Mary. I love the festive Christmas accessories. Karla T, your quilts and bears are a lovely tribute. I am so sorry for your loss.
It is very cold a half-hour west of Peoria IL but not as cold as Garner IA. We did have a little snow during the night, but we have sunshine now.
Hi Mary and Connie, you know I love you all. I recently subscribed TP a blog called
CHICKEN SCRATCHES MY 28th Alecia, I told her about you 2. LOIS on 0maha