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Hello all, Mary Ellen here.I got this photo from Linda H, one of our guild members. I mentioned crafting with thread spools in a recent blog post. So many of you remember the 4 nails in the end of the spool and making yarn ropes. Lots of other fun craftiness was had at this time of year with spools (and wooden peg style clothespins). I still really appreciate gifts that someone has made, rather than bought. Do kids still make their gifts for mom and dad in school? Here’s Linda’s photo of her spool creche to share. I’m finishing up the holiday cooking today and tomorrow–candy rather than cookies. I only made 3 kinds of cookies for this year–no get-togethers at which to share them, and I have very little willpower if they’re kept here!

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I have finished the drawing of the prizes for commenters. Too bad that we were not able to have any parties this year-my original plan was to award the prizes at our March guild birthday party, then at our holiday party,… While getting ready to draw the names I did a bit of tallying. From the start of the collection of names we had 252 comments submitted by 38 different commenters. The math tells you that most ladies (all of the commenters were women) commented more than once over the period of time, and therefore had multiple entries in the drawing. Here’s the plan for getting the prizes to the winners. IF we are able to  have a January guild meeting, (big if!), I will have all of the prizes at the meeting. If we still are not able to get together, I will pick […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Cleaning up my crafting space a bit and came across some empty thread spools. If you’re a crafter, you know that it’s hard to throw away things sometimes because that thought “I could make something with that” is always close to the top of the brain. I was recently at a crafty store which kind of pumped up my enthusiasm to “making stuff” so those empty thread spools have been saved. Here are some cute ideas for repurposing spools. If anyone has any empty spools, especially old wooden ones, that you don’t want to keep I will gladly take them. But before you decide if you want to keep them or not, have a look at these ideas: click here. As with everything else, there are tons of ideas on Pinterest-many suitable for kids to make, and not necessarily needing “vintage” spools. Working on cut out […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.That list of comments to yesterday’s prompt got my mouth watering. Every cookie/treat sounded good to me. I haven”t started my baking this year–and with our “stay at home” orders I probably won’t do as much as usual. Can’t be trusted with lots of cookies in the house and only myself to enjoy them! Do you need any ideas for quick gifts for neighbors or friends? Gudrun Erla has few free patterns at her website that you might like, and you probably have enough fabric and batting on hand to make them up quickly. Click here for the patterns. Today is the last day to comment for our holiday drawing for prizes. Since we can’t get together this year for our guild’s holiday party, let’s all raise a glass with dinner and toast the good friends we have made through quilting! And here’s the last prompt […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Big fluffy flakes coming down slowly. So pretty. How are all of your holiday preparations coming along? I have put away the fall things, but haven’t gotten the Christmas ones out yet. Got my 2nd shingle shot yesterday, and don’t feel very ambitious today. The cleaning crew comes today, so I’ll blame my lack of decorations on wanting everything cleaned up before I add “Christmas”. If you’re looking for a project for the kids to do, here’s one that could be cute or pretty. Lace appliques will take it one direction. Fussy cut fabric appliques from novelty fabrics would take it another way. Click here for directions. A reminder that tomorrow is the last day to comment on our blog to be entered into the drawing for prizes. If you miss the deadline, your name will go into […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I’m trying to do as much of my holiday shopping online as I can this year. How about you? I just bought a bunch of gift cards to Home Depot on line for the guys on my list. I don’t think the website was very user friendly, but it still was faster, easier and safer than a trek to a local Home Depot. This website, Just Get It Done Quilts, has a nice list of gift ideas for quilters. You could have a friend or family member watch the video to get ideas for you, or maybe you’ll get inspiration for gifts that you need to buy. She also has included a link to her list from 2019–so you’ll get 20 good suggestions for gifts specifically for quilters. Click here to watch. Still collecting comments heading toward our prize drawing on the 17th. Do you […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Even with a year like 2020, we all have things to be thankful for. One of the things I’m thankful for is all of you blog readers and commenters. I hope you all have a great day today.                               

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. What do pie crusts have to do with quilting you say? I am a fan of the King Arthur baking catalog. Since I order from them frequently, I of course am on their email list.And look what came today: For those of you who make your own crusts, wouldn’t this be an impressive one to bring out at Thanksgiving dessert time? Click here for the procedure. If you try it, send me a picture so I can share it here! And here’s another question to encourage a comment. Sitting down for a long piecing/quilting session again, Shoes on or shoes off?

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. How many more times will we be raking the leaves, do you think? The trees surrounding my yard are pretty much empty of their leaves, but the neighbors across the street have a lot of leaves left on theirs. Unfortunately their leaves end up in MY yard many times. I’m taking a break from raking! What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year? It’s really hard to plan isn’t it? In case you would like some easy autumn  projects for yourself, or to give to friends and family, here is a free pattern for a cute acorn potholder. Click here. And here’s a cute turkey potholder. This one’s not free, but I’ll bet the picture is all many of you will need! click here. One more reminder that in order to be entered in the drawing for prizes at our holiday party you need to […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Gnomes are so trendy right now. If you need a really easy free pattern for easy gifts, try this one out. You can make the mug rug version (great for odd small scraps) or the wall hanging. How about a mug rug, a cute mug, and a packet of deluxe hot chocolate mix for a nice gift for your nail girl, cleaning lady or anyone else who is helping you maintain some normalcy in life these days? If you start now, you could have lots of these completed by Christmas. Click here for the pattern. Don’t forget that commenting enters you in the drawing for prizes to be held at our holiday party. If you are not planning to attend, you can still enter. If you win a prize I’ll make sure it gets to you. Delivery by gnome or elf!