Montpelier, VT at Christmastime

 We had a wonderful Christmas week, then it was time for another road trip to Vermont to bring my sister, niece and nephew home to Montpelier, VT. What a charming small city. The people are as nice as can be. My sister is about to have back surgery and people are shoveling her driveway, bringing food, getting her mail, and bringing her to doctor appointments (an hour away). Here are some pics of this friendly (and snowy) place.

Inspiration from Chairs

There's nothing like a day at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to fill the creativity tank! I was really taken with these beautiful chairs. The last one isn't really beautiful, but it is certainly interesting. More photos later.

Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art

As you read this I'll be visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City with my DH, DS, and his sweet girlfriend Lauren. Can't wait! I'm sure I'll have wonderful things to show you that will inspire our quilting. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday to my little sister Eileen!

Orphan Blocks

The January 2013 Block of the Month for Empire Quilters will be Orphan Blocks. Any size, any color. I arranged some blocks to show how such a random collection might go together. The mortar could be scraps also, adding to the busy look. This will "clear the decks" for the new year. (Well, it might take about 10 such quilts to actually clear the decks. Haha.)

Inspiration Before Sleeping

"Flaming June" by Frederick Lord Leighton, 1895

Who did this painting of me while I was dreaming about quilts?

I get quilt ideas in the shower too. Where do you get your best quilt ideas? 

Merry Christmas!

Nativity scene by Rembrandt. 

Merry Christmas!

Carolyn's Selvage Ornaments

These pretty selvage ornaments were made by Carolyn Wenzel of Wisconsin. Nice job, Carolyn!

 Merry Christmas!

Road Trip

Yes, I'm on the way to Vermont to pick up my sister, niece and nephew, and bring them to Connecticut for Christmas. My sister has a ruptured disk so she's not driving at the moment. I'll get to pamper her a little. 

If you know Vermont in December, you know that this photo is the opposite of what my trip looks like. No bare arms, that's for sure. Haha. But the spirit is just right. 

I hope you are having a very merry Christmas!

Selvage Quilt Wins a Ribbon

Awesome selvage quilt by Donita Baritz! Her friends donated over 1,000 selvages for this quilt. I found this on the String Quilting Primer on Quiltville. I don't know what quilt show this was, or where Donita lives, but I sure like this quilt! Nice job!

Kay's Pinsies

Kay had a pinsie party on Pinterest. Here are the pincushions she made. Take a look at Kay's blog. 

Third Quilt Raffle

The drawing for "Fair and Square" by the San Francisco Quilters Guild will be held on March 10, 2013.

This is a beauty!

Another Quilt Raffle

This remarkable quilt will be raffled on April 4, 2013 by the Santa Rosa Quilt Guild in Northern California. The quilt is called "Santa Rosa Beauty." I'll say.

Exquisite Raffle Quilt

Can you believe this will be raffled at the Valley Quilt Guild show in Yuba City, California on March 17, 2012! I love this quilting.

Pillowcases for Kids in Sandy Hook, CT

Jackie from CV Quiltworks passed this info along:

Help the families in Newtown... Here is how... Becky at Quliter's Corner in New Milford, CT is collecting pillowcases for the children at Sandy Hook School. She is trying to collect around 600.

 Please pass this message to any sewing friends. 

Pillowcases can be mailed to her at

Quilters Corner 

312 Danbury Rd. 

New Milford, CT. 06776 

Christmastime in New York City

Yesterday I saw the "Christmas Spectacular" at Radio City Music Hall in Rockefeller Center with my Mom and her cousin Joan from Arizona. It truly was spectacular. We were also in the studio audience for the taping of the Dr. Oz show. The topic was 5 Diet Disasters. It will air sometime this month. 

The city was all decorated and the place was really hopping. That was fun.

Christmas Tree Skirt from Neckties

This Christmas tree skirt is from Chicago Lost and Found. It was made from up-cycled neckties. They are for sale for $1,200 and some of the proceeds go to educational outreach. You can read more on the website. That striped binding looks beautiful, but I bet it's pretty tricky to sew!

Thank you to nurse Jessi at Rusty Nail Farm for the heads up about this item! 

Teapot Handbag by Uniquely Nancy

This charming little purse (or it could be a teabag keeper) is the creation of my neighbor Nancy. She lives one town away. If she was next-door, we'd never get any quilting done. When we visit for lunch, it takes hours because we have so much quilt stuff to talk about. Her shop is Uniquely Nancy. 

Here's another of her handbags, below. Isn't it beautiful?

Selvage Bowl!

Here's another fabulous item from accomplished selvage artist/quilter Sheri of Bungalow Quilts in Cincinnati, Ohio. A leaf-shaped fabric bowl made with selvages! I love it. She uses a stiff stabilizer between the selvages and the backing. Yayy, Sheri!

Book Giveaway Winner! - Leona

(Drumroll, please!) The winner of the 15 Minutes of Play is:

Leona A.

Pinsies From Israel

Susan in Jerusalem, Israel is making pinsies for herself and her friends using my tutorial. 

Aren't they festive? She says they're really easy to make. Nice job, Susan!

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I love making these little pretties. Many different styles on sale here.