Star in a Day top finished

The stars aligned today! I had a holiday from work but my daughter still had daycare, so I ended up with a chunk of time to finish up this quilt top. The pattern is Star in a Day from Star Saavy Laps from Fats. I dropped it off to be quilted this afternoon. When it is done and bound, it will be hung on the wall in our family room.

Fabric:

• Border and center: Tranquility from Sandy Gervais by Moda
• Red: Deb Strain by Moda
• Ivory: various fat quarters
• Background: Petals & Paisleys by Possibilities for Quilting Treasures
• Backing: Serenity by Heather Mulder Petersen for Henry Glass

Vocabulary of a two year old

My daughter is two and saying the cutest things.

dingle bells=jingle bells
jamamas=pajamas
hangaber=hamburger
I carry you=pick me up and carry me
I lub you too=I love you
ABCDS=letters

Just what I've been doing lately

I love this mug my parents gave me for Christmas, especially when filled with a steaming cup of soy chai (and preferably sitting next to my sewing machine).

Chocolate, Wine and Roses

I'm kind of working towards having some seasonal quilts to display at home. I don't have that many on display. Some, like this top I just completed, are great because although it is kind of Valentine's day, it can stay up all year if I want. It is a little soft and floral for my regular taste, but there is a side of me that likes this sort of thing (in moderation). I'm pretty eclectic in my taste. Modern mixed with traditional, streamlined mixed with ornate. (There are no rules, you know!) What I really like about this quilt is how the blocks interlock so it is hard to tell where one starts and another begins. Now, I need to quilt it.

Last Christmas gift all sewed

I took a class on making casserole covers and napkins at my LQS. They did a series of classes of quick holiday gift projects and I hope they do it again next year. It was fun.

I decided to give a few of the casserole covers as gifts this year. One is for my aunt who always hosts us for Christmas (navy), one is for my mom (blue floral), and one is for my SIL (brick red). I think I'll make a few more and give them to some of my friends too, but after the holidays. The second blue floral is for one of them.

They lay almost flat to store. To use, you put your dish inside, bring up the two sides with the rings, thread the handle through both rings, and cinch it up. I like that it is flexible to hold different shapes of bowls and trays. As long as it is round or square, it should fit. They're lined with InsulBrite to keep the heat or cold in. We do a lot of dinners with friends so I know it will come in handy. Now I just need to make myself one.

I Elfed my table

I love this little elf. He's so cute. I don't have a lot of "cute" stuff in my house, but I couldn't resist him last year. Of course, this little table runner I whipped up over Thanksgiving break doesn't hurt. I made it from a Pieced Tree pattern called Two by Fours. The fabric is various charm squares from Moda lines by Sandy Gervais called Holly Jolly and Merry and Bright. I mixed in a few other things from my stash too. I used up almost all my scraps of that aqua color which feels good!

I also souped up a cheap wreath with new accent greenery. It looks so much better.

Merry Christmas!

Deviled Ham Spread

1 pound smoked ham, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup prepared dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Salt
Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Great on crackers.