Many, many thanks

I have been fortunate to receive some wonderful giveaways.

This came in the mail. Karen, of Selvage blog, had a giveaway last month and I won.

 Here it is. A little purse ornament and to decorate it up, Karen put some colourful scraps inside.

Thank you Karen.

Did any of you take the book tour last month for Stephanie's (Loft Creations) new book?

Well, I did and I won a copy of her electronic version from Margaret at A Sampler of Stitches.

Thank you Margaret and thank you Stephanie.

And now, a late thank you to Ulla of kotkarankki blog. In December I won a giveaway that she had on her blog to celebrate her 600th blog post.

I took this photo from her blog. There were so many things in the package that I felt it was an early Christmas present.
 There was authentic Finnish rye crisps, gingerbread (like my mom used to make) that were in a tin with Moomin characters on it, cloudberry chocolates and chewing gum. Ulla even included some Finnish Novita Nalle wool so I can begin making socks. The felted leaf has a bar of soap encased in it and just to the left of it is a small black tin of Vitalis cream for chapped lips and hands that has come in very handy this winter. There was also a CD with typical Finnish dance music that my mom has appreciated.

My belated thanks to you dear Ulla. I can only say that Christmas preparations overwhelmed me and then those little boys came to visit so my mind was preoccupied.

I have been very fortunate and very lucky.

More...

snow.

On Sunday and...

a bit more yesterday. However, it should be above freezing by Friday (3 C).

 I've done more work on BOMs. This one is from Quilt Doodle. See the button on the right hand frame. It's another big block. I now have no more useable blue background fabric with the moon and stars. I found a close match that is almost a solid. It does have a pattern but it's muted.

 

This is the March installment of Cathy's Carousel BOM. I played around with the settings. 

 I thought about changing the block but then...

I stuck with the plan - almost. The small squares were supposed to be two different colours set opposite each other. It would make sense if you made a whole quilt but this is only one block. However, as I set the blocks on the floor, I came to the decision that I will be changing the layout of the quilt a bit.

Some of you expressed a review of this book. It's a YA (young adult) book. Not very big - 83 pages. It takes place during the second World War and is about a little five year old boy who spends the summer with his Norwegian grandmother in rural Minnesota. His mom is working in Chicago while his dad is fighting overseas. I found it depressing but there is a lot of love between the grandmother and the boy. The quilt in the title is a large piece of cloth that is added to whenever a member of the community or one of their relatives dies. The women all get together and add to the quilt while telling stories of the one who has passed. I have read other Paulsen books and this one is supposedly based on his own background.

Once again, I am linking up with The Needle and Thread Network and also with What a Hoot!

Just sewing (and knitting) along...

Once again, I have completed another part of a BOM (block of the month) but this time I skipped one month.

This is called Cathy's Star (at Quilters' Cache) and it's January's installment of Cathy's Carousel BOM. This BOM began in October and the patterns are still available if anyone wants to join in.

 I have not yet done the December paper pieced compass and since I don't want to make a mistake, I will work on it slowly. I have the colours of the fabrics chosen so I just have to sew it.

I am almost done the second cowl too.

This time I used Patons Decor. Another nice, soft yarn - great for around the neck.

Another pair of pajamas got made too.

They are for Luc again.

Doggy fabric remnant at Fabricland for $1.60. I'm glad I picked it up because...

I didn't have enough of the Dalmatian flannel to make the pants too. I suppose I could do shorts but I won't.

This came in the mail. It's from my Quilting Gallery Sochi Mug Rug swap partner in Australia. Christine lives in Australia but she is a New Zealander. The fabric is a gorgeous piece depicting the flowers of Australia. Thank you very much Christine. I will show you all what I sent to Christine once she receives it.

I'm going to link up with the Needle and Thread Network and with Esther's blog.

Another BOM (block of the month)

Here's what I am working on. Actually, what I should say is 'one of the things I am working on.'

I downloaded the pattern, taped it together and cut the backing fabric (slightly larger.)

I got lucky and found a small glass that is the same size as the pom pom on the hat so I don't have to make a template for it.

I am very 'old school' when it comes to applique and since the hats are almost all the same - and one is reversed, I only needed one hat template and one brim template. These are just made of some cardboard that I had  put aside for templates. I have template plastic too but cardboard is a bit thicker and I seem to prefer it. I often use cereal boxes.

I will iron the pieces before I applique them. The orange hat is complete. I do like this BOM. This block is 18" by 21" finished. There are to be two of these blocks. It's fun looking for suitable hat fabric from my stash.

This block of the month is called From Head to Toe - A Knitter's Gifts and the pattern is by Denise Russart. It just started on Feb. 15th but once a new block is posted, the previous block will no longer be available for free.

Speaking of free patterns, there is also a cute sew along put out by the Red Boot Quilt Company called Baby It's Cold Outside and I had mentioned it a couple of posts back. Well, all the patterns are now available but only until the Olympic closing ceremonies. So if you want to make it, download the pattern now.

Update on BOM (block of the month)

This year it seems like there are a lot of different (and nice) blocks of the month. One of the ones that I have decided to take part in is by Quilt Doodle Designs. 
The first installment was a row of snowmen and I actually thought that the whole quilt was going to be done in rows. I was wrong and so here's the next part.

The cozy cabin block is 16.5 inches by 22.5 inches. A fairly big block. I was glad to be able to use the same blue for the sky as I had for the snowmen and now I have very little left. It's always nice when fabric gets used up. The stash is so big and I am trying really hard to just use up what I have.This block really does look kind of bare and empty. I think it needs something...

I will post more sewing related stuff as I get it done. 

Linking up this week with The Needle and Thread Network and with What a Hoot! Pop on over to see what others are working on this week.