Christmas Book Giveaway

Hand stitching is really popular these days. I especially love to do a little bit of embroidery or cross stitching around Christmas. For years, it's been a great way for me to relax whenever I start to feel a little of that holiday stress. Stitching something sweet and simple sure is calming and good for the soul.

Guess what? Because of all of your support and enthusiasm for my new Small & Scrappy book - I'm hosting a terrific Christmas giveaway this week through the generosity of my publisher. Martingale recently published a great book by Gail Pan - Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery - that has a ton of cute projects that combine quilting and embroidery with a Christmas theme. This book is just what you need! Gail's patterns include simple stitches with a whimsical touch. Sure to inspire you to make something for yourself or someone special for the holidays.

You may remember that Gail is also the author of the popular book Patchwork Loves Embroidery, also full of pretty projects that are simple and quick.

She creates her projects using basic embroidery techniques, so they're perfect for beginners. But fun for advanced stitchers too.

I had so much fun browsing through this book and looking at the beautiful photos. Now I'm really inspired to make something cute and special for Christmas. I still have time, right? We're expecting some more snow and dropping temperatures in the coming week so after I do some Christmas shopping tomorrow I'm going to sit down and make myself a cup of tea and cozy up under a quilt and do a little Christmas stitching.

Here are a couple of projects from the book -

Okay, so here's the deal - please read these instructions carefully to find out exactly what you have to do to win a copy of the book - 

• Post a comment on my blog telling me about one of your special Christmas memories. Could be something that made your Christmas special as a child, could be something that made you smile as an adult. Make sure you leave your name and a way for me to contact you if you win (e-mail address). Some of you have not done this in the past when I've had a giveaway and it's a shame I had to skip over your name if you did not follow the instructions and there was no way I was able to contact you.

Take your time and leave me a comment - ONE comment only -  and your name will be entered into the drawing to win a copy of this sweet  book. Comments will close on Friday night and I will announce the winner on Saturday morning. Again, please leave your name and e-mail so I have a way of contacting you. Good luck! 

Make sure you go to Martingale's website or Facebook page to check out all of their latest book releases as well as the ones coming up next year. There are some wonderfully creative books coming out. 

Wait, I have one more Christmas present for you - There will be another giveaway for ANOTHER Christmas book after I announce the winner of this giveaway, so make sure you come back next week to get another chance to win a different Christmas book. Best news: Next year is also going to be full of giveaways (including one for my new book) so you will still have a chance to win something.

Happy Christmas Stitching!

Christmas Trees

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas around here.

Tough decision.

Someone's doing the hard work and someone else is having fun . . .

The free pattern for this little tree block (from December 2014) can be found in my small groups under Files. 

Christmas Quilts

The small quilt groups are making Christmas Star Quilts for December -

Join my Facebook Small Quilt Lovers group or the Yahoo group to get the pattern. 

I love star quilts, don't you? I made these for my red & white Christmas projects last year. I think I need to make more. 

There are free patterns for a Christmas present pincushion and a Pinwheels quilt on my website - 

I've also got a few cute wool projects available as patterns - 

Penny rug

Mini wool tree skirt

Scissors holders

Wool penny stocking 

Wool tree ornaments or pincushions

Christmas stitchery ornaments

It's so much fun to make things!

Have a good weekend. More Small & Scrappy books have been ordered and they may come on Monday December 5. Thanks for your patience if you ordered a book from me this past week and did not receive it yet. They're coming, they're coming.

Books Are Here!

Can you believe it's finally here?  After I came back from the craft sale yesterday afternoon, I found that boxes of my new book had arrived. Yay! Those of you who ordered signed books from me - I have started signing them today and will try to get them all out in the mail next week. As always, I go down my list - first come, first served. The first batch will go out on Monday and if you ordered early you should get yours very soon. 

If you ordered a book from my website and did not include anything in the inscription box, the book will arrive with my signature. If you prefer a personal inscription and did not fill that out when you ordered, I'm being nice and giving you a second chance. Send me a quick e-mail to let me know how you would like it signed and I'll do my best to accommodate. Envelopes will be sealed and mailed soon so if you really, really care to have your book personalized, e-mail me before Monday, November 28.

Thank you all so much! I gotta say -  this never gets old. The fifth one is just as exciting as the first one. (Hah, I sure hope my mom said that too, many, many years ago - I was the fifth girl she gave birth to . . . . ) 

Black Friday Craft Sale

Every Friday after Thanksgiving I go to my friend Karen's Black Friday craft sale at her home.  I had a great time and, of course, did not go home empty handed. Those of you who live in the Elgin, IL area should go over and take a look - she'll be open tomorrow, Saturday. Here's a peek -

Not for sale, Darn.  Made for Karen by Jennifer M. 

Another lovely gift from Jennifer!

I bought the tray along with a few other goodies. 

This time I got a more extensive tour of the Schultz home.

Love this rug . . . 

Ran into Cheryl Barkdoll from the Small Quilt Talk group. 

On my way out, my car would not start. I figured something like this would happen soon especially since just yesterday I mentioned how grateful I was that my car was still running (it's old but not quite dead yet). I called Triple A and waited for over an hour for someone to come out and take a look or give me a jump start. Got tired of waiting so I tried it again and lo and behold it started that time. I made it home and immediately drove over to my friendly neighborhood auto service station. Yep, it just needed a new battery. They fixed me right up in an hour and despite all of that, it was still a very happy Day-After Thanksgiving. I think it's time for some leftover pie . . .