Happy New Year from Quilter's Pantry

AJ Dec 28th

Happy New Year! 

AJ, our greatest blessing of the year, would like to join me (from under a blanket and other quilted items I made for him) in wishing you all a Happy New Year. 

We will 'see' you all next year!

Looking Forward

2012 is coming to an end. I look back at all the blessings of the year and count the biggest blessing to be the birth of our grandson. An early delivery, a tiny bundle of joy weighing only 3 lbs 3 oz and at only 15 inches long, we spend hours praying and watching him slowly grow. In just 27 days he was able to come home. And now, he is doing well and over 9 lbs. 

Quilter's Pantry grew throughout the year. We had longarm work, custom quilts ordered, premade quilts that sold, and other items we made sold as well. We met new people and shared our love of quilting and being creative.   

I know you all have goals, dreams, desires, wishes, and lists of things to accomplish during the new year. As quilters our UFO pile never goes away. We finish one project and tend to start two more. We see a pattern and want to make it. We see fabric and just have to have it. We learn a new technique and can't wait to try it out. 

I look forward to what 2013 holds for each of us. We never know what we may find around the next corner. Each new day that we will face will give us an opportunity to learn more, share more, and enjoy more. If we face each day with a smile others will smile with us. 

I will be letting you know soon of some exciting new developments at Quilter's Pantry. Something I've wanted to do for a while. 2013 will be the year to do them. And as soon as plans are complete I will let you know about them. If you live close by and want to learn to quilt you will especially be interested. 
 
As we celebrate the ending of 2012 I wish you all a safe and happy New Year. 

Til next time ---- stay warm, stay safe. Keep those needles stitching.

Phyllis

Merry Christmas from Quilter's Pantry

Merry Christmas to each of you. 

Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

 It is a time of family gatherings, memories, traditions, gifts and food. 

Many have had additions to their families this year as we have with our little grandson, AJ, who is doing well.

Many others have lost loved ones, and this season will not be an easy one. 

Memories of Christmases past float through our thoughts. Family traditions unfold as the season has progressed. Each one has a different way of celebrating. Traditions are all different. Memories - we all have different ones we could share. 

One of mine would be the year I got my 2 wheeler and since it was snowing with deep snow outside, I learned to ride it inside the small house we lived in! 

And then there was always the special "Granny cookies", the orange in our stockings hung by the fireplace. The visits to the grandparents houses and to a great aunt and uncle's house. 

Each year there are new memories. And it's sometimes surprising what we really remember about the Christmases past. It often not about the gifts, but about the time spent with family and friends.  

And for little kids - its not about the toy - it's about the box the toy came in!   lol

May you all have a wonderful Christmas. Hug your family, share the memories, enjoy the time together. 

I'll catch up with you all later in the week as we approach the end of the year and make plans for what the new year holds for us.  

Til next time --- put the needles down, take a break and enjoy your Christmas in whatever way you celebrate.   

Merry Christmas from the Quilter's Pantry family.

   

 

When you run out of time.....

When you run out of time this close to Christmas and all you want to do is throw your arms in the air, join the club. You are not alone. Each year many of us have great plans to have it all done, gifts wrapped and under the tree or in the mail to their destinations by now. We vow each January that this year we will do better at Christmas time....... and here we are again ---- behind. 

Never give up.  Get even more creative. Go with  gift certificates, or even an almost done gift or an IOU. 
But do them creatively. 

Gift Certificates:
Create you own Gift Certificates.  Write on it what you are making for them. Add a photo of what the finished item will look like. 

Almost done gift:
Large bed quilt not done? Give the quilt top as a gift with a note that you will be getting it finished as soon after the holiday as you can. Explain that your longarmer was backed up with other quilts.  (I was/am.)

IOU:
IOU's work if you have totally run out of time to even get the gift started. Last year I made a wall hanging for my daugther with an IOU for three others throughout the year for each season.  She got all three in time throughout the year and an extra one on her birthday!
 
If not making the gift buy unable to purchase the gift asked for? IOU's work, the money and a card with a note saying what the money is to be used for.  Or create a miniture of the gift. A tiny toy replica of the larger tool wanted. A photo of the gift.  Use your imagination to it's fullest. 

And if all else fails and you don't even have a clue what you are getting someone..... if they live close enough you can make gift certificates for babysitting, cleaning their house, going shopping for them if they can't get out to shop on their own, taking them to the doctor or other appointments.  The list goes on and  on. 

Bake cookies and give them and the recipe along with it. Create a small cook book with some of your favorite foods that you know they like as well. 

As I am reaching the time of being creative in my own gift giving this year, I leave you with a few simple suggestions... Take a deep breath, know that most people will be understanding and don't over work yourself to the point that you can't enjoy Christmas day.  The most important thing is to be with family and friends and to celebrate the true meaning of the season.  
And this year we pray for the many who will be without family members.  

Til next time - keep the needles stitching, the creativeness flowing and let your smile glow with the joy in your heart. 

Phyllis

 
  
 

Our thoughts and prayers

Tonight and all through the day our thoughts and prayer are with the families of those that were killed in the horrible shooting tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT (USA) So many innocent lives taken, so young.

Please join me in prayers for them. 

Twelve/Twelve/Twelve - 12/12/12

Welcome to 12

I'm a lady of numbers, just ask my husband. He is amazed at what I remember when it comes to dates. 

I even remember some classmates birthdays before they are posted on Facebook. 
I know were I was when I heard that Kennedy was shot, when the first man walked on the moon, when 911 happened.  
  
Of course I'm going to write about today being 12/12/12

12 days of Chritmas
12th of never
12 hours in a half day
12 eggs in a dozen
and today the 12th day of the 12th month of the year 2012.   It is the last time a date will have triple double numbers. Until 12/12/2112. LOL 

    So what are you doing today that's special? Will you remember it by the end of next year? 

Today - I finished and shipped out a quilt for my one customer, Ali, who is making three quilts with the help of several people across the country for the Hurricane Sandy Relief. 

Sandy Relief Quilt 1

I am getting ready to finish a small order for Kindle cases for customers for Christmas gifts. 

Kindle Case

Kindle Case

Then I'm going to work on gifts for my family. 
Then I may take time out to breath! LOL 

Wishing you all a great and memorable day! 

 Til next time - 
Keep those needles stitching, but take time to enjoy the day and all that it has to offer. 

Phyllis