Only 25 more days! Yikes!

I hope that you had a great holiday. I ate way too much! Big A made these cute turkeys at his Thanksgiving class party. Aren't they cute?

We had a great time though because my sister and her family visited from Toronto. We got all of the photos with Santa taken care of and I took the traditional holiday photo of my nephew for his holiday card. Now, the crunch before Christmas! Luckily, I get the "gift shopping" part of Christmas done in November. That way I can cruise and enjoy December and make little gifts.

I designed these pillows for my book, New Noel. I love them because they're so fresh and adorable. I fell madly in love with the black/gray/cream check pattern below. I think that I bought a good part of the bolt.

I love bright, modern colors. I'm not much of a traditionalist when it comes to holiday colors. I vary from the brights to cream/light blue hues to earthy but for some reason I just don't do the usual emerald green and tomato red. I've even got a little design in progress that has incorporated chocolate colored felt. What are your favorite colors for the holidays? Will be back very soon. xo, L

Is There A Doctor In The House?

I am feeling better but I still sound like a loud, barking seal. Do I have any readers who are doctors or nurses [or anyone else with a cure]? Please, tell me of a cure for this hacking cough. I will love you forever.

I have worked through all of this though. It has been tough keeping focus on everything but I have done two interviews in the past month and I have finished two book proposals. Phew!

Have you started making gifts yet? Of course you have! (wink!). If not, then I am sure that you'll only have time for quick little gifts from here on in. First, did you check out the birdies that I designed for Quilts and More back in the Fall 2008 issue?

In the same issue there was the cool little crayon holders that I designed. I love those and plan on making a few to give away to the wee ones in my life. I used my Gardenia fabric in this one.

I also think that pillow ideas are quick and easy designs that you can make. I made the one above a while ago with my Funky Flowers fabric. It's so bright and happy. I'll highlight a few more ideas in the next few days. I have my sister, bil and cute little nephew visiting this weekend. I can't wait. I hope that you are all having fun prepping for the holiday weekend. xo, L

Noel

I thought that I'd start with a project that has been available on my web site in case any of you haven't seen it yet. You can find the pattern here. 

I love the simplicity of this stocking. I used felt for the body of the stocking. It's fairly small so put little trinkets in it or just use it to dress up a corner. Meanwhile, I will be back soon. I'm on meds right now and I can't seem to shake this cold. Enjoy and I'd love to see your work.

xo, L

So Satisfying

*Note: I edited this post ever so slightly because the earlier one didn't flow quite as I liked.

In the past year I made a point of making more personal gifts more than samples. It was therapeutic and a terrific means for me to express thanks for all of the little gifts of love and support that I received. One of these special projects was a beautiful scarf designed by Kim Hargreaves and knit with Rowan Cocoon. I almost didn't want to part with it. The scarf was so soft and warm.

It's going to be a handmade year. I'm going to put out a few free projects soon. Hopefully, you'll be inspired enough to make some for yourself or for gifts. Some designs have already been around and there will be a couple of new ones. Stay tuned in the next few weeks.

Back to Quilt Market for a second. My friend Karla of Sweetwater Street and I always have great little talks through the day during market. She has these cool labels, beautiful fabric and quilt patterns. Check out her designs. I met her at my very first market. She only designed quilt related items at that time and then she went into the world of scrapbooking. She's now combined the best of both and is designing really cool labels that you can order. You'll love them.

I always enjoy running into quilt shop folks. I love their enthusiasm. Here are the folks from Spool in Philadelphia, Pa. I've only been to their knit shop, Loop, but I'm sure the fabric sister store is as gorgeous as the first.

I just love running into people in the aisles. Everyone's having a great time at the show and we're all there to be inspired.

I met Sherri [above, left] and Sandi [below] at the airport in Atlanta last year. They were super nice and we had a great time at dinner. Ladies, I'm sorry that I didn't get to spend much time with you because I was only there for a short time this year. I was running around trying to accomplish a few things in particular. Unfortunately, socializing wasn't at the top of the list! Next year!

The ribbons at this booth were gorgeous. I am a ribbonaholic. Is there therapy for this sort of problem?

The products at Quilt Market are an endless source of inspiration. I didn't even get photos of everything because I started running around for my appointments at this time.

The ladies at Stone Creek Creations manufacture these nifty little totes for storing your tools. They had a really cute booth and an adorable little girl in a big chair. It reminded me of the kids' show, "The Big Comfy Couch". They gave out these cute headbands with feathers [as shown in her hand]. I couldn't believe that they women and men wearing them throughout market. My little one has been wearing my bright fuschia colored one and hopping around like a bunny. So funny.

Have a great weekend. I'm going to get some rest. We have been sick with colds all week. We are turning the corner now and hopefully it will be out of our systems by Sunday. Both of the boys are participating in their first tae kwon do tournament. xo, L

Check This Out

Leisure Arts has a wee interview of me here. You should check out Cheryl's blog too. The crafty ones all dressed up in terrific pirate costumes for Halloween.

Lovelies On My Desk

I'll get back to a few more Houston photos later in the week. For now, I need to do some work. I need to do a bit of catching up because I'd caught a cold when I was in Houston.

Meanwhile, I am working at the wee hours of the morning and trying to distract myself by looking at the little things that I have around my desk. I picked up that frame at the top for my cork board at an estate sale about 12 years ago. The glassware is a bit newer. I got them at anthropologie. The most beautiful item is my tall vase. It is a ceramic piece from Kosoy and Bouchard. I love it and I love their whole line of ceramics. Their pressware line is to die for. I wanted to buy a few pieces when I met them at the One of a Kind show in Toronto but I knew the realities of having the pieces in my home. My little boys would somehow introduce themselves to the pieces. I'm sure that my little one would make a new home for his Bakugan balls if I'd treated myself to the flat plates or put his rock collection on top of it.

Yesterday, I went to grab Alex's jacket and it felt as though the jacket weighed 20 pounds or so. I discovered his love for jagged rocks and hence, his new collection in his pockets. Yes, this is the same child who took a Sharpie marker and colored my dashboard [fyi, Magic Eraser works wonders in erasing it all] and wrote on my light beige carpet with it. I am told that I shouldn't be mad or surprised because "he takes after me". I won't tell those folks who told me that they're right but between you and me, they are right. He's fiesty, artsy and gutsy. I have no one else to blame and I'm not mad.