It's funny how life really can be unpredictable.  I'm a planner, always have been and always will be.  It has it advantages and its disadvantages....I would like to be less of a planner and more of a go with the flow kind of person.  I'm learning!

A few of you knew that my mom was having surgery for colon cancer in January.....it was all planned and under control.  So many days in the hospital.  So many days at home recovering.  Life could easily go on as usual.  That worked for a little while.  Then her body was slow to respond afer surgery.  Then she had an infection.  Then she came home.  Then she was back in the hospital.  Then she was home again, but needing to make daily visits to the doctor for lab work and progress checks.  So a little unplanned and a little overwhelming for my dad, sister and I.  And the worrying....it seemed each day for a while there was something new to worry about. 

But the good news is that she is at home, healing and doing just fine and they believe that all of the cancer was removed with the surgery.  In fact she is itching to get back to the sewing machine and I'm ready to make some projects for her to quilt.  It's only been three weeks, but it feels like three months. 

I am ready to jump back in and check out the over 500 craft blog posts waiting for me .....

Show the progress of my Doll Quilt Swap .....

Show the progress of my Valentine Swap which will be going in the mail tomorrow .....

Catch up on any fabric swaps I owe .....

And last but not least, check in on my 3 x 6 Bee and see what everyone is making! .....

Life can be unpredicatable but it is still great!  Especially when my mom is going to heal and we can get back to quilting!  So thank you to all my friends for checking in on me and know that I had to take a break to handle the emotional roller coaster, but am back with an even better outlook on life.

So I'm finally back amoungst by blogger and flickr friends!  The crazy story will be in the next post....

this post is just to say

HURRAY to Tasha who won the embroidery book!

And I've also made this cute embroidery pattern for you to download and make for Valentine's Day. I framed mine so you can't see the x's and o's but it is super cute with them on there!

I'm having fun with some embroidery these days!  I always like to do embroidery in the winter for some reason.  My husband loves old cars...we have an El Camino, Porsche, VW Bug (those are just the cars that run)....plus others in certain stages of projects.  After 13 years I know a little more than I wanted to about makes, models, body styles, and what's cool!

I decided it was about time to actually use that knowledge so I'm making some embroidery patterns to sell on etsy.  Even Hubby thinks it is cool although I doubt he'll be gifting them to his car guys.

I've also been going through my supplies and organizing and I found a duplicate embroidery book so I'm giving it to you! It is such a great book I forgot I already owned it and bought it twice.  So leave a comment telling me iif you are cleaning out your closets this month too~

I'll pick a random winner on Monday the 18th~

The 3 x 6 Mini Bee has officially started.  The first quarter will occur from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010.  We have 7 beehives which consists of 7 people each.....49 flickr friends ready to start something new - woo hoo!

If you are participating in the first quarter then you can access the Questionaire on the link below:

 3 x 6 Sampler Questionaire

If you are interested in joining us in a future quarter (this mini bee will occur 4 times a year) then go visit the group's page on flickr and add your name to the reservation list.

The Second Quarter will be from April 1st to June 30th and we will start filling the beehives on March 15th, 2010. 

I am so excited to participate in yet another Doll Quilt Swap on flickr!  This is number 8 but for me it's only my second.  I like that it is a secret swap and we get to see sneak peaks without knowing what our little quilt will look like till it arrives.  I'm excited to find out who my partner is and in return I want to let my partner know that I want something they are inspired to make!

I always like to see clean, crisp white colors after Christmas so this little quilt is perfect!

I made it a few days before Christmas with simple patchwork and hand embroidery as a gift for my niece. She loved it and so do I. Of course you can't go wrong with Heather Ross fabric, purple, green, and matryoshka dolls.  The embroidery pattern is from A Little Sweetness.  I have her Christmas pattern also, but didn't have a chance to make it yet.

We had lots of quilt gifting this year so the parade of quilts will be starting soon.

My, Miss B, and my Niece!

Started working on my shoo fly quilt. I'm turning the corners which would traditionally have the green corners facing out. I like the simpler more modern look that the quilt block changes to.

I changed the colors of my blog, a girlfriend made me some logos and after six months, I'm finally finding me. There is such wonderful inspiration and ideas out there in blog land that it is easy to lose yourself. I've finally defined me and it feels great.

I am yellow, green, blue with simple graphic clean lines!

This quilt will be my first of 2010 and it will be all me ... my favorite colors, a simple design, and easy to make.

I'm looking forward to the New Year!

I love craft books!  It seems like everytime I turn around there is a new one coming out.  The inspiration and ideas are always fabulous but they sit next to my bed for me to look through instead of in the craft room as a book to go to and find a project to make.

I've decided to try something new for 2010.  It'll be my New Year's Resolution!  At least the fun one.

I'm going to pick a different craft book from my library each month and make a project from it ~ start to finish (not necessarily by the end of the month if it's a longer project) ~  By the end of the year I will have 12 projects from 12 different craft books! 

I'm also hoping that this will get me out of my sewing comfort zone and challenge me to try new sewing projects and not just quilts. 

My first book is going to be One Yard Wonders by Rebecca Yaker and Patricia Hoskins.  I'm excited for this to be January's book because it has so many fabulous projects.

I'm toasting to new craft and sewing adventures in 2010! 

If you would like to play along for any month then add your information on Mr. Linky and I'd love to see what book and project you have picked!

Having my daughter's birthday in December has taught me to be much more efficient than I have historically been. Shopping is done before Thanksgivng and the first half of December is devoted to preparing for her birthday and after that, the rest of December will be spent enjoying the holidays. Getting the tree, wrapping gifts, visiting friends and family, and making lots of goodies!

It seems awfully quiet in blog land so I would assume everyone else is enjoying the holidays also. I'm announcing December's winner then will be back by January 10th to announce January's Giveaway.

I have lots of crafting, cleaning and cupcake eating to get to! Enjoy your holidays and I look forward to lots of fun crafting adventures with you in the next year!

Before I say who the winner is I have to tell you that we opened Christmas gifts on Christmas morning but did always get a pair of pj's to open and wear on Christmas Eve! Of course I continue that tradition.

December's Winner is:

Anita who said:

When I was a kid we opened them on Christmas eve with my mom's side of the family. Now with my own family we open them on Christmas morning. Great question and happy holidays!