DARE YOU TO READ THIS

During this season, we get stressed and overwhelmed and family riffs seem to get worse. We are short of money, short of time and short of patience. Things don't go exactly as we would like and sometimes we think that life sucks. The Holidays are filled with frustrations, depression and disappointments.

I can't tell you how to think or feel, but I personally revel everyday in how many things I have to be grateful for, Holidays or no.

I look out the window and there is no war going on. I'm not in fear of my family getting tortured or killed.

I have a roof over my head and I'm cozy warm. The electricity isn't out so I have use of this computer, my TV, my stove, my microwave, refrigerator, hot water and lights.

When I go to bed, I'll sleep in a soft, comfy bed; not on the hood of a HumVee with the hot desert sun baking me and dust swirling around me.

I'll get up tomorrow morning and be able to walk unassisted to my kitchen where I have ample coffee and food. Then I'll get dressed in very nice clothes; more than I really need to cover my body.

I can pick up the phone or go to my e-mail and contact any number of family members whom I love dearly and who I'm sure love me. Oh, sure, like every family, I have a few real stinkers, but the ones who matter are always there for me.

I can't think of anything that I need that I don't have and if I get a little edgy during this season, then shame on me. And if you don't take at least a minute every day to count your blessings, then shame on you.

During this time, I wish you serenity and gratitude as a very Happy Holiday.

Linda C. Hall

INDIEBANDITAS BAZAAR

I hope by now everyone in the North Kitsap area is planning on attending the "IndiesBanditasBazaar" on Bainbridge Island starting Black Friday, November 27 and 28 from 10 am to 5 pm both days. For more information, go to their blog at: http://indiebanditasbazaar.blogspot.com/2009/11.

In case you've been living under a rock, you know that the entire bazaar features only handmade items made by many Northwest artists and crafters.

I will be there hawking my baby quilts, Christmas Stockings, Bottle Butlers and givaways. My crafty and creative daughter, Heather Lytle will be sharing the booth with me selling her adorable baby clothes and accessories that she has embellished with cartoons and cute sayings. The "Onesies" must be seen.

I would imagine that this is the place to find gifts for everyone in the family, even those hard-to-buy-for stinkers.

Whether you buy anything at by booth, be sure to stop by and say "Hey." See you there.

Linda Hall
www.TodaysBaby.etsy.com

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THE COPY

So, here's the quilt that was ordered by the repeat customer who wanted a copy of her previous purchase but in pink. The focus fabric is still by her favorite fabric designer, Anna Maria Horner. It's from her "Good Folks" collection. Before I got involved in current trends in the fabric world, I simply chose my fabrics according to what color caught my eye. Or what was on sale; or what was in my closet leftover from previous quilts.

What an education I've had. My modus operandi now is to find a grouping of fabrics offered by a current popular designer. I order small amounts online and when I receive it I go to a retail store and buy coordinating fabrics to fill in the bare spots, borders and backing. Even using my coupons, I usually spend at least $50 for the materials.

While pre-ironing all the fabrics, I could tell the difference just by feel between the cheap stuff and the actual quilting fabric. Now, I'm completely spoiled and my customers in turn will be spoiled.

Just wanted you all to see the results of trying to duplicate a quilt but make it different! Enjoy.

THE BIRTH OF A QUILT

The quilt pictured is the one I just finished and shipped off to a repeat customer.

She bought one of my ready-made ones I had listed on etsy and commented that it could have been larger. In my plucky marketing mind, I offered to make her one in the size that she would like and Daisy Doo, she took me up on it.

As she (and so many others) is an admirer of the popular fabric designer, Anna Maria Horner, I asked her to search the net and find a collection she liked. She found just the assortment at an etsy site hosted by "I Craft". (Post below.)

I ordered the group of fabrics and then I sat there and wondered how to combine them in a pattern that hopefully would please the customer. The collection consisted of 6 "Fat Quarters." For those of you who don't quilt, a fat quarter is a piece of fabric 18" x 22", so as you can see, that wasn't enough to make an entire quilt. Then decisions have to be made as to what other fabrics must be chosen that will coordinate, but not detract, to fill out the area of 50" x 60".

This is where the design work comes in. After these decisions are made and the top is completed, one still has to select a backing that will match. You get the picture--a lot of work goes into the design and construction of a simple, little quilt.

During this time, I often wonder why I'm taking a bunch of perfectly good fabric; cut it into little pieces; and then sew them back together again. It's a sickness, I tell 'ya.

To make a long story short (and when that's said, it's already too late) what came out from under the undulating needle is pictured above. I hope you all enjoy looking and maybe refer my work to your friends when they're in the market for a gift.

I Craft: Good Folks quilt.

I Craft: Good Folks quilt.

It's all about me.

Seems like the cyber-gremlins let me down again and didn't seem to want to post a photo of my new quilt on facebook. So I'm trying to do it manually--Jeez. If you go to your right and click on the second one down in the left column, you'll get the full treatment of desicription, other views, price, etc.

I'd love it if anyone who views it would leave a comment--makes me feel special. And remember, if you buy any of my etsy items and mention "etsy" in the buyer comments, you will receive a 25% discount, just for reading my blog.

Thank you for your very kind attention. (I remember that line from when I was in a play in grade school.)

This Sunny Weekend:

This might be the last really warm weekend we have before the cool fall weather sets in. I'm thinking I should honor it and celebrate it appropriately by enjoying some fresh, ripe, juicy peaches.

Does every one know how to peel peaches? Plop them in boiling water for about one minute, plunge into cold water and Wah Lah, off come the peelings. Then slice against the pit until it's all sliced. Dump a bunch of sugar on them, stir and let sit in the fridge for a while to get juicy.

Then serve them over vanilla ice cream and what on earth could be better? Great way to usher out summer.

Or, you could just come to my house and I'll fix some for you. You're welcome anytime.

To Do List for Tomorrow

I think Random Acts of Kindness are essential; not just nice. Join me in taking one whole day and see if you can give a compliment to everyone you see or meet tomorrow. If they're too far away from you, give them a wave or a smile.

You never know who's life you might brighten with just that little bit of effort.

Oh, yes, and if you tell anybody you did it, it doesn't count.

This simple little act will improve your day more than the recipient.