Saturday I decided I better start decorating for Christmas since I’m going to be gone some in the next few weeks. It’s such a huge job so I just figured I’d tackle as much as possible this weekend. Here are some “before” pictures.

A mess you say? No kidding!

Why do we put ourselves through all this?

And finally, the shelves are empty and dusted. (the only time the house gets a complete cleaning…LOL)

You’ll have to wait for the “after” pictures since we haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving yet, but, oh heck, here are a couple of teasers.

I wanted to get the fireplace area finished first because I really wanted to see what the stockings would look like. They are the kits I got from Primitive Gatherings. I’m really happy with them.

Uh oh, this was taken before I put stuff under the candles to stagger the heights!

And a close-up. Hmm, I’m going to have to work on that 4th one getting it to hang straight. Also, too much of the light color on the left. Going to have to switch them . LOL It’s amazing what you see in pictures.

Yesterday morning we woke up to this…

What a better way to spend a Sunday than with some snow on the ground and decorating for Christmas. It actually made the chore task a lot more fun.

Oh, okay, a couple more sneak peaks.

I’ve got lots of tweaking and “phoofing” to do before you can see the rest but at least it’s a start.

And what would decorating be without my little guy, Jack, helping out.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. Cherish your loved ones because…you just never know...

Hugs, Anne

The designer behind this pattern company is none other than the talented, sweet, generous, warm, down to earth ( that’s alot of well deserved superlatives) Renee Plains.  I bet there isn’t anyone who has met her that doesn’t feel the same way.

Her newest designs are wonderful.

And…she’s going to have a new book coming out in the spring through Kansas City Star publications.

Congratulations Renee.  Well deserved.  

Before Market started, I got an e-mail from Debbie at Woolen Sails telling me to check out some of the punch needle samples she had worked on for Lynette Anderson.  That was an easy task to do, because a couple of markets ago, Lynette was right down the aisle from the Bunny Hill booth and we all became fast friends.   

This is her cute son, Eddie.  Such a good sport to put up with all the craziness of quilters. Doesn’t Debbie do amazing work?    Check out the close-ups.

And here’s that cute Lynette wearing the nametag Debbie made her…just because.

Way to go Debbie!

So, one of the days before Market started, while everyone was still setting up, I happened to walk down an aisle and was stopped dead in my tracks. I saw this quilt and immediately got on my cell phone and called Karen to let her know that I found her next Block of the Month.

This little goodie is only 16 INCHES x 20 INCHES big (or should I say small). The pattern is by Lori Smith and it’s all done in wools by Mary Flanagan. I can’t even begin to tell you how gorgeous it is. The lighting wasn’t very good for picture taking, but trust me, it’s a beauty. I told Karen to run, not walk, to Mary’s booth the minute the doors opened. (I think she liked it too, so make sure you let her know if you’d like her to kit it up. Let’s put the pressure on her).

How’s this for eye candy? Yummy wool.

It was so fun to meet up with her again. We met through blogging and she has become a very special friend.

I know you’ve all seen tons of pictures of quilt market so I won’t bore you with more of the same. Instead I’ll just show you a few of my favorite quilts in some of the booths.

I absolutely fell in love with this one from The Buggy Barn gals. They are featuring it as a new Block of the Month. I immediately came home and ordered it. I can’t wait to get started. The picture doesn’t do it justice at all. It is just stunning. Wanna join me?

Every time I walked past Marcus Brothers booth, I had to stop and take in these 2 quilts. Loved em.

And a Bonnie Blue quilt that I wanted to take home with me. Do you think they would have noticed?

I’ve always liked this quilt and now it’s been published in a book, Juniper and Mistletoe by Kansas City Star publications. I picked it up at Sample Spree. Another project. Wheee

And check out the quilt on the left. It’s all done in WOOL! Oh my, I hope I didn’t drool on it. Barb Cribb, the designer of Wild Thymes, is just so talented.

This quilt was in the Moda booth advertising Brannock and Patek’s new line, Looking Back. I think the line will be out in 2010. I managed to snag a fat pack at Sample Spree. I hope they put this quilt in a pattern. After all, I’ll have to make SOMETHING out of the fabric, right?

Next up…I’ll show you what I may have talked Karen into doing.

It’s hard to believe that Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, isn’t it?  Our night time temps sure feel like it though.  We’re having some below freezing nights so the electric blankets are now on the beds.  I love the colors at this time of year and the newest block from Anne really let me have fun pulling from my wool stash.  I love the way this block turned out. 

While we were at quilt market, I bought a fat pack of the new Primitive Gatherings plaids called “Simple Gatherings”. Anne and I had fun picking out the sashing and border fabrics.   Now I just have to get them ordered and start putting it all together.  This has been such a fun project to work on all year. 

I want to thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and kind words.   I know there will be difficult days ahead, but I really appreciate the support I’ve had from my blogging friends.   What a wonderful experience blogging has been for me. 

I also want to thank Mr. CnW for stepping in and helping me out because I’m not sure the words would have ever come to me in a blog post.   Losing a parent is something we all have or will have to face, and one of the most difficult and stressful times we will have in our lives; but with the support of family and friends, hopefully, the journey will be a bit easier.  

Hugs, Anne

Annie L Sherrard:  1920 – 2009

Hello all,

This is Mr CnW.  Why you ask?  Well, I told Anne that she needed to let her blogging friends know what has been going on and she said she just couldn’t, so I volunteered. 

Her Mom passed away last Friday (Oct 30th) after a relatively short illness.  She was truly a great little lady.  A wonderful Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother…and also, a heck of a golfer.   It’s hard for us all to believe that just 3 months ago, she was out at her favorite golf course showing it who was the boss. 

She will certainly be missed by all who knew and loved her including Anne, her brother, three grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.   But, we can all find comfort in knowing that she is now on the first tee with Anne’s father at the heavenly golf course where you never lose a ball or hit a bad shot. 

She appreciated all your inquiries about her Mom’s illness and promises to be back blogging soon.  In fact, I think she said she has to do one on the 5th for something or other.   (It’s all “greek” to me!).

Thanks so much for supporting Anne.