Doniene's Guidelines for FMQ

Really this post is going to be about FMQ - but when I uploaded my photos to the computer, this darling shot of Gracen and her Aunt Mammie (Mandie - my D2)was right there - so just had to "show off" a little!! What a joy to have family together!! They even had matching hats!!

Well, I did it!! I dove into FMQ big time!! For Christmas gifts I made 5 lap quilts each measuring about 58" X 68". I have seen all of you out there in blog land just churning out these beautiful creations using FMQ. So for several months I've been studying and ooooing and aaaahing. I've watched tutorials on-line, I asked questions, I've looked again and again...and I dove in!!!  But in the process I've created "MY" list of FMQ Guidelines!!!


#1.  FMQ is a lot like loping horses in circles. You've got to look where you are going, not where you are or where you have been.

Mike's mom's quilt

#2. FMQ is a lot like running a fast break in basketball - controlled speed and you've got to see the whole court.

Mollie's quilt - front

Mollie's quilt - back

#3. FMQ is a lot like life - there are bumps and wobbles along the way - but you just keep going - fix a few and don't worry about the others.

Mikkie's quilt - front

Mikkie's quilt - back

Mikkie's quilt - detail

#4. FMQ is a lot like anything you do - do it in small manageable parts and you don't get overwhelmed!

Mandie's quilt - front

Mandie's quilt - back

#5. FMQ is lot like training Border Collies - don't do it when you are tired, cranky or just had a disagreement with your husband!

Lyn's quilt - front

Lyn's quilt - back

#6. FMQ is a lot like I do everything - with passion, love, and endurance!

Now I'm going to make me something!!

Happy, Happy, Blessed New Year!!!!!

Blessed Christmas Day!!!!

Our family gathered on Christmas Eve for our Celebration of family - a family in the natural, but also a family of faith - with Jesus as our Savior and Lord! Christmas is that joyous time of making the proclamation of His Glory!! Hope yours is filled with Him!!

My youngest daughter, Mollie, portrayed our day the best! Go here and see our day!

Blessings,

Doniene

And the Shepherds Kept Watch O'er Their Flocks...

A Blessed Christmas filled with His Peace, Love, and Joy to each and every one of you!!

The Stockings were hung...with care!

Voila!!! I finished Gracen's Christmas stocking that hangs at Nene and Gramps' house!!

The bow on the top left is made from a hanky that was my grandmother's. Loved the colors, and thought it would be a nice addition!.

For those that wondered - if you look at my last post you will see some "paper" pinned on the stocking. Well, I couldn't write Gracen's name on the burlap, so I wrote it on tracing paper, pinned it in place and then stitched through it. I was using DMC #5 Perle Cotton with a large needle, so it made big perforations in the paper. When I finished, I gently tore the tracing paper away and it worked wonderfully!

Another note of interest. A couple of people have asked about my name. Well I did a google search and found that there is an area in the Basque area of Spain (northern on the Bay of Biscay) that has a winery with  my name but also there is a 70 ft fishing vessel which was constructed in that area and yep, you got it! It is named DONIENE!! I got this photo from the internet, and just had to show you! I'm not an ocean person - I've only seen the Gulf of Mexico one time, but this is one beautiful ship!!

Hope you and all yours have a Blessed Holiday Season filled with Love, Joy and Peace!!!

Slow Sunday Stitching (and same ole, same ole)

Ever since I started "doing" Slow Sunday Stitching over at Kathy's, I always find something that I need to Hand Stitch! This week it is Gracen's stocking that will hang at my house! My daughter commented, "It's huge, Mom!!!". Of course it is - grandbaby's stockings are suppose to be big at Nene's house!! I sewed it up yesterday, but am embroidering her name and then I will hand stitch some "bling" later. (I'll post a final pic later)

Same ole, same ole...

Barrister blocks, Grandmother's Choice blocks, and FG units.

And New Stuff - go here to get a glimpse of what I've been doing - not getting as much stitching or blogging time!

Hope your holiday season is filled with Peace and Joy!!