Mel's Own Place

AND

The Black and White Prize goes to

Patti in Missouri {osagebluffquilter}

Congratulations!!

Here are my posts that offer giveaways: Welcome! Prize is two issues of my favorite magazines, some of my favorite notions, and a fun clutch To enter, you must leave a comment on that particular post, NOT THIS one! Makeover Links Prize is four black and white fat quarters and some black fuzzy socks To enter, you must leave a comment on that particular post, NOT THIS one! AND my One World One Heart giveaway (This giveaway is open until Feb. 11th) Prize is a Market Bag made by me (not shown) Pattern by Portobellopixie. To enter, you must leave a comment on that particular post, NOT THIS one! I have enjoyed meeting so many new friends through my giveaways! I've also enjoyed my 'steady' group of blogging friends who stop by for a visit! Good luck to you all and have a creative week!

Glad you asked! I was so excited to get a gift certificate from my sis-in-law (we draw names) to Spoonflower! One can upload a design and they print it on fabric! So you can be a fabric designer! I can't wait to try it and I hope I don't get too addicted! I got subscriptions to McCall's Quilting, Fons & Porter quilting magazines. A gift certificate to Arnie's (where I get my basket weaving supplies!) Gift card to my FAV place to eat; Texas Roadhouse The coolest necklace sets from an Etsy shop I happened upon called Polarity . I told my hubby about the sewing one I wanted and my sister heard me talking about how cool it was and called the designer to have a quilting set made up for me too! I thought it was soooo cool that Cat, the owner, would make a special order set for no extra charge! I also got iPod speakers, clothes, some craft books such as how to bind books, and a trendy sewing book! I got so much creative stuff that my head is spinning trying to figure out where to begin! I think I'm going to have a fun and creative 2009!

OK, I'll post what I can for now, my computer has never been so enaccessable and it's driving me crazy!! My final for class is trapped in there somewhere and so are some pictures I wanted to share with you, but until my hubby can fix it, this post will have to do. My birthday was Sunday and I was able to sew for three whole days!! (I can't show you what I've been sewing . . . it's for Christmas!) My hubby and son let me be all alone for most of the weekend! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE them dearly, but I was in heaven with all the time to myself! I had to go buy a new iron and board cover and counted them as a couple of my presents! Only a quilter would be excited to get an iron for a birthday present! Oh, and don't worry, I won't iron ANYTHING but quilting fabric with it! Sunday we went to my parent's house for a yummy Lasagna dinner!! My mom makes the best lasagna - really, I promise! We had my very favorite thing in the whole world for desert, CHOCOLATE CAKE!! Nothing fancy, just CHOCOLATE CAKE! OK, ok, there were 35 candles on the cake, I decided not to be shy or embarrassed about the number because every one of them account for many wonderful times in my life! My parents gave me a 2 year subscription to a quilting magazine and a digital scrapbook program; Memory Mixer. I've been eyeing the program for a few months now and can't wait to fiddle with it! My sister (no blog) gave me some yummy truffles and some darling 'spoke weights' for basket weaving. As you lay out your spokes (reed) for creating a base for your basket, you need something to hold them down. I've been using small pieces of wood, but these are SOOO CUTE! and I think they will work much better! *I wish my computer would let me in to post a picture!!* As a tradition, we lit the candles, yes REAL candles on my parent's Christmas tree. Our family comes from Germany/Switzerland so as homage to our ancestors who put candles on their trees, we have them on our tree as well. I really can't explain how beautiful it is to see the tree lit with only the candles. We only light them on special occasions, my birthday, my dad's birthday, Christmas eve and Christmas day. My dad puts on Johnny Mathis singing Silent Night and it is so peaceful and calming! Here are some of my favorite ornaments on the tree: I made this tree skirt a few years ago. It's a Thimbleberries pattern and fabric. I liked the pattern because of it's square shape. My friend Jen (no blog) left this charming package for me to find on my porch. I love Willow figurines, they seem to be able to portray relationships so well. Marta (no blog) who is the owner of the shop I quilt at, gave me a beautiful assortment of Kaufman fat quarters and a Thimbleberries book; My Best. She also took me to the movie; Four Christmases. I'm not usually one for cheesy Christmas themed movies, but this one was truly funny! Another fun Christmas time movie in my opinion is Holiday with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz - Jack Black too! My sister-in-law, Lori has been a super help to me this week!! She has had Urban over to play with her son, Scotty twice this week! This has allowed me lots of time to sew and work on my final! I'm a lucky gal to have such great friends and family!! Tomorrow is basket weaving day, I'll try to remember to take pictures and upload them from a healthier computer than mine has been!