Hot Chocolate Club

I was so thrilled to complete this project in 2011.  It was a block of the month that I got several years ago.  I had completed some of the blocks, and finally got in gear and completed the rest and put it together.  Then it was several more months before I settled down to quilt it.  The pattern is Pearl Louise's "Hot Chocolate Club."  I love snowmen, and she creates adorable snowmen patterns.

Merry Christmas to all!  Have a wonderful day wherever you are.  Our family had an early Christmas on December 11 since our younger son and family were going to be in San Diego with our DIL's family.  Today we will have a lovely time across the street with Kevin and his family.  First though, I'm off to the kitchen to make a couple pies.

DH and I with our four DGC

 Older son Kevin and his family

 Younger son Kurt and his family

Pepper Dish quilt top in progress

Now I will readily admit that this picture leaves a lot to be desired.  Early this year at our quilt group meeting, I issued a paper piecing challenge, and for myself I chose the Judy Niemeyer Pepper Dish quilt pattern.  When I took this picture, I had not completed the piecing, and had not done the applique.  The random green partial star is one of the ones I made to check if I liked the fabrics.  It ended up being used in the center.  My fabric choices are vastly different from what is shown on the face of the printed pattern.

After all that rambling, I will tell you that I am now machine quilting the quilt, and the reveal for the paper piecing challenge is at our holiday party on January 8.  I am so anxious to get it completed, and will post a picture or two when it is all done.

By the way, I will tell you that the instructions were specific and very, very clear.  I had no problem following them at all.

Gotta love Yellowstone National Park!

In August DH and I made a road trip to Yellowstone.  It had been a very long time since we had been there.    What a national treasure the park is!  We had such a marvelous time and marvelled again at the geysers, wildlife and gorgeous scenery.  If you haven't gone and can - go!

 Old Faithful strutting her stuff

There were quite a few bison, one of which was ambling slowly down the road, stopping traffic in both directions.  We also saw quite a few elk.  There was one bear, but it was at a distance and we didn't get a photo.

 Didn't I say it was scenic?

 Grand Tetons - they just take your breath away!

It has been forever since I have posted.  I have occasionally  looked at other blogs, but that's about the extent of anything blog-related that I have done.

We had  a wonderful summer, but as always, it went too fast.

I completed the two wildlife quilts for our two sons, and presented those to them.  They were both very pleased.

I can't really attempt to cover the last 8 or 9 months in one post, so I'll just maybe gradually come up to date.