The Year in Review

When one of your life's passions is creative sewing, and the name of your blog is Flourishing Palms, it's healthy to pause and look at what you've done in the previous year. Even if you haven't met the expectations you set for yourself, reflection is worthwhile. 

Some of you may recall I vowed to fulfill a "Ten in '10" commitment to make and finish ten quilts. Admittedly, not all of those ten quilts were finished, but, it's still satisfying to look back at the quilts that were made.

Row 1: to a nephew; to a grandson; to a grandson

Row 2: to a grandson; to a grandson; for a quilt auction

Row 3: group quilt for a sick child; for a child in a Nigeria orphanage; for Stitchin' Mission

Row 4: all for Stitchin' Mission

Row 5: for an embroidery swap; for myself; for a yet-to-be-selected little girl

A few other finishes include:

• Snap bags, zipper bags, origami bag, Beebe bags; embroidered bag; Schlep bag; Prendy Girl bag
• denim slippers
• six skirts
• travel pillow
• pillowcases
• valance, and two arched window covers
• four infant "loveys"
• two notions organizers
• bow tie blocks for a group quilt
• a dozen bottle cap ring pin cushions (Tutorial on menu tab above.)

And...
I visited Sydney, Australia, for the fourth time (Who's counting besides me!?)
I welcomed two new grandsons into our family!

Six UFOs were worked on too:

• Snowflake Medallion
• Snowman A-Z embroidery
• Candied Hexagons
• Periwinkle Star
• Joseph's Coat
• Roll, Roll, Cotton Boll

Guess it was a productive year after all! Hmmm. Makes me wonder what finishes I'll be reflecting on by 2012. Well, I'm sure not going to create a set-up for disappointment by listing what I'm going to accomplish this year. I've tried that and it doesn't work for me. Instead, let me wish you and me a Satisfyingly Productive 2011. For me that means not only spending time on UFOs, but using up older fabrics in my stash to downsize my sewing area.

What does Satisfyingly Productive mean to you?

Prendy Tote Bag

Now that Christmas has revealed all its gifts, I can share pictures of the reversible tote bag I made for our DIL, Lyn. The pattern is called "Prendy Girl," and it's a design that comes from the shop "Keep Me in Stitches," in Tampa, Florida.

Prendy Bag 15" X 21"

These pictures show a piece of paper tucked into the pockets I added to both sides of the bag. The pockets are cut out and sewn to match the print of the fabric so they're "hidden" if they aren't being used. As you can see, one side of the bag is "I heart my dog" print. The opposite side is Australia fabric.

I purchased the Australia print in Australia, and since Lyn and our son were there in December 2009, this makes a nice remembrance bag. Lyn likes the bag and was happy to model it for this photo.

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope 2011 brings you all the joys God has planned for you.

Four Generations

For the first time since Christmas 2007, my side of our family got together for Christmas. It's pretty incredible to see how our family has grown - to 26 people - and to know how delighted our mother would have been (she passed away in December, 2002) to have joined in. We are blessed to have our Dad with us.

Of us three kids, I'm the oldest, on the left.

These are all our children, from the oldest (left) to the youngest (right). Our daughter Jill and son Brent are on the far left. Since the only girls are the oldest and the youngest, they're referred to as "the bookends."

Here are those children with their own children.

And our Dad with his five great-grandchildren.

For the first time, Dan and I find ourselves in a new family arrangement with four grandchildren! The three boys are 15 months, 7 months, and 7 weeks. I've become quite the efficient diaper-changing expert!

Though I love each of my grandchildren, this is the fella I see least often. Austin, nearly eight months old, lives in Florida, so time spent with him is especially precious.

It's been a week of making memories, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Since Jill's six weeks post-c-section visit to the doctor, she's been given the go-ahead to physically care for (lift) her two little ones. That means my husband and I won't be in Kansas quite as frequently as we've been since September. I'm glad to return to a normal routine in Iowa, but will definitely miss seeing the little ones who always grow too fast. I've learned through all of this traveling and childcare to appreciate whatever moment I'm in. Life goes by too quickly to wish for, or wish away, anything.

International Gifts

My talented friend, Edith, who lives in Switzerland, surprised me with this beautiful ACT (Artist Trading Card). Her work is always original, and often richly embellished and dimensional. She's especially fond of threads, and uses them to great affect. Gorgeous!

Though these cards are meant to be traded, I have yet to make one. And look how many she has made for me! Thank you, Edith! Happy holidays to you too!

I recently won a pattern giveaway from Helen of Hugs 'n Kisses in Australia. This 56" X 56" quilt, "Larapops" was designed by Helen's daughter. Happily, the pattern includes 20 Floriani Stitch n' Wash circles to help make applique easier. Thank you for this nice gift, Helen!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Special greetings to my friends Down Under who are already celebrating this Holy Day. Di, it was wonderful to receive your thoughtful phone call!

Thank you - every one of you who have visited my blog. I have been unbelievably blessed to have shared quilting, activities, travel, grandchildren, and life with you. It has been a privilege to become acquainted and call you friends. I especially cherish our mutual faith in Jesus, our risen Lord. Happy birthday, Jesus! Merry Christmas to all of you!

Schlep Bag

Before the family gathers, we dress for church, pose for pictures, open gifts, and feasting begins, I squeaked out a project.

It was mailed to me by Patty of MomLoves2Quilt. I won her fabric giveaway: four quarter-yard pieces and a 5/8 yard piece. Unexpectedly, the fabric was accompanied by instructions for a "Schlep Bag." I turned this out in about two hours. 

Other than a strip of batting in each handle, the bag doesn't have a filler. It's just the exterior and lining which should make it easy to fold up and take along. I think I'll stash it in my purse so whenever I find myself at a checkout and the clerk reaches for a plastic bag, I can pull this out. It's big! Those on-point squares were cut 8" X 8".

After making the bag, I found instructions here. Take a look at the unusual method of putting it together. Pretty neat, actually.

It seems the free pattern has been around for a while. Leave it to me to be the last to know. Thank you, Patty, for bringing me up to speed.

I wish everyone safe travel, wherever you may be going, and a blessed time with family. Thank you God for the gift of your little boy, Jesus.

Merry Christmas!