Happy New Year Bonne Annee Gutes Neues Jahr

.....from me, a little late but still in January  !

We had a wonderful holiday with the whole family together, and now the house is empty again.  I am looking forward to a good 2014 and wish you all health, happiness and lots of stitching time.

Here are a few of the things I was spoiled with over the holidays -

Marlene worked her magic on this older top.  It was one of my goals for 2013 to finish most of the tops I have pieced.  There is only one left at this stage, so I am pleased.  I put the binding on this morning so I will have some simple sewing in front of the tv later !

The quilting pattern was very similar to the applique fronds.

This is a large quilt so you can only see a small portion of it.  It was a pattern in Primitive Quilts magazine which I enjoyed making, the finished product looks like the pattern in an old coverlet.

Trying out a thicker batting in this one, it is really heavy !  Also has the binding machined on, so I have a couple of evenings of handsewing.

Now for a real treasure !  My son gave this to me at Christmas.  It is a wonderful puzzle box made by an old gentleman he met.  He traded chores around the house - cleaning gutters, shoveling snow, heavy work that involved climbing, etc. which had become too much for the gentleman.

Here it is partially opened - all I need to do is twist the top slightly with one hand.

 Fully open - both of them thought this would be a wonderful sewing box for me - and they are right !  Just the right size for fine needles and boutis thread.  I may even line the bottom of the drawers.

From Nicole - a wonderful gift ! First this beautiful fabric covered box ......

Then the treasure of a wonderful sampler in my favorite variegated reds on overdyed linen.  This one will be framed soon and join the other two she has made for me which are hanging in my living room.

Wonderful isn't it ?  OH - the delicious chocolates are no longer in the box !!  Of course you know why - we couldn't resist !!

And just for fun - a couple of flowers from the garden this morning.  We have a beautiful day today after a week of dreary humid weather, today is cooler, drier and sunny.  Happy Sunday !