Happy New Year to all the Bellaonline Quilters Quarters Newsletter subscribers. I do sincerely hope that 2011 is a wonderful year for you all, and that your creative juices runneth over.

Christmas and New Year were positively frantic for me this year, which is quite a change from the usual. I was very lucky to celebrate the season in the company of my three lovely sisters. It was very crowded at our house, and the noise level was, well to say the least, through the roof. But the DH's all managed to survive the barrage on their senses and us blisters had the endorphins flowing at great knots!

Naturally, I didn't get much sewing done, other than the hand sewing at night whilst talking. And of course the following day, most of it was unpicked!!

So into another year already and I'm excited about bringing you more goodies to enjoy along with the weekly articles I write just for you.

Last Sunday I posted an aricle on Block of the Month offers for 2011. I scanned the web to find those that were interesting to me. These BOM's are not free, but the costs are reasonable I think. Here's the link:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51628.asp

I hope to post another article, in about six weeks time, highlighting FREE Blocks of the Month for 2011. I have to give the organisers some time to get them up and running, as a lot of these freebie BOM's are run by Not for Profit guilds and the like. So stay tuned for that.

I posted my New Year greetings on the forum and invite you to do the same. Here's the link:

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=43

So, onto my first lot of little gifties for you in 2011. I hope you enjoy them.

http://punkprojects.blogspot.com/2010/07/sewing-machine-mat.html always a great idea, especially when doing workshops away from your sewing room.

http://michelemademe.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-toilet-paper-tube-pincushion.html I know, another pin cushion, but this one is made out of a toilet roll!!!

http://kittyandmedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/09/tutorial-how-to-clean-non-washable.html pardon my ozzieness, but this is a RIPPER of an idea for cleaning your non-washable quilts and other embroidery.

http://www.kootoyoo.com/2009/01/how-to-fold-fat-quarter.html simple, but clever!

http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com/2010/10/tutorial-beaded-fringe.html great for those who love playing with beads.

http://www.madebylex.com/2010/10/pattern-weights-tutorial.html great idea for fabric weights

Well, I must away. Now that I have my sewing room back, I'm busy trying to finished the quilt I've designed for our new bed. I'll post an article about it further down the track. It's all about the Quilt as you Go Method, and I'm thrilled with the results I'm getting.

So till next time, have fun quilting, and cheerio for now

Judie Bellingham, Quilting Editor
http://Quilting.bellaonline.com

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