2nd annual christmas shopping.

 

With Christmas only a few weeks away, I thought it would be a fun time to share with you some of my very favorite online shops.  Each one ran by a dear friend who invests her heart into each pattern and product she creates.

Our first stop is the queen of cute, Lori Holt's shop : Busy Bee Inc.  There are several different quilt, table topper, wall hanging, and home decor patterns available.  Including Quilty Fun Lessons in Scrappy Patchwork - which currently is part of a super fun quilt along.  In addition, there are some great sets of rulers designed by Lori.

Our next stop is Allison Harris's fabulous pattern shop : Cluck Cluck Sew.  Allison's patterns are one of my very favorite.  Her instructions are so well illustrated and written.  Allison is offering a 40% discount to my readers through December 2nd.  Just enter discount code : Thanks40!  Thanks so much Al!!

 

 

Vintage Grey is such a lovely shop.  Each vintage item Heather re-purposes tends to tug at my heart.  Heather specializes in creating pillow covers, tea towels, clothespin bags, pot holders, hankies, and table runners using vintage fabrics in addition to the charming touches of crochet, embroidery, and sewing with current fabrics.  So precious!

My dear friend Kathy at Hens in Daisies has brought some sparkle into Christmas with these elegant stockings!  They look beautiful from either side!  Add a glimmery bow, brooch or ornament for even more glam.  Measuring 16" from top to heel and approx. 6" wide.  Kathy has currently listed them on sale!

Clover and Violet is a precious mother daughter team who design many different types of bag patterns.  Super cute diaper bags, handbags, purses and clutches!  All available in pdf.

Happy Little Cottage is a shop overflowing with charm.  Debbie creates the sweetest baby gift sets, baby quilts, mug rugs, buntings/banners, pillow covers, pincushions, and table runners. I just love everything she makes!!

Donna's Lavender Nest is a lovely on-line fabric shop that carries a beautiful selection of Lecien, Riley Blake, Moda, Lakehouse, Windham, Tanya Whelan, Quilt Gate, Atsuko Matsuyama, and other adorable Reproductions.  Donna is just the sweetest and offers excellent service!

In addition, Donna is carrying the 

latest Pam Kitty Morning Picnic prints!  So cute!

Stitch by Stitch is a longarm quilting company, ran by my dear friend Kathy.  Kathy has wonderfully quilted many of my quilts and I love each and every one!  She offers 20% off your first quilt and free return shipping on all US quilts.  In addition, Kathy runs monthly specials.  

Most recently Kathy quilted a very special quilt of mine, for a very precious little angel.  Little Miss Grace Anne was born on Tuesday, the 26th.  Here I am with my sweet birth-daughter, Valerie, on skype the very next day!

I can hardly wait to snuggle Miss Grace in her new little quilt.  Thank you Kathy, for the charming touches you added to Grace's quilt.  I absolutely love it!! 

And last but not least, 

my little shop, natnkat. 

Thank you for visiting today.  Several years ago I read "don't buy from robots" and I smile every time I recall it.  I hope you will check out the different shops shown, for your Christmas shopping needs.  xoxo

weekend sewing for a special little someone.

This sweet little quilt is for a very special little girl who is due to be born in just a few weeks.  Her precious name is Grace Anne, and she shares the same middle name as myself and her mom!  I can hardly wait to meet her! 

from my heart.

 (image has nothing to do with post - wink)

Today's post is a wee bit personal.  With it being in the forefront of my heart for the past month, I feel I just need to say something.  My regular readers (and dearest friends) are aware that I am a birth mom and that my daughter was adopted from me when I was just 17. 

(Val and I with Nanny during one of our visits)

I am very blessed to have a close relationship with Valerie.  She is more precious to me, than I have words to describe.  

(playing together during a visit)

We talk and text constantly.  Laugh incessantly!  We have chatted via skype and keep updated with pictures as well.  

We have been trying to arrange a visit for what seems like the longest time.  We have not seen one another since 2004!  Crazy huh?!  Neither of us like it either!

Since that time, Valerie has married a dear young man and the two of them have a sweet little boy!  Both of whom I have not met in "real life".

Well girls (deep breath), I have the confirmation information on my phone, for the plane tickets purchased and I am heading her way very soon!  I am a little nervous, and on the other hand, so happy I can hardly contain it!  Sleep is not coming easy if you can imagine. My brain has consulted with my heart many times on the matter, reminding it to stay in check.  We are both so thrilled that we can finally be together again!!  It has been way too long!!

Isn't she just the cutest?!

My (birth) daughter Valerie is due any day now. Her actual due date was last Sunday and this little guy is taking his own sweet time. My 40th birthday is next week (the 12th) and I am secretly hoping that he will be born then.

I am flooded with a million memories of the day Valerie was born. Her adopted parents were my birth coaches and I could not have survived that day with out them. Her dad always cracking jokes and her mom the most gentle and compassionate woman to have by my side.

I am so fortunate to have an open adoption with Valerie. I have known her, her whole life. I thank God for the grace He has shown on me over the years. The momma's heart that longs for the baby she could never keep was and has been a heavy cross to bare. But God ... He has been my comfort and my pillar through every tear, as well as every answer to prayer!
Here is a glimpse of a quilt I am creating for this little man who I hope to meet one day soon.