Welcome to the latest issue of the Quilting Gallery Newsletter. It’s been a very exciting month.

The past few days, the mailman has arrived with wonderful packages for the Charms for Charity Contest. What fun this has been… it’s just like Christmas morning around here.

Entering is easy… just send me six 5" charms. Three will be donated for charity, and the other three will be entered into a random draw. My mailing address and full details are available on the web site. So far, I have received 70 charms from the UK, Florida, Indiana, British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario.

Want a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Eco TAV? Tracey, a local friend of mine, has written the latest guest blogger post, Textiles, Sewing and the Environment. Read the post and leave a comment by December 15, to be entered in the draw.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend best wishes to you and your family for this holiday season. My niece is almost three years old and she’s very excited for Santa to come this year (as long as he brings stuff in pink). I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends in the coming weeks.

Happy Quilting!

Michele (aka Mishka)
Quilting Gallery
michele@quiltinggallery.com

News from the Quilting Gallery

• The Living Healing Quilt Project honours the strength, courage, and commitment of Indian Residential School Survivors. The 31 quilt blocks and the stories that were submitted are being published on the Quilting Gallery.
• 1999 … that’s the number of Quilting Bloggers listed in the directory. All I can say is, WOW!
• Do you Facebook? Join the Facebook Fan Page for Quilting Bloggers. Do you Twitter? You can follow me.
• There were 43 submissions for the Falling Leaves Photo Contest. The winners:
  • Leaves Will Fall Table Runner by Jean Kritenbrink
  • Autumn Glow (Herfstgloed) by Willeke de la Chambre – van der Velden
  • Autumn Cot Quilt by Angela Huddart
• There are 23 wonderful shops listed in the Quilt Shop Locator, representing 17 American states and 3 Canadian provinces (and an Australian shop to be added later this week). Rates to join are still at the intro special of 50% off. Now’s a great time to get listed and save money too. Join Now!

Mishka’s Picks

Here are my picks for November:

• Need a quick last-minute gift for one of your quilting buddies? Check out this excellent Pincushion Cuff Tutorial. Pretty and practical!
• For a quick and easy lap-sized quilt, try the Mango Tango Tutorial. An excellent project for a beginner.

Around the Web

Women, quilts and history… here are some inspiring links for you to explore.

• Judy Anne Breneman has published a series of Old Testament Bible Quilt Block Patterns (pictured)
• Women On Quilts
• The Alliance for American Quilts
• Womenfolk: The Art of Quilting
• Quilters Spirit
• Patterns from History (Free quilt patterns)
• Patches from the Past (History of Quilts)

Late Night Sanity Saver

Find yourself stitching well into the early hours to get those projects completed in time for the holidays? Here’s a special treat just for you… ice cream optional.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil [I'm going to try it with apple sauce instead]
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to the mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil (or applesauce) and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

Received via email, from Linda B. of Ottawa, Ontario.