Sunday, December 4, 2016

Welcome, December

December....how can that be?  I'm fairly certain that this year went much faster than it should have.  Ready or not, here it is.  I know I am not alone in disbelief.

The crud has struck like a vengeance around here so accomplishing much has been a bit of a challenge.  Thankfully, commitments and entertaining have forced us to keep moving.  We had our big Thanksgiving last weekend - in the rain - and then our annual Christmas dinner here last night.  Now that those two big dinners are behind me, I managed to slip away into my sewing space today.  I have missed the dates with my sewing machine. 

There is no way that I can keep up with the annual Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt during these busy days.  I am partway through step one, but worked on step two today.  Although these are not "my" colors, I love the way they are all coming together. 


My sister is also doing the Mystery.  This is her first time doing one and we've been having fun sharing our photos with each other.  Although I have not been able to convince her to start her blog YET, she is posting her progress on her IG account (alaskanquilter) along with some amazing quilts that she has been creating.  If you follow her you will also see some spectacular views from her Alaskan sewing studio.

December was the final month of our MCM Bee.  Elizabeth is the queen bee this month and requested that we make a block of the block that we requested when we were queen bee.  Isn't that a great idea?  This was the block I sent her.


The only other sewing I have finished is my postcard from Sheila's postcard swap. This one went off to Brazil.


Do you remember the cope that I reconstructed?  It was a thrill to receive a photo of it in use.


When the whole gang is here for Thanksgiving we try to get a group photo.  The rain canceled our attempt this year so we gathered after church the next day for our photo.  We were missing one who had to head back to college early that morning.


I have an update on my iron.  I did contact Oliso as Candace suggested.  Even though the guarantee had expired, Oliso did offer to replace the iron for about a third of the price of buying a new one.  It is so nice when a company stands behind their product. 

It looks like winter has finally arrived to the better part of the country.  Our temps have also taken a dip.  It is the time of the year when the fires in the fireplace feel really good.  I guess it is December.  Enjoy the days ahead.




22 comments:

  1. I hope you start to feel better. I have put off doing the Bonnie Hunter QAL I am not motivated to do anything big right now. The tree is pretty. I will have to check out your sister's Instagram

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  2. How exciting it must have been to see all of your hard work on the cope be appreciated. It's a beautiful vestment. Great photo of your "gang"... treasured family time. I hope you are feeling back to normal soon and are able to find some moments of quiet time with your sewing machine.

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  3. Oh my you're a busy lady. :) The cope looks terrific - job well done.

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  4. Thank you for sharing your photo of your beautiful big family....
    Hope you can sit and Stitch along with your sister online more now that the big dinners are over...
    How thoughtful to be sent a photo of the cope being wore...

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  5. It's always so nice to see that your work is appreciated, and the cope is so beautifully done. How wonderful that your sister shares your love of quilting, that gives you a special bond. I hope she starts a blog soon!

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  6. I'm following your sister now on IG. :o) I just love seeing photos of your beautiful family. That coat is just amazing. I can imagine how treasured it is and how appreciated the repairs are that you so skillfully made.

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  7. The colors kind of put me off the mystery quilt this year but I am saving the clues in case I want to make it once I can better gauge a color change. You look to be making great progress to me! That cope is stunning wow!

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  8. I love seeing your family photos.

    I'm not participating in Bonnie's mystery quilt...though I was tempted. It is fun seeing what everyone is doing.

    How special to get a photo of the cope. You did an amazing job on it.

    You made a nice postcard for the swap, too.

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  9. I'm sorry to hear you guys have been sick, and hope that you continue to feel better.
    I love the beautiful family pic!
    The Cope is gorgeous...how long did it take you to reconstruct it? I'm amazed at your abilities...is there anything that you haven't stitched or sewn, or a needle art that you are hoping to learn?
    You have all inspired me to learn to quilt, and I have even signed up for a class in the New Year...I am so excited...hopefully I can one day join the quilt SALs like I do the Stitching SALs!
    Hugs

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  10. I hope that crud moves on so you can move on to more important things like Christmas shopping and sewing. Mystery quilt things scare me but you look like you're getting through it okay. Love all the family pics!

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  11. What a lovely family! Yu must be so proud. Sorry to hear you are a bit under the weather. Feel well soon.

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  12. I loved that family photo--the best thing ever. Your post has a lot of interesting things, from the cope (he looks great wearing it) to your postcard and block and of course, the En Provence Mystery. I hope to get to step two today, but will spend the afternoon cranking out step one. I do like the fact that these quilts use up our stash!

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  13. How lovely you were all able to get together, what a great photo of you all! I've not yet done one of Bonnie's mysteries, each year I tell myself...next year...sigh! I will watch with interest from afar. Nice to see your other sewing too :-) Hope the nasty bugs go away so you can enjoy your festive season.

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  14. I am so sorry to hear that you are still sick, Mary! It is nice that you got some sewing time after the festivities. Beautiful work! I really like the postcard. I should learn how to make them. You must feel really happy to have photo of the cope being used. What a great a job you did with it. I hope you feel better soon.

    -Soma

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  15. Hope you are healing and getting your energy back! I've been better each day and looking forward to being well again. My sister is still very sick though. Love your tri-rec units! You always have the cutest fabrics :) Following your sister on IG - WOW what a view!!!! And tell her I love her fabric choices :*)

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  16. That family picture is so wonderful!!! I can't wait to get my group together for one this month! Hope you're feeling better.

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  17. Ohh Mary, love the family photo...that is a lot of wee ones to look after for the holidays and I bet they think you are the best grandmumm ever...love all of your sewing...to better days for you....I think it is certainly this time of year when some of are to near those wee tots who seem to catch everything lol...Merry Christmas

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  18. I thought about joining Bonnie but just haven't the time.

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  19. What a family you have Mary! And what huge dinners those must be, LOL.
    I'm sorry you are still fighting the crud. Hopefully you will see the end of it soon.

    The Mystery Quilt is much more fun when you get to do it with a friend.

    And that is wonderful that you got to see your saved Cope in use!

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  20. I love your postcard. What a wonderful item to get in the mail. You have been quite busy with your hosting and sewing.

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  21. Healing Energy for your family. I am so happy Oliso stood behind their product and worked with you. December is flying as fast as Santa's Reindeer. Your family photo is amazing. Breathe annd feel better dear...

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  22. Goodness, you are right....the last post I made was before Halloween and here we are in December with 2017 right around the corner! Time indeed waits for no one. Your projects are coming along well...How proud you must feel at the photo of the Priest! I hope your lungs have cleared up. Have a safe and wonderful holiday.

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