Two Weeks and Counting

Can you believe that we now have less than two weeks until Christmas?  Who's counting...right?

The week has been busy with lots of Christmas events.  It seems like we are always on the go here.  We are actually looking forward to an dinner at home tonight.  We are so blessed to be so busy, but it is not getting my Christmas cards written ;)

Last evening we tagged along as our grandchildren played Christmas carols at a local nursing home.  It was a thrill to see the delight in the residents faces as they enjoyed the music.  Each of the children played a few songs and we enjoyed the music as well.  It was also fun to visit with some of the residents, including a set of 94 year old twins who both worked as makeup and hair designers in the early Hollywood days.  They shared photos of the many big stars that they had the privilege to work on for their camera shoots.  Both were so sharp and shared so many wonderful stories with us. 

Tuesday was our biannual quilt guild Christmas show and giveaway.  There were over 250 quilts donated to ten different local charities this year.  We even made the front page of the paper.  We have amazing, talented and caring guild members. 

In my spare time I have tried to work a bit on some Christmas sewing.  I made a raincoat for another one of the granddaughters.  This time I used the PUL laminated fabric.  It has a more silky feeling and drapes much nicer, but was not as easy to sew on as the laminates I used last year.  I tried the teflon foot, but found the walking foot worked much better.  I still need to hem the sleeves and put the buttons on, but I'll share a picture of it for now.

Easy Street remains on my back burner.  I did get a handful of this weeks blocks done, but I do have the remainder cut out.  I doubt that sewing them together will take long once I get to them. 

The progress on the stocking was minimal this week too - a little backstitching is all I got done on it.  Again....we just haven't been home much.  It's a good thing that I wasn't figuring it would be done this year. 

In talking with my niece this week, I found out that she has started a blog.  She is a beautiful writer and her blog is about the joys of parenting.  I love the name of it - Early Bird and Night Owl.  Doesn't that just speak of parenting?

I hope you are all enjoying the peace of the season.

Merry Christmas to All

I really haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  I have actually been trying to catch up on things that need to be done around here

One thing that I am thrilled to have been able to accomplish is some sewing.  I had purchased some of the wonderful laminate fabrics before I broke my arm.  It has been in my sewing room and I was expecting that I would not get to the gifts until after Christmas.  My arm was freed up last Friday and the machine has been smoking since. 

Accomplished.....four raincoats.  Actually they are fully lined in flannel so there are really EIGHT coats!!!!  

Sewing on the laminate was a breeze.  I was really worried about it, but it went well.  The first one I used clips to hold my seams (per the directions) which were awkward, but I quickly learned that pins do not leave holes and the rest were made using pins to hold the seams.  These are Amy Butler patterns and made up easily, but I did make a few changes to the instructions when I felt I like another technique better.

We have been enjoying the Christmas season and all the fun preparations with the grandchildren.   Cookie making is always exciting especially when it appears a flour bomb has exploded in the kitchen.

We had our semi annual quilt giveaway at our December guild meeting.  Look at the stack of quilts on the table that were given to our different charities - 344 total.  As well we had stacks and stacks of pillow cases, burp cloths and bibs that went out.

We enjoyed a Christmas brunch with our son and his family last weekend. 

 As well, we have been celebrating birthdays.   We have three grandchildren with birthdays in December - one on Christmas Day. 


The buddy is asleep on it's back!!!!

I received some wonderful mail lately.  Maria sent me this darling fabric from her little corner of the world.  She does the hexie flowers each week and I think I may have to join so I can use this cute fabric in one.  Thank you so much, Maria. 

I also received a lovely star ornament kit from Paper Pieces through the Christmas Quilt Show from Sew Cal Gal.  I think these will be beautiful hanging on the tree next year. 

Connie had a giveaway of a handmade ruler holder that I won.  This was made by her husband, Builder Bob, and he did such a wonderful job on it.  It is made out of red oak and is such a nice addition to my cutting table.  I really needed one to keep my many rulers controlled.  Thank you, Connie.

I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with blessings.