33 days until Christmas

Yikes! I better get busy!

Christmas in July!

It is Christmas in July at my house!


Looky what I got today in the mail:

Do you recognize this fabric? You would if you know THIS lady! Ronda is so talented and super nice and when she was quilting this quilt last month and posting her progress I was blatantly drooling and commenting on how she was coming with my quilt. Ronda played right along but alas her daughter is getting the quilt. Then she turned around and sent me this! Including the pattern, the papers to make the quarter square triangles and her extra triangles. Can you believe it?

There is enough here to make a whole quilt which I will do promptly. I guess Ronda didn't know about my needing to finish 2 UFO's before starting a new project, but this breaks the rules...right? RIGHT?

Thank you so much Ronda. This touched me more than you know. I appreciate you!

Wake up call!

I was reading blogs today and was reminded by Diane that Christmas is only 6 months away and we'd better get started on our Christmas presents. That was the wake up call I needed since I have every intention of making as many gifts as I can this year. I better formulate my plan. I know I promised my family I will be making one person a quilt every year until everyone gets one and they are looking forward to it. I guess I better get on that!

Coasters and cookies

In order to save some money and still give a small gift to give to our family me and Mark decided to make a few things. Mark baked cookies for the first time. He baked for a couple days and had fun doing it. I made 13 sets of coasters. I gave one set away already and let Jess pick one out. The rest will go to the family. It is fun to have a little something to give.



We have a family party today and we are going to my sisters' house. My daughter has to work until 5:30 today. That sucks but that is retail for you! The part I don't like is she will be driving over to join us after she gets off work and our weather is horrid today. So not only will we be driving in treacherous conditions but we will have two vehicles over there to get home. It will be worth it to all be together though......I hope.
I have a quilt I made (quilted only, as I bought the top) for my sister and I am sewing down the binding on it now. This quilt is huge so it is taking a while. I may bring it with me. Although she will be surprised that I have it, it isn't a complete surprise and it isn't a Christmas gift.....what am I trying to say?
I don't know!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

My socks!

One of my favorite things at Christmas is the secret santa swap we do in my little sewing group. The gifts are all so much fun because they are all sewing/quilting related. We have the best time doing it. Our meeting and swap was last Tuesday but I just tried these on today.

I love my new socks! My secret santa gave them to me along with lots of other goodies. They are hand knitted. My first pair ever! Thank you Phyllis!

No tree this year

There is no Christmas tree here this year. Mark usually buys a beautiful tree and it is full and fragrant and festive! With me being laid off for such a long time we just can't do it this year. My dad loaned us his prelit tree that revolves and Mark put it up but the top lights didn't work (I suggested he just string another set up there, but NOOOOO!) And let's face it, it looked cheap and not at all like we are used to. I know lots of people have it worse and would be happy for even that tree so don't get me wrong. It's just not worth all the effort when it would just be a reminder of what he (we) really wants. So he just packed it back in the box and that is that. We will enjoy my sister's tree and decorations at her house on Christmas Eve and My MIL 'lil Charlie Brown tree on Christmas Day.
That is another sore point for us too. Me and Mark usually have the Christmas Eve party here and we love doing it. My sister was happy to do it this year and I'm glad. I was able to get presents for both Mark and Jess and the kids in the family so all is good. I am counting my blessings every day.
I just miss having a Christmas tree.