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.

Snow and spinach pie

I was working in my sewing room all day, doing a little sewing and some quilting and just stuff I wanted to do. No housework today.


It is cold and windy and it has been snowing all day. I never set foot outside but my hubby was doing this today:
Hey Mark, how's the weather?
He came in and warmed up and he cooked one of my favorite things while I quilted



Wait. Let's take a closer look



IT IS Spinach Pie! I love that man!

I've got big plans!

Well, money is pretty tight here and with Christmas right around the corner I have to get creative. While we will still buy some gifts I am cutting back. I decided to make some pot holders and/or bags for the women in my family (I know that sounds sexist but OH WELL>>>DEAL WITH IT!) I bought two patterns to make bags. One is a reversible tote type tote bag, the other has pockets inside and a Velcro flap. They look like they won't take too long to make and they are really cute. I plan to make 5 or 6 bags and about 20 pot holders. I wanted to make a beret for my niece but I am looking to buy one instead.
(Anyone want to whip up a beret for me?)
Anyway, I really need to get busy on getting these things made and will start really working on them on Monday. I spent the better part of today working on a quilt top I started last year. It is the LAC Mystery quilt. I almost have the top done and I am so happy with it so far. I want to do some really nice quilting on it and have it for a sample. I need to get some small samples completed so I have some things to show customers. Didn't make much progress on the quilt for my sister. I will try to get most of it done tomorrow.
So many plans, so little time!

WIP Wednesday 11-26-08

Quick! While it is still Wednesday!
Whew, I have been busy all day cleaning and prepping a few food things for tomorrow. My husband's side of the family is coming for dinner tomorrow. My dad decided a couple weeks ago he was having Thanksgiving dinner so my side is going over there. We had already asked Mark's mom and sis over so.....DON'T ASK! I don't know why dad did this. We have Thanksgiving pretty much every year for the last 22 yrs. Whatever! So, anyway, I only have 8 people for dinner when I usually have 14. Should be easier, but it's not. I still have to do all the same stuff.
I actually did a little bit of sewing today. I trimmed a bunch of half square triangles.


This is for two different quilts, obviously. The pink and green is for a Quilt for an Hour quilt (that I am way behind on) and the Red and Green is for a 2007 LAC Mystery quilt. (I am also behind on that one) Seeing a pattern here?
Anyway, I pieced the 12 blocks for the mystery quilt and here they are. They won't be laid out that way. There is a pieced sashing that goes with them.

Ok, here is a picture of my goofy husband dancing with a turkey:


And yes, my laundry IS in my kitchen! This house is small and old. Maybe someday I will get a laundry room! (I'm not holding my breath!)

WIP Wednesday 11-19-08

Since last Wednesday I have two finishes and am loaded up to start quilting another in the morning. First there is this quilt that belongs to my G/F. It is a beauty. There were so many odd shapes that I couldn't think of a cohesive plan for quite a while. (mostly the light areas all around the outside). This was a big quilt and after I got started on it my dad got sick a couple different times and I didn't touch it (or anything else) for over a month. I finally finished it though and gave it to her last night. She seemed to like it.

Also this little cutie made by another sewing friend of mine. See all the seams on the outside edges? Piece O cake! It laid flat and behaved well! She seemed to like it fine.

This Beauty (eh hem!) is for my sister. I didn't piece this one.

I bought it off of ebay years ago. I actually have LOTS of ebay tops that I need to quilt or get rid of. This moster is HUGE. I am using a fat back and it is WIDER than the fatback even. My plan is to just quilt it then trim it afterwards. It almost reaches the outer edge so it won't be a problem. This is just so she has an extra quilt on her bed. It gets mighty cold here at night. I will MAKE her a quilt some day but this one she can use in the mean time.

Hopeful

Well, it is Saturday which used to bring a smile to my face but since I have been layed off Saturday is no big deal. Well, except I'm not alone in my house all day. I had to file for an extension on my unemployment. 6 months already. I have hope that my job will come back. It is the hope of a new president and a hope for change. IF the auto companies get the monetary help they need to retool then it means there WILL be work in tool design and I will be able to go back to work again. I have finally decided I need to learn another trade though since I'm pretty sure I can't withstand another layoff, assuming I survive this one. I have put in some resumes but haven't heard anything.
On a happier note. Dad is home from the hospital. He went in again since I last wrote and was having trouble breathing and his heart was acting up. They ended up putting a pace maker in him last Monday. He can't drive for a couple weeks and can't work (YES! HE WORKS) for a month. I am going over today and clean his bathroom and kitchen and make him some food. Bringing him a few left overs from here and making a big batch of oatmeal cookies to bring him. He should be fine now that his heart is taken care of.
I am finishing up with a quilt I should have been done with over a month ago. I feel bad about it. It is my friend's quilt and I have apologized to her but I get the feeling she is mad about it. I am hoping to get my crap together now that dad is ok.
I need to do some sewing too. I haven't pieced anything in well over a month too.
Maybe that is why I'm cranky?

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