Fun Sewing

My Christmas rush ended a week ago when our son came to visit.  We had all of our shopping and wrapping done by then so we could celebrate early with him.  His fiancee had a last minute work problem that kept her home, so we didn't get a chance to see her, but we are travelling to see them tomorrow so all is well.

Since the rush was over a week ago, we relaxed and enjoyed a really fun week.  We went to the movies - TWICE!  That never happens.  We attended some group gatherings with friends and a retirement party for a former co-worker which meant I got to see lots of people that I hadn't seen in years.  We went to the early service on Christmas Eve which is planned to be children inclusive and it was so sweet.  I got to see lots of visiting grandchildren and families.  The church glowed with soft lights and candles and the message was perfect like God's love.

I also got to sew this week with out feeling rushed.  I finished the top for the Florida quilt I started in May.

I wish you could see how cute this border fabric is in person.  It photographs as tan, but it is really a buttery yellow background.

Love the color bar in the selvage, too.

I also made a single block for a quilt from Kathleen Tracy's Civil War Quilt book.  I love her color sense.

I received this beautiful punch needle piece from my friend, Barb.  She is the queen of punch needle  We always tease her because the backs of her pieces are as perfect as the front.  She quilts this way too.  No ravellings or hanging threads for Barb!  LOL!

A church friend gave me this little piece.  It is so cute and it glows in the dark!!

 The message is so true!!

Enjoy the rest of your holiday adventures.  I'm linking to Judy's blog today.

It's Monday Again

We have been in a whirlwind around here getting ready for Christmas.  I'm sure it's the same for everyone.  Seems like I always think I can get more done than I actually accomplish, including making gifts for others.  Our daughter is still here with us for a couple more weeks and our son came home for the weekend, so we celebrated Christmas early with just the 4 of us.  Our son's fiancee was unable to join us as she had work duties that kept her home.  Luckily we will see them again right after Christmas.

Here's what I have been working on.  Another stocking for our mantel.

The house I grew up in did not have a fireplace.  It had a brick chimney like you see on the rooftop of every house that Santa ever landed on with his sleigh and reindeer.  As a child,  I simply could not fathom that we had a chimney, but no fireplace.  How would Santa get in?  I remember scouring the house trying to locate the fireplace that went with that chimney to no avail.  As an adult, I swore I would have a fireplace someday.  My first house had no fireplace, so I had one put in.  When we built the house we are in now, we made the fireplace a focal point in our family room.  There is something special about a nice cozy fire, especially at Christmas time.

The cardinal stocking is from a pattern designed by Erin Russek of One Piece at a Time.  The other stocking I made when our daughter was a baby.  I started a stocking for our son when he was a babe, but it is still not done. LOL.

I also made a snowman quilt for a friend.  It had to be done last week so I could ship it to her in time for Christmas.  Nothing like a deadline to keep me hopping.

I love the lanterns that have become popular the last year or two, so I hopped over to Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago when they were on sale and found one I liked.  I love to comb over the photos on Pinterest and found a tutorial for making a lantern swag.  Back to Hobby Lobby I went for floral picks and ribbon and whipped up the decoration for my lantern.  It is bright and cheery. It's also so big, you can barely see the lantern. LOL! I filled the bottom of the lantern with leftover ornaments.

We had lots of snow this weekend, like most of the upper midwest.  It is so nice to have a White Christmas.  That is one plus of living in Wisconsin.  It is pretty well guaranteed every year.

Blessings on you and yours for the Christmas season.

Hop over to Judy's blog to see more fun designs.

Designing Monday

A little sewing has been done around here lately.  I love getting ready for the holidays.  I made two little ornaments for a church craft sale that is comng up next weekend.  If I have time, I will make a mug rug or two.

I am also working on a stocking for the mantel.  I have not hand appliqued for awhile and I could really tell.  I think by the 5th leaf I made some adjustments and they are turning out a bit better.  Maybe by next Monday I will have this done and hanging.

Oh, yes.   Our sweet daughter came home late last night after two days of flying.  She has been in Turkey for the last two years working and we are so happy to have her home.  Two years is a long time to not see your child in person.  Today we celebrate her birthday!

Stop by Judy's blog to see more lovely designs.