Christmas Week

I am constantly shaking my head trying to wrap around the fact that it's the end of the year. Today is the 20th. I have four days to finish my gift sewing . . . No, it's still not finished!!!

I was shocked that it's been a month since I posted anything on my blog. It has been a crazy, busy month. So what have I been doing . . . 

I've spent time with mom. We enjoyed several visits with just us and had a Saturday baking session with my niece.

Newton kept great #10 busy playing with legos.

 

 

 

I spent a week and a half working an inventory. This part-time, temporary job totalled about 40 hours, meals were planned to be easy since arrival at home coincided with my guys coming home very soon after me.

There were doctor appointments, pharmacy runs, Christmas shopping. In between, I worked in my traditional Crispix mix that my family absolutely loves.

And I sewed, sometimes as early as 7 a.m.

And stitched, between wrapping gifts, cleaning up after dinner and prepping breakfasts and lunches for the next day.I

I am never happier than when I'm busy. I've been thinking about goals for next year. I already know that I want my main focus to continue to be on UFOs. I still have numerous quilt tops to finish into quilts. I have my flannels for next year's pajamas. 2018 is off to a productive start.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement, spoken or unspoken. 

I wish you a blessed, happy Christmas

And

A blessed, healthy and happy New Year.

(found on Pinterest)

Goal Reports for November 20 and 27, 2017

Goals for the week of November 20 and 27, 2017

1. Joe's Quilt

- begin sewing YES

- sash rows

2. I LOVE HOME

- finish stitching Block 3 YES

- begin stitching Block 4 YES

- assemble Block 3 YES

- assemble Block 4

pictures coming :)

3 Additional PJs (formerly known as Adult PJs - yes, there are more kids' PJs to make) - not yet, I got wrapped up in Holly Cottage

- cut out patterns/fabric - YES

- begin sewing and finish sewing :) YES

4. Needlebook - no, same excuse here . . . LOL

- cut out, sew

5. Holly Cottage Christmas

- begin drawing off designs YES

- begin stitching YES

My last two weeks, although not much time spent blogging, has been very productive. It's that time of year when I'm feeling overwhelmed by too many projects. But I'm going to keep plugging away.

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you days filled with creativity.

Hectic days

My days lately have been so very hectic. More than usual. Doctors and dentists . . . Scheduling and rescheduling . . . Dropping off and picking up. . . Cooking, cleaning and laundry. And shopping . . . Christmas and groceries. My thoughts are running rampant with baking and gift wrapping.
And this week, add to the mix, a part-time temporary job for the next few weeks.

I'm still looking for time to relax and do stitch-y things. I have a start on my Holly Cottage Christmas. Actually, I've made a pretty good dent in the number of blocks that need drawn and prepared for applique.

I managed to get some Christmas decorating done this week also.

My little trees kept falling over, so I put them in these little baskets and filled them with sand to weigh them down. They needed a little dressing up.

I found this adorable checked ribbon at Michael's and made the bows. Definitely helps. Mom suggested wrapping some empty boxes (I might have to weigh them down with bricks :) I'm thinking about it. Reminding myself that Christmas isn't just about the material things.

Speaking of which . . .

My very good friend, Susan, has presented us with this challenge on her blog. I'm taking the challenge. It's to make one block per day during advent. it works out to 20 blocks if you don't make one on Sunday, but you could always make two on Monday :) That's enough blocks to make a quilt top, which is suggested to put together between Christmas and New Year's. Then we are encouraged to donate the top/completed quilt to our favorite charity. Hope you are able to join us. We could all make such a difference with such little effort.

Now to the other end of the spectrum, look what I received this week from my Shoebox Swap partner:

 

24 gorgeous fat quarters. . . Aurifil thread and an adorable USB flash drive in the shape of a rotary cutter. 

 

Chocolate !! GODIVA chocolate !!!! I am in so much trouble !!!! 
And the little purple box?  The sweetest little needle book !!!

Every page has these sweet little, vintage lace motifs. I just love it. My partner, Tracy, did a fantastic job of choosing all the things I love.

Wishing you a blessed week.

Thanks for stopping by.