Are We Finished With Holidays

Are we back to normal yet?  I still have decorations out, but I'm really getting tired of looking at them.  Right now the house just seems to be cluttered, so today, I really worked on getting the trees down.  I undecorated and packed away 2 trees, and tomorrow I plan to finish the other 2. ( I put the other one away the day after Christmas)  I've ordered the 'light gun' to try to help me figure out what's wrong with my peppermint lights, so I'm not in too big a hurry to put those away yet.  Three days before Christmas, the lights on my traditional tree started acting up, and by the day after, the lights wouldn't work.  And of course, this is my prelit tree that is only 3 years old.  Hopefully, I can resolve the light problems before I put it away for the year.

I went back to the sewing room today for the first time in almost 2 weeks, and I had such a good time!  I hadn't made my block for the monthly swap I'm in, and I hadn't started my Fall mini, and I haven't made my blocks for Aunt Pitty Pat's swap.  So, now my block is done, and the mini top is put together, and I still haven't started my blocks for APP.  Progress has been made, though, and it felt great to be back among the familiar items in my messy room.  I didn't take any pictures.....maybe tomorrow.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Blessings to all.

Christmas Week

I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted.  I started one on the 15th, but never did finish it.  At that time we were busy trying to get my husband ready to leave on his trip to India.  He left on the 16th and is there now.  Christmas is going to be very strange without him here. 

My son is home from college, and it's so nice to have him here.  We're trying to finish up our shopping and wrapping so it won't all be waiting for us on Christmas Eve.  I always seem to be shopping right up until the last minute.  Traditionally, I forget to put at least one gift under the tree and find it several days later.  Unfortunately, this year, I can't find one of my gifts to even wrap it.  I'm going to get everything else wrapped up and hopefully, it will turn up in one of the shopping bags, although it came from Amazon.

Needless to say, no sewing is getting done this week, but I have made 3 kinds of fudge, cookies, and my all time favorite Christmas goodie, currant cakes.  My mother used to make a couple of batches during the holidays because we all liked them so much. 

So to all my blogging friends, enjoy the time with your familes and all of your holiday traditions, and I'll be back when things get back to normal around here.  Merry Christmas!

Poor Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree in my family room is sick.  Maybe H1N1?  Last night I noticed that there was a 6 inch band around the middle of the tree where there were no lights.  I didn't like it, but I figured I could put up with it.  Then today, the infection had spread to a band about a foot wide.  This afternoon, the very top of the tree had lost its lights.  By early evening, the band around the middle had become about 18 inches wide.  It's so sad looking.  I guess I'll have to do some light replacement therapy.  (Sorry the picture's so bad; photography isn't one of my strengths.)

I knew when I decorated this tree that this would probably be the last year for these lights.  They're really unusual.  The tip of the light is red and the bottom is white, not clear, white.  It's the softest light, and different from any I've ever seen.  Two of the sets wouldn't light this year, and when I tried to test the lights in a set that was working, none of the lights I checked would work.  Is it possible that all the lights just burned out at once? 
But that brings us to the next problem.  By this time in December, there are hardly any light sets available.  We finally found some clear with white wires, and I figured that I could switch some out with red ones that I have that are on green wires.  Unfortunately, the lights from all my red sets don't fit the new ones.  I can't seem to win with this.  So, tomorrow, I'll check just one more place, then do some redecorating.  Just one more small item on my lengthy to do list.

Closer and Closer to Christmas

The last few days have been so productive.  I've finished the Christmas decorations, shopped, sewed, cleaned, etc. etc... Tomorrow I have to pack and pack and pack.  My husband is leaving for India on Wednesday, to be gone for 2 weeks.  His nephew and family are going at the same time, so he'll have company for that long, long trip.  We've already exchanged Christmas gifts - I got him a netbook, and he got me a Kindle!  I love it!  I really haven't read much with it because I have to finish up the books I had already bought, but I can really see loading it up for the winter trip we have planned for January.
The last decorations I've put out are the Christmas teasets and assorted minis.  They're so cute, but since they're seasonal, I don't have them out for long. Some are just odds and ends, but aren't they cute?  The little figure in the back is El.  My daughter and I used to do ceramics when she was quite small, and this was one of her projects. Of course, this little one had a partner No, but she got broken a long time ago.  I've tried to find a replacement, but no luck.  The shop where I bought it orignally is long since closed.  I even asked an online seller if she had any idea where I could get it.  She said she would look, but I never did hear from her again.  So, El comes to Christmas every year, but she always looks lonely to me.

I've pretty much finished my daughter's placemats. I found a tutorial for these trivets, but for the life of me, I don't know where.  (I should write them down when I find them so I can give proper credit.)  If anyone knows the site that has the tutorial, will you please let me know.  Anyway, I thought these would make a nice table setting for her, so here's most of the set.  And no, the carpet isn't really purple - I should have taken the picture during the day so I could get some natural light, and not have the colors of the placemats so faded. Maybe tomorrow...

Most of my Christmas projects are finally finished, so next thing is to get my two swap projects done for January.....after Christmas!

Shopping and Sewing

It's been a busy day of shopping in the morning and sewing in the afternoon.  We went out for breakfast and then off to the mall to try and do some shopping.  Mostly I just walked from store to store.  Even with a list I couldn't find anything I wanted to buy.  So not one gift was bought today.  I take that back, I did find a small gift for my grandson, but that's it.

This afternoon I got back to work on my daughter's gift, and got the quilting done on two of them.  However, on the very last row of stitches on the second one, I realized that it was humping up in the middle!  I kept trying to convince myself that it would be okay when it was bound, but in the end, I gave up and started ripping it out.  Unfortunately, it's very dark thread on dark fabric and it's a real pain to take out, so I'm not done yet.  I got very discouraged and decided I needed to something else, and started on a DJ block.  Even with that, I selected a difficult one, and was able to complete only about half of the block.  So, no pictures tonight.....maybe next time.

Just a Short Post

I've been very remiss in posting for the last couple of weeks, but life can get so busy.  I've had so many things to get finished before Christmas that I've had very little extra time.  I'm making progress, but I miss working on my 'regular' projects.  I'm keeping up with my blog reading, so I know what you're doing, but preparing a post is beyond me at the moment. As soon as I get a little caught up, I'll show you what I've been doing. 

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to DS1!!  He was born just about this time 38 years ago.  What a joy he is.

Trees and More Trees

They're done!!  We just finished the last one, and yes, hubby helped!!  So let me show you what I've been doing the last few days.
This tree is the traditional family tree in the living room.  It has all the ornaments I've been collecting since the 60s and all those that were gifts and all those that I made with the kids.  I only add one ornament each year, but I usually get at least two others as gifts.  You can see the tree skirt I finished this fall.  This is the only tree for which I've made a skirt.

When we were planning this house, one of the first things I envisioned was a really tall tree in the entry hall.  So here's what we have.  It's decorated with pink, gold and white - ribbons, glass balls and ticky tacky poinsettias.  I know, it sounds awful, but I think it's the prettiest of the trees, and at night, it's lovely.

But why decorate with pink and gold?  Well, if you look from the stairs over the tree, this is what you see.  My dining room, which is decorated with pink.  I just wanted to carry the colors into the Christmas decorations.

The next tree is especially for my grandson and me.  I absolutely love Star Trek, and have since it was first on in the 60s.  So, I fell in love with Star Wars, as well, and when Hallmark started making ornaments, I started buying.  My kids didn't really like either ST or SW, but I persisted.  Now, my grandson absolutely loves at least Star Wars, and he liked the latest Star Trek movie.  This tree is for us.  It has ornaments that talk, shoot, and make various and sundry space sounds.  The first thing he does when he comes in the house is press each and every button.  I love it!  ( I do it too.)

The last tree for tonight is the tree in the family room.  I just finished it this evening, and try as I might, I can't get a good picture of it. It comes out pink instead of red.  And it's red red.  All the ornaments are the old fashioned kind of blown glass painted ornaments - the kind we had when I was a kid.

The last tree is a small tree in the kitchen, and I decided that I'm going to make a skirt for it.  So as soon as I get that done, I'll show it.  Now I have a few other things to put out, and then everything will be done for this year - at least as far as decorating goes.

Tree1, Tree 2, and so on....

Well the trees are almost finished, and the lights are done as far as I can do them.  Actually, I ran out of lights outside.  We put up red, green and clear lights, and I ran out of green.  I may buy another set, but then again, I may not.  I may just call it 'done'!
Today I have also finished up 3 trees, and will work on the last one after supper.  It goes in the family room, so I may be able to work on it as I cook dinner, which by the way, is to be Indian tonight.  Hubby's not feeling too well, so I may not get to do it.  I need his help to move the computer stand.  It has wheels, but since it's on carpet, it's really hard to move.  But, one way or another, I will finish the last tree by tomorrow and post  pictures tomorrow evening.  I'll be so glad when it's all done.

Ready for December

This has been a most productive day, but certainly not in the sewing room.  I got 2 trees decorated and the lights done outside.  Well, almost...I came in to have a drink of water and catch my breath.  I should have skipped the drink - it started to rain and I can't finish tonight.  It's dark enough to see the lights now, and I just love them.  My husband likes them as well, but he sure hasn't moved a muscle to help out this year.  Don't get me wrong - several years ago I realized that if I wanted outside lights I would have to do them and they would have to be 'bush' level because I'm certainly not going to do any climbing out in the dark and cold.  I'll have to finish the outside lights in the morning, but I don't think I can do another tree.  I'll get the last 3 done tomorrow.  I want to get all the mess put away by tomorrow evening.  I love the decorations, but putting them up and taking them down really puts the house in a turmoil.  Hopefully, I'll be done tomorrow and I can post some pictures.

Saturday Blahs

The last of the leftovers are finally either eaten or thrown away.  I'm ready for new food!  DS2 has gone back to school, and the house again has just us two old farts rattling around in it.  Thanksgiving is truly over.
I have the first tree up and the lights are turned on.  If I have the energy, I'll go decorate it this evening.  But it is evening, isn't it?  Well, maybe it won't get decorated today.  You can tell I have a lot of 'get up and go' today.
The only sewing that has been done in the last 2 days was a little project for DS2's girlfriend, and some sweatshirt repair.  No progress on any other projects...maybe tomorrow.

The Day After

I hope everyone had a joyful Thanksgiving day.  I loved having all my guys here - Hubby, DS1, DS2 and grandson.  I sure missed my daughter being here though.  The food was really good, if I do say so myself, but I got a couple of real back handed compliments which I may tell you about someday. 
Are you a Black Friday shopper?  I'm sure not.  The only time I've ever gone out to fight the early, early crowds was the year we gave the children a small tv of their own.  For one thing, it's too hard to get up before dawn for the stress of shopping after spending the day before cooking and cleaning.  For another, I don't usuallly buy into those 'have to haves' that are so hyped.  Do you remember the Cabbage Patch shopping fiascos in the 80s?  What a disaster they were.
So there probably won't be any sewing today.  I have to put away the Fall and get out the Christmas.  One tree is up ready to decorate, four more to go.  Hopefully, I'll get some help.  Not sure, though. No one else is really interested in putting up the decorations, except my grandson.  He likes to help and will be here tomorrow to help with at least one tree.  Maybe I'll just get them all up, put on any garlands and lights, then wait for him to come and help.  Sounds like a plan.

Almost Thanksgiving

I had a great time sewing today.  As I got my Christmas fabrics out to work on a couple of blocks for swaps, I found my tree skirt that I had put aside a couple of months ago.  Well, since I'm planning to put up Christmas trees this week, I figured it was just about time to get it finished.  It didn't have much left to complete, just a little quilting and the binding.  Finishing the binding will keep me busy while I watch tv this evening.  I'll show you as soon as I put it under the tree.
I got my swap blocks made, but I'm not happy with one of them.  I hate the fabrics and I just can't bring myself to send it out.  I'll try to get another one made tomorrow before cards.  Yes!! I didn't get to play the last 2 weeks, and I've missed it so much.  Anyway, back to the block...  I just can't send it out.  I only send out things that I would be happy getting, and believe me, I'd be most unhappy to get this awful thing.  So, here are the ones I'm happy with.  They need to go out by Friday, but I don't shop on that day, so it shouldn't be a problem.

After I got my 'need-to-dos' done, I got some more Dear Jane blocks done. 

My younger son came home for the holiday this evening, and we went to dinner at a new Mexican restaurant in town.  When we went in, the music was so loud we could hardly hear one another, and I didn't realize until the end of the first song that it was live.  But the music was good - mostly country but a good guitarist who played a modified version of Malaguena.   It was the first time I've heard country music in the Mexican restaurant.  Good food, good music, good dinner companions.

Sewing Success

After several days of feeling like a failure, today was a good sewing day.  I got several placemats pieced for my daughter.  I want to make 6 different traditional patterns, and for the life of me, after I had done 4 I couldn't think of any others.  So I'll have to look at some block patterns this evening and do those last 2 tomorrow. 

I prepared the pieces I need to do the applique on the cardinal blocks, and plan to work on that during tv time this evening.  If I can get one finished tonight, I'll show you tomorrow.
I've now completed 88 of the blocks for the Dear Jane quilt, and really want to get to 100 this week.  When I came to a standstill on the placemats, I was not ready to quit sewing for the day, so I got 3 more done this afternoon.  What surprised me was that I found 2 very simple ones to make that didn't take any time at all to complete.  The third one I made was completely paper pieced, and took more time to make than the other 2 combined.  Anyway, these are my accomplishments for the day.

Making No Progress

I've gotten no sewing done this week, even though I've tried.  Since my daughter has been visiting, I haven't worked on sewing during the day.  However, each evening I've had Dear Jane blocks prepared to do by hand while we watch tv.  Each evening I've tried, and each evening I've failed.  I'm not sure where I've gone wrong, but everything I tried to make came out the wrong size or just generally screwed up.  I should have been working on quilting my D9P quilt; it's never going to get finished at this rate.

Today I tried to get myself back into sewing and did make a couple of DJ blocks and a block for a monthly swap.  I'll post it as soon as it's gotten to my swap partner.  What I really need to do, though, is some work on Christmas projects.  I have all the blocks to make for Aunt Pitty Pat's holiday swap.  I have my colors and patterns chosen, I just need to do it.  I also have a couple of Christmas blocks to make for swaps, and some placemats for my daughter.  I have them started, and I'll show you all of them as soon as they're finished, since DD doesn't read my blog.  I also have all those cardinals to finish up.  Hopefully, tomorrow I can really concentrate and finish at least one of those projects.  Wish me luck!

Fall Mini Quilt

My daughter has been visiting this week, so my time has been spent in other than my usual activities.  However, yesterday I got a surprise from the mailman and just had to share.  It's a mini quilt for the Fall Mini Quilt swap.  It was made by Kristine, and it is such a cutie.  She sent so many goodies along with it; chocolate (long gone), some really cute Mary Englebreit magnets, recipe cards, a card listing standard quilt sizes, and a beautiful piece of fabric to wrap it all up.  She also sent a beautiful handcrafted card.  What a wonderful surprise.  Thank you, Krisitne.

Love to get the Mail

I rattled on so much yesterday that I didn't tell you about the great surprises in the mail.  The first one was a beautiful block from a monthly swap I'm in.  I've asked for stars in dark blues, reds and greens, and this is from Susie, who said she is inexperienced with stars.  Believe me, it certainly doesn't show inexperience.  It's going to fit in perfectly with the others I've received.  The quilt top with all these lovely stars is going to be gorgeous.  I wish I could get the colors to look the way they really do.

The second package was from Debra in Australia for the Four Seasons Holiday Swap.  She sent this cute little wall hanging, which she said was her first ever quilt.  What an honor to receive someone's first effort at this craft/art we love so much.  Her package was also filled with other goodies; a Christmas tea towel, gift cards, a beautiful handmade card, and some chocolate, which of course, is long gone.  Thanks, Debra, for the great surprise.

I spent  my sewing time today working on some Dear Jane blocks, but I'm going to have to put them away.  I have several other projects that I must work on, so I'll have to put it aside for now.  I have 82 blocks made, and these are the latest additions.

I have a swap that must be mailed tomorrow, and I'm ashamed to say I missed the deadline.  Today is the deadline, and of course I can't make it.  I'll have to spend a little more on postage, because I really don't want it to be late to the recipient.

Home Again

We got home from Las Vegas late yesterday, but I was just too tired to do much of anything.  We love to travel, but getting to an airport is always is problem.  We live in a small town, and although we have an airport, it seems we just can't get anywhere from here.  (Remember that old book, "You Can't Get There From Here"?)  We usually drive to the airport in Charleston, Columbus or even Akron, but this time the flight in the package we bought was from Cincinnati.  That's a 3 1/2 hour drive from home, and since I was totally unfamiliar with the area, I looked on the internet for driving instructions.  I didn't know the name of the airport, and just looked for an airport in Cincinnati.  Got our driving directions, put them in the GPS, and we were off on Monday morning, more than 5 hours before the flight time.  Would you believe the directions were for the wrong airport??  I was sure our trip was ruined.  Fortunately, the TomTom is a lot smarter than I am, and when I searched for an airport in the Cincinnati, it came up with the right one.  We were past the morning traffic rush, and so made it in time.  And would you believe the Cincinnati, Ohio airport is in Kentucky? 
Not a very auspicious start to the trip, but we really did have a good time.  We did a little shopping, played slots, did a lot of walking and saw 2 shows, Menopause the Musical, and The Lion King.  They were both great entertainment.  The Lion King stage show is absolutely amazing.  We all know the story, but the staging, costumes and music are just wonderful.  It just made the trip, and if I get the chance, I'm going to see it again.  Truly awesome.
It was good to get back to sewing today, and I got 2 Dear Jane blocks completed, and made a Christmas block for a swap.  I keep finding more swaps I want to join, but I'm resisting.  I have things that I need to get in the mail on Monday, then I don't think I have any others due until January. Thank goodness.  Life gets really busy at this time of the year.  Sorry I have no pictures to show you - my battery died and I forgot to charge it.

TTFN

This will be my last post until Thursday or Friday.  Early tomorrow hubby and I are headed out to Las Vegas for 3 days.  We're hoping to see some good shows.  Of course, I love the slots, so I'll have a good time in the Mandalay Bay Casino.  Can't wait!   Of course, there are some quilt shops there as well, so I may get a chance to go and drool.  See you later.

Dear Jane

I have had so much fun in the sewing room yesterday, working on DJ blocks.  It seems the more I work on this quilt, the more it pulls me in.  When I started the blocks, of course I started with the easiest ones.  So that's the only order I'm using.  Now, however, the ones I passed up before are also fairly easy.   My work is far from perfect, but as I've read about this quilt, done is better than perfect.  I have almost half the blocks completed, so I'm going to lay them all out on a bed to really see how they look together.  I've kept a spreasheet of the blocks completed and the colors I've used for them so that I won't end up with 5 blues or reds or browns in a row, but otherwise the blocks just sit in a pile on my sewing table.  There isn't a color plan for the quilt, but as you've seen in the blocks I've posted, I'm using Civil War reproduction fabrics with a tea stained muslin as the background. 
Today I have some Christmas blocks I need to get done, including my cardinal blocks.  I have to get started on my blocks for Aunt Pitty Pat's holiday swap.  I know the blocks aren't due until late January, but I'll be on a trip at that time and need to have everything done ahead of time.   I'll try to post some pictures this evening. 

Adventures at the Post Office

Well, I've sent off 3 packages to bring me up-to-date with my swap obligations.  I didn't realize I had so many due for November.  I have 1 more to mail out within a week, 1 before the end of the month, and I think that's is for November. 

I had to use three post offices to get these packages out.  I was taking a friend to lunch, so left home a half hour early to have time to stop at my closest PO.  There was a line, but I got the mailers I needed, got in line and addressed them.  Then I realized that the line was not only not moving, but there was some major difficulty with the computer printer for money orderes.  It took some time to get that customer finished, then the next person in line wanted 3 money orders.  Needless to say, that took the next half hour.  I couldn't leave the line because I had to pay for the mailers I had already addressed.  When I finally got my turn, I just paid for them, took them and left.  So to continue the saga, after lunch I was going to a quilt shop in another town, and went to the PO there only to find it closed.  I finally found one on my way home that not only was open, but didn't have a line.

Unfortunately, not much sewing today.... hopefully, tomorrow.

Quit Whining Already

I cannot do another swap!!  Each one that I read about is so tempting, but I just can't do another right now!  Why can't I just let them go by??  I have a lot on my plate until mid-February, but it is so hard to let one go by.  Please, please don't anyone post another interesting one right now!

Speaking of block swaps, I got started on my blocks for Aunt Pitty Pat's holiday swap.  I'm not satisfied with the fabrics I have, so guess what!  I get to go shopping for more.  I have my block designed, so I really want to get them done and mailed in to swap mama Aunt Pitty Pat. 

Today's sewing progress:  finished all my cardinal blocks, made 4 DJ blocks, and made 1 block from the Bridal Sampler quilt.  I'm not starting on the Bridal  Sampler yet, but I just had to make one of the blocks.  I'm really anxious to start putting my Christmas quilt together, but I still have a lot of blocks to come in from swaps.  I guess it will be a project for 2010.

I meant to post this on Monday, but forgot.  This is the love of my life, my only grandson.  Isn't he cute?

More Gifts from the Mailman

The mailman was really good to me today. Although I was expecting it, the package of fqs from the Bingo game was way more than I expected.  This big fat package contained 25 fqs!  There are some really pretty fabrics in this big group.  It's going to be fun to find projects for them.

Also today, I got this group of 6 inch blocks.  They are so cute.  I was in a swap on Swap bot and my partner flaked on the swap.  The coordinator of the swap then stepped in and sent me these to replace the one I should have gotten earlier.  They're going to work in perfectly in the Christmas quilt I'm putting together.  I have blocks from 4 different swaps that I'll put in one project.  You know, saying (writing) that makes me realize that at this time last year I hadn't even heard of a block swap.  Now each one that comes along tempts me and I have to be careful not to overextend myself.

I started working on a wall hanging that I'm making as a gift, and got one block pieced.  They're all cut and really go together easily.  There's some applique to do to finish it up, but even that shouldn't be difficult.  In cas you can't tell, it will be a cardinal.  I'll post one when it's finished, and tell you the name of the pattern, but I just don't want to walk upstairs again tonight. (sorry)

These are the DJs I've made in the last few days.  My pile of blocks is really growing; I now have 67 done.  Of course, the quilt has 169, so I'm only about one third done.

Halloween Phantom

Our neighborhood has a "Phantom" during the Halloween season who leaves goodies on the porch.  Each person who gets a bag, basket, crock, etc. of goodies is then supposed to do the same for 2 other houses.  This year we got the neatest covered plastic Halloween basket filled with candy and lots of little goodies.  The best thing of all (besides the candy!) is a small luminary with a battery tealight.  Really cute. Last year I prepared baskets of pumpkin muffins with ginger honey butter, but when we went looking for  houses to leave them, they had all been hit already.  This year, though, there aren't as many houses with the signs up that show they've been hit, so they must have started the swap much later than usual.  I think I'll just make the same thing this year and try to get them out tomorrow evening after Trick or Treat. 

So, guess who won a pile of fqs playing Bingo?  I couldn't believe it when my last number was the one that was posted!  There were 2 of us who won, but I certainly don't mind sharing.  I can't wait to get them to show you. 

I'm having lots of fun with my DJ blocks, and finished 3 today.  I'm working on some applique while I watch tv this evening, so I might actually finish a 4th block.  Sorry, no pictures, though.  I'm just too lazy to walk back upstairs tonight.

DJ Struggle

My plan for the day was to do a couple of DJs and work on my Double Wedding Ring quilt top.  Unfortunately, the DJ I chose to do gave me more grief than I expected.  It looked easy, but I spent 3 hours completing that little ......  Suffice it to say that I never got to the DWR, or even a 2nd DJ block.  This evening, then, I'm planning to work on a couple of applique blocks while we watch tv, and I have no pictures of progress for today.  I'll probably never show the one I've struggled with because all the needle holes from the frog stitches will show.  Maybe I'll have pictures tomorrow.

Visit with an Old Friend

This has been a wonderful day, but not much time in the sewing room.  An old friend is visiting town and I spent a couple of hours with her this morning catching up.  I'm hoping to have the chance to go to her home next spring.  It was great spending time with her.

After lunch, hubby and I took a little drive to a quilt shop a few miles away.  They have a great assortment of Civil War repro fabric, and I'm really using it up quickly on the Dear Jane quilt. They also have a section of  primitive decor, candles, antiques, etc.  I found a bucket of very little jar candles.  I picked one up and laughed out loud at the fragrance name - Snowman Poop! The lady behind the counter came over and when I showed it to her, she just had to open it to smell it.  Neither of us could detect a smell. ( maybe that's good)  I looked some more and found another called Elf Farts!!  It did  have a spicy fragrance.  I don't often get a good laugh at a quilt shop!

I was able to spend a little time sewing this afternoon, and got a couple of DJ blocks finished.  The little tea cup with them is one of my favorites - very detailed and delicate.  These are 4 1/2" squares, so that will give you an idea of its size.

Slow Sunday

Hubby suggested going out for breakfast today, so you can imagine how long it took me to get my shoes and purse.  Generally, I have to drag him out to a restaurant.  So today we had breakfast with DS1 and GS.  We had the slowest service I've seen in a long time, but the food was worth the wait.  It made me realize that I really need to get back on my diet before the holidays get here.

I got my holiday mini finished today - one more project off the list.  I need to check the requirements for the swap and get the other items that need to go with it, and get it mailed out this week.  I also want to get the Civil War siggie blocks out this week.  They're not due until the end of November, but I'd like to get them out of the way.  I've been collecting signatures from friends and family and want to get more, including those of you who follow my blog but may not be participating in the swap.  If you'd like ti sign a block for me, leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

Busy Saturday

I always thought that all the Post Offices were open and closed on the same schedule, but today I had several things to mail.  Of course, there was only one envelope that just had to have a stamp put on it.  The rest had to be weighed, stamped, tracked, etc... all those things that mean you stand in line and wait your turn.  So, at 10:30 a.m., I went to the PO I usually use only to find that it isn't open on Saturday.  Surprise!!  Since there are several in town, I checked another to find that it was indeed open.  Another surprise!  When did this start?  But everything is now mailed and I'm up-to-date on my swap obligations. (temporarily)

Since my family all left yesterday, I've enjoyed catching up on blogging and sewing.  I got the binding on my holiday mini quilt and have just a little more hand sewing to do on it.  I seem to be really in to making Dear Jane blocks right now.  The ones I've made so far haven't really been difficult, but some are quite challenging. 

Just the Two of Us

Well, all my houseguests have gone, and my house is feeling very quiet and empty.  I loved having all the beds full and lots of people at the table for meals.  Unfortunately, DS2 had to have surgery on a broken hand, and he was not up to par the whole time he was here.  I hope he's doing better this evening.  Having my sisters, BIL and my children here was just the best wat to spend the week.

I've spent a lot of time today catching up on email and reading all your blogs, so not much sewing today - maybe tomorrow. 

Waiting for Guests

Wow! Have you seen this giveaway at Pumpkin Patch Primitives?  Go check it out.  It's a great opportunity to win a really great giveaway.

The mailman brought me a really unexpected surprise today.  I sent one of my Civil War siggie blocks to Janice to add her name to my (planned) quilt.  Well, she not only signed and returned the block, but look at all the goodies she sent along with it?  I was so surprised!  I am going to have such fun planning a project to use them.  Janice, thank you so much for your kind generosity.

I expect my DD to be here later today, my sisters tomorrow and DS2 on Wednesday.  This week is going to be great.

Sunday Evening

I know it's Sunday and the mail doesn't come on Sunday, but we didn't pick ours up yesterday. This morning then, I had 2 treats in the mailbox.  The first is actually 2 - prim stitcheries all the way from Australia.  My return from the swap with the deadline that crept up on me last week.  They're so cute and I think I'll put them in the Christmas quilt I'm planning to make from the blocks I've gotten from different swaps this fall. I'll show it when I get it together.

The second treat was a  box full of goodies, each wrapped in colorful orange tissue paper. At first I couldn't  imagine what it could be, and was pleasantly surprised to find my return on the Apron Swap.  Look at all the goodies - a great autumn apron decorated with beautiful buttons, a hot pad to match (even the buttons), a yummy smelling pumpkin pie candle, and to top it off, a flower pin used as the bow on one package. Thank you Jany, this is a really super surprise.

I have a wonderful, busy week ahead and probably won't post again until next weekend.  My DD and DS2 are coming in for a short visit because 2 of my sisters (I have 4 and a brother) and one BIL are coming to visit.  We don't get together very often, so I'm glad my children are making the extra effort to be here.  DS1 and GS live here in town so at least one dinner with all of us is a possibility. 

Thanks everyone, for all of your visits and comments on the giveaway for 63.  I loved reading them all.

Post 63

Okay ladies.  The 63rd post is here and the winner is..... Robin!  Robin, please email me with your address and I'll get this goodie right out to you.

More Mail Surprises

Look what the mailman brought me today.  Two packages.  The first was a block from a monthly swap I'm in, made by my October partner Mary .  The color is just perfect to go with the other blocks from this swap.  Unfortunately, as usual, the color in my camera isn't like the real thing.  They're going to make a great quilt.  Thank you Mary. 

The second package was my Friendship Bag from Sharon .  Look at all the goodies.  Of course, the lovely little bag made of such nice fabrics, with a pieced inside no less, 2 sweet little coasters of the same fabric as the bag, a beautiful little Santa figurine, a wonderful assortment of ribbons, and some real sweets, chcocolate!!  That's already gone, by the way.  I grudgingly gave one piece to my hubby.  Thank you Sharon, this is just the greatest.

So I had a little time for sewing this afternoon and finished up the binding on another placemat, and made 2 Dear Jane blocks.  Now I am 39, 0, 0, 820, which means I have made 39 blocks, no side triangles, no corners, and have a total of 820 pieces in my completed blocks. 

Remember, for you 19 followers, if you're interested in the giveaway which I posted on Wednesday, there's still time.  Go to Wednesday's post to read about it and leave a comment there.  Tomorrow is post 63 and I'll announce the winner then.

Followers' Giveaway

Ok, friends.  Let's have a giveaway.  For those 19 of you who are now listed as my followers, I am hosting a giveaway.  Since I missed my 50th post, the next milepost for me is 63, my age.  Good grief!  How can I be that old??  With another birthday coming in just a few months??!!  Medicare, here I come.  Alright, back on task.  Here's what I'm giving away.

I love these kits.  They work up very quickly and they're just really cute.  I've made several seasonal ones, but I don't have this one for myself, yet.  I'm limiting the giveaway to you 19, so if you want it, you must leave a comment on this post.  I'll leave it open until whenever I get up on Saturday morning. 

I finished the piecing of my holiday mini and promised you a look at it.  Since this is a secret swap my partner won't know it's for her, and I doubt that she reads my blog.  I think I'm going to hand quilt it since I have plenty of time before it must be mailed.  (It really is square, not as wonky as the picture looks)  I hope my partner likes it.

Holiday Swap Start

The second Tuesday of the month is the day I have breakfast with other retirees from my old employer.  Only two of us showed up, but we had a nice visit anyway.  Not sure, though, why no one else was there.  After I left the restaurant, I went to the PO to mail my stitchery.  I went to another one than usual, and it was like night and day.  There was only one person finishing up her transaction, and then it was my turn. And it only cost me .44.  So, you can tell it really was a "little stitchery".

Yesterday I started on my Four Seasons Holiday mini.  I still have plenty of time, but you never know what else might interfere.  I should have the top all put together tomorrow and I'll show it to you.

I made a few DJ blocks over the weekend.  I really enjoy making them, but you can see on the bottom one where I sewed the last strip on backward and had to take it out.

Little Progress Monday

Decided yesterday that I wouldn't blog today unless I had my little stitchery finished.  Well, it is and it's ready to go in the mail tomorrow - deadline day.  I made it.  I have to be sure I get them finished earlier from now on, because so far I haven't missed a deadline and I want to keep it that way!

Other than embroidery today, I started on my Four Seasons Christmas mini quilt and worked on a DJ block, but ran into trouble and couldn't get it finished.  We had to make another quick trip out of town to exchange cars with DS2 and that took a chunk of the day.  In other words, nothing got finished today except the stitchery.

Weekend Update

Just a quiet weekend at home with a little shopping (for clothes), a little housework (very little), a little sewing (DJs), and a lot of stitching.  Fortunately, I realized that I have a swap deadline approaching very quickly (Tuesday is the mailing deadline!), and I'm not finished with the embroidered block.  Since it's prim stiching, at least it's not complicated stitching, and a couple more hours will finish it. 

Placemats and Tea Cups

These placemats kept me busy today, but they're still not all finished.  Getting there, though.  By the way, this is not an original idea, and please forgive me, but I can't remember whose blog had it listed.  I commented on her post about it and she sent me the measurements she used to make them.  Unfortunately, in my efforts to keep my email cleaned up, I have already deleted the email.  I am so sorry I can't remember who it was.  Anyway, here is one complete, front and back.  I have 5 put together to the point of hand sewing the binding.  I decided not to leave the back completely plain, but I also didn't want to add a lot of extra work to the project.  So, whaddya think?  And no, the side strips aren't purple, but red, and the black squares are actually brown.  I just couldn't get the color to show up properly

I don't do much decoration for Halloween, but rather for autumn.  This is one Halloween decoration I did last year, but didn't get it finished in time to put it up.  I hope to get the framing finished and hang it tomorrow.  I have my decorations out and will put them out as I do my housework tomorrow.  You can tell I don't do a whole lot, but wait for Christmas! 

We're already well into October, so here are my two mini October tea cups along with the latest DJ block.  I've been slacking on them lately.  As I'm sure you know, this is a 5 inch block, so it can give you some sense of the size of the 2 sets.