100 Block Tour and Relaxed Sewing

I have so been enjoying the 100 Block Blog Tour.  I'm not one to just blog hop, but this is so special.  I hope I win a book - how great would it be to make a quilt with all these blocks?  I know my long armer would be drooling to get her hands on that one.

I found my leader/ender box rather full, so put together a crib quilt using a light flannel for batt and just tying it.  Friends have a new baby grandie due in spring, so just perfect. 

And I have a large, plastic pretzel barrel I store my triangle scraps in - that is so stuffed  full, I really need to get creative with those.  But instead, I pulled a few greens and used up some left-over WOW strips and made a feather tree for my SIL.  And I finished another little cross stitch - my little  Matryoshka Dolls (Russion nesting dolls).  I did my best in sorting thru my stash to find some fabric that looks festive and colorful.  Gosh, I need to brighten up my fabric choices!                                

 

 Still enjoying those old movies, but went to a theater production of Young Frankenstien.  It was well done and such a pleasant outing - theater, dinner and friends.  Probably my last big outing before the snow flies.  I hope you are mixing in some "fun" sewing and "me" time,

 

 Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Sewing for Pleasure

I am enjoying just being able to sew for pleasure.  No pressure to finish and no need to really get something started.  I love all the Mug Rugs that are popping up - such a picture show of  self-interpretation of such a simple little project.

And I could just pull out something for whimsy - that darn barrel of scrap HSTs was calling me

And I could even take the time to fabric frame some simple cross stitch - a Fall and Winter done.

And I got to enjoy family time.  My very pregnant daughter and grandson came out for a visit.  She finished a few "secret" gifts on my machine while I spent time outdoors with my grandson.  We picked acorns and pinecones, rescued a few Geraniums (potted) for indoors, helped stack a little wood in the box for greatgrandma, took a ride on the outdoor swing, and fed the chipmonks and birds.  We timed our finishes perfectly.  Then out to a late lunch at a local cafe.  After they left, poor NaNa needed a nap, so curled up with furry and a quilt on the couch with an old B&W movie - Saratoga Trunk.  Needless to say, I don't remember watching the movie. 



Maybe I''ll have the North/South quilt done by next time - I changed my mind and decided to handquilt it.  But that one is staying with me, so I can take my time in finishing.  And I started my Spring cross stitch - lilacs.  Hoping your adding some sewing for pleasure time. 

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Seasons' Traditions

I have officially put away the tote of seasonal fabric.  Enough!  I admit it - I have a hard time creating with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas fabrics.  The thought of something being used 1 or 2 weeks (maybe for the day) with all that hard work into it - it is like burning a Picasso.  Well, that's a little extreme, but you get the point.

As a member of the Charming Girls' Quilt Club - it is time for a new theme and monthly goals.

  A lot has changed since my children have grown and moved on and some with own families.  When they were little every room was filled with decor, mostly their own little creations.  Now Thanksgiving only gets a table topper with a small vase of flowers. I no longer put up a Christmas tree, but decorate the mantel with some sort of theme of handmade wares.  And it will be the first year to share the new tradition of working on my Christmas Village with my grandson.

You won't find recipes here as I don't bake - be thankful.  Large dinners are usually done with me doing the roast, turkey, or ham with everyone else bringing their own specialty part of the meal.  This is a real stress and time reliever on everyone.  And we usually have our holiday meal together the day before or the day after so everyone can spend the Holiday with their own family.  Again a stress and time reliever.

Special outings were back with the kids - school plays and concerts, caroling, and Santa Visits.  Now my big planned event is Black Friday at my LQS for free FQ's for Food Items - help the local food pantries benefit.  I'm not a "Mall" person and when you need a wheelchair for those trips, the holiday crowd just doesn't make it pleasant.

Tips and tricks for de-stressing the Holidays.  As said before, we share the preparation of the meal.  I work on gifts thru the year and really try to finalize by the end of Oct. - I want to enjoy the last 2 months of the year.  Yes, don't hate me, my Christmas shopping and making is done - even all my on-line swaps are done and waiting for mailing.

A funny Holiday story - there are a lot, but I love when my youngest went to Santa Visit when he was in Kindergarten.  This wasn't his first, but when he sat on Santa's knee and heard him speak - the look!  He immediately de-bearded Santa and yelled across the room to me  - "Mama, you never told me Santa was my school bus driver".

Goals for November and December:

Finish quilt tops and try not to start anything new.  I have packed up a lot of tubs and re-organized to start the New Year fresh.  I have a new grandson due early Dec., so I will be spending time with my daughter's family.  And I want to be sure I spend extra time with my MOM (who lives in the other half of my house) as this will be her first year alone during the holidays - DAD pass earlier this year.

Yes, sewing for enjoyment with no deadline, sharing time with family, having time to put ones feet up and watch some old movies of the season.  Ahhhhhhh

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon



Sweet November

I was changing the potpourri in the shop - sweet apple and cinnamon and the movie "Sweet November" popped into my head.  Remember Charlize Theron played Sara, the crazy woman, and Keanu Reeves played Nelson, the workaholic.  She gives him 30 days (November) to "change" his life.  Funny, crazy, and the need for the tissue box.

I  have to tame the X-mas scrap tote, so have been playing with seasonal fabric instead of quilting up tops.  A mini tree wallhanging  (About.com) that will probably be my focal over the mantel, the mini santa (Free-Quilting.com) I will mail to my grandson, and the ornaments are for secret santa swaps.



And I pulled another scrap quilt top "North & South" (Life on the Bayou - Susan-Patchkat) and that is next in line for machine quilting

 

Enjoy your Sweet November,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon