Take one small car + one small tree.....

And it equals:

And that brings us.....

We were out and about together on Friday and REALLY didn't want to come home and switch cars to go get the tree, so...........we crammed a nice little tree into the bug with the backseat down!! Voila! Done, home, decorated and being enjoyed....It even has quite a few gifts under it already.
Did some de-stressify sewing on Saturday. You know, what you do to keep from thinking about all the stuff you have to do--but can't do YET??? !! This was the end result:

Very pleased with the new pillow--and it kept me occupied just right! It's 16" square and the little finished squares are 1" each...the back's an envelope and the patches are just raw edge appliqued on for some color on the reverse.
Hope all who stop by this blog are nearing their finish lines for Christmas and looking forward to a happy, healthy time with family and friends. Happy Sewing all !! :-)

Just remember.....

I sure hope this is true...! ;-)  The semi-panic that sets in 2 weeks before Christmas is creeping up quietly....
Not much sewing going on, except these 2 pillows...they are gifts and this is the back of them, of course.

That envelope closure sure is neat. And I LIKE to use zippers--but this is fast!(photo of the fronts after they're received by their new owners...)
More going on in the kitchen for gift giving...

This is the BEST bark for the giving, I think! Here's the recipe, from a FamilyFun magazine a few years ago. 4 ingredients and a little time and you have some good stuff to pass along!!

If you can't read it after clicking on the picture to enlarge it--email me and i will send you a copy.
Here's the sweet wool ornaments, handmade by Maggie, that I received at the guild's ornament exchange!
Our DD made the lovely Christmas log cabin tablerunner a few years ago!! (She's got the Q-gene, I think!)

They make me smile every time I look at them. This little Christmas creamer makes me smile too! She came from the same store as the tea cup.

These will all come in handy if that 'semi-panic' starts to creep up again.........time to put the kettle on !
Enjoy the season...... :-)

November Bloggers BOM....

Here's the split star block designed by Stephanie at Loft Creations. Like it a lot--but having some contrast issues on the left side there...  Here's all 3 blocks so far:

No time for 'do-overs' though, there's lots 'o Christmas to be planning!! Here's an ornament prototype...

It's about 3" big finished and sounds really cute with 6 little bells on it!! Need a little stitiching practice :-)
Also finished up my sister's pretty wool cape--just needs the invisible snaps and buttons sewn in/on...

Was a very productive, fun weekend! Have a great week ahead & let's all get started on our Christmas crafting!! (and not stress over it!!........... ;-)

And now there are 30......

Finished 2 Farmers Wife blocks this weekend...was hoping for a thrid, but a sinus bug kept me down. Happy with these 2 though... Cups and Saucers and Darting Birds.

                                                       

Next project/present on the list is a cape for my sister. She loves coats, jackets, shawls, and really liked the ones that were  made for DD's wedding party. This fabric is some of the most beautiful wool I've ever seen. It was purchased at Haberman's Fabrics in Royal Oak. (Great fabrics for every kind of sewing)

Have a great week ahead, all! And watch out for those cold/flu bugs--they'll slow down your sewing!! ;-)



P.S. Sign up for this in 2012:

I'm looking forward to the expert help and practice for my FMQ'ing!! :-)

Because she liked this.....

I made her this.....

for her birthday!! My sweet friend and neighbor of 20 years, Karen. Good neighbors and friends, near and far, are one of those gifts in life that I'm thankful for. Especially this time of year.         Remember our new little granddog Callie??

Pictured this summer with DD. Well....here she is just a few months later!

How's that for a cute face?? DD and DSIL are in New Orleans for a long weekend. We have such fun with these furry family members!! But life is tough sometimes with G-ma and G-pa!! Just look how worn out they are...

Have a wonderful weekend, all. Next post should have a couple Farmer's Wife blocks to show. Wonder if the fabric stack for those blocks feels as bad as I feel for putting them on the back burner??  ;-)

A Start and a Couple Finishes............

Over at http://attic24.typepad.com/ there are some wonderful ideas and tutorials for baubles and ornaments. After gathering my cotton yarns, I've attempted her Bauble Decoration for possible gift giving this year.... The directions and pictures are great and it went so well, I purchased the little bells to embellish the 'star' points when I get them done!

That's the 'start'....the 2 finishes are  a larger version of a tissue holder for a new mom's baby wipes! Seen here to start with the one gifted to me by my BQFF Judy.

and here's the 'finish'......

Finish No. 2 is the brand new GARAGE!!  Yea! It seems bigger (cause all the 'stuff' hasn't been returned) And we won't have to scrape our windshields in the morning when the really bad weather turns up!

Here's to 'starts and finishes'--hope you all have some of each going yourselves!

"Tis the season.........

'tis the season for beef stew, that is........! It really hit the spot and will tast even better tomorrow! Fall is the season for soups and stews, isn't it??
Made a tiny bit of progress on the cross quilt....

Finished the Bear's Paw block for the guild's Blockery exchange....(i'm really likin' this block...!)

Took a very fun workshop with quilter Karen Turkes. 'Design Your Own Landscape' with her great interchangeable patterns and fusible.
Here she is on the right helping Mary with fabric choices...

And a couple of my favorite examples she brought...

Karen was helpful and patient and gave us all a lot of encouragement. Here's my project at midday and at day's end.....

The challenge now will be to do it justice with some decent free motion quilting to add more life and detail like Karen does.....I'll be working up my confidence to tackle that!! But the advice and instruction from a good teacher was invaluable. The sky/horizon is from one piece of great fabric purchased up at Delphine's in Gaylord Michigan--so glad to have the chance to use it!!
Enjoy your weekend all! Hope you get some sewing in....or make some stew! :-)