Christmas 2024 has come and gone and we are now in that quieter time between December 25th and New Year's Day. I blogged earlier in the week about some of the gifts I made this year and you can read about them here. I have been doing some reading and cross stitching every day--ahhhh! The lower left square will eventually be a picture of an owl...
Oh my—what happened to yesterday? And now a brand new week starts! Did I get any sewing done? None! And quilting? None!
So, while this decluttering is great, I have to learn to balance my time a bit, as I don't want to give up one for the other!
Actually, a good/bad thing has happened because of this decluttering. I'm actually spending more time in the office on the computer! But I managed to get all the follow-ups completed and out the door yesterday. I have one document that I need to proof this morning before ...
read moreOK—I'll try to stop talking about the decluttering thing in the blog for a bit. But seriously, you won't turn back once you get the hang of how this works. I opened the pantry in the kitchen when I had a few moments waiting for lunch to heat up. We store the dog supplies in there. It wasn't quite tidy enough for me, so I spent a mere five minutes, and now it looks like this. Did you notice the partially empty shelf? If we didn't have dogs, this would be EMPTY!
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| The dog supplies ... |
Hopefully, some of you visited the Libby app to check if your local library has quilt magazines. We've had them for quite a while, but I like the paper copy. However, I'm going to change my mindset on that. Besides, Libby will alert me when a new issue comes up. It's all very civilized, but we all know that change is challenging, and I must let myself go with the flow!
If Libby doesn't have them, check if your library has Hoopla. Often, magazines are also available from that app. Digital has many advantages, and it ...
read moreI finished the challenge quilt, now named Still Life, for some fabric out. It’s always a relief to get those quilts finished on time.
I won’t get the next challenge until the 26th, which leaves time to do something else. With lots going on between now and then, a handful of small projects makes the most sense.
I pulled fabric to make pillowcases. A lot of bedding made its way into the rag bin this year, and we need replacements.
My sister’s quilt needs a label.
I would also like to frame Words of Joy Tree ...
read moreNo change in the numbers.
I finished another small stitch project this week. It was a fun, quick stitch. The pattern came from the book Scrap Savers Christmas Stitchery by Sandra Lounsburry Foose.
I never counted the felt in and won’t count it out.
This project was one of my stitch UFOs. There are very few of those, unlike my quilting UFOs. This year I’m focusing on projects far too long on my creative wish list.
Fabric In: 19.375 yards
Fabric out: 5 yards
Net Fabric In: 14.375 yards
How did you do this week?
read moreNo change in the numbers.
This week was a blur. I’m not sure how much time I spent in the sewing room. Definitely not enough.
After finishing the embroidery kit, I went back to a holiday ornament I started a year or so ago. I made one that looked like a tree and had some difficulty with it, which caused me to put the star version aside.
I started working on the star again. I don’t know why I found the tree difficult. I guess I was in a different place because the star has stitched up quickly ...
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Hello There,
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you are doing well! This week has been for us with highs in the 50's and lows in the 20's! Between RSV, the flu and COVID numbers going up, I've been hibernating except for essential errands. The winter storms are certainly causing havoc across the nation, aren't they? I hope you all are safe and warm today/tonight!
I hope you enjoy this post, especially my Slow Stitching squirrel: crocheted Christmas ornaments, some fun Christmas audiobooks I've been listening to and a fun song to get ...
Hello There,
Day 12 of my Christmas Countdown and it's my third and final post on my Mill Hill beaded ornaments.
Aren't they cute! My favourite is the gingerbread house (of course) but they're all cute. They're quite quick to stitch, and easily finished by gluing a piece of felt on the back and trimming them. I like to make a beaded hanger from the left over beads.
I've still got a few kits in my stash, so there may be more in future years, but this is it for Christmas 2022.
Day 8 of my Christmas Countdown.
Here's some more of my Mill Hill beaded ornaments. I do enjoy making these little kits. They're quite cheap to buy (approx USD10) and everything you need is included - even the needles!
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| the purple one on the right is Diamond Holiday |
Day 6 of my Christmas Countdown.
These decorations are worked on canvas with thicker threads like Perle 5. The designs are by Laura J Perin and they're called Holiday Ornaments Series #2. (The page takes a while to load.)
I tend to just place these ornaments on the tree - they don't have hangers.
Day 5 of my Christmas Countdown.
These cute ornaments were designed by Thea Dueck of Victoria Sampler. I still remember downloading the patterns and then searching through mum's box of embroidery fabrics to find this perfect red fabric. I always get the urge to stitch something Christmassy on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
They'll definitely be going on the tree when I get it ...
Day 4 and it's time for my first set of Mill Hill beaded ornaments.
I love stitching these little ornaments. It's a tradition now for mum to give me a new kit for Christmas and for me to stitch it between Christmas and New Year while watching cricket on TV.
The perforated paper can be a challenge at first, but once you get used to it, it's fine. Just don't pull the thread too tightly and rip the paper!
I glue felt on the back to finish the ornaments nicely, and I like to make beaded ...
read moreI have some new releases to share! Ornaments are so much fun to stitch. These were designed for Perforated Paper by Wichelt but they can be stitched on Aida or evenweave.
The Woodland Christmas Ornaments feature pretty little scenes with a snowman, a santa, an elf and a tree with cardinal birds.
I've also added to my Crazy Ornaments collection! Crazy Mittens and Crazy Strawberries!
All are not only perfect for ornaments, but can be finished into refrigerator magnets, bookmarks, greeting cards or gift tags!
All are worked with DMC and Kreinik.
The 4th and final part of the ... read more
Brrr and Good Morning from chilly North Carolina! The poor sea of daffodils are all weeping from this cold! Of course, for me, this means a day of sewing!
Two years ago I cam across a Twelve Days of Christmas ornament series made from felt. It was love at first site! Uncharacteristically, I ordered the full set of patterns (from Larissa Holland, mmmCrafts). At first the pattern set seemed pricey, but oh the detail, exquisite design and excellent instructions made it so worth it. I even ordered the set of felt to make them with. I printed the patterns out ...
read moreI chose finishing a Christmas tree ornament as my OMG for January. Nothing like getting a head start on next year.
The pattern came from an Oxmoor House book published back in 1986. I think I bought the book at a thrift store many years ago. I know making this ornament has been on my wish list for quite a while.
I’m linking to the finish party at Elm Street Quilts.
read moreNo change in the numbers.
Work continues on the challenge quilt. Once I sew sections together I will post pictures.
I had a couple Zoom meetings this week, which gave me opportunities to do hand work.
It’s meant to look like a Christmas cookie when finished. The stitching goes faster now that I’m past all the tiny chain stitches.
Fabric In: 0.5yards
Fabric Out: 0 yards
Net Fabric In: 0.5 yards
How did you do this week?
read moreLike everyone else, I ended last year thinking about plans for this year. 2021 was not a prolific year in the sewing room. I spent far more time stitching and finished a lot of projects as compared to prior years.
I’m not a fast sewer or stitcher. I’m usually one of the last people to finish in class. I rarely have extended for creative hobbies.
That said, I will continue to have a Short List but a much smaller one. My goals this year are to use what I have, finish what I’ve started and do the ...
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