December 2022

 Amid Christmas preparations, cookie baking, parties etc. I found some time to start a couple of sewing projects.  

With the help of my friend C, pattern advice  and some fabric swapping etc. I started this easy tree quilt.

It's finished for now - I don't think I will add borders.

I like all the quirky fabrics, some of them are quite old.  I scrapped around through a smallish tote of older Christmas fabrics.   It 's 44 by 54".  The ease of making the blocks makes it fun to sew.

I also saw a picture of this block somewhere and thought it would be a great way to use leftover strips of 2.5" strips.  I found out that you have to be careful about orienting the sewing of the blocks all one way --- or they don't make the same pattern.  Had a few duds to sort out!

 

I have sewn the top together and it is 48 by 60". And I didi use up some strips.

It still needs to have a backing made.

We had a very cold and windy spell just before Christmas here in NC. I was worried about the water freezing  but to my surprise I got up on Christmas eve morning and Saturday to boot and found my kitchen stove had no power.  Long story short - some kind of safety switch form the generator - had a problem!  But thanks to the repair guys who spent so much time out in the freezing cold wind I had power to cook for Christmas day.  Still had to have the generator folks come out and replace a part the following week. Nothing like a little Holiday drama.

We were all well fed and happy  - and as usual Logan and fam were late to dinner!

It was way too cold for our usual outdoor pictures.

Sample Finished

Last week I finished the borders on this sample for Ladybug.   It is 44 by 56".  I think she will probably offer a class in Jan. or Feb.  It was pretty fun  - used a specialty ruler for half square log cabin blocks.  Now I can work on some of the other things in the little spare moments that are hard to come by this time of year.  This is the prime weekend for parties and other Christmas activities.

I dusted  off my little sewing room tree - I used it in my dining room last year so I had really cleaned it up then.  You can imagine how much dust it collects in the sewing room.

We had a fun and games party on Friday evening.

Molly and Hannah home for Christmas break.

They're just home from work!

 Catching up 

Oops - a different punch maker tonight.

Now she's the craft leader.

 We had lots of fun - charades - games  - food and even a craft.  We made scented sugar scrubs.  A full evening - Jesse, Vince and Paul even watch the Polar Express.  Too Funny!!!

Saturday at the Extended Family Party.  We all put on Molly's red lipstick for a Girl Pic.

Busy Day

Yesterday I sorted out what I had started on this when I first bought the pattern about 2 years ago.

First thing this morning, I got the background sewed together and some of the applique pieces on.
I also picked out some fabrics for the other 2 pieces in the pattern.

We have 2 events this weekend - Evan, our grandson, graduated from High School in January and we are having a party for him at the lake tomorrow. 

Sunday, is the last day at church for our intern and we are having a lunch for him and his wife after the 11AM service.  We all love Justin and Jessica.   Justin's visits meant a lot to John and Justin was a special part of John's Memorial service.  Justin will be a Chaplain at Wake Med in Raleigh.

So today I had lots of cooking to do.  I made Powdered Sugar Cookies, a Ham and a pineapple cake for Saturday and Oreo Cheesecake Bars, a Ham and a broccoli rice casserole for Sunday.   I also had bought some beef when shopping on Thursday so I made Vegetable Beef Soup.

I planted one of my planters this afternoon, trimmed up a few shrubs and planted a Camellia received at John's funeral.  I know I will sleep well tonight.

Pineapple Cake

Six servings for the freezer

And here is a picture of my version of the Heartstrings quilt.  We took the picture out on Sally's deck
yesterday.