Last Friday of 2011

All embroidery DONE!

   This morning I have been busy in my sewing studio while waiting for DH to get out of bed (still hasn't happened). First, I finished the embroidery for Saints 2. Next step is to start quilting the center. 

Stolen from Twilight blog

   Unable to keep still while the machine did its thing and not having set up a second machine to replace the broken Ellangeo, I cut tumblers for Nu's Tumbler Graduation Quilt. (That young man has had lots of tumbles in his 18 years! His family dissolved and neither parent had room for this young man. He spent 5 years being shuffled until he hit his 16 b-day. Then those 'adults' responsible for him, put him out, told him to quit school, find a job and place to stay for himself. This is when my DD#4 took him in, kept him in school, and gave him a family that loves him - us! He is graduating from high school in May with honors and is planning to go into the arm services. He tumbled really well so the tumbler quilt with all its different mixed up colors seems so right for him.)

  When I ran out of ironed scraps, I started looking for 8" scraps in my scrap bin. I figured while I was looking, I just as soon cut and place the scraps into the 2 1/2, 2, 1 1/2 , and 1" bins. Come to find out most were already those sizes and I just need to measure, cut straight, and save in correct bin.
   I have decided that on Wednesday of next week a trip to BR is necessary to bring the machine to be repaired. Hopefully, it can be b/c I just adore that machine and can't afford another like it.
    I am off to press, cut, and save scraps. Why? I don't know since I am not a fan of scrappy quilts. Well, 2012 is a new year and if you practice something for 6 months it becomes part of your make-up, so I will be practicing until June making scrappy quilts.
Well, lator Tigers! May your 2012 begin wonderfully.

She DID IT!

Samantha's New Do!

DGD#2 really did it! She and I have kept our hair long for as long as I can remember. We both cut and donated our hair to honor my brother when he died about 4 years ago. He also was growing his hair to donate that summer but tragedy struck first. 
Wow! She looks so different.
Lator Tigers! 






   

Design Wall Progress

Top of Saints 2

  Well, I didn't clean yesterday. I got a case of chills and low fever. DH told me it was because I am allergic to cleaning and he may be right!  I spent most of the day sleeping and shaking. Finally, I got warm and did the top half of the embroidery on Saints 2 so all was not lost. Then read on iPad while watching Saints skunk Alanta. Go Saints!

   I don't plan on cleaning today except for the usual sweeping, mopping, dusting, clothes washing, and watching Spirit or her watching me. 

Bottom half of embroidery

  DD#3 is picking me up to go exercise more of the holiday food off. Then when I get back, Spirit and I have a lunch date with DD#1 at BQ. After that, I plan on doing the second half of the embroidery on Saints 2. A second machine needs to be set up so I can finish the surprise for DD#1 and SIL#only. Cleaning will have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday to be started.
Well, off to exercise.
Lator Tigers! May the rest of 2011 be STRESS FREE!

Last Design Wall of 2011

Saints Stars 2

Saint Stars 1

On my last design wall of 2011 is my Saints Stars 2. This week, my goal is to add the embroidery shown in Saints Stars 1 and quilting.
I am also working on a secret project for DD#1 and DSIL#1. I can't finish those until the embroidery is finished since my Ellegante is still sitting broken under my sewing table. That will have to be tended to this week, I hope.
  This week I also plan on cleaning the den. It has become our junk room since we don't use it much. But the rains have started and we need the covered access to the house it offers. 
Well, I am off with DD#3 to exercise the food from last week off.
Lator Tigers! May all the fabric you desire find its way into your stash. Happy New Years. May 2012 be better than 2011 if possible.

Christmas Past

   As I read blogs this morning, I came upon one that was very melancholy. She talked about childhood experiences at Christmas time and how she wanted to give her children memories like she had but didn't know how. That blog and the rain on Christmas made me sad and I started to cry b/c I too miss family that have gone to meet God.
   I started remembering Christmas at my mom & dad's. Dad would play Scrooge and Bah Humbugged all the preparations. On Christmas eve he would retire to his room locking the door, and not be seen until the 26th. He refused to participate in the gift giving and only grandchildren could visit in private.
  Yet, there would always be presents under the tree that seemed to appear by magic and had no giver name just the receiver. If someone unexpected came, there would be a gift under that tree for that person even if they arrived 5 minutes before we opened gifts but no on saw dad placing it.   
   After my dad died, an empty Scrooge box was placed under the tree in his memory. When the time for gift opening came it was filled with handmade gifts for everyone and extras again as if by magic.
  The second memory I cherish is that of my younger brother putting on his Santa hat and Ho Ho Hoing while he passed out gifts. He made that time so special. I really miss him every Christmas since he died.
   The third memory I have is that of my Aunt Von. She would make the most wondrous jello salad and banana nut bread. Her traditional present to me was 3 large loaves of banana nut bread that I didn't have to share with my hubby & children since they each got a small loaf. My traditional present to her was 3 gallons of shelled pecan halves given a week before Thanksgiving. I would spend hours shelling pecans starting in October thinking about her wonderful jello and bread.
   I became the Scrooge of the family when my mom and brother died. I don't bah humbug or lock myself in a room like dad, but I don't participate well at large family gatherings usually. I make my appearance right before gift passing, staying on the outside of the family circle, and leave right after. 
  Why? Because it has become more about the presents than the thought and love of family. Too many times I watch as my handmade gifts get thrown in the corner while the store gifts get all the attention. Although, I have realized that by the end on the day, those are thrown in the corner too. Kids have too much stuff.
  At first I would get my feeling hurt by the lack of appreciation of the hours spent making and thinking about each person. Then I stopped caring and did it for the joy of making those gifts. My grandchildren now know that each Christmas they will get a handmade gift - either an embroidered bath towel or an embroidered pillowcase or handmade pj pants- and that on their birthday a store bought gift will be given.
  This year, I felt appreciated because my DSD#2 asked for towels  as did my DGD#1 and DD#1. DD#2 was disappointed when I gave her pillowcases this year b/c she wanted me to embroider towels for her which I will do as soon as she brings them.
  DGD#2 was excited that I gave her teal camo pillowcases since she thought she wouldn't be getting a gift since she got the Element in August.(She understands that I give to her all year round not just on one day!)
 Well, Scrooge is going put the casserole in the oven and retire to the sewing studio! 
Lator Tigers! Keep your Christmas STRESS FREE!

Stash Report Sunday Week 51 1/2 December 25, 2011

  I will finish my stash report year reports on December 31st since 2012 starts on a Sunday. Hopefully, I won't be tempted to buy anything next week and will finish something...wishing to finish Saint Stars 2 or binding on Live,Learn, Laugh, Love. I also need to make pillowcases for our bed. I am also working on a secret project for DD#1 and her hubby too. Hopefully that will go well.
Stash Added this Week:  0 yards
Stash Added in December: 15 yards
Stash Added YTD:  135.065 yards
Stash Used this Week: 2.5 yards (2 pillowcases)
Stash Used in December: 9.25 yards
Stash Used YTD: 173.56 yards
Stash Enhancement: 38.495 yards
Challenge for last Quarter of year: 45.125 yards 
     I have entered the 21st Century - My Christmas present from my DH was a slightly used iPad ( I wanted one and my DGS#2 was selling. DD#2 hooked DH and DGS up and the rest is history.  I have already read 2 books and played lots of games. It was also very helpful entertaining Spirit on Thursday. It may not be the newest version and doesn't have a camera but the price was right and it is big enough for my old eyes to read. I am finding more and more that it can do each day. .
  I cooked for Christmas which is a rarity b/c holidays and I just don't go well together. The disappointed faces b/c someone didn't get the expensive present they wanted; seeing my homemade, time consuming gifts thrown in the corner; the rush rush rush of getting everything ready and being one of the few who appreciate all the work and expense it took to get dinner ready. But I figured what the heck DGD#1 wanted an at-home-Christmas so it was part of our gift to her.
  Saturday, I went on a cleaning binge in the kitchen and dining room. I even managed to de-clutter the living room except for DH's side table. This morning I mopped the whole house and found a box for the table clutter. At 11am, I will finish cooking the green bean casserole, heat the ham & roast, and set the table for 8 and set up the kitchen table for 3. Eleven people and not all my children w/family or DH's are coming for lunch. That would be 15 more. I still think it would be better to go to their houses for Christmas! 
   Hopefully, Monday will see me tackling the den aka the junk room. That really needs to be done since my Phaff is coming back with the frame and I need a place to set it up and the hand quilting frame too. The laundry room needs cleaning too but it will be last as usual. It will become the new junk room.       
   The plan is to move sewing room into den and then move DGD#1 into the larger room. After her stuff has been arranged in one closet, we will move the girls' stuff into the other closet. We will also put a twin bed alongside with her bed. That will give other guests(especially Spirit) a place to stay while DGD#1 things are hidden. 
   I will set up my sewing machine  and fabric stash in smaller  room. In the den, we will set up the Phaff and hopefully a second twin bed as a day bed/sofa.This will give DGD#2 a place to crash when she wants to visit. All this moving and cleaning etc may take 6 months but it will all get done...I hope...unless DH decided to complete the back studio so I can move there. Honestly, I am hoping that all my cleaning will put a spur to him to get it done.
   Well, I am off to ....I forgot!
Lator, Tigers! May your year end peacefully.