The Day After

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a busy day. I wanted to try and get all my blocks for the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt called, Good Fortune done but it didn't happen. Today clue number 4 was released and I am feeling the pressure! They look to be easier so I think I will be caught up soon.

In some ways this is a good way to work on any scrap quilt. Sewing  them into "bite size" pieces and giving yourself a deadline, makes it go pretty fast. You can go at your own pace but then it will become another UFO (I know myself!) . I have never done this type of mystery quilt before but so far it is fun! One of the things I enjoy is her instructions on how to cut and sew things, you can always learn something new!

I got some art supplies from my husband and am going to try some new things, stay tuned!

Kelly

Only 20 More Days!

Wow December is really cruising along! Over the years I have simplified my Christmas decorating. Most of it is in the kitchen as that is where we spend most of our time and it has plenty of space to stage little vignettes like this one.

For gifts I love getting and giving books. It can take you anywhere at any time of your choosing. I literally could not live without books, it's like breathing to me.

Quilting books are also a must have! Everyone needs inspiration and dreams to keep their creativity going. Even if you never make a quilt in the book you buy, there is something that you glean that will surprise you as you go along on your quilt journey.

I have always wanted to keep a diary but never got past the first 2 weeks. It felt overwhelming.

This one is perfect. It covers 5 years and just a few lines to hit the highlights of the day. I keep it on my counter so I see it every day. It's fun to look back on the past year.

Our tree is much smaller and not real! I don't love all the time it takes to do a big tree. This arrangement is evergreen branches cut from my yard, that I display the ornaments the grand kids have given me over the past couple of years. It makes them more special and highlights them.

I like to decorate my plants! It's so easy to add a bit of color here and there by poking in some pretty floral pieces.

Make some time for yourself during this busy time. I get cranky when I have days without sewing. Just a few minutes or a couple of hours here and there will make me all happy again and I get something done as well!

Buy yourself a good tool to make quilting fun, easy and accurate. There is nothing worse than sewing things that don't fit together. I feel like I am wasting time. I love this ruler that I have not used since I bought it some time ago!

You can make 10 half square triangles at a time once you have the strips cut out.

It took me about 4 minutes to cut out 60 of them! I don't think I can make them any other way again!

What are some of your favorite sewing items that you want for the holidays?

Kelly