Time keeps on ticking

Reflexing back through 2022 it was a good year.  I feel I stuck to my New Year's resolution - use my stash. 

Yes there were a couple hiccups.  One was a fantastic gift to me from a fellow Midnight Stitcher quilter.  Her grandmother-in-law, Louis, passed.  Louis was a fantastic sewer/quilter.  My friend inherited all of her sewing supplies.  Her stash was huge, so my friend shared lots of extra stash with our sewing group.  I ended up with a couple tubs of fabric to add to my stash.  Because of this generous gift I was able to make several projects without buying any more fabric - I still have so much more to use.  One tote is filled with fur to make teddy bears.  I will definitely be tackling some bears.  So thank you my friend and Louis.  You will always be remembered.  I hope when I pass their are loving souls willing to carry-on with what I leave behind.  Right now it's a lot.

Through the AuSable Quilt Guild we will start the new year with two challenges.  

First, choose a word to inspire you in 2023.  I choose STASH.  This will remind me to shop my stash before purchasing more fabric.  Sorry quilt shops - I probably won't be your best customer in 2023.

Second, make a list and number eight UFOs to finish by September 2023.  Each month a number from one to eight will be drawn.  The number drawn will be the UFO you concentrate on and try to complete that month.  In October we will see how well we did.

So I cleaned through my studio including my totes of stashed fabrics.  I have 33 UFOs.  Yes you read that correct, 33.  Now I'm on a mission.  Most of the UFOs are patterns or pictures of quilts with the fabric attached.  I decided to be aggressive and not only pick the eight UFOs for the guild challenge, but add another UFO each month for my personal list.  That's two UFOs per month.  Am I crazy? Yes.  Will I accomplish this mission? Well as of today I think I can.  Let's see how I do.

Discussing this with my Midnight Stitchers friends (some are part of the AuSable Quilt Guild too) they have been cleaning through their sewing stash and they have also found many UFOs.  Together between  the AuSable Quilt Guild and the Midnight Stitchers we will help keep each other to stay on track and finish these UFOs.  We will be victorious.  Right now my studio is very organized and my inventory is fresh in my mind.  I'm so ready for this challenge.  I will start my list tomorrow and Wednesday a number will be picked from the guild.  Ready set GO!

I'm thankful for my sewing friends.  We always have each other for support.  Thank you.

It's been a blessed year.  When I was young time ticked so slow, but now that I'm older it just slips away.  2022 went by so fast.  Time keeps on ticking into the future.  So good bye 2022.  

I'm welcoming 2023 with hopes of plenty of time to meet these new challenges.  Come join me - let's be creative and pass our days enjoying this creativity.

Welcome 2023.  May you find Peace, Love and Happiness.

Santa Claus is coming to town

I've been one of Santa's elves.  With the Christmas trees up and decorated it's time to put the finishing touches on the Christmas gifts I've been working on. 

I feel like reciting the 12 days of Christmas, but I just can't tie my projects into the lyrics.  So I'll have to work at this one.  But first up I made three casserole holders.  They are insulated to keep food hot or cold and holds a 9" by 13" by 2" casserole with cover.  There is even a pocket to hold utensils.  I made them for my daughter-in-laws.  They are both excellent cooks and are always bringing a dish of homemade food.

Next, eight children's crafting aprons.  The two young kids that come to play have outgrown the previous crafting aprons I made them so I had to make each a larger size.  I also made them each an apron to bring home.  They love to do crafts.  When they come to visit they always ask what will be the craft they get to do today.  So for Christmas I bought them each art sets with paint, crayons, markers and colored pencils.  They have fun and are pretty messy so I've included a crafting apron with their gift.  They also love to bake and cook so the apron can be used in the kitchen too.  In fact, I got them an Easy Bake Oven with all the accessories and mixes.  What a great way to learn to measure, read instructions and use a timer.  And of course it fun to eat!

My two grandchildren are now old enough to craft with markers and paint.  One of them I bought a painting easel for Christmas.  Both will get a crafting apron.  They all will have hours of fun.

Last but not least, I made a dozen cozy bowl holders for each of our families.  They each will receive a set of three (small, medium and large).  Cozy bowl holders are hot pads that are bowl shaped to hold  your dish and can help keep food cold or hot and protect your hands. They are made of 100% cotton, including batting, so they can be used in the microwave.  Not only are they useful in the kitchen, but they also become great gift baskets.  One set I made has Mickey Mouse fabric so I was able to find Mickey Mouse printed glasses to set inside.  Another set holds a custom made mug with a matching cookie plate/tea bag holder.  A useful and unique way to present a gift.

Now it's time to hang the stockings with care knowing Saint Nicholas soon will be here.

Merry Christmas to all and too all a good night!

Oh Christmas tree

This past spring, while cleaning out my childhood home, I came across our aluminum Christmas tree from the early 60s.  What blast from the past.  It was still in its original box and each tree branch was still in it's brown paper wrapper.  I couldn't pass it by, it was part of my childhood - so I brought it home.

For the past couple weeks I've been busy decorating for Christmas.  Living in northern Michigan we always have a real tree for Christmas - we live in the woods.  So I decided the aluminum tree will go up in my studio.  With the Mid-Century furniture the tree will feel right at home.

I opened the box containing the aluminum tree and it was all neatly packed just waiting for someone to remember and celebrate Christmas with it.  The revolving stand with flood lights was even in this box.  I plugged in the stand - the lights worked, but the revolving holder didn't move.  Darn, but I decided to put the tree together to make sure everything was there before messing with the stand.  One by one I pulled the branches out of their sleeves inserting them into the trunk as I remember doing as a child.   Low and behold every branch was there and it looked just how I remembered. 

The task of decorating was next.  I couldn't put the same assortment of ornaments on this tree like the one in my family-room - it had to be simple.  I remember my mother always had all turquoise ornaments and one year all red.  I will stay with that concept.  With a handful of green and red glass Christmas ornaments I already owned  I decided this would be my color scheme. I began searching the stores for green and red glass ornaments - everything was so picked over.  Christmas decorations have been out for three months.  In fact, Valentines stuff is already in the aisles.  Yikes!  However, I did find a couple boxes of glass green and red ornaments.  

My aluminum tree is decorated and I love it.  As a child I would spend hours gazing at the shiny ornaments with the tree all lit up and turning.   So here she is spending another Christmas with me and now my family.

I found a surprise in the box with the tree - there was a handful of my younger brothers plastic soldiers from the 60s.  They did a great job defending this tree.  I couldn't even see traces of a creature stirring or even a mouse.  I granted the soldiers a furlough, but they will be back on duty January 1st to continue their assignment of guarding this tree.  I haven't told them that the Vietnam War was over.

Enjoy the season with family and friends. Peace.