I have so much to do for Christmas – I am actually a little overwhelmed because I only have 19 sewing days left before I leave for vacation with my family in California.
I have 2 quilts that need quilting – the Fancy Flocks quilt I blogged about yesterday is now half done – I’m really hoping I can finish today – I will post pictures as soon as I do! I am going to do something I have never done before. I am going to machine sew the binding. Hand sewing is just not an option these days for me.
I want to make at least 2 mug rugs – one for my mom and one for my mother-in-law. I’m torn between using the scraps from my Vintage Christmas Sampler and using the Ready Set Snow Layer Cake I have from Me & My Sister – thoughts anyone?
I also want to finish a table runner for my God Mother. She is wonderful and I think she would really appreciate it.
I have lots to do for the blog too! I still have 2 blocks left to put up for the sampler – I know I am behind, but that sometimes happens in life. I will do my best to get them up ASAP – please bear with me, there is a lot going on in our lives right now and a couple things needed to get put on the back burner while we sort stuff out. I am working with Bottom Line Thread from Superior Threads right now and fully plan on getting a review up on it before heading to CA for Christmas. Thus far, I am in love. In Fancy Flocks I am using it just in the bobbin, but for my Monkey Business quilt I plan on using it for the top and the bottom threads – can’t wait to see how it does.
Hopefully tomorrow I will have pictures up of the finished quilting – probably no pictures of the binding yet. You may be wondering why I am so slow to finish my projects. I will give you a couple of the easiest answers – some answers are a little too complicated to go in to. First, I only sew during nap time. The only time I sew when Anne is awake is if my husband is home and is playing with her. Second, I do not sew most nights because that is the only time I have to spend with my husband. I only sew at night if he is working late or not coming home at all due to work. This REALLY limits my sewing and blogging time – but family comes first and we have really limited amounts of family time and I want to take full advantage of it while we have it! I can’t wait until Anne is older and I can set her up on my old machine and we can sew together – although I think that is still many years off.
I hope you are all having a wonderful Tuesday!
I totally hear you about limited time with the family! I only sew when my husband is at school or studying =)
Also, I recently figured out a pretty decent way to machine sew on the binding of the quilt. Making a tutorial on it is on my list of things to do but basically, sew the binding on to the back first, then iron it and then use this awesome press in seam adhesive that is super skinny (and only cost 7 bucks at the quilt shop for enough for more than 2 quilts) so that way you don’t have to pin it to fold it over and iron it flat to the front. Then stitch it from the front using a zig zag stitch. It works so well and I think it looks pretty decent on the back too =)
Good luck with your list! =)
Girl. Friend. Don’t worry about it! I know I freak out a little when I start counting up how much time teaching and writing take up out of my sewing time, BUT we DO generate new content (and content is king) all the time AND we have lives AND we have sewing lives. So actually we’re already way ahead, even when we’re behind. And honestly, who is going to call you on it? Certainly not those of us who are your friends! (And that’s all of us, dude.)
I’m intrigued by the skinny binding bonder and the zigzag…I’ve just done that aqua quilt binding by sewing to the back, then pinning to the front and running a straight stitch all the way around. Since I cut at 2.5″ I was pleasantly surprised how much of the stitching went where it was supposed to! But zigzag…you gotta post pics!
this can be a stressful time of the year. try to take one day at a time.
I totally agree with you that family has to come first!! We did not have children to ignore them, or get married to ignore our husbands! Take the list piece by piece and I am sure that you will get it done. 🙂 As for the mug rugs, I would say leave the layer cake alone and use the scraps for the sampler, especially for yours mom’s. I know she will love it! 🙂
Melissa, I do not feel that you are slow at finishing projects! You have your priorities in order & you stick with that. I can’t even count the UFO’s around here & I don’t have an excuse. Please know that many of us don’t even want to make you feel pressured – find out where that pressure is coming from. I feel privileged to partake in all the things you offer & share with us. You are amazing. Thank you.
Hey,Girl,quality out weights quantity any day of the week! Your finished projects Always Rock!
Kids grow up in a hot minute (believe me,I know) you can Never get back any of those Important moments,they only happen Once! Before you know it Anne will be a teenager,and you will be thinking,where did the time go? Family should Always come First 🙂
We will always be here lurking in the shadows.