Decorating Without Help

It's been a tradition in our family, since the grandkids were very little, to have them help decorate the house after our post-meal Thanksgiving walk. The weather was atrocious yesterday so no walk. The grandkids weren't here so no decorating. And Jim and I were up very early in the morning and it was nearly dark when mom did leave so no decorations were even brought in. 

While I'm technically "open" today I'm not long arming quilts. I'll field calls (if I even get any) while we are doing the decorating.

While Jim was watching MSU basketball, I did get these trees finished after mom left last night...

Another block in the Alaska quilt

I have my last BOW to make this afternoon after we are done spreading Christmas cheer throughout the house. And since it's the last, I'll also start constructing the top and maybe have it completed by nights end. These blocks are pretty big (21 1/2" square) meaning it's going to take some time. 

Happy Turkey Day

What are you thankful for? My list is way too long and I've talked about this previously the past few days. But mostly, I have a warm house, food in my belly, a loving husband, two great dogs, and a business that's currently keeping our heads above water. 

Here's some more quilting going into the horse quilt...

I love working on DW again!

Since DW was my first long arm, we've developed a wonderful relationship over the years. It's great to be back on him after having 'retired' him for a while. 

I may do this?!?!

A Christmas countdown (the first item at the top of the list). It's free and I have a fat 1/2 yd. bundle I picked up at the Shipshewana yard sale that would be perfect for this quilt. It starts on Monday and if I put the Alaska quilt aside for a spell, it would be doable. This is going be called the BOD since it's a block-a-day type of quilt. 

Because, you know, we all need more stuff to do. 

The last BOW is releasing tomorrow and it'll be a quilt top before the end of the weekend...hopefully. 

I'll be frame ironing a back on DW while working on the meal. I may have some time to work on the tree block in the Alaska top. I started them last night, but because I've been getting up pretty early lately, I'm pooping out quicker at night. 

Find something to give thanks for and let's not forget it IS an important celebration. Let's let the turkey have his day in the spotlight. After all, he was almost our country's national bird. 

Trying to Get Ready

Between getting ready for our Thanksgiving I was working in the studio. I have Janices quilt done and off the frame. I'll need to contact her on Monday that all three are done.  

Here's what I worked on while frame ironing Louise's quilt...

Hannah's

Penelope

Zechariah

Jacob

Tristan

I already posted Elijah's the other day. After working on those I started a Teddy Bear from my Teddy Tell pattern that arrived the other day. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

The girls and I started out our morning with a quick run up to get yesterdays [junk] mail. I'll be working on small projects today as Jim does the same. Well, hanging lights isn't such a small project if he puts up the usual amount. 

I also have to rearrange the backroom to accommodate the dorm fridge and the small table for everybody to put their stuff when arriving on Saturday.

Yesterday resulted in a very productive day. As I was perusing through IG this morning, it seems all the long armers were 'pulling' to finish out their day trying to get ready for the long weekend. Here's two more that were on and off DW...

Mystery Quilt #1

Mystery Quilt #2

So in all yesterday, I pulled four quilts off the machines. While finishing Bernadettes on Bernie I was playing a bit of thread chicken...

And I still had one whole section to work

But I won in the end. Another thing to be thankful for. Have a wonderful holiday. Don't eat too much and if you do, take a walk so you can eat that yummy dessert. 

The Christmas Season

The season has officially begun. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and now Cyber Monday. It's great if you have lists from kids/grandkids and even the tiniest clue about what their needs are. But we have yet to receive only one list this year so far. Ahhh...gotta love 'em.

The grandkids wore Hazel out this weekend for our Thanksgiving celebration; she was pretty lifeless yesterday. 

"I'm so tired"

Hopefully it will spill over into today since I have a LOT of work to complete. Working on Debs top today and calling a few customers to come fetch their quilts this week (or whenever). 

And...hopefully the mouse who has decided to take up residence in my bedroom wall will find the peanut butter on the trap today/tonight because he's starting to become a sleep problem. Why do they always have the need to chew all night long? 

Grateful Thanksgiving

I could whine about some of my children not being home this Thanksgiving. But I'm grateful they have others to share the holiday with and they are happy and healthy where they'll be.

I could whine about my having to work a whole day today at the store instead of staying home to work, but I'm grateful I get to get out of the house and see people while getting paid for it.

I could whine about the rain that's coming our way, but I'm grateful to have a very cozy roof over my head to stay out of the rain.

I could whine about the aches and pains I'm experiencing with a little advancing age, but I'm grateful to be able to walk and talk and do all that I do each and every day even if it's a little slower then before.

There's a silver lining to everything if you really think about it. I have a GREAT life here on the lake and count my blessings each and every chance I get for those life privileges.

What are you grateful for?

Here's what's on the frame this morning. I hope to finish it up before heading out for my work day.

Penny's Panel Quilt

If you notice, the two borders are being custom done...not that putting in swirls isn't custom as well, but again, I just can't seem to edge to edge. I'm okay with that because it provides me an outlet for my creativity. I'm grateful my customers trust me enough to give me license to do creative quilting and make their quilts come alive.