Thursday, Dec 8th, 2022

[purrfect-lady]

Good morning,

Today is opening day for Secret Santa! Yay! Let the fun begin!

TINA - aka our new Head Santa - happy birthday, girlfriend! We'll all open gifts today in your honor!

IZZY - You've got a lot on your plate. I hope you can get those quilts quilted, bound, labeled, and in the mail in time.

KATHY - I sent you my info.

CHRISS - I subscribe to AP&Q. I don't do FB. I also get McCall's Quilting and BLOCK. I always get a little rush when I find a quilting magazine in the mail and save it for 'relax time'. But so often I never see anything fresh in them which is a disappointment. And then, suddenly, one issue will show up and I want to do everything in the magazine! Didn't you just buy a coffeemaker? We have a Cuisinart that we got at Costco. It has lasted years. So when Costco had them on sale last summer for $44 we bought a new one and demoted the house one to the trailer. I love Cuisinart appliances.

VAL - glad you got Dad's meds finally. It just shouldn't be that much of a hassle. I hope your DD heals quickly. Thanks for the tips on off brands of cutter blades and also on worn out mats. I never thought of that and my big mat at home is a fuzzy mess! I know people cut them up and use them as smaller mats or as bottoms for totes and other useful things.

FLO - I'm with you on zippers! Not my favorite thing to do either.

MARY Q - how are your eyes this morning. I've made your mom's bread, too, though not this year. Yum!! I declare it the official holiday bread of this forum!

VELDA - there you are! How nice to bake cookies for folks who otherwise probably wouldn't get any. Are you seeing your GP or a specialist about your voice?

JUDI - glad Sophia's now well enough to go back to school. I tried purging my fabric once. I have more fabric selection that many quilts shops (though not the volume), and all I could bring myself to jetison was 2 pieces, about 4 yrds total.

JANA - crossing fingers for Kari!

SUZETTE - I missed your birthday a few days ago. I hope you had a great day!

Yesterday was big reorganization of stuff day here. We totally emptied our basement storage bay, got out a few things, put a couple boxes into my sister's trailer (a box of books and a box for my other sister's birthday), and re-stowed items that stay put. Then we cleaned inside, put up our little tree, and wrapped a few gifts for Sammy, the teen girl Autumn mentors. After settling down, I sewed the last six blocks for my "River/Woods" project. All that's left now is to do the embroidery, and I started the second panel of that last night. It's going to be slow going - 6 months to a year probably. I read the Little Ghost Who was a Quilt, studied the quilt in the book, made some calculations, eyeballed my fabric, and came up with a plan. Today, I start cutting. I want my quilt to resemble the Little Ghost quilt as much as possible.

Does anyone have any Christmas sewing left to finish? Besides Izzy's quilts that are going to Germany, I mean. (no pressure there!) I LOVE sewing for Christmas.

Mary Z
>^+^<

[billizzy]

Good morning ooo Santa pkgs are opening today. Mine sitting on ironing board. I got to sew my nightgown for tonight’s family tree decorations with grand we have matching jammies

Work today I am so ready for break. Yup still sewing here mary

Hope all habe great day still raining here yuk

Hugs prayers happy stitches

[grammiequilts]

Good Morning Mary, I forgot it was opening day..now to find my package,,,,I purged out half my stash yesterday, yes half. I kept the precuts and backing and christmas fabric,,,,I got rid of stuff I know in my heart I will never use,,,some was given to me some is old and out of date, some was left from other projects.. It just doesn't do it for me. and to be honest I know my DD will just pitch it when I die,,,(Boys wont know what to do with it) and no one sews in my family except 2 sisters...one does not want any of it,,,and I havent asked the other yet, It will be 2 very heavy IKEa bags full will go to the guild next month. I actually feel very good about it,,,I have fabric for several projects and 2 very big ones..( Jane Austen and on wander lane) I will work with new fabric for each project I do...and it has gotten me excited about quilting again, as far as scraps or leftover go..I will decide at the time what to do with them...I still have a large scrap collection I have been going through,,,(And I am still working on the scrappy point quilt)..
My last piece of furniture will be delivred today ( Maybe),,,it is a piece of the sectional...When and if it comes we will re arrange the tv area...( right now the sectional is in 2 sections)
Ryker has a hockey game today and Liam has a very big tournament this weekend...we will drive him to an early game over an hour away tomorrow morning,,First game is at 10am. so I will be gone a lot this weekend. Hope your days are filled with fun and if they are not go make someXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[suzette58]

Good morning everyone.
I finished cutting the parts for my Lori Holt quilt. Now to get sewing. I have to get it together and make my Christmas treats for our family members. Our oldest grand daughter is pregnant with twins. They are due in July. She has had several miscarriages so we are crossing our fingers that everything is ok. Well, I need my second cup of coffee. I hope everyone has a nice day.

MaryZ - thanks for the birthday wishes.

[velvet]

Suzette--Twins, that is great. What a great surprise for your family. It's going to be growing by "4" feet.

Today hopefully today Fran and will go to the donation area at the vets welcome center. She has a lot of her work suits and outfits and being retired she doesn't need them. Even my hubby has added some clothes. After that we'll go to the open house at the lqs to wish them all great holidays. If, by chance, fabric follows me home, oh well, I just have to suffer. LOL!!

Becca-I hope you and your family are together thru this painful time.

Finished the place mats and table runner for Fran, and 2 of my friends for Christmas. I "hope" to quilt them on Miss Vera Versa if she is in a holiday mood.

Well, coffee is ready and have to get my day started.
Diane

[QuiltGram8]

Good morning to all. Last night was our regular dance night. That's always fun. The band played several Christmas numbers to start the night off. Upbeat temple to Jingle Bells and Joy to the World we're fun to hear. My husband and I don't choose to dance to religious tunes, but some people did. It was fun to watch. We hear lots of gospel songs through each event. A very Christian based group. We always have a group prayer during break time.
Today I finish baking my cookies. Well maybe even make another batch. Thinking about Snicker Doodles. They are always a favorite.
I will try to freeze a nice container of a few cookies from each batch. Then I will have a variety to take to our son's for Christmas.
My brother-in-law passed away yesterday. He's been in nursing home for years. It's sad, but a blessing that he is at peace.
Have fun opening your Secret Santa packages today! I will be reading and enjoying the excitement. Are you all doing zoom again? That was fun!
Have fun, fun, fun!

[FlorenceM]

Morning
Velda I freeze cookie dough. Thus way fresh warm cookies are easy and quick.
Pony pouch is finished. Now to make quick blanket for DGD. Using method where you layer and sew all 4 sides except a small place to turn right side out. Edge stitch all 4 sides, then will tie it.
Maryz, I have a Cuisinart food processor that is 40 yrs old....still going strong!
Have a sew great day
Flo

[KATHYSQUILTS]

Good Partly Sunny Day.........

I decided to make bread yesterday & it didn't rise! What a surprise. I did fall a sleep, just a 15 min nap, while the dough was in the mixer kneading. One way or the other I killed it. Will test the yeast to day. Then there's laundry to fold. I want to sew on a tote & mug rugs. I won't for get SS opening.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Tina Hope there's a little cake!

Maryz.........Thanks for your info. The last time I purged my fabric, no matter chanted in my head I didn't toss out much. I'm amazed how much you can pack in your little home.

Izzy......Oh can you please sent us a really cute pic of you all in your PJs. I can't understand how you get done all you do.

Judi.....you are a wonderful example to us all. I have fabric from the mid 80s when I worked in a quilt store(Happy Days). My discount was buying at cost. Great job. I did not know there was a Jane Austen quilt. Love her books, I'm in the middle of rereading them all now. 4 done 3 to go. Good luck with the last piece.

Suzette......Oh how wonderful twins! Keeping then in my prayers.

Diane......enjoy the open house....Happy suffering.

Love & Prayers........Kathy

[Marilynsgrammy]

Good morning. It's going to be a fantastic day today. Busy but fantastic. I have a zoom meeting at 10, need to be in town for dinner with the parents at 12:30 then back home by 3pm for the SS zoom opening day meeting. And all of that means that Friday is all about me.

We are supposed to have a big storm come in this weekend; other than my quilt group meeting Saturday I have no plans for the weekend.

Maryz, I smile every time you mention that ghost quilt. I'm probably more excited to see it than you are. That little girl is going to grow up with all things quilted. I wish she were already here so you could give her a smooch for me. I let all of my magazine subscriptions run out. Like you I found nothing new. And I have so many pattern books I really don't need magazines to find something to do. yes, I bought a coffee maker some time ago for Jerry but he, and I don't like it. We have two pots. I have bought a replacement Mr. Coffee for his B&D. We will donate the B&D to the thrift store we frequent. They help people get back on their feet. Maybe we will take it with a can of coffee, some filters and cookies or donuts. They are a really good group.

Izzy, someday I want to make pajama bottoms for everyone. Remember that lady who used to post here who had the granddaughter, Natalie? She made jammies for Natalie and used a plain t-shirt that she trimmed the sleeves in the same flannel that she made the bottoms in. It was such a cute idea.

Judi hope that last piece of furniture comes early. I have decided to take a lot of my scraps and make snowballs like the December lotto that Valerie is hosting. They are so quick to make and will use up some of my scraps that I have already cut into 5 inch charms. Glad you were able to get rid of stuff you won't use. I bet it was fun to go through all of it.

Suzette, Twins, how exciting. I pray she carries them to term. happy treat baking

Diane, if you need help posting pictures of placemats and your quilts I'd be happy to help. Nice of you to donate your clothes, they will be appreciated.

Velda, so glad you had a nice dance evening. Yes, we are opening via zoom. Tina would be happy to send you the link if you'd like to join us. I'd love to see you.

Flo, I also have a Cuisinart food processor. It has more attachments than I use. Let me know if you want me to post a picture of that bag and quilt for you.

Kathy, that was some nap, sorry about the bread. I used to fall asleep here and there but since I have been using a sleep apnea machine, I sleep all night and stay awake all day. I have a set of sheets in the dryer that need folding. I will get to them tomorrow.

Lyn, haven't seen you in a while, where are you?

Tina, I wish you the happiest of birthdays. I pray that all of your birthday wishes come true and that you have so much cake that your teeth hurt from the sugar. You are one of my favorite people and I am blessed to call you my friend.

There was a news story on this morning. Seems there was a golden retriever in doggy day care along with many other dogs. The GR was bouncing around and his paw hit the fire alarm. The fire trucks responded, so funny.

Jerry is in the kitchen making stew for dinner with the parents today. I am getting ready to head into my room I have a few things to get started. Thankfully my sewing plans don't have deadlines.

I hope you girls have the most wonderful day ever, have cake for Tina.

Chriss

[auntjana]

Good morning!

We've got SNOW! About 8 inches overnight. Daniel is out playing with his new toy. I'm up and dressed Waiting for my littles to arrive. It's school bus day today. Hope the plows have been out!

During the storm last night, Aaron was out in it dealing with many accidents. One nearly took him out! The young girl driving down the road, hit the icy area and realized that she would hit Aaron, so turned the wheel hard right, hit the gas and ended up in a ditch. She sacrificed her car for my Aaron! Thank you! BIG TIME! Aaron spent about 5 hours OT on duty.

Not much sewing here - just a odd or end to play with. Still need to get my treat bags for my cookies and bake those cookies up.

And the big bug a boo here is my furnace! It's been making a strange not previously heard before noise. Daniel and Michael have had their eye and ear on it. So yesterday Michael called for service and set it up for Friday afternoon. About dinnertime, a knock 9n the door and the HVAC company was here. So the tech went and worked on the furnace, doing a bunch of stuff, more coming on Friday. We do have a working furnace, thank goodness. After a huge dent in furnace funds here! An awful lot of cotton could be bought for this fix! About the cost of 10 quilts! 9h well, that's why Michael has his magic turnip, that gives money!

Well, my little girls have arrived, been fed and we're ready to load up the bus!

Hugs,
Jana