Remodel

Yesterday’s sewing center

is today’s

movie theater.

Amazing what a little ingenuity and a bunch of quilts can accomplish. 

#10

My final quilt for 2020 - Generals Stars - is finished, laundered and on our bed. 

I started this in September as part of a quilt guild challenge

and sent it off to be long-arm quilted in October. 

 Peacock feathers for the quilting 

And then it sat for almost 2 months, missing the challenge deadline, and the start of our cold weather, because . . . I think I was intimidated by the size. At 80 x 88”, with thicker than usual batting, this is my biggest, heaviest quilt to date. 

But it’s been cold here at night - did I mention the extra warm batting in this one?? - so today hubby moved my sewing machine onto a long table in the living room 

and with Jac’s help

(so much help, bumping my legs and moving the foot pedal out of my reach)

I wrestled stitched the binding on at last. So happy (and warm) to have this done. 

Notes: Pattern is ‘Big Wonky Stars’ by Missouri Star Quilts. Backing fabric is 108” Stonehenge Ombre. The stars and binding are the back side of Grunge Red#502 ‘Wild Ginger’ ‘cause I liked the color better than the front side. Weird, right?

The layer cake is ‘Generals’ Wives’ by Windham Fabrics, purchased as the daily special from Missouri Star Quilt Co in May 2012, my first year of quilting. It’s sat in a drawer since then, patiently waiting for inspiration to strike. Glad it finally told me what it wanted to be. 

Cozy

Today’s rain was the first of the season

and the girls were thrilled, 

 Our high for the day;46, not the predicted 54

until it registered that it was also *cold*. 

Ok, cold by California standards.

Then they were as content as we were to spend the day snuggled in quilts,

reading, 

watching movies, 

 Playdoh Containment Unit. Jac feels like she got away with something, using Donovan’s high chair today

playing with Christmas toys 

and moving from fireplace 

to fireplace to stay warm. 

It’s a tough life. Maybe it’ll rain again tomorrow . . . 

Christmas Portraits

Still loving my photo ‘studio’ and our annual Christmas pics. 

 Behind the scenes with Donovan 

A Different Christmas

We took the ‘don’t gather’ COVID warnings to heart, so our Christmas was different this year, with smaller gatherings rather than one big event on Christmas Day. And honestly? I kinda liked it.

Tuesday night, Matt’s family came over for dinner, presents and pictures. 

Donovan was beyond excited.

Wednesday was Marie’s family’s turn.

Christmas Eve we spent with Gary and Shelly, 

eating tamales, sightseeing holiday lights and drinking my favorite peppermint hot chocolate. 

And Christmas Day? FaceTime with the Colorado branch

and a visit with Naia at Matt’s house

before dinner (with fresh baked bread, yummmmm) and watching Wonder Woman 1984. I missed having the family together today but the smaller, more relaxed, week-long celebrations turned out to be a nice alternative. Who knew??

Almost Time

Counting down the hours and minutes until the big guy arrives. 

Merry Christmas, y’all!

 Outtakes

 Donovan didn’t want his picture taken but he also didn’t want to be too far from Jackie. 

Outtakes

Jackie says baskets are the new hats. 

And as usual, the outtakes are almost better than the main pic. 

That’s my girl. 

Cinnamon, Part 2

We discovered something new that Jaclyn and Donovan have in common -

neither likes having sticky, messy stuff on their fingers.

I spent more time wiping glue off their hands 

than they spent decorating. (Only a slight exaggeration.)

And they also, along with Leanne, loooooooove glitter, 

lots and lots of glitter. 

I had metallic stars, bells and tiny jewels for them to use 

but they weren’t much interested. 

Gotta remember that for next year . . .