Tuesday, November 25, 2014

More Christmas Blocks

Good morning.  I have been busy with the Christmas Quilt Along that I posted about in previous post.  I am enjoying it so much!  There was one block that I wasn't happy with on the fabric I chose. So I did decide to redo it.  Which meant ripping out several seams, because the section it was in had already been put together.
Here is the mug of cocoa with the new block I did.  You can see the old block in previous post.  I am so glad I took it apart and changed it, or I would have never been happy with it.  My new machine has a blanket stitch on it, and I have been practicing with it.  I always did this stitch by hand before.  Which I like too, but sometimes, you just want to be able to do it by machine.  Going around all of those tiny curves can be tricky.  Here is the basket block with the little candy canes and heart and candy piece, done with machine blanket stitch.
You can see on the red candy cane where I went off a bit on the inside curve!  Darn!  But I am getting better the more I do.  Remember when I did that Halloween piece with all of the black shapes so that I could practice the blanket stitch by machine?  I put it into a frame when I finished it instead of binding.  But I took that out of the frame and went ahead and put a scrappy binding on it.  I don't even want to call it a quilt.  It was just a piece of fabric with some appliques I put on it to practice the machine blanket stitch.
I bound it with some left over Halloween binding and another left over piece I had, but I didn't have enough of either binding to do the whole piece, so I cut it apart, and mitered it together again to use both pieces for a scrappy binding.  For the back I used a piece of Lynnette Jenson's Thimbleberries fabric.  I just love this print.
It was a challenge going around those tiny pieces with the blanket stitch, but a fun thing to use for practice.  I will use it next year as a table topper somewhere.
I put my little Tom Turkey in the kitchen, tucked up under the clasp of my dishwasher that doesn't work!
We have done 14 blocks for the quilt along so far.  The most recent being this darling stocking.
In addition to the stocking, is a wee little piece of candy.  I love the 3D tab on the stocking too.
We have been given instructions to sew two of the sections together now.  Here they are, sewn together, along with the other blocks on my design boards.
For the string of vintage Christmas lights, I used one of the decorative stitches on my machine, that to me, kind of looks like the cord attached to the lights, that is always all kinked up when you take it out of the storage box.
Lori said that there will be one more block, and then we will work on the borders and a label.   I just love walking through my new sewing room, first thing in the morning with the sunshine streaming through the windows, and my blocks all on display on design boards.
I am getting ready to host Thanksgiving here at our house on Thursday.  A smallish group.  Mom is on a cruise in Panama.  It will only be about 13 of us.  I am thankful for so many things!  First and foremost, for my Mom's health, with her recent scare.  She is doing just great!
We had to put our Wheaten down on Saturday.  He had numerous health issues, and they were getting much worse.  He was Greg's dog really.  Greg is very sad.  For that I feel so badly.  But he was not well, and had taken to relieving himself all over the house!  He could not be adopted out, and so he was put down.  Dusty doesn't seem to be confused at all.  I am surprised about that.
Dusty has been my shadow since we got him, almost one year ago.  He is a good boy!
I have been cooking up some good stuff lately.  Sorry, no photos.  I made a meatloaf with homemade bbq sauce last night.  Mashed potatoes and veggies.  Beef barley soup the other day.  Cornbread in a cast iron skillet....Mmmmmm!!  Time for that good old home style cooking.  I even put some new flannies on the best yesterday too!
So, not a whole lot of new stuff going on here right now.  But there will be in the weeks to come.   There are a lot of festive things coming up.  Like the Newport Beach Boat Parade on my brother David's boat.   My First Annual Siblings Only Dinner!!!!  I have invited my brothers and Uncle Johnny, who is like a brother, as he grew up in our home too, to go to dinner with me, no spouses...just us.  We are going to The Summit House, which is a lovely restaurant that sits up on a hill with a spectacular view.  I can't wait.
I am having a Christmas Cookie decorating party with my grandkids and daughters.  I will bake up all of the cookies, and have the icing ready, and when they come, we will make beautiful cookies and memories!!!
We will do our annual enchilada making party here again.  We make dozens and dozens of enchiladas!  Everyone wears a holiday apron, and gets in on the action.  It is fun, messy, and we all take home dozens of enchiladas to freeze for later, and we eat a Mexican Feast on Christmas Eve, starring our enchiladas!!!
What about you?  What do have to look forward to this holiday season?
Tootle Loo
Kris

17 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

Love hearing that your mom is having a fun cruise!! So sorry to hear about your dog. That's tough to know when it's time.

Enjoy your "small" Thanksgiving with only 13!!

Best,
Bonnie

Home Meadows said...

Hi Kris, sorry to hear about your family dog. I know how difficult it can be to put down a beloved pet. Your Christmas quilt is coming along beautifully and all your upcoming plans sound fun. Take care and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. Heather

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, Firstly from my heart to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! O.k. so where do I start-I don't know where you get your energy. I love the quilt and the blanket stitch. I haven't gotten to my machine this week and I'm so wanting too. With family coming in tomorrow, I've been busy cleaning and grocery shopping. I'm so sorry about putting your dog down-even when the dog has belonged to another family member, it is still hard. But I believe they would say thank you for freeing them. Glad Dusty isn't depressed. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving-wish you lived close, maybe you could get me accomplishing more.
Hugs, Noreen

Linda said...

Hi Kris.....
That quilt is fabulous....you are so talented!
I wish I could come and bake cookies with you....
Oh....such fun we would have!
Got to get started on some Christmas decor.....next week...
Can hardly believe it is almost December!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Give Greg a hug from me....always sad to lose a pet♥️
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Teresa Kasner said...

I love your quilting projects and how happy you are in your new creative space. We're only having 7 of us for Thanksgiving.. DIL is taking the boys to HER family's dinner.. but told our son he could stay here. Middle son will be bringing his family. We were going there, but it's back to our house.. yay.. now I can use my new turkey dishes and silver! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Deb~in~Denver said...

Kris, love all of your beautiful quilting! Great sun light in your new sewing room! So sorry to hear about Ducey, he'd had a rough year. Dusty sure found a loving home when he came into yours. Can't wait to hear about your dinner, boat parade and cookie decorating! I love decorating with the grands, they never forget it!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, just the 7 of us, this year! xo

Debbie said...

The quilt is coming out soo darling. What fun...So glad your mom is doing well and is on a cruise. How wonderful for her. Sorry to hear about your dog. I am sure that was hard, but no doubt he is better off. Sounds like you've got lots of fun plans coming up. Don't you just love this time of year? Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Amy at love made my home said...

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. I am sure that you will have lots of great memories. Your quilts are all looking great, you have been very busy. I hope that you enjoy all your happy times that you have coming up. xx

Dawn said...

So sorry about the doggie :( I have been following your quilting process on IG and love all the blocks. You are certainly on a mission girl.

Unknown said...

Hi Kris!!!
SO sorry to hear about your pup, it is never easy. Dusty sure looks like a good boy though :)
My goodness, you have been busy! Good to catch up with you! I am wondering if you can give me the link to your Turkey recipe from last year!?? I am looking to do this again this year and would LOVE your recipe! Can you email me at 4clemons at gmail ? I would LOVE to hear from you again!! Thank you!!!

podso said...

Gee I like that quilt. Glad that you showed all the details. Like the aqua and the old tree lights! And I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Gloria Baker said...

Sorry about your pup. Always is sad I know!
Hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving with your family!:)

Gracie Saylor said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Kris! We plan to have 12 around our table tomorrow, just missing my oldest son and his family in NY. My youngest daughter is going to try out America's Test Kitchen's tutorial for the turkey...based on Julia C's recipe, I think. I am glad you were able to enjoy Wheaten for so long, but sympathize with how you miss him as well. The kids' Shelby Dog was put to sleep several months ago. She was such a great pet. Your holiday plans sound like fun! But I have a confession about your sewing. Even though you told me where to look for your mistake I could not see it. :) xx

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, your sew along quilt is looking so darling! I still need to make the spools and the wreaths. Plus I am not super happy with my lights. I sewed them on a slight angle. Don't ask me how. lol! I think I might redo it. It's really been a fun project don't you think? You are always cooking up something yummy. All the girls and granddaughters in our family get together and make a boat load of Christmas candy. Then we all load up and take lots home. It's a fun tradition that we have done for years. Have a wonderful holiday!
hugs,
Jann

Unknown said...

Wow, you have been so busy sewing...wonderful results. Glad your Mom is doing so well and having fun. So dad about your dog.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family.

Mereknits said...

So Sorry to hear abot your dog Kris, so sad. Hope you have a wonderful day with your family. I know that weill be plenty of smiles and good food.
Hugs,
Meredith

Taci simmons said...

Wonderful thanksgiving decorations and I'm so very sorry about wheaten.