Sew-n-Tell Friday

The Good, the Bad, and the . . . .

Actually, there is no ugly, unless you count the cold I seem to be finally catching (and maybe the state of my house at the end of the week).

Anywho, let's start with the GOOD--this sweet block from the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap came clear from England! I have a pair of teddy bear blocks in classic Christmas colors, and since none of my swapped pairs go with each other, I've quilted these two into mini quilts, just right for a candle or candy dish. Rafael's Mum did a beautiful piecing job, which my quilting made a little wonky, but I think my friend in Japan will just love this little table topper.

Next, I have two doll quilts for her daughters, fluffy bunnies, fluffy batting, and plenty of ric rac. I finished these last spring, but now they're ready to go into a box and sail across the ocean.

With 2 boys, I love having little girlfriends for whom to sew! And, I'm thrilled to have this package ready--I often miss deadlines when it comes to Christmas, and this wonderful lady was my 16 year old's first baby sitter when she was a Japanese student here in Iowa. She didn't know he could crawl for 2 weeks because she usually held him the entire time I was teaching! She is a sweetheart and a great mom.

Now for the BAD --none of these things can be crossed off my list of UFOs to complete for the JOY Challenge or even off my list of Christmas gift must-haves--because they weren't ever on  a list!

Where is my sense of priority? 
Where is my self-discipline? 
(Just possibly I have never possessed these 2 gifts.) I admit, finishing is the hardest part for me, and right now I REALLY want to start a completely new project--which would be totally insane. Oh well, I am who I am.

Instead, if I manage to spend a couple hours this morning cleaning the bathroom and grocery shopping, I will give myself some sewing time this afternoon, finishing up my November Swap quilty. It's been  a lot of fun to work on so far, but no show until my partner receives it! I hope to get it in the mail by Monday.

Check out more Sew-n-Tell Fridays here!

Gratitudes

• The sun continues to shine in Iowa in November
• I have the entire day off! First Friday in weeks
• I am blessed to be able to spend time making things I love for people I love. Wouldn't life be boring otherwise?
  

Stash Addition

Just got this little goodie package from Pink Chalk Fabrics. They always come packaged so neatly and protected. I love that.

Obviously, they don't go together, but they are each appealing. First, Tossed Owls in brown by Timeless Treasures. Next, "Tea Party" by Choco en chocolat. Kona Cotton in Robin's Egg, Buddha Party Dot Plaid, and Metro Market Chickens. I guess I should've waited a day or two to order so I could've gotten a thing or two for the DQS7 or the Scrappy Christmas Block Swap, but I just thought these were fun. I'm going to use the chickens for pot holders, the owls for a lunch bag, and I think the orange might go with some 30 reproductions that I'm considering for the Doll Quilt Swap. (So much for shopping my stash!) Can't wait to start on that this Friday!