For the die hard fans and friends!

      I just wanted to get FOUR posts done in November... precious little sewing has been going on, so I will really have to dig for material. We'll just say this post is only for the most diehard SFO fans out there!

     Last I left you, I was sick as a dog... this bug really knocked me out for the entire month. I did finally go to the doctor at the urging of some of you-- it was a total waste of time. No, I am not going into bronchitis. Just over the counter stuff was suggested. Should've saved my $30 copay for fabric!

    The Sew Sampler Challenge is about to die--- While I am almost finished with the October Box, November and the Jolly box have piled right on in. Both have sets of nine fat quarters, and neither of them seem to suggest any "easy" project options.

     November features Tula Pink's new "Besties" fabric-- I'm not a huge fan, but I do appreciate it. I had thought of just sewing them all together whole, getting it quilted and donating it-- CHECK it off the list! The fabrics are all large scale-- maybe a good compromise is to cut 8" squares? Another good compromise would be-- JUST GIVE UP ON THE CHALLENGE-- heehee. I think I'm already a winner with all that I did do!

    And here's the Jolly box-- the overwhelming opinion of this box has been decidedly underwhelming-- I love it though! I think it's a good value-- I love the little candy cane charm and unlike most sewists, I can always use fresh pins and needles. 

    I also like the pattern and the fabric-- unfortunately, not that pattern with that fabric-- it's again large scale prints, which I don't think make particularly good candy canes. I see them as more of a "wrapping paper" idea with "present and bow" quilt blocks. And that is not going to happen before Christmas, or even the end of the year.

     The point of the Sew Sampler Challenge was to have nice Christmas gifts this year-- I do have a ton of possibilities, unlike last year when I had NOTHING. Since tomorrow is December 1st, I really need to sit down and figure out who is getting what-- then tie up some loose ends, mostly binding.

     I also want to make some of these cute folded fabric stars this year-- have you seen them? Click the link below to be taken to a video on it by Erica Arndt-- I swiped the photo from her. 

Folder Star Ornament Video

     And I never got back to my Shabby fabrics star pot holders-- I gave away this Autumn one--lol. I have tons of Christmas fabric that could be used-- nice gift!

     Good news is, Mr. SFO is traveling for the next two weeks-- don't get me wrong, I do feel sorry for him and will miss him, but it's going to enable some LONG sewing days to help me make up for November. Honestly, I could hit it out of the park with a two or three days effort.

     In other news, I had to have a couple of little biopsies of a patch on my neck this past month-- it was extremely stressful as we all have experienced. The idea that you are full of cancer is never good news for anyone, but for us quilters with the closets full of UFOs, it is particularly frightening. The first was was inconclusive, the second one proved it was pre-cancerous, but then I had to get it removed anyway. I'm super grateful to be able to put that behind me-- that was part of why I was down in spirits all month. 

     I had to drive back to civilization to have all these medical things done-- and more good news, I got most of my Christmas shopping done... just a few little things this year. I did finally succumb to the gingerbread giant sign pictured above, from Michaels, that was 50% off. Mr. SFO is an architect and will not be impressed-- he likes his house super spartan. After he saw me struggle all month, I think he'll give in.

        Some of you are looking for a free Christmas stitch-a-long, and heaven knows we need it this year. So I am trying to get something together last minute-- maybe some cute ornaments or something. I found out a sobering statistic this year-- 60% of my customer base has only ever "bought" free things. So are you on the naughty or nice list? I am actively working to only have access to my free stitch-a-long to paying customers-- I think that is fair.

    Thank you for reading my blog, now let's sit down and make our Santa lists and SEW!

xox

Carol

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Just wanted to write a quick post to wish everyone...

And I apologize, but that's all I have to say about that--
so warning-- stop reading if that's good enough for you!

 
My cold has not let up-- I now think I'm going into bronchitis-- the cough is really scary. I have considered going to the walk-in clinic just to get checked out a bit, but I guess on a positive note, I have not had to do it yet. As my father-in-law frequently said in his wisdom, "When it gets bad enough, you'll go."

Miraculously, no one else has gotten it--
and I'm well enough to get Thanksgiving basics cooked-- turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole-- but no one really wants me handling their food, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out. 

Very little, but some, sewing has occurred this week-- here's my Pressed Flowers Block 7, looking as rumpled as me.

And I did get my extra charm pack, backing, and binding for the Lighthearted Christmas tree. Hoping I feel well enough to finish it-- it's ironic that sewing boosts my spirits, but my spirit isn't in it! 

I absolutely FORCED myself to get all 16 Summer Memories units pieced, but I'm too weak to drag them all out for a photo-- it's going to be king-sized.

On a more positive note, I did knock the December Bowl Fillers out of the park and completed the set of twelve! LOL. The time in my life when my DD took figure skating lessons was a really sweet one. 

If you would rather buy a set of twelve instead of only seeing one at a time, the set is now available. Click the photo to see them all-- it is glorious.

It's been a really tough year on a personal level-- there's a few empty seats at our table this year for various reason I can't talk about--LOL-- and I know so many of you are struggling as well. If you need to know someone's in the trenches with you-- imagine me holding your hand.

I guess the point of Thanksgiving is--

let's be grateful for what we do have--
let's just count the seats that are full-- it is still a lot. 

Snow is falling in the meadow as I write,

and I think I'll watch a little Hallmark Channel...

xox

Carol

Down for the Count...

      What do you do when you are stressed and overwhelmed? Yup... how about get a bad cold! I honestly haven't had one in quite a while so I don't want to complain too much, but my current state includes a screaming sore throat, light fever, and very snivelly nose. I know everyone else is at the breaking point and beyond, so I'm soldiering along as best I can for all of us. I usually don't lie down to a cold, because it never really helps anyway!

     As I write it is November 11, Veterans Day. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the truce with Germany went into effect. Later, Armistice Day was turned into Veteran's Day to recognize all wars. Thank you to all of our servicemen and women, of course.

     In that spirit, I decided to liberate myself from the monotony of Sew Sampler boxes shortly and join the Cherrywood Challenge next year! You may have seen these displays of hundreds of 20x20 quilts at any of the large quilt shows. Past themes have been Monarch, Lady Diana, the Lion King... What's not to like about a competition in which the first step is to buy fabric! 

   The 2024 theme is the Poppy-- I already have an idea for it. My grandfather was shot and gassed in the trenches of WWI-- a bit of a tribute quilt is in mind. He kept a bullet and a tiny bottle of iodine he was given to treat his wound in his top dresser drawer. He never spoke about it, and I was too little to ask questions. Years later, I realized when he told the same story about "pass the du beurre" at every single dinner time in my young life, that was the only reference he ever made to his time in France. Anyway, I may or may not act upon it, or may or may not get accepted, but it's keeping my creative brain in gear and thinking of something other than my current state of misery. 

    Click either of the photos above to go the Challenge page-- I swiped the photos from Cherrywood. Maybe you want to join me or maybe you just need 8 fat quarters of beautiful hand dyed fabric-- now mum's the word and that's the last I have to say about that until the contest closes in May.

     So back to my Sew Sampler Snoozers! Am I sorry I challenged myself to make all the boxes this past year? Actually, not sorry-- if I learned a few things it was how to focus, complete repetitive tasks, and drag things across the finish line. I'm keeping my subscription until the Pressed Flowers BOM stops in about April-- then it is "Sayanora" to the lovely teal boxes-- I'm moving on to other things. 

     Until then, I have about thirteen projects mostly finished and three to go-- November, December, and the Jolly Box. November looks to be Tula Pink "Besties" fabric which I will like-- I will bet my bottom dollar it's gonna be one of those white background modern looking quilts again, though. Remind me to keep it simple, will you?

     I finished September's box and it is off the the longarmer-- this one is intended for a Christmas gift-- that's a good motivator. Here is me when I measured for the borders-- my focus is completely blown right now. But ya gotta laugh.

     So I did that thing you're not supposed to do which is just sew the border on and then trim it down, but at least I pinned it. It looks flat enough, and it's done.

      I finished the Tree Farm Table Runner-- look for two new Christmas sets Black Friday-- less than two weeks away, can you believe it?

     I've been working along the Summer Memories quilt-- making the larger four unit blocks now that the baskets are all done. They really look pretty and have give me a smile and occupational therapy when I needed it. Just by assembling one or two at night, look where I am!

     This is the October box-- some of you were interest to make my "Lighthearted Christmas" idea from a free Fat Quarter Shop pattern instead of the Valentine-sy heart pattern provided and it is coming along. I miscut four of the aqua sky pieces, so it's back to Fat Quarter Shop I go. (sigh) I was going to order a larger piece of Lighthearted for another border and a backing anyway. The unfinished unit size is 4.5" and I changed the layout to 10x10 if you want to copy it. I do see a few pieces I may flip around.

    So that's all I have to say about that-- I am going to collapse in bed next. I may be skipping a week of blogging here and there for the rest of the year, as I'm going to be busy with sales... until next time... hold fast and keep on sewing!

xox

Carol

NO!-vember has arrived!

     It's apparent to me online how many people are struggling right now and I'm having some heartache myself... I have comforted myself with the idea that "at least rockets aren't coming down on our heads," but what kind of comfort is that? I make a list for myself to numbly follow each day-- it helps, but for two days I couldn't even sew. I said I was going to come up with a nickname to follow "FFOctober"-- all I can think of is "NO!vember", and I'm not too sure I can turn that into a "YES!vember" this month. 

    These pumpkins at a local grocery store did make me smile. I think #1 ate some of the gumballs required for the job. I voted for #9-- the starry night kitty. But the candy corn apple #3 was a close second. Clever.

   My finish date for "FFOctober" was on Saturday-- I even gave myself a couple extra days, but in the name of keeping it real, I just have to admit I'm a little disappointed. Here's the final results of my October list: (TIP: just skip down to the bottom if you are tired of reading about these endless, boring projects-- I did start some new things-- LOL--- thank goodness, always, for the NEW.)

1. September Sew Sampler Box-- not quite done, but it's on my list for today. I made it bigger-- although just after taking this picture, I noticed the first row on the left is on upside down. (sigh) I'll fix it, add a six inch border all around, and make the backing, hopefully today. This is a Christmas gift for a special couple my daughter and son-in-law met on the Appalachian Trail last year-- making gifts is really helping my frame of mind.

2. Neighbor #5
These could have easily been in the done column, but I made it more complicated when I realized I want a more vertical than square piece, and you, dear readers, agreed with me--TYSVM! So it's a bit on hold until I make a top row of churn dash blocks for each.

3. Resilient Quilt-- no progress. First, I needed more fabric-- then, my least favorite part of quilting, adding borders, stopped me. I pre-washed a bunch of  yards for a backing--  MISTAKE-- the huge wad of five yards has been sitting on my ironing board for the entire month of October.

4. Corn Pop Pillows--here's a win. It's been a great comfort to me to nap with my kitty on chilly afternoons. We moved all the furniture around in the living room, and we've all been enjoying it more. Do you ever rearrange stuff?

5. Pressed Flowers Block 6-- Yes, I have six done, and the pattern for #7 is here, but I still have three weeks to make it. I really love these blocks because they are very unusual-- don't tell anyone, but I might be making friends with the color pink.

6. Oval Table Runner-FAIL! I did get it cut out into the oval-- then the "thing" happened in the news last week. I can't find the fabric I bought for the binding. I really wouldn't even be using this until the spring. I made the adult decision to shelve it again-- see ya' next year! On the plus side, just looking at this photo makes me hope it's not the complete abomination I was thinking it was.

7. Mod Flower Box-- no progress. Just needs a binding. It's for me, not a gift--(or a gift for me) and I probably wouldn't be hanging it till next spring anyway. I still may finish it before the end of the year. The poor thing has been sitting on a chair in the shambles of my sewing room all of October.

8. Tree Farm Table Runner. So this is really in the win column-- it did need quite a bit more work than I thought. Just need to do a little quilting (very little, heehee) and it's ready for sale later this month. Looks busy, but it's a big piece and the little red truck border is to die for.

9. Fruit Cocktail Table Runner- no progress. Another thing I'm really not looking to use right now. I wanted to quilt it myself-- do I just send it out? On hold for now. There it is next to my Thimbleberries Christmas one I modelled it after-- time to get that one back out already, can you believe it!

10. Spooky Box. A nice surprise--- I did actually finish this (flimsy finish), it's super cute, and it also fits my coffee table perfectly. I still want to make the baby ghost version, but the Halloween spirit never "materialized" this year. There's always next year and I now have plenty of time for that. Thank goodness I do not have to piece a backing, so I may just send it our for quilting.

     Summer memories was asterisked as #11-- I did get significant progress-- This is getting to be a long post, so I'll update you next week.

    So that's it! The final tally is 4 FFOs, 4 significant progress, 3 not touched. That's a very "C" report card for me. I'm thinking of personal takeaways for why it is so hard for me to drag stuff across the line.  (TIP: If you learn something from your failures, that makes it a success!! ha)

1. Things always seem to take longer than I think they will. 

2. My fatal flaw-- complicating things-- adding extra steps.

3. Borders, binding, and backings are three B's that I really don't enjoy.

4. The thrill of the new-- enough said.

    Can I change any of these characteristics? Probably not.

   So, speaking of the NEW,  here's some new things I pecked at this week. (Speaking of pecking-- I slammed myself with rake handle to the head in classic Three Stooges fashion while chasing one of those little chicken buggers last week. I guess I should be glad I'm alive... a video of the accident would have won $10,000 on Americas Funnies Videos if one existed)

   I though a bit of cross stitch in the evening would soothe my soul-- it did. I started the Lori Holt stitch cards set P-- they are sewing themed. These go together fast. Two of the colors look too blandish to me, in the name of complicating things and adding extra steps to find new colors.

     This one I purchased for myself last year during the "move." I was feeling sorry for myself! It is a beauty, but one I think will take the course of years. The colors are presorted-- just look at them all! So I have my choice of easy or hard cross stitch at night. Which one do you think I usually choose?

     Last, I did start the October Sew Sampler box with my alternate Christmas tree plan I showed you. So far, I have 18 pinwheels for the border-- I though they looked like starlight mints. This is probably the thing I am most enjoying right now.

   I made Thanksgiving Bowl Fillers-- super cute and next on my list to stuff today-- look for them on the website tomorrow. Special thanks for the inspo to my friend Sara whose daughter owns that real barn in the heartland. <3

     So that's the state of affairs! Hope I distracted you for a moment and that the misery of unfinished projects kept you company. Let's join hands and go forward-- we can't go back.

xox

Carol