I haven’t sewn much lately except for quilting tops for the Palm Beach County Quilters’ Guild. I was able to do 7 tops this week, which are ready to be signed out to other members for binding. Our guild’s Outreach Chairwoman, Vivian, is focused on finishing the over 400 quilt tops that were in storage when she stepped into the position nearly 2 years ago. She’s down to about 50 left, and I’m helping to get them done in the next few months. In addition to all the quilts, she also accomplished the equally daunting task of emptying a very large storage unit that was a financial drain on the guild.) I’m hoping she’ll agree to be a guest blogger one day if she ever stops long enough to take a deep breath!
On Wednesday, I finally got my Shingles vaccination appointment at Publix. I realized I could also get a flu shot at the same time so I asked about it. They mentioned I needed Tetanus and Pneumonia shots too. They warned it might be uncomfortable, but I chose to proceed anyway. The symptoms weren’t too bad, mostly just a headache. However, with both arms sore, I had trouble sleeping. Anytime I rolled over, I’d wake up and toss and turn. I’m feeling better now but it was a good lesson about not putting things off! 😉
I finally started decorating inside the house and snapped a few photos of some handmade decorations I’ve accumulated over the years. This first grouping includes things that were all made by me.
My friend Robin made the wall hanging below several years ago. She even hand quilted it! I’m pretty sure it was around 20 years ago that she gave it to me, not long after we discovered our mutual interest in the same type of quilts and fabric designers. I put it up every year and I’m always awestruck that she gave me something that she hand quilted. ♥ We’re still good friends but she went on to become a much, much better quilter than I could ever aspire to be!
I apologize for the late afternoon photo that distorted the true colors. It’s a much brighter Christmas red and green than it looks here. But, it’s in a prominent place on the wall over our living room TV so it’s unlikely I’ll get a better photo of it this year.
Speaking of hand quilting, I did this quilt by hand in 2002 and gave it to my husband for Christmas. I dearly loved Thimbleberries fabric at one time but now, I rarely make quilts using them. Though the saturated colors are a bit heavy feeling for the rest of the year in our hot and humid south Florida climate, they’re always a welcome sight at Christmas time.
I bought wood letters at a craft store several years ago and decoupaged them with Christmas scrapbook papers. I originally planned to put them in the windowsill, but after placing them on the bed, I decided to keep them there and that’s where I’ve placed them every Christmas since then.
This last photo is for my granddaughter. She gave me the tiny tree by the little bench last year when I picked her up one day from the church after (school) care for her karate lesson. I’m not sure if it was in something from the aftercare or from an Advent calendar. I only know she thought it was something I’d like.
It was so cute that I decided to display it with my Christmas tree farm decoration so I’ll see it every year. ♥ When people say “it’s the little things that matter”, listen to them. A teeny tiny tree that could have easily been lost along with the used wrapping paper and ribbons gives me a reason to smile and remember that sweet blond headed girl saying “look Grandma! I saved this for you.”
This week will be busy with my husband’s birthday on Thursday, setting up my Christmas village and decorating the tree, attending a fundraiser, and possibly going out to see Christmas light displays. It will be a busy but happy week as I end each day surrounded by a few of my favorite things!
Time to Quilt 
