Sunday, November 30, 2008

A Mixed Bag


It's hard for me to believe that I've been off work for a week now and it's almost time to go back! Where has the time gone? I've been so busy with so many different things that it just doesn't seem like I've been on vacation.


Today was more of the same--busy all day with all sorts of different things. A good portion of the day--up until mid afternoon--was spent on more Christmas decorating. I've included a few photos for your viewing pleasure. One of the reasons Christmas decorating takes me so long is because I get sidetracked easily. For instance, it occurred to me that before the BIG tree goes into the tree corner, I should pull out a couple Christmas crafty/ decorating books from the shelves that will soon be hidden in greenery. Then, of course, I had to flip through the Christmas books to decide which I wanted to pull out. That meant dusting off a lot of books because there's a little vent right there in the wall that leads to the outside world, and vice versa--dust and dirt comes in (although it sure doesn't seem to go out the same way!) Anyway, you get the idea. Nothing's straightforward.


A couple weeks ago, I pulled a button-up sweater/top/thinga-majig out of my closet to wear to work. Out of four buttons, one was fine, one was completely missing, and the other two were broken, with half of each missing. How does that happen? Is there a rogue gang of missing socks in the dryer that beat up on unsuspecting garments? In any event, I hung the thingamajig on a hanger on the door knob of the Sweat Shop so I could replace the buttons. Today, when I put the Christmas tree up in the Sweat Shop, I realized the hanging thingamajig would possibly hit the tree, so I had to stop the decorating and do buttons.


By mid afternoon, I was pretty tired of all the decorating, so I stopped THAT and started making a couple quilt backs. The weather's been pretty nice here with highs in the mid-60s, so I went outside on the patio and pinned the Valentine quilt that I'm going to be teaching and the Trees wallhanging.

Inspired by a complete burst of originality, for dinner I cooked leftover turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and broccoli. Bet none of you have had anything like THAT lately! Now don't copy!


With intentions of retiring to the Sweat Shop after dinner to do a little quilting, I found myself instead staring at the pile of men's wool jackets I scored at the Goodwill. Well, I thought, I'll just take one apart and see how it goes. Three hours later, I had taken four jackets apart, and the usable wool pieces are now in the washing machine--hopefully NOT being attacked by rogue socks!

Maybe, after I write this post, I'll wade back into the Sweat Shop and do a little of that quilting I intended to do earlier. But before I go, I bet you're wondering who won the drawing for the two Christmas patterns, right? Hubby picked lucky number 33, and once I counted up the entries, I found the winner is LEAH S! Woo-hoo, Leah! Email me your mailing address and I'll get the two patterns out to you asap!

Oh, and also before I go, here's the next giveaway. Three patterns:


A little wool mini pennies pattern--in honor of the wool I have in the washing machine as we speak; a pattern for a really pretty quilt called Snow Crystals, which you wouldn't necessarily HAVE to finish by Christmas--anytime this winter will do; and--maybe best of all at this time of the year--a pattern for a quilt-as-you-go runner. If you've never made one of these, they make up really fast and look great! I was able to whip out a couple of fast Christmas gifts last year with this pattern, so if you're desperate for some quick gifts for friends, leave a comment and tell me you want in on this drawing. I (or Hubby) will pick a winner on Monday night.

Happy quilting!
COMMENTS CLOSED--WINNER OF DRAWING TO BE ANNOUNCED!

38 comments:

Denise (Nour) said...

Pick me! I've never won a blog gift yet! Denise

kathipink said...

Of course, I want in on the drawing, too. Thank you!

Laurie said...

Please enter me into the drawing. I wish I could get half as much done as you do. Too bad vacations come to an end so quickly.

Anonymous said...

Please throw my name in the hat! What a great assortment of patterns, of course if I win I would have to take a vacation to get them done.
I am in such envy of your decorating, I get totally distracted, cleaning things that never get cleaned otherwise, so now I have bare walls and shelves and nothing up. Maybe today I can make some real progress.

Sue Cahill (sbonetsue at yahoo dot com)

BJ said...

You have the best patterns! Count me in please!

BJ

Anonymous said...

Oh well, maybe I have better luck this time around with the drawing!!!
Love your decorating! Here in Sweden we (I) start out slow with Advent decorations and then move on to the heavier Christmas stuff in about a week or two. It is less work that way, and I'm all for making life easy!

Anonymous said...

I really like the "Quilt as you go" pattern, so please, enter me in the drawing too!!! I think there is still time to make some more Christmas patchwork presents.
Jana in Helsinki

Anonymous said...

It's fun looking at your decorating. Please include me in your drawing.

Nancy E

Gem said...

Ooooh, lovely patterns, I've never tried quilting so they would be wasted on me, but I do love your quilts. Maybe I'll have a go at quilting some time :)

Helene said...

Oh Oh -- pick me!! I really need (okay, maybe just want, not need) that table runner pattern. You are too kind to share your overabundance with us!

Anonymous said...

Please consider me for the drawing. The Snow Crystals looks beautiful!

Wendy in Iowa

Julia said...

I would love to be added into the drawing!

I am going to do some decorating today too!

Sandy said...

Love the little mice on top of your refrigerator. Yes, please include me in your giveaway. Thanks for sharing.

Busy Little Quilter said...

I get sidetracked when I decorate, too. It seems decorating inspires me to create something. I guess when you think about it decorating and creating are the same thing. I decided that some of my stuff would look cute with little quilts underneath them, so I went to my sewing room and started making little quilts, like I really have time for that!

I love your decorating. Thanks for sharing. I need some red stuff. I may have to make it to Goodwill this week to collect red.

Please add my name to the drawing. I love the snow cyrstals pattern. I don't have a blue and white quilt (well, I do, now that I think about it. It's a UFO).

Enjoy your last day before you go back to work!

MichelleB said...

Okay, yes, I'd love to be included in this give away. I'm slowly plugging away at my It's a Wrap pattern - which I fell in love with on your blog and had to make. My goal is to be finished with it by next week. Now stop your laughing! I'm going to try!

Lady of the Cloth said...

I wish I had your energy, after work, I just want to veg out and usually do. I'd love to be in this drawing, I love the snow crystals quilt and surly need quick gift ideas this year as things are tight both monetarily and time wise. You inspire me girl!
Carline

Paula said...

I'm pretty much positive I'm going to win THIS drawing!!! LOL Love the patterns.

Anonymous said...

Actaully, I am desperate for some quick gifts, not only for friends, but for family members. And, I love the snow crystals--please enter me.

Judy said...

Boy you really do go all out decorating! Looks fantastic! your snowman reminds me that my favorite christmas item gets to come out this week... the lighted church! Must find that soon! I wash my jacket wool last night and it turned out fine, although it does fray quite a bit...so I'm doing the last 2 jackets today.

The patterns are all fabulous but I'm up to my ears with patterns, so I'll give the others a shot at them!

Rhonda said...

Ho, ho, ho! I'd love to win those patterns.
You have been busy but I think most women are like you. We get started on one thing which leads to another that sidetracks into something else. Not to worry....that's the way we women work!

Ruby said...

Wow, you are just amazing! I can't believe how much
you can accomplish in a day!!! Thanks for entering me in the drawing.

Linda said...

Mmmmmm, your goulash turky supper reminded me of childhood Christmases. My dad always made turkey goulash the next day or so and he put in everything you did, except the broccoli--he used frozen peas and carrots instead! He always added a fresh onion as well! Mmmm. So good.

I don't need to be in the draw as I've purchased the chicken pattern and the tree pattern after seeing them on your blog! That's enough for me right now, along with everything else i'm workin on!

Lurking Linda

Lorraine said...

Wow - you have been busy...I have spent my mini-vacation not being able to do much....that's right...plan a break from work and get sick!! I seem to do that regularly...Ho Hum.....last day off today and I am feeling much better....but I think it will be one of those days of being sidetracked...I need to get the decorations out of the attic....the house certainly needs some work.....patterns are piling up in the sewing room begging to be made.....and work is looming again tomorrow....! I think I will make a start in our bedroom....but the bed looks mighty inviting.....so maybe not....and the lounge room will need to be cleaned and furniture moved to make way for the tree....and there is a book that I wouldn't mind finishing....! You have achieved heaps on your week off....! well done.....and don't put me in the draw....I think I have enough on my plate at the moment and the patterns would be better going to someone who might actually get to them in the near future! LOL

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim, got it figured out thanks for walking me thru how to post. This is my first blog posting ever.

Love seeing some of your snowmen on your blog as a fellow snowman collector.

I have never quilted as you go but it sounds interesting and really quick. Maybe this can be a skill you share sometime.

Lori QH

Penni Domikis said...

Just catching up on your blog wore me out. All the family has finally gone from my house, the birthday party is over and we ended the holiday with a rousing game of turkey hockey at the church. All the youth group kids and hubby with broom sticks and a frozen turkey. What a hoot. Since I have finally gotten caught up on your blog I would love to get in on the giveaway. That snowflakes quilt is tempting and I love wool things for gifts. I thought I saw some ideas for mug rugs in there. Take care. I will try to post soon.

Anonymous said...

Boy I would love to get those give-aways. I like the runner pattern the best. Thanks again, Ratnay1

Anonymous said...

Kim ~ my BFF in CA, I've been trying for years and years to get you to give me something. I'll take these patterns.

HO!Ho!Ho!
Lootysmom

Unknown said...

Of course you can count me in for the drawing. I scored some wool sweaters at the Goodwill shop this weekend too! I got three sweaters for 90 cents each! Plus I picked up a pattern/kit at the quilt shop that are wool ornaments. I so excited about making them! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful things!
Christy

Anonymous said...

I would be honored to be in your drawing! I have never tried any quilt as you go patterns...looks like fun. The snow crystals is beautiful! Love your decorations.

Shirley--Knot-y Embroidery Lady said...

Oh, what fun and job well done! What a week you have had. I'll pass on your drawing. Thanks for the opportunity.

We have had a great day with our family and finishing it up with making camera strap covers and binding quilts.

Cute buttons on your sweater! Best of luck back at work tomorrow. I'll think of you slaving away while we visit the zoo.

Cheerio

Cathi said...

Ooh, please include me in the drawing!! Those patterns looks wonderful.
Your decorations are fantastic! Guess I should progress from the "thinking about it" stage to actually getting some decorations out!

Robin said...

I like those patterns, too! Please enter me into this drawing. The pennies are darling!! I'm trying to picture how you use them...do they just decorate a tabletop?

Anonymous said...

Please consider me for Snow Crystals. It looks beautiful. And since Tuesday is my birthday, it was be a wonderful present.
Love the blog. Thanks

Sara said...

Please enter me in your drawing. I have wanted that braided runner pattern forever. I love your blog. I check it every morning at work before I get started slaving away. (I work for an attorney!)
Have a good day.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Throw my name in the hat too! Maybe I'll be the lucky one!

Jen :)

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Throw my name in the hat too! Maybe I'll be the lucky one!

Jen :)

Anonymous said...

Okay... I would love to be entered! I love those little mini pennies patterns :o)

Anonymous said...

Would love to be entered in the giveaway, just luv those patterns. Thanx for the chance