Winter Sewing!

I literally woke up at 5:00 am with sugar plums of sewing and quilting dancing in my head!

And since it's icy and foggy cold outside...

...what better place to spend my Winter Break from teaching than in my basement studio:

If ya peeked through the windows, you'd say: 

"Yep! It's time to uncover the ol' long-arm and get going again Val!"

(Atleast that's what my mom keeps telling me...love you mom!)

Here are the things on my holiday to-do list that I hope you'll find some inspiration from:

QUILTING:

1. Both Sun Bonnet Sues: FMQ/Cross-hatching done!

2. Christmas Charms: Christmas Pantograph  done! See it here.

3.  Project Linus: Cute children's pantograph done! See it here.

SEWING:

1. Quick charm pack top  done! See it here.

2. Paw Patrol Receiving Blanket   done! See it here.

2. Get out the ol' Neighborhood Blocks and play! I did! See here.

3. Work on my Metro Rings.

4. Start a "made fabric" project.I did!

APPLIQUE:

1. Finish my cabin block (I've been in a serious funk!)

2. Prep two more of these blocks for January Stitching

2. My January Wool Banner done! See it here.

Hey, what can I say:

And now that I have my list here, I can crumble up this piece of paper I've been scribbling notes on all week at work in anticipation of this break! I hope ya stop by often as I share my creations and

 maybe find a little inspiration along the way. 

"Let It Snow" Embroidery

Aren't these the cutest embroidered snowmen!!

I can't take ANY credit for them....but I can be appreciative of a sister who has such a steady hand.

This sweatshirt is a blast from the past,as I think she made these in the early 90's.

(I think the fashion then was to wear them with leggings. as it's a roomy XL sweatshirt.) 

She made one for my mom, me and herself.

It continues to be my favorite holiday sweatshirt even this many years later.

Do you have an ol' favorite that never seems to get old?

And it's "karma" still seems to work, as the day after I wore it to school, we got 6 inches of snow!

I gave the kids an extra long recess as I always enjoy watching them play together. (Annnddd it is their last day of school before Winter Break.) Oh! And mine too!!! 

"Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

Tuesday Archives #93: Christmas Wallhangings, Tablerunners & Projects

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

. If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party.

(You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is Christmas Wallhanging, Tablerunners & Projects: 

First up: Christmas Wallhangings:

Jennifer who blogs at Jennifer Under the Juniper Tree created this adorable Christmas Wallhanging last week...I fell in love with it immediately and knew it would be one of this week's highlights:

Next, share your Christmas Tablerunners & Projects: 

Blogging buddy Carole has been a busy elf this year and if you haven't stopped by her blog click here to check out her Christmas table runner projects. (PS: I always learn something from Carole. Her posts always include easy to follow directions and projects that are quick to finish.) Thanks Carole!

<

My New Year Sew-Along Plans (updated)

Always near-by, I catch Jackson staring at me more often than not lately. 

He probably misses being pictured with a quilt but, he's also probably wondering what I'm doing.

Admittably, I have been doing more creative thinking than sewing lately.  

So along with setting personal goals of health and well being, I've been scowered the internet and all your blogs for a sew along(s) to join in 2016. This morning I found the perfect ones for me: 

First, starting January 18th, is Lori Holt's Bloom Sew Along.  So I ordered these:

And as much as I would love to order a big bundle of Lori's fabrics, I'm going to use this Sew Along to bust through this tote of 30's fabrics I collected early on when I started quilting:

And our blogging friend Carole is having a Scrap Dance 2 QAL 

that I'm already cutting 2 1/2"x 3" squares for. 

Andddd... my scrap bins are overflowing so I'm looking forward to participating in the RSC:

I realized as time went on since this post, that I don't sew everyday. 

I already have have two on-going hand projects. And this one has been neglected already!

So as enticed as I am by the Quilty 365, I can't commit.

Click here to get a peek at December's head starters.

Whew! THAT felt good to admit. I so wish I didn't have to sleep. LOL!! 

Just so much I want to do in a day.

But I'm learning...to say no and not over commit...

as when I do, it really puts a crutch in  my creative energy.

My nEW yEAR staRTS TodAY!

I admittedly don't have a busy Christmas season ahead me. Our oldest daughter and her family are spending their first Christmas in their new home...so we are traveling there for the holiday. Hubby and I consequently, decided to keep our holiday decorating to a minimum since it's just the two of us.

Quite honestly, we're enjoying it. After 25 years of raising a family, it's already been kinda of fun carving out time to do some things we just want to do. We have dinners and card playing planned with friends and holiday activities like "Shop with a Cop", Secret Santa and "Backpack for Kids Food Drive" at work. BUT! The plan that's really motivating me is my decision was to start my New Year today!

Yep, I will rejoin Weight Watchers at work today (I'm a lifetimer...who just needs to get rebooted and get some chub around her ol' middle reduced a bit.) I've set the exercise goal to run a St. Patricks Day Fun Run on March 12th in under 30 minutes. (That's my goal and I'm sticking with it!)

 

 I'm actually looking forward to avoiding all the '"goodies" that seem to appear in school and office work rooms this time a year as I truly start my New Year today! I know, I DO sound a bit boring, but in the end, I physically and mentally feel sooo much better avoiding such temptations and setting goals helps me get through. This is a total intentional mission for me as seriously you guys, I LOVE sugar cookies decorated with candy, my mom's fudge, my husband's ginger cookies, all those dips at work, well...you get it.  So now I'm curious, do you indulge or set goals to avoid? 

And oh how I wish I had a better metabolism!!