One monthly goal and WIP

My sewing time at the weekend was fabulous but not as long as I'd planned. Unfortunately older daughter had a few problems at work so Sunday turned into a bit of a family council of war and time to cheer her up. However the time I had was well used and I finished up all the blocks and had them sewn into rows by the time I put the machine away on Sunday. Yesterday was my day off so I had some time to sew and the plan was to complete the quilt top. Just before I started work on it I realised that the width measurements were correct and the top finished at 80 inches but the length was wrong, being short of the 80 inches I wanted it to be. This caused a moment of annoyance, well several moments to be precise. I thought I had measured everything so carefully and I still got it wrong. So I made a cup of tea and sat and thought about it a while. It was then I remembered that I'd decided to change the quilt top slightly but hadn't got round to checking the measurements so I wasn't being careless or silly just forgetful.  Anyway I did a quick rejig and had it all clear in my head. With that sorted I cut the rest of the border fabric and then got the quilt top finished.

The snowball blocks were ones that I'd made for something but couldn't remember what. To this I added the 9 patch blocks. Again I'd made some 9 patch blocks last year just using up scraps. I had to make a few more for this project. I needed to buy fabric for the sashing and borders but otherwise it's made from scraps. This is a big quilt at 80 x 80 inches.

Now I just have to get it finished before Christmas as this is a present for someone. I'm seeing them just before Christmas so time to get it all done is quite short, especially as I will be away one weekend visiting my brother. I have fabric for the back which will be pieced and I'm getting excited about practising some free motion quilting in the snowball blocks.

Finishing this quilt will be my one monthly goal for December. This afternoon when I've finished some marking I'm going to cut and piece the backing and get the quilt sandwiched. This is doable so long as I stay calm and just get on with it.

On Sunday I put our Christmas tree up and added the lights. I don't usually put the tree up until after my birthday which is on Saturday but I did it to help cheer my daughter up. Normally I decorate the tree but I handed it over to the girls. At first they thought I was joking but eventually they got the idea. 

They didn't complete the decoration as they were tired. They were laughing that for years they have wanted to do it but in reality it's a tedious process. I think the outcome was 'you're on your own with that job next year'.

Yesterday evening was our last normal meeting at Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers so Lucy and I had presents to wrap and cards to write. Lucy did most of the wrapping but I had braved the Christmas rush to go shopping and select the presents. Next week is our last meeting before Christmas and we always book out a big play frame with ball pools and slides for a two hour slot for our sole use. The girls love it. Because it's a private party all the age ranges are able to go on the play frame, even the adults. I always go for a slow run round and check the girls are having fun but some of the turns in the frame are quite tight for someone of my size. There is also a big side that just drops you and I'm still not sure if I like it but I always have a go. 

How are you getting on with your Christmas shopping? I still have some presents to get but I'm almost there. I haven't fully decided the Christmas menu but I'll finalise that this weekend. There is of course my least favourite part of Christmas, the grocery shopping. I think I'll do as much as possible on line this year.

I'm off to get some marking done so I will have time to cut and piece the backing for my quilt and then hopefully sandwich the quilt so long as I can get the use of the dining table for a little while. I'm getting too old to crawl around the floor and Picasso and Scamp always cause chaos. 

Lyndsey