No sewing this weekend. Meeting our son, daughter in law and the two youngest angels for an early supper at Gaylord Palms in Orlando. (They have ticket to the ice show, but we're just going for a quick visit with them.) Christmas cards are on my agenda this weekend ...it has sure slipped up on me this year! I'm looking forward to learning some new things in the coming year and new projects!

I'm celebrating the completion of my latest project by making a test block to see if I want to make a whole quilt using it. The block is in the latest issue of American Patchwork & Quilting - it's from a new series by Pat Sloan and she will be adding one new row an issue this year. (Sort of a mystery project.) I'm not going to follow her through the rows but I do like this particular first block. There are also a couple of recent designs in the Missouri Quilts videos by Jenny Doan that I really like if that one doesn't appeal to me. I'm trying to make a decision before Christmas because DH usually gifts me with a Joann's gift cert. for Christmas and it would be nice if I had a good idea of what my next project would be so that I can take along a must-have list when I go. I actually have a pretty large stash but you know how that goes when you have free money to spend and your eyes land on that one "OOOHHH that's so awesome" fabric!

I decided to do the Merry Mayhem mystery. Yesterday I cut out the medium fabric pieces. Today and/or tomorrow, I will do the light and darks. Just three fabrics that I have been trying to decide on a pattern for, so should work out well.

Most Christmas prep is done and only one daughter is coming home. So we have invited three neighbours for dinner. It will all be fine. And I have some sewing time.

Theresa

I won't be quilting, but do plan to finish cleaning the sewing room and make a new removable cover for my big ironing board. My mom sent me an extra flannel sheet she had and I need a new cover. Thinking about marking pressing guide lines to help with keeping blocks straight.

Sharon, I'd like to see some pics of your pillowcases, if you have some? and the potholders, too. These gifts seem like something really nice to do. (for next year, or thru the year!).

Good Morning, Beth. Unfortunately, I haven't taken any pictures of what I've made this year but will try and get pics of the ones that haven't been delivered yet. My whole family enjoys the pillowcases and I make them about every two years. This is the first year I've made the potholders but want to make some throughout the year so they can be given to my nieces and nephews, too. Being able to use fat quarters for the cuff makes it easier to have a variety so all the kids don't have the same kind of fabric on the cuff. I left the flange off of most of the pc's this year.

Hot pads/pot holders (and hearts)

Very nice, Sharon! Do you use the "sausage" pillow case technique? They make up really fast.

Beth, how was your dinner at the Gaylord? I was there a year or so ago volunteering at a convention, but I didn't go into the hotel. It's HUGE!

I got a little time in on the mystery quilt this morning. Yesterday we worked at Habitat for Humanity (of course, it was the one cold day this year so far), then I did some shopping in the afternoon and we had Mark's company Christmas party last night.

Today I have a handbell rehearsal at noon then need to run over to Lakeland to take my mom on a couple of errands before the holidays.

Donna

Sharon, THANKS for posting the pics! I love to see what others have done; it sometimes gets the creative juices flowing! Those are all awesome!!! and Donna, our dinner was w.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l. !!! Not inexpensive, by any means, but it was great. We ate at The Moor (the boat) with the family. Really, really good. and the whole place was decorated to the 9s for Christmas...amazing, as always. AND, we really lucked out because there was a very cool group performing just as we arrived in the atrium. They sang things like "Reach out and touch somebody" and, "Sweet Caroline"...that kinda thing. Good looking dudes in black tuxes! Nothing wrong with that!! It was a wonderful Christmas treat for us. (sometimes we just drive over to Gaylord to walk in the climate controlled gardesn...esp in summer!! We might or might not even have a beverage, but it's just pretty and comfortable when it's 95 degrees outside!).

Yes, Donna, I use the hot dog technique.......I call it hot-dog as that's what it was called when I first heard about it so many years ago.

Thank you, Beth. All in all, there were 24 pillowcases, 20 potholders and about 25 hearts. I like to see what others have made, too. As you can see, they aren't fancy, but very usable.

Sharon, thanks for pix of the pillowcases. I generally try to make a set to match any quilt that I use on my bed, along with a flanged sham for a throw pillow in the middle. I also use the "hot dog" technique, which I found on the "all people quilt" site.

Great to see how productive everyone is!!! No sewing for me - and probably not much for some time. We drove from Colorado to Arizona and arrived last night. Our DS & DIL arrived this morning and will be here until late Christmas eve. We're hanging out with my Mom & MIL. Watching football and hanging out!

Sharon I love your pillowcases and admire your variety of fabrics. I know everyone that gets one will treasure and love them. And pot holders and hot mats are always needed and a hit anytime of the year. You are so productive. I have a birthday block from you in my most favorite quilt I made from a birthday block exchange.

The pillowcases are beautiful, Sharon. I imagine the kids get a kick out of them, too.

Everyone has their own personality and that's usually what I go by. Some like to camp and using these pillowcases, the pillows don't get mixed up. Even the adult kids enjoy having them and they don't share, either. lol Some of the potholders were extra blocks I had in a drawer and it is a great way to use them. I think I'll be trying to use up more this year. :-)