Approaching Year End

Today's.......to do list!

Where did this year go? Here we are Christmas is over and all the rushing around to get things ready and now we are saying good bye to another year and the beginning of a new year of promising things.I have been trying for the last two days to get to the sewing room but cleaning or visiting has gotten in the way. So today, well after this post I will be heading downstairs to try to make some progress on three things. Lower left of the pic, the white print was given to us as a challenge of ugly fabric. I added the other colours and intend to make a small baby blanket for the NCIU ( our charity work for the guild). Top of the pic, the floral print is another challenge fabric we are to use all year. I have added some more fabric from the same line for the first block whose theme is flowers! And lastly a kleenex box challenge on the right. pink, green, and white...doesn't it just scream baby girl!!! I have two 6 1/2 " blocks to make for that. Well that should keep me busy till it is time to go to one last family dinner tonight. This will also be my slow stitching for today, head over and see what my friend Kathy and others are up to today too!

Our 12 year old Zoe

While downloading pics for the blog, I found this one from Christmas day. At our house even the dog gets Christmas goodies, although she has to wait patiently for someone to give her one!!
Enjoy your day whatever you are doing and I am wishing you all the best in the New Year that is upon us!!

Winter White Christmas

snowy land

one of many

It is definitely gonna be a white Christmas at my house. The winds are blowing today and snow is falling.But even that doesn't keep some critters away. I have had up to 7 blue jays at the feeders this weekend. Are you ready for the holidays yet? I am, just one more trip to the grocery store and beer store. Then all that is left is to wait for our darling daughter to make the hopefully 5 hour drive home. They have been getting nasty weather where she is...freezing rain and snow!
I got almost all the things made and knitted that I wanted for Christmas. The only exception is scarf/shawl. Very simple knitted pattern but for some reason it is giving me grief. Rethinking the whole making another one for me after I am done though!!! And I am too stubborn to throw in the towel when I am so close to being finished. And for slow stitching Sunday with Kathy,

could be a treadle or featherweight

that is what I am trying to accomplish...a finish!!!
I have also cross stitched a new ornament for myself this year to honour the acquiring of two sewing machines. It has been awhile since I cross stitched...me thinks they are making aida cloth very small these days or I need stronger glasses! Isn't aging wonderful. Not to get bitten by another craft bug...I am looking forward to the new year. I am setting up a quilt to hand quilt in a frame. It has been over a year since I have done this. I use to do a couple a year.This along with all the guild things we are doing will fill the year and keep me busy!!!
I would love to take this time to wish everyone in blogland a Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy Happy New Year! I have enjoyed my almost first year blogging and looking forward to more in the future!
 Cheers everyone!!! Hugs from Deanna

Cuddling up

Yes it is that kind of day..cold and damp which makes it feel even colder out. Waiting patiently for some snow as the rain the other day took most of our away!
Today is a stitching day. I am trying to get some socks and a shawl knit for Christmas presents. This is the closet to shopping that I have done. Guess next week I will have to take that leap to the mall and try to get some things off my list.
With all this knitting to do it is lucky that I don't have any sewing that needs to be completed. Quilting has hit the sideline for now but I hope to be back at it in January!!
I am linking up to Kathy's blog and checking out what everyone else is up to on the slow stitching Sunday.

December already!

Am I the only one wondering how it is December 2 already? I have been knitting Christmas presents, but guess I will have to start making those lists for shopping in the mall!! YIKES!!! I did a whole lot of baking yesterday and so no slow stitching of any kind  was accomplished. Today was a grocery and special trip to the bulk food store for ingredients for Christmas cake, that will be made tomorrow!
Tonight is the first of three guild Christmas parties. At least they are spread out, one each week for the next three weeks.
On the weekend we moved our daughter to her new apartment and settled her in. She started her new job this morning. During our drive home from her place, I got to go to one quilt store. DH stopped long enough for that! It was indeed a good choice as they were having a sale (20% off the whole store) oh if I had had more time!! lol But I did manage to get some black for that binding. I bought a couple different ones in case the first one wouldn't do. Also picked up two 1 meter cuts that were only $5 each! That is a bargain in my world.Only problem is they made it to my sewing room and I haven't had time to take them out of the bag or put them away!
Also on the weekend I picked up two panels that a friend ordered for me. I have a pattern and some coordinating fabric

sorry not sure how to turn this right side up

to make something, but while looking through a magazine I bought, I found another pattern that I like better so that will be done in the future! It is from Stonehenge.
This was indeed a busy weekend. Bonnie Hunter released the first clue in her new mystery quilt. I said I wasn't going to do it, but after looking at her link up today, I am feeling left out. Should I or shouldn't I.......hmmmm! Stay tuned to find out.