Today's mail and a bit of hand sewing

As usual while sorting through things around here I stopped to write a letter. I'd written all around the drawings on the letter so I'm just showing you the corner of the envelope.

I'm turning this little piece of fabric into a napkin for when I have company to tea. It should go nicely with things here and I was pleased with the quality of my hand stitching which I had hoped would show up better when I scanned it. I don't do much hand sewing anymore so it was nice to see that I can still manage to get the stitches pretty even.

I did some floral arrangements yesterday and plan to start work on a painted box next. There's always something to do around herre and I feel like I'm making progress all of the time.

Lost in the shuffle but still working

The camera's gone missing at the moment and there's so much sawdust at the worktable that I've got the tablecloth on an ironing board next to my desk so that I can finish hemming it.

I hate to admit that it's been a month since I started it but there are so many other things to do that things like that happen around here.

I'm looking forward to spring and summer so that I can move the woodworking back outdoors. It's pleasanter to be in the fresh air and it seems to entertain the neighbors as well.

As long as the ironing board is out I may even do some ironing which will strike some of you that know me pretty funny. Clearly, I'm not known for my housekeeping skills.

I'm loving a sunny day and getting some exercise trying to get the mini blinds adjusted enough that I can enjoy the sun but still see the computer well enough to finish this post and design a bit more merchandise on Zazzle.

Well, back to that tablecloth...who knows, I may clean that table off someday and need it.

Amazing timing and unexpected surprises

I got started on the round tablecloth I'd hoped to have finished before Christmas and had about 3/4 of it hemmed when I had unexpected company. Yes I used the tablecloth anyway, I simply put it on the table with the finished portions facing my guests and the shaggy bit on my side.

Ron and Karen brought lunch, more paints and a 2013 calendar- just in time too, it was all needed and appreciated.

The really cool thing was that on top of all of that Karen gave me a little sewing lesson on how to make and apply quilt bindings as well as giving me some bindings to practice with just in time for those placemats I've been wanting to make.

Thanks So Much!

You've probably guessed by now that I'm headed for the paints and will post pictures again when I can. (It depends on how caught up I get in them)

Better late than never with a surprise

I finally cleared off the table and decided to make some table linens to brighten our Christmas. We're
making quiche in the morning! We're picking up some apple cider today, it's been a while and sounds really good-don't you think so?

Well, that table never stays cleared off for long. Here are a few fabrics that might work.

 Yes, all the fabric I own "lives" in that green bin in front of the buffet so finding enough of anything for a project can be a challenge.

Just as I'd cleared things away and was waiting for the next part of my project a friend dropped by with the perfect gift. You're bound to see this little pitcher turning up in my paintings for years but in the meantime it's the perfect place to keep my most important and well used brushes (details and liners) until I'm able to fill it with flowers.

The really funny thing about all of this is that I had just finished telling my husband that he might as well come away from the window because "it's not like anyone will be stopping here this Christmas"...and then someone did. Thank goodness for friends!!! They chase the blues away and help keep me going. Happy Holidays to all of them and to all of you.