1. Flannel quilt for my grandson, The piecing is done, embroidery for the label I hope to do today. Then need to quilt and bind. This and the next quilt going to learn long arm quilting on a friends machine.

2. Winnie the Pooh fabric that is the Irish chain with fussy cut of Winnie the Pooh cut out for the big squares. This I have to finish piecing, hopefully to day while the embroidery machine is running. Need to make label, quilt and bind. Wall hanging for my grandsons room.

3. Doll motif pattern for my granddaughters big bed that she has been in for 6 months. I have to start piecing this. Have all the fabric.

4. Wedding quilt for Mike (Admin) & Wendi. This is a King size that is all pieced, need to quilt.

5. Finish grandson's stocking to match the other family members.

6. Halloween table runner, that is all pieced need to quilt.

7. 2 Table runners to quilt, bind for my husbands brothers families.

8. Have 3 wood TV tray tables that I am going to put Cotton batting and iron material on, so my quilting friends have a extra table to put next to them on retreats or at home. You can either iron, put a cutting board on or use as extra space. I have the tables and material. All I have to do is staple it on.

I think that is all, I hope. A lot of work to do. Will keep you posted with pictures.

9. Brought flannel Elmo material last year to make PJ's for the grand kids. Never got around to it. So that has to go on the list. Hopefully this is it, this is a lot.

I have binding for three gifts

1) a quilt I call Plantation I am giving to our old neighbors as they became very good friends

2) Blue Days, a tan and blue plaid quilt I made for my uncle but now I love it so much I might have to try it out for a year to make sure it works

3) Game Day, a school color quilt for my daughter.  she is a senior so it has to get done ASAP, before football season is over.

4) Then I have one more block to applique for my friend 's Baltimore Album quilt - then I need to assemble etc. etc.

5) I have the BOM I am doing from the free patterns on Bunny Hill designs.

6) I will be dying to put together the Jewel quilt when I get my blocks in the mail.

7) I have a raggied quilt half done from the "bird nest" pattern I bought a year ago.

8) I want to finish the "Bad Billy Bear" project I started for my brother

9) Finally, I would like to finish the BOM "Flight of Fancy" I started last year for my sister.

If I list all that I want to get done before the holiday, I will have a panic attack.   So I have been trying not to dwell on it.  Then I keep mentally adding things to do that I think people might like.

I have decided not to join in the next exchange, so that I don't overwhelm myself further

I hope you are not overwhelmed. That was what I thought when I was going to make this list. But the opposite happened, it was very calming for me. This way I know what I have to do and will take it one by one. Yesterday, I spent most of the day making labels for the quilts on my embroidery machine. It takes a long time, but I enjoy seeing the label when it is done. Hopefully will finish them today. I had quilt club this morning, which was great. Home for a bit and then a new Doctors appt about my back. Then my hopes are to sew a little here and there. Tomorrow we get the grandkids so no sewing then, but lots of love and fun.

sue, I think things would "feel" different, if my life were different.   With the ages my kids are, I can get a "hey mom, I 'm bringing 12 kids home for the afternoon."   or "mom I need you to drive me here" or "um Mom.....I need my work shirt washed in the next HOUR."

but I love my kids, someday I won't have them thowing these last minute things at me, and I know I will miss it.  so for now, the overwhelming feelings come from how much I need to do, how much I HAVE to do, and what others want me to do.   I went down to my sewing area last night to pull out my jewel tones, and saw so many projects started, and wanting to be started.   I shut the light off and walked away. 

(but then again, I still don't feel good, so that was part of my excuse.  dr. said I should be better in 48 hours.....she was wrong.  :(

I totally understand about the kids at the age they are. That is what they do. My girlfriend told me, (she is 15 years older) God made the kids this way, so it would be easier to have them leave the house. I know that was true with me, they were going in so many ways and not sure of what they were doing. Grubby is the only word that I can put to it. And most of the grubby was put on me. I guess I was the safe place that they could let their hair down. NOT EASY, that is for sure. It is so very hard.

When you are feeling better, organize the projects and only have one out at a time. Then when you leave the room have it picked up, so when you come down to sew, it is all laid out and you can start right away. I learned that a long time ago. I have a big plastic bin with a top, that I put each project in a bag with all its parts, Then when it is time I want to work on it, all I do is pull it out.of the plastic bin. It keeps my room all picked up. Hooray

Sue, my husband and I have been organizing our basement, (where I sew, and where the rest of the household clutter ends up)  So when I finish organizing, the projects will be put away.  It looks lots better, I just got impatient organizing and started in on my Christmas quilt.    I keep lecturing my kids on priorities, and I need to take a lesson from myself.   Lately, when I seem to have some spare time, it isn't to my sewing  I go,   Hopefully this weekend, after I get my house clean after being sick for nearly  week, I can get back to my sewing.  It is therapy for me to quilt or sew (unless the pattern seems screwed up, or I can't get points to match!)   but since I will have a housefull of college kids on MOnday, I think hiding in my basement sounds lovely.

hi girls,,,,i have lots of projects to do also, but work also gets in my way!

I'd like to finish up several quilts that i've started, and also maybe start the year with a clean slate!!  With the granddaughters coming into our lives, I'm hoping for "Grammy" time more!!

Those are what I really want to have finished before Christmas. The table runners are almost done. But, the quilts haven't been started.

Then, I have 12 more projects lined up for the coming year. And, who knows what I don't know about that I'll 'squeeze inbetween'.

I just sold a quilt yesterday (yeah!) to someone who totally fell in love with it (the best kind of buyer). And, she'd like me to do a memorial quilt for her of her son, who she lost last year. Gosh, I'm so honored to do such a project. Her son was an amazing guy.

Not to get to many projects like I did last year! LOL......I mad a qilt for a lady in Ft Wayne and she loved it. Her father, 6' 8" wants me to do a flannel quilt....and he will pay me! I am so ready for that one! LOL......Quilt show this next week end. Busy time. And I know I have been busy ... I have been supporting Jim with his youngest......he tried to commit suicide about two weeks ago. And this morning, he got into a big fight with his mother.....she had blood coming out of a cut on her head. she is less than 5 foot and a meer 100 pounds. For being an X we were both very upset. She called the cops on him. This is the only way to get him help. So, it has been a long week. I need sister time with Betty and we are both so busy, I have not had time to go have coffee and a hug! But soon! I will do it soon. Well, I best be hopping to the other threads......HUGS TO ALL!!! Love ya all 2

Nora

It is so hard when you have a family member try to commit suicide. It is the best thing for the cops to be called. Has charges been made? We need to do what we have to. Trying to help a lot of times makes the whole thing worse. My heart so goes out to you.

if his Mother is going to press the charges. But she did file with the police. It was a longgggg weekend!. Now the quilt show this week. ANd I am done with things for a while!

I hope you post photos of your projects.  I especially would love to see the lace ornaments.  I give up trying to get any quilting done before Christamas.  I am working on a crocheted afghan for a college girl  that my son has befriended.  

Well, I have both the table runners all done for my sister in laws.

My favorite quilting friends are all done for their gift. Out quilt club exchange is all set.

The quilt for Mike (admin) and Wendi the top is all done. I need to buy a backing material and then off to the long arm quilter. It is King size so their is no way I can do it. With my back in bad shape I can not learn to do the long arm myself. A friend was going to teach me.

2 quilts for my grandson are already to machine quilt, hopefully that will be done in the next couple of weeks.

1 big bed quilt for my granddaughter is started, not sure if I will be able to get that done, can only sit and sew for a little while. Should have it done for her birthday in March and the second option.

Our new quilt is at the long arm quilters now, should be back in a few days, will post it after I get the binding on.

I have been doing more hand quilting with taking it easy, maybe I can finish that in the next few weeks. That would be wonderful, I have been working on it off and on for about 2 years.

The days are numbered to the big day, what are you doing?

I'm not making anything for gifts this year.  I'm going to contact all my friends and suggest that instead of gifts this year that we give the gift of time, and arrange to spend some special time together, going out to lunch or to a movie.  At this point, I miss my friends and would much rather have a visit and lunch instead of another gift, even it doesn't happen till some time after Christmas.    I think we'll be getting gift certificates for family that are far away and let them do their own shopping.  I'm trying to make things as easy as possible this year since we have to drive so far to shop and we have so much work to do on the house.   I am still quilting on the baby quilt for the new grandbaby (born Monday morning, a boy, Peter Raymond, 9 lbs, 11 oz.) but its not a christmas present, just a baby gift whenever it gets done.  

Congratulations!! My daughter Mariëlle is 26 weeks now. I have to wait until the end of February.

Pam,

Congrats on your new grandbaby!

Loes,

Hang in there, the time will fly and soon you'll have that little one in your arms!

they are getting away from me already! Have not even had time to think. I know I need to get Mom's quilt done. And for sewing others gifts.....OH my. Jim is on it more than I am. Have his Mom's done. Boopers is on the thinking block. Other than that.......need to get started. Girls are doing fine. We have them after school.

 AND I accepted a position with Catholic Social Services to help 55 and older folks to get jobs. It will be around 20-25 hours a week. The pay is not much. But will not interfere with SSD. My hearing is in February. I am going to try this, and I'm hoping that the pain does not go up. I can pretty much pick my hours and days. So if it is a pain day, I can cut hours or stay home completely. Works for me! LOL.......we shall see. Jim still has not gotten a job, but he is selling some wood products. His needle seems to be the hottest thing with the ladders coming in second. SO life is putting along..........

It sounds like everyone is doing well and coming along.

Nora, congrats on the job, sounds like a prefect one for you, helping others. How could you go wrong?

Loes, congrats on looking forward to a new grandchild. Hooray

Pam, congrats on the new baby in the family. So much news all around new babies.

It is nice to hear from each of you

So, here's the story....the only thing I have accomplished on my "to do" list is try out some free standing lace ornaments. Oh, and buy more fabric, wait, that wasn't on my list! lol

Was out of town for 3 days on a business trip, so those precious quilting hours in the evening were lost.

I am waiting for my daughter to photo shop some pics I am going to use in the border of my hubby's quilt and she can't do that until she finishes her last essay and final on Saturday. So effectively any progress is stalled. My bosses candle mat is not getting anywhere, because I can't find just the right fabric for it (the fabric I have in my head).

Ah yes, the trials and tribulations of a crazed quiltaholic!

Sounds like the rest of you are having a little better progress than I. Hopefully will be back on track over the weekend, and can figure out how to get hubbys quilt finished without him catching on to what I am doing.

Have a great Friday everyone!