Christmas is in the Mail!

I've been busy.  The Turkey placemats that I made were part of my grandkids early Christmas.  Unfortunately, USPS couldn't get the placemats to Alaska before Thanksgiving (I paid for Priority, but they shipped them ground despite the large difference in cost).  Because of that, and because the lady at the post office said that she couldn't guarantee that ANY package I shipped would arrive before Christmas, I decided to mail my Christmas presents by FedEx.  I mailed 3 packages on Monday, and 2 have already arrived.  The next package to Alaska should arrive on Monday.  

I made pillowcases for everyone this year.  My son is always saying that they need more fun pillowcases for the kids.  I made some for my son and his wife, too.

I also made a Star Wars pillowcase for my older son, but I haven't taken a photo of it.  

We have an Ornament Exchange at my church every year in the Ladies ministry.  It is always well attended.  This is the ornament that I got.  I was the 2nd 'steal', so it was 'retired' and came home with me ; )  Louise made this ornament.  She also made the ornament I got last year.

At the Ornament Exchange, we revealed ourselves to our Secret Sisters that we've had for the past year. This is some of the fun goodies my Secret Sister gave me for Christmas.

My good friend and great quilting buddy, Marilyn died in August.  As I was going thru her sewing room, I came upon a Hanukkah embroidered panel that she had picked up at a quilt show.  I knew I needed to make something with that panel, so I grabbed some of her Hanukkah fabrics, and started figuring out how to make a wall quilt for her husband.  I found a Dreidel pattern online (isn't Google great), and went to download it.  The link didn't work, so I contacted Debby Kratovil, who's blog it was shown on. Debbie graciously sent me the pattern (she now sells it as part of a gift bag pattern).  This is what I made. I delivered it this morning, just in time for Hanukkah.

center embroidered panel

Dreidel pattern from Debbie Kratovil

Thank you Debbie for the Dreidel pattern.  I have Debbie's perpetual quilt block calendar.  I use it every day in my kitchen.  It's great for inspiration.

Our niece is getting married in January.  I had some quilt blocks made that had been put aside.  I pulled them out and finished them.  I didn't have a pattern, just a video of how to make the border on Missouri Star's YouTube channel.  I used charm packs that I bought many years ago from MSQS.  Ann quilted it for me super quick.  I still need to make the binding for this.  I only have photos from before it was quilted.  I'll get better photos after the binding is done.  This quilt is queen size.

up close of the border

Monday was my little quilt guild's Holiday party.  We had a tote bag exchange, using orphan blocks.  Well, I made several Drunkard's Path blocks last month, when I taught curved piecing to this same guild.  I used those orphan blocks to make a tote bag.

This is the tote bag I received.  No orphan blocks in this one.

There were some cute goodies at our places for the party.  We have some talented ladies who were on the planning committee.

napkin

For the first time, I'm joining in on Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt along.  My clue #1 blocks have been made. I used the Triangulation method to make these blocks.  I waited till last night to tear the papers off these Half Square Triangles (while I was watching the Dancing With the Stars final).

I usually don't do Bonnie's Mysteries because of the colors she chooses (way too much pink for me).  She is using Red/White/Blues this time.  I did change out her solid red for a patterned red.  I'm not a fan of solids.  This is how far I've gotten on Clue #2.  I'll be doing more after I finish this blog post.

I do have several other things I'm working on.  At least Christmas presents are finished and mailed.  Now to decorate the house.  So far, I've only hung several mini Christmas quilts.  I don't think we'll have a tree this year.  Just too much trouble, especially since I'm the one that has to unpack and pack up all the ornaments.  Unless the grandkids come for Christmas, we just don't do much anymore.  How much decorating do YOU do for Christmas?