Enough is never enough!

Last evening I finished the 15th book pocket. After a delightful phone visit with my sister, Margaret, I learn that it is ok to go only to 24 since the 25th of December is Christmas and the count down is over. Armed with that information, I was revived up and ready to go.

After finishing the pocket, I pulled the remaining books close to see which one would go best with fabric from my stash. The possibilities were endless and before I know it - its 12:30 a.m. and I am no where near ready for bed.

Today, over my lunch, I went clothesline shopping. The Country Sampler was just what my tired body needed. Sadly, they didn't have but one bundle of clothesline but I made up for it in the fabric selections.

This evening, when I SHOULD be cleaning before the weekend starts, I plan on sewing, sewing and sewing some more! As soon as I figure out my new digital camera, I will post pictures of the book pockets that are finished and what the process looks like.

Count down until December 1st ~ 17 days - pockets remaining ~ 9.

Stitch yourself something comfy - winter is coming!

I Love Lucy!

Meet my beautiful granddaughter, Lucy! It is her first Christmas coming up and I am carrying on a tradition started 14 years ago by my sister, Pat, when she became a grandmother for the first time and then repeated 7 years ago when my sister, Margaret, became a first-time grandmother.

The tradition couples the anticipation of Christmas with the love of reading. I am working on my 25 Christmas story books for Lucy and have 14 finished. On the first day in December, Lucy will have 25 story books in her own little book chest. The plan is for the child to open the chest, select a book to be read to her and with that have a fun way to count down the days until Christmas.

The pockets of fabric make the book a surprise although some of the pockets give the clue. I look forward to sharing pictures with you as I work on finishing the project. My countdown begins with the 11 remainging book pockets and the chest.

Piece be with you!

Inspiration!

Last night's meeting of the Omaha Quilters Guild has definitely got my imagination rolling. I am anxious to get home tonight and sew something.

Block update - I could have used any color combination of light/darks on my block exchange. I'm learning the rules as I go. I didn't 'win' the block exchange set but did pick up next time's block (February and its a pretty little heart). (Kathy, are you ready?)

Check back later this week for an overview and pictures of the great project I am working on for my first grandchild's first Christmas and, of course, I am starting a set for my second grandchild coming in April of 2010. Its a tradition that you will love and I hope you will consider making your child a set, too.

Pieces of me, counting the hours until I can be setting in front of my sewing machine rather than my computer. Happy piecing!

Lights and Darks

Color hues and intensity has alway been a stumbling block for me when it comes to fabric selection. At last month's quilt guild meeting I decided to participate in the block exchange [courthouse steps]. With all that has been going on this past month, I didn't work on the block until last night [block exchange is tonight :o() so I didn't catch the fact that the block was to be made with light and dark values only. My stash is predominately medium especially in the purple family which is the color of this block. Today, I am making a mad dash to my friend's house to raid her stash and get my block ready for tonight. Bless Kathy for having a balanced stash and a sharing heart!

Progressing nicely ...

As promised, here is a picture of the afghan I am crochetting in memory of Mom for Ms. Roth. I am amazed at the path my thoughts take when I am working the stitches with the hook. I remember when Mom made three of these afghans one Christmas for my older siblings. While playing chess with my Dad, drinking coffee and smoking a cigarette, she would have the laundry basket full of yarn beside her chair and working on the afghan. If I remember correctly, the fall colors went to Pat, the blue colors to Marg and, I think, but am not sure, that Bill's was green or gold.

Memories of home, Mom and Dad, and sibs make working on this project a treasure for me.

A stitch in time ...

Last evening, rather than heading for the sewing table, I curled up in my chair with the quilt over my legs and crocheted a few rows on my 'special project' afghan. Mom taught her girls many talents; one of which was crochet. Earlier this year my sister, Margaret, was approached by an elderly lady from our home town who knew Mom and was wondering if any of the Seier girls would be willing to help her out by crocheting an afghan for her granddaughter. Ms. Roth shared that she had made a crocheted afghan for each of her grandchildren but due to health issues could not do so for her granddaughter. [At this point, we thought she was talking baby afghan. :0)] Margaret assured her she would ask. First, Vickie offered to take on the project but later declined when she found out there was a specific pattern that had to be used. [Vickie doesn't read patterns.]

So, I offered and asked Margaret to get the yarn/pattern from Ms. Roth. This is when we discovered we were working on a full-sized afghan in the Ripple Stitch pattern. In comes the yarn --- black, neon green and hot pink. I told Margaret I would have to work on this one with sunglasses on.

The deadline to complete is early April 2010. My goal is to have it to Ms. Roth by Thanksgiving or the latest, Christmas. I am happy to share that the colors - while shocking when the skeins are in the basket by my chair, are playing nicely in the afghan. I have approximately 18 inches crocheted.

My cat has a great time chasing the yarn or attacking the hook while I am trying to work on the afghan. I'll post a picture when the aghan is longer and you can see the project at its best.

As promised, here is a picture of Anna modeling her poodle skirt. Anna, hope you have a fun day today in school.

Last evening found me snuggled under my favorite quilt in my comfy chair, feet up on the ottoman, cat planted firmly on my chest and a glass of white wine clutched firmly in my hand trying to stay awake watching television. I didn't make it to 10 p.m. before I went to bed so there was no sewing, no crocheting, no projects completed. BUT, I am rested and ready for the evening to begin so I can do another book pocket or two tonight.

Bad hair day!

Last evening I did what every great aunt in the country would do if the opportunity presented itself - I made a poodle skirt for my great-niece, Anna. I hope to have a picture of Anna to post tomorrow showing how the skirt turned out. Not bad for a fast night's worth of creativity.

This morning though was a different story. Hitting the snooze button too many times resulted in a less than stellar hair day for me. While I haven't a picture of what I look like this morning, I do see a striking similarity between me and this little guy.

A tisket a tasket - Linda has a basket!

The finished project! Now, for the next project on my list ...

Linda's basket nearing the finish.

The best part of a quiet Sunday is realizing something can be checked off your to-do list. The picture above is my gift to Linda Aldrich. I am to the point where I get to decide the embellishment. I love my yo-yo maker and searching the button box for the right flower centers. Off-center yo-yos make the best leaves. I'll post of picture of the finished basket before it goes to Linda's home.