Stitching, crocheting and Christmas preparations

This year, I’ve really scaled back on Christmas activities and preparations. I think I might be suffering from a ‘perfect storm’ of ailments  rendering me exhausted. This morning occupational therapy made this brace for me and I was told to give it a complete rest. It’s my right arm and I’m right handed! It’s going to seriously hamper my stitching and sewing which were already cut back. I’m doing some of this:

It could be worse, I try to tell myself to keep my spirits up,  but not always easy.

I’m having only my son and his wife for Christmas Eve and day. They are vegetarian so no turkey. I’m doing easy stuff, a soup, cheeses, olives, baguettes and a main dish as yet undecided. Maybe filo with feta and spinach. We will go to PEI to see the grandson and family later in the week.

Yesterday, I made a gingerbread cake with cranberries and butterscotch sauce which I will freeze for Christmas dinner. Of course we did a taste test! It is a delicious , moist recipe.

I’ve been working here and there in my studio only in shorter lengths of time. I’m pleased with where I think I’m going with the seed pod.

The smaller pod top left is only resting there and will move. I’m glad I got it to this stage as my mind will rest easier . I’m not completely sure exactly how I’ll finish but have an idea.

When I want some no brainer playtime I’ve been playing with the ‘scrap box’ piece. It’s also near to finishing and will also cause no angst to sit.

I suffered through finishing this double stranded very heavy waffle stitch  afghan because it’s a Christmas gift. I love it so much if it wasn’t for my daughter, I’d be tempted to keep it. When my arm is better I will use leftovers in a different pattern.it is so weighty and warm.

I put together this small table topper (about 10 by 15”) to fit my small kitchen table in between the placemats. My machine was acting up while stitching the appliqués on so I left it and put it on the table as is, lol. No stress.

I’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas, happy holidays or whatever suits! I’m going to be taking some time off here until I do can some healing and I’m able to create again.

Some improv sewing

It’s been a bit of a slog lately -  fatigue, illness from a new med and tendinitis, lol. It’s been seriously hampering my stitching time. The doctor has switched me to an injection which will bypass the stomach, rather than a pill once a week. I just gave myself the first one and was pleasantly surprised. It was easy.

I have been sewing a little here and there but not what I’d liked to have been. Generally, I don’t sew at night; however, with my revamped sewing room, I’ve subscribed to The Quilt Show and I’ve been watching and stitching. At night, I like no brainer stuff, so I started a little improv piece just for fun. It may become a small baby quilt or simply a wall hanging.

This afternoon, I did a little cleaning and organizing. I figured out how to hang my design wall using command hooks. It had previously been screwed up. I did one half so far.

I took the rocky cliff down and laid it on a cutting board for now. There are a lot of pieces with more to come, so it’s easier laid flat. I’m anxious to finish this section and stitch the pieces on before adding it to the background I think.

Then I trimmed the seed pod and added stiff interfacing to the back. Next step, some free motion stitching for accents.

I’ve been gathering up some prints and fabrics to work with it.

This is not the finished arrangement.

The last thing is that I got the I Spy quilt ready to go to the long arm quilter this weekend. I pieced the backing fabric on the right.

I feel back on track and hope it stays! Have a great weekend.