Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Thank you all, Gentle Readers, who took the time to comment on my last blog post, in which I displayed a soupcon of insecurity, having lost five "followers" in one fell swoop last week.  I haven't had this many comments on a single post in a very long time -- perhaps never.  I could feel the love and support, and I appreciate every bit of it.  Resolved: to "Be Margaret" (in the words of Happiness Guru, Gretchen Rubin - the first of her "Twelve Commandments" for happiness, in fact)...for it's probably the one thing I can do that no-one else can!  :-)

And so here we are...two sleeps before Christmas Day.  The makings of the sourdough dinner rolls are in the bread-maker; soon a batch of pastry will be made and turned into my version of Bumbleberry Pie.



The third refugee quilt top is finished...   (The white 'thing' you see in the photo below is the edge of my sewing table, as the top is on my design wall, immediately to the left of the table.)

"Simply Scraps" - pattern by Judy Turner
from Successful Scrap Quilts,
Martingale & Co., 2002

...and I am well on the way to finishing a fourth.  I decided I wanted to make this one a 'Rail Fence', using 2" squares and creating 5" blocks.  I'm laying them out in 8 rows of 6 blocks, and then will add borders.  The fabrics (a loaves-and-fishes-style miracle in my sewdio or perhaps simply evidence of an outrageous stash!) continue to be wild and improbable...leading me to give this one a title: "Off the Rails"!

"Off the Rails" initial fabric audition on the design wall

I'm thinking the refugee recipient(s) will undoubtedly be cozy under these cuddle quilts...but able to nap?  Highly unlikely!  (grin)

On the knitting front, the Project-That-Cannot-Be-Named is finished, as are the mittens for my son:

Pattern: "Simple Finger-less Mitts" - from Tinksdarkerside on Ravelry
Yarn: Berocco Boboli Lace, Colour #4395 - "Tree Swing"

And I am madly working on a matching neck-warmer.  Due to the light spin on this yarn, I threw out the idea of replicating the Trestle Neck Warmer that I made for my nephew, and am going with a simpler ribbed cowl --  "Just Try It!" by Susan Ashcroft (also on Ravelry).  With only 4 rows done, and signs of some sort of tendonitis flaring in my left shoulder/elbow and hand (hot packs and liniment being judiciously applied, along with the occasional analgesic)...my son might just find an IOU for this under the tree instead!

Speaking of trees...the wee table-topper is up, and survived a day alone with Miss Pooks while I went to work yesterday.  I'm so proud of her!

Tree 2015
Quilt: Log Cabin, ca 1978; machine-pieced
by my Aunt Alice Rennie (1907 - 2002)
and hand-quilted by her friends

I don't expect to have time to post again before The Day, so, Gentle Readers, whoever and wherever you are, I send you my thanks for your faithful following of these pages and your kind comments...and I wish you and yours all the joy and peace this blessed season brings.  Merry Christmas!

Until later...I'm linking up with The Needle and Thread Network's WIP Wednesday -- and to Nina Marie's Off the Wall Friday and leave you with a wee bit o' merry music, courtesy of the Irish Rovers...


O tidings of Comfort and Joy,
Comfort and Joy...
O tidings of Comfort and Joy!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Happiest Christmas Margaret - thank you for all of the many things you do ahead of your own needs and wishes for all of us and for the many people you both know and love to support! Many blessings as you enter the New Year!
Bethany
xxo

Sheila said...

Love your quilts , nothing quite as nice as a scrappy quilt ! Sounds like your holiday plans are well under way , the pie sounds yummy . Merry Christmas to you and yours .

Kate said...

You have had a busy week, and lots to show for it. Given someone the yarn and needles, instead of the finished item is almost a Christmas tradition around here. Try not to sweat it. Just enjoy the family time.

Unknown said...

Enjoy your family, Margaret. Have a wonderful Christmas. I always enjoy your posts - another form of giving.

Susan

elle said...

Blessings, Margaret! I also like Gretchen and that first quilt is smashing!!

quiltedfabricart said...

Merry Christmas! Bumble berry pie looks divine. The refugee quilts are intriguing. I work with many refugees and we have a large refugee community where I live. I'll have to look at some of your older posts where I'm sure you explain where they are going.

Judy Martin said...

Dear Margaret
Just want to say merry Christmas and to thank you for your authentic blog.

I am interested in the refugee quilts. They are quite an under taking and are beautifully done.

xo

Maggi said...

Still being productive I see. That Bumbleberry pie is making my mouth water.

Regina B Dunn said...

I hope you had a joyous Christmas. It's wonderful you are taking the time to make quilts for the refugees. The ones who get one from you will so appreciate them.

Giddings Art said...

I had never heard of Bumbleberry pie before I started following your blog. Like Maggi, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Your refugee quilts are lovely and I love the finger-less mitts. I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas!

Jo Ferguson said...

The quilts are wonderful and it's so nice they're going to a good cause. You've inspired me to set a goal to make two charity quilts, this year.