I hope you all had a wonderful holiday time! Ours was pretty low key, but that was what we wanted. Ahren and Sara were both here for Christmas Eve and Christmas, so that was fabulous. I cannot think when I had both my kids under one roof for Christmas Eve!
Now it is time to get back into some kind of new routine. I am not one for making New Year's resolutions particularly. Oh, I always think "I vow I will be more patient" or "I promise I will eat healthier, drink less wine, get more exercise" etc etc. However, this year I think I will be doing well to take one day at a time and just try to stick to some kind of a daily schedule as much as possible. Control what I can, if you know what I mean.
This Christmas I gifted two of my sisters with the table runner of their choice, to be made under their direction in their choice of colors and design. Andrea loves pastels and a neutral color palette, and she sent me the inspiration photo above.
I had actually already collected some 3 Sisters fabrics in that exact color palette and have them on hand! These taupes are from 3 SIsters Cascade collection. Shop at home my friends, I am telling you.
How brilliant is that? I am totally good to go with Andrea's project. I will use Lori Holt's pattern for the Granny Square block. I think it will be just right for a rectangular table runner. I am so excited to get started on this project, which will be my first of 2025. How perfect to have the first finish be for a loved one. That gets things off on the right foot for the year, right?
My sister Kate wanted Halloween or Christmas as her theme, and I have an idea I think she will love. She is a complete Halloween freak, so I had to go in that direction. I had made a table runner for myself using Basic Grey's Hello Harvest collection and I have enough fabric left to make an entire quilt. Kate only wants a table runner, so I know I've got plenty for her project too. This is where I think I am going with hers:
My plan is to schedule sewing time into every morning we don't have medical appointments or some other task we have to complete. I invite you to follow my progress as I complete these two labors of love.
It's been a minute, so I will give you all a Dennis update. He continues to improve ever so slightly. He is trying very hard to use the walker more and not be totally reliant on the wheelchair. His balance is iffy, so I have to watch him carefully and be close by, but he is doing quite well I think. We hope to get another series of infusions scheduled this month as well as having him start physical therapy on a regular basis near us.
Best wishes to you all for a healthy happy 2025!
PS: Sara and I did a Best Books of 2024 podcast this weekend, so do check it out on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. Click the Reeding Between the Lines link on the right. Funny side note: I blurred out my background for the YouTube video, and it blurred out my grey hair as well! I look like a bald person. Seriously I do have a pretty full head of hair. So search for Reeding Between the Lines on YouTube for our latest podcast video.
10 Responses
I love the low-volume piece!! A friend worked on a low-volume quilt at a recent retreat, and she was so unsure of her fabric selections. But it was absolutely fabulous when she finished, and the recipient was thrilled. I’m sure yours will be a winner as well. You can’t go wrong with Three Sisters fabric.
Glad to hear the update on Dennis and praying for his healing.
I too do much better on a general schedule. I also have to carefully limit how much I use my hands to prevent pain (arthritis).
I get up and actively sew for two hours each morning.
When I finish, I lay out what I am going to do the next morning. This is key. I walk in my sewing room each morning, knowing exactly what I am going to do, with supplies at the ready.
It is shocking how much I get done on a weekly basis.
I have a friend who ended up in your exact circumstances in 2023. She and her husband moved to an apartment within a senior community. Help is always available. Services are on site. Everything is easier. There’s a full nursing home within the grounds, should either of them ever need it. They simply moved what they wanted and then had a firm come in and take care/sell everything they left and sell the house.
My in-laws did this exact move also, years ago, it was smart for them also.
Vickie
The table runners are going to be so special and pretty! Prayers for continued healing 🥰
Your sister’s are going to be great. What pattern are you using for the Halloween one? Hope Dennis improves. I know it is a big stress for you.
Your Christmas sounds wonderful, especially with your family all under the same roof. 😊 The gifts for your sisters are going to be fun to work on. It’s nice when a plan comes together. Wishing continued progress in Dennis’s recovery. It sounds like he is regaining his strength little by little. Take care. ♥️
That’s wonderful your kids were both with you on Christmas Eve! Low-key is what you needed at this time & there’s nothing wrong with that! I don’t make resolutions & it’s never hurt me…less wine? I think not! Both runners will be beautiful & I like Vickie’s ‘plan’ to sew each morning then lay out the next day’s to be ready. That would guarantee some me-time for you on days you can stay home even if it’s not two hour blocks. It sounds as if Dennis is making progress little by little so cheers to him for moving forward in 2025! Happy New Year! 🎊🎊
Such a generous and thoughtful gift! I can’t wait to watch it unfold. The fabrics you have look perfect!💕
The table runner gifts will be fast and fun for you. Just an idea for your sister that wanted Halloween or Christmas theme – you could do both! For the “backing” of the Halloween table runner, piece a Christmas runner the same size. That way she doesn’t have to put the Halloween one away, she can just flip it over and she is ready for Christmas.
Happy New Year Nicole and glad to hear that your husband continues to have improvement. Hopefully his PT will help. Really like both of the table runners you are going to make!
Love the idea of gifting them a choice of quilts and theme/color! Both of the choices are fabulous and can’t wait to see your progress! So nice to have all your kids home and having your hubby improving! Hoping 2025 is a wonderful year!