Let's Be Honest

Does anyone feel it? You know that little nugget taking root in the pit of your stomach - that will grow as the holiday season gets closer.  That "will I get everything done" knot that you swear up and done won't be there next year, nope - that you will never be in this position again - next year you will start earlier, be more organized and calmer, so you can enjoy the season.  Well sweet peeps I've got the nugget, threatening to grow if I don't get my act together, LOL.  I remember last year after the holidays when I made the GRAND statement that the next holiday season would be a "handmade holiday", making gifts for the special people in my life.  Well I do believe I'm chewing on those words right now and not liking the taste.  Time is running out isn't it.  How did we get from Thanksgiving to December 9th in 2 point 2 nano seconds.  I haven't even really thought about gifts yet - although there are kernels of ideas popping in my head - that is at least a start.  So this morning I started my list again - yes again because I lost my last list, LOL, but this notebook is a large one and harder for even me to lose.  Anyway I will continue to add to it and hopefully crossing off of it as well.  Part of this notebook will be goals for next year - not resolutions to break but goals that need to be worked on and hopefully achieved over the course of 2009.  I will be 50 (lordy how can that be, LOL) in February and I would like to go into the New Year not talking about change but actually working on that change resulting in a more organized calmer self.  AMEN sisters on that note.

You remember my sweet friend Faye who I told you is one of the woolies who broke her leg.  Well she just went through her 2nd surgery yesterday.  Due to some complications she was transferred down to Minneapolis over the weekend to another hospital where it sounds like they fixed her up right.  Without getting into detail she has had a rough time since this has all started, lots of complications.  I know she would love it if you could leave a comment wishing her well.  It would brighten up her day and mine.  She's a sweetheart who needs a little ray of sunshine.  Miss you Faye :)

Soooo last night was the annual holiday dinner with the sewing peeps that I host. Yes I know the tablecloth color doesn't match the color of the dishes - but hey I was determined to use what I already have, LOL.  Besides it was dark when they got here and maybe they didn't notice, I kept the lights down low, LOL
 

We've quit exchanging gifts with each other, although I miss that (hey peeps maybe we need to bring that back).  So last night was just a nice dinner with scintillating conversation.

I put them to work on a little stitchery that I traced for them

and they all finished them up to take home and do whatever their blessed little hearts want to.  Just a simple little mitten design from Buttermilk Basin

YAHOO Peeps - you rocked it and got it done. 

A little show and tell from a couple of the peeps last night - and forgive me I can't remember the name of the table topper, the little bag is a This an That pattern

I've been working on a little sewing for my Christmas swap with Anne, so I can't show my projects - but soon.  Anne has even met the challenge I set forth on completing the Jan Patek Girl Gang first block - you rock chick.  I promise - yes I really do -  I promise to post both blocks by December 31st because this chick refuses to get behind on the sucker.

I did finish my tree skirt tho in time to actually use it this year - it's Buggy Barn pattern

So now I will go write in my notebook my goal for the Girl Gang blocks - hmmmmm where did I put that notebook.

Until Next Time

Comments

[Carla Finley]

Great photos. Looks like you had a good time. You have a beautiful large home. Love the snowman.

[kim]

i love all the projects!! the mitten stitchery is sooo cute!! you made the tree skirt?? wow girl!! thats great!!!

[GrammyLinda/BehindMyRedDoor]

Oh yes, I always have that feeling. I do it to myself - expect too much, plan too much and then something like dental surgery gets throw in! Hardly anyone on my list cares about homemade so I long ago gave up that notion. See being 4 years older than you makes me 4 years wiser! LOL

LOVE the tree skirt and the stitchery!

I DH promised me a new computer as a get well present so I'll answer your email when it is up and running!

hugs, Linda

[Colleen]

Faye.... heal up fast! Karen wants you back with her woolies :o) I will say a little prayer for a speedy recovery for you!

Love the tree skirt, Karen! So cute! And what a cute little stitchery of the mittens! Hope you are staying warm! We have had a ton of snow here in Wisconsin.

[Carrie]

Your gathering looks like it was alot of fun, I be thinking you get alot more done than you give yourself credit. Make 2lists, what I've done, My goals! You are running circles around me!!! Your peeps mitten stitcheries are cute.
Hugs, Carrie

[rohanknitter]

I'm so sorry to hear your friend has had to go through more with her leg -Faye I hope you recover quickly and it's all downhill from here!

I know what you mean about that knot - we are hosting Chrismtas with the farmers family THIS weekend!! And there's so many cute things I'd like to make but I know there is not really time, if only I'd learn to start early!

[julie]

Ohhh--you put into words just how I have felt. I am doing better this year than in the past, but still have a bit of anxiety about everything that still needs to get done. YOur little stitcheries are great--how fun. I am president of my quilt group for the coming year. I think for January I will do a simple stitchery like that to start the year off with a FINISHED project. Have a great day. Oh, I love that Christmas tree skirt--I have the pattern, but it won't sit under or tree THIS year--maybe next!! Julie

[Carol]

What a fun night with the quilting peeps...Faye hope your feeling better really soon. Yes you are so right...I think someone pulled some days out of the calendar...I know Thanksgiving was just yesterday.

[Joan]

Looks like you had a great time. Time does seem to have flown in December.Still have so much to do and like you I had planned to start earlier.
Hope your friend Faye gets to feel better soon.

[Caroline]

Wonderful photos as always with lots of eye candy to look at! Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Faye.
Caroline

[Rhonda from Minnesota]

Best Wishes to Faye on a speedy and healthy recovery!

Karen. I LOVE your tree skirt!

[janie]

Hope faye feels better very soon.

I feel that same knot. This year I am very behind in everything related to Christmas. Yikes!!!!

Love the tree skirt. Your party looked like fun. Good luck on your preparations, janie

[kathie]

loved the pictures, the tree skirt looks wonderful, love the mitten stitcheries, what a fun project for you to have ready for them just to stitch. Great idea!
what if you just did a grab bag idea you make one present (or buy it) quilt related of course! then play some sort of game to see who gets what package...
have done this and its a lot of fun especially when you can steal presents from someone who picked something already.
Of course the presents that were wrapped the best everyone wanted!

[Pat]

Karen, looks like a lovely evening. I missed your last post and will go have a look at it. Busy Busy Busy! I think we are just about finished. Still have those pesky three game gifts to pick up. When I found most of them before Thanksgiving I really patted myself on the back...then got stuck on trying to figure out the last three!

Sending out get well wishes to Faye. Hope you are in fine shape soon!!

[Kathy]

Hi Karen,
You hit it right on the nail. I always resolve to be more prepared and my husband always comments on how I get so worked up this time of year. I think it's a "woman" thing - we want to do it all.... and it's just not possible. We get through it and I know our families appreciate all we do. You keep inspiring us and we love you for it.
Faye, I will include you in my prayers. Gods Blessings To All In Blog Land

[Louise Murphy]

Oh my....homemade gifts..what were you thinking?? Poor Faye, I do hope this does not linger on too long for her. I am always overwhelmed about the Christmas cards..I can never just sign our name..always got to be that little note/letter I write..hmm. You are right I think it is a woman thing.
Louise

[Bonnie]

Hi Karen, first I'll say to Faye, get well soon my thoughts and prayers are going your way.
Love the tree skirt and the stars in the first photo. You girls look like ya are having fun.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

[Lorraine]

Every year as the holidays approach I too have that little knot that just appears and grows as the day gets closer and I just know I am not going to be ready!! It has only just dawned on me that not everyone likes handmade items....and here I was trying to make everyone something....so now it is the stitch 'n bitch girls who get handmade and a couple " of the girls at work who like the stuff I make....the grandies are all getting books this year...I have warned their parents that I am going to be the boring granny who always gives them books....but they were actually pleased! so that makes it easy!! the little knot is not growing any bigger this year!! woo hooooo!

[Darlene]

Oh, I understand about the little knot growing in your tummy - it's happening to me, too. I need to make a list of things I want to do and work on it for NEXT YEAR. It's too late for me. LOL

I'm so sorry that your friend, Faye is experiencing challenges - I hope all goes well and she's up and around very, very soon!

I would gladly come to a Peeps Party and bring gifts. teehee! Can I come, can I, please????? LOL

[Pam Hines]

I'm new here and love reading your blog and watching your home get built...Looks like you all had a wonderful time...and your plates look fine with the tablecloth..Like I always say~*~Whatever~*~it will be fine!
Merry Christmas~*~Birdy

[Audrey]

Faye, I really hope you heal fast. It is not the time of year to be laid up! Karen, can I be one of your peeps? You always look like you are having great fun! I agree with Lorraine, it seems like we don't give homemade things to the people who would really appreciate them - our sewing buddies!

[Denise]

Love that snowman....love, love, love it! I also love your blog I check in regularly to see if you have any new posts and your home is so darn cute! Who is the maker of that cute snowman? I dragged my hubby in here to see it and told him that I was going to ask santa for one....If you can help a santa out please let us know who makes it or where to purchase it..... he sure would appreciate it, thanks!

[charline]

WONDERFULL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nanette]

What a fun party at the Farmhouse! The table cloth and dishes didn't bother me a bit! THat knot in your stomach is catchy. EEP

[Thimbleanna]

Man Karen -- I think we're all living parallel lives! I was so sad last year 'cause I didn't get some ornaments done that I wanted to do and I vowed this would be the year and -- yep, no ornament time this year either. Everytime I turn around that knot slaps me and reminds me of some little thing I wanted to make or do that there won't be time for. Yet when I'm thinking in August that I should get started, my mind draws a blank.

Looks like you quilty peeps had a great time. How fun to all sew on the same thing. My quilty peeps and I don't exchange gifts anymore either and I really miss it. We used to always make stuff for each other and I really treasure those gifts! Your dinner table looks great with MY dishes LOL! (Did I tell you we lived 30 minutes from the factory in Germany??? Yeah, I'm sure I did, just try to tolerate the alzheimer's -- your turn is coming in Feb!)

[katherine]

Hope you are getting some more things crossed off your list!! Your tree skirt is wonderful, you must have been soooo happy to finish that up, love the colors. The table looks beautiful too, wish I were one of the peeps :o) Cute snowman too....hugs, kathy

[Karen Beigh (Log Cabin Quilter)]

I love the stars that are made crazy quilt style!
And, Miss Faye, you told me you were ready to break out of the joint and here you are still laid up. Hope you are now fixed good as new so you can get back to partying with The Peeps (I think that is such a cute name for your group.).

[Karen Beigh (Log Cabin Quilter)]

I love the stars that are made crazy quilt style!
And, Miss Faye, you told me you were ready to break out of the joint and here you are still laid up. Hope you are now fixed good as new so you can get back to partying with The Peeps (I think that is such a cute name for your group.).

[Jean]

Karen,
I feel your pain----and don't lose that note book. I must have a dozen started somewhere! Ms. Faye's computer is not turning on, so she hasn't seen much for e-mail. We were hoping to go see her this weekend, but the the weather wanting to be so bad I guess we aren't going. See you Thur.--Jean

[Jacque]

First visit here (cannot remember which links I followed to get here) and I just wanted to say that this is a blog I will come back to. Looks like you are one busy lady, what with your decorating and quilting, etc. I am actually ahead of the game this year on gift-making, so that pleases me.

Oh, and I gotta know...how did you get those 'frames' around your photos in your header???

[Jacque]

First visit here (cannot remember which links I followed to get here) and I just wanted to say that this is a blog I will come back to. Looks like you are one busy lady, what with your decorating and quilting, etc. I am actually ahead of the game this year on gift-making, so that pleases me.

Oh, and I gotta know...how did you get those 'frames' around your photos in your header???

[Jacque]

First visit here (cannot remember which links I followed to get here) and I just wanted to say that this is a blog I will come back to. Looks like you are one busy lady, what with your decorating and quilting, etc. I am actually ahead of the game this year on gift-making, so that pleases me.

Oh, and I gotta know...how did you get those 'frames' around your photos in your header???

[Jacque]

Hi...this is my first visit here and I am loving your blog! Love your decorating and your quilting...friends and all.

And, I would love to know how you did the photos in the header?