Helping Mom

Mom is working on table decorations for the dining room for her retirement village. Yes, she's working ahead and making Christmas trees. She came up with the idea of using spool pin doilies as tree skirts. Isn't that a great idea?

Mom is weaving the squares and putting the decorations together, and I'm helping her out by crocheting the spool pin doilies for her. I finished the first five today... only 45 to go!

I must not be concentrating while tatting. I had to tat the lavender motif two times. Luckily, I have enough thread!

I started putting together the things I want to take with me to the Twin Cities Tatters retreat next week. I have so many works in progress, it's difficult to choose. Right now I'm organizing the projects I have and then I'll be able to decide which ones to take with me.

My day wouldn't be complete without an Ice Drop! I had just enough thread left on the shuttle from yesterday's Ice Drop. I thought you might like to see the back of the shuttle decorated by Sarah. I love it!

Rewrite

I spent a good part of the day rewriting my Ice Drop Tutorial with the help of my granddaughter Eva. I've had several requests for more information and better pictures. Hopefully, this version does the trick. Would you do me a favor and let me know if the link takes you to the updated tutorial?

This is the Ice Drop I tatted for the tutorial. I'm so glad my friend Denise requested red and white ornaments for the library Christmas tree. Seeing all the variations in red and white made me want some of my own!

Another Christmas tree has been added to my forest! I'm up to ten!

Ready for quilting

I had a busy day today!

Dave found our very old tree skirt yesterday. I've been meaning to replace it for years. My daughters always loved it, but it is very faded, and the backing is falling apart. I haven't been able to find one I like in the right size, so I decided to make one today.

Aren't these Santas cute?

The reverse side is candy canes. I like the idea of a reversible tree skirt. I can change my mind, and that's always a plus!

It looks kind of boring to me right now, so I plan on doing some hand quilting. It will be fine for now, and when I want to do something little different, I can just pick up the tree skirt and do a little quilting!

I finished another pin loom tree today! Granddaughter Eva chose the colors for this one. I have nine finished. I planned on having twenty for Christmas in the Village, but I'm not sure I can meet that goal. Maybe I can have a dozen. I can be happy with that.

Since the first tree skirt went together so well, I decided to make another one this afternoon. I'm using up pieces of batting left over from other projects. The cotton fabric isn't as smooth on this tree skirt, but I think it will look fine once it's quilted.

The back is tiny little holly leaves. If I have time, I think I'll make another tomorrow. Dave put two Christmas trees upstairs, and I think they need tree skirts. I have plenty of Christmas fabric, so I might as well keep going!

Dave insisted on having a second little tree on top of the entertainment center. It was missing something, so I decided to crochet a star tree topper. I found a free ornament pattern online. I crocheted two, sewed them together, and had my tree topper!

 I was afraid it might be too large, but Dave liked it, so it's fine with me!

My day wouldn't be complete without an Ice Drop. I've gone back to the basic pattern, because I can finish them much more quickly. I have so many more Ice Drop combinations I want to try. I just need more time!
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Monday, Monday

I did my best to get back on track with crafting today.

Today was a two Ice Drop day.

I've gone back to the basic pattern as I can complete them much more quickly.

I also finished another Christmas tree this morning. I've added a little star button to the top. Isn't it cute?

Slow tatting day

It was a slow tatting day with only one Ice Drop completed, but I was very productive in other ways.

I worked on little Christmas trees for Christmas in the Village, which is only two weeks away. I really shouldn't take pictures when it's dark outside. The colors just don't show up. This one is two layers of a forest green with sparkly purple in the middle. I want to do a little more embellishing, but I haven't completely figured out how to bring my ideas to life!

I worked some on Christmas stockings. I need to piece fabric for the back of the stockings, and then I'll decide if I have time to hand quilt the stockings or if I'll do a quick job with the sewing machine. Maybe I'll do a combination of both!

I really meant to sort through some of my craft stash yesterday, but I was having so much fun working in my clean space that I sort of forgot!