It has been a busy week - not much sewing going on!  I did finish a quilt I was quilting for a friend, and it turned out very nice.  I did a star pantograph on it, which suited it well - it is a gift for one of Sonya's family members for Christmas.  The picture doesn't do it justice - and doesn't show the quilting very well, but I know the recipient will be very happy. 

I also finished three stockings and they are now hanging on the stairs in the entry with the rest of the stockings.  It is beginning to look like Christmas around here!

I'm trying the 2011 UFO Challenge by Patchwork Penguin this year - my friend Linda said it really helped her to finish a lot of her UFO's this past year - and I started Quiltville's Roll, Roll Cotton Boll mystery - so I have plenty to work on!  I never get bored!  If only I had a couple more hours each day!

Hubby worked on the playhouse for the grandkids today - he is putting the door on.  We need to do a little more outside painting once he gets that done, and then we'll tackle the inside painting and finish the inside trim.  Hubby has to build the steps to the loft yet, but he has them designed.  My youngest grandson said he wanted to pick the inside colors - he wanted Granddad's favorite colors - red and black.  (My husband is a graduate of Texas Tech - those are the school colors!)  You can be sure that those colors will somehow be incorporated in the decorating scheme - what grandson wants - grandson usually gets from granddad!

Christmas is coming

I really do love Christmas - but I'm a little stressed right now.  I am working on a couple of new stockings for new family members (OK - Matthew is almost 5 now, and he is one of those family members missing a stocking!)  But the shopping is almost done, and the house is decorated (almost).  My husband mentioned to the grown children that we might not put the big tree up this year, and the kids came over and helped get it done!  Maybe the Christmas fairies will come this weekend and finish what needs to be done. 

My daughter and son-in-law and family will be here next week - we are very excited.  It has been a while since they came for Christmas.  We have plans for a family portrait to be made and for lots of fun "Family Game Nights" while they are here! Can't wait!  I'm stocking up on easy to prepare meals, and trying to catch up at work so I can take off a lot while they are here. 

The annual Christmas party for my quilting group is tonight and I'm getting ready to make some graham cracker praline bars to take - they are yummy.  The food is always wonderful at this party - these women are such fantastic cooks, and I enjoy their company so much.  It will be a relaxing evening.