Sunday, December 8, 2019

Merry Making

"It's coming on Christmas. They're cutting down trees. They're putting up reindeer and singing songs of joy and peace." - Joni Mitchell


We bought the tree and all the lights are on. We'll get it trimmed later tonight. A small portion of the house is decorated. I've brought out the Christmas dishes and the Christmas cds. I'm a little late. Seems like I should have been doing this weeks ago and here I'm just getting started.


I love Christmas. I love all the craziness, the shopping, the decorating, the cooking, the snow - if we're lucky.  If I choose to, I can make all of that stressful. But long ago I decided that what I need to focus on is actually enjoying and reflecting on the holiday, slowing down, taking time for myself and being with family and friends, doing the things I love the most around this time -  making things, baking a little, listening to music, not worrying about buying gazillions of presents or finding the perfect ones and just stressing out in general about the small stuff. If something doesn't get done, then it doesn't get done. 



Do you get the bug to make things right before Christmas? It's a good way to de-stress and get into the holiday spirit. Try a little simple stitching. This is a Gail Pan design from her book Christmas Patchwork Loves Embroidery. It's a sweet little book full of Christmas projects.


Here's my wool tree skirt for a mini tree. The pattern is on my website. I've got some other cute Christmas things there and in my Etsy shop .


How about a simple little present pincushion? Free pattern on my website.


Making things is good. Helps you slow down and enjoy the holiday a little bit.

Have you made any little trees yet? EVERYONE seems to be making these. There's a free paper-pieced pattern in Files in my Facebook group and I think it's also on my website. There's another one using flying geese.

"It's coming on Christmas, I'm cutting up trees . . . "










I often put things off until the last minute and then usually stay up late at night the week before Christmas, struggling to finish last minute things. Sometimes that's part of the fun. The house is quiet and I can relax and sew. These trees don't take long at all. 

                 
If you're new to my blog and haven't seen my little redwork stitcheries, try visiting my website (link above) or my Etsy shop for the pattern. They're also pretty quick. 



Merry Making!





18 comments:

Sandy said...

Darling little projects, Kathy. I might need to make them all!

Unknown said...

So many cute things to make am going to start after i get my gifts done for next year i promise

Susie said...

Love the trees and must have a go at some of them but in the New Year now!! I, too, stress to get things done and this year have made a determined effort not to be and try and get things done early and so far it is working but I am sure the week before Christmas I will be running around!!! Merry Christmas. Hugs Susie xx

sue bennett said...

Love the trees Kathy. All of them. The red quilt in one of the photos is gorgeous. Thanks for everything you do for us.

quiltgrannie said...

I am always waiting till the last minute to start working on my gifts. My problem is I keep changing my mind on what to make for who!! Love all your cute trees Kathy, Merry Christmas!!!

marian said...

I love making ornies and small Christmas stitcheries this time of year.. I find it very enjoyable and relaxing. Which reminds me, I must make a few more of those sweet little trees. Christmas baking is another one of my fav pastimes too... I just love the smell of spices permeating through the house.

Beth French said...

Merry Christmas! I love those little projects. I made some tiny cushions earlier this year after being inspired by you. Time for me to make a couple Christmasy ones for a quilting friend or two.

Candee said...

I was just having a little reminder chat with myself this morning about this very same thing. Have a wonderful Christmas season Kathy!

Anonymous said...

kathleen, what's your secret to not stressing over gift buying? Love those little trees.

Marcia said...

The trees are just the little thing I needed for a small quitting group. I only need 10 of them. Quick from scraps in many colors.
So glad to see you posting more often on your blog. I don't do Facebook or instagram and enjoy you comments of pattern ideas.
Marcia

Tina J. said...

Love all of the projects and your attitude about enjoying Christmas and reflecting on the important things. Merry Christmas to you!

QuiltGranma said...

Years ago I paper pieced little trees, not sure if they were yours, and without binding I turned them into ornaments/gift tags with a ribbon loop at the top of the pieced tree. I think it is time for me to make some more!

Marcia said...

Read about trees just in time. Had saved the flying geese tree a couple years ago, but really love the simple one you show here. I have made six that have been given so far and have started on ten more for sharing with my small quilting group that does Christmas in early January. Fun to make and they go together quickly. Using lots of different scrapes of fabric.
Thanks for inspiration.
Marcia

Sam I Am...... said...

I love your blog and didn't know you had one! I also have a problem. I bought a pattern from you...little scrappy hearts and I paid for it using Paypal but I have no idea where the pattern is. My email is not working so I cannot receive or send as I need to create a new one...long story...I converted to fiber here at my house so I lost my old email. Anyway, is that where it went? I wasn't thinking. I guess I thought it would be mailed. I was so excited to get the pattern....duh! Anyway, how can we resolve this? Can I pay more for a mailed version? I hope you read this as it is the only way I have of contacting you at the moment. So sorry to cause you this inconvenience. I will check back here to see if you've replied. Thank you!

Kathleen Tracy said...

Sam I Am - The only way I can check if you purchased a pattern from me is by giving me your name, your address, the e-mail address you must have used to purchase it and if you have any idea when it was purchased. That particular pattern would have been mailed since I do not typically offer instant .pdf downloads for my patterns. Let me know and I will see what I can find.

Sam I Am...... said...

Oh, awesome! It is Sandra Licher, 812 Leewood Drive, Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas 72512. My old, non-usable email is slicher@centurytel.net and I used Paypal and ordered yesterday. I think the total was around $9. If you typically mail then I am so grateful! I am looking forward to receiving it. Let me know if you need any other info like phone #. I'm so excited to quilt that little quilt. I wish it was a kit as I love the fabrics you used. I also really like your blog and the little tree blocks are precious! Thank you so much! My birthday is on the 4th of January so this was a little present to MOI! LOL! Have a great day and again thank you so much!

Kathleen Tracy said...

Sandra - Yes, I received your order yesterday. I was looking through my orders throughout this year for someone named Sam and it didn't occur to me that that one was from you. It was put together yesterday and will be mailed out today. No worries. Happy Birthday!

Sam I Am...... said...

Thank you, Kathleen! Happy New Year! I loof forward to doin ga lot of quiting this coming year.....little ones.

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