Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Not just for the gorgeous foliage or the every thing pumpkin spice ~ yum ~ but as the weather turns cooler with more time indoors, I find it so much easier to have lots going on.
I participate in two different sew alongs. A HQAL, where I am working on a hand quilting project – The Dahlia Project and a SAL with a great Halloween cross stitch in progress but I have also been busy with a few other projects.
5 daughters will each get 2 dish towels this year. I’ve have 9 completed with this one just finished.

This years passion has been cross stitch Christmas cards. I had done one last year that was sent to my Uncle. He absolutely loved it. With this year filled with so much uncertainty, filled with social distancing, and actually not even getting together with friends, I thought these would really make the perfect non gift, gift to say you’ve been thought of and are special to me. Here are 3 of the latest completed.


These 2 Current cards are 5 x 7 and came in a set of 4. I have 2 more to do.

I just picked up these 2 Hannukah cross stitch cards off of eBay and am excited to get started on them. (about 6.50 ea give or take) I would have liked a couple more but only spotted these 2 at this price.

And some tiny pillows for gift giving using The Friendship Star pattern will make perfect friendship gifts.

Keeping me busy, as if I haven’t been busy enough, is a lap quilt for a friend. Using the Friendship Star pattern, I started this on Monday and have completed 8, 9″ blocks. I think 12 blocks may be enough with the added sashing, I’ll see. These blocks, a first for me, have been machine assembled and not hand stitched. When I get to quilting her though, she will be hand quilted 🙂 No idea on the backing yet.

The last on my doing list is this pinwheel block pattern baby quilt. I have been working on it through this last year. The blocks are all hand stitched with the sashing done by machine. I still have 1 more strip to piece together. I had used this pattern and material before in another baby quilt. With a few extra blocks I just kept going and made some more blocks, enough for this second quilt. She will be hand quilted.

It’s been a crazy year for so many. Blogging, reading and following blogs has been so important these past 10 months. It’s kept me focused on not being bored, one of the greatest complaints I have heard from friends. Along with keeping me busy, it’s connected me to those who share a similar passion.
I have been thinking about how the holidays, traditionally, can be a very difficult time for many regardless of this being the year of COVID. I want to make a little extra effort to connect with friends and family this holiday season.
You have been stitching all sorts of yummy things, Sharon! You nearly have those towels done now, they are so cute, your girls will love them as will the recipients of the cross stitched cards. 🙂 That Friendship Star block is so versatile, and it always makes nice blocks, yours are wonderful! The pinwheel is going to be a pretty thing, I love the colors on that!
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Thank you so much Kathy. I have had lots of time and fun working on all these projects. I am loving the Friendship Star. I made my very first and only one participating in Kate’s Ovarian Cancer Quilt project. Needing something perfect for friendship – the obvious choice 🙂
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well done for being so well-prepared for xmas this year, Sharon! I can now proudly say I’ve begun . . . making lists, making a few gifts, and even bought a couple of gifts already too.
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TY Claire…so glad to read you have a started too. It feels good, doesn’t it 🙂
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well we need to start some time and I’d rather be able to take my time than to have to rush.
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Oh the lovely things for Christmas! You are on the roll… me I haven’t even thought that way yet.
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Thank you Deb. With lots of time on my hands this year it was easy to get a jump start. Hope your not to far behind and gets to start soon 🙂
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I love your idea of making that personal connection this season, AND that you prepared in advance and are actually doing it! I seem to have made plans, but haven’t followed through on many lately. You have the sweetest spirit and I hope we get to meet in person some day!
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You’re to kind Susan, but wouldn’t that be simply wonderful to meet 🙂
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Late as always! You do such beautiful cross stitch work and projects. Lucky daughters to have a Mom who is a crafter!!! Hugs
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Never late – Thank you Nanette.
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