Yesterday I finished up the Christmas sewing gifts, the rest of the bowl cozies, but mostly embroidering a few stockings, a few ornaments and a fun bookmark. The bookmark was done on card-stock, or watercolor paper as that is what I had. It took a while to stitch, but it’s pretty and functional. My MIL reads a lot of “real” books, so I think she’ll appreciate it. I still have one more knitted hat to finish before 12-25, but I’m half way through, and closing in on the decreases at the crown. I also cleared off my sewing table while the embroidery machine was working, and was able to wrap all my gifts on the clean wide open surface. I have an adjustable height desk top under my cutting mat, which makes wrapping a breeze. So much better than kneeling on the floor to wrap (as I did last week) – ugh, even my husband commented on how he couldn’t imagine doing that.

My long arm is in need of repair. Last week it was acting up, and I updated all its software, which made it communicate with the robotics again, but now it seems to have a mechanical issue. The upper thread tension assembly seems to stick in the closed position. Definitely not conducive to sewing more than 10 stitches at a time. As is the way of things, I had about 10 more inches of the Spider and The Fly quilt to finish. I’m going to call my dealer tomorrow, they are closed today, and see if he can come out and fix it. It is really hard for me to take it off the frame, put it in the car and bring it to his shop.

I am sewing today, I have a block from the Reunion BOM quilt to do, and I think I want to start something new. I bought these small panels earlier this year, and thought they would look pretty as lap quilts with the coordinating fabrics (left overs from a different quilt). The panels are 18″ x 22″, FQ size, which makes adding blocks easier. I will have to fire up the EQ7 and try to remember how to use it effectively.

The Newcastle Bouquet is finished, and the frame I ordered for it arrived. It would be nice to finish putting it together today. The other cross stitch piece that is for a gift, has been finished for a few weeks, and the frame I ordered for it isn’t here yet. Strange because I ordered it before the frame for the NB piece. Hope it gets here before New Years, as that is when the recipients will be leaving.

It’s pouring down rain today, I have to go to the post office, and maybe buy some food for this upcoming week. First sewing!

Be Kind.