Holiday, Practice, and the Blues

I don't know if  I just can't get into the holidays or there is just sadness around me that jumps out.  I told you about my sister-in-law Amanda but shortly after that my step children found out that they are losing their mom to cancer. Cancer is one of the things we never want to hear.  I feel for these young adults.  I lost my mom when I was in my 30's and it was devastating to say the least. 

I have been working some on projects that have been started.  For Christmas my grandson will have a new stocking I have made for him.

 

All the handwork is finished.  Now I just need to get it put together!

 

This little guy just turned 2 in October just as his mother found out she was losing her mom.  He is such a cute little guy and I am sad for him.  Of coarse he has no idea what is going on but one day I know he will wish he had of known her.

 

 

 

 

I don't want to leave out Roxy.  She will be 6 soon.  My how the years pass.  I have not seen her in a long time.  I miss her terribly.  I will be making her something for Christmas too!

 

Roxy is my little cow girl!

 

I have also been free motion quilting. I worked on feathers some. I really am attracted to them so I really need a whole lot of practice on them. I discovered I was really trying to make them way to big for what I could handle. So I made them smaller and have had more success in doing them. So if you find you have less control on a big thing try smaller.

 

 

I am also working on a practice piece that is a table runner. It is still a work in progress. I have some ripping out to do and I have learned still more. Thread Thread Thread!!!! You thread and needles make such a difference. On this runner I am going crazy with the thread. It is not quality and it just doesn’t sew nice. I have now tried the threads from Superior. I am using Magnifico. I love it.
 

As you can see I marked the blocks from the one above.  I only did the center and the first flower. 

 

The one above will be torn out and redone.  I just don't like it.  I may do something else there.  It is just a practice piece so it does not have to be perfect.  I keep telling myself I am a beginner after all.  You can not expect to be perfect in anything you ever do but at least try to.  I still have a long way to go before I could give anyone my free motion quilting.

I also won some sewing needles from my favorite blogger. They are SUPERIOR Titanium-coated Topstitch Needles #90/14. I have not really gotten to use them quite yet but I will. Thank you Leslie from http://marvelesartstudios.blogspot.com/ Please check her out.  She is very talented.  She has inspired me tremendously!