12 Days of Christmas: Day 1

Well, we're not going to make it to Christmas in just twelve days which - believe you me - is a massive relief! But here you go: Christmas Decorations at my house



And our first tree of the Season:

Ironing - German Style

In Germany, if you are a good housekeeper, you send your sheets and table linens away to be ironed. Usually, dry cleaners will accept your linens and steam press them on large contraptions. Much cheaper than having them ironed by hand and much less stressful that ironing them yourself.

This is what they use:


Per sheet, I pay approx $1,20 and get smooth crisp linen, lovely! It's difficult to find these places these days because it's staff intensive work. But sooo worth it.

Long Lost Fabric Finds Way Home ...

Huh? you may wonder ... remember all that lovely fabric I bought in August? Approx 6.5 yards of lovely cotton that seemed really summery because one was a floral? And I spent so much money on it ... well, I washed it and then sent it off to be ironed. And they lost it!!! $115 worth of fabric ... Oh no!

But: today, I went in to pick up some different ironing that needed doing and guess what we found: my long lost treasure. What a good day I'm having and the sun's shining too.

Edited to add: There it is, all washed and wrinkle-free ...

Did I say: two out of three?

Wrong, it's three out of three!!! Due in April, June and July.

As for all the ideas, thank you so much! I'm not much of a themed fabric person but the suggestion with four patch and uni gave me an idea that I ran with for a while. Then I had my own idea (squares, see below) that was quickly substituted by Carol ... I will make a big star, just one and line the whole thing with a fleece blanket.

This will also be the backing of choice for the baby quilt for our April baby. I've had safari themed fabric (did I actually say: I'm not much of a themed fabric gal?), namely two returns of desert animals, a sandy desert print and a grassy pampas print. I'll do a design and post it as soon as I get my Christmas act together!

Got it!

Inspiration hit! I will make a very classic quilt using a set of bed sheets I bought for the purpose of making something for baby's mum. One side of the set is striped, the other one has big flowers and I will just make a quilt of squares with a nice border in a solid colour. Machine pieced, hand quilted.

Baby Boomers ... INSPIRATION NEEDED!

Not only am I way behind on my personal projects, all of a sudden, two out of three of my closest girl friends are pregnant at 35 and 38 respectively. They are first-time mums and obviously that calls for baby quilts!

I have had the material for one baby's quilt for years now, always waiting for mum to get knocked up ('scuse me!). So that's sorted. Mercifully, it's the first to arrive.

But with baby two, I'm stumped. She's a trained chef, though no longer working in that field, he's a hockey coach. I cannot make anything too complicated for lack of time! And I have zero idea! Any and all ideas are welcome!

Burning the Candle at both Ends

OK, so who stole the past six weeks? Where have they gone?

We've been away on holiday for about two of them and away for almost a week at my in-laws (how fun!). Plus the endless washing, a lot of work at my prime client's business and getting a new business together plus keeping the current one running ...

... it's no surprise I've not gotten anything done!

I have got more bag planned to hold all the mits, scarves and hats my girls need this winter. Plus one for art supplies for when Paula goes to art class.

And then there's still my Turning Twenty and a basket full of things to mend.