First, I wanted to apologize to anyone that tried to get to Martha Stewart’s Apple-cider Doughnut Cake and was unsuccessful. I tested the link before publishing and it worked. If not for one of the blog readers, I would not have known it was not working. I have since fixed it. Not the first time that my links have been bad. Usually they are older posts that go to another blog that no longer exists. This time I messed up.

And some musings…

When I’m going through Instagram and I come across a post that says …in October I made two baby quilts, three pillows, a king sized quilt and solved the climate crisis.

Scheesh. In October I waited for two spools of thread to arrive.

While waiting for said thread to arrive, I sat myself down to figure out ALL the fabric and supplies I would need for the rest of the year. So I wouldn’t have to again wait for a delivery. Unfortunately, I was not successful at this attempt at organization.

I have to say that when I started listing everything, my mind was boggled. I ended up only ordering the supplies needed to finish up the “Tell Me a Story” quilts from a couple of Etsy shops. I was feeling a wee bit overwhelmed! So I guess I’ll continue waiting for those deliveries since I don’t seem to be able to plan for future projects without hyperventilating!

I’ve had some stress over the past few weeks from a few different fronts. Fortunately, cutting fabric up into little bits and sewing them back together is really relaxing for me so I started working on my annual Christmas quilt.

I am making the Sky quilt from Zen Chic.

I made this for my daughter and her husband for Christmas one year and was very disappointed as to how it turned out. Although they loved it, I just thought I could do better. Hopefully, I’m a more experienced quilter now so I’m trying it again.

I don’t have to wait for any deliveries for this since I have all the fabric I need to make the top of the quilt. Starting with these pretties from Free Spirit fabrics that I’ve had in my stash for a few years…

I read recently on a quilting blog that Free Spirit solids are wonderful to work with so I’m going with all Free Spirit to see if they are really so lovely. For the “sky” I pulled this “Designer Essential” fabric that matched the lighter colors in the prints. This shade is “shell”.

I might not have enough fabric to make all the “geese” for the quilt so I also have this 10″ stacker of Free Spirit solid colors.

I pulled several of the pieces out that matched the holiday prints.

And since I started on this project, I’m actually sleeping all night! Quilting is great therapy!

Now, I need some advice. I have a “pressing” issue. Me and irons do not seem to get along. It wasn’t too long ago that I bought a new iron. I was semi-happy with it until it spewed some rusty spots on a project. I know, quilters aren’t supposed to use steam but I have not yet found an iron that gets hot enough to get wrinkles out of cotton fabric without steam. Last week I went to use the steam option and the iron just dumped all its water on my ironing board. Surprise for me and my ironing board cover is very clean! I know that a few quilters read this blog. I’m looking for a new iron. I read good and bad about the Oliso. I’m willing to throw money at a good iron. But I’m not sure that the Oliso is the answer. Any suggestions?

Two more “pressing” questions. These wool ironing mats? I read that they are wonderful and my seams will be flat and all will be right in the world. Really? Are they that great? Cause if they are, I want one! Except I also read that they have an odor. I don’t want my little sewing cave smelling like wet sheep!

Tailor’s clapper. Yay or Nay?

This weekend the Homosassa Ukers will be on stage at the Homosassa, Arts, Crafts, and Seafood Festival. 10 am on Sunday. I’m the woman on the left that is wearing her pants waaaay to tight. Perhaps too much Apple-Cider Doughnut Cake?