I Love My Lists...

The Explorer quilt is finished. I'm so glad that I love being in the studio. I was there all day yesterday as I machine quilted and then added the binding to The Explorer. By dinnertime, I had finished hand sewing the binding to the back and could enjoy yet another completed gift.

Today, I'll add the labels to Dolphin Island and The Explorer, wrap them up and prepare them for shipping. I hope the little boys I'm mailing them to will love and enjoy them for a long time.
I'll also create the program for the Orchestra's holiday concert next weekend, mail out our Christmas cards, and then wrap a few more gifts that will also be shipped to their recipients.

I want to review my list and see what's still left to do before I can rest this season. I know I'm doing really well for time, so I'm not concerned. My lists are lifesavers. Not only do they remind me of things I need to do - they're also a record of what I accomplish. I love my lists!

Prayers today for my friend, Jan of Bessie Mary blog. She's traveling to Minnesota's Mayo Clinic for eye surgery tomorrow. She'll be on my mind as she goes through her procedure, and in the days ahead as she heals. Perhaps you'd like to visit her blog and leave your healing wishes for her. I know she'd appreciate hearing from you.

There Are Always Outtakes...

Last weekend, we had our annual Christmas card photo taken. Of course, along with the favorite photo that ultimately becomes our card, we always have a number of images - The Outtakes - which we love nearly as much.

Never, ever, wear black when you're having your photograph taken with yellow-haired dogs!
Of course, someone always makes a funny noise, remark or says something that makes Donna laugh. It's a tradition!
For the past eight or nine years, our friend, Richard, has taken our annual photo (with Handsome's camera). This year, his dog, Stout, wanted to see what all the fuss was about. You can see just how impressed Kes was with this whole program.
Then, there was the "time-out for corgi smooches". Don't worry. Kes got some, too! You know I'll post the actual card closer to Christmas Day.

This was my day yesterday:

• get up and let the dogs out
• let the dogs back in
• shower and get dressed
• feed the dogs and fill the bucket with fresh water
  
• let the dogs out
• let the dogs back in
  
• eat breakfast
• work on The Explorer quilt top in the studio, and at the same time
  
• wash and dry six double loads of laundry
• fold and put away laundry as each load comes out of dryer
• visit from my friend, Ellen. Share a little Christmas cheer.
  
• eat lunch
  
• let the dogs out
• let the dogs back in
  
• finish The Explorer quilt top
• finish laundry
  
• feed the dogs
• let the dogs out
• let the dogs back in
• eat dinner
• catch up on a little blog reading. (I'm really behind!!)
• play with dogs

I couldn't understand why I was ready to go to bed early last night until I wrote out this list. whew!

I'll be back in the studio today. One more pair of grammies jammies to make, make the quilt "sandwich" so I can machine quilt and finish The Explorer. I hope you're having as much fun watching my progress as I'm having as I sew to the finish line this year!

The Explorer...

I finished the second pair of Grammies Jammies and decided to start this gift before making the third pair (for our grandson). I'm making another quilt for a young man. This one is using some of the same fabric as the Dolphin Island quilt, but I'm using another main color for it.

Dolphin Island was primarily blues with the chart fabric. I'm using that fabric again, but using greens for accent colors. I've also introduced the nautical-themed weather vane fabric into this quilt, too. I'm calling it "The Explorer" quilt. I've chosen my favorite windmill pattern.

The fabric was chosen and cut, triangles assembled into squares, and I squared them up (all done yesterday). Today, I'll join the squares into the main windmill pattern, and then I'll add the borders. Each square measures 9" and the blocks that create the windmills will measure 16". It's going to come together quickly, so I should be quilting the "sandwich" together tomorrow.

I'll make that third set of jammies over the weekend, too. I'm telling you, the elves are having a grand time!