Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Traditionally this was the day for the making of Christmas Pudding but I'll let you in on a secret. I marinated the fruit on Friday and steamed the pudding on Saturday as the pudding requires 8 hours steaming and it was more convenient to steam when I was not cooking Sunday lunch. I use the Delia Smith recipe from her Christmas Cookbook. I love all the spicy smells and the traditional stirring and wishing. The pudding has now cooled and been put away to mature for Christmas Day.
I've been trying to finish off a few bits and pieces. I finally finished the Christmas Stocking for Bee Hive. All the members of Bee Hive are making them and they are to be donated to the children's ward in a local hospital. The front is quilted and the back has a simple star appliqué.
I am a bit behind with my "homework" for the cutting mat bag class. I have to make 12 maple leaf blocks as a panel and have only managed 8 before running out of background fabric so I've placed an urgent order and I hope it will be delivered for Tuesday morning.
I've removed the machine tacking out of the stems and stitched them down since the photo.
Last week I had the great pleasure of attending a class in Cheadle Hulme near Manchester at Patchfinders with Lucy Brennan of Charm About You. The shop has a fantastic fabric selection and I will be visiting it next time I am in the area.
Lucy was brilliant and the day passed too quickly. She was teaching the Japanese +x quilt block. I had been a bit concerned about my fabric choices as they were quite far out of my comfort zone but I am pleased with the 6 blocks I completed. It might have been more if I had not chatted as much.
This will not be the final layout!
I will put this project on hold until the New Year as there is so much to finish for Christmas.
I've been knitting up a storm to finish some hand knits for my granddaughters. I started the Tiny Tea Leaves cardigan last week for Lexie. This pattern was written by Melissa LaBarre and is meant to be a quick knit so here's hoping. I am knitting the size 6 for her (26" chest). The yarn is Sublime extra fine merino DK in a peacock blue colour. This is the first time I have knit a garment in the round from the top down. Everything has gone well so far but I am now waiting for a set of double pointed needles to finish the sleeves. This will another first as I have not knit anything in the round before either. Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
The button bands look like they may need a good stretch when I block- or should I unpick and adda few stitches- not sure what to do.
Other projects to finish before Christmas:
- Christmas Tree quilt- quilting started but lots to do.
- Christmas napkins
- Isobel's cardigan
- 2 chunky hats (also in the round!)
- Cushion covers.
Linking up to Janine's Wool on Sundays. Janine is celebrating her first year of Wool on Sundays with a giveaway so pop on over and take a look.
also linking to my unfinished cardi to Celtic Thistle Stitches:
and to Ho, Ho, Ho and on we sew, November over at Rose and Dahlia with my stocking
also linking to my unfinished cardi to Celtic Thistle Stitches:
and to Ho, Ho, Ho and on we sew, November over at Rose and Dahlia with my stocking
Also linking to Lee's WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced. #wipwednesday
Have a great week and try not to stress about Christmas plans (note to self!). Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends too!
Catherine
