I really set my mind to it and I did it! Eighteen Christmas stockings are in the mail. The names have been blurred as part of my gift-identity protection program.

I couldn’t get a picture of all of them at once, as they were mailing out all over the U.S. as soon as I completed them! Here are some of the girls…

And here are the boys– I didn’t blur out the names on any of these because I highly doubt this crowd are readers. I wanted you to see my custom embroidered names and encourage you to PERSONALIZE this Christmas– even if you don’t have an embroidery machine, many sewing machines have this function now SO TRY IT! Who doesn’t love to see their name emblazoned on a thing!

If you don’t get a stocking from me– you’re on the list for next year! I’m so happy my circle of family and friends is growing again and that it would have been impossible to make one for all of you. xox.

I immediately got sucked into the next holiday activity when I finished, so there wasn’t much time to reflect on this whole process! Except for– 1) Chain piecing for the win– 2) Finishing each individual stocking took more time than I bargained for– they are lined. I would definitely make eighteen more of these for next year, but maybe just start a little earlier!

I still have Harlow’s cross stitch stocking folded and waiting in a box for the fabulous finish and yes, I’m getting nervous about not having it done on time!

Regardless, I treated myself to a three-day trip down to my old haunts, Plymouth, MA, for a granddaughter visit! Obviously, I have plenty to do at home, but with Mr. SFO travelling for business, it was time to spend a little time together, putting family first and making some memories.

Our son and daughter-in-law treated us to a beautiful evening at a light show at the Heritage Garden on Cape Cod. Since we travelled south, I was expecting warm breezes and palm trees (we are buried in white here and it’s been FREEZING) but was shocked to find about 4 inches of snow on the ground. As you can see, I forgot my hat. The snow did make the light show even more spectacular, though! This life-size windmill had hundreds of pretend tulips in all colors.

Every inch of this place was covered in lights, and every single area had a different lighting effect. They must have hired some Hollywood lighting designer to put this all together– I sure hope it was a big money maker for them– it was packed. This area had a toy train running across a giant bridge made of sticks– see the little train there below the bridge?

You could walk down under the bridge. Here is my family for scale:

One area was made to look like you were underwater, with lighted jellyfish hanging above, a hundred thousand lights bubbling in a forest, and this neon waterfall.

I had to take my gloves off every time I took a photo, and finally I think my phone got too cold as well. I couldn’t tell if the pictures were even coming out– night shots are so difficult– but they did, so I wish I had persevered more.

Fortunately, there were some indoor areas to warm up! Part of the museum permanently houses an old car exhibit, and Santa was in one of them, with plenty of Christmas trees on display.

There’s also a enclosed carousel in the garden– this area was completely decorated as well, and it was WARM. I believe that’s an old bow or stern of a ship. Yup, that shows my ignorance of ships– this wouldn’t be shaped for the front I don’t believe?

What a treat to be back in civilization for some holiday activities, beyond watching snow fall! The evening ended before we got to try the lighted labyrinth or play a round of snow corn hole!

The next day, shopping opportunities down south abounded– in the shopping department, who and what do you think I shopped for? 🤣

While near the cape, I also had my yearly Christmas lunch with a couple of my quilt-y buddies and received a generous gift certificate and a box of chocolates. (Do my friends know me very well?) Sadly, the gift certificate was for a local quilt store and I was forced to shop and use it immediately before I left town.

Is this not the cutest ever Christmas collection featuring my new favorite color, pink? Next year, I had planned to use my flowery Brenda Riddle fabric to make the Candy Cane Lane quilt, but this fabric is Christmas themed and so much more appropriate for a little girl. xox

If this trip wasn’t the perfect getaway already, then I got an email I forgot I was waiting for!

All of my beautiful friends and family were sure I was getting in, but I’ve learned in life not to take anything for granted and would have been completely at peace with not being accepted. So three cheers for CAREFREE HIGHWAYS! It’s time to take my rushed binding off and re-do it– I also have a special label to finish as only a machine embroiderer can, and add a hanging sleeve. January is going to be busy! I hope if you are in New England on the date specified, you can go to the show and give my quilt a hug… just tell the white glove people I said it was okay! 😊

I’m back in the studio now and, boy, do I have a lot to do before Christmas, so I’ll say goodbye. The season may be crushing our sewing time, but the MOST WONDERFUL TIME of the year is after it– the week between Christmas and New Year’s is my favorite and one I use yearly to indulge myself in hours of uninterrupted sewing! Enjoy every minute until then.

xox
Carol