Elf on the Shelf Fun

Elf on the Shelf has been a tradition in our house for over ten years.  Our single elf, Chippy, has dated Barbie, got engaged, got married, had a baby and then a set of twins.  Blue (Chippy's cousin) is here with his girlfriend, Skipper.  There is a pet reindeer.  We have a Grinch.  

This is how the Grinch showed up this year two days before Thanksgiving.

See how I utilize Elf on the Shelf to teach something?  One of Owen's chores is to empty the dish washer.  Now he looks in the dishwasher every morning to see if there is anything in there for him.  If there are just dishes in there he quickly puts them away.  He also writes long notes and lists to the elf family and puts it in the empty dishwasher.  The trolls talked about in the note were trolls (like in the movie Trolls) dressed in Halloween costumes that were a Halloween decoration that Owen set up in my sewing area.  Owen has been in charge of holiday decorating for YEARS.

The elf family has numerous creative adventures.  They travel to different places around the world.  They had to quarantine in 2020, they use elftronics to text our son.  The leave notes with big words in them.  Usually something needs to be researched.  

Our son learns differently than other kids.  BUT he does learn.  We are so blessed that God hand picked him for us.

Stay tuned for later this week when the elves need help in the escape room.  You got it, important numbers and math will be involved  ~ wink wink.

Sorting Fun -- Old Town Mystery by Bonnie Hunter

I spent some time today watching Netflix (The Watcher) and sorting pieces that have already been cut.  When I use fabric I often run it through an Accuquilt die that best fits the scrap size.  Then I throw it into a bin.  They are easy to grab for leader/ender pieces.  When I get too many they wrinkle.  So I set a goal to use them.

Today I sorted all the reds and neutrals out of the bin.  I found that at least 1/5 of the units are already complete!  The other cool part is that there is so much variety in the reds and neutrals.  

Here's a pic of my pride and joy.  Yesterday he wanted to help cook Thanksgiving foods.  He did the ham, green bean casserole, gravy, and baked beans ALL BY HIMSELF (with me coaching, of course).  I couldn't be prouder of what an amazing young man he has become. He's 17. We definitely had a few laughs and a lot of fun in the kitchen together.

2025 Quilt Dream Finish List -- A New Kind of WIP Wednesday for me

I have always had a very long WIP Wednesday list of projects.  Here's a few things I'm going to TRY to finish in 2025.  The next step is listed in parenthesis.

Random Ohio Stars -- Started in November, 2022 (needs quilted)

Vintage Flower Garden Blocks -- Top completed 11.23.2024 (needs a back)

Crib Quilt BitCoin -- Top finished 11.4.2024 (needs a back)

Blue Embroidery Quilt, top completed Summer 2024 (needs a back)

This is my project that I will taking along with me to applique basket handles for hand work.  It's called Charm Basket and available at Laundry Basket Quilts.  Purchased pattern 11.27.24. My goal is to use my fabrics that are multi colored.  Hopefully I have a few baskets in my school tote to stitch (and keep that supply stocked.) I'm sure I will make the quilt a different size that what is listed.

HST Quilt, Three Six Nine RSC22 -- (needs more HST made and rows completed)

My WIP Wednesday posts are overwhelming.  I lost my sewing mojo a while back when I got on the healthy kick.  2025 I'm going to try to start a better balance of diet/exercise, and incorporating other things I love back into my routine.  I have been going to the pool at the YMCA five times a week.  It has helped my knee injury recover.  Now that I have started getting gel injections in that knee, I hope to be able to do more activities that can continue my recovery.

Other honorable mentions on my to-do list without quilt photos:

Bubble Gum Pink quilt (needs a back)

Hunter Green Star Quilt (needs a back)

Embroideried Acorn Quilt (needs pieced together)

Card Trick (needs a huge back)

Kite Girl (needs sashing & borders)

Bonnie Hunter 2024 mystery Old Town Road (not started yet but the goal is to finish by 11/25)

Dogs with Sweaters started November, 2024 (blocks need cut)

Sail Boats started November, 2024 (blocks need cut)

Legendary started November, 2024 (blocks need cut)

Christmas Socks started November, 2024 (block need cut)

Bonnie Hunter Unity Quilt, Started during Covid, 2020 (needs decision on another row to make larger)

Miscelaneous Block Lotto quilt blocks (needs decisions on how to arrange)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Slow Sunday Stitching -- Grandma's Flower Garden Quilt Top Complete

Grandma's Flower Garden blocks have been sewn together.  I had spent some of my waiting times (at bowling, school, appointments...) appliquing these vintage pieces to a backing.  It's time they get moved to the "to be quilted" pile.

I'm happy to return to the quilting world after a long, long break.  I have a feeling it's going to be a snow-covered winter.  I have been scheduling some jobs in which I can take some quilty things with me to work on while substitute teaching.  Most of them will be cutting instead of hand work.  But I will still enjoy it.

I'm linking up at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching here.

More Coffee Cozies

 I made a few more seasonal coffee cozies to surprise my sister-in-law this week.

I got the pattern (which was free at the time) at AppleGreen Cottage here.

Cutting It Up

 Although it makes my school bag much heavier, I have been taking my cutting projects with me when I substitute teach as the high school.  It helps the time go by quickly.  Don't worry, I'm careful with that sharp object around students and make sure I do not leave it unattended!

I'm also being careful to label everything and keep the pattern with it.  I have a feeling that these "kits" will go onto my someday pile.  I'm going to put them in a special "kit" bin so that I know where they are.  I know I have something simple to put together if I ever run out of leaders & enders.  

Bitcoin Crib Quilt (Pattern Design by Bonnie Hunter) Progress

I worked on this little crib quilt this past week.  It was fun using up ALL of the scrap prints in my bin!!! The bit is empty.  I did not use neutrals.  The neutral bin is still full.  I LOVE the look of this little quilt.  This is the first Bitcoin quilt I have made.  I see more in my future.  You can purchase the pattern from Bonnie Hunter's site Quiltville.com.