We start each day now by starting a fire in the stove. I finally got the idea to move the fan from the shelf above, where it was pulling the warm air off the stovepipe, to the wall behind, where it pushes a lot of warm air from behind the stove. This new fan position makes a very noticeable difference as it pushes more heat into more areas of the house! I still have to finish off around the tiles with molding, but that project will probably wait for spring and warmer temps.
Once the fire is going, I usually repair to the quilt studio where I am currently finishing up a last minute Christmas order of stocking caps for a local ranch. They want 150 caps total, but need 25 of them before Christmas. Each cap takes 15 minutes to stitch so the order of 25 will take roughly 6-7 hours. This is a pretty simple logo (just one color) so it takes minimal babysitting on my part. Just remove the cap from the hoop when it's done, trim the stabilizer, trim any errant threads, and turn it right-side out. Then set up the next cap in the hoop, place it into the machine, and away it goes.
During the 15 minute run, I have decided that I should finish up some quilt shop projects from years past. Diana and I have literally dozens, if not hundreds of projects that are half finished. We usually had just enough time in the shop to make a crude "sample" to demonstrate a step during a class or just the quilt top to hi-light a new fabric. This happens to be one of my stained glass quilts (we offered a class each year leading up to Christmas) from a few years ago. I got the top pieced and the "leading" on, but hadn't stitched it in place yet. I work while the embroidery machine hums away -- when it stops, I tend to it, then return to my work.
All sewn in place now! (I'm happy to report that I finished the project shortly after this and the Santa is now hanging on our living room wall! Another one of my project's done!
Each time I go back and forth between the house to the studio I meet Sadie. She wants to play Frisbee 24/7 no matter the weather and is considerate enough to place her toys right along the path so you can't help but step right on them as you pass. We usually make it a habit to stop and throw it several times each trip which keeps her pretty happy most of the time.
When we're not playing Frisbee Sadie is usually hanging out at the fence with her buddies next door. It's fine during dry days, but if it gets wet, she runs the fence line and covers herself with mud, which she then tracks through the house. She's going to be happy to get some new chickens that she can herd come spring.
Back inside now for a refill of coffee. On this particular day, Isabel happens to be holed up in her room studying guitar chords. Notice that her cat has taken a position of comfort on the bed behind her since the weather is not conducive to roaming.
Diana is also hard at work, trying to keep up in the "let's finish undone projects" department! This is a quilt that she had on her frame at one time and she had it half finished, until something came up (probably a quilt show) and she had to remove it before it was completely stitched out. Now it's back on the frame and she's just about done. (I'm happy to report that this quilt is now off the long arm and simply awaits the addition of a binding before it's done!) She only has about a dozen more half long armed quilts to go! Then she can move on to her pile of cut, but not quite fully pieced quilts! Then she can move on to her.....
As I started typing this entry the snow had just started... Now, there's about 1/2" on the grass and it doesn't look to be slowing. I turned on my scanner a few minutes ago and there's cars, truck and fifth wheels off the road in all directions... I think we'll just stay in all day today, add a few sticks to the fire and watch it all unfold through the windows. Maybe we'll sample our wine a little as well!
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