Tiny Houses Tiny Trees II

 Tiny Houses Tiny Trees--Work in Progress-WIP

It was a working weekend for me, but I have a lot to show for it this morning. This little project does not show the hours sunk into it. It is a time vampire, but I love how fun it is!

 I had done the remaining tree blocks during the morning. 

Sunday afternoon I started at this point.

I'm not going to go into details about how I did this project. It was a creative whirlwind. I started with my minimal experience of paper piecing, and followed roughly the same technique without paper. I cut out the pine tree shapes I wanted, laid them out, and then worked from left to right on each section. 

This is what happened when I decided to over lay the 2 center trees on 3 back ground trees. Pretty, but too closely spaced.

I've gathered my embellishing supplies, and after the top is together, I'll have the real fun.

Handwork is not my forte, but I want to learn how to do it, and what works. 

Also, it's time to wind down, and do some Slow Stitching.

Today is the Monday before Thanksgiving. It all seems downhill from here until New Year's. For some of us, we will never have enough time to "fit it all in." We are the ones responsible for nearly everything that happens during the holidays, and ultimately, it seems for everyone else's happiness. It's a great deal of responsibility when we're also dealing with the emotional memories of our own holidays past. We remember those near to us who are gone or pass during this time of year. We brace for the inevitable classic family blow-ups that pop up when we're all thrown together in small space under stress. And, financially, it's tough to stretch our dollars enough to light up their little faces with the perfect gift without going deep in debt. Does any of this ring a bell with you? I'm tensing up just writing it!

Let's do the holidays differently this year. Let's slow down, and focus on what's important. People. Your family, you, and people that will cross your path for a reason. If you must, choose to do one thing well this year. Will it be decorations, gifts, food, parties, etc.? Or it might be to provide for a charity like Operation Christmas Child from Samaritan's Purse, Operation Shoebox for Soldiers, or any of the many that rally for donations during December. Teach children that giving feels even better than receiving.

You don't need to do it all. There is no such thing as a perfect holiday. Memories won't be made by staring at the tinseled tree, but more likely on the way to Grandma's house in the car. Make the time to talk to each other. Show your love. Touch someone while you're talking with them. Let people know they are loved. I believe this is the gift we all desire.

I'll leave you with a nearly current picture of our barn project, and I'll give you the grand tour later this week.

We refer to this as the Llama Lodge or Alpaca Palace. The snow melted the past 2 days, and we are deep in mud, but we are under roof now.

Have a good day today. 

Count your blessings, and make time to sew.

Come on, Doxie Girls.

Let's get ready for the day.