Since the mystery started, I have had only one goal. That goal is to complete one block of each clue before the next clue is released on Friday morning. I am getting this one in, under the wire, barely!
You see, last Friday, I was heading towards New Orleans with a full weekend of work scheduled. I arrived home, late Monday evening. Actually, early Tuesday morning, after the check engine light on the plane failed to go off!
I have been struggling all week to keep up with my daily obligations, some financial matters, and of course, quilted Christmas gifts. It's been busy around here!
Today I cleared a little space in my calendar and this is what I completed:
This is my one block from Clue #3. Green is probably my least favorite color. I needed to force myself to go out and buy a little bit to complete this quilt.
So far, this is what I have completed:
Now that I have fulfilled my weekly obligation, I am going back to completing mortgage documents, school work, workshop follow-up and, oh yeah, quilted Christmas gifts.
Since my first visit to New Orleans, several years ago, I have always wanted to go back to see the city dressed up for Christmas. I just love Christmas decorations, specifically classic evergreens, red bows and garlands with twinkle lights.
When I was offered the opportunity to teach a workshop in December, I jumped at the opportunity. No matter that it was the weekend right after conferences and right after my report card debacle. I was in and I couldn't wait. Those of you that know me, know how stressed deadlines can make me, but I think I handled the stress fairly well. On Friday I took myself over the bridge to PHL and headed to NOLA for a special December visit. To make the deal even sweeter, I offered Jessica the opportunity to join me and she accepted! Such fun!
Once we arrived, we were out to investigate.
Mother's for lunch then off to The French Market!
Wandering for hours. We tried to see as much as possible. Jackson Square, the cathedral, Bourban Street and so many other sights to behold!
Such fun we had! Our three days flew by. Before you know it, we were on our way home. Jessica to NYC and me to PHL. I don't think we will ever forget the wonderful experience we had during the magical season of Christmas!
The story of December 8th, school. Monday started conference week and a busy week it was! Students had a half day with conferences starting at 2:00. I only had one conference, grateful for that! The rest of my day was spent trying to clean my room so that I could leave on Thursday knowing that my substitute would be able to find everything she needed! The best part of today, the gingerbreadmen arrived! A holiday tradition in our school!
This is always a very busy week at work. Conferences happen 4 of the 5 days this week. Our schedule gets turned upside down. Students are in school until 1 and then we either have afternoon conferences that last until 4, or evening conferences that last until 8. The older I get, the harder the evening conferences are.
But, like I always do, I have added a little pressure to this otherwise "tranquil" week. Yes, I accepted an invitation to teach a teachers' workshop in New Orleans this coming weekend. So, early Friday morning, I will hop on a plane bound for NOLA. I can't wait!
New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. I am so excited to see this gorgeous city all decked out for the holidays! I will be teaching Saturday, Sunday and in the morning on Monday. I am sure that will leave ample enough time to explore the holiday happenings in the French Market and Jackson Square.
I think I am most excited about my daughter, Jessica, joining me. She is one of my favorite traveling buddies and she has never been to New Orleans. This is going to be FUN!
Even though the clues come out on Friday morning, I generally do not attempt to try them until Monday. One reason, my weekends have been a bit busy. Another reason is that I want to wait and see what the reaction from the masses is. I think there are over 700 people attempting the Grand Illusion Mystery presented by Bonnie Hunter. I follow along on facebook and see what everyone is saying about the process. Then, I try. Most people seem to be piecing this block using the 3rd piecing directions that Bonnie provided. I like this choice because of the extra little triangles that you get in the process. Tonight my tiny triangles look like this:
The one completed block I have is not to size and certainly not even matched right. But, it is a sample and it is done.
This quilt is one that I am going to love, I can just tell! I love the colors and I love the different ways the blocks can be used together. Looking forward to Clue #3 on Friday. Next week my sewing will have to take place on Tuesday as I have travel plans for the upcoming weekend!
Home alone is the story for Sunday. Mark was working an all day shift so I had the house to myself for most of the day. There were my Sunday chores, 3 loads of wash, sheets to be changed and lots of Christmas mess to contend with.
By the end of the evening I was begining to see glimmers of our holiday home. Some trees, the last 4, were giving me a hard time with the lights. Worked out something on the 3 littles but the big tree is quite a conundrum at this point!
But, all in all, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!
Hoping to have all the trees decorated before I leave for New Orleans early Friday morning. Until then, just one day at a time. Just one tree at a time!
December 6th, it rained all day. Really rained, all day. But no matter, the story of today was being out and about with two of my favorite people. Mom joined me for a romp to the craft show at the local high school. Then we were off to Philly to pick of Livy at UArts where she is finishing up her Saturday college class.
Since it was pouring as we drove up Broad Street, Mom jumped out of the car to gather Liv and I pulled up to grab the two of them out of the rain. Then it was lunch time. Not sure where to go, we headed into NJ by way of the Ben Franklin Bridge and found our way to Ponzios. Liv said they have delicious cookies and that was enough of a reason!
The reataurant was decorated beautifully for the holiday. I love the way the rotating trees reflected the lights off of their shiny ornaments. I included a picture in my spread for the day. This is the first year/time that I have used the page protectors with the 2x2 pockets and, while they are not my favorites, the sure do make a cute page!
The story of December 5th, a crazy day at school followed by some real BFF quality time. We met at Panerra for dinner, stopped by to see Mark at work, stopped by a new to us little fabric, sewing machine store, and then to Bunkey's for hours and hours of sewing. What fun we had catching up and getting work done! I may just finish my holiday gifts on time!
December 4th was a long day at work. I had planned a pajama party for my students and they were giddy beyond belief. The pajama party almost didn't happen!
As a class, 2 weeks ago, we decided to have a pajama drive that supported Project Pajama, through Scholastic. For every pair of pajamas we donate, Scholastic will donate one book. We had a great deal of fun collecting pajamas and are so excited to send them along this coming week.
The story of today is the celebration of a job well done. We traveled down to the library for hot chocolate, marshmallows and oreos. We carried books and had a pajama, reading party! Good fun!
Day 4 ended up being just one page in my December Daily Album. Today I finally added sequins and glitter to the enpty pockets. They didn't turn out quite like I had planned, but they are done and I am moving forward! It feels so good to be able to print photos at home again!
After working way too many evenings this week on school work, it was time to take a break. I planned my Thursday evening to be able to watch Peter Pan while I did a bit of hand-quilting. Peter Pan turned out to be a bust, but I did finish quite a bit of hand quilting. Holiday gifts in the making!
Today the Holiday Happenings continued with a trip to Bunkey's right after work! Of course, over achiever that she is, her tree is up and her house is decorated!
Not that we spent a lot of time admiring the decorations, we spent our evening in the basement studio working on our holiday projects. Well, my was a holiday project and hers, just a project.
I continued to piece another holiday table runner and Bunkey worked on putting together another one of her "Kiss" projects. She wanted to have 14 "Kisses" done by the end of the year and she is on track to do that!
Spending time together is not something we are able to do too often, but we always have such fun. And, for the most part, we are productive!
I traveled back home to find my new "31" bags, purchased specifically to help organize my gifting for the holiday season. I just love the snowmen and the red chevron littles!
The snowmen bag will hold gift wrapping necessities like bows, ribbons, and small pieces of wrapping paper. One of my new red littles will hold my Christmas cards, and the other will hold gift tags and pens.
I am looking for a stress-free, organized, holiday!
Feeling festive here this evening! Bring on the holiday!
