I am a "real" crafter!

I know I said that Thanksgiving deserves more laud. I will get there (keep reading), but please allow me one tiny Christmas forethought.

These lovely little roll-ups are a more grown-up version of this.  I am making them as Christmas gifts for all of my nieces and nephews.  It was my first attempt and something patchwork-y. 

   

Now that I have invested the time in selecting all the colored fabrics and laying them out in the correct order...making more should be a breeze. Emma helped me decide which order they should be arranged in.  I should have done the cutting for all of them at once.  The choosing and cutting is what took the longest. But, I was so excited to finish one...that I couldn't help but forge ahead. 

The pattern is found in this book.  The instructions for every project in this book seem to be very well written.  Clearly they would have to be simple for me to understand them.  I did, however, have to make one phone call my "expert carpenter" Brother for a little measuring help (he was kind enough not to make fun of me when I asked him how many little marks past 1/2 inch line on the ruler equalled 5/8 inch.) I also purchased a walking foot for my machine. I felt very "official" using it...like I was a "real" crafter- no longer a wannabe.  So helpful! It makes a big difference when sewing layers. I am glad I did, because after the Christmas making and giving is done...I think there is a quilt in my future.

So the week is off and running.  My kids went to school today- whereas I think that public schools had the day off.  Emma's class went to an assisted living facility and sang Psalms for some of the residents, giving special honor to the Veterans who were present. Over our cereal this morning, we spent some time talking about what a Veteran is, and why they are worthy of honor.  I wanted my children to understand the great, great sacrifices that courageous individuals have made for their own personal freedom.  I think about Carl's grandmother who was pregnant when her husband left for the Korean war.  By the time her husband (Carl's Grandfather) returned home, their daughter was already 18 months old.  This type of reality is so far from mine.  I cannot even imagine what that would've been like.  Needless to say, I am thankful for those who have gone so far as to give their lives in their service to our country.