NovemberTip

The holidays are quickly approaching, and so I thought maybe I'd post a few hints I've found for finding time to do what makes us happiest: quilting!

First of all, if you are going to make quilts as gifts, don't pick hugely complicated patterns this month and expect to have them done in a week, ready to mail across the world. Pick something simple that you can start and stop without losing your place.

If you think that this is the year that Aunt Martha will finally appreciate a hand made gift, forgetaboutit. You'll only have your expectations dashed once again. Get her a fruit basket and save your limited time for someone who will appreciate the work behind the project. And if you make a miniature quilt for someone, put a note in the box about how you thought they'd love this mini quilt to hang in that little nook. Otherwise you may get a note thanking you for the neat hotpad. You could buy a hotpad at K-mart and get matching dishtowels for under five bucks.

If you have an afternoon that screams for entertainment for the kids so you can get a few things done, it's cookie decorating time! Don't spend time mixing and rolling and cutting, though, because they probably just want to mess in the frosting and sprinkles. Get a roll of freezer paper out of your applique stash and cover your entire table, shiney side up, and taped down good. Now get a couple cans of white frosting and dye one green and one red. Get a good assortment of sprinkles and other decorations (edible, please!). Then get out a few packages of plain sugar cookies, and a huge bag of plain animal cookies. This is good for at least 2 hours of fun and great memories for the kids, and very little cleanup for mom.  Just chain the kids to the table so you don't have frosting all over the house.

You can get a lot done in 15 minutes if you plan. Get up 15 minutes early and piece a few blocks. Stay up 20 minutes late and sew together a row. Find things to cook that only take a few minutes to prepare: stew w/precut "veggie tray" veggies instead of home cleaned ones; chicken parts simmermed in canned diced tomatoes w/noodles; leftovers. While these things are cooking you can be quilting.

Remember what is important to you, what traditions you want to keep, and let the rest slide. If you spend 14 days each holiday season making special bread and no one seems to notice, think about eliminating it. But if it's the highlight of the holidays, keep the tradition, and find something else you can ditch. A little dust never killed anyone (unless you have someone in the house with severe allergies, that is). So let a few things slide, do what's important to you, and for your peace of mind, be sure to carve out a slice of time for yourself and your quilting this holiday season.

Happy Holidays!