Denial is Not Just a River in Egypt

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Ever have those times in your life when there’s so much “stuff” going on and you’re just feeling completely overwhelmed with life in general? I tend to throw myself into projects to keep my mind busy with whatever I’m working on rather than whatever it is I’m trying to not obsess over. So, the past week has seen a bit of a burst of activity (in between working during my vacation). Above you can see that I decided it was about time to do some ornament finishing. I got all my pieces and their backing fabrics cut as well as the cardboard and batting. I still need to determine the trim on a few pieces, but I went ahead with the one that I’ve really been nervous about finishing. So nervous, in fact, that I have avoided it for well over a year.

But, now it’s finished!

That is Mele Kalikimaka finished as the designer suggested by whipstitching Thread Gatherer silk ribbon around the piece and then creating a braided hanger from the silk ribbon. I’m absolutely thrilled with how it turned out and so glad that it will finally be hanging on my tree this year.

Tuesday night was EGA night and I was excited for the program because we were doing our ornament. This year’s ornament is a beaded star that is so pretty. So, I learned how to do the brick stitch and didn’t do too bad with getting half of my first diamond finished. We are using delicas and Swarovski bicones for the ornament. I can’t wait to get back to working on this!

And Wednesday, I decided that it was time to get out my sewing machine and rotary cutter and get to work on a Christmas quilt that I’ve been dying to make. I’m mostly following this pattern, and I’m using my Kate Spain Flurry and 12 Days of Christmas charm packs along with some Bella Solids in white.

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I managed to get all of my blocks put together (I’m doing 30 blocks rather than 25 as the pattern calls for). Now, on to the sashing! It felt good to sew again.

And on Wednesday night, I finished up the little piece I’d been working on.

This is Hand & Heart by The Primitive Needle. I stitched it with the recommended Weeks threads and on the recommended 40ct Dill by Picture This Plus. I love how it turned out and I’m so glad I’ve now got my Valentine’s Day stitching done early!

So, that’s what I’ve been up to – trying to keep myself busy with things that relax me. Since I finished Hand & Heart on Wednesday night, I decided to treat myself to a Thanksgiving Day start. I pulled out Margaret Cottam, the new three-part mystery sampler from La-D-Da. I’m stitching on the called for Weeks Cocoa fabric in 40ct. with the called for Weeks threads.

I hope that those of you celebrating Thanksgiving yesterday had a lovely time and it’s a good reminder for each of us to remember all the blessings we have in our lives – even when they seem the darkest.

Thank you to each and every one of you that comes to visit my blog – I so appreciate it!

I am grateful for every moment.

56 thoughts on “Denial is Not Just a River in Egypt”

  1. Your ornament came out so pretty! I love it! Love the Hand and Heart finish too. That quilt is going to be so pretty — can’t wait to see! And the beaded star is going to be great! I hope you’re feeling less overwhelmed soon. I know the feeling.

  2. Your ornament came out so pretty! I love it! Love the Hand and Heart finish too. That quilt is going to be so pretty — can’t wait to see! And the beaded star is going to be great! I hope you’re feeling less overwhelmed soon. I know the feeling.

  3. It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog Michelle. Your ornaments are lovely, and I love that little sampler. I’m looking forward to seeing your new start. I saw Part 1 of this pattern, and it really caught my eye!

  4. It’s always a pleasure to visit your blog Michelle. Your ornaments are lovely, and I love that little sampler. I’m looking forward to seeing your new start. I saw Part 1 of this pattern, and it really caught my eye!

  5. Love the finishing technique you used on Mele Kalikimaka. I never thought to whip stitch ribbon as an edging. Very clever and pretty finish. The Hand and Heart piece is another favorite of mine.
    Congrats on getting out your sewing machine and getting those Christmas blocks pieced. That’s going to make a very pretty quilt top.
    Now the beading project… I’m such a klutz that when it comes to beads. Can’t wait to see it all finished.

  6. Love the finishing technique you used on Mele Kalikimaka. I never thought to whip stitch ribbon as an edging. Very clever and pretty finish. The Hand and Heart piece is another favorite of mine.
    Congrats on getting out your sewing machine and getting those Christmas blocks pieced. That’s going to make a very pretty quilt top.
    Now the beading project… I’m such a klutz that when it comes to beads. Can’t wait to see it all finished.

  7. Nothing wrong with turning to needlework to avoid something else not quite so fun. Love your ornament finish, Hand and Heart and your beaded ornie in progress.

  8. Nothing wrong with turning to needlework to avoid something else not quite so fun. Love your ornament finish, Hand and Heart and your beaded ornie in progress.

  9. Stitchin' Sweet Sue

    Good for you Michelle, beautiful finish. Why dooooo we torture ourselves about finishing~lol! Count me as another who has way more to be finished than not:)

  10. Stitchin' Sweet Sue

    Good for you Michelle, beautiful finish. Why dooooo we torture ourselves about finishing~lol! Count me as another who has way more to be finished than not:)

  11. I adore that ornament–so pretty. I like the beginnings of the beaded star too–and your photos of everything are so clear and gorgeous.

  12. I adore that ornament–so pretty. I like the beginnings of the beaded star too–and your photos of everything are so clear and gorgeous.

  13. Great finishes, well done! I’m in full Christmas-panic mode, I wish I could be so constructive about it as you are…

  14. Great finishes, well done! I’m in full Christmas-panic mode, I wish I could be so constructive about it as you are…

  15. Love your finishes. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed. It can really do a number on me. I always stitch or go stash diving.

  16. Love your finishes. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed. It can really do a number on me. I always stitch or go stash diving.

  17. Wow! Your ornament is so pretty and I love the Primitive Needle piece! I’ll be watching to see more of your other current wips!

  18. Wow! Your ornament is so pretty and I love the Primitive Needle piece! I’ll be watching to see more of your other current wips!

  19. Wow! Your ornament is so pretty and I love the Primitive Needle piece! I’ll be watching to see more of your other current wips!

  20. Wow! Your ornament is so pretty and I love the Primitive Needle piece! I’ll be watching to see more of your other current wips!

  21. Such a cute ornament, Michelle !! You did a great job finishing it. I also like your Hand & Heart. I can’t wait to see more of you quilt..

  22. Such a cute ornament, Michelle !! You did a great job finishing it. I also like your Hand & Heart. I can’t wait to see more of you quilt..

  23. Wow, so many great things. Great job on your ornie finish. Love the whipstitching detail. And the HIH piece looks wonderful!

  24. Wow, so many great things. Great job on your ornie finish. Love the whipstitching detail. And the HIH piece looks wonderful!

  25. Love the way you have finished the little cushion ornament. hand and heart looks great too. Seems like you’be been very busy but it was worth it when you see all these finished treasures 😉

  26. Love the way you have finished the little cushion ornament. hand and heart looks great too. Seems like you’be been very busy but it was worth it when you see all these finished treasures 😉

  27. I love the fabric colors and can’t wait to see the quilt.

    The ornament is way cute. I might have to whip stitch with ribbon myself!

  28. I love the fabric colors and can’t wait to see the quilt.

    The ornament is way cute. I might have to whip stitch with ribbon myself!

  29. Oh my gosh Michelle, you did a GREAT job on the ornament! YGG! I love your Heart & Hand finish, too. Hang in there with everything–thinking of you.

  30. Oh my gosh Michelle, you did a GREAT job on the ornament! YGG! I love your Heart & Hand finish, too. Hang in there with everything–thinking of you.

  31. Michelle, I just love your ornament!! It looks fantastic. You did a fabulous job. The star ornament looks fun as well. Congrats on finishing Lisa’s fun freebie. Are you going to put it in a frame?

  32. Michelle, I just love your ornament!! It looks fantastic. You did a fabulous job. The star ornament looks fun as well. Congrats on finishing Lisa’s fun freebie. Are you going to put it in a frame?

  33. Your ornament is lovely and congratulations on finishing Hand and Heart. Looking forward to seeing more of the quilt and beaded star

  34. Your ornament is lovely and congratulations on finishing Hand and Heart. Looking forward to seeing more of the quilt and beaded star

  35. Viola di Nebbia

    Dear Michelle, I love the Hand & Heart pattern and your realization si amazing *.* I can’t find the pattern 🙁 It’s a freebie, isn’t it? Can you tell please (please please! :))) me where you found it?
    Hugs and thank you!

  36. Viola di Nebbia

    Dear Michelle, I love the Hand & Heart pattern and your realization si amazing *.* I can’t find the pattern 🙁 It’s a freebie, isn’t it? Can you tell please (please please! :))) me where you found it?
    Hugs and thank you!

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