December OMG......

....if you have been following along with my recent posts that have been focusing on attempts to work on old UFO’s, you know that October and November goals were met in great part because of the challenge put out by Patty at Elm Street Quilts . I was kind of stumped for a bit trying to figure out December’s OMG...until I remembered a project that - once more - goes back a few years...this time, 1996...22 years ago...I have just run out of explanations and excuses...

Briefly, here is the story...I took a workshop from the same person who bought my quilt shop in 1995. Her name is Nina McVeigh and she has been a Bernina Educator for quite a few years now (she eventually decided to close the quilt shop after a number of years). Here is a link to check out Nina’s sewing tips and you can search for lots of her tutorials. Nina has an extensive background in sewing, clothing, quilting, long arm, you name it...a very accomplished and creative lady! So back to the workshop...we were to make a “Woodland Santa” - from scratch...soft cloth body, painted parts, pieced clothing, etc. My fella got his body put together, arms painted, boots and pants made and a coat that was partially pieced. As it so happened, he got neglected due to being in a brand new house that required much of my time and then a year of medical issues/treatment. And the Woodland Santa got shoved farther back into that all ready overloaded quilting cave.

Leaping ahead to 2018 - December...time to get reacquainted and finish this gentleman up in time for Christmas...so that is my December OMG .... thankfully everything was kept together - (and he has stayed put mounted on a rustic piece of log from our property - goodness, his patience level is amazing!) pattern pieces, instructions, half pieced wool coat, etc. His hair and beard will be composed of very special wool...when in Australia in 1994, we went to a sheep shearing shed and watched in fascination as the wool was shaved from the sheep. We were given wool to bring home (it was matted, grimy, filled with bits of twigs and leaves) and when I washed it in Ivory soap, it was magical the way it came clean and bright.

All the components...

Had auditoned a fabric for possible shirt earlier, but am changing my mind...

Partially pieced wool coat...

My special Australian sheeps wool and a mink collar selvedged from local Goodwill Store...

Back again later...will I be able to meet my goal for the 3rd month in a row?

Happy holiday stitching everyone!!

Pat