I am back in the quilting mode!

November has started off much better than the past three months, as far as my quilt projects are concerned. I have completed an early Christmas present (which was due in September!) I can share this one because I already gave it to the recipient. I wanted her to have fun sharing Advent and Christmas books with her granddaughter, while snuggled under this lap quilt. The fabric was excess after we made a Christmas stocking for the granddaughter last year.

I see the end of the work for the October quilt. My November one is finished for this year - the top is done and quilting will be on the list for 2014.

And don't forget to start locating your Christmas books to share during December! REad a picture book a day to all ages or share short chapter books with your children. I hope everyone has read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson. I was amazed when I saw the teacher's name was Miss Brandel - which is my maiden name, and the name I had when I first started teaching :-)

Picture Book Month!

This time of year is always packed with things to do, but if you crave some down time, click on the Picture Book Month icon to the left. Take time to enjoy picture books, with young children, OR by yourself. There is something for all ages to gain, as evidenced by the essays this month.

For Thanksgiving I recommend I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie, by Alison Jackson. It is a fun read while getting ready for the holidays.

For the upcoming Advent season, I encourage everyone to make an Advent book basket. The instructions on Pinterest said to wrap 25 Christmas picture books and then unwrap and read one each day during Advent. Last year I picked 25 Christmas picture books, but read them myself, since I no longer have resident children! During December it is a great way to sit for a few precious moments, take time to enjoy the quiet of a story, and share a love of reading. I will share more about this idea when we are closer to Advent.

I still have a few quilts to finish before December 31, 2013 first!