Christmas Made in America

I'm glad to see the push to buy Christmas presents Made In America.  Anything to get the country working is a step in the right direction. I know lots of people who are getting quilts made here!!

All the printing for my business I do here, but I do shop prices, I have to admit. The Rag Rug Tool is manufactured up past Los Angeles.  I love the idea of using my local businesses.  In the quilting world, we aren't very good at this.  All the fabric is made somewhere else, books are printed in China.  I would love to see our mills that once clothed the world, busy once again making fabulous bolts of quilting fabric.  Farmers growing cotton, and all the industries that support the farming communities, lots of jobs.  I think this will be my Christmas wish for our industry.  How big a Stocking do you think I need for that one?

Lists, lists, lists, I have constant lists. Quiets the noises in my head!

This is the time of year for lists.  I use to make lists that I would just keep in my head.  So guess what happened to those lists.  Like the way of 8-track tapes and Speed Racer, disappeared into the abyss of my memory.  I had a vendor friend, who started making lists 2 hours before we started to tear down on the last day of the quilt shows.  I always thought that was really smart, make a list of things you need to restock or reorder.
Not me, always thought I would remember that.  No, get to the next show and still be out of it. 

So I started writing things down, better now.  Not perfect, still gotta manage to find the lists once I've create them.  Still, at least it's written down somewhere in the universe, that alone makes me feel better, in control.  So, back to my original thought, I'm getting things checked off mine.  Presents are bought, not wrapped yet, but in the house.  Christmas cards are gone, the free turkey from Thanksgiving is in the freezer so we won't starve on Christmas, and the chocolate chips are bought for the baking that starts next week. 
My Rusty Crow Winter Newsletter went out today.  That was a BIG check off my list.  I loved seeing so many familiar names in my address book.  Made me happy all over again to be a quilter. 

So continue with this lists topic, I hope Santa has me on his.

One more Christmas quilt to get done!!! Dinner with WA Friends!

Christmas with grown kids is very different than Christmas of the past.  It's all good, just different.  I don't worry much about them peeking now that they are in their 20's.  I love that I don't have to worry about the most popular toy being found, wrapped and parked under our tree.

Rusty Crow Quilting has one more promised Christmas quilt, then this quilter is going to start baking, shopping and enjoying the holiday.  Starting with the Rusty Crow Holiday party tomorrow night. 

Tonight, Mike and I are having dinners with old friends from Washington.  Can't wait to meet up over a Margarita and catch up!!

Getting ready for the Annual Rusty Crow Christmas Party

Every year on the first Wednesday of December, all the quilters associated with Rusty Crow Quilt Shop, get together and Party.  I decorate the classroom and make Chocolate Martinis as a THANK YOU for supporting me, quilting for me, cutting for me, bagging fabric for me, tying fat quarters for me, making samples for me, well you get the idea.  I have many, many wonderful peeps, who peep for me.  I give everyone a big fat discount on everything at the party.  We laugh, eat tons, drink Martinis like sailors (fancy sailors) and have a Nasty Santa Exchange.  If you are in town and want to come, please call.  760-752-7784!  Bring a gift and a dish to share, your Martini is waiting.

Last Wednesday night quilt class until 2012

The fact that I can already write 2012 in a real sentence and it not be science fiction is funny to me.  I remember went I graduated from high school in 1980 and thinking, "Wow, I'm going to see another century come and go." 

I'm going to turn 50 in 2012.  Another funny thought.  The 20's were a blink, too busy with life to appreciate any of it.  The 30's were about growing into a real person with responsibilities and raising decent little people.  The 40's, I developed who I really wanted to be, the focus was clearing and I had real goals that I wanted to achieve that weren't child or relationship related.  Besides, I already hit the jackpot in that department and plan on a lifetime with them. 

But 50, well now.  I'm really hoping it blows my hair back, in a unforgettably good way.  If the end of 2011 is any indication of whats to come, I'm pretty excited.  Rusty Crow Patterns are getting noticed, I'm really trying to focus on the future, making plans to grow the business.  I want to bring as many of my talented friends and peeps along for the ride. 

So before 2011 disappears into the history books, I wish it would take the ten pounds of pre-holiday weight that I want to lose so I won't fell guilty about eating more than my share of Christmas goodies.  Another funny thought.

Undone Christmas Quilts= No Shopping

Working on another Christmas quilt for a friend.  I have not shopped at all this season, but I usually don't until all my quilting work is done.  I don't want to feel guilty that everyone doesn't have the quilts that they need for presents.  Someone will catch me at the mall, and think why hasn't she called me!!!!  Uck! Too much Pressure.

I'm all most done with Christmas cards for my husband's business clients.  That is TV work, mindless repetitiion, like binding.  I usually don't do anything creative after 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  Morning is my best and most productive time. 
When is your most productive time of the day?
Regardless, have a great one. Shawn

Home from Houston, Turkey Day Done, and only 8 more quilts to get done before Christmas.

This past month has flow by.  Rusty Crow made is debut in Houston for both Market and Festival.  Met lots of great people.   I made wonderful new friends that I hope I have forever.  The new patterns were well received. Rusty Crow is now in business with United Notions and hoping to make a few more connections with distributors.

 Here is a photo of the newest Needle Keeper that we have kitted.