Sounds like we are all in that same sinking boat :lol: That's the feeling I keep getting, I'm sunk. Am trying to have a lap quilt for ea gr kid and gr gr kid, have done more than 30 pillowcases, some sets and some loners for the kids. Would love to make aprons but not sure there will be time, most have to be mailed. Have a benefit auction Dec 5th that I have a flannel Christmas lap quilt to get pinned and quilted. Have a young home school gal that wants to finish up ragged denim quilts.....2, maybe 3 of them, she is so enthusiastic :D Wait til reality hits her :roll: she will have blisters from ragging the seams. We all will make it and will have a great Christmas, tired and happy :D

My panicking just went up a few notches.. I broke my quilting foot. While pulling a quilt through the machine, my hand slipped and smacked up against the box part on the back of the foot. The plastic notch that was held around the screw to changing the feet snapped in two places. That was a $100 foot!! I'm freaking out cause there is no Husqvarna dealer around here, (although mind you I will be calling every single dealer in the yellow pages tomorrow morning) I'm just glad I finished all the tree skirts when I did!

One year I had the great idea to make a quilted project for 7 people. :shock: Then I added a wall hanging for my Gram. It was craziness. But, it got done. This year, there's only a wall hanging, (the top is almost done), and 23 bookmarks for my students (18 tops are done). My mil wants a wall hanging, and the fabric is ready, but she doesn't care when she gets it. I hope to have it done by Christmas though. Then there's Mark's CW quilt...

I think getting ready for the craft sale was way worse than Christmas.

We have to be careful to not take on too much so the joy always balances out--my joy for quilting was slipping for a few weeks. Now it's back! :D

Oh gosh--Aggi--I just read your post above. :shock: Good luck!

Been there Done that. And still doing. You think I would have learned my lesson by now.

Aggi...check on ebay in the buy it nows....thats where I got mine..and for far less than what I woulda' paid a dealer. I HATE when something like that happens!!

It doesn't seem to matter how early in the year I get started, I always seem to run out of time to get everything finished before time to mail packages.

If anyone discovers a way to get more than 24 hours out of a day, please let me know. lol

Law 101. I stopped working and that really helps with the time but not so great for the budget.

My problem is that I have sooooo many ideas in mind for special, personalized hand made gifts and I never start until I feel like Christmas is almost here. Oh, well--like they say "it's the thought that counts"...... :mrgreen:

Some things I've "homemade for the holidays" :

Pillow cases - favorite colors or themes

cell phone pouches to hang off the handles of a purse (no more digging through your bag looking for your ringing phone)

shopping bags (quilted and not) for my "green" friends and family members who don't want to use plastic or paper at the store

drawstring laundry bags for college kids or anybody who has to haul stuff to a laundrymat or a drycleaner

wild ironing board covers for sewing friends (made one that looked like a surfboard for a friend who lives by the ocean)

double-sided flannel scarves with winter appliques (think snowmen, pinecones and berries, sportsteams) and then make rag fringe for the ends

hope some of these ideas help.

jeanie in indiana