Did you hear me hit the wall?
 

Thought I had all the time, ambition and inspiration needed this year to make Christmas gifts for all my friends. Started in early October. I'm so burned out and exhausted from my "second" job of sewing or knitting in one way, shape or form every night. Nothing finishing up as quickly as I'd like and now the machine is acting up on a regular basis. It's probably as stressed out as I am so I can't fault the poor thing, although I've threatened it with some pretty vile language just tonight. The end is in sight if I don't flip out first. If I even begin to feel this ambitious towards Christmas 2012, someone please just kick me in the butt. Thanks for letting me vent and I'm certain I'm not the only one feeling like this.

Was that you? I heard that all the way to Texas! Yep, I certainly sympathize. Have done it to myself before. I'm sort of doing the same thing but everyone knows to expect anything sewn to be arriving sometime before Easter.... Good luck! "I think I can, I think I can!"

Oi, I thought the thud was me! ;) We'll get through it - the great thing is IT HAS AN END. And the end is near. Breathe in, breathe out, and don't forget to have some wine BEFORE you FMQ! :P

Yup, that was me sounding like a "flop from a tall cow" when I hit that wall. I'm paraphrasing my late Dad with that little gem.

Next year I'm starting Christmas gifts in January, just like I had planned to do this year. Or maybe I can just finish this years and give for next years gifts and be ahead....

Why not just make things you like all year round and then decide who gets them in Dec? I haven't done it either, but I like my idea...that way I can enjoy each thing I make and then give it to someone I love. So what if my son doesn't like pink roses on his quilt? LOL

Put some ice on the lumps in a few days the pain will be gone :)

My Christmas gifts that I make are always late.... just a way of life for me. I always say I wills tart earlier and then something comes up and well... the rest is history... Glad I am not alone :)

I lack just a bit and find myself slowing down - maybe skidding into that wall. I don't lack too much - binding one twin-sized quilt and finishing 5 more placemats - already pieced them so they'll go fast. BUT I find myself thinking of all the lovely projects I hve waiting for me that are not Christmas gifts! My hands are itching to start something NEW and ... so far I'm holding back. So far, but ... can you hear them - from their baggies they are calling my name!

LOL.....I can relate to everybodies post...!!!!! I already told my DH today that I was starting in Jan. making the gifts for 2012....he just laughed and walked away.....

sorry, i can't stop laughing. not laughing at you, just at me. hope that wall is strong. i am about to hit it too at about 80 mph. i have two more quilts tops to layer and quilt, then bind all four quilts. and make a dozen pillowcases. hope to get the pillowcases done tomorrow at quilting group. also, have all day quilt group on friday, should be able to get some of the quilting done.

ah, well. tis the season to be merry. where is that glass of wine?

I was about to hit the wall, then decided the heck with it. What gets done, gets done. Since then I've gotten a lot more done! I just put my DH's quilt on the longarm frame to quilt. Try to do THAT and get it quilted when he's not paying attention to what I have on the LA working on. He knows I don't have any customer work on there....
My DD is getting an IOU as she wants wall hanging for every season next year. So I get to give hers to her all year long as I'm getting them done. The rest are done, and wrapped or shipped out already. I only have three total days off work until Christmas, so time is short.
Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
Quilter's Pantry

That is my plan too, let's do it! January 2012 Attacking it!

wow! am i glad i found this post! if i didn't know better, i'd think ya'll are talking about ME!!! lol I just started a large quilt on Saturday for my son for Christmas.... I almost have the top completed so I figure it's all down-hill from here! lol

Why do we always do this to ourselves? WHY?:D

That was how I sounded two years ago. I was making quilted Christmas stocking in a crazy quilt design. I planned on making one for each of my grown children and their mates and my granddaughter. Well I only made one and it even had a decent flaw. That took me two weeks. Well the following year I said my prayer before beginning and I was then able to make one per night and they came out really nice. So I learned I have to say my prayer and give credit to God and then it all flows so well.

Every year my quilting buddies and I say that we are going to start on Christmas presents in January and somehow or other it never happens. So, like everybody else I am wishing that I had at least another two weeks to get things done. My intentions are always good but you know what they say about good intentions. Sigh!

my older DD was helping me with some pilowcases the other day. She was ironing and I was sewing. My machine did every stupid thing it could do. Plus a few of my own mistakes. @@

SOMEONE PLEASE SEND OUT A MEMO ABOUT SEPT. 1 that we don't have to make every gift we give.

PLEASE!

Actually it gets better. After venting on QB I went back to sewing last night. Once again, my machine "Sir-Chugs-Alot" gave me attitude. I was sputtering like a sailor and husband walks by and had the cajones to say "you know, you bring this on yourself". I will file that little morsel away and bring it back around some day when his latest project isn't all moonlight and roses. Gotta love him, someone needs to! Happy to report that the lap quilt binding went on so slick tonight. My faith is sewing is restored some. In the meantime, I will be stopping at the wine store tomorrow night in case I need to call in the reinforcement before all these gifts are done. Nice to know there are dents in the proverbial wall besides my own.

I heard the thump, thought my DH fell off the couch!! Heck, finish what you can, give IOU's, or finish them for birthdays. Your sewing machine is telling you something, listen to it, take it easy, sewing is supposed to be our fun!!

I feel your pain. I am only working on two projects, and am behind in my personal deadline and am starting to freak. One quilt is for an acquatance that offerred to pay me to make a quilt for his girlfriend. He is pleased with what I have so far, but his expectations are so high and he is so nervous about every step that it's making me a wreck. My husband calls him my personal stalker. Hopefully just a few more days and I will be done.

We WERE behind on everything here...tree, decorating the house, shopping, cookies etc. I have 2 projects going...one is almost done and the other I have to sandwich and then quilt. But it's in the ditch and then just straight lines for the Christmas table topper. It's for us so still have time. Hubby took off work today and we got all of the shopping done...also Amazon is a lifesaver...ordered a lot from there and the last shipment with most everything was shipped out today. House is 99% decorated, tree is up with the lights on it. Christmas cards are now all in the mail. First batch of cookies went in the garbage. I have a thing about always trying new recipes...should test it at another time of year...not for Christmas. We have 2 Christmas parties this weekend, have to deliver a gift to a friend on Friday plus put wreaths on my hubby's parents and grandparents graves, hosting Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange with our kids and grandkids. And then 12/28 hosting hubby's brothers and their families (25 people) for our annual Christmas dinner and visiting. I'm sure I left something out.

Every year we say...next year we are not doing as much and then before you know it we are acutally doing more than the year before. I'm getting too old for this.......LOL

Oh LindaM49, hosting the 25 people on the 28th sounds almost worse than starting a king size quilt at this point. Please tell me everyone brings a dish to pass. Maybe it's time to hint broadly to the next generation that it's their turn to plan and host. Have a glass of wine and tell them how very rewarding it feels and try to keep a straight face!

I was on a roll - had some many projects done and then BAM my machine went on the naughty list! Thankfully, my dealer lent me a machine while my baby is at the doctor so I can get some more things done.

I was so proud before as I had even mailed out some presents early but oh my her misbehaving seer me back big time because of all the days fighting with her!

I do it every year.

I'm starting to feel a little stressed too. alright, a little bit more than a little. I have a little under half of my mom's quilt to finish by hand by Christmas (and wash) and I figure at least 10 more hours to finish the quilting in it. On the bright side, as we stay home on Christmas, as long as they get it by midnight it's on time :) Other than that, I finished sewing tags on the rest of my gifts tonight and only have to wash them tomorrow. Oh, why is Christmas so early?? Can't it wait a little? Like til March???

On a scary thought and not to stress anyone out, but Christmas is in 11 days! (Gah! got to get moving!)

I think the reason this never happens might be because we're all "christmased out" and don't want to think about anything Christmasy until we're ready for it. Which unfortunately is always too late in the year

Yes...everyone does bring a dish to share. The hosts always make the most, but when you have 8 families bringing other things sometimes you end up with too much food. Thank God my daughter and her daughter LOVE to cook (daughter graduated from Culinary and now grandaughter is a junior and in Culinary Arts) so they usually bring a couple of dishes. Good point about the next generation except...in all honesty, I think 1/2 of them don't think getting together with family beyond your own immediate family is important anymore. Not like when I was young(50s) and our kidswere born in 1970 and 1972. I'm not a big wine drinker (only like white/dry wine) but I sure will be sipping on a gin and tonic...water glass size. LOL

As far as everyone else...I hope you all get your projects finished without too much stress.

Every, every gosh darn year, it is the same thing, over and over. Push, push,push and by the time Christmas arrives, I am harried, frustrated and grumpy as a sore thumb. Why do we do this to ourselves and everyone who is unfortunate enought to be around us??? Guess there really is no cure, I have been doing it all my adult years and nothing changes. Must be a slow learner.

I couldn't even beging to attempt a project as large as that since I do pretty much everything by hand. I'd be banging my head against the wall! Good luck on finishing.

This year my wall crashing isn't as bad as in the past. I like to think I am getting smarter. Sure! We will see what next year brings. Like a few have mentioned...I am going to start making some of these wonderful ideas in January and next December just wrap u my gifts and go out and party. I will check in next year at this time and let you know how it goes.

The best of all plans.......Every year I vow to do it differently. THIS year, I've decided to decide what to make in Jan. do all the ideas and brain storming, then assign a set number of projects for each month. Worth a shot. Man plans, God laughs.

Yep, I heard you...or somebody hit the wall. I'll bet there are a bunch of us who are at the same place right now. I planned to start my gifts in October, became very ill and finally was faced with either shopping for gifts or calling Christmas off. I finally made a few sets of mug rugs, bought cute mugs and baked dozens of cookies. The kids will love them "because G'Ma made them". They are insulted when I buy their gifts. I'm starting next years gifts in January too!!

I am also right there along with you! I thought that it would get better once I finished classes for this quarter, nope, working more! Just have to keep telling myself I'm not superwoman!! Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves? Not sure there is an answer, other than we want it to be perfect! Well, have a Merry Christmas!!!

Hang in there... I know how you feel... you will get done what needs to be done... if not at Christmas give the folks a note saying your gift is coming in January!!
True friends will understand..
hugs
quiltinmama

I almost hit that wall last night. I'm working on binding 9 potholders, but one corner decided not to cooperate last night and I had to rip it out 3 times to get it right. Just a few more to do, I'll be done before Christmas but I'm feeling a little stressed and want the project to be over NOW. Time to take a deep breath and grab a beer.

Well, I feel your pain as well. I had many plans myself and the projects lined up....BUT....my machine is in the shop right now ( 18 days so far)...nothing dramatic as far as I know, just regular check up and maintance. Not good timing, but was the only chance to get it in since my closest dealer is now over 100 miles away. My next chance to take it in was no where in the near future and it had already been well over 2 years since her check up and upgrade. BOOHOO!!!
I know my DH will be glad for me to have her back as well....these withdrawals are a frustration for sure!
The good side to this situation......I am getting my house clean! hahahahaha

We make things for those we love and we love quilting so it is a natural gift. It's just that we have so many people to share our love with!

So glad to hear that I'm not on my own. Thank you to all my quilting sisters. One and a half labels and I'm finished. Just stopped for a drink and thought I'd check in. Have told DH that once I've been to Post Office in the morning I'm going to flop in my recliner and stay put. God bless him he actually understands this time. I feel like I've been chained to my machine for the past few weeks.
Oh well, back to the labels.

I decided a couple of years ago, to no longer "do" Christmas madness. I make hand made gifts
for my brood all year long but they don't show up at Christmas. I just give them out when they
are done. Christmas is now a nice dinner, a few small gifts (socks, chocolates, mitts) and some
$ which my young adult kids gleefully spend at the Boxing Day Sales after Christmas on clothes
and electronics. For the first time in years, I am almost enjoying Christmas and I know there
will be no exchanges or complaints that it doesn't fit or is the wrong colour.