Too soon?

You know how it's annoying when you're out shopping on July 12th and they've already got holiday stuff out? I hate to admit it, but with sewing you've got to be just like retail and stay ahead of the calendar. I'm trying to be a little more "in" the season that it actually is, instead of going too far ahead. But as I don't have much time for sewing after Thanksgiving I've got to do Christmas now. This week I plowed through four stuffed Christmas trees (like last year's).

Based on previous experience, I was mentally set for this to take me forEVer. I was picturing several late nights, and that feeling that I was never going to reach the end. But I slapped the ric-rac on all 4 trees and had them all assembled in ONE. NIGHT. It took me just as long to stuff them another night (thanks for the help, Mumsy!), and to hand-sew the openings shut  on another, but they're all done. It's my last large order for the year, and it felt good to be finished.

So here is my own little forest:

Well...I guess they're someone ELSE's little forest as they're being given as gifts by my buyer. And the fourth one is the same as one of the others so that's why there's only three in the photos. I love the fabric combos:

Here's your much more traditional bright red and green.

 This one is a little more toned down--the red has holly leaves on it but I failed to capture that.

 When I laid out the fabrics I wasn't crazy about this one, but once assembled I really liked it.

The one thing I had a MUCH easier time of this year was the ric rac. Last year I laid it down along the edge and sewed through the center of it. When I sewed the seams only the little humps were showing. This year I laid it down about a quarter inch from the edge and basted it, just catching the bottom of it. When I sewed it all together the just-right amount was showing. Yay for new skills!

 You can see a little more of the holly in this pic.

I took a half day from work on Friday, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have next week's quilt block already finished, as well as a small order that completes my to-do-for-others list for the year. There's a Christmas quilt under the needle that will be finished this week, and I'm hoping to have a tutorial for my wee little change purse up for you by next weekend. Isn't it great to finish things up?

Now I'm off to get ready for Monday, and do a little knitting while I watch 'Elf.' I know...it's too soon, but I LOVE that movie :)

Linking here this week:

Skip to My Lou *** Sumo's Sweet Stuff *** Pinkapotamus *** Ask Anna *** Sew Can Do *** Craftomaniac *** Homemaker on a Dime *** C.R.A.F.T. *** Running With  Glitter *** Sarahndipities *** Sugar Bee Crafts *** All Thingz Related *** Creative Itch Boutique *** Funky Polkadot Giraffe *** Chef in Training *** Tip Junkie *** My Girlish Whims *** Sew Much Ado *** Blue Cricket Design *** Free Pretty Things for You *** Tea Rose Home *** Someday Crafts *** Somewhat Simple *** Fireflies and Jellybeans *** Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom *** Today's Creative Blog *** Between U and Me *** Creation Corner *** The Shabby Nest *** While He Was Napping *** Tatertots and Jello *** Be Different Act Normal *** To Sew With Love *** Sugar Pink Boutique