Since I got such a good start on the strip sets for my blocks for my table topper the other night, I was able to chunk through sewing the blocks together quickly. I sewed half of them together last night and then the other half were sewn today as I sat in on a webinar for work.

Since there’s only 16 blocks for this table topper, I had them all sewn and pressed in no time. And they are now up on my design wall.

The person I’m making this for requested wine colors. There are other colors in this, mostly pinks and some peaches and oranges. But they are needed to make the darker wine tones sing! Overall, I think it has a dark and rich feel.
I’ll use this darker fabric for the border… maybe a three or four inch border… and that will darken up the entire thing and make it read more wine.

I have no recollection of how I calculated the cuts to make the other table topper into a hexagon. I was able to find several videos with instructions to cut a square piece of paper into a hexagon, but they all have you cut material off of one of the ends of the square. So my blocks would be catty wompus. No one wants that.
I’ll have to give it some thought.
I was supposed to play pickleball this morning but it was raining so it got canceled. I’m hoping to get to play tomorrow morning at the big church. It’s probably unlikely but I might get lucky. I will sleep with my fingers crossed and check first thing in the morning.
Ernie has met my expectations of being an easy house guest. He just fits in so easily. Here’s Ernie and Rico having a nice snoozle after breakfast this morning.

We took two walks today so they are all out cold as I type. I like tired dogs!
I pulled out the good whisky last night and it was so much more tasty in my egg nog.

I had another glass tonight with a very generous pour of whisky. I usually only allow myself one pint of egg nog each Christmas but I might have to break that rule this year! I do love my egg nog during the holidays!
Ernie climbed up on the sofa with me as I was having my lunch today. he was shivering so I wrapped him up in my quilt. I think he would have slept there for hours if I hadn’t had to et up to go back to work.

I do love having this guy around. He’s really good natured, like my boys. They are all so agreeable and easy.

Hello! I like that you can be you. Have an extra eggnog for me.
Blankets are good for our puppies, they wash easily and come out warm from the dryer which my Bostons love.
I love hearing about pickleball and how you inspire all of us to keep going and doing the right thing by others.
Take care of you. And have a wonderful Christmas.
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My little Forrest used to always jump into the basket of laundry fresh from the dryer. He loved to be warm. He always slept under the covers of my bed. I miss that little furry hot water bottle.
Anne
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Merry (eggnog) CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR. To you and the boys
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Happy holidays!
Anne
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And to you too!
Anne
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I will try that stuff in my egg nog! Looks delishusss…and the boys all snoozled up, so adorables.
Your table topper would look very nice organized as kind of trip around the world layout, Anne, what do you think? Love the Kaffe fabrics! More! More!!
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Can’t do it as a trip quilt because the blocks aren’t built for that. . . each block is basically a checkerboard. I don’t think the trip pattern would be very strong.
Anne
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Your eggnog looks really good, maybe I’ll have to get some, a nice Christmas Eve drink.
Your topper is lovely, I’m sure your friend will love it. Ernie looks so sweet cuddled in your quilt.
Merry Christmas to you and all them best in 2024.
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I don’t often drink when I’m alone… aside from an occasional beer in the heat of the summer or wine when having dinner with friends. But I do enjoy my egg nog during the holidays!
Anne
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Tabletopper colors are great , I’m sure your friend will be delighted. I just got some brandy for my eggnog ( tis the season ) have a great Christmas
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Enjoy your egg nog! One of my favorite parts about the holidays!
Anne
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Topper is great , I’m guessing your friend will be delighted, I just got some brandy for my eggnog ( tis the season) have a great Christmas
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The way you post about your life – it seems so uncomplicated but I am sure it is not. You write so eloquently. Enjoy your eggnog! Happy Holidays to you!!
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I think my life probably is pretty uncomplicated. I try to have some control over what stresses me outside of work. it’s nice to be able to have that level of control.
Anne
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Hi Anne, I love that you are able to multi-task sewing and working! The best/only good thing to come out of the pandemic is working from home and being able to live your real life while also working. Yeah!
Have a good Christmas with the boyz. I also love Ernie!
Best wishes from us,
Marjorie and Bella
[image: IMG_20231020_161235040_HDR.jpg]
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The things I like about working from home really have nothing to do with the actual work! I get to hang out with my dogs. I’m saving a lot of time by not having to commute and I can spend some of it walking my dogs mid day. I can toss in a load of laundry between meetings. I don’t have to take time off work to wait for a repair person. but the work part is harder than it used to be.
Anne
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Love that fabric combo in the quilt the little guy is wrapped in. Do you remember the fabric line?
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It was made from all batiks that I had collected over time. I’m sure they were from all kinds of brands and manufacturers. I used a multi colored vase I have in my living room as the inspiration for the colors I used.
Anne
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I love seeing the fur babies.❤️
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thanks!
Anne
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Coucou Anne comme d habitude de superbes tissus
J admire à bientôt Josette de France
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Merci Josette! C’est audacieux et j’espère que ce n’est pas trop audacieux pour le destinataire !
Anne
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Sorry pickle ball was rained out. Ernie looks so cute and comfy in that quilt 🥰. 3 happy tired babies!
Question – do you use a specific needle when hand binding? I think I will purchase some quilting size 10 by Tulip. I hear they are easier on the hands. My arthritis is flaring up – does that in winter.
Thanks and Merry Christmas to you, Bender, Rico and Ernie❤️
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I’m using the same needle for hand binding that I used for my English paper pieced hexagons. Someone recommended it to me. It’s a little longer and is easier on my poor hands. This is what I’m using:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D06J4NO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Anne
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TY ♥️ I will try them
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ahhh! there you are! i really look forward to your messages. love seeing the world from your angle
the 4 legged kids are precious 🤗 i have a mini schnauzer.
and your blues and earth tones quilt is gorgeous – from what I can see – lucky Ernie. Thank you for sharing all.
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I love mini schnauzers! I’ve known a good number of them in my life.
Thanks for reading!
Anne
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This is embarrassing, but I confess that I had never heard of table toppers before — and I still don’t understand what they are for!
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It’s the modern equivalent of doilies. They could be functional, but mostly decoration. No different than a pretty table cloth you keep on your table when you’re not eating on it.
Anne
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Thank you. One new thing I’ve learned today.
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