I played pickleball this morning. I was on a very foggy and cold court at 8:30 and played until 10:30. it was a great way to start a Saturday. When I was done I hit the road for Washington for Rico’s sheep herding lesson. He was amazing and did some pretty impressive work.
When I got home I iced my sore foot and dug into my recipes to put together my shopping list.
After getting dinner for me and the dogs later in the day, I went to the grocery store to get my Christmas Eve dinner shopping done. My list seemed really long but I had it done in no time. I got everything I needed except for fresh Rosemary. So I bought some dried instead. I might stop tomorrow and see if I can find some fresh.
After shopping I hit my sewing room with the goal of finishing the quilting on my table topper. So I rolled it up and clipped it so it would be easier to manipulate through my machine.

Then I started stitching.

Not only did I finish the quilting on the center of the topper, but I finished the more detailed quilting on the border.

Once it was done I trimmed all the edges and pinned it up on my design wall.

I’m really happy with how this has turned out. And I’m really glad I’m done with all that quilting! Not my favorite part.
I’m thinking I might need to make a quilt from these fabrics!
Here’s some detail.

And a little more

And one more just because I like it!

While it was up on the design wall I decided to try a couple different options for the binding. One is the same fabric as the backing. The black Shaggy.

I like it, but I think the recipient will like the black Luscious better.

I’ll probably work on this a little tomorrow if I have time. I don’t have to gift this until 6 pm Christmas Day so I have time to hand stitch the binding as I watch Christmas movies and drink egg nog!
I’m playing pickleball at an indoor facility with my coach tomorrow morning at 7:30. When I get home I have to do a little housekeeping and then get busy on meal prep. This will be complicated by the fact that my dishwasher is on the fritz and I’m not due for a repair person until January 2. Christmas is not a good time to need a dishwasher repair. I’ll be hand washing a lot of pots and pans, dishes, glasses and utensils tomorrow.
I leave you with this sweetie pie…


Merry Christmas to you and your boys ! Always love to read your posts and see the beautiful projects you are doing. Take care of your foot.
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Merry Christmas! Thanks for reading!
Anne
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Trudging through and sharing those thoughts about quilting. I have a king size I have been working on for at least 10 years so maybe in 2024 it will emerge finished.
Those puppies deserve some pampering, warmed blankets here and plenty of hugs too.
While pickleball is still on my bucket list. Reading about you playing is pretty close to being on the court myself.
Starting some foods for Christmas Day appetizers. Those little wieners with barbecue sauce and grape jelly and deviled eggs. Looking forward to son’s dinner this year.
Merry Christmas and I wish you health and much happiness and more emails coming this year.
Hugs,
Dianne
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I was on the pickleball courts at 7:30 this morning! It meant that I got a nice early start to my day. I was home by 10 am and was ready to get cooking!
Merry Crhistmas1
Anne
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Love your table topper, glorious colour!!
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thank you! I hope it’s not to much for the recipient! She thought off white walls were bold color!
Anne
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Merry Christmas to you and yours. Ernie, too!
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thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!
Anne
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I just want to boop that nose ! Sounds like you have everything well in hand. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!
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Thank you! Merry Christmas to you!
Anne
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Love the table topper AND the black nose! Prefer the dark fabric for binding. It’s Christmas Eve 10.30pm Downunder and sending heartfelt Christmas wishes. Hope to hear more from you as we move into 2024.
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Merry Christmas!
Anne
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Merry Christmas Anne, and to the wee boys as well! How about facing that table topper? The colours are indeed gorgeous and you are right, would make a lovely quilt. Enjoy your Christmas dishes, if not the washing of! I will be dreaming of your lemon pound cake…
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I prefer the look of a binding. And this is small enough that it won’t take very long to hand sew it. I have a lot of time tomorrow to finish it.
Merry Christmas. My Lemon cake is in the oven right now!
Anne
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Yeah for Bender’s great medical report. The table topper is gorgeous. I think you chose the perfect fabric for the binding – just my opinion. The print seems a little bit smaller, so it’ll blend in and really accent the topper. I’m sure your friend is going to love it. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with your friends. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful 2024. Thanks for writing your blog and keeping your readers inspired. I, for one, truly appreciate your time and effort to keep up with it!
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Merry Christmas to you! Thank for reading and for taking the time to comment!
Anne
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Coucou Anne bon courage pour la vaisselle
Est-ce que ton pied va mieux
Tes tissus sont splendides bravo à toi bon réveillon
Josette de France
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Mon pied va mieux qu’il y a quelques mois mais il n’est pas complètement guéri. C’est agréable de se sentir mieux !
Joyeux Noël de ma part et de mes garçons !
Anne
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I have really enjoyed your work! Merry Christmas 🎁🎄
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Thank you so much and thanks for reading!
Anne
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Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your sweet furry boys!
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Merry Christmas to you!
Anne
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Happy Christmas!
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To you as well!
Anne
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Merry Christmas! I had a dream about your dogs last night. I woke up about 2:30 am thinking of all the things…to get back to sleep I started counting sheep. Not real sheep, but the cute, cartoon, animated sheep that you might see in a mattress commercial. The sheep also had a banner on their side with a number. Your dogs were rounding them up, herding them to this small gate where the sheep had to jump over a small creek as I counted them. They were definitely Rico and Bender and I knew I needed to hurry and fall asleep as you would need them back for their herding lessons and neurologist appointment. Oh this cracks me up!!! I love dreams! And beautiful table topper!!
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Bender and Rico are exhausted from all the activity you gave them!!! I don’t often remember my dreams and when I do they can be pretty goofy1
Merry Christmas!
Anne
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Gorgeous gift, you’re a wonder.
So glad all ok for Bender.
Sorry for brevity off message but now have all my family here including the 2 babies and my daughter is poorly in bed. Exhausted!
I wish you and everyone a very happy healthy and merry Christmas. See you in 2024!
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Enjoy your company! Merry Christmas!
Anne
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Merry Christmas to you and the boys
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Merry Christmas!
Anne
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Wish you merry X-mas from Falsterbo, southwest Sweden.
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I think I’ve never heard of Falsterbo! Thank you for reading and merry Christmas!!
Anne
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I feel your pain on the dishwasher especially with guests coming. Maybe they will pitch in once the meal is done so you’ll have some relief. I’m newly-moved to a house with a dishwasher from one without, so I’m grateful each time I load it and unload it!
Merry, merry!
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I used to like doing dishes after company left. It was a way to sort of wind down. But I’d be pretty happy if I didn’t have to do it tonight!
Merry Christmas!
Anne
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Merry Christmas, Ann & pooches!
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Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Anne
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I sure enjoy your posts, projects, pictures, and puppy dogs. Merry Christmas to you all!
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Thanks for reading!
Merry Christmas!
Anne
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Merry Christmas Anne, Rico & Bender and a Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe we are entering 2024 already. Thank you for sharing your brilliant mind and your fur babies with all of us. You completely amaze me with your energy and I look forward to reading your blog when you post it and you have motivated me to try quilting. Have a great Christmas dinner!
Betty from Canada!
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I’m so glad you’re going to try quilting! Dig in and don’t be afraid!!!
Mery Christmas1
Anne
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Love your posts. The quilts are so inspiring – great colors, designs, workmanship, etc. – all of it! And the “pups” are the icing on the cake! Keep it coming.
Kathy from Maine
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Thank you! I do appreciate things that are nicely made!
Merry Christmas!
Anne
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Silly, silly boy ❤️ I hope you have a lovely dinner with your friends. Merry Christmas!
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Just got my lemon pound cake in teh oven. It smells good already!
merry Christmas!
Anne
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Merry Christmas!
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Right back atcha!!!
Anne
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Ohh, what a sweetie pie for sure! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas 🎄 and 🤗 hugs!
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Merry Christmas!
Anne
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you are so creative. and get a 5 star rating: ⭐⭐⭐🌟🌟
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Merry Christmas 🎁
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Merry Christmas!
Anne
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great job on the topper. love the picture too. merry christmas and happy new year. lily in michigan
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Merry Christmas! Will be fun to see this topper all done!
Anne
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I just love this Christmas table topper! I love the colors and I love the shape! Lucky the person who receives it.
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I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I hope it’s not too far from what she envisioned!
Anne
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That table topper is so bright and cheerful Anne. Many thanks for your blogs during the year, love seeing the photos of your dogs too. A very happy and safe Xmas from New Zealand.
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Happy Christmas to you! By the time you read this your’s might be over!
Thanks for reading!
Anne
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Merry Christmas to you and the “boys”! Your posts have been so much fun to read and follow. Got me to use my Kafe fabrics and make a few purses with my Aboriginal fabrics. Thank you!
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Oh! So good to hear! I love it when people cut up their fabric and make wonderful things!
Anne
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This is easier than leaving a comment on the blog! What a great job you did on the table topper. It’s simply beautiful. Your friend is lucky.
Happy New Year.
MissesStitches
>
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when you reply to one of my emails, it doesn’t come back to me as an email It shows up as a comment on a blog post.
the emails from me are automatically generated every time I add a new post to my blog. it’s like magic1
Anne
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