Party Week

This has been party week in The Villages. Most organizations, clubs, and neighborhoods party this now because many residents are leaving to travel north to spend holidays with family. Not us. We're here sort of twiddling our thumbs because even our regular activities are suspended, unless substitute instructors are found.

Monday evening was our gathering for the Central Florida MQG. The whole post about it is here, but I wanted to share this picture. Of course we took a serious picture first, but this one was the most fun.

Those who wanted could bring a gift to swap. My gift to share was one of the new 45mm endurance rotary blades by Olfa. I bought one for myself and look forward to determining if indeed, it stays sharper longer. The gift I brought home was this ruler. I don't know a thing about it!

At our line dancing holiday party on Tuesday morning at 8:30 am (we begin dancing at 7:30 am), besides sharing good eats, we gift our volunteer instructors to thank them for a year's worth of their donated time. While a card and monetary donation are the custom, I usually step outside the box to make something for each of them. This year Helen - who learns new line dances, practices, and then teaches and leads our Line Dance for Exercise class - received this ornament wall hanging. I made several of these and had fun quilting them. The pattern is a freebie on Bernina's blog, and was designed by Lee Heinrich.

Rosemary - who dances alongside Helen and runs the music - received a wristlet, something she told me last year that she would like to have. Isn't it especially nice to make a gift you know someone wants?!

The only other sewing I've done is to piece a fifth 24" X 24" block for the Wayward Transparency Quilt Along.

Can you see where I had to "make" fabric? I didn't have enough of the middle value to cut the size squares needed, so I pieced two blocks. Hopefully, the piecing isn't too noticeable.

While I have no doubt that everyone else is making one large quilt, I on the other hand will be making five small quilts! Truthfully, the thought of sandwiching, quilting, and binding five quilts doesn't sound like fun at all, but I know they'll make an impact hanging on the wall above the sliding glass doors.

On Saturday I'm going caroling with a group from church who will visit several assisted living places. Then, the following Wednesday (20th), I'm joining my ukulele-playing friends for "Ukulele on the Square." We'll be at Market Square at Sumter Landing on Wednesday morning at 9 am.

photo courtesy of Ron Clark

Can you imagine this square filled with a couple hundred ukulele-players, and singers? Anyone can join as together we sing Christmas songs and a few non-Christmasy songs following lyrics shown on a large screen. This is a first-time activity for The Villages, and it's expected to be a big one! I'm only hoping the weather isn't rainy or cold. Even 40-degrees (which it has been lately) is cold here! Linda