I would have trouble choosing between a Chanel-style jacket that has been rolling around in my head and the most exquisite christening gown ever made. The Chanel-style jacket is more realistic but the christening gown would be the most fun. I love doing all of that putsy stuff.

I so would love elves that will clean and keep my sewing room tidy. I have tons of room. Sounds great? The more you have the more you use. I am not good at deadlines so things get into quite a mess sometimes, like now! I seem to remember a childrens story about a shoemaker who had elves that came and finished his work and cleaned up his workshop every night while he slept. Perfect! Merry Christmas.

I am most grateful to my mother who made most of my clothes. They were timely, perfectly done and unique. I had the same kind of clothes everyone else did but with little extra touches that made them mine. She inspired me to begin making doll clothes and I made my first outfit for myself when I was 10. I've been sewing and quilting ever since. My sewing room can be a place of reflection and sometimes frustration but it is always a refuge of comfort and joy. As I work on my projects I think of my mother with lovely memories. My mother is 87 now and deep within herself with Alzheimer's Disease. Her beautiful warm blue eyes look deeply into mine when we visit. She is searching but I am remembering. Those memories help me cope with this awful disease just as my time in my sewing room. I am grateful.