I don't have time for big or complicated projects, anymore, so I've been making a lot of simple and small things like placemats, runners, and tabletoppers. I reckon this is also a good way to use up my stash -- rather than "wasting" time shopping for the "perfect" fabric I can "make do" with the warehouse I have put together over the past five years. When I found this print at Jo-Ann Fabric three or four years ago, I was so enamored that I bought four yards. Four yards which hung out in my stash looking awesome whenever I unearthed them, but never actually put to use. Now, as placemats, I get to admire this fabric everyday and know I've saved myself a bit of money, too, by not going placemat happy at Linens & Things or whatnot. So, yes, multicolor "medieval" scroll is from Jo-Ann Fabrics circa 2003. Purple accent fabric is from a fat quarter bundle I purchased in February 2006 for an actual project (I only needed 1 fat quarter out of the bundle, but figured the rest would be useful ... someday). Batting is pieced together from bits of leftover Soft & Natural. Placemats are backed with the same scroll fabric and quilted with purple metallic thread I bought when the only really local quilt shop closed down.

We pulled the Christmas decorations from their home in the garage today. We don't do much decorating (as I hate un-decorating at the end of the season), but its still nice to pull the decorations out and see the house take on the holiday cheer feel. I made the runner last year and just made the placemats today. The placemat material was in a box of great fabric I picked up for $1 at a church rummage sale in May. The green & gold napkins were a gift a few years back from a friend.