Sometimes I push myself too hard.  You too, right?  Yesterday was packed with lots of good things - really good things - but too many.  I can tell I'm going to pay for it today.  Activity overload and everything tends to suffer, even my sewing.  I might cut corners, give my creative second-best or find myself at the end of a project feeling "done" rather than satisfied.

Yesterday I didn't have time to post, but I decided to finish this Christmas kitchen mat instead.  So yeah, I did, but I didn't much enjoy the process.  How much more beneficial would some restful improv sewing have been!  Hindsight and all that.  It's hard for me to accept that choosing to say "enough" might be wiser than meeting my goals at times.  That's the trouble with high expectations. Sometimes they're too high and who's to tell you?

Dang, life is confusing.

Well, the good news about this here mat is that it doesn't slip.  I took the time to await the arrival of non-slip fabric, which I built into a backing for the mat.  It sure doesn't look fancy from the back, but well, whatever.

I layered the heavily quilted mat top over an extra layer of batting and the mat backing.  Then, I folded Kona Lime over at the edges and secured with a zigzag stitch to finish.

Easy.  Done.  Aria said, "Oh, mommy, you made that?!?!"  So, that was nice.  And, it really doesn't slip, so I'm totally glad I waited for the backing.

The tree is up and the decorations are out.  I'm cheered to see it all and add a few more layers of handmade this year.   Is it too early to say, "Merry Christmas"?  Nah, I don't think so.  It's December 1st, after all.  So, I wish us all a very merry holiday season.  Let's give ourselves the grace to enjoy this present day.

P.S. This Oh Christmas Tree" mini is a project from my Curves Class, which is not currently being offered live. However, you can purchase the complete Curves Coursebook to access all the information, patterns and videos. Enjoy!