Feeling Better By The Day...

 I felt well enough to pull out my Sweet Stitches "Make Merry" kit.

It features the Jolly Ol' Elf himself, so I would like to finish it while

Christmas is still in the air. I figure I have until Sunday to get him done.

 After Sunday, I think I'll need to look forward to 2014, like the

rest of you. I'd much rather be stitching than out in the stores.

I like the idea of getting back to my regular routines, too...

just in time for the new year!

How are you spending your time between now and New Years Day?

Christmas 2013...

Liljegrens 2013

Our weather was perfect, friends gathered and we spent time

catching up with our sons and their families, too. We're so blessed.

Christmas Day 2013, captured for our family album.

I'm barefoot again. Most appropriate since I rarely wear shoes at
home...in our favorite back yard spot - next to the swimming pool.

We hope that your celebrations were memorable, and the 

holiday spirit continues to fill your days into the new year.

Meals on Wheels...

 Denise G. and I have known each other for thirteen years...and we've become

good friends without ever having been in the same room together. The 

Internet is a wonderful thing, indeed. We have always exchanged gifts for 

special occasions, but we often trade with each other for no particular reason at all.

Denise is much more organized than I am this year, so her gifts arrived way

ahead of her receiving mine this Christmas. She always includes goodies from

 Vermont, but there is always something completely, uniquely, perfect for me.

 This year, tucked in among the maple candies, home-grown holly and special

syrups, I found a new book entitled, "Meals on Wheels". She found a book

written specifically for trailer campers in her friend's antique shop! WOW!

 Although it looks nearly new, this little gem was written in 1937.

 

I couldn't help but smile when I looked at the illustrations.

I might just have to transfer these to fabric, stitch one or two and

make pillows for the Flying Cloud (and Denise) when they're done!

 I've already read the book cover-to-cover and loved every bit of it. There's 

information ranging from "Housekeeping" to recipes, but one of the chapters 

that was most fun for me was the chapter on "Cooking Equipment".

 Handsome and I are always aware of the amount of weight we add to our

tow package, so you can just imagine how I giggled reading this list. It's 

actually much, much more than I would ever pack onboard for traveling. 

When I turned the page, there were more items that they considered

"optional", like a waffle maker, pressure cooker, or roaster. That's crazy!

I showed the list to Handsome, suggesting that I tend toward 'underpacked'.

He laughed. I don't blame him, either. While the book is loaded with useful

information, they definitely are willing to add more frivolous weight than we are.

Denise suggested that this might be a good addition to our travel library. You are 

so right, my friend! Thank you for everything you carefully chose for us this year. 

I'm looking forward to "tucking in" to all our goodies. Your package will be

 on its way this week. I hope you and Neil enjoy what I've chosen for you, too!

Merry Christmas hugs across the miles.

A Season of Giving...

A thoughtful gift from Sherry at Createology blog

 While I'm recuperating, I have received beautiful Christmas gifts from

dear blog friends. While I have gifts of my own all ready to send, alas

they have not yet been wrapped and packaged. This is taking a little longer

than I expected and it's a bit frustrating that I have no energy right now.

I'm so grateful for those who have taken the time to share their Christmas

spirit with me. Sherry sent this beautiful charm fob (already installed on a

favorite pair of embroidery scissors). It's decorated on both sides of the charm!

 Marydon outdid herself again this year. Look at the beautiful combination

of fabric yo yos and buttons that came together into a sweet little ornament.

She also included a chandelier crystal that I'll definitely use in a future project.

 Marydon always includes a taste tea bag attached to her greeting cards.

One of these days, she and I will sit and share a cuppa in the same room.

I'm looking forward to that. She and I will have a lot to chat about, for sure.

Thank you, Sherry and Marydon. Your gifts are appreciated more than you 

know. I hope you like the surprises I'll be sending your way soon. xoxo

I'm not clear to visit with my Coffee Club chums yet...not 'til I'm stronger.
Today is another chance for me to accomplish a few lofty, pre-Christmas goals.

Wish me luck, will ya? I sure could use it right about now.

A Quilt For Handsome...

Stunning long-arm work by Pat Alderman

After my hair appointment yesterday (I have to look good for the holidays,
right?), Handsome took me to Parrish to pick up his finished quilt from 
Pat Alderman. (I'm not cleared to drive myself yet.) He hasn't see it, as it's
his Christmas gift this year, but I just know he's going to be completely
thrilled when he unwraps it on Christmas Day. I know I'm over the moon!

Perfect quilting for a masculine design

Pat accented the Princeton plates without making them too girly. I love how

 every decision she made creates movement without being over the top. She

used a washable wool batting, so the quilt has the most wonderful drape, too!

I'm loving the final result!

I'll be binding the quilt in just a few days and then it will be ready to

place beneath our Christmas tree. Thank you, Pat, for another splendid

quilting finish. I'll be entering this one in our quilt show in February, too.

I think it's nearly time to sit back and relax! Just a few more packages

to ship and then I can enjoy the entire holiday with loved ones.

There really isn't anything better, is there?

Nearly Time To Rest...

  Two sets of Grammie's Jammies are finished, with only one set to finish.

I'm only going to share sneaks and peeks so I don't give away everything.

Little snippets of tops and bottoms, glistenings and gleanings of surprises to

come. Gifts for good little girls will be winging their way northward today.

Packages wrapped with love and hugs tucked inside, arriving in time for

another Christmas Eve. As I fold and roll, I imagine smiles brightening the

faces that make our hearts sing...the faces that hold our family's future.

 

 The last set of jammies are nearly finished, and they'll ship today or tomorrow.

A surgery has put me a little behind schedule, but I won't miss my Christmas

deadlines. I'll just have to pace myself a little better. I'll rest when my work is done.

I'll be back tomorrow with more pictures...and all those gifts will be on their way.

Now, where are those elves again?

The Unexpected Tenant...

 A couple of years ago, I was gifted a beautiful, handpainted gourd by

Aunty Margaret. When I brought it home from Wisconsin, I installed

it in the large magnolia tree that lives in our front yard where I could enjoy

 it every time I found myself outside. It's been unoccupied until recently.

Last week, Handsome suggested that I check out the newest tenant in our 

yard. I walked to the magnolia tree and found the most unlikely occupant.

 One of the local tree frogs decided that this would be a comfy place

to set up housekeeping. Sunny, safe digs during the day and a nice

warm place to sleep after an evening of chirping and eatin' bugs.

 I especially like the pose. He/she looks just like an old lady watching the

neighborhood from her front porch. I think it looks like it's just leaning on

the edge of a window sill, don't you? We're happy to have this little frog

 live here for a long as it cares to. If I thought other froggies would move

 in, I'd add a few more gourds just for that purpose. They make me smile.

Thanks for the get well wishes. Recuperating can be difficult, but I'm doing
better by the day. I'll be back to normal very soon, and will take it easy over
the holidays. I only have one more project to finish and hope to be

 able to work on it today so it can ship. I really appreciate your prayers.

Goodness. Christmas is just around the corner!

I hope you're able to celebrate the reason for the season and

not feel like you're caught up in the trappings. We'll be looking forward

to special times spent with family and friends. That's what's important.

Just A Little Finish Work To Go...

 The five Classmate™ organizers I wanted to make as gifts this year are

 finished, with the exception of the final hand sewing for the binding on three.

They turned out better than I'd hoped, and I know they'll be

appreciated when I finally give them to each special person on my list.

 The fabrics and trims were chosen specifically with each friend in

mind. I'll finish these before Christmas, even though they won't be

gifted until after the holidays. I can sew the binding at my leisure

after all the other gifts I'm working on are shipped to new homes.

They say that you should give gifts you'd love to receive yourself.

Well, I can tell you that these really fit into that criteria. I love 'em all!

 I know I'll be making more!

The Unexpected Gift...

Karen's Sewing Organizer

 The guild Christmas party was so much fun Tuesday night. Good

friends, tasty food and laughter filled the room. The final event of the 

evening was our gift exchange. Remember, we were asked to make a

handcrafted gift, and every single quilter delivered a fabulous creation.

 I don't know exactly what our exchange is called, but each person gets

 a number and chooses a gift in number order. They have the option to

choose something from the gift table, or "steal" an already-opened gift

that they prefer - from someone who already has one. The catch is that

a gift can only be "stolen" once. My friend, Karen chose the organiser

I made and managed to hold on to it nearly to the end. I could tell she

was disappointed when someone else stole the organizer from her.

Organizer interior

Karen and her friend, Jettie, are actually the two women (along with Kathy

and Nora) who asked me to join this quilt guild. Because of them, I have this 

talented group of friends...and I've learned techniques I never dreamed even

existed. I'm so grateful to both of them. Last year, Jettie got the pincushion I 

made, but Karen didn't get to take home the organizer. I knew then that I'd 

make another one just for her, adding a few things to improve on the original.

A sewing machine charm on the zipper pull is the finishing touch.

I woke up yesterday morning and got busy. I used the same fabric lines, but 

I added another aspect to the project...I photographed each step so that I could

write a pattern for it. I finished sewing it before the end of the day, downloaded

all the photographs into my laptop and posted a sneak peek for Karen to see.

I'll be writing the pattern today and then upload it to my Craftsy shop,

so anyone who wants to make one themselves can do so. I did fine-tune it

from the first one I made and I think it's cool that it can be stitched up

quickly. That's bonus for me. Anything that can be made as a last-minute

gift rates high on my list. I know that I'll make a few more for Christmas.

Who knows? I may even make custom pieces to sell in my Etsy shop in '14.

Now that my unexpected gift is complete, on to the next project...

Grammie's Jammies our three grandchildren for 2013!

What are you working on right now?

My Gift For The Exchange...

 Tomorrow night is our guild Christmas party. I finished my gift for

our exchange on Saturday afternoon, and I snapped a few pictures

before I wrapped it up. I'm delighted with the way it turned out.

If you've visited for any time at all, you'll recognize my favorite home dec

 fabric on the outside. I used it when I created my sewing machine covers, my

studio wall organizer and a number of other totes and gifts. I embellished it

 with vintage crocheted lace and printed twill tape stating "stitched with love".

 

I chose the lavender floral fabric, then picked coordinating tan and soft 

gold fabrics. I added a zippered pocket, with another pocket behind it, wool 

tabs will hold needles and pins, and a divided pocket for stowing pens,

scissors, rotary cutters, or anything else one might choose to tuck into them.

 I'm going to gift it empty, but I wanted you to see how there are actually 

two compartments on the left side. The soft periwinkle bow is actually 

functional, too. It opens above the pocket compartment to secure a pair of 

scissors. Otherwise, it's perfectly content to be beautiful eye candy.

 I even added a gold-tone thimble charm to the zipper pull.

I'm going to be writing a pattern for this organizer. I've adapted

multiple patterns into this one, useful piece. I'll be adding it to my

Craftsy shop this week. I'll let you know when it's posted and available.

The organizer went together quickly, so if you need a last-minute gift,

you might consider making one - or three - of your own. They're a little

like potato chips. No one can have just one. I know I'll be making more.

I've Got This One...

I decided what I'm going to make for our guild Christmas gift

exchange Tuesday night. These are the fabrics I chose for it.

I'm going to make a sweet, sewing organizer this year. My favorite 

fabric will be on the outside, and these soft colors will go on the 

inside. I'm going to sew it all together after Coffee Club today. I'll

take a picture to share with you before I wrap it up for the party. 

Oh, and I have to make a dozen cookies for the dessert table, too. 

Hmmm. I wonder which ones I should make this year? (I cheated 

and took bakery cookies for our last party because I forgot.) Not

this year, though. I'm gonna make a batch of goodness to take...

as soon as I figure out which ones. Any ideas, girlfriends?

(If it's something unique, please share the recipe.)

Hope you all have a great Saturday. I'm so thankful for you!

Creating Continues...

 I did continue with my projects from last week, but I'm also working

on a new project. I can tell you that it involved cutting three different

sized pieces with my Nifty Notions 22.5" wedge. I've seen this project

completed multiple times and the fabric combinations are endless.

 Finished layout will be something like this, but the pieces will look

different when I'm finished with them, of course. You'll recognize them.

 This is the first step in the actual assembly process. Pressing and joining will

come next. Then, I'll arrange them per the pattern instructions and applique'

them to the ground fabric. I'll have this one put together by the end of today.

This is the only view you'll see of it before Christmas, though. The recipient 

reads all my posts and I don't want to give away any more of the surprise than 

this. It's okay, though. I'll have other things to share with you when you visit 

next time. I'll also do a Christmas recap after I know everyone has their gifts, 

so you will see this one again later. Don't you just love surprises? hee hee

Back to the "workshop" for me. The elves are getting restless again.

I'll be back tomorrow.