Christmas Giveaway Winner...

And the winner is...Marydon from The Blushing Rose!

Congratulations, Marydon. I have your address, my friend, but let me know if you'd like a set of goodies in the coffee motif I used in the photos, or if you'd like me to surprise you with something made with you in mind. I'm happy either way.

If you didn't win, don't feel bad. I'll be doing more giveaways very soon! Thank you to all who left such gracious comments. I love you all.
Huge apologies for not posting the drawing results overnight as I usually do, but a late afternoon visit from the "Sciatic Nerve Fairy" kept me out of my blogging chair yesterday. I'll be close friends with my Aleve today and yes, I am feeling much better, thanks. So instead of spending a lot of time sitting here, I'll leave you with an image of the always-fabulous and tasty White Chocolate Cheesecake, made by our dear friend, Richard, as our dessert yesterday. This is his own recipe, which he refines every time he makes it. (This was also the best version yesterday!) He also made the beautiful and perfect accompaniment of Raspberry Sauce as its festive topping. Thank you again, Richard for the best ending to a meal shared between old friends.

**Just so you don't think I made a mistake...Marcie from The Rustic Victorian added her thank you note last night, and our drawing was held yesterday morning. You're so welcome, Marcie...I'm so glad you like your gift from me.

A "Wild Hare" Christmas...

In November, I got a "wild hare"...but didn't act upon it until November 30th. I had only started one of these projects prior to that date (the pink beaded Nantucket Scallop scarf). Nothing else had been cut, planned or decided until that date.

Since November 30th, I've been sharing my works-in-progress, and I can now officially declare that with one very small exception, all of my projects are finished! Ta Da!!! This "wild hare" has had this designer/blogger/seamstress/wife B-I-Z-Z-YYY! Now, I can slide into Christmas Eve without a project on my machine, stitching away like a little elf. Nope, not this year. But, I will admit, these past 23 days were a little hectic and I can attribute my successful completions to:

1. Having a list that I checked every day
2. Keeping track of my mailing deadlines
3. Three awesome sewing/serging machines
4. Having all my supplies on hand for each project
5. The support and belief from all of you, urging me to completion
6. My loving, understanding, Handsome husband, who always offered to take me out for dinner when he knew that I'd been really busy all day...and who praised me for every single project when I showed it to him.
   

Really, these were all the ways it was possible for me to accomplish this list. Next year, I promise to Handsome, with all of you as my witnesses, that my projects will all be finished by the end of November. There, I've written it down! I've said it! I mean it! I hope I remember it! Thank you to all of you for being my huge, loving, supportive cheering section. No more Christmas (sewing/knitting) Wild Hares next year! (Perhaps I'll bake instead!)

Thanks again to my friend, Shell May from Tales of the Raspberry Rabbits for hosting our "Wild Hare Wednesdays". Visit her blog to see more "wild hare" contributors.

Last, but not least...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our wonderful grandson. Grandpa and I hope you have the best eighth birthday a boy ever had.

Thanks to everyone who left comments on the Orchestra and Handsome's performance. He loved reading everything y'all said! Oh, and don't forget to go to my Dec. 21st post if you haven't already. You may want to join in my Christmas Giveaway Drawing if you're one of my followers.

A Little Holiday Fun...

Today, I'm sharing a little of Handsome's talent with you. (He's sitting at the drum kit in back on the right-hand side of the orchestra.) I hope this brings a smile to your face and a smidge of Holiday Spirit to your day. The piece (performed by the North Port Orchestra on Sunday afternoon) is called Tintinabulations. You'll hear familiar classical music with a Christmas twist. Turn up your sound and prepare to be tickled. I'll look forward to adding a little more music in the coming days.


If you missed my post for yesterday, you may want to check it out. No hints...

I'll Give You Another Peek...

I thought I'd share another peek at a few of the gifts I sent North...

I sewed up a couple of zippered pouches in a coffee-themed fabric...
added some ribbon in a latte shade of tan...
and finished it with a sweet little coffee pot charm on the zipper pull.
(Go ahead - click on the photo so you can see it better!)
Perhaps they'll use them for their Starbucks gift cards - or coffee fund.

You've already seen the lavender-filled, linen sachets
that I made as part of these gifts.
I added the little zippered pouches and placed everything
in the muslin bags I embellished with sweet machine embroidery.

Do you think the recipients will like them?
Is this a gift you would appreciate?
Well...Because you've read all the way through this post,
I'm going to offer a set like this to one of my faithful followers.
Just leave a comment on this post and
tell me what you like about this gift set.
I'll choose a winner on Christmas morning and
I'll tell you who won on Saturday.
(That will give all my busy friends a chance to stop in and enter.)
Aren't you glad you stopped by today? I certainly am!