Christmas Favorites

I have a few favorite decorations that aren't ornaments. This little Christmas Quilt Shoppe came to me from a friend's collection. Years ago, a group of us met online through AOL. My four best friends came from that group and we are spread across the country. But there was a fifth friend, a very sweet lady named Sheryl. Sheryl passed away a few years ago after suffering from cancer. I was fortunate to receive two of her quilts...one was a top and the other was a partially quilted quilt. I finished both of them. I also received this little quilt shop, which lives in my sewing room all year long.

Another favorite is this Santa. A friend of mine made him for me back in college, so he's quite old now! That friend is now my daughter's Godmother. What I love about this Santa is not only that she made him, but he's hiding a surprise inside that you would never expect...

Yeah...Santa is my kind of guy!

Free Shipping!

If you're still looking for Christmas gifts, visit my Etsy store! I'm offering Free Priority Mail Shipping on all items in the store! The following items are listed....

Knitting Markers

I found the need for some knitting markers last week, so decided to treat myself. If you need them too, go check out Hide and Sheep's Etsy shop. These markers arrived on Friday...they were reasonably priced, beautifully packaged, shipped promptly and are just gorgeous!

Sunday Stashbusting Report

Finally, after 10 years, I have finished my Grandma's Album Quilt! The backing and binding both came from stash and that's all I've used this week. It is so nice to have it done...this was my oldest UFO and I really never thought I'd get it finished. Now I'm planning my second applique quilt, but that one has a deadline...I'd like to have it to give as a gift next Christmas, and I'd like to hand quilt it. I'm going to do it...no more 10 year quilts for me!

chocolatey goodness...

During the Christmas season, friends of ours participate in the Living Nativity that is presented by their church. At the end, cookies are provided for all. Last year over 14,000 people attended...that's a lot of cookies! I volunteered to bake some this year to help out. So I made these. The recipe comes from a book called "Ideal Cookie Cookbook" which was published in 1984. I got it as a freebie when I signed up for weekly delivery of the Courier Post...way back when I first got married. I don't know how I missed this recipe until now!

Rich Chocolate Cookies
Makes about 3 dozen.

2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup water
1 package (15.5 oz.) brownie mix
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, blend eggs and water. Stir in brownie mix, baking soda, flour and vanilla; blend well. Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto a greased and floured cookie sheet. (I didn't flour mine.) Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from baking sheet to wire rack to cool.

They are delicious! For those like me, who think the corner pieces of brownies are the best because they're crunchy, these are amazing. Crunchy on the edges, soft in the middle. Try them...they're easy. FuriousBall, do you want some?

And here's Cheyenne, trying to get into the Christmas spirit. It's not working....

Thanks, Finn

I had to try it too! Although I like Christmas better, the description is pretty accurate!

You Are Easter

You are an optimistic, hopeful, and genuinely sweet person. Sensitive and affectionate, you are easily touched. You love nature, animals, and anything cute or cuddly. For you, every day is a new chance - no matter what happened yesterday. What makes you celebrate: Almost anything. You love most holidays and celebrations. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The peacemaker. You can prevent any squabbles that might break out. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Remember to include everyone

What Holiday Are You?

Just Listed...

I'm doing a little cleaning in my sewing room and have just listed this pattern on Ebay. Take a look if you're interested...

Thanks!!!

Sunday Stash Busting Report

This week I finished the Strip Twist quilt from Bonnie's site. Everything came from stash, even the flannel print for the backing. I've been saving this for years for something special. I think I found it!

This project made quite a dent in my flannel stash. I do have some customer quilts to quilt this week, I'm hoping to find time to bind a few quilts that are waiting. That's next on the list, along with some sock knitting that's been languishing in my knitting basket. How is everyone else doing???

Christmas is coming...

The Santas are waiting...



The stockings are hung...or at least it says they are!

No, they really are!

The snowman is waiting for the first flakes of winter...

What is it about Christmas decorations that puts me in such a good mood? Maybe I should keep them up all year long!

Wednesday Evening

Progress is being made....




In spite of some serious distractions...

Stash Report Sunday

I realized the picture that I posted last night was of the quilt top, not the finished quilt! The backing that you see here is gone from my stash...

I've also pulled my pile of flannels and cut most of it into 2.5" strips to make Bonnie's Strip Twist as a Christmas gift. I'm working on that one tonight and hope to have the top done by the end of the week.
Once finished that will be a nice bit of flannel out of my stash. I don't plan to keep track of yardage as some others are, I'll just be happy with a little more shelf space!

The house is as festive as it's getting, I spent most of the day putting out the Christmas decorations. The tree is up and lit, but has no ornaments. That will happen when I get tired of looking at it with just lights. I've come to the conclusion that I should have made some tablerunners for myself this year...I only have one that my mother made for me many years ago and it's a little worn around the edges. Maybe that should be my next project...

Thanksgiving Weekend

Yesterday we headed off to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where we had two tickets to the Renoir exhibit. My older daughter, who is in French IV and loves the French Impressionists wanted to see the exhibit. I sent my husband in with her, as he was interested in seeing the exhibit, while I prefer artwork by the old Italian guys.



My younger daughter and I went of to investigate the Middle Ages and religious art...
I'm always amazed when I go that they have entire buildings and architectural elements inside the galleries....

Right down to the beautiful stained glass windows....
After a jaunt through the Asian Art, then the Contemporary Art (which,like Contemporary Quilts, I just don't get!) we headed down to the old Philadelphia Waterworks.We had a beautiful view of Boathouse Row....
After the museum, we met our son at Dave and Busters for lunch and a little game playing, then headed home a did a little bit of Christmas Shopping at some fun stores.

And just to make this post a little quilty, I finished this quilt which I found in my closet. The backing came from the stash...it's the last of an old Jinny Beyer backing fabric which I bought about 12 years ago, so I'm delighted to have it GONE!!!



The stashbusting continues...

Happy Thanksgiving

Blessings to you and yours, on Thanksgiving Day and always!

Seamen's Institute

This year our church Caps and Laps program is knitting scarves and hats for the Seamen's Institute in New York City. Last night I finished the hat and scarf set that I'm contributing to our group's efforts. They were very tedious to knit, but I love how they turned out...I hope they help keep a mariner warm this winter! Now back to knitting socks...and busting stash!

Stash Reduction

I'm ready to reduce my stash! I don't have a large one, but I am getting tired of what's in it and would like to use it up! I already started by making the Christmas table runner that I sold in my Etsy store. I have plans for what's next...stay tuned! Thanks, Judy, for getting me motivated!

Tuesday Evening

I'm just catching up from the busy weekend, which included several highlights...my daughter's Confirmation and my son's 20th birthday.

Grace with Bishop Councell

Happy Birthday Andrew! (with his girlfriend)

The highlight of the weekend for me? After Confirmation practice on Saturday, we stopped for dinner at a local pub. We were ordering drinks and when I asked for a beer, the waitress looked at me and said, "Do you have ID?" Shocked, I said to her, "Are you serious? I'm 46 years old and you just made my day! If you don't believe me, I'd be happy to have a glass of water instead!" She brought me my beer and has made me smile for days!

Why I don't do yard work...

It was a beautiful but chilly day, a perfect day to try to clean up the yard. I pulled out the newer leaf blower which we bought last year. I was happily blowing leaves into piles when the Stanley Steemer truck pulled up. I took a break while my carpets were being cleaned, then headed back outside to get to work.

After a minute or so of blowing leaves, the motor made a funny noise. Next thing I knew, flames were shooting out of the back of the leaf blower! I pulled the cord out and blew out the flames...

But I didn't throw the whole thing to the ground...good thing with that nice pile of dry leaves I'd just made sitting at my feet!


So I went into my sewing room and played with fabric...



And made a new little bag for my daughter's friend.

A Quiet Evening!

Somehow I managed to have no daughters at home tonight...the older one is working and the younger is babysitting at a church event with her friend. A perfect night for comfort food...yes, I had mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner! And if there had been a chocolate chip cookie in the house it would not have been safe, but sadly, there wasn't one. I guess some baking is in order!

In an effort to take advantage of the time, I headed to the computer and listed the above two items in my Etsy store. Now I'm going to change into my comfy flannel pants, turn on the fireplace (I love my gas fireplace!), sit by the fire and knit. But first I'll run the vacuum so the carpets don't have stray threads and leaves on them when Stanley Steemer shows up tomorrow to suck the filth out of them!

Sunday Evening...

It's been a busy weekend here in south Jersey. The leaves are finally changing and jumping off the trees at an alarming rate! I'll be doing some raking this week, as well as cleaning and cooking to prepare for my daughter's Confirmation on Sunday.

A little bit of quilting has happened here. I made this adorable little snowman potholder this week. It was nice to make a project start to finish! Haven't done that for awhile. I finished the quilting on my sampler quilt, just used my Baptist Fans template on it...I really just wanted it done! Binding on that and my applique quilt are in the works. And going very slowly.

I just cleaned up my sewing room, so hope to spend some time in here this week, when I'm not behind the vacuum or in the kitchen!