Christmas 2008 has come and gone

Just one more Christmas post before decorations come down and the holiday season is behind us. So much to do and somehow it all gets done before December 25th. Now just fond memories to look back on with some photos in case the memory fails us!

Merry Christmas to all

What a nice Christmas we have had and after company went home I found myself feeling restless. I was looking for something to do to relax and stay out of the refrigerator. I've eaten enough for one day! I have been wanting to try the button ribbon spools after seeing them on Pat Winter's blog Gatherings. I think the originator is actually Terisa Brooks Huddleston. After assembling ribbon, trims, and buttons I began mixing and matching with these results. What a great way to organize stash and aren't they just plain cute?

Remember macrame?

Our Christmas tree is trimmed with quite a collection of a mixed ornament collection. Each year as I unwrap and hang each ornament so many memories come to mind. Ornaments range from those that my nieces made and sent to us; those made by our own children during their preschool days; ornaments collected during our travels; gifts from friends and coworkers; and ornaments handmade from various mediums. This reindeer ornament continues to be one of my favorites and I remember making it like it was yesterday when we gathered at mom's house and had a fun afternoon of creativity. If I was to guess I'd say it is close to 20 years old by now and continues to be a favorite that I look forward to hanging on the tree each Christmas season.

I love surprises!

I had a wonderful package of surprises waiting on my front porch for me today. From my wonderful SIL in Iowa. I stumbled upon crazy quilting quite by accident and Bonnie has helped me grow and nurture my love of quilting, embellishing and fiber arts. There is no one busier than Bonnie but she continues to create and complete so many great projects!

We all hold a special place in our hearts for Scotland and our now extended family in Aberdeen. We are on the countdown.... six more days until daughter and son in law arrive to spend Christmas with us in the States. This Mum is smiling big and very excited that Christmas is almost here!

Tis the season....

Tis the season and oh how I love this time of year. The decorating and the candy making; singing familiar carols; so many fond memories from Christmases past-what will this season bring? The house smells so good with the fresh cut tree covered in a hodge podge of ornaments. This year will be extra festive as we will have the whole family together. We are on the every other year plan. Once children marry they then must be shared with in-laws. It is such a busy time but I love every part of this season.

Happy Holidays to all!

Christmas quilt in the making

I had hoped to be further along with this Christmas crazy quilt. I just loved the one I saw on display at the Omaha Crazy quilt retreat. It is a block of the month quilt from Sandy Jenkins. I loved all of Sandy's work and enjoy visiting her web page. Part of the fun in this project has been the hunt for neat Christmas items to put into the quilt blocks. I have accumulated quite a stash of fabrics, buttons, bead, and trims.

A friend who is a traditional quilter once told me to not let a day go by without adding at least a stitch to my quilt. Those words have remained with me and as we all know when we take the time to pick up a project to "add a stitch" we cannot and will not stop at just one! I vow to take those words to heart-watch my blog for further updates on the progress of this project. This quilt won't be on disply this year for Christmas but who knows....maybe Christmas 2009?

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

I have so many things in my life to be thankful for. Wishing all who visit a wonderful holiday season.

Auction Experience

I saw an ad this last week for a farm auction in our area, and I just knew I needed to go to this sale. It meant taking a day off of work (Thur a.m.) auction, what are they thinking? but regardless my schedule allowed me to attend. As I walked around perusing the many boxes it was so interesting to gain insight into the lives of these total strangers. Their collections, home furnishings, remnants from travels and hobbies all laid out before us. It made me think about my own life; what would my belongings say about me? I was thrilled to find among the large collection of quilts this crazy quilt and was even happier to bring it and a couple more home with me. I had the opportunity to speak with family and was told this quilt was at least 75 years old, made by their grandmother. Along with many of the other quilts it had been packed away in trunks and is in perfect condition. Made of mostly wool materials, it is a very heavy quilt.

Friends

The quote below came to me through an email recently and I love it. How true it is. I feel our paths do cross with people at various times during our lives. Some for a time and during a time that we need them or they need us in their lives. Definitely a God encounter. Others, become like family and never leave. I can think of several who fall into this category and I am very thankful for them!

'God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'

Amazing Basket of Flowers for a cold November morning

Summer's Final Blooms

I ventured out this morning, and was very pleasantly surprised at what I found around our yard. After an overnight low in the 20's, I felt sure that my gardening this year had come to an end. I had cleaned out some beds while planting yet more bulbs for Spring color and put many flowers "to bed" for the season. But isn't it nice when you find those hardy flowers peaking through, offering their final blooms for our enjoyment? This creeping phlox I found to be very confused. Normally an early Spring bloomer, these little guys looked spectacular spilling over the rock border. Then I rounded the corner to find the basket of flowers in full, spectacular bloom on the front porch. I don't think the geraniums looked this good all summer, so they obviously enjoy the cool temps over the heat.

Pumpkin Project.....Completed!!

Have you ever seen a crazy quilted and embellished pumpkin? I purchased the kit from The Pink Bunny and enjoyed putting each step together and stitching some of my favorite stitches, beading and ribbon embroidery. I had a deadline.... to have it completed for show and share at the Victorian Stitchery Retreat held this week end in Wichita. Now on to those Christmas projects.