some seasonal accomplishment . . .

Just under the wire!  I spent a little time this morning putting together a little something for my SS youth girls.  I'd seen the idea on Pinterest and decided that with a little twist it was the perfect fit for my girls:

Whew!  Glad that's done and ready to go for in the morning!  Next up was a stocking.  When Todd and I got married sixteen years ago, I made stockings for the two of us for our first Christmas together:

After Joc and Jason were married, Joc asked me to make their stockings too, which I did three years ago:

So it wasn't a surprise when she asked me to do Ellie's stocking, too!  She picked out the fabric, and asked me to make it a little bigger than the ones I've made for the adults.  So here it is . . .

Taadaaah!!

Not bad for a day's work, eh?!  Linking this post up to Patricia's Christmas Stocking Hang Out linky party, over at Quilting Lines!!  There are some really fabulous stockings linked up -- and a *marvelous* giveaway going on, to boot!!

:)

why does santa have a garden?

Because he likes to "ho, ho, ho" of course!!  *rimshot*

Santa is a glutton for punishment.  But aren't you enjoying the heck out of my kid's Christmas jokes?!?  Happy to share the love.  :)

Quick Baby June update.  Kim took her in this morning for a re-check.  After a bit of a scare yesterday afternoon, this morning the doctor said her breathing sounded much easier, and he felt like the worst of the RSV was behind her. That's *so* good, because when I held her yesterday afternoon and she'd cough, it about broke my heart.  The doctor did note that on top of everything else, June's picked up an ear infection, so she's being treated for that.  Her daddy is battling the flu-bug, so they're working hard to keep him disinfected, masked and quarantined.  Again, I have to thank you for your sweet prayers and well-wishes.  Y'all are so dear and I appreciate you more than you can know!

I had lunch with the ladies SS class after church today -- and from there I had to stop at the grocery store.  Needless to say, when I got home, it was time for coffee with Todd (which is a favorite) and I never did pull out any hand stitch work.  So, in lieu of actual work, I thought I'd share a blog with you . . . 

Q is for Quilter.  Are you familiar with it?  She (Martha) shares all kinds of vintage patterns -- little girl's dresses, quilts, and transfers.  Her blog is a wonderful, wonderful resource for stitchers and quilters, alike.  Right now she's doing a series of posts called Countdown to Christmas.  Such fun!

And if you're looking for something "Christmassy" still to stitch on, check out THIS post, which has a sampling of vintage Christmas stitcheries including this darling mailbox:

Or THIS post, which has a different sampling of Christmas stitcheries, including this sweet stocking:

Aren't they fun?  I particularly like the funky lines on the stocking.  Between the two posts, she's got over 15 different transfers.  If you're looking for a BIG Christmas project (like one you start now and *maybe* finish in time for next Christmas), check out her Santa's Follow-the-Colors embroidered quilt top, shown in its entirety HERE and shown with the individual blocks for transfer blocks HERE.  But really her whole blog is a treasure trove, so check it out.  And be sure to check out Kathy's Quilts: Slow Stitching Sunday and see who's working on what!

I stumbled across this sweet little image on Pinterest the other day . . .

Isn't it darling?  As Sawyer and I rode through the camp yesterday (which is fodder for another post, to be sure), I made a mental note of all the 'natural' components I had on hand to make one up for myself..  I think, perhaps, it will be on my to-do list.  The to-do list I make up *after* Christmas.  I still have presents to finish up to get in the MAIL!  Aye-yi-yi!  Someone (namely me) needs to get BUSY!  Please tell me I'm not alone ... someone else out there still has something they're busting to finish in time, right?!? 

:)

ending well . . .

I received a fun *squishy* in the mail from my darling friend Pat, of A Little of This and a Little of Pat. I've enjoyed Pat's friendship for a while and she really is a kind and thoughtful lady, as well as an excellent quilter!!

In the package were lots of fun fabrics ... perfect things for an "I Spy" quilt!! There was also a Lapel Stick for me to give a try *and* Pat knows me so well ... two little heart frames for the sweet faces that have captured my heart; Sawyer and Ellie!

Thank you *so* much, Pat!!

I finished up the inner quilting on one of my MOC blocks. I decided with this one that it makes sense to stitch-in-the-ditch around that square that encompasses the inner block. Which means I'll now have to go back and do the other six blocks I'd already completed. But that's okay. I'd rather have it *right* for me, than just finished.

At a later date I'll have to walk through my thinking on how I'm quilting this ... and get some feedback!

Yesterday didn't end up being all slow going ... I did head out to spend the evening with my Sawyer Graham! See what greeted me as I walked up to the house?!

I have to admit I felt pretty special!!

I tried to capture the perfect profile shot to do another cameo . . .

 

I'm hoping one of these two will work for it! I had found a great tutorial for converting ordinary photos into cameos. I'll fool around with it later.

We had a fun evening playing around. He likes to look through the opening between the living room and the kitchen.

He's growing up so fast I can hardly stand it!

At one point he got on his little rocket scooter. He kept reaching behind him and patting the little white tail fin and saying something to me.

It took a little while, but I finally figured out he wanted me to sit behind him and go for a ride! LOL! Oh, little man -- would that I could!!

At dinner I tried to capture a few. When the orange light from the camera hits his face, he knows a picture is getting ready to be taken and he grins his cheesiest grin!

After I showed him this one, his grins got cheesier . . .

And sillier . . .

I don't think he can show anymore teeth than he is ... seriously, I think every single tooth he has is showing in that last shot!  We were both laughing so hard -- I'm glad this kid has got a great sense of humor!!

After dinner we did a little coloring.  As you can see, he's got his serious side, too.

Until finally it was time to get into pj's. Sawyer headed right for the rocking chair ... he wanted me to sit in his lap.

Bless his little heart! He's quite the adorable little fellow!

Today I'm headed to see my Ellie! And I'm making Joc and I a Quinoa-Avocado Salad that I found on Pinterest that looked quite yummy, and I'm also making them Chicken Packets for dinner. Should be a fun day (and I'm really glad Ellie got her *tumultuous* day out of the way earlier in the week)!!

Lastly ... I'm gearing up (and really excited) for our Stitcher's Quilting retreat in less than two weeks ... besides the normal stuff (sewing machine, iron, projects, etc.) what do you *absolutely* have to have with you when you go on a quilting retreat?!

:)

wall in my lap . . .

 Yes, literally -- my current project is in my lap as I do the hand-stitching on my Holly Jolly topper!  I need to close the seams on each piece and then it will be ready to do some quick, machine quilting.  Once that's finished I'll stitch the pieces together.  Look for a how-to for this one, later on in the month!

I also had a little fun with a holiday felted project this weekend.  I was browsing through my button board on Pinterest, looking for an appropriate project for a blogger friend.  I stumbled upon this cute one at lil fish studios and not only is this one I passed along, but right then and there I made one for myself!

And then I made another.  Because it was SOOOO easy and SOOOOO cute!! I really enjoy Pinterest.  I know it sounds funny, but I really have used it for lots of great ideas that I actually worked out!  A lot of my fall projects and new recipe tries came directly from Pinterest inspiration.  :)

So.  Now I have to decide if I'm going to make more poinsettia flowers or if I'm going to do something with just these two. Hmmm....after slight deliberation, I have to say I see more of these in my future!!

Speaking of more, there are tons more design walls to browse through today!  Head on over to Judy Laquidara's Patchwork Times and check 'em out!

Happy, happy Monday -- be the light! 

:)

a triple score . . .

Lately, the mailman has been very, very good to me.

I think this almost might be the last of my birthday booty score. I ordered Helen Stubbings' Faux Applique, along with a nice box of colored pencils. And some buttons. Please don't laugh me. I needed them.

After reading through the book and looking at the process, I'm very, very excited!! There's lots of potential for new an interesting creations using this method!! And it really is exquisite work. I can't wait to try my hand at it!!

Also in the mail, came this lovely, squishy envelope . . .

I'd won a giveaway over at A Legacy of Stitches. If you've never been to Sandi's blog, it's well worth the visit. She does some incredibly beautiful work and has a nice offering of BOM's and stitcheries and just some beautiful photos of her own stuff, which are very inspiring.

My win was this darling sampler of Christmas fabric. Isn't it sweet??!! I love, love it!!

And aren't these panels wonderful? I love the little mousies!! Sandi's giveaway was in conjunction with the Quilting Gallery's Christmas Quilt Along. Her block was "JOY" and you can find the tutorial for it HERE!

And then there was yet ANOTHER package for me (it should be no surprise to you to learn that postal clerks know Todd and I by name), and this one was h-e-a-v-y!

And filled with styrofoam peanuts?!

LOL! Not really, in fact I'm not sure the styrofoam was even necessary, because this box was stuffed to the brim with . . .

Trick or Treat candy!!! This 'sweet' giveaway was hosted by Sue, over at Munchkin Munchies. And not just any ol' candy, but nostalgic candy from my childhood!!! Take a gander at all this loot . . .

And yes, the Oral-B and the Reach Floss were part of the bounty -- I had to laugh!!! And the Chick-O-Stick . . . I remember thinking, as a child, why would anyone want to eat a stick that tasted like chicken?!? It took some time to convince me otherwise. Heh. And the big wax lips are so fun!! I'll wear those with my houndstooth witch's hat on Halloween!

And look, as if that wasn't enough, it all came with its very own trick or treat bag!! But wait, there even more . . . check out the darling haunted house gingerbread kit!

I think I'll save this to do when my young niece and nephew visit at Thanksgiving. Then we can all gather round and do a haunted pilgrim log cabin. I can think outside the box!!! If you have little ones (whether they're your children, grandchildren, or just dear friends) you ought to keep tabs on the Munchkin Munchies -- she has lots of fun food ideas! I found her through a pin on Pinterest. Ah yes, dear Pinterest.

I've almost finished the quilting on my Christmas topper, and have another Christmas project in mind, too. Plus there is definitely a turkey in my crafting future! I'll post some of that manana . . . if I don't have more mail to attend to . . . hahaha!

Stay sweet, y'all -- I sure won't have an excuse not to!!

:)

here and there . . .

I'm slow to post lately. I'm so busy, busy, busy -- what with grandbabies and ministry and the upcoming Fall Jamboree at the camp (and a long weekend at a PLACE conference), I am barely getting in stitching time, much less blogging time! (Just ask one of my favorite blog-keepers how far back I had to go to catch up on reading! LOL!)

ANYway, I *did* manage to squeeze in some sewing time. Do you remember that fabric Jocelyn gave me to make into a runner for her "reveal" party? (I'd insert a link to the post, but it was only two posts ago, so I feel a little silly doing that!) I loved that fabric. It really tugged at me. On the way over to her party last week, I took a picture of that fabric and posted it to Pinterest (my new addiction), with the caption that there would be a skirt in this fabric, this time next week. That was last Thursday. I finished it two days ahead of schedule . . .

Tah dah!! And the fabric was so feminine and flirty, I decided it deserved a little extra flounce, so I gave it a built in slip with a little something-something at the hem . . .

So it *swishes* when I walk!! The funny thing is, when I told Jocelyn I wanted a skirt out of it and asked her where she got it, she told me she had bought the end of the bolt. I almost cried. But she gave me what was left from piece I'd made the table runner, and I made it work. I was determined! Can you guess what I'll be wearing on Sunday??!

I should go back, now, and make a pattern from it, so the next time there won't be so much guess work. It went together pretty quickly, but it would have been so much easier if I'd been working with pieces cut from a pattern! (Yet another thing to add to my to-do list!)

Perusing Pinterest last night, I saw a really cute felt rose, and decided one of those in goldenrod yellow would be perfect, pinned to the shoulder of the black sweater I'll be wearing with my new skirt.

It took ten minutes. Ha!! And I think it's really cute.

I *always* have time for this little fellow . . .

Kim worked the kid's consignment this week, so I volunteered to watch Sawyer. I can't get over how grown up he's getting!! He's so darling and busy, and he runs everywhere! Luckily he's also very obedient; if he wasn't, I'd never be able to catch up with him! He hung in with me that morning, too. I had errands that took me all over creation. He didn't complain a lick, and he was so sweet to everyone, everywhere we went. He did take a four-hour long nap that afternoon, though! I don't blame him -- I would have liked to have done the same!

He also spent the night with me this past Friday. We got up Saturday morning pretty early and rode the golf cart down to unlock the gate (we had campers in the camp all weekend -- and will pretty much every weekend into December). On our way down the hill, we came upon four or five deer that were still bedded down. We sat there for quite a while just watching them. Sawyer "mooed" and all I could say was that those were deer, not cows. But I couldn't give him a sound that went with them! Perhaps next time, I'll make that blowing sound they make. When we finally started back up, all of the deer got up -- and most of them ran, too, which made Sawyer's eyes go wide! The lead doe--who was maybe 30 yards away at most--just stood and watched us move on. I don't think Sawyer took his eyes off of her, he was so fascinated.

And he's such a happy charmer. I've said it before and I know I'll say it again -- he just melts my heart and makes me smile. He's a joy!

:)