The New Year

Both my girls. Em is a stylist and had just done Lizzy's hair for the Christmas Dance. The girls really worked hard to make Christmas a happy time, despite their brother not being able to be home.

My look back on 07. It's been a good year. My son graduated from High School. He did break my heart by moving to California for the Winter, but kids are suppose to grow up and become independent. I'm very proud of him. Just wish he would call home more...My sister and her husband that live in Hawaii, were finally able to adopt their son. He has been in their care as a foster child since he was 6months old. He is now 5 and officially a part of our family.
My "baby" got her driver's liscense! Now she drives herself to school daily. She is very responsible, and a constant source of joy to her parents.
Now that I have that "more time", my goal this year is to exercise, eat right, and lose 40# (okay now it's in black and white it must be accomplished!) I have all the "Biggest Loser" books. I'm hoping a new program will get me going in the right direction. My second goal is to use what I have - the stash both in yarn and fabric is overwhelming. To think I won't buy more is unreasonable, but maybe, if I complete 5 things, I can buy something new. (You think that will work???) I really am determined. When I changed jobs, I said I would "reclaim" this house. After 18 years of living here, everything needs to be gone through some redecorating needs to happen etc. And then there is my budget...my hubby is really good, I'm not bad, but want to be better. Some really good things to work towards in 08.

I'm going to spend this last day of the year making a nice dinner for my family. Knitting and sewing of course. My hubby's birthday is January 1st. I promised him I'd go snowshoeing tomorrow. He really likes to get outside and walk.

I'm not going to stress about my resolutions, but dig in and make it a way of life.

Wishing you a good New Year.

Alterations...

My daughter didn't like the blue strap, so I made a few alterations to make it acceptable. It did come out nicer. Even added a little accent.I was having so much fun, that I made a matching little wallet. It was my first try at this pattern. I'll definitely be making more of these...perhaps for Christmas gifts next year with a gift card or movie money in...Oh, the possibilites....

An overdue promise

My teenage daughter and her friends are really into bags, but they really like to "mix up" the fabrics. I promised Ali a bag for her birthday, but Christmas sewing got in the way. I used a pattern from Better Homes and Gardens 2007 Quilting magazine.A view from inside the bag too. This bag is pretty big. I hope it won't be too big for Ali. She can use it for an overnight bag if nothing else.
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed today by the projects awaiting me in my sewing room. So, I completed this, called it a good day and picked up my knitting!

Merry Christmas

I loved being up early this morning...a few moments to enjoy the stockings waiting to be discovered...The lights on the tree and my favorite ornaments. A good cup of coffee and then the day was full of joy.
I hope your Christmas was Merry.

Vintage Finds!

I happened to stop at our local resale shop and found everything in the store to be 1/2 off today! My lucky day! I've been eyeing up this cake plate for months, but today, I got it for $4!!!!!! And, if that wasn't enough... I got 22 zippers for $1.10! Gotta love a deal!
When I downloaded pics on the camera, I found this one of our little mini dauschund, Rhett in a sweater I had made him a few years ago. Our winters are pretty cold for him.

One more Bed Caddy

Completed Edmond's bedside caddy. I put a flash light and some favorite candy in it before packing it up to make it's way out West. I hope all three boys feel the love and like them. Edmonds is made from leftover fabric from his quilt.
It's probably way too much matchy stuff for boys to like....

My daughter is asking for one now. She thinks it would be a great place to keep her cell phone at night.

Christmas sure won't be the same without the boy home. I am so very happy for him to have this opportunity.

tie a little one on

I made several of these last year, and have been enjoying my own this year. I' ve been making some out of left over fabric from aprons I make to gift girlfriends, family with. I make a lining for it so I don't have to turn and sew a hem, by cutting out two pieces instead of one.You can find the pattern here

Bedside Caddy

I know most 18 year old boys aren't really going to care about a bedside caddy...But, I couldn't resist sending them some homemade love at christmas time. It will hold their favorite magazines and cell phone, etc. I made these to match the pillow cases I sent them out West with.Their room is small. It has three beds in it that are only about a foot apart. So, hopefully they will appreciate someplace else to store some things. These two are for BK and Zane. I'm still working on Da Boy's.
II based these off of this pattern.

Reindeer Food

I love the "magic of Christmas" I make reindeer food for all the little people in my life. This year, beside the neighbor children, I'm making it for my co-workers little ones and their grandchildren.
I bought some cute zip lock jewlry sized bags at a local Ben Franklin Store. My greeting card program has cute Christmas graphics, so I chose something I liked and added the poem. I was able to print 4 cards on a sheet of paper.
Punch some holes and tie with ribbon and a bell. Very festive!

I also found this link that has you layer ingredients in a babyfood jar. Would be a nice gifty for a family with several children.

Potato Bag

I made this microwave potato bag using some vintage fabric I found at a yard sale. It will make two or three potatos at a time. I wanted to make something I would use alot with this fabric.


I bought one of these about a year ago, at a craft fair. It was a fabric I didn't care for. I've used the bag so much, I decided to make this one just for me. I'm going to make a smaller version of this to take to work to make a potato for lunch.

Christmas Presents

I made this Art to Heart hotpad and kitchen towel for my exchange gifty at work. The Santa on the towel still needs a button. Both are more for decoration than use I'm afraid. She has school age children so I hope it makes them smile when they see it.I couldn't resist doing this little Santa Bag either. It could be used to carry small packages to family/friends during the season or whatever. I love that the button eyes give him so much expression.
As it is December, I wanted to share one of my favorite ornaments. It's a Hallmark from the late 70's. My sister bought this one for me. My oldest daughter has already claimed it as hers someday. We always try to position it by a tree light so we can see the mice inside.

Baby quilt

I made this quilt using the Yellow Brick Road Pattern. I took a class at a local quilt shop. It was a five week class. We picked out our fabrics in week one, began cutting our blocks week two and sewing them together. Week three we layed the blocks out in the order we wanted. Week four the machine quilter talked to us about quilting. Week five we learned to apply the binding. There is always something to learn. This is a baby quilt (obviously). Some women made twin and even a king sized quilt in the class.
I fell in love with this Mother Goose pattern. Here is a close up shot. Aren't the three blind mice too cute? I think this is going into my grandma box for someday.