Best Laid Plans

Last year, I planned to tackle 18 projects:
six UFOs--Finished Alpine Garden, made progress on Anna's Bird and Tree of Life Window
Anna’s Bird
Elizabethan Rose
Frickin’ Chicken aka Majestic Rooster
Alpine Garden
Tree of Life Window
Watercolor Geraniums

six new starts--started five! Finished Summer Place.
Curtis Boehringer's apple sampler
Summer Place
18th Century Knot Garden
Tall Flowers Sampler
Christmas Carols Stocking--I didn't start this one
Snowman Stocking

six obligation pieces--Completed all of them!
Dolly Mama Kitty
Dolly Mama Poodle
baby White announcement
baby Palmer announcement
SB Jillian’s stocking
SB Elisabeth’s stocking

Maybe 18 is too many projects?

Finishes in 2007:

1. Prairie Grove Peddlar "Bee Bitchy"
2. Needlebook from Camp
3. SamSarah "Patriotic Heart"
4. February birthday biscornu
5. August birthday biscornu I
6. August birthday biscornu II
7. Friendship grows ornament
8. Sweetheart Tree heart
9. My sheep RR
10. bestpal's Christmas tree RR
11. VT's stitchery RR
12. embroidered (dirty) apron
13. Phillies biscornu
14. SamSarah Whole Heart
15. Hillside Samplings Animal Samplings
16. Country Cottage Needlework sheep ornament
17. Summer Place
18. Dolly Mama Kitty
19. Dolly Mama Poodle
20. Lizzie*Kate Baby Sampler
21. Sweet Dreams, La D Da
22. Jillian’s stocking
23. Elisabeth’s stocking
24. Alpine Garden

Okay, 18 is not too many but apparently those weren't the right 18. Next year's list is going to be more...manageable? (Stop laughing!)

A happy, healthy, and creative 2008 to all!

December Remembered

My goals for December:

• create snowman tree topper Foiled by the craft stores!
• caterpillar eyeglass holder Took so long, it turned into a butterfly!
• finish fisherman ornament Sorry, still no photo...
  
• finish Elisabeth’s stocking See it here.
• finish Jillian’s stocking See it here.
• make lobster stew I did, and I have been crowned lobster stew champion.
• sew overnight case--changed my mind; Sissy will get this in Feb for her b-day
• finish beer stitched piece--changed my mind. Wrapped it with the frame but I didn't actually finish it. My dad is friends with a great framer.
• felted soap--nope--instead I made the dude a little scrapbook listing 12 restaurants serving 12 different ethnic cuisines--including printed directions to each place--so that we can try a new place every month. We tend to go to the same places and eat the same things. (We used to live near a sushi restaurant and when we'd go in all the waitresses would just say, "the usual?" So sad.) He also got a pile of books including Ball's Complete Book of Home Preserving, Pynchon's Against the Day, Schott's Original Miscellany and the 2008 Miscellany (he likes facts), and a guidebook to Thailand where we plan to spend his 40th birthday.
  

I also worked on Christmas Elf Fairy--just have to finish the whisper thread and bead it.

I also did some back stitching on Tall Flowers this month.

Blogging Every Day

The nablopomo people sent me a link to this new group: Blog 365. I'm crazy to even be thinking about it, aren't I? I know I won't be able to blog from stitching camp--I can hardly get mobile service. And what about the trip to Thailand? No, the more I think about it, the less sense it makes...unless...guest blogger? best pal I'm looking at you.

I will be participating in (Inter)National DeLurking Week (2nd week of January), which means I'll be out there commenting, and I hope you all will come out of the closet and give a shout out to me too. I love me some comments.

And They're Driving Back to NH

It has been a whirlwind these past few days. Just look at the schedule:

Sunday: dinner at my cousin's (11 adults, 2 children, 4 dogs); come home, stay up until 12:30 finishing the stockings.
Monday: work until 1:00; Christmas eve celebration with 11 adults, 2 children, and 4 dogs. My uncle loved his ornament--he thought I bought it!--but I still don't have a photo. My nieces loved their stockings--Yay-o screamed when she opened it and Lala raced to put them up on the mantle. She was especially excited because her name is on it; now Santa knows which one is hers. My cousin and husband loved Summer Place, and I was right--I had bet the dude that she would cry and she did a little. And my aunt liked the Frenchy Bag. Also, everyone voted, and I make the best lobster stew. Unfortunately, I think this means I have a new job for Christmas eve.
Tuesday: We slept at my sister's Monday night so that we'd all wake up together for Christmas. It was just the five of us early on, and Sissy loved her pillow, dad liked his beer sign (though he's selling the business; I told him he could remember how he made his millions), and my mother loved her necklace. At 2:00 the 6 adults and two children came over for Chinese (a family tradition). When my cousin's MIL saw the necklace that I made my mother, she offered to put them in the gift shop she manages. So I guess that's a compliment. But I'm not quitting my day job yet.
Wednesday: The crew, plus my cousin's SIL, came to our bungalow for dinner. We had a Polish theme dinner with bigos and pierogies. You can read about it here, including a recipe for the bigos, which I improvised a bit. Of course, we started cleaning the neglected house at 9:00 am and "finished" (I skipped the craft room; my mother said it looked fine, "worked in.") half an hour before people arrived. And then once they left, we started the cleaning all over again.
Thursday: I went to work, leaving the dude to finish cleaning up (and I have to say, I was relieved to be here, except for the "interview" with the boss's boss). But I had to cut out a bit early to get to the restaurant for the 60th birthday party. Seventeen people, but no dogs. The dude scanned 100+ photos of my aunt and I organized them into a little power point presentation. There wasn't space to display it, so we passed the computer around. It was good that we had entertainment, because the service sucked. Nevertheless, it was way better than the restaurant where we usually have her birthday dinner--the service and the food. My stitched piece was deeply appreciated and passed around. My cousin's MIL asked how I could see to stitch without glasses, because apparently she thinks everyone has 80-year-old eyes. But it brings me to the Friday quiz (Jo, I haven't forgotten...soon.)

Merry Christmas

The dude and the bitch wish you

a very Merry Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas Eve

And all through the house

You could hear me screaming

My sewing machine is lous-

ing up these beautiful stockings

That the kids will hang by the chimney with care

If I can finish them before presents we share

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

But auntie was swearing--and ripping--and crap!

She sewed and she sewed but she needed a nap,

From the machine there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to the laptop to see what was the matter.

What am I crazy? I don't have time for this...

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

My to-do list is getting done.
wrap boss's birthday gift (and happily she loved it!); finish-finish Sissy's (new) present; finish-finish "beer;" (decided to wrap it without finishing, but I did buy the frame); finish-finish stockings; finish-finish uncle's ornament; buy a point driver (unnecessary, see above) ; buy oranges; buy cloves; make pomanders with the kids; clean the house; buy a candle holder for Christmas candles in bathroom; call re lobster (10-12 lbs); buy tall purple pillar candle; put up second tree; buy purple paper plates; see if Home Goods has purple/orange/gold table runner (to match the napkins); paint front door, final coat (we're skipping it until spring); put up storm door; hang wreath;paint patches around door and in hallway and it looks terrific!; get rid of chair; put out all cardboard recycling; find a place/way to display Christmas cards; buy ribbon for presents; buy candle for snowman holder that is on display; pick up gifts from framer see below!; buy pierogis from ladies in Port Richmond the dude took PoppaBitch to Syrenka for kielbasa and sauerkraut while they were out there.

Make lobster stew:

Here's step one. I've had to cook it in three batches; my house smells like a seafood shanty.


Auntie's 60th birthday gift.


And Summer Place for my cousin and her husband (and their new summer place).

Now back to work on those stockings! (crack)

Happy to Oblige

I briefly considered taking photos of the finishing I did on the reindeer pillow, but I didn't. Now that I have been asked for finishing instructions, I'm happy to oblige, but really wish I had taken a few snaps.

The first thing to do is decide how large you are making the stitched center piece. I used the time honored tradition of putting the buttons in the corners and seeing how it looked with the buttons closer, and then further away, so totally scientific measuring. I think the stitched piece was 3x4 1/4, the buttons were 1 1/8" and I cut the center 6" x 7 3/8". YMMV. Then I cut plain muslin to match. I put right sides together and stitched up all four sides. That's correct, the reindeer was on the inside. To get him out, I cut a rather large slit in the center of the muslin very.carefully. I trimmed the corners then turned it right side out, and had a good poke at the corners to get them to look sharp. Then, using fusible web, I stuck a muslin patch over the slit. (Doesn't matter how it looks, no one will ever see it.)

For the pillow, I did math. With a pen and paper. "The palest ink is better than the best memory."

I bought a 16x16 pillow form. I cut one section 17x17; that is the front. I cut two more pieces 17x13.5. I'll give you the formulae:

We'll call the side lengths of the pillow form a and b so that you can do this with a rectangular pillow.

The front is a + 1 by b+1.
The back--you'll cut two--is a + 1 by b/2 + 5

Just to make this more confusing, I have read some suggestions that if you don't add the 1" seam allowance your pillow will be more plump, and I have found when working with home dec (heavier) fabric, like in Sissy's pillow, I could have cut it exactly to size (16x16). The pillows I have done for my nieces which I sewed with quilting fabric (lightweight cotton) definitely needed the seam allowance; they are plenty plump.

Working with the two back sections, make a double hem. If, like me, you have no idea what that is, simply fold the fabric down 1", press in place--or with heavier fabric, pin--and then fold down 1" again, and press or repin (take out the others, you have to sew this). This is different from folding it down two inches, so don't do that. Sew the hem down as close as you can to the loose edge. You're ready to make the pillow. Pin the two double hemmed pieces (now b/2+ 3) to the square. They will overlap, this is what you are going for*. Stitch half inch seems on four (yes, 4) sides of pillow. You can turn the pillow through the opening!! Isn't this brilliant? No hand sewing!
I bought a kit at Joanns to make the buttons, and that was entirely self explanatory.

I pinned the stitched piece to the pillow putting the pins in the center where no buttons would be stitched. I eyeballed it, but some people might think measuring is a good idea. Then I stitched the piece to the pillow and then stitched the buttons over where I attached it.

*Note: in certain instances, you will want to think about orientation. I think these pillows are supposed to have the overlap facing up (my pillow was upside down when I took the picture, and I wrapped it without looking at the photo first) or to the side (now that I think about it, this may always be the best orientation). In the first pillow I did, I used a directional fabric (the stitched piece was sewn as a patchwork for the front), and the overlap faces down. The pillow hasn't fallen out so it's no biggie, but you may want to do your first pillow with an all-over pattern so you don't have to worry about also figuring out directionality.

---

And yes, Lee and Michelle, those are the appliqued placemats. Thanks for noticing!

I finished my uncle's ornament, but forgot to take a photo before I wrapped it. You'll have to wait until after Christmas. Now to work on the stockings...

Some for Me and One for Sissy

Look what arrived! My prize from Geggie. In the box...


And the money shot:


I didn't even know Burt's Bees made all this stuff! There's a "Bee-bop Wristlet" filled with beeswax lip balm, body lotion, coconut foot creme, and body wash. That box holds the "overnight bee-uty bag" with coconut foot creme, lemon butter cuticle creme, milk and honey lotion, radiance lip shimmer, lip balm with pomegranate oil, and shea butter hand repair creme. In addition to pomegrante shampoo and conditioner, there's a full-size milk and shea butter body wash, milk and honey body lotion, 6 lip balms, 3 lip shimmers, a natural lip gloss, day creme, night creme and eye creme, 2 bars of soap (one's extra energizing--and I need that), spray hand sanitizer, liquid hand soap, hand repair creme, and repair serum. Whew. And she threw in some Lindt chocolates, which arrived one minute too late (shakes fist at postman). I opened the peanut butter and milk chocolate covered pretzels that I bought for Christmas just a moment too soon. Thanks again, Geggie! This was a fabulous prize. And to think, I only had to run off at the mouth every day for a month!

JBW Designs French Country Reindeer
Stitched with Belle Soie Fawn
on recommended size fabric of an antique white vintage.

May I present Sissy's Christmas gift? Take a good look--that finishing has no hand sewing. The stitched piece is backed with muslin sewn on all four sides (you cut the back, which no one will ever see, to turn it; then you patch it for luck or something). The pillow is envelop-style (like your pillow sham). I even enjoyed making the self-covering buttons, although I might reposition the upper right hand one (it's the first one, you can tell, right?) I am in love with this pillow!

Oh to see a great big man entirely made of snow

(From my favorite Christmas movie: White Christmas)

Here is my collection of snow figures in the living room with the snowy tree:

The small snowmen have gathered near my sewing spot--that's my Ott-Lite in the background. And "sew warm" is "sew cute" with that needle in his hand. Do I love the Williraye or that no-name guy with the droopy hat more?


These are my candle holders. The small globe was made by my niece.


"Fall Guy" needs some friends I think...


But I can't take anyone down from the tv cabinet. Any fewer and it looks a little sparse.

I don't know how I came to collect snowmen, but I find them happy-making.

Sissy's appointment took forever tonight. First she arrived at 4:45 for her 5:40 appointment to be told it had been rescheduled to 6:30; didn't she get their call? Fortunately, I work close by so we went to Jones for dinner where the dude joined us. Then we showed up at 6:20 and they were waiting for her. They led her back where they must have held her captive for a while before administering the test. They didn't release her until 7:45. We got home at 8:30...there went the hopes of a second coat of primer on the bathroom...but we are closer to knowing.

Grandmothers make Craft Cool

I think the only way they can get away with these "craft revolution" articles is if they claim craft used to be for grandmothers.

The Phoenix (where I really, really wanted to work after college) recently pulled this in an article, "She's Crafty"

The framed items look familiar enough — the quaint curlicues of cross-stitch evoke memories of your grandmother’s living-room wall, charming phrases wreathed in chains of flowers. Upon closer examination, though, these picturesque patterns bear unexpected messages: “Home Crap Home,” “Bitch Is the New Black,” “What Would Leonard Nimoy Do?”

Heck, what would Grandma say? (emphasis added)

Old Lady Count: 7

PS: Sissy had her appointment; she needs an MRI before they can go in, but the doctor was very positive. I think he even flirted with her a little. He said there were several reasons to think it wasn't cancer; one was "you'd look a lot worse." My sister said, "I know, I look fabulous, don't I?" (Then the back and forth started; I'll spare you.) The MRI is tomorrow, and he'll see her again for biopsy/removal on Thursday. We'll know the results in about a week. Of course, my boss said we could ask the pathologist who is on our editorial board to see if we can get results sooner--I think, however, a week is expedited. But it looks good.

Decisions, decisions

My dining room is a color called "Fragrant Clove." (Now, it even smells like cloves.) When I saw these napkins, I thought they'd be a great color combo for my Boxing Day dinner party. (The napkin looks red, but it's orange.)

So I've dressed up my chandelier and created a centerpiece, seen here:

Isn't that purple candle perfect? $3.00 (three) at Home Goods. I love that place. I have a couple of dilemmas. First, that table runner is about 4 inches shy of the table ends and it has tassels, which I think should hang off the table. (It was cheap--Home Goods. Okay, really I forgot to measure the table before I went shopping.) I could take out the leaf--we're not eating at the table (fourteen of us are never fitting in there), but is it enough room for the buffet? Or I could try to find another, but that copper color is perfect. (And it has chenille squiggles. What's not to love?)

The other problem is that I put my handmade ornament tree in that room, and I think it's the wrong feel. Even with the gold tree skirt.

I could move the tree to the study, but then, who'd see it?

Today, I painted the patches in the hall and around the door. I decided not to paint the front door--It does need another coat, but I think it can wait. And I primed the bathroom. I know the dude is going to help with that when he gets back because we can't shower upstairs until we finish painting and hang the new blind. Though the downstairs shower has superior water pressure, it's a long walk in the morning. ;)

Progress Report

Today, as I was basking in the warm glow of my expensive new thermostat (usually the dude changes them--we think there's something wrong with the wiring, and next time it goes, I'm calling the electrician instead of the heating people), I got a flower delivery. From Sissy. Because I'm "wonderful." And I am.

Yesterday, after the heating man left, when I called to tell the boss to say I was on the way back to work, she told me not to bother. So I went shopping! Now I have most of the things I was looking for, which leaves me with the work part of the list. And I have to admit I haven't gotten right on it.

wrap boss's birthday gift; finish-finish Sissy's (new) present; finish-finish "beer;" finish-finish stockings; finish-finish uncle's ornament; buy a point setter*; buy oranges; buy cloves; make pomanders with the kids; clean the house; buy a candle holder for Christmas candles in bathroom; call re lobster (10-12 lbs); buy tall purple pillar candle; put up second tree; buy purple paper plates; see if Home Goods has purple/orange/gold table runner (to match the napkins); paint front door, final coat; put up storm door; hang wreath; paint patches around door and in hallway; get rid of chair; put out all cardboard recycling; find a place/way to display Christmas cards; buy ribbon for presents; buy candle for snowman holder that is on display; pick up gifts from framer; buy pierogis from ladies in Port Richmond; check out progress in human cloning, see how you can speed it up.

These are the pomanders Lala and made. You can see Lala's football on the far right.

* a point setter is very different from a poinsettia (the Christmas plant). It's a framing tool. Okay, it's called a point driver. Sorry for the confusion.

Help, I'm in a Handbasket

When I woke up this morning, my house was 52 degrees. Fahrenheit. So something's wrong there.

So as I shivered, I sat down and wrote a list of everything I have to get done before the relatives descend Thursday: wrap boss's birthday gift; finish-finish Sissy's (new*) present; finish-finish "beer;" finish-finish stockings; finish-finish uncle's ornament; buy a point setter; buy oranges; buy cloves; make pomanders with the kids; clean the house; buy a candle holder for Christmas candles in bathroom; call re lobster (10-12 lbs); buy tall purple pillar candle; put up second tree; buy purple paper plates; see if Home Goods has purple/orange/gold table runner (to match the napkins); paint front door, final coat; put up storm door; hang wreath; paint patches around door and in hallway; get rid of chair**; put out all cardboard recycling; find a place/way to display Christmas cards; buy ribbon for presents; buy candle for snowman holder that is on display; pick up gifts from framer; buy pierogis from ladies in Port Richmond; check out progress in human cloning, see how you can speed it up.

But first, my sister calls just before the office holiday party yesterday: "doctor, bump, leg, remove, biopsy 7-9 days, appointment January 21st, cried, January 2, cancer. Oh, and can you babysit the nieces for me on Friday night?" Talked to my mom who has organized a prayer chain over this bump on my sister's leg. Fortunately, I did wake up eventually and remember that I work in the development office of a hospital. If raising money for a hospital doesn't get you special privileges, what should? When I got to work, I called my friendly orthopaedic surgeon, and now my sister has an appointment on Monday with one of the best plastic surgeons in Philadelphia. And my mother will take all the credit...there was a prayer chain after all.

The heating people are coming to my house today, so I will have to go home, and I'm starting to think this may be the most brilliant thing that could have happened. I can start working on the list instead of doing, well, whatever it is they pay me to do around here...

*I made the JBW reindeer on the way to and in England; she has a little collection.
**when I bought the craft room chairs, the first pair I ordered they only sent one because it was out of stock. One chair, nobody could call to see if I wanted just one?

Trip Report

We arrived on Thursday and were met by my SIL's husband (to distinguish between him and my BIL) and Christopher Robin who got a little cranky because lunch was late even though daddy told him it would take a long time to come get us at the airport. Here, I met my 9 month old nephew. What a doll. A vomiting doll. We stayed in the front room on an air mattress and lugged our suitcases up to be out of the way when we sat in the front room and down in the evenings. London houses are very small and lack storage in a major way. He was very disappointed when we left, but we're not sure if it was us or that the airbed was coming down (it's a bouncy castle!). In two days, I fell deeply and madly in love with the baby and was so sad to leave him to go to Wimbledon...

...where we were welcomed like rock stars! My oldest nephew couldn't contain his excitement. Didn't go to sleep until 11pm and then was up at 5am! I got to meet my 4.5 year old nephew for the first time. What a doll he was. The moment we walked in we were accosted by Harry Potter talk (they've only read the first two books and seen movie 1). The boys taught us everything we will ever need to know about playing one of the HP computer games. They were very impressed that I had read all the books and seen all the movies and eaten Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (esp. the ear wax one; they thought that was a riot). And I may continue shipping American candy to the UK... (only fair since I buy Bounty bars for my sister every time I visit) We went to Hampton Court on Saturday and the London Eye on Sunday. We gave them the Harry Potter scarves and WOW! were they excited!!!!!! When the littler one saw his brother's present he was very jealous, but you should have seen his face when he saw that he got the HP hat and scarf set too. He lit up the room--with his most beautiful blue eyes. Sigh...more falling in love. On the morning we left, his mum said "give [them] a hug; they won't be here when you come home." The oldest did a bit tearily, but the younger burst into tears. I still get all misty thinking of it...what a softy the bitch has become.

We hopped on the underground to head out to Heathrow to fly up to my MILs. That's where I found out about the flying restrictions. No sharps. Apparently ALL needles are sharps. (And you can stitch on planes if you have nail clippers.) Oh, and can I just say how stupid that this is the same country that lets you bring wrapped presents on planes. At last, we had an opportunity to sleep in the same room as our bags. And indeed to sleep late. She did, of course, take us on long walks through Durham, which you might not know is very hilly. Very hilly.

I flew back last night. It was not the best flight back. A little girl in our row got all whingy when she couldn't see Philadelphia out of the window. Then a cough, and a gag, and she's throwing up all over the place (not on me, I was in the window and she was in the middlest seat). Yummy. Then I heard my name announced while I was waiting for my bags before I went through customs. I was totally freaked out and all sorts of things like full body cavity searches ran through my head. Turns out despite the fact that my bags were at Heathrow for four hours they decided not to fly to Philadelphia with me. Yeah. So that kind of sucked. But they delivered them tonight. Anyone who has read Patricia Cornwell can tell you that is nothing to look forward to.

Lots to show and tell you about--my copy of Warm Fuzzies arrived while I was away just for starters!

On the Flight Deck

My MIL's internet connection was dial-up. My nephews played Harry Potter computer games non-stop. My SIL's computer was in the 3 year old's room (& u think u've got space problems). I've got 3 more hrs in the airport, so I spent £2 for 10 min on the computer. 2 mns left. Don't bring scissors to the UK. Can't fly with those internally nor outbound. No knitting needles. No petite tapestry needles either (mine confiscated on flt to Newcastle). Keyboard impossible--more tomorrow.

Christmas Meme

Brave Astronaut posted this one. I've left off the last two questions (it was one of those e-mail forwarding things). Now there is a nice balanced 25 questions.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.
2. Real tree or artificial? I grew up in the woods; trees belong outside. Plus, the artificial tree always looks better than the Charlie Brown trees my father brought home.
3. When do you put up the tree? Whenever.
4. When do you take the tree down? The first or second Saturday after Christmas.
5. Do you like egg nog? Yes, storebought. I drink one quart every year. I once had a friend make fresh and it was really thin and not so much.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I don't really remember the gifts I got. There is a photo of me with no front teeth and a really bad haircut beaming over the table hockey game but I don't even remember playing with it. I always loved getting a new box of 64 Crayolas, but did I get them for Christmas?
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Why would I have that? Christmas is about Santa Claus.
8. Hardest person to buy for? FIL. Even his kids have no idea what to get him.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My mother.
10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Handmade in the mail.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Probably the time my grandparents were being so evil to my mother that she stayed home alone while my father dragged us off to "enjoy" Christmas with his family. I was about seven, and 33 years later this is still my worst Christmas memory...be careful how you treat others in front of children.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? The day after Christmas.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Of course. My father's sister regularly gets me these spangly make-up bags. I give them to my maternal grandmother for her birthday in March.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? A tie between Aunt Mikki's cheeseball and her turtles. Oh, those turtles.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? White. Only. Ever.
17. Favorite Christmas song? "Silver Bells."
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? From 1966-1984, stay at home. From 1985-2006, travel, sometimes 3000 miles. This year, the parents are coming to us!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Of course.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Snowman.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We have a Wigilia celebration with my mother's family, and we open a lot of our presents then. But for our immediate family it's Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? When people in long lines or crowds complain about being in long lines or crowds (at the post office, at the mall, at stores, in traffic). It's like this every year, so change your frickin' attitude. (Or shop online and complain to your computer.)
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love my tree with the hand-stitched perforated paper Santas.
24. Favorite thing for Christmas dinner? Lobster stew, and this year I'm making it.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? World peace. And for my grandmother to come to Pennsylvania and enjoy herself. Okay, I know you love the Maggie stories. For as long as I can remember, my grandmother (now 85) has worked as a bartender in this total dive, and she always works on Christmas day, opening at 6:00 am for the drunks...she's like a Christmas angel bringing booze to the needy. So now, we're asking her to come 300 miles for a week to celebrate Christmas with her family. (She actually asked, "who will open the club?" Um, we don't care?) Ever since we decided in August to have Christmas down here, about once a week she gets pouty and says she's not coming. So let's hope they get her in the car and make her stay until the 27th when we celebrate my aunt's 60th birthday. After that, she can go back to the bar (where you can actually get a mixed drink, heavy on the drink, for $1.25).

Applique: Goodbye to All That

Last night was my last applique class. Sniff! What will we have to talk about on Mondays and Tuesdays from now on? I'm sure we'll think of something; especially now that I can sew! Maybe I'll start finishing some of those 78 projects, and I'll be able to show you those.

The teacher asked if we will be in the class next semester, and I think I shall. I'm going to need help finishing this silly overnight case--last night, I started step 3: make cording. I cut and started sewing the bias binding. There are about twelveteen more steps, and I'm not sure I've got the fortitude.

I did manage to finish this for my dad, the beer wholesaler:


And this for my MIL:


It's an eyeglass case made from felted wool sweaters. But it didn't come out nearly as cute as Betz White's stuff. It did only cost about $4. And I made it with love...

Just in case you are keeping score, all the presents showed up: Cariboo for the little one and two Gryffendor hats and scarves for the Potter-crazed nephews. (Yeah, I paid a lot but I couldn't have whipped those up in 3 weeks.) So I'll be going away soon, but I'll try to stay in touch. I mean, it's only England. I think they even have the internet.

2007: The Year I Won Stuff

I won a prize--$100 of Burts Bees stuff from Gayle--for successfully completing NaBloPoMo!

It's been a banner year. I should go out and buy lottery tickets.

I'd like to thank all my loyal readers, and Gayle, and the creators of National Blog Posting Month, and my parents, and the heroin addict who taught me html code back in the early days...God bless you all. (Wipes tear...)

House Tour

The title's a little deceiving. This is just a little corner of the living room. But I promised to show you the Christmas quilt I saved from the Dumpster at my mother's and the tree skirt.

The quilting on it is terrible. The stitches are so huge you can practically see them from here. But I popped it behind the tree, so you can't get a really good look. It's festive anyway, and the dude cracked me up with a postmodern analysis of the dual fake trees. This is only part of my snowman collection. I have four small areas in the living room with more snowmen. Not bad for a girl who didn't know she collected them! (NB: You'll notice the woolie snowman doorhanger perched at the top of the tree. I went to three stores looking for a papier mache gourd to make a tree topper, and Joann's, AC Moore, and Michael's all told me they only have them at Halloween. Go figure. So I repurposed the doorhanger, and I'll be sure to buy a gourd next Halloween so I can make a proper topper.)

Here's a shot of the tree skirt--and the cute snow couple I picked up at Home Goods on Black Friday. You can see that I didn't iron the skirt... but you're the only people who are going to look that closely.


Close-up of the ribbon embroidery.

After hitting 4 stores to get a 4' prelit (with white lights) Christmas tree for the handmade ornaments, I finally settled on a 6.5' unlit tree. I can stop running around. When we were leaving the third place, the dude told me he would give up all his Christmas presents not to have to shop for other people (fat chance). Then he turned to me and said, "Of course, you've done all the shopping...Thanks." Well, he turns out not to be so bad after all...