New Year's Eve Day

Well, here it is (a deep subject) and New Year's Eve day. I was going to be busily working on Bonnie Hunter's mystery, or on my Shakespeare in the park, but instead, I am working on sorting and arranging my sewing closet and fabrics. I don't have a huge stash, so I have ordered fabrics from Thousands of Bolts for the mystery, and have had about all I can stand just like Popeye. My closet wasn't a thing of beauty but I also keep my Christmas things in it for the most part, and the tearing through for decorating was the last straw. The top picture is my scrappy scraps, and I'm not sure what I'll do about them. I have decided that I don't really 'like' scraps a whole bunch, but maybe some day I'll master the art of crumbs and strings.

On the bed is my more organized scraps (by color) and the little stack in the back is my bigger pieces. I'm hoping to make them look nice with the ruler folding techniques that I have been reading about on the groups.

Here is the back of my closet, which I have mentioned I have been tearing through for the holidays. I have quilts in progress or some that I have just set aside fabrics for in the organized looking part, and strips that I have cut in the shoebox size containers. On the bottom right is Christmas and Halloween fabrics. What you don't see is the empty shelves in front and to the left that held all the mess of fabrics before. I'm hoping to make a vast improvement.

The picture above is more of the same, plus my sewing machine tools and the cardboard box has my Shakespeare in the park fabric.
On a little lighter note, DH and I went to Target this morning and got some of the 75% off Christmas things and a few groceries (had to get Black eyed peas for New Years day). We got a 7 1/2 foot prelit tree for next year that was on sale for 32 dollars and change, and some pretty Christmas cards, too.
My DD would like us to go to a club with her where her fiance is working tonight, he handles the technical part of the sound system, but I don't know if I'll make it as if I don't take medicine for my restless leg syndrome, I will be pacing around, and if I do I may be dozing. She would like to have her father to dance with, so hopefully he will be up to making it for a little while.
We usually just stay home on New Year's Eve.
I'd like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I think after this past year, most of us could use a little of that.

Warning - Bare Bottom

Other people have gorgeous wonderful dolls that they share on their blogs, but I will share my lowly kitchen witch.
I was looking for candles the other day and lo and behold there in the box (I can't explain why, it was probably put in a place that I wouldn't forget) was my Christmas kitchen witch that I made about 10 years ago. They aren't elegant or fancy, but they sure were fun to make. The first batch I made was at my SIL's who showed me how to make them, and the second batch was at my house with 2 or 3 generations participating. I never laughed so much, as there was hilarious discussion about which part we were working on, and a joke to go with each question or instruction. It was really fun, but if nudity offends, you may want to skip the third picture.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone, we made it. The big day is finally here, and I'm almost ready for dinner and just about to go take my shower and get dressed.
Yesterday my DD and her boyfriend and his children and her youngest three went to Sea World, so DH and I picked up their pictures from Walmart. I don't think they'd mind if I share, the top one is his two girls, and the next 2 are my daughters children. I think the pictures turned out well.

I'm trying some recipes from various internet groups and blogs, and the picture below is my Hot Buttered Punch in the cooker and getting hot. I hope that it is good, if not we have other things to drink, but I thought that we'd try some new things this year.

Below is our table set and ready to go, there will only be seven of us, unless I get any surprises, so we can sit at one table and hopefully be more civilized.

I am having trouble with my camera (bummer), it isn't very old so hopefully I can find proof of purchase and send it off under warrenty. I take several pictures and only some transfer to the computer. I hope to take some today here and at my DD's house after we have dinner, and I hope that it holds out.

I'm off to get ready, and I hope that you all have a wonderful day today. Merry Christmas.

New Niece, Baby Quilts, and Christmas Tree

Two posts in two days, lots better than 2 weeks in between. The fabrics above are what I have chosen to make my newest niece's baby quilt from. She was born the first of last week and is named Kolbie May. The May is after my mother's middle name. Her mama was pretty much raised by my mother and she feels as close to her grandmother as I do. Isn't little Kolbie a cutie? She has 2 brothers and 4 sisters so her mama has lots of help with 2 teenagers, two pre-teens, and 2 toddlers. Her daddy pitches in, too. I have decided to make one of MaryQuilts Quick Strippie's, I think that the pattern makes some really cute little quilts (and it looks easy too).
The quilt top above is for my 3 year old granddaughter, Breanna. It was supposed to be for Christmas, but it will be a little later. In the middle it says "Angels are from Heaven" and the machine embroideries are little angels on clouds. Right now they still have stabelizer on them, but that will go away when they are washed.

My brother always told my mother she was wishy-washy, and I inherited it, but I finally stopped being wishy-washy about a Christmas tree, and got a small one last night. I think that it looks kinda cute.

I wanted a big tree mostly so I could use the tree skirt that I made about 18 years ago, as you can see, it's a bit large for this years tree. It's pretty wrinkly from being in a bag. Maybe next year.

Almost Ready for Christmas

I've been visiting blogs and being awed by the projects and decorations, and mine aren't in the same league (need greenery), but I thought that I'd share a bit too. Above are figurines that I got probably 30 years ago from Home Interiors, and I still like them. The crystal nativity set I got piecemeal from the Waterford outlet store that we have (or had?) here in Orlando. When I liked to shop, I had my rounds, lol. Now, I don't go to the stores much, I do a lot online when I need something, or want something. Below is part of my Rowe Pottery Collection, and the little quilt that I won in a giveaway on Donna's - in the attic and she's having a quilt party today, too. I was surprised to see how well this little quilt goes with Thanksgiving and Christmas, I love it.
The picture below is my china cabinet, just a little decorated. I live in Florida, and am kind of afraid of fresh greenery due to critters, and I don't know where to store the artificial stuff. Maybe one of these days.
Below, is one of the tabletoppers that I made a few years ago, the other side is autumn, so I use them starting about the middle of October and then flip them over after Thanksgiving. The pillow covers I made about 10 years ago.
Below is just the middle of my table, I just got one of the fake candles, and it is very nice, it even has a timer and goes on in the evening and stays on for 5 hours automatically, pretty neat. The sleigh is more of my outlet wandering booty.

Can you tell I like the Old World Santas?

Do you think Santa will find our stockings?

No tree yet, I have gone back and forth (vacillating is my #1 skill). I've decided to split the difference, and get a little table top tree, I'm going to shop today. Next year I will go for the big tree, and use my tree skirt. I made one years ago, and have been missing it. Maybe I'll take a picture of it just because, but I have to get batteries first.DH and I were anticipating Christmas alone, except for going to my daughters for a little while, but my son and his family will be coming. Part of the group won't be here as they are traveling, but we should be seven or more. I have also wobbled back and forth on a menu, but this will be it:

Ham
Potato Salad
Tamales
Crockpot Sweet Potatoes
Fruit Salad
Fruit Dressing
Hot Buttered Punch
Cool-Aid
Pumpkin Cake
Mrs. Smith’s Pies
Ice Cream

The tamales will be made by my DIL, and I'm sure they'll be delicious, as they are one of her specialties. The sweet potatoes, hot buttered punch, and pumpkin cake are recipes that I have gotten off blogs and yahoo groups, and I'm hoping for the best. We'll see.Merry Christmas, everyone and Happy Hanukkah.

Confessions of a Craft Addict Giveaway

There is a giveaway going on for all this great 'stuff'. To take part go here. To join, you just have to leave a comment telling about your favorite charity, which is great as it gives you an opportunity to share something near to your heart.
Go here for your comment:

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