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:

http://confessionsofacraftaddict.com/2008/12/have-a-craft-addict-christmas/#respond

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving is over, and it was nice but busy and chaotic. This picture is one of mostly the third generation who were at my house, one is second generation. First generation was DH and I, and his sister and her husband, who also live in Central Florida, and my brother who lives in Georgia. Second generation was my daughter and son and DIL, and my DH sister's daughter and SIL, and my brother's 12 year old son (the one in the tree). We had a total of 28, including my daughter's fiance, who had to work and came late. It's a good thing that we had a wonderful cool and comfortable sunny day, as we had tables set up all over. There were 2 tables and 9 children on the back porch, and eight adults at the dining room table, three children at a card table in the living room, a drop leaf table in the family room with five young men, and a parson's table in the kitchen for DH and I. We all had a place to sit and there was plenty of food for everyone. I did the main meal, but every family brought something, so everyone helped. It was a happy day, although my DIL wasn't feeling well and I didn't know, or I could have given her something to help. She went to the emergency room that night and is feeling better now, after some antibiotics. Also, the next day a friend of my grandson's and his wife and SIL were hit by a drunk driver going the wrong way and his wife was killed, she wasn't even out of her teens yet. He and his SIL are hurt badly and the driver of the other car was killed. Such a waste, and so sad for the families. I'm so thankful that even though my grandchildren have been in accidents and been hurt that we haven't lost anyone, it is a true blessing to be thankful for, and I am.

State Flowers and Shirts

I am up to date again on my State Flower blocks, at least until the next ones are posted which could be as early as tomorrow. I am doing 2 sets, one for DH and myself, and one for DD, and now have a total of 14 blocks done for each of us. I'm thinking maybe I will do sashing between the blocks to make them a bit bigger, but at this point have no idea what color sashing. By the time that I have all 56 blocks done, I'm sure there will be every color in the quilts. The blocks are 12 1/2 x 12 1/2.

My brother in Georgia called this morning, he had been to a thrift store and gotten 3 nice shirts for .75 cents and remembered that I had asked him to keep an eye out for me. He went back in and got 23 shirts for me for $5.75, which is just .25 cents each. He got some that were flannel, and some cotton, but he knew to get all 100% cotton. One of the ladies there had told him that they needed to clear them out as they had more coming in, but when he got mine and told the other lady what they were for I guess she got kind of an attitude about them being cut up. The other lady was there and she stuck up for him and said they were just glad to be selling them. He had the right idea though, he told them that shirts would be worn out and done with, and my quilt might be still around in 100 years, and be an heirloom. He hasn't seen my quilts, lol, but I think it was great that he knew the right thing to say. He is a woodworker, and knows the value of crafting whether with wood or fabric. There are some pictures of tables he has made on my blog. I'm afraid that he is better at his craft than I am at mine, but we both get satisfaction, and that is very important.

Giveaway Prize

Today was a great mail day! Marie of Mariequilts had a very generous giveaway, and I received my prize, which is especially touching as she has not been feeling well lately, and I know that getting it ready and mailed was hard for her. There is a quilt magazine, which I can't wait to read, some fat quarters, some really cute buttons, really cute rainbow colored rick rack, and last but not least chocolate. Thank you so much Marie, you made my day with your wonderful prize.

Three Quilt Giveaway

Dana at Old Red Barn Co. is giving away "Three" quilts here. I know that it is hard to believe, but it is true. You can go to her blog and read about them, and add a comment to sign up.

Donna's "Twisting Turning Twenty" Quilt PARTY!

Donna has started her "Twisting Turning Twenty" Quilt PARTY!" and if you are interested, and you win, you will have yours quilted by her on her longarm. She does beautiful work. There are lots of chances to win, take a look here. This is a picture of her quilt, and we will get to follow along every step as she completes it.

Custom Quilt and Bag Pattern Giveaways

This beautiful quilt and the story behind it are here on The Handmade Quilt-er. The custom part is if you win, you can pick your favorite color.

Also, visit Hanne's Quilt Corner to sign up for her bag pattern giveaway. It's a beauty.