Merry Christmas from Texas!

What a day!  We were so blessed to spend Christmas surrounded by family to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  The kids let us sleep in, it was the dog that woke us up...go figure.

The Co-Defendants were on their best behavior...

They look like they like one another, don't they?  By now, they've closeted themselves in their rooms.  Co-Def #1 is building some sort of Lego monstrosity...yeah, more tiny little bricks for me to step on in the dead of night!  Co-Def #2 has been playing beauty parlor with her stuffed toys...Grannie is determined to turn her into a girly-girl.

And to my relief, she really liked the purse I made...

 
Dear Hubby and I are about to drop in our tracks we're so tired...and full of my Mom's homemade tamales!  We've also decided toy manufacturers and battery companies are in cahoots.  My parents got me an awesome red Kitchen Aid stand mixer...it's gorgeous and weighs a TON.  Do you think it counts as exercise when I have to move it out of the cabinet to use?  

Merry Christmas, y'all!
 

Christmas Countdown

Christmas is almost here!  The kids are home today, practically bouncing off the walls because Dear Hubby is taking us all around town to view Christmas lights and they. just. can't. wait!

The closer we get, the faster time seems to go.  Monday evening, DH took us to a live Nativity hosted by a local nursing home.

Who's got the bigger smile...the kids or the camel?

Paige brought home some pretty artwork which I dutifully ooohed and aaahed over...and smiled when I got to the last bit of writing.

I've baked cookies until I thought my arms would fall off.  Today, I had a helper who sported a 'Holiday Meal Director' apron and sweet smile.

And Lulu waited patiently for someone, anyone to drop a cookie please, please, please drop a cookie!

Paige and I ventured out this morning to WalMart..and no, I hadn't lost my mind.  I actually parked within walking distance of the entrance and everyone was civilized.  Leave it to one of my kids to inform me this close to Christmas that they'd outgrown their blue jeans.  Sorry, but Mommy does not want to wash uniform pants every other day through Christmas break, so out we went.  Didn't I say on Monday I'm not going into another store until after Christmas?  I believe I said it again Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday...all while standing in some line!  Smile.

I went down to Mom's Thursday night to sew with her and my aunt and managed to get two rag quilts done..one infant and one toddler size.  Yay, me!

I really like rag quilts.  They're quick and easy.  Unfortunately, they're also a tad messy.

Yep, that's my dryer filter.  Ick!  But the payoff is a snuggly quilt for a little one so it's all good!

This last little bit, we picked up while we were out this morning.  I'm not sure what the significance is, but Paige reminded me Santa nicely left some in their stockings last year.  And who doesn't love a gold wrapped bit of chocolate yumminess!

Wishing you a stress free (yeah, right), fun filled, happy Christmas surrounded by loved ones as we celebrate the real reason for the season...Jesus' birth.

Have a blessed Christmas, y'all!

So Many UFOs

Will...it...never...end?  Who knew one quilter could have so much unfinished business!  I keep finding in progress projects everywhere.  Eeeek!!

I started binding the popsicle quilt last night down at Mom's and finished up while waiting in the pickup line at school this afternoon.  Sorry the picture's so bad, but it's been dreary, rainy and nasty.  I'm beginning to think the sun has gone on vacation.

Here's my quilt model, Co Def #2.  For someone who scowls so much otherwise, she certainly finds her way into many of my quilt pictures.  I think this makes a nice sized baby quilt and I backed it with flannel to make it extra snuggly.

Mom and I took a little road trip south to Salado this morning.  I needed (yes, needed) navy blue with stars fabric for Co Def #1's airplane quilt.  And no, I couldn't get it here in town...very frustrating!  I picked up a couple of patterns and books and oh yes, the fabric, so I'm happy.  The shop ladies wished me luck on my no fabric/patterns/books buying for 2012 resolution.  Actually, they snickered and did the eyeball roll thing, but that's okay because they made up for it by giving each of us a little fat quarter pack as a Christmas gift.  Yay, us!!  If you're ever that-a-way, be sure to stop in at A Sewing Basket in Salado.

I'm linking up with Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.

Happy quilting, y'all!

Q.I.T.

I confess, I don't have an actual quilt project to show you for WIP Wednesday.  I do, however, have the next best thing...a Q.I.T. 

What you may ask is a Q.I.T?  It's a quilter in training, of course!     

Her attention span is short, her feet barely touch the pedal and her seams are squirrelly to put it kindly, but she's hardheaded determined just like her mother.  On the advice of some Facebook quilting friends, I started her out making a nine patch from charm squares.  She's got the three rows done and she'll get those together as soon as Mom takes her Xanax this weekend.  Mom's scrap box seems to be her new toy box and she's already eyeballing the yardage.  I'm thinking of putting in a security system to guard my stash.

Happy quilting, y'all! 

A Quilter's Christmas

We have somehow managed to accumulate a multitude of Christmas decorations...cardboard boxes and plastic totes are brought down from the attic usually accompanied by a fair amount of grumbling from Dear Hubby, bless his heart.  This year I really strived to pare it all down, meaning my house does not look like Santa's village blew up.  Yay me!  It only took two days to put everything out as opposed to a week and a half.  We still had to shove furniture aside, but the upside is my sewing desk is now hidden behind the Christmas tree.  It's (almost) like having a separate room all to my lonesome, so I decided it needed a bit of holiday cheer too.

 

My Mom made this one



The above trio she got through The Danbury Mint catalog

These are from Hallmark...love their ornaments!

Do you decorate your sewing space for the winter holiday you celebrate?  If not, why not!  After all, any space could use a little cheer!