Cookies, fudge, Christmas surprises ...

For the past several years I have been the Christmas box sender -- full of cookies, regional cool foods or sauces found in my travels to my sisters, their kids, and now their children. I would put on a long list of Christmas music, sing along and bake til I dropped. Last year, I decided it was time to end it. I sent my recipes and their favorites to all the families so that this year they could make the cookies in their own kitchens. This year, I feel like I should be doing it, but I'm just limiting the amount of cooking to our own children. I've also drastically contained the amount of cookies to a favorite sugar cookie, without frosting, and fudge. Two favorites easy to make up and send out.

My daughter's birthday is Friday, December 14th -- I have always tried to make sure her birthday and Christmas were always separate. After Thanksgiving, we would start to make cookies, and December 1st, we'd start to decorate the house. Candles in the windows, garlands on the fireplaces and stairs, but we would never put the tree until after her birthday dinner.

And for this year, her birthday present is Christmas supplies. Something she asked for, and a few things she didn't. I hope that this year she can still be surprised and be filled with wonder with both the gifts she receives and the ones she has to give.

My son is stationed in Japan this year -- far away from family, friends and his much loved fiance. Technology keeps us close by using Skype so I can both see him and hear his voice. And of course, Facebook messages and posts.

I receive hundreds of status updates, shares and videos. This morning I received a really neat video from a mall in someplace USA where a crowd in the food court turned into a group in joyous song -- a wonderful rendition of prayer in song to remind us what this season is about.

May your season be filled with wonder, joy and love, to be shared with family, friends and all you meet.

Merry Christmas ~~~

Dee

The 12 Days of Christmas ... and accessories

Last year I was going to make some Christmas accessories for my daughter's new home, but she informed me she had changed her colors. So we talked about her colors and she sent me a picture of a snowman and she wanted things to go with him. I found some fabrics that met with her approval, and made her a tablerunner.  Well, a tablerunner would be so lonely, so I decided to add some other accessories. The line from which I made the tablerunner was The Twelve Days of Christmas by Kate Spain for Moda. (The box has been sent to the destination, so I'm hoping she's gotten it by now so that I can publish this post!) 

The first thing I did was make ... stockings !

 

Of course I forgot to take a picture of the FINISHED stockings and tablerunner ...

 

I really liked this line of fabrics -- I got a 1/2 yard bundle from an online shop to make the stockings and the tablerunner. Cheery, bright and Christmas-y but not the typical always red and green. Yes it has red and green, but the blue really complements the whole thing.

 

THEN, there was a quilt --  I had found a panel that went along with the line. I thought I could find fabrics that I liked to go with it, but as the year wore on, the only answer was a kit. And I found it! Beaver Creek Quilt Company had two left, so I snagged one! 

 

   The panel has the numbered squares and the instructions were very easy to follow, the kit had everything except the backing and batting. I used a squared yard in the enter of the back and surrounded it with another. When it was quilted, it came out perfectly !! I will have to ask for a picture of  the receiver with her new quilt, front and back  :D

 

 

 

I can't publish the finished pictures until I know the box has been opened, but it sure was fun making the accessories to go with the tablerunner ...

 

The Twelve Days of Christmas has another meaning for me .. back in December of 2009, we had a pastor in our church that gave us something else to think about.

 

Besides just being a song, did you know the origins of the song came from scripture? Back when religion was unable to be practiced, the song was written to be used as a Bible study to teach the children the scripture readings of the Bible.

The references are pretty interesting if we think about them; the Partidge in the pear tree refers to God giving Jesus to us (Christians); 2 turtle doves refer to the Old and New Testaments; 3 french hens refer to faith, hope and love; 4 calling birds are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; 5 gold rings are the first 5 books of the Old Testament; 6 geese a-laying are the 6 days of creation; 7 swans a-swimming are the Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; 8 maids a-milking are the Eight Beatitudes; 9 ladies dancing are the Nine fruits of the Spirit; Ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments, 11 pipers piping are the Eleven faithful disciples and the Twelve drummers drumming are the Twelve Points of the Apostles Creed. When I listen to the song now, I think of these gifts as well.

My goal is now to get a few more boxes in the mail -- no stress, no worry ... I would like to think I can practice Christmas every day ~~~

For now, back to handstitching ...

Til the next time ...

Dee

 

 

 

 



Sewing Machine For Sale --

I have a Necchi Quilters Edition 4825 that needs to find a loving home. She sews beautifully, has a small band of accessories, and has done some wonderful work for me. However, I just am not using her to her full potential.

Machine, foot pedal, instruction manual

Accessories:
Feet: All purpose, zipper, buttonhole, button
sewing foot, overlock cutter, satin stitch foot,
overcasting foot, darning foot, quilting foot, and walking foot
Not shown: gathering foot, blind hemmer foot, cording foot and 2 rolled hem feet

Other:
Bobbins, screwdrivers, spool holder, pack of needles, light bulb

   View of bobbin and foot area

 

 

Price $400 + shipping

 

Method of payment:  Cashiers Check/ Money Order or PayPal

 

Will be shipped when payment clears

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This wonderful girl loves to work, and we've made a few quilts together. But I found a 'new to me' Viking that included an embroidery unit that took her place. She had a good checkup, cleaning and maintenance just last month and is ready to help someone be creative.  Would make a wonderful Christmas present !

 

For me, it's back to the sewing table, as this Elf has a lot to get out in the next couple weeks !

 

 

Stitch on ~~~~~

 

Dee