Merry Christmas

"the stockings were hung by the chimney with care"

Indigo dyed, bamboo/cotton socks I made to tuck in Christmas packages. First I mordanted them, tied string loosely around the socks and dipped them in the dye and hung them by the fire to dry.

Last night was my bee Christmas party (I belong to 2 bees and one quilt guild). We went to my friend Kay's home. Since we had already exchanged gifts during our quilt retreat Kay and I made up little snowman embroidery kits for everyone to work on while we ate and visited. You had your choice of thread colors and boarder fabrics.

This is the snowman I worked on with navy blue thread. Everyone enjoyed working on their projects.

Kay's tree was beautiful reflecting in the window and rising to the next story. My picture is not so beautiful.

Lillian did make us all these cute note pad books for our purses. Kay had tucked the boarder fabrics in these cute candle holders.

Inside of the notebook.

My husband and I are heading to Florida to spend the holidays with the kids. We have the sleigh, oh I mean camper filled with gifts, homemade cookies, candy and fun baking projects to do with the grandchildren including gingerbread train kits and cut out sugar cookies.
In between the holidays we're going to my parents in southern Florida to canoe the waterways through the mangrove trees along the gulf. The tropical birds are beautiful through there. Then back to our daughters to help bring in the New Year.
I have a new lap top I'm taking with me so I'm hoping to post a picture of two while we're vacationing.
I hope you have a wonderful creative holiday season (I have my quilting packed, first thing I always pack).

First Snowfall

Friday we had our first snow of winter, it was a beautiful fluffy snow.


My husband and I took a ride in the country, the spruce trees were beautiful.



Our area is well known for blueberries, the bushes looked like they were full of cotton.
Today, a few days later we now have blizzard warnings with a 8 to 12 inches of snow predicted. All the schools are closed and evening activities canceled.

Last night was a Christmas party with one of my quilt bees, these cute bags were a gift Cathy made each of us. Their called Origami bags and made with Japanese paper folding techniques. (except there is a little sewing in the end). Really clever. The party was at Laura's house, she puts up a tree in every room each with a different theme. The dinning room tree had bears on it.

Laura's been busy making doll clothes for her granddaughter for Christmas, and on the bed a quilt.

And she's working on 2 flannel snowmen quilts for the twins grandchildren.

The really amazing thing is not only does she have decorated trees in every room, cute snowflake curtains she made for the kitchen, snowmen on shelves decorating the house, the outside beautifully done with lights, wreaths and deer, doll clothes made, making quilts, hosting Christmas parties...She works 10 hour days! I don't know where she gets all the energy.

Her snowman tree in the laundry room!

Mitten and sock tree in the entry way.

Handmade gifts

While at our quilt retreat my girlfriends and I exchanged Christmas presents. Its wonderful to receive hand-made gifts and quilters are soooo good at it.

Martha bought us all a packet of 5" charm squares in new funky Christmas colors and patterns. A little bit of a oriental look to the fabric. I added a yard of matching fabric for the liner and handle and made mine into this tote bag. It's bright and cheery and fun for the holiday season.

Judy made everyone a felt pin cushion.

Mary made quilted candle mats that also could be used for hot food mats.

Lillian made wallets and a check book covers.

This is the inside of the wallet with zipper and vinyl pockets.