Merry Christmas!

 

Yesterday was a baking day.  Hubby arrived home, first words as he walked through the door:  Is that ginger I am smelling?...(Not a cookie in sight, they have all been gifted.)

 Ginger Sparkles.

We love to play boardgames, as a family.  It is great fun way, to teach kids how to deal with many unexpected curve balls life can throw at them, not too mention showing them how to think outside the box.

Ticket to Ride, is a modern boardgame, based on eighty days around the world.  It is interactive and 3D. We like to keep it simple, avoiding the crowds and the shops, which is not what Christmas is all about.

Twelve Days of Christmas is up and hanging this year, this was one of the rooms which was under construction and painting last year.  Just a few more rooms to go and then the painting is done.  That will have to wait until next year.

It was a very busy year, lots happened and many long term projects have been finished.  Celebrations have been so heartwarming and special this year.  Family gatherings, Milestones, Birthdays and Weddings, the first great grandchild was born this year in our family.  The Seasons have come and gone.  The snow has arrived, it promises to be a very White Christmas.

The real reason we celebrate Christmas.

Merry Christmas and a very Blessed New Year, to each and everyone.

Napkins and the Three Musketeers.

A trio wanted to make quick napkins, so here is the fastest way I know.Check out the  tool and the video

1.  Determine the finished size of the napkin.

2. Follow the equation in the book, to work out what size to cut the fabric.

3. Use the tool/ruler, then mark the sewing lines.

4. Pin and then sew on the lines.

5. Trim excess fabric on corners.

 6.  Do all four corners.

7. Turn inside out.

8. Iron the napkin.

9. Stitch final hem in place.

10.  The napkins are done.

Snow and Acorns.....

 

This morning we woke up to more snow, and grey skies.  Old man Winter has arrived.  The kids have a snow day, with a day off from school.  They have come past our house, to go to the tobogo hill and I can tell you, they will spend hours playing there.  Then they walk back home, exhausted and hungry.

Acorns have a special place in our lives, this one has arrived this past week.  I have a cookie baking tray with acorns and various nut shapes.  Finding the right recipe to bake in this mould took a while, here is the result.

These cookies did not last very long.

The finished Bargello.

 The border quilted, at 45 Degree angle.

 The binding and backing, the Christmas fabrics are now part of reducing my fabric stash.   

 Recently in the mail, a few surprises arrived.  None of these was expected and it is truly heartfelt.

A very special Birthday gift arrived, I use it all year round.  It is my Calendar from my friend, it is for a very good cause.

This is the one for 2016, she create all her own artwork.  The drawings are full of detail and not at all what one might expect.

The place mats are all cut out, ready for sewing.  I ran out of batting, so four more need it.

My work in progress this week, is mending.  I have to replace an open ended zipper in a winter jacket.
The family knows how to get my attention, if they want something mended, they place it on top of my sewing machine!

I will be sitting warm and cosy inside and making friends with my seamripper for the next little while.....

Creative chaos......

 

 Over the years one collect all sorts of fabrics, all the Christmas theme larger pieces are being used as quilt backs and backings for various projects.  This one was a gift, which is now used.

It is a lovely thing, when projects from a long time ago, is off the list.  Especially, when one look back to see when one started them. These were started in 2005?

Organised chaos while one is in the process is fine, while one has everything one need to create, is spread out.  However, once the project is done, this temporary visual clutter, leads to the inevitable tidy up process.
While making everything neat and tidy again, one can stumble across other projects.  One can leave them for another day, or put them on the list to finish next.  This is what happened recently, as these are small projects, finishes always makes us feel good, so they are getting finished.

These are table mats, preprinted on a heavier cotton fabric, they will be next.

This will be the back of these place mats.

Hand quilting the Bargello, it is almost finished.

Next step the binding.

These two quilts, both crossed my path this past week, they were made as first quilts.

W.I.P.S - getting ready for the holidays.

Last thursday we woke up to snow, then the rain came and it warmed up this past week.  This is what the park looked like yesterday.  Green, the snow was all gone.

As Christmas is approaching fast, a few things on the list got done as well.

The mani-pedi pouches are finished.

Christmas cards posted.

Advent caledars have gone up, the count down is about to start.

Little touches, with festive cheer is popping up all around.

Interesting centerpiece on a dining table.

Another quick project.

Working on the weekend, to finish it in time.

 

You-tube is a wonderful invention, especially for learning how to create something in a new way.
Loom Knitting is quick and easy.You can watch it here.

Hats, can be whipped up in no time at all.

Gifts for Birthdays and Christmas have arrived. Projects for next year, this will bust a lot of scraps...

 This Bargello, got basted, ready for quilting.

This pattern always amaze me, it is a feat of engineering.  Taking twenty fat quarters of fabric, cutting it up and sewing it together, then repeating the process, until more than 1700 pieces are sewn into one rectangle.  Not only is it unique,  it fits.   The most extraordinary thing, is the fact that it lies flat and  it works.

Last but not least, a LightScape, which is a perfect tribute, to all the lights which have gone up. All part of the anticipation of Christmas coming up.

All the letters to The North Pole, is keeping not only Postman Pat busy, but Santa and his helpers too!

The music, which gets our toes tapping and cheering everyone up, from young to old.  Our cat has a favourite.  Even animals know what they like:  All I want for Christmas, is a Hippopotamus
The Love and affection we receive, when this song plays, is priceless.