Ugly wreath contest

My dear daughters decided last Christmas that my house looked great decorated, EXCEPT that it needed a wreath above the mantle to replace the picture hanging there. No problem, thinks I, and off I go to Michael's for supplies. I had seen a great wreath in a Pottery Barn catalog that I felt confident I could copy. The result, however, was less than spectacular, and one of my daughters decided it would definitely win in an ugly wreath contest. My sister thought that it was a little unsettling, because she felt the ribbon sort of looked like a nazi symbol....not exactly the look I was hoping for! So, back to the drawing board, and what I ended up with it fine....not Pattery Barn, but fine.

Christmas time!

Now that Christmas is just a week away, I can finally sit back and relax, and focus on what the Lord did for me in sending His son to die for me. I hope that you all have a very blessed Christmas!

I finished all 18 of the pillows that I posted back a few months ago. They have been sent to their new owners who I hope are enjoying them. I have been stuck on pillows and kitchen towels as holiday gifts for a few years now....I need a change!

Here is a picture of O Tannebaum, finally finished and hanging proudly on my wall! I did a fun all-over machine quilting of holly leaves, and I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out!

A long time gone....

It has been a while since I posted here. School is pretty demanding this time of the year, as is my yard, my house, etc. I have sewing (notice I didn't say "quilting") responsibilities now also. I'm going to start sewing my 3rd and final Halloween costume today. The thing I always forget during the time that passes from sewing one garment to the next is that, when you sew clothes, you are done soon! We don't ever start a quilt one day and say, "Gosh, I hope I get this finished today!" That is my goal for this little dinosaur costume for my 2 year old grandson. I have a couple quick projects to do this morning (plant sweet peas, finish a skirt for my nearly 4 year old granddaughter, and finish painting a gourd). But once the college football games begin, I will plant myself in my sewing room and let the green fluffly fabric fly!

Christmas pillow

This is the Christmas project that I am making for family and friends. I have already finished embroidering 14 of the centers....about 5 to go!

Working away on a 3-day weekend!

I haven't posted for over a month, but I have been busy! Today, I have an empty house. My husband's team is playing in a water polo tournament out of town- and doing really well! I have made 2 Halloween kitchen towels, made a Christmas pillow, and finished my granddaughter Sammy's raincoat. It is for her birthday in October. The outside is an oilcloth...the first time I've worked with that!

Finally!

I am proud to say I have finally finished my O Tannenbaum top...it looks like I may have a Christmas quilt to hang this year! I still have some embellishing with embroidery to do, and then of course, the quilting, which at this moment has me stumped. I'm sure I'll think of something!

Shelly's pillow

I gave my friend Shelly her quilt while I was vacationing in Spokane. She seemed really happy with it, and she is looking for a new duvet for her bed so that she can lay my quilt over it. We both decided that she needed a little pillow for the bed too, so I made her one from the scraps. It was fun to do a little project for a change!