Merry Christmas!

Blessings to all!

Isaiah 9:6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

May your Christmas be wonderful and safe!

Thank you for reading!

Christmas Hugs and Kisses!

It’s done!

I got it back from the Long Arm quilters and finished the binding today! This is my first lap quilt and I love it. It is very far from perfect and let me count the seams that are not straight, but it’s done and in time for Christmas! 

It's called "X's & O's" or "Hugs and Kisses"; can you see them in the pattern?

 

This is the back...and the quilting patter was done as a poinsettia in a tri-color thread.

This is the next project...

Other than quilting, I have been baking and had a cookie exchange, I interviewed for a job and got it (!) pending background checks, etc., and have been finishing up Christmas shopping. I had a few little things to get done. :)

Have a nice week!

Go over and join in The Great Holiday Barn Hop today!

Wrapping Christmas presents

Wrapping paper & decorations get more expensive every year. But I can't resist all the pretty styles, colors and Christmas themes, can you? All those cute reindeers, the beautiful sparkly colors from stripes to polka dots? I just love them all, but this year I am doing something different. I refuse to buy any of that this year. I am going to get some regular regular brown Kraft paper. Yep, that ugly light brown shipping wrapping paper. I have grocery bags I can use. However, it is going to be transformed into something beautiful and it is all because of my friends and family.

Last year I was looking at all our beautiful Christmas cards and I hated to throw them out. We had only had them for a few weeks at most, and man, what a waste.  They had glitter on them and some of them were a 3D type card. So I thought of a way to keep them and use them. I tore off the front and trimmed them up. Some I would “fussy cut” a specific scene on the card or just cut out an animal or Christmas tree. This year, I am going to wrap the presents in the Kraft paper and decorate the packages with the cards from last year. I have some twine and small decorations that I can put on the packages also. I will still use up my bows and may finish up using what little paper I have left, but for the most part all the presents will be Kraft wrapped! J

See what I mean? Isn’t it pretty? OK, I confess, it’s Pinterest. I haven’t wrapped my presents yet, but this is a good representation of what they are supposed to look like, lolol. :) This one has Rosemary tied in the ribbon! What an excellent idea! I think I will try it!

This is a pretty one and similar to what I am talking about. Looks like they made a snowflake!  There are a ton of fun crafts you can do with your kids too. I saw this on Pinterest and can't wait to make one for our little baby Kai next Christmas!

Enjoy your week! Link up to the Holiday Barn Hop here!

Catch up

Wow, again, it has been a while since I have posted. I guess it is pretty normal this time of year though. I haven't been reading as many new posts from my blogger friends as well. Everyone is running around getting their shopping done, decorating, preparing to bake their hearts out not to mention the day to day normal things we do.  J I love it.

It has been so pretty here lately. Open window weather for sure. The sun has been shining, there is a light wind and the air is nice and crisp but not too cool. Just perfect!

My daughter has five and a half more weeks before the baby gets here and we are getting so excited! She and her hubby are on a mini vacation to Orlando this weekend to see the Ice & Snow at Gaylord’s Hotel. They have a nice exhibit of ice sculptures that you can visit. I have never been but have heard it is wonderful. This is what we Floridians do for ice and snow. J They also went to SeaWorld. That is always a good time.

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful. Lots of friends and family over for an informal dinner. My new son in law’s family isn’t really into the celebrating of this season so it is all new to him. He doesn’t even really understand the spirit of Christmas! We have lots of work to do, but what fun! He said his family never made a big deal of it growing up so he just never had it in his life. So excited to teach him all about the Holy Spirit, Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.

I have been quilting. I have not bought any fabric since I am grounded until I get some more projects done. I did finish my Christmas X’s and O’s quilt my mom’s Christmas gift and a baby quilt that a friend of mine bought from me for her step daughter who is expecting. I have 2 more baby quilts at the LA quilters and another 2 lap quilts at another LA quilters. These should all be done for Christmas! One is for my niece and one is for my daughter. The baby quilts are up for grabs.

 my moms quilt

 love the polka dot binding!

I am still shopping cameras. My little Olympus is still hanging in there, but I really want to get something better but not professional. Any suggestions would be appreciated. J I am looking at all kinds so don’t be shy.

Thanks for reading! Have a nice week!