Thanks on Thursday

What are you thankful for today?

I’m thankful that my commute to work doesn’t include getting on the highway which was backed up for over an hour this morning.

Counting Down…

Are you ready for Christmas…is your shopping done?  Presents wrapped?  Tree tinseled?  Cookies baked? Cards mailed?  

Me neither….but tonight I did something that was festive, fun and softened up the “Grinchiness” I’ve been carrying around for the last few weeks.  Hope Santa was watching.

Several weeks ago, my boss managing partner of our firm asked me to buy a few hundred dollars worth of toys to donate to the Toys For Tots Program.  I grudgingly said yes because I’m not crazy about being unemployed again but I was also annoyed and put out that he asked this of me,  knowing I had to do this after work on my time. 

I only remember TFT’s when the marines collected used toys, fixed them up and re-gifted them to under-privileged kids and I don’t have good memories of that.  I was a new mother and had just moved to town when a neighbor asked if I would help her collect and clean up toys to donate to TFT’s.  We put boxes at the post office and library and scheduled a day to clean up and repair the toys together in my basement.  I got a persistent case of impetigo from that experience  which took several months of antibiotics to clear up.  Maybe that’s why TFT’s no longer accepts used toys.

The other day, when I called TFT to ask about drop off times and locations, they told me they really needed toys for older kids—10 to 13 year-olds—“tweens”.  I put this chore off as long as I could but last night, after another email from my boss, I decided to get it over with.  I had no idea what to buy.  Haven’t had any tweens or teens in this house for many years.

So at first I was watching other people shopping more than I was paying attention to the merchandise on the shelves but after a short time, I also realized I was having a good time---isn’t it hard not to have fun in a toy store?  There are so many animated and electronic toys—the last popular toys I shopped for were Teddy Ruxpin and Cabbage Patch kids.

I made several aimless trips around the store with my carriage before  ending up where they stock the musical toys and it was here that I found my inspiration.

I think I made  good choices.  The first toy I tossed into my carriage was a karaoke machine--for a  budding Lady Gaga maybe? Followed by an electric guitar—couldn’t we use another Jimmy Hendrix’s talent?.  Then I spotted a display case of cameras and with the advice of a salesperson, chose a compact video camera—maybe it will inspire another Steven Speilberg or James Cameron.   Next to the check out there was a display of MP3 players on sale so I picked up a couple of those too and a few  popular dvds for good measure. 

I would love to think that maybe these toys would be the catalyst to inspire some child’s future choices but even if they’re only play things and give some temporary enjoyment and take the slump out of a parent’s shoulders who’s worrying about not having gifts for their kids, I’m satisfied.  I doubt my boss, knew what he was missing when he delegated this job to me but maybe someone else “up there” knew I needed to do this.  

Goodbye Grinch! 

Losing my “Grinch”

As it gets closer to Christmas.  Yikes—there is less than a week to go--I’m feeling more “in the  decorating spirit” and less “ho-humm ”.  Friday night I ambled over  to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby after work looking for a few things to “festive up” the house.

I was inspired last week by a tiny set of lights I saw as I was walking around the General Stark Store in Derry.

I apologize for only taking a picture of their door and not getting any pictures of the inside of the store because those of you who love country decorating and furniture would just be in heaven. All of the furniture and most of the accessories are made HERE in the US to boot!. 

Though most of the merchandise tends to be a bit on the “prim” side which is not really my decorating style I always manage to find something that I love there and I’m definitely going back for the after Christmas sale.  They had the most gorgeous snowmen and rustic Santa's I’ve seen.

I’m probably a little behind on decorating trends because I’d never seen these lights before but I loved the way they looked and the soft glow they gave off.  I wanted something for my kitchen sideboard and thought they’d be just the ticket.  I wanted greenery too but I waited too long and the pickins were slim.  I did manage to find this winterberry garland that was just the right length and looked pretty good with my old green and red woven table runner. 

Can you see the little silicone flame tips on the mini bulbs?    They are a little on the pricey side when you think you can purchase mini bulbs at CVS for $1.99.  These  were $18 for a string of 36 but I caved when I saw them and if there’s any left after Xmas for 1/2 off, I’m getting another set.

I went up to the attic during the week and dug out the window candles but the bulbs were missing so I picked up replacement bulbs but they were the wrong size kind because as soon as I turned on the candles, they “popped”!   This morning I found the original bulbs which I packed separately to prevent breakage, I guess.  

I also dug out my Martha Stewart pre-lit tree I ‘ve had since 2003.  I’ve always put that on the porch and on a timer so that it can be seen from the driveway. I love coming home and seeing the house lit up.   No tree inside this year—I did want to get one of those skinny pre-lit trees for the living room but it’s probably just as well since the door and carpet have to be replaced.

I wish I had my pictures from last year when the house was completely decorated…oh well.  Here are a few pictures of the decorations around here so far….

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, here’s a cuteness picture of Calvin.  Doesn’t that little face make you smile?

Finding the Christmas Spirit. Thank you Mr. Grinch.

I’m looking for my Christmas spirit. I know the particulars of when, where and how I lost it, but finding it again is not that easy. 

The  cure---total holiday decorating immersion!   I’m making Christmas wreaths today.  If you want to join me, I’ll post last Xmas' wreath making tutorial.

(Side note—there are some  good things about the internet—one being that even if your laptop is stolen, your blog posts and pictures are retrievable). 

Here’s what I’ve been up to for the last month and a half since I was “liberated” from my computer.   The first photo is a UFO that I finished and will gift to my garden club friend, Sue, who really loves the country primitive decorating style. (I have the original label I made for this quilt which was dated “1991”!)  For the past 20 years it’s been sitting in my “project box”.  This was made from one of the “Little Quilts” patterns.  You can see from my fabric choices back then that I was an avid “Thimbleberries” fan.  I still have a tree skirt with these same dark greens and reds which I used to call “prairie” colors because I did a lot of Prairie Schooler cross stitch projects back then also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember the baby quilt I showed you a few months ago?  Well I can divulge the recipient now and show you pictures of the finished quilt.  This quilt was made for Kasey’s baby niece, Mia Louise.  (You’ll remember that Kasey is my daughter’s roommate)  Mia’s mother, Jess is the author of one of my favorite blogs, “Sweet Almondine”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now back to lunch and wreath making.  Stay tuned—more to come. 

Gail

Project Updates

I haven’t had a chance to post any updates lately but I have been busy and I’ve finished the “Dressed To The Nines” baby quilt top and have an appointment next Saturday to machine quilt it at Bits N’ Pieces.

I just love how it turned out and I hope the new parents do too.  I know the finished picture didn’t turn out very good because of the lighting in the basement where it was taken.  If you’re wondering about the blue dress on the right, it’s Liberty of London fabric that I bought back in 1990 when I went to England---boy that was 20 years ago!

Some time ago, I installed those energy saving bulbs in the basement and garage light fixtures and you know they take a few minutes to get bright.  They have saved me a lot of money though because I frequently forget to turn off the garage lights.

I was able to use up some old 70’s yardage for the back and a bit of the backing from by RRCB quilt as well---hooray for that!  

Can’t show you the back just yet though, that would give away the surprise.

Here it is together…again sorry for the poor lighting.  I have some cute little decorations to add to the dresses once they’re quilted. 

 

I’m wondering if it will quilt OK. I used Steam A Seam Lite 2 for the appliques, but they still seem a little heavier/stiffer than the background fabric. Should I quilt it all over or just the backgrounds? Anyone have experience machine quilting fused appliques before?

I recently picked up a Moda charm pack called “ Santas Little Helpers”.  It’s a Christmas charm pack with a sock monkey theme.  I just loved the prints and the the colors.  When I saw it I knew I wanted to make a Christmas stocking for Calvin.  I think he’ll love it.  Who doesn’t love sock monkeys?

I’ve been experimenting with making pinwheels.   I found a neat method of making half square triangles from 5” charm squares on the Missouri Star website.  Check it out

I’m thinking of sewing the ones I’ve made into fabric, quilting that and then making the stocking body from the pre-quilted fabric.   What do you think?  

I also found a cute sock monkey embroidery design on Bunnycup Embroidery.  I think it would look cute on the cuff of the stocking with Calvin’s name. 

There seem to be so many blocks that can be made from 5” charm squares. 

Till later….

Gail

P.S.  Have you put up any Halloween decorations yet? 

Happy Thoughts on a Sad Day

On a sad day of remembrance like this, we all need a happy thought or good news to remind us that life is sweet and that the world is full of good people who honor and cherish life just as we do.

…and what better news is there than the arrival of a new little girl!  

This little girl needs a quilt to commemorate her arrival on this beautiful earth.  I can’t tell you who she is right now because first of all her parents haven’t revealed her name and secondly because this quilt will be a surprise for her family.  But what I can give you is some sneak peaks at what her quilt is going to look like.  

I’ve wanted to make this quilt since I first learned that I was going to be a grandmother.  The pattern is from a 2009 issue of “McCall's Quick Quilts”.  

It  would’ve been Calvin’s baby quilt, if he’d been a girl, but I’m not complaining and now I can make it for someone else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though I “shopped my own stash” first….I still had to make a shopping trip but for the most part, this is going to be made from scraps.  

I love shopping the remnants baskets at quilt shops.  For $5.00 you can fill a large bag full and most of these scraps are large cuts.  This is a great way to add variety to your stash.

I have a small design change in mind for this quilt too but it’s part of the surprise and story.  I’ll have to share it with you later.

Gail

Things to Remember About September

For the past ten years, I’ve had conflicting emotions about September.  Since first grade the greater part of me has flat out loved this month and always will.

It’s because September is a transitional month between the best two seasons of the year—you know—salad and crockpot season LOL:)  September is also the month of shorter days, cool nights, greener grass, asters and goldenrod, sweaters, getting the flannel pj’s out, putting the down comforter back on the bed, open windows, turning off the A/C, warm sunny days, no mosquitoes, harvest time, picking apples, making homemade Concord grape jelly…last cookouts.  

It’s bittersweet.  I know I only have a few more weekends to enjoy sitting on my porch.

But then tomorrow is 9/11.   Do you remember what you were doing or where you were when you first heard of the terrorist attacks?  I do.  It was a beautiful day and tempted as I was to “play hooky”, I did go into the office that day. I had just finished checking my calendar and replying to emails, when another manager called  to tell me a plane flew into  the WTC.  Though it was tragic, I remember not feeling  alarmed—it just seemed like another terrible  accident--a small plane out of control, or a suicidal prop pilot--it happened before.  It wasn’t till the second plane hit, and then the third and then the fourth that any of us realized what was really happening  Someone in my office brought up a radio and we listened as the towers collapsed.  Most of us holding our hands to our mouths and sucking in our breath so that we wouldn’t cry out in horror.

I doubt any of us actually got any work done that day.  Our office was unusually quiet and subdued.  At noon, my boss’s wife called to tell him that one of the pilots on Flight 11 was their neighbor—a nice guy who loved to drive his John Deere around his small 5 acre farm.   I suggested we lower the US Flag and the company flags in the front parking lot to half mast and later when I left work for the day I saw that someone had done it. 

Things changed in America that day.   It’s no longer easy to check in for a flight or easy to get a drivers license or credit card or even open a bank account.  That’s the price we pay for 9/11 and I’m OK with that.

But what about the other things that 9/11 brought about?  That night we all  counted our blessings when our loved ones came home and called those that lived far away and told them what so many others never got the chance to say,  “I love you”.  I once was shy about expressing such emotion but 9/11 changed that forever and I never hesitate now.

The terrorists thought they were successful, they celebrated in their part of the world—how foolish they were if they thought they had succeeded in causing chaos, fear and anti-government sentiment here.   Instead they created unity--Americans rallied, we thumbed our noses at them by flying our flags everywhere from our car antennas and pick up trucks and we carried on.

I will never forget that day, I will never forget the loss or the victory---I hope you won’t either.