New Years Eve!

My husband and I finished cleaning the downstairs today and put all of Christmas away. The kids are really sad now, of course they hid the entire time we were cleaning. Funny how they weren’t even hungry during that time.

I took the kids shopping with their Christmas gift cards yesterday and they bought lots of goodies.  Gordon pretty much got every hand sanitizer Bath & Body Works and The Body Shop have, he is obsessed with hand sanitizer.  Natalie did not get much, she is saving up for something big I think. Alice spent a lot also. She got 3 LIV dolls at Walmart. When she got home she spent hours with them doing a photo shoot. I got a kick out of some of the pictures, it is always fun to me to look at what the kids do during “pretend play.”  I thought I would share some with you.

I put a quilt on the back of my new wash stand. Isn’t it cute? I think the light might be a little big but it will do for now. That is my all time favorite picture of my oldest, Natalie, when she was 2.

I painted my girls feet, got all their fingers stitched and one outfit almost complete.  I stopped to reassess my plan for the next month. I have a lot of swaps going on and I need to prioritize my projects. I think the girls are going to have to be put on the back burner for another week while I get some Valentine ornies done.

Don’t you hate when this happens? What do you do? Do you leave it, do you chuck the doll or leg, do you just cover with the bloomers? When I have done it in the past I usually just kind of make do but I was curious what others do.

We are not drinkers in our house. We use to be occasional drinkers, but it has dwindled down to pretty much using Jack Daniels in cooking but other than that, it is Sparkling Grape Juice for us or in my case this huge bottle of Mountain Dew. I was trying to cut back but it was calling my name tonight, you know since it was a celebrating kind of night. I might even have two!!

Next on my agenda tonight is to go through these. Yes my reds. I have all of the Christmas reds out, now I will take out all of the Valentine”y” reds. Might even pull some I want to sell, but it is so hard to get rid of red.

I hope you guys have a super night and have lots of safe fun celebrating. I will see you in the new year when hopefully we will have lots of stitching time!!!

Jennifer

Cleanup Has Begun

The kids and I cleaned the upstairs, bathrooms yesterday and collected all the Christmas decorations from around the house.

Our kitchen table is packed. We didn’t take down the tree yet, only because I still have not packed all that up.

I also worked on some dolls last night. I am participating in a doll swap over at Thimbleprims Studio. We are using the pattern by Tonya of  Back Porch Pickins called “Lil Bit of Love.”

She is pretty cute. She is so tiny, about 12 inches. I am going to have fun with her. I also drew up a couple patterns of my own that I played around with also. They are for Valentines Day, I can’t wait to finish them up.

I also started hand quilting the little bow tie quilt I had done a couple months ago.  I had almost  1/2 of it done and had to take it out because I wasn’t happy with my stitches. I am not quite as far along as I was before but it is coming along better this time.

I purchased ten patterns from Becky over at Tennessee Ridge Primitives. She is having a 10 for $10 sale. Of course I have printed 8 of them and my printer is now out of yellow ink, so I will not have color pictures for the last two. Which is okay because my printer is now acting up. The paper is not running smooth through it and it is getting all wrinkled for some reason.  Over use I guess.

I also ordered several patterns from Donna at Moonchild’s Primitives and I am awaiting those to arrive by email.  I was spreading some end of year love for those two talented sisters!

Well off to work for me, I have lots to do!

Don’t forget to find a little stitching time!

Jennifer

Snow Days

We almost had a white Christmas but the rain did not turn into snow until around 3am here. We awoke to a winter wonderland. The kids were so excited.

Well, Natalie wasn’t. She did not want any part of going outside. Just texting on her phone. I can’t remember if I mentioned, she got a cell phone for an early Christmas present this year. She loves it!

They are devising their snow action plan.  My poor children, no snow clothes. I guess how this year is going we should head out and get them some.

Here are their snowmen. I think they did a fabulous job!!

I like how our lighted snowman has a fluffy white hat now.

So now the fun begins for me. I have to drive in it for about 50 miles. Should be lots of fun. I believe I will be very early for work tonight, I am not going to wait until after dark. That’s okay I will be bringing some stitching to get my stitching time on, hope you can also!!

Jennifer

Santa was good to me!

Last night was a trip. The kids would not go to sleep for anything. Every time I thought it was clear to go down stairs one of them would say, “Who is that – Santa?”. I finally made it down and didn’t even bother to wake my husband. I figured any extra noise would wake someone up. But that also means I got all the cookies and cocoa.

This morning they were so excited, but just like last year they had to brush their teeth first. I don’t think I could wait when I was a kid. Heck I didn’t even bother this morning! Yuck, I know. They got lots of goodies and are having a ball with them now.

Oh Boy! I got some good presents. Four more dolls, I have 6 total now. Two of the ones I got are still in their original Bitty Buttons boxes. I am so excited! I am keeping these in the boxes, Alice took my other two out of their boxes.

I got a charm pack and a new book, because you know I need both desperately bad.

And looky here – new boots! Love them, they are Clarks and oh so comfy! I am wearing them now with my Pj’s!

New Piggy earrings from Hoots4U. She has a piggy necklace I want real bad too.  And a jail bird pig from Target. They have or had so many piggy banks. I wanted them all, but where would I put them.

My friend Sharon got me a reproduction Treenware Pig cutting board and a cute little glass pig ornament.

As you can see I was spoiled and like pigs. I am walking around the house in my boots like I am one hot mama. The kids are saying “Whatever Mom, I am trying to play my new game, leave me alone.” It is very quiet in the house.

When they were little Christmas morning was always so busy and loud and now they are in their separate places doing their own things.  My husband is searching through a new batch of Wheat Pennies and here I am gabbing on the computer. I do have 100 friends/followers now so I guess I need to have a giveaway soon. I will have to make something special soon to show my appreciation.

Well, I am off to prance around in my new boots! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

Don’t forget to find a little stitching time, I think I might just stitch in my boots! (Are you tired of hearing about MY BOOTS yet?)

Jennifer

Merry Christmas!

I wish you all a Happy Holiday weekend! Enjoy family if they are close by! And don’t forget to find a little stitching time!!!

Jennifer

Something old and something new!

I finished up another redwork pillow in my UFO Christmas pile.

I went over to my friends today to drop off her pillow and she was showing me around her house since I had not seen it before. We passed by an antique washstand and I said I really like that. She said “That old thing, I am going to put that on Craigs List, I have been trying to get rid of it.” Well You know my answer.

I threw some stuff on it just so it would look pretty for the picture. Isn’t it great!! I think I am going to make a little quilt to hang on the bar in the back.  Thanks so much Debra!!!!

Well, I need to get wrapping, haven’t wrapped a thing and tomorrow night is the big night! I also want to do a little sewing so I am off! Don’t forget to find a little stitching time tonight!! It’s good for the soul!

Jennifer

Almost Here!!!

Are we ready? Are you ready?!?!?!  Who knows, but it is definitely going to happen in less than 48 hours. Time better fly by because the kids are about to be put on the naughty list. They are so excited they can’t stand it.

I started working on some stray projects sitting around my studio and also finished  up my last order of the year. (Well, the last Christmas order.)

Do you remember this?

It is block number 9, the May block for the Sweet Nostalgia BOM from Dorothy Baker Designs.  I still have three blocks to do on this one. I forgot how pretty it is.

I also completed a pillow that a friend requested I do for her friend who lost her dear cat this year.  (Wow talk about bad grammar.) She is going to give it to her for Christmas. I used a pattern by Lynette Anderson, I just altered it a little and added words to work up a little pillow.

I also finished stitching up two Christmas redworks tonight but was only able to finish one into a pillow.

I hope you guys are enjoying yourselves and maybe getting to visit some family. Don’t forget to find a little stitching time!!

Jennifer

Pillows

Can you believe this is the final week before Christmas. Wow! I can’t, the time has just flown by.  Seems like yesterday I was making my first elf doll of the season! LOL

I had a special order from a dear friend for two pillows embroidered with a  verse from a story/poem about a mother’s love. It is from the book by Robert Munsch  ( Thanks for the catch Lynn – I am not sure where I got the other last name from ) called “Love you Forever” (Click on his name and you can read it – but BEWARE, have tissue handy, and I am not a softie!). Anyway, the pillows go with their Christmas gifts. I am safe talking about on here because I am pretty sure they do not read my blog.
I finished up the pillows, but I am not real pleased, they just look kind of blah. She just wanted the verse embroidered and nothing else but I think they need more, but they are for two grown boys – what do you think? (I did not make that super cute sheep, that is from Wendy at Ravenwood Whimzies – isn’t it the cutest – I know you all want one or two.)
Off to rest my weary eyes – have a super great day and don’t forget to find a little stitching time!!!
Jennifer

Surprise Surprise!

Look what I made. Another elf doll. This was a special order. I had fun with him. I used a vintage Christmas ornament for his shirt, I added vintage green buttons to it. My husband thought he should have a funky “jester” type hat. I put pipe cleaners in the hat so the points can be moved around.

Here is a close up of the vintage ornament and his candy cane boots.

Here is another special order I finished this weekend. This was for my friend, and realtor who sold our old house and helped us buy our current house. They just had a new grandbaby join their family so she wanted a doll wearing clothes made from the curtains in her nursery. I do not like to put much on a doll that may be handled by a little one so she does have a lot of fancy added, but she is a cutey.

We had a little more sleet, snow and rain again Saturday. The kids missed school on Thursday because of the threat of snow, so funny to me to miss school because of the possibility of snow. We did not get much of anything at our house.

My little Alice has had ear infections since she was 3 weeks old and still continues to this day, though not as frequent. She has had tubes twice and her adenoids taken out, which has cut down on the frequency. When she does get an infection she does not complain, we usually see it draining and that is how we know. Matter of fact Alice never usually complains about any type of pain. But Friday morning she woke up crying in pain. I knew something was really wrong so I decided I was going to take her to the Emergency Room. The kids doctors office is next to the ER and by the time we got to the ER the doctors office was open so I called them up and she was seen there. She did have an ear infection but her ear drum had burst a little. So the doctor said she should be in a lot of pain. She is getting better and hopefully will be pain free soon.

I hope you all had a great weekend and found a little stitching time!!

Jennifer

What I Have Been Up To?

It has been so long since I have posted. I cannot believe it. I have not used my computer at home in all this time. I have just been busy doing stuff.

I did win a giveaway over at Crafty Stitchers and received this cute little Angel ornie. She is proudly hanging on my tree now. She is adorable. Thank you ladies!!

Alice celebrated her eighth birthday. We all made her cake and frosted it. I was able to get a funny picture of her and one of her presents. She is so silly. I really think she is going to be a comedian when she grows up, maybe she will make enough money to take care of her mom and dad when we are old, I mean older.

I too the kids on a trip this past weekend to Southern Maryland. My husband had to work so he could not go, usually it is the other way around. My father-in-law had his Christmas get together on Saturday. We had a lot of fun.

On the drive I had to stop at a 7-11. We don’t have 7-11’s here and I missed them. As you can see I did not get a good photo, it was pretty busy and I was trying not to get the people in the store for fear they might get angry with me.

The kids got to meet their newest uncle, Uncle CJ. My mother-in-law works for a shelter who rescues abused/kill list dogs. She just had to have CJ, they were  not sure how he was going to react to all the people, he was abused pretty badly. But he was such a good boy and playful. We are surely glad Grandma brought him to her home!  We took him for a walk, luckily it was Gordon’s turn when it was time to pick up the poo.

My father-in-law and his wife live in the area of Solomon's Island. It is so pretty there. Makes me want to live on the water. We walked down their pier and I laid on the dock. It was so peaceful. Cold, but peaceful!!

We had a great time with the family and the kids got loads of great presents.  I decided not to post pictures since I didn’t ask for permission to put everyone on here. But I had to post a picture of the snowmen couple I won at the Secret Santa Swap. Aren’t they fantastic!!!

I hope to catch up on all my blog reading sometime this week. I miss reading what all my blog pals are up to. Life had me all caught up for a bit. Have a great “hump” day and don’t forget to find a little stitching time!!

Jennifer

Order Up!

I have finished a couple more orders and a little extra.  Here is another elf doll (are you guys tired of those yet?), had an order for another blue one. I want one of these so bad!! I mean look at that face!

Also had an order for another Warm Winter Welcome redwork pillow. Finished that one and also did one in black with a little touch of red, I put a pretty black fabric on the back with red in it, it looks so nice.

And I also completed two pillows that I hung with a strip of homespun and a rusty bell. They turned out cute.

I am very excited, I found out this morning I won a giveaway over at Crafty Stitchers.  You should hop on over there. There  is still time to win more of their great creations!!

All for now, have laundry and a couple more orders to fill!!  Have a great day and don’t forget to find a little time for stitching!!

Jennifer