Christmas is coming

Christmas is fast approaching and even though I won't get everything done I had planned on, some projects are done and out the door. I made 7 Christmas and 1 Hanukkah floral arrangements, plus 2 door hangers and all but one have been delivered. I wanted to take pictures of all the arrangements, but I finished them, delivered them and oops I had forgotten to take the pictures. I did get pictures of the last two so I can share those with you. The quilted lap robes are the ones I have been working on with World of Charity Stitchers. The Quilts along with the other items made by the group are on their way to the nursing home for Christmas delivery.

Hubby is finishing the trim in the dining room so I can now get the hutch back in place and have room to work in there. Next week is baking the Gingerbread and Holiday Cookies. The kids and grand kids have put in their request for their favorites. I had told them I won't be making all the cookies I normally make due to my late start with baking. The number one cookie choice this year goes to Peanut Butter Blossoms, so many requests for that one. Mel wants her Chocolate Nut Meringues, Hubby is Snicker doodles and Chocolate Chip and for me Hermits and my Pennsylvania Dutch Sand Tarts. I will also be trying a recipe for Pizzelles that I got from Linda at This and That Fabrics, can't wait to try these.

OH NO, I still need to shop and then there is the wrapping and I still haven't gotten my cards in the mail. I am off now to get the cards ready so I can mail them tomorrow. Just glad I have that box of Christmas Cards I bought because there was no time to make any this year.

My Letter to Santa

Dear, Dear, Sweet Santa,

I have been a really good girl, OK sometimes a good girl, but I try hard. I stopped believing in you years ago and we won't go there as to how many years that was. But if you are real and if you do grant the wishes of believers than I believe, and I have my list posted here. I know you like letters, but lets face it this is 2009 and no one writes letters any more, every one emails or blogs, or tweets or what ever else they do. Me I blog and I read blogs and I enter blog contests, lots of blog contests. Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose. OK back to the reason for this blog, My Wish List, and here it is.

1. A Mid Arm Quilting Machine or Long Arm Machine, I only need the machine as I have the frame. And it really is for a good cause, my charity quilts, and then there are all the other quilts I need to finish. Come to think of it while I am wishing for the impossible than how about a computerized model. This is what I call a Big Girl Toy and I like toys. see pic of Baily's Mid Arm Machine

2.A New Car, well it really doesn't have to be new, used would work to and it doesn't have to look like the picture any color, and shape, and make, I'm not picky. Only stipulation is it has to have a engine, it has to run, it has to have working AC and Heat and a radio. see pic

That's all the big things, and if you are real you will have these under my tree, or in the driveway.

3. Necklace Tiffany's would be nice, oh this is supposed to be the little list, so Pomeranian necklace at collectibles today, or a Mermaid or Dragonfly at eBay again see pic

4. Wii Fit with Balance Board, Yes, I am a old lady who has a Wii, need to get my exercise one way or another and this works for me. So any neat Wii Games will work and Yes, I have a pic

5. Fat quarters, Charm Square, Jelly Rolls, Pastry Rolls, or Layer Cake, I know most of this sounds like you would go to the bakery but it is all material for quilts. or anything for Quilting, even Machine quilting thread would be great, like in my stocking. oops sorry I don't have a stocking to hang. I made them for the kids and grand kids last year and didn't get around to making one for me and hubby. So wing it, use one of Sean's big socks he won't mind. Just in case here is a pic, love the pretty color.

6. Anything for Cross stitching, PC Stitch Pro version 9 would be really good or threads, material, gadgets, needle holders, etc. OK, so you know what thread looks like, I still added a pic, I like the colors and DMC is the kind I use.

The next two items would have been the Simplicity Rotary cutter and the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker, but they were on sale when Jo Ann's had their sale and I ordered them(what a challenge that turned out to be). They are here and under the Christmas tree. OK Santa, I know you see everything so I confess. I took them from under the tree and used them last night, Hey I have an excuse I needed to finish the 6 quilts for Century Care Center, Mel is picking them up Sunday. So OK another "I'm bad" strike against me, but don't tell Sean.

Guess that is about all that I can think of, if I think of anything else I will update the list, so Santa you need to check back now and then. And Santa if this stuff isn't under my tree I will know for sure that you are a fake and that you really don't exist and you will crush the dreams of girl OK a old lady, hey I can dream can't I. I can dream that I am once again young and that Santa is real and that all these wonderful things will appear Christmas morning. Hey, pay attention, I said I can dream didn't I, so now pick yourself off of the floor and for goodness sakes, stop laughing.
I am heading out to make Holiday arrangements for me and the girls. I just needed a break and making my wish list helped get me in the mood. I am so far behind in this holiday stuff, I didn't get my cards in the mail yet, I didn't start my baking or gingerbread houses, and as for shopping I haven't even been in a store yet. See I am so far behind, do you think we could postpone Christmas for a month or so??? Maybe I would be ready by then.

Santa a PS, Sean has been a good boy to so while you are here delivering my stuff you can drop off one of those computerized carving machines that Sears sells, he would like that for his shop. Or maybe some shelving so he can get the shop in some kind of order. Or maybe a new truck for him to haul wood in, what do you think Santa, can you get this stuff in your sleigh.

Have a Very Merry Christmas one and all.

Cindy's having a giveaway

I just wanted to let everyone know that Cindy from Cindy Mae's Designs is having two giveaways on her blog at CindyMae's Stitching Korner. You can chose to enter one or both, and if you blog about her giveaway you get another entry. She also has some free designs you can print out to stitch. S0 visit her blog and stop by her shop to see all the goodies she has.

Finished

I saw, I blogged, I conquered. I spent the whole day at the Sew, Mama, Sew site, visiting and commenting the sites. Yes I said my entire day was spent there from early morning to midnight, but I am now entered in so many giveaway drawings. OH MY, such wonderful things they had, a list of finished items and a list of materials for crafts and I did both the lists. Lots of items for the kids, and bunches of things for me. There was a lady that offered a hot pad for achy backs and I really need that one after spending all this time in front of my computer entering the contests. Now the hard part comes, Waiting till the 7th to find out if I win anything. I also have the dashes, shuffles, and hop which most end on the 15th. Guess I need to start crossing my fingers and toes and wishing that I win something, anything, even one thing would be nice. Hope you all entered and you win too...
Today I entered, tomorrow back to the quilting..... We are delivering the items on the 18th to the home for the seniors....

BIG GIVEAWAY EVENT at "SEW,MAMA,SEW"

I found a site this morning that has all the giveaways you could hope to enter. At the "Sew,Mama, Sew" site, they have organized crafters and suppliers for a huge giveaway event. From Dec 2 nd to the 6 th visit "Sew,Mama,Sew" and go to the list of participants. Visit their blogs and leave a comment is all you have to do. I have spent the entire morning visiting sites and I don't know when I will finish my list, so many bloggers, so many giveaways, so little time. Guess I will be glued to the computer till I finish my list. You all know how much I love giveaways, some would say I am addicted to them. But you must admit they are worthwhile, I have won all kinds of things on line, lots of patterns, kits and material. Maybe I will be lucky and win some of the items offered here. Go now to http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?cat=13 and start entering. some of the items I have found so far: necklaces, bracelets, baby items, purses, pillows, stuffed animals, toys and so much more and I am only in the handcrafted section, can't wait to get to the supply area.

Yipeeeee, I won

Did a opps I had forgotten to add Ally's items to the end, so they got pushed in here. The puppys, kittys and shoes

The old fashion shoes for centerpieces, they are not identical, but close as I free handed painting them.

My win, pair of pin cushions from This and That Fabric and Craftshop Shuffle blog

The trees, Mel and I made for Family

Beautiful Autumn Rose Quilt kit

This is the Quilt kit that I REALLY want to win.

This is a closeup of some of the fabric that is in the quilt kit

Did I say I REALLY, REALLY want to win this

I have been having the time of my life online lately. I have been entering all kinds of contests and giveaways and best of all I have been winning. Come to think of it, wonder why I can't win at the lottery, oh well one day soon my number will be drawn for that too. Last week I received fat quarters in the mail from fabric designer Janet Bate's blog site "Chocolate is my Favorite Color." Janet was one of the featured quilt block designers chosen for the 100 quilt block magazine and was highlighted in the 100 block blog tour.

This morning I was notified that I was a winner again, this time it was the This and That Fabric and Craftshop Shuffle Blog where my name was drawn. I won the two pincushions shown above, one for me and one to share. Linda and Sandy are having yet another blog contest, to enter just leave a comment, the prize is a beautiful Quilt kit called Autumn Rose. It is beautiful and would make a wonderful item for the nursing home. I am keeping my fingers crossed on this one folks. Go to their site and enter, than if you win you can give me the quilt kit as a Christmas present, wouldn't that be nice? I think so.... and here is the link to their blog This-n-That Fabrics and Craftshop Shuffle

I have also loaded pictures of the Ceramic Trees that Mel and I made. Most were delivered or picked up this weekend, and I am waiting for the last base to come out of the Gold and Mother of Pearl firing so we can pack those trees and ship up north to hubby's family. Now that the trees are done and the house should be finished with the decorating this week, I will have time to finish the quilted lap robes for WOCS group, the grand kids will be doing the wrapping and then they will be ready for their Holiday delivery. I was also informed that Heather has adopted one of the seniors as her service project. I think her lady asked for hair ties and things. I understand that the seniors wrote wish lists and hung them on the tree. Most of the items requested are personal care products. If you are interested in adopting a senior at the home leave a comment and I will get it to Mel. and she can get a list or give you more information on what the seniors need. Items could be shipped here and Mel will delivery them.

I almost forgot, because I could only fire one tree at a time, I made the puppies, kittens and old fashion shoes for the centerpieces for Ally's Bat Mitzvah. Jack's Bar Mitzvah is in April but I am finished with the prep work for his arrangements, Ally's is in Sept. and I am now finished with the prep work for hers. Jack's centerpieces will look like firecrackers with a tiger, his theme is Chinese (year of the tiger), Ally's will be a Tea Party theme and arrangement will be a tea cup filled with sweetheart roses, with a shoe and a puppy or kitten.

That's all for now folks.

TURKEY DAY

I find it hard to believe that Thanksgiving is upon us. Where did this year go, seems the older I get the faster the year goes by. I keep trying to keep up but it seems that I just do not have that ability anymore. I am not ready for the Holidays and if they come without me having everything done than so be it. I will still enjoy myself and Hey there is always next year.

Back to Turkey Day, I have been watching the Food Network and I have my bird cleaned and in the brine. They say if you soak the Turkey in Brine it will make the Turkey Juicy so I'm giving it a try, can't hurt. I will make my stuffing the way I have for years remembering how my Grand Mother made it and no there isn't a recipe for it, my Nanny never used a recipe for anything. Of course there will be Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato's, Cranberry Sauce, Corn, Rolls, and topping off the meal a Pumpkin Pie. I know canned pumpkin is in short supply, I had a terrible time finding it in the store. There was a lady making a sweet Potato pie and handing out the recipe, but that just won't do for hubby, he won't eat sweet potato pie and there is no fooling him. But I found the pumpkin, last can on the shelf and hubby will get his pie. Libby's has a great recipe and I am cheating, I bought Pillsbury pie crust. I don't know what the problem is lately but I can not make a good crust, so I gave up and now I buy pre-made crusts.

So tonight I am doing the prep work, Tomorrow when the Turkey is roasting we will be watching the Macy's Day Parade and after dinner we will put up the Christmas Tree. This weekend the outdoor lights and decorations go up. Mel beat me to it though she and the kids put their tree up and decorated their house last Sunday. Guess you can tell that Christmas is Mel's favorite Holiday.

As for Friday and the black Friday specials, NOT ME, I would like the deals, but there is no way I will be up and standing in line in the wee hours of the morning and fighting crowds, NOT ME, never in my life have I participated in black Friday shopping. My only hope is that all who do shop on Friday will be safe and no one will be injured or worse as it happened last year.

So if you are a brave shopper, PLEASE stay safe and get out of the way of the idiots who think they have to run everyone over to save a few pennies, Also be careful on the highways. Merry Christmas Shopping, I'll post my list next week. hehehe