Christmas Break

I'm going to pause with the blog posts and enjoy these last few days before Christmas with the kids and family. We have already played Cheerio bingo this morning and had a piece of cranberry bread and some eggnog. I hope you are all enjoying your holiday as well! Merry Christmas!

First Crocheted Hat

While running late for my crochet class last week I dashed to the computer and typed in "crochet hat free pattern", printed practically the first thing that came up and here is what I ended up with. I'm so pleased. It is a little large, but I can fix that on hat number two. The free pattern is here. The pattern is called "Divine Hat". I was surprised how fast this crocheted up!

Crochet Snowflakes

I had great ambitions to make a blizzard of snowflakes for my tree this year... reality hits... reality stinks (sometimes) .... I finished ONE. Yep, JUST ONE! Oh well, I do highly recommend this free pattern (from Bev's Country Cottage)- I think it is really pretty. Oh, and please notice the cute little house ornament in the background that my five year old painted for our tree. I love crafting with my kiddos!

Cozy Baby Clothes

My adorable, awesome, amazing (not prejudiced or anything) little grandson is headed on a chilly outing to see the zoo lights. To keep his tiny toes-ies warm I sewed up this McCall's pattern M5963. I improvised on the hat to make the "Santa" version. Isn't he a cutie?! His mom is pretty sweet, too.

Christmas Tradition

Every year on Christmas Eve we act out the Christmas story. Click on the link at top on the right for a short video of some sweet little children acting out the nativity and for some great ideas for your family.

More Delightful Decorating Blogs

These blogs show you how to make things to decorate your home with- you'll be amazed! It looks like some of these projects stepped right out of a Pottery Barn catalogue-so wonderful!! Then these jealousy inducing individuals show you how to display your creations in your own home- so not fair how much talent some of these ladies are hoggin'- I guess all is forgiven because they at least share their genius!

My newest favorite is Shanty2chic. If you don't see something that you love at first glance make sure that you scroll back through their projects because they have some handiwork that looks like a million bucks- but only cost a few!

Check out these too, because, well, they are all delightful!

Room to Inspire
Crafty Nest
Just a Girl
Life in the Fun Lane
Livin the Simple Life

Updated 1/28/2010

Learn how to make your own 'Pottery Barn' furniture at Knock off Wood- my husband will be busy for years- but she shares her free plans and says that these projects are easy enough for the timid woodworker.

Not So Idle Hands (has crafts and a sweet adoption story too)
The Shabby Nest
The Lettered Cottage

Enjoy!

Christmas List

Have you made your Christmas Wish List? I made a short version with two reality gifts and two fantasy gifts on it. Then today I saw this list over at Amy's Inspireco- amazing! Drool over everything! I can pretty much guarantee you'll have to add a thing or six to your list!!

I adore this coat- would NOT look good on me- but so stinkin' cute!

Don't Like Oreo Truffles

Am I the only one in the world who doesn't like Oreo truffles? I had heard such rave reviews that I made a batch of Oreo truffles and a batch of Nutter Butter truffles. I crushed, mixed, dipped, and tossed- yep, I tossed them cookies (now truffles) right into the trash- And I was so looking forward to all of that chocolate yumminess (sigh).

In other news. The little kiddies created these this week (hurrah for kits)!


And today's craft is another candle. This one made from a CB2 glass candle holder (that looks exactly like a giant ornament when turned around to the back). Click on the above store link and scroll down, click on "room view" for the upcoming chandelier idea.

I also used a dollar tree candle. Wouldn't it be cute to fill these with tiny ornaments, or peppermints. You could make your own candle chandelier that would look something like this.

Just attach cup hooks to a board and hang the board on the ceiling. Then run a small/fine chain (from Lowe's) or strong string through the loop on top of the candle holder and attach to the cup hooks. If you use the little battery flicker lights you could rotate filling the orbs with seasonal goodies- jelly beans, corn candy, Valentine conversational hearts- (wow, sound like sugar is on the brain.... I was REALLY looking forward to those truffles) because you could fill the candle holder with little pinecones, tiny crafted eggs, or mini pumpkin ornaments (all sugar free). Of course, the light fixture looks really cool in an industrial/minimalist kind of way AS IS!

While you are at CB2 you might want to check out these sweet dove ornaments and felt trees.

Snow Village

I started making my little snow village. The girls helped me paint these paper mache houses that I found at Hobby Lobby's 90% off sale (last Christmas). Then we covered them with glue and glitter. They still need a few touch ups- doors, etc. but that will have to wait until next year- we'll just enjoy them how they are for now. The little trees were a steal from a yard sale (last year). I bleached them and dyed them and added glitter and tiny ornaments- fun stuff.

Happy day! We had three inches of snow last night so today is a snow day (this is a big snow for Texas)... yipee! No school. Sounds like a good day to make fudge and watch Christmas movies!

Ragged Edge Quilt

I finished my first ragged edge quilt and I learned a few things! First off, if you are going to make a ragged edge quilt...don't cut out the squares while you watch a movie because you will need your brain to remember that the selvaged edges won't fray... so don't cut out all of your squares thinking that the selvaged edge will be in the seam allowance... because it won't be... and you'll be left without enough fabric to re cut them... ugh.

I also learned to always use Hobb's heirloom premium batting and not the stuff (sew perfect batting) that is on sale and lumps up the first time you wash it- so, not cool after all of that work!!

My last tip for the day is- prewash your bright pink fabrics so that they don't run all over your pristine white material... oops! I know... I know... you are always supposed to prewash... but some rules are so confining and it is easier to work with the fabric with the chemical sizing stuff still in it... but, live and learn... maybe :o)

Anywho, I used 12", 9", and 6" squares. The fabric is mostly Grand Revival by Tanya Whelan. You just cut out your squares and zig zag them onto the top of another piece of fabric until you have all of your blocks. Then zig zag your blocks onto a large piece of fabric. This is a baby quilt so it only took six blocks with some edging. Hope you learn from my brainless bloopers! Have fun!