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MERRY CHRISTMAS….

Dec25
MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to all of my friends and family spread here and there. It is very early on Christmas morning. The rest of the house is very quiet, not at all like when the kids were younger when they woke us up before dawn. They would be so excited they could barely stand it. Those days were wonderful and that is what makes Christmas so much fun.

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I have to say that I love this stage of Christmas in my life. We sat in the sunroom last night, after a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner, we listened to Christmas music and talked. We told old stories about Christmas pasts and we laughed about each other’s memories. We talked about what our favorite Christmas memories were, we talked about what our best ever gift was. It was relaxing and enlightening and wonderful.

 

 

My daughter Elizabeth and I will watch “A Christmas Story” today. It is one of our traditions that started many years ago – Elizabeth was sick one Christmas and we sat and watched it together. That started the tradition. We will open gifts, eat a big breakfast, watch sports and Christmas movies, eat too much dinner and too many cookies.

Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies

We may take a walk near the ocean either on the beach or along the ocean. We will be together, we will laugh, we will tease each other and we will make new memories.

I hope that you have a day worth remembering at a later date, a day that will stay with you throughout the year to make you smile in a quiet moment. A day that is not about the gifts, or the menu but about the time together. Enjoy, and take the time to appreciate your blessings.

Be kind….
Faith

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY……

Dec19

Christmas came early…..

So Chuck, my dear husband was in Albany this week and he delivered some Christmas presents. Nadine was the first to open her present – some back history – Nadine just moved into a new house, she is of course decorating it, making it her own. Nadine has an inspiration item that she is planning her room around; she loved the colors of this mug.

Nadine's Dream Room

Nadine’s Dream Room

So my plan was to make her some pillows to get her color scheme started. I dug through my stash and this is what I came up with. Since Nadine opened these the other night I am able to share them with you.

Nadine's Pillows

Nadine’s Pillows

I downloaded the pattern for these pillows at this site: www.modabakeshop.com.  You can also find it here –

http://quiltingintherain.blogspot.com/search?q=Strippy+Pillow

The original pattern uses jelly rolls strips

Moda Jelly Roll

Moda Jelly Roll

– for those who are not quilters – jelly rolls are fabric strips of 2.5” x 42”. They are sold in rolls of coordinating fabrics.

The next gift that was delivered went to our daughter–in-law Mari. Mari uses placemats on her table rather than tablecloths. This way you can see the beautiful wood of her dining room table. I made her 6 placemats and napkins. Here is a picture of the front and back of the placemat. The napkins are made of the same fabric as the back of the placemats.

Mari & Dan's placemats

Mari & Dan’s placemats

I made these by using a method called String Piecing. I had a lot of strips of Christmas fabric from other projects – I also cut some new strips to match the fabric that I was using. All six placemats are similar but not the same. I had used the same method to make the stockings that I posted earlier.

I really love making homemade gifts.  I am able to be creative and give a one of a kind gift.  I have several more gifts to complete.  I will post those after they are given.  That may not be until after Christmas depending upon when I finish them and get them delivered.

Enjoy the rush of the season.  Try to make it simple and fun – it isn’t about the best gift – it is about the best use of your time with those you love.

Be Kind….

Faith