Christmas Projects

So, now that it's Christmas Eve, I can show the Christmas Quilting I've been working on:

First - the quilt I made for Greg and Rose:

The quilt my hubby made for our son, Jeff: (Now he's made a quilt for each of the kids)

The baby quilt for Doug and Tricia (new baby boy arrives in February!!!):

And finally, my favorite project:

New Christmas Stockings!!!

I love how these turned out, but they took a LONG TIME. So, kids, they are not to leave the premises - EVER.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Family Quilt Night

Every Thursday night for the past few months, we have been having "Family Quilt Night". My daughters-in-law, Tricia and Becca, My niece-in-law, MC and Tricia's sister, Aly have all attended. We have a good time and are all getting lots done! Aly and MC are on their 2nd quilts, Tricia is on her 3rd and Becca got her curtains sewn for her new house. I am getting projects done too. I keep hearing from other family members that they would like to come, but I haven't seen them yet. (I know Brooke is missing them, living in Missouri - we miss her too!) We will be taking a couple of weeks off for Christmas, then back to work! I am sure glad that my studio is big enough for all of us!
We usually work from about 7 - 9:30 or 10, but we've been working late to get all of the Christmas stuff done... It is very fun to teach these girls to quilt - they are all excellent students - A+!

On Sunday night, we had our "close by kids" come over to decorate Gingerbread Houses (Okay - they are really 'graham cracker houses" -but, whatever). Someone gave me a great idea - glue gun those little suckers together BEFORE the party!(My husband always asks why I need to buy SO MANY graham crackers - because they break!!)

Anyway - worked out great:

(Shane is here too - but he is hiding, as usual) Doug really got into the fine detail work on his house: And - I've managed to finish a quilting project (or 3 - but 2 are Christmas gifts - can't show them yet). This is my row quilt that our bee made this year -

I had to take off the last row and put it on the back, so it would fit on my table as a cute topper:

When I got out the Christmas stuff this year, I realized that I had given all of my kids their stockings last year, because I told them I would be making them new stockings this year!! I guess I have a little bit of sewing to do in the next two weeks! (It seemed like a good idea at the time)

Embracing my Inner Granny

I have decided I am too old to wear high heels. I bought some cute high-heeled boots this season and wore them a time or two, but when I looked at them in my closet to possibly wear again, my feet just wanted to curl up and my back started getting achy. So, I gave them to my (young) friend (sigh of relief). Then I hemmed my pants. I also have no desire to wear anything that would entail sucking in my stomach - bleck! Better to go with camouflage. I still will get dressed, thinking I'm "all that" and then I'll catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror and realize I'm a kind of lumpy, middle-aged lady - oh well. I go to bed early now, because I don't want to wake up miserable in the morning - I know, pretty mature. I eat fairly healthy, I can no longer eat pop-tarts, coco puffs, etc. they make me feel nauseous - I used to eat them for days at a time. I complain about the high price of items in the grocery store - just like an "old person".

My mom used to complain that her mom drove her crazy, etc. My mom does things that bug me sometimes, but now that I am getting older, I realize that I will do things (and probably already do) that will bug my kids, BUT, I don't care!! (Bahahahaha) It is a great relief to realize that I don't have to work hard any more to be "hip", because I just won't be and it's OKAY! I don't have to pretend to like things because they're 'cool', etc. I enjoy quilting, gardening, jigsaw puzzles, reading, knitting, etc. and I used to think all of those things were pretty "granny-ish" and I didn't want to advertise these pastimes, but it is okay, I'm fine and being a granny is fabulous!!

Why do I gain weight over the holidays?

Could it be: (Butter!!!)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Nevada, with family and friends. Deanna did a wonderful job as hostess, as usual! I hope she is resting with her feet up today!

Early on (Black) Friday, Stacy headed to the Walmart to see about some deals. He came back with 3 (!!!!) TVs. He did end up taking 1 back, but we kept the other two. One is for my sewing room - a nice little flat one so I don't have to have the big one in the corner - more room for my stash!

Later on Friday, we headed to Zion for a little hiking:

It was a mite chilly! I was glad I had my trusty bandanna, because the wind was cold! It was about 32 degrees when we started. We tried to do Angel's landing, but had to turn back after an hour or so, there was too much snow and ice on the trail.

We ate yummy Thanksgiving leftovers that Deanna had so nicely packed up for us, then, off to the movies! ("The Next 3 Days" - just okay - a little too intense for me).

Back home today, got a little Christmas shopping done, we're supposed to have a big snow storm starting tonight, so it's good we're back and snug in our little house.

P.S. I don't think I'll break out the scales until March!

Quilting Magazines...

What is it about having a quilting magazine to savor is so enjoyable? Is it the patterns I fall in love with and fantasize about making? The peek into a famous quilter's studio or home decorated with quilts? The tips that will make quilting more fun/organized/better? The ads containing the newest designs in fabric and notions? The humorous quilting article that makes me laugh at myself and my obsession? I can't believe I have two (!) to read this weekend, I used to grab them out of the mailbox and spend part of the afternoon poring over them, but with working in the afternoons now, my free time is a little adjusted, so I actually have two "saved up" Last night, I snuggled up in bed with one, but it got late and I get up early, so I only got halfway through - that's okay, something to look forward to... (Now, if only "Quilter's Home" would come - it's my favorite!)

For the Babies...

Here is Papal and the "wee-dog":

Here is Mamal and Uncle Jeff's dog, Carl:

Here is Uncle Jeff with Carl:

Here is the crew at the airport: (Including Shane, the anti-photo boy)

Shane and Becca, checking out Jeff's death-trap, I mean Motorcycle:
All-in-all, a good trip!