Sunday, December 20, 2009

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things!

We're all counting down the days we have left before family and friends arrive! Wow, it won't be long now! I had a very busy day today and thought I would show you just a tiny glimpse of some of my favorite things!!!

Everyone, I'm sure, knows the "Hippopotamus Song"!!! A few years ago I came home singing this song just about every night since our local radio station seemed to be playing it constantly!!! I really love it and my husband secretly sent out my two sons and eldest sons girlfriend (now daughter in law) in search of a stuffed "Hippopotamus"!!! They searched high and low and this is what they came home with. Great job don't you think???!!! He's truly adorable and I make a place for him every year now!!! This year he sits atop the television!! I also wanted to show you some stitched pieces given to me by some very dear friends. They are very special to me!

From Reita

From Reina

From Kathy


Some of my most favorite tree ornaments were made by the boys in grammar school. The flower pot bell and grapevine wreath was made by Harrison, the styrofoam snowman was made by Morgan. The boys are now 28 and 21! The brass ice skates were given to Harrison since he played hockey from about age 10 through high school.

This next snowman was made when my oldest son was in pre-school. The tag reads: "Heidi & Peter Pre-K2"!!! He was then known as "Morgan H" as there was also a little girl named "Morgan Lynn" in his class! For the longest time whenever anyone asked what his name was he always said "Morgan H"!!! How cute is that!!!
The wooden wolf ornament below was given to me by Morgan when he was maybe a freshman. The tag says 1996 and it's made of olive wood. Very nice! Then below that is a wonderful stitched piece made by Harrison! I'm not sure how old he was at the time but he had decided he wanted to cross stitch. He obviously was too young to grasp the concept but I saved it none the less! A couple years later I ran across this piece and decided that I wanted to save it forever and thought a Christmas ornament would be just right for it. The neighbor boy even stitched his initials on it! I can still see both little boys sitting on the couch in our basement, needles in hand!
The little "tongue depressor loom" shown below was also a school project Harrison brought home one year! How cute is that!!! If you look closely you can see that he signed his name at the upper side. And, of course, another one of his hockey ornaments!
"Morgan's 1st Christmas" sled ornament was made by a family member and has been on our tree for 28 years now! The little soldier pull toy was also one of his first ornaments.
Several wooden ornaments below were given to Morgan by my mother for his first Christmas. And, of course, the bubble lights which both boys loved!

Now, here's a gift that will surprise most of you! I received this one year from my youngest son Harrison. I think he was 8 or 10 years old at the time. He was always a very mechanical kid. (The neighbor lady came across the street one time to have him start her lawn mower. He was young enough that he wasn't allowed to cross the street by himself!!!!) Anyway, he wanted to learn to weld and after a few instructions from"Dad" this is what he made me! It's a little hard to see in the photo but it says, Love, William, Morgan, Harrison. He cut out hearts, a Christmas Tree and our house. I made the frame and cut-outs out of barn wood from my Granddad's barn. I put some sponged red poster board behind the tin so the cuts would show better.
And, along the bottom it says "Merry Christmas Mom".


Today was my last chance to make my traditional iced sugar cookies that the boys love so much. Anyway, I think they love them!!! I didn't make as many as I usually do but I think there will be plenty. Husband now has diabetes and I don't need them (love 'em, but don't need 'em!) so what doesn't get eaten for Christmas will go home with the boys!
Mixing the frosting!

Cookies "lying in waiting"!
Color mixed in ~ Yellow for Stars ~ Pink for Santa's
Blue for Bells ~ Green for Trees
Sprinkles have been added and part of them put away!
Whew!!! what a job ~ they wear me out anymore!
Time to pack them up, throw them in the freezer till Thursday!!!

Betsy ~ Just waiting for a morsel to fall from the counter!!!
It's hard work being "floor monitor"!!!

Just have to wrap the gifts and I "think" I'm ready!!! Can't wait to see all the kids and experience the joy of Chloe's 2nd Christmas!!! Next year we'll have a "new" grandchild ~ So Exciting!!!

Here's wishing you Peace, Love and Joy throughout this Holiday Season!!!
~~~Anita
















Tuesday, December 15, 2009

"Last Hours" Do-Able Projects !!!

"Sleeping Beauty-Betsy" !!!

Okay !!! Okay !!! I know I've already fallen behind with this blogging thing!! I'm sooooo sorry, but cut me a little slack, it's a busy time of year !!! I've been trying to figure out what gifts to buy and have been busy stitching, knitting and crocheting. I know this holiday comes around EVERY year, and really, I should start sooner, but, I don't seem to do that, as I'm sure a lot of you are in the same boat. I'm paddling fast so as not to sink !!!

The opening photo is how I usually catch Betsy every morning before our daily trek in to work! She gets up, goes outside, eats her breakfast, gets her insulin, then jumps on the couch to catch a few "ZZZZ's" before we leave for the shop. It takes a lot of energy to bark and growl at everyone!!! I just thought this was such a cute photo of her, she really is the sweetest dog! I wanted to share this photo with you!



I recently finished stitching and framing the top piece shown below in the photo. The pattern is so sweet and the photo on the cover doesn't do it justice (as most photos don't). This chart pack comes with all 3 designs and is done by "Heartstring Primitives". I thought I had my camera here at the shop but I happened to leave it at home this morning. Otherwise you would be seeing a photo of the actual stitched piece. Maybe another time.
"Joy To The World"
by Heartstring Primitives

Below you'll find a few designs that you could actually finish up in time for some last minute gift giving. "A Very Merry Winter" by JBW Designs is a very sweet little snowman. One of my customers brought her finished piece in yesterday to show me. She stitched hers on a very nice blue fabric which really made this snowman stand out. It was much prettier than the cover photo!

"A Very Merry Winter"

by JBW Design

A quick little Santa to stitch:

"2009 Santa"
by Heart in Hand

Some quick tree ornaments:

" Christmas Tree Collection IV"

by JBW Designs


"Christmas Tree Collection III"

by JBW Designs

You could frame this one, make a pillow, stitch over 1 for an ornament:

"Cranberry Deer Pinkeep"

by Beehive Needleworks

More great ornaments from Homespun Elegance:

Merry Noel Collection ~ "Mr. Candy Cane"

by Homespun Elegance

(Rats!!! I just lost the photo of "Joyous Heart" also from Homespun Elegance)

Hopefully you're not as behind as I am at this point but at least I've given you a few ideas to get you out of the dog house!!! Ruff, ruff!!!

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciat it! Here's a VERY WISE little recommendation from "Granddaughter Chloe", if things get a little too stressful, stop everything and have yourself a little "Ben and Jerry's" !!! It's sure to put a smile on your face and give you the "sugared courage" to go on!!!!!

Happy Holidays To One and All !!!!!! ~~~ Anita