Happy New Year!

However you celebrate…

 

Happy New Year!

A Scarf for My Diva

         

Isn’t this scarf the cutest?  And super easy to make as well.  Instructions are here.

A Scarf for Your Diva

 

Isn’t this scarf the cutest?  And super easy to make as well.  Want to make your own?

You’ll need:

•    1/4 yard  flannel
•    1/4 yd cute cotton
•    1/2 yd pompom trim
•    lots of scrap trims and ribbons (in 6+ inch lengths)
•    a rotary cutter and mat
•    pins
•    thread (either matching or clear)
•    your sewing machine and a blind hem foot if you have it

1.  Trim a full length (usually about 44-45 inches long) of flannel to 6 inches wide.
2.  Trim a full length of cotton to 6 inches of wide.
3.  Match flannel and cotton pieces.  Trim length of one if necessary.
4.  Stitch trims widthwise across the flannel piece in a random placement.  Vary distances between trims, mix and match colors, just have fun.  Just avoid the 1/2 to 1 inches of either end.
I attached the the wider trims using my blind hem foot.  I scooted my needle as far to the left as possible and then lined the edge of my trim up with the guide on the blind hem foot.  If you don’t have a blind hem foot, just stitch as close to either edge of your trim as possible.
For the skinner trims, I zig zagged with my clear thread over the trim.
5.  Press 1/2 inch hem on both short ends of both flannel and cotton pieces.
6.  Place flannel to cotton, right sides together.  Pin in place.
7.  Stitch along long edges of scarf with 1/2 inch seam allowance.
8.  Turn the scarf right side out.  Press carefully.
9. Cut pom-pom trim to length so that you can slip it into the open short ends.   I decided to use 2 different colors and layered them.   Pin in place.
10. Top stitch along the short edges, securing hem and pom-poms in place.
11.  Wrap around the neck of your favorite diva and let her enjoy!

Finished size:  approximately 44 inches by 5 inches

Gold I bring to crown Him again…

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, ceasing never,

Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I,

Incense owns a Deity nigh,

Prayer and praising, voices raising,

Worshipping God on high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes a life of gathering gloom;

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise;

King and God and sacrifice;

Alleluia, Alleluia,

Sounds through the earth and skies.

Those are the 2nd thru 5th verses of We Three Kings.  Until we sang “the rest of the song” a few weeks ago during church, I would have never said that Christmas carols were praise music.  But this one is!  What a wonderful reminder of Who we celebrate, Why we celebrate, and How we should celebrate this Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

New Christmas Ornaments

***DISCLAIMER***

By proceeding herewith, Reader assumes all responsibility to feign surprise on Christmas morning and hereby agrees to gush/oohhh/aahh in total astonishment with the following gift upon opening.

I decided to try something new today.  I picked up some white ceramic ornaments and a pack of rub-on transfers.  I cut apart the sayings and simply rubbed them onto each ornament.  I changed the ribbons to match the design, and Voila!  New Christmas ornaments.

 

Christmas in Roseland

The kids and I took my Father-in-Law to the American Rose Center a few weeks ago.  The light displays are beautiful.  The hand-painted giant Christmas cards were phenomenal.  And our letters to Santa, well you can read those for yourself.  Enjoy our pictures.

Coffee Cozies!

Here’s a quick and easy Christmas sewing idea:  Coffee Cozies to protect your fingers from that hot cup of latte you just grabbed at your favorite coffee shop. 

 

To make them:

1. Buy a drink from your favorite coffee shop. 
2. Enjoy your coffee.
3. Before you throw the cup in the trash, snatch that handy little cardboard cup-sleeve and tear it apart at the seam.
4. Trace it for your pattern.  I chose to add about 1 inch to the height of mine.
5. Cut out your pattern twice:  once in fleece and and once in a really cute cotton.
6. Cut a 3 x 3 square in a cute coordinating fabric.  (Raid your scraps!)
7. Place your cotton and your fleece right sides together and stitch all the way around, leaving about 2 inches unstitched for turning.
8. Trim your corners and turn it right side out.
9. Press, folding in the hem on the unstitched  section.
10. Top stitch around the finished edges, securing the opening.
11. Now for your 3 x 3 square:  Fold under 1/4 inch on 3 sides and 1/2 inch on one side.
12. Top stitch the 1/2 inch hem in place.
13. Center your square on your new cup sleeve and top stitch on remaining 3 sides.
14. Add a button for cuteness.
15. Stitch your two short edges together to shape this flat piece into a sleeve.
16. Slip it on your favorite travel mug and enjoy another cup of coffee!

Some Black and Gold Christmas Gifts

You already know I’m a Saints fan.  And I’ve been a Saints fan for a while. But this year, I get to cheer for a fabulous team!  Right now, the Saints are 12-0!!  So, before I show you any black and gold Christmas gifts, I have to share some of these great posts I’ve seen lately.  (I completely stole all of these!)

♪♪Dashing through the Dome, on a 3rd and 1 pass play, See ol' Colston run, TOUCHDOWN all the way! HA!HA!HA! Sharper intercepts, Defense gets a sack. Oh what fun it is to see that Redskin on his back! OH! 12 & 0, 12 & 0, Undefeated all the way! Oh what fun it will be to watch the SAINTS Sunday! ♪♪

♪♪On the twelfth game of the season Coach Peyton gave to me 12 Romped Redskins, 11 Punked Patriots, 10 Battered Bucs, 9 Ragged Rams, 8 Pounced Panthers, 7 Dirty Birds, 6 Dunked Dolphins, 5 Shrunk-en Giants, 4 Wrecked Jets, 3 Beat up Bills, 2 Tame Eagles, and a Lion Sauce Picante! ♪♪

Hurricane Warning:
Hurricane Who Dat has officially moved to a Category 11. New Orleans's Saintologist Sean Peyton predicts that it will make landfall in Landover, MD Sunday afternoon as a CATEGORY 12!
The hurricane warning will remain in effect till Sun evening, while combinations of dangerously high touchdown passes and exceptional receptions continue.
The strength of Hurricane Who Dat is expected to have long lasting effects on the country, especially Louisiana and specifically New Orleans, even after the BREES have subsided.
Sportscasters remain in good agreement; the models continue to predict touchdowns and interceptions in Who Dat's favor. Be warned, Redskins casualties are expected.

♪♪Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the Saints are so delightful,  the Redskins already know,  Twelve & eaux, twelve & eaux, twelve & eaux!  ♪♪

Now onto the gifts:

***DISCLAIMER***

By proceeding herewith, Reader assumes all responsibility to feign surprise on Christmas morning and hereby agrees to gush/oohhh/aahh in total astonishment with the following gift upon opening.

Remember this fabric?  And this great Scarf Along.  I finally finished all the scarves I was making.  I have worn mine several times a week lately.  And, these instructions made 7 more.  Wonder who’ll get these…

Cozy Coffee

 ***DISCLAIMER***

By proceeding herewith, Reader assumes all responsibility to feign surprise on Christmas morning and hereby agrees to gush/oohhh/aahh in total astonishment with the following gift upon opening.

I need one of these.  How perfect for protecting your fingers while sipping your coffee from a reusable coffee-shop-style mug!  For now, though, the few I’ve made will just fill gift bags beneath my tree.

 

 

To make them:

1. Buy a drink from your favorite coffee shop. 
2. Enjoy your coffee.
3. Before you throw the cup in the trash, snatch that handy little cardboard cup-sleeve and tear it apart at the seam.
4. Trace it for your pattern.  I chose to add about 1 inch to the height of mine.
5. Cut out your pattern twice:  once in fleece and and once in a really cute cotton.
6. Cut a 3 x 3 square in a cute coordinating fabric.  (Raid your scraps!)
7. Place your cotton and your fleece right sides together and stitch all the way around, leaving about 2 inches unstitched for turning.
8. Trim your corners and turn it right side out.
9. Press, folding in the hem on the unstitched  section.
10. Top stitch around the finished edges, securing the opening.
11. Now for your 3 x 3 square:  Fold under 1/4 inch on 3 sides and 1/2 inch on one side.
12. Top stitch the 1/2 inch hem in place.
13. Center your square on your new cup sleeve and top stitch on remaining 3 sides.
14. Add a button for cuteness.
15. Stitch your two short edges together to shape this flat piece into a sleeve.
16. Slip it on your favorite travel mug and enjoy another cup of coffee!

Christmas Ruffles

My girlie-girl needed ruffles for Christmas.  Ask anyone who knows me, I don’t do ruffles.  After some brainstorming and a few sketches, we decided on this skirt.

The fabrics are straight out of my Mom’s quilting stash!  They are from a Moda line.  The shirt was picked up at a children’s store.  I used this tutorial as my starting point for the skirt (but our skirt is a separate piece) and this tutorial as the starting point for the ruffled flower.  She loves it!

p.s.  Check out the new glasses.  I think she’s too cute in them.

Giving Thanks for…

life. Jesus Christ. grace and mercy. adam. addie. topher. creativity. music. dogwood blossoms. mom and dad. my health. the freedom to worship. paved streets and running water. our church family. susan and sarah. my sewing machine. satsuma trees. friends that get me. friends that don’t get me and love me anyway. the creativity of my children. facebook (sad, but true). my in-laws. an incredible elementary school with teachers who love my child. nita. rose bushes that bloom in the fall. a favorite football team (win or lose, though winning is great). jane. ashley and ashley. my Bible. encouraging phone calls from friends and family. good books. teaching sewing. a full pantry. brainstorms. hot coffee. cars that run. teaching swimming. a safe home. BG’s reading ability and LM beginning to sound out words (such precious sounds). little jobs that mean i don’t have to get a real one. random funny text messages. creative aunts and witty uncles. the generosity of others. the wisdom of a few. a cup of tea. sock puppet shows and silly stories. doc. rex. coupons. past opportunities to grow. lsmsa. obu. friends and family who have died but left me with lessons and wisdom and memories. this blog and all my blogging friends who leave comments. second chances. jokes that really make me lol. rainy days. sunshine. hand-me downs. snuggles with my children. popcorn and movies. quiet moments to stop and reflect. crazy moments when Christ calms me. sad moments when Christ lifts me up. struggling moments when Christ carries me.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

A little scrap busting

***DISCLAIMER***

By proceeding herewith, Reader assumes all responsibility to feign surprise on Christmas morning and hereby agrees to gush/oohhh/aahh in total astonishment with the following gift upon opening.

Look at these cuties! 

I can think of a family member or two who sews. 

They might need one for Christmas.

Aren’t they fun!

I used a few more scraps on these towels too!  This idea comes from Pleasant Home.

They’ll be a little gift for my Thanksgiving guests. 

Shhh.  Don’t tell them.

Reader, Beware!

If there is any possibility that you might be receiving a Christmas/birthday/Swap gift from me, you might see your gift posted on this blog. 

As a blogger, I love to post my projects and I love to post my ideas, just like I love to look at others’ projects and steal borrow learn from their ideas.  So with the Holiday season here, I will be sharing.  Lots. 

For that reason, the following will be posted at the top of each and every post involving gifts.

***DISCLAIMER***

By proceeding herewith, Reader assumes all responsibilty to feign surprise on Christmas morning and hereby agrees to gush/oohhh/aahh in total astonishment with the following gift upon opening.

 

Consider yourselves warned!

The “little kids”

In my pictures yesterday, I showed you my Big Girl and her buddy making wreaths.  What I didn’t show you were LM and his Best Buddette.  They made foamie picture frame ornaments while we were busy crafting.  Here’s their picture from the day.  Don’t let those sweet innocent expressions fool you…

Our Wreath Decorating Party

I was privileged to host a “Safe and Bright House Party” for UL. 

U-what, you ask?  Well, stop now and look for a tag on the cord of your nearest electrical device.  See that U and L in the circle.  That’s the logo for UL--Underwriters Laboratory.  These are the safety folks.  And, they sent me a party package complete with supplies to host a wreath decorating party.

Of course I fixed a light afternoon snack:

Then we played a round of white elephant where my guests bartered, begged and stole decorations from one another—after they each read a UL safety tip to us. 

And the decorating began:

  

Aren’t these wreaths great!

Thank you UL!