Christmas Quilt Tour

Welcome to our home! Please come in...

I'm not completely happy with the wreath yet, but it's getting there. And it looks good close up. Start with a grocery store wreath, add mixed greens from around the yard, a few dollar store ornaments and a new bow. A custom wreath for under $10!

This narrow hallway is a rotating quilt gallery on one side.
(I'll show you the musical instrument collection on the other side after I dust it off!)
I wish I had labeled the angel quilt - I don't remember when I made it.
The Advent calendar in the middle was a gift many years ago. It just isn't Advent for Julia & Pete without it. The geese in the forest quilt looks great for Christmas.

This is the first quilt I ever made. As an unemployed newlywed, I took a beginner class at a quilt shop and an addiction was born! I'm thinking I might take it apart next year and re-quilt it. Or should I leave it as is, in all its imperfect, beginner glory?

I made this quick, fused Santa quilt in 2004.
(This one has a label because it was in a show.)
My collection of hand blown glass ornaments has found a home away from the tree for the last few years. They seem safer here on top of the TV.

Julia made this cute snow couple in 2005. Her first attempt at paper piecing and free motion machine quilting, plus a little fusing. Totally cute!

My yo-yo tree found a home in the bathroom. I love the addition of the orange buttons, but I'm not crazy about this star. I'll be on the look-out for something better.

Maybe tomorrow I'll show you the less-quilty decorations. I hope the tree will be decorated by then!

A Crafty Day

As a pre-Birthday treat, Bill took today off to be my designated driver to the big cities of Providence and Pawtucket. I am the expert navigator.

On the way up I-95, we love seeing the Big Blue Bug dressed up for the holidays. He looks even better at night, completely wrapped in lights. "Nibbles Woodaway" is a Rhode Island landmark.

First we went to Craftland! Fun, fun, fun! It's open year round now, so if you're ever in Providence, please go. If I'm feeling brave, I might consider submitting some of my work next year. I'm not sure if I'm cool enough. Bill said I might have to stretch outside my comfort level.

I loved the architecture of the building across the street. I don't know anything about architecture, but I thought it was pretty.

Next, we took a ten-minute drive to Pawtucket for the Foundry Artists Show.

There were 60 (SIXTY!) fabulous artists displaying their wares.

The ArtGirlz booth was right at the entrance. Too bad the Girlz weren't there. Hey, maybe if I hang out with them more, I'll be cool enough for Craftland.
I might have picked up a stocking stuffer here. Shhh.

Look at this glorious fringe!
I want to know why this fringe doesn't unravel or fray. Does anyone know? Maybe I'm just not using nice enough yarn. It's not knotted at the ends and the ends are soft.

This booth was really cool. Playing with Books, which I think is an offshoot of The Rag and Bone. The wreaths are rolled pages of old books. Garlands are everywhere!

Not a great picture with the sun streaming in, but these are really sweet art sets from Pink Lemonade.

Tomorrow, I'll show you what I bought! And there might be a birthday giveaway!
But right now, we're getting ready for a Girl Scout troop holiday party.

Go Gators!

My apologies to my Central New York relatives. I'm a Gators fan now. We're watching Syracuse play Florida on ESPN. Every time Erik Murphy gets the ball, we cheer. When he scores, forget about it! We've known his family since he was my height. I might be exaggerating. His little brother was taller than me in 2nd grade. Florida lists Erik at 6'9"! We've been watching him shoot hoops with his brothers at their house around the corner from us for years. It's fun to watch him on TV now.

I couldn't post with no photo. I found this one of my mother, checking out the new laptop. Isn't she the cutest? She doesn't understand all this new technology, but she is fascinated by it. We had a lovely day Christmas shopping together today.

There you have it. My first post from the couch via the laptop and wireless network!

Catching Up

It's been a busy week, but what else is new?!

On Monday, I devised this little number:
A crocheted Advent wreath pin.
I started with a tutorial for a crocheted wreath,
slightly modified (didn't use the plastic ring),
added sequins from my mother-in-law's collection
and a sweet bow.

(It's hard to tell in the photo that one of the sequins is pink.)

On Wednesday, Julia led a Brownie workshop
for the Stitch-It Together Try-It.

On Thursday, we participated in a Las Posadas procession
through our town that ended at a homeless shelter.

On Saturday, Pete and I sold our wares at a local craft show.
(Leftovers will be added to my Etsy shop very soon!)

Pete, the salesman, is demonstrating his marshmallow shooter
to the coolest old lady we've ever met.
Look at her bracelets and that purse!

Also on Saturday, Bill got a new toy!
It is an incredible Martin guitar that sounds a million times better than his old acoustic. He's been lusting after these guitars for a while, and we're so glad that he finally bought one for himself. He's a Happy Daddy!

On Sunday, we attended a holiday concert by
The Air Force Band of Liberty.
What a great show!

On Monday, all I want to do is sleep!

Happy Birthday, Pete!

My baby is 14!

(This is how he tested out the new laptop last night.)

Congratulations, Pete!

Pete is an All-State Musician! He will be playing timpani in the Junior All-State Band. It was so exciting to receive the email yesterday and see the list with his name on it, including a number 1 ranking. Oh, yeah. He's number 1 in the state!

(Sorry about the bad picture. It's the only one I have of him on timpani.)

I may have mentioned before what an awesome drummer he is. He'll play any kind of percussion with any kind of band. He just loves to play. He is considering a career in music, possibly in the military. I couldn't be more proud.

We went to a big pre-Thanksgiving party at a friend's house that included live music. In between bands, Pete jumped on the drum set and jammed for a good 15 minutes. He never stopped or hesitated. He flowed from one style of music to another effortlessly. Parents recognized distinctive drum riffs from classic rock and the kids danced to the marching band cadence. He rocks!

A Busy Week!

Wow, time flies. I didn't intend to be away from the blog for so long. We have been super busy, but it's been the fun kind of busy!

Julia and Josh went to the Homecoming Dance, and she looked beautiful. We couldn't convince Pete to go without a date and he didn't want to ask someone to go with him. Maybe next time.

I was so proud to present Julia with her Girl Scout Silver Award. Next up: Gold!


I dug out this craft from the past for Thanksgiving. I made these walnut and felt turkeys with my mom, probably about 30 years ago! It's amazing how well that Sobo glue held up. Is it weird that I remember what kind of glue we used?


And a couple of new crafts:
I love my yo-yo tree from the current Quilts and More magazine. I'm obsessed with making yo-yos now. I have a Sizzix die cut machine and I'm using it to cut 4" fabric circles. It sure beats cutting all those circles by hand!

Pete has a new craft, too! He's melting vinyl albums into bowls. None of his father's vinyl was injured in the making of these bowls! We scored some decent titles at a thrift store.

We're jumping into Christmas preparations with both feet. We have an Advent wreath-making workshop at church tomorrow and then we'll start decorating. Julia and Pete want to make the most of the season this year. Lots of baking, decorating and gift making. Yay!

Happy Advent!