I'm Back

Six nights away from home and family is just too much for me. I did get a lot of reading and relaxation in but really missed the comforts of home. I was able to finish the table runner when I got home. Should have it boxed up and shipped out tonight. Hopefully I can finish the last few Christmas presents soon. If you click on the photo you may be able to see the leaf quilting I did. It shows up on some squares better than others.

Retro Fabric

Michele, This is the retro fabric I was talking about.

Merry Christmas to Me

Mason plopped down on the sofa next to me and wanted to borrow my laptop. He has his own, why does he need to use mine. Ahh... he wanted to show me what he wanted for Christmas. Big surprise a video game. I wasn't going to let my captive audience leave that easily. While he was sitting there I showed him what I wanted for Christmas. He now has the link to the Fat Quarter Shop and my wish list. Silly boy doesn't he know moms are smarter than that.

Wreath - Not for Christmas

One of the blogs I follow posted a message about a wreath, which lead to another blog, which lead to another blog, which lead to this photo. I love it. Obviously it isn't for Christmas but I think it is hilarious.

Slice of my life...

Quick story...

Kim had a dentist appointment yesterday. When we finally walked in the door Buttercup was under the kitchen table whimpering. She only whimpers like that when she is hurt. She has her stuffed dog (see photo for size compared to Buttercup) in her mouth and she can't figure out how to get the stuffed dog out from under the maze of table and chair legs. It was pitiful. She wouldn't let go of the stuffed dog but couldn't figure out how to get out with it. I moved a chair, she ran out with the dog and wouldn't drop it from her mouth for 10 minutes. I wonder how long she was under there trying to rescue her stuffed dog.

And words of wisdom. Don't ask your 16 year old for help with a geometry problem (figuring out the most effecient way to cut triangles for daffodil bags). Wow that was quite a discussion.

Confessions of a Craft Addict Giveaway

You have got to hop on over to the Confessions of a Craft Addict blog and post a comment about your favorite charity to be included in the giveaway. She has put together an awesome package of crafty delight.

And don't forget to support your favorite charities during this time of year.

In addition, if you want to check out one of my favorite charities you can hop over to Youth Villages. If you know anything about our saga of the three girls you can understand why it is important to me. Too many teenagers in the foster care system.

Red Daffodil Bag

I think the red daffodil bags turned out pretty cute. Still need to find a bead for the ends of the ribbon. Surprisingly this was probably the easiest and most successful project I have done in a while. I started making out of snowman fabric for Christmas gifts. An ornament will fit perfectly in these little bags.

Daffodil and Christmas

Daffodils and Christmas... those don't go together. The daffodil bag isn't a bag yet, but the majority of it is sewn. I dipped into my black and red fabric I was saving for another project to make a couple of the bags. They should turn into bags tonight.

It is beginning to look alot like Christmas at my house. The stocking are hung. The tree is up and decorated. That darn gingerbread house isn't decorated yet.

Zakka - Beginner's Daffodil Bag

I joined a swap through swap bot for a Zakka - Beginner's Daffodil Bag. These photos are not of my bag. The swap host created these bags and sent us instructions. I have until mid-December to make my bag and send to my partner. So keep watching for my version of the Daffodil bag.

The little one in the foreground is the daffodil bag. I think this one actually looks like one from the Little Shop of Horrors.

Defintion of Zakka:

Zakka
From Wikipedia

Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka'（雑貨）or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin. But can also be japanese goods from mainly fifties, sixties and seventies. In Japan there are also so called asian zakka stores, that usually refers to Southeast Asia. The interest in Nordic design or Scandinavian design, both contemporary and past, is also part of this zakka movement. Zakka can also be contemporary handicraft.
Zakka has also been described as "the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane". The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext.

Long Weekend

I am trying to figure out how to get a 4 day weekend every week. I would settle for 3 days but 4 would be awesome. I finished a bunch of projects over the weekend but unfortunately got a shipping happy and sent things out without taking photos. The one quilt I wanted to get quilted didn't happen. Somehow I hurt my shoulder and any extra movement is just too painful to deal with. Sewing straight lines wasn't too bad. So I threw together a bunch of scraps from recent projects to create this quilt top for a doll size quilt.

One of my online friends sent me a package of charms all in these great fall colors. They are so NOT my style but I do know someone that this is perfect match. Again sewing straight lines wasn't too bad.

Kim got the tree up and lights on it. But it isn't decorated. Again the reaching part is just too painful. Mason and Kim assembled a gingerbread house but haven't decorated it yet. Hopefully photos coming soon.