Where to find a White Christmas

As I was arranging the bows of our artificial tree, I couldn't help but long for the white Christmases of the Upper Midwest. As an adult, I would drive up to Leverty's Traditional Trees and take in the season--cider, an amazing selection, friendly staff, wreaths made while you watched, and all the Christmas fun. I think my parents and my brother still make that trip part of their holiday traditions. If you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, or on the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix River, the drive to Leverty's is worth the trip. I wish I could make it today.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Things around here have been strange. We sadly lost one of our doggies yesterday. She was a sweet old girl who took good care of us. Our little boy says she'll be a doggie angel in this many weeks, buy showing all his fingers; at least it made his sad big sister laugh. I've been sick, my sweetheart has been working like mad and we're all thankful to have a day to rest and enjoy one another. We are loving Uncle Jack for cooking, hosting and sharing his family with us. Anna's post seemed the perfect thing to share--exactly what the doctor ordered (after the antibiotics, of course). It seems like the perfect little something this season--simple, thoughtful and so kind. Hope you're cooking comfort for yourselves and your loves today. . . and every day. Happy Thanksgiving. How I wish I was sitting at my mother's always beautiful table and eating my grandma's pumpkin pie. I love you Mom and GranMargaret.

Sweet New Blog Friend

Kind Kaycee at On a Whimm just gave me an award. She makes lovely repurposed items for kids and also whimsical play things with a purpose.

"This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Please pass this award on to others who can then do the same."

Thank you Kaycee.

I want pass this award on to: Wondermommy, Deanna, Quaint and Quirky, Life is a Musical and Tilly's Tea

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day is December 3rd and I'm excited to participate! I have to figure out what I'll give away, but even that is fun. I'll get that item posted soon. . . or maybe it will be a combination of things. Hmm. Please come back to see what you would win. You could maybe even look at my etsy shop and tell me what you'd like to have in the giveaway. I'd love suggestions.

Handmade Holiday Discounts and Freebies--2

Here are a few more goodies to help you create and keep your holiday budget.

If you're plotting some scrapbooking or some photos for cards. . . http://www.snapfish.com/ can help you with super saver deals on 20 prints--one cent a piece. That is a super bargain.

http://www.shutterfly.com/ is also offering discounts on their products. Their photo books are my favorite and great gifts for family.

To Organize or Gift a Girl's Hair Clips

Did any of you resist cutting your child's hair? Our baby girl is probably due for a haircut, but I'm not ready. A cut would mean her baby hair was gone and I love that some of the dark brown from her first days is on the tips of her now blonde hair. So we've tried hairbands, ponies and clips. She rejects them most days and I find them strewn about as I chase her to replace them. I've been trying to figure out how to organize them, especially with the travel season upon us. And I had an idea. Here it is, a girlie clip organizer. It will fit in my purse or diaper bag easily and will keep her hair pretties handy. Go ahead and make them any size you like. You only need some fabric, interfacing, ribbon and a snap (or velcro).

1. Cut your pieces--two of fabric, one of interfacing, two of ribbon.

2. Adhere your interfacing to the wrong side of one fabric piece.

3. Baste stitch your ribbons to both ends of the other piece of fabric. Straight stitch down the center of the fabric and ribbon to hold it securely.

4. With right sides together, sew around the perimeter, leaving an opening to turn it right-side out.

5. Turn, iron, topstitch the edge and sew on a snap or velcro. Now you have easy storage for clippies, or add some pretty clips or bobbies and it is a great present or stocking stuffer.

Have fun!

Handmade Holiday Discounts and Freebies

These links all have discounts or freebies this holiday season. Who doesn't love crafters who share their lovely talents and vendors who offer discounts to help us keep our budgets? Also, Pacrific Fabric and Craft has holiday discounts running now, too. They offer on-line sales as well as sales at their Northwest stores.

A Christmas Quilt inspired by Wee Wonderfuls

The above photos are of embroidery patterns from Wee Wonderfuls. I am so excited for the mailman to bring the the set that isn't in pdf. Now that the baby girl is walking, my hands are a little freer. I don't think this project will be finished for this holiday, but maybe next year I'll have something new and lovely for my family to snuggle under while we admire the tree and the fire. Check out the lovely quilt on her blog. I'd love some ideas for holiday themed fabrics to compliment--or maybe just some classic calicos to showcase the stitching--please give me your suggestions.

Oh, the Generosity--Old Red Barn Giveaway

One of these three lovelies could be yours. Having only made one baby nine-patch quilt, I cannot imagine giving away a piece like these to anyone but family. Incredible. Visit her blog to enter the giveaway. The photo above and the button on my sidebar will link you. Good luck!

Nordic Bo Peep and Long Lost Sheep Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!

Nordic Bo Peep and Long Lost Sheep Costume GIVEAWAY!!!!
This is her last costume giveaway. . . go look and check out her new shop--lovely little birdies skirts.

A Memory Game to Sew for Kids

My little guy loves to play memory with his daddy. They use playing cards. I've been trying to come up with some Christmas ideas for my kiddos and this one is great! If you want to make something lovely for your little one, this memory game seems perfect. The intructions are on a the Hallmark Magazine Blog and the photo above links to it. All you need is some of your favorite digital photos sized 2x2", printable fabric, some felt or flannel and a material you like for the backing. What a lovely gift--personal and keepsake. Happy Crafting!

No-Sew Holiday Ornaments or Gift Toppers

Though the pumpkins are just carved, I can't help but be getting ready for Christmas. Here is a super easy way to handmake ornaments out of scraps--you know my dislike for throwing them already. I love the beautiful faces on the Matryoushka dolls at http://ravenhill.typepad.com/ and her etsy store. I thought my holiday tree might enjoy a little choir of them. To make them, or any shape that represents the holiday season for you, the instructions are below. Have fun!

Choose your shape (I made some lovely lace stars and angel wings last night), motif, etc. and gather the following items:

Fabric Scraps, Felt, Double-Sided Fusible Interfacing, String/Ribbon, Embroidery Floss (if you like).

Step 1: Cut your scraps into the shape you desire your ornament to represent.

Step 2: Iron on the fusible interfacing to both sides of the felt. You will need to apply heat to both sides for the adhesive to transfer. Follow the directions of the fusible you purchased for heat temperature and duration.

Step 3: Remove the fusible paper and cut the felt to match the shape you've chosen for your ornaments. Some ideas include stars, bells, angels, candles, gingerbreadmen. . . If you want to embellish your fabric, do so at this time. My little girls have a happy choir face done with embroidery, but you could just as easily use stamps or markers to create what you like.


Step 4: Sandwich the following elements together: top fabric pice, centered ribbon and felt. Iron the top portion of the ornament, again following the instructions on the fusible you purchased. Then flip and center the ribbon and back fabric piece. Iron this to fuse and trim any threads that seem to be strays. Now you are ready to hang.

Step 5: Hang or make garlands or gift toppers.

Here are some other ideas. . .

I've also made some acorns for all decorations. . . just need to get the camera out. Have fun!

E-Patterns with a Vintage Style

Friends, you will love these patterns. Now Jennie at Sense and Sensibility Patterns is offering e-patterns. The romantic and vintage designs are so sweet. I can't wait to make some for my little girl. Don't you just love e-patterns--the instant gratification and with no shipping fees. Yea!!! Happy Shopping.

Bed Hogs Unite!

My friends, Sue and Patrick have a new business called, http://www.bedhog.com/. You'll love the product and if you submit a video with your own "bedhog" saga, you could win a set of their fun sheets. Check them out and enjoy! What a fun idea for weddings, anniversaries, holiday giving or for settling that age-old argument, who is the bedhog in the couple?