Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve, one of my favorite days of the year.  The gifts are wrapped, the family is together, we're on our way to church and then my mom's for dinner and presents.  We'll have Christmas brunch here in the morning, relax for awhile and then go to my in-laws for dinner.  It is a truly fabulous time for our family.  Here's our tree ready for the family.  Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Some Machine Embroidery

I've had this Viking Designer sewing machine since March and had some problems getting my groove with the embroidery software.  My husband handles the computer and design end of it for me right now and I handle the machine.  This is our first 2 color project!


Here is my laptop with the image design.  I have right next to my sewing machine. 
Then I hoop the tshirt and load it onto the embroidery arm.



I learned to change colors with this project.  The other day I just did some single color
names and a monogram.  So I'm moving on up!



We made two shirts for my husband's secretary.  They have a massage table (spa),
a fifth wheel (RV), two boats (marina) and about 15 fishing reels and poles (bait and tackle). 
I'm pretty happy with the finished product!  I'm getting in the groove.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

The Stockings were Hung . . .



These are our family's Victorian Christmas stockings I made about 20 years ago.  I can't imagine
the hours I spent on each one.  They were crosstitched and will be in our family forever!


This is my husband's and is perfect for him.  We go cut our Christmas tree most
years and he is the one to wield the ax and drag the tree to the truck.

This one is mine.  I do love to bake but don't as much these days.  All the goodies are
too tempting to have around the house!


This is our daughter, Laurie's.  I made it when she was about 8 months old.  It's funny I
chose this scene for her.  She loved to sing in elementary and middle school!  She
still has a wonderful singing voice.


And this is Emily's stocking.  She was always hard to get to sleep growing up.  She just had a
night owl schedule.  And then she was hard to get up in the morning.  I would tell her
I knew she was tired but to wake up with a smile. And she usually did.

So these are our treasured Christmas stockings.  I'm sure most of you have some great
stockings with many memories attached to them.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Another Christmas Treasure

This is another very special Christmas piece made by my wonderful friend, Loretta.

It's the Merry Christmas crosstitch piece.  Isn't it beautiful?  We cherish this.
It's in front of our fireplace.  Here is a closer look.



Sunday, December 13, 2009

It all began . . .


This is a new Christmas decoration for us this year.  I completed the stitching last year,
bought the frame at Material Girls in South Jordan, UT (http://www.materialgirls.com/)
and couldn't figure out how to get the piece into the frame correctly!  Well, I
found the directions and was successful!  This is hanging in our dining room.  The paper
pattern is from Two Blonde Mice.  I just love all their patterns and own many of
their line.  Their website is http://www.twoblondemice.com/  if you'd like to see
their line of patterns.  I can't even count how many pieces I've made using their
patterns for gifts.  Here is a closer look at this piece.

It truly expresses my feelings about this holiday season.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Christmas Cards



This is one of my favorite handmade decorations.  I made it year ago and lost the pattern!  These are just the sweetest Santas ever.  We put our Christmas cards in the three pockets.  It's hung in a place everyone can see as you walk down the hall or walk in the front door.  Guess I need to get busy sending out our Christmas cards!  I just love receiving Christmas cards in the mail.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Christmas is Still Coming!

It seems that Christmas is coming sooner than I thought.  We have been getting into the spirit around here.  Our tree is up as well as our decorations.  My husband is outside right now fooling around with the lights.   He just had to run to buy a few more strands.  What happens to those lights packed up in the garage all year?  It seems they migrate somehow to places unknown.  Presents are wrapped and ready to go under the tree.  And Christmas music is playing on the radio, in the car and on Pandora any chance we get.  Last night we went to see the play, "The Christmas Carol". 

I have a very dear friend that also loves to sew, quilt and stitch.  We've been friends for almost 30 years now!  She sent this to me for Christmas one year and it's hanging on our back door.



It brings all joy to see it as we spend time together in the kitchen and family room.  I can also see we need to touch up the paint a little on that back door! 

I hope to post again tomorrow.  I've been busy finishing up gifts and thought some of you might want to see some of my homemade Christmas items.