Christmas Quilts

I put my new quilting machine to good use this fall and made quilts for Christmas for all the family member who didn't have one.
Some were very easy to find the right pattern and material. Some I struggles with.
Is it the right color? What pattern? How big? What quilt pattern and thread color do I use and not take away from the actual quilt. (I am just learning this part)

Brian's was a no brainer - as soon as I saw this pattern on my quilt show I got online and bought it. I changed up the colors a little bit and was quite proud on how it turned out.

 I loved this pattern for Leslie's wedding quilt and knew I had to do it again. It made perfect sense for Stacy and Kory. The colors were supposed to be dark outside to light but I changed it up and went light to dark center. I like it! The quilting pattern was one I used for one of my mystery quilts. It came together nicely.

 For once all the kids didn't mind having their picture taken with me. Roger just wasn't getting off his new Harley Davidson big wheel to get on my lap though.

 I found the purple in Kaylyn's quilt first. You can't see it very well but it sparkles. The pattern I used once before, for Sharen, and swore I would never use it again. So Hard - but this smile was all worth it. Of course it's quilted with hearts.

 Logan's I wanted to make orange and blue, but not to obvious. Yeah he loved his too.

 Don't be fooled - that IS a smile on this boys face. His has my favorite pattern, the nine patch. The one thing with his was the size. I kept on adding borders to make it bigger.

 Luke is such a happy baby. His has sock monkey on it. I just had to make his bigger than his previous "Baby Blanket". Luke's and Roger's have matching material from one of Bryan's quilts that I made him a few years ago. When they get older they'll appreciate it more. I hope.

 Bryan put Roger's big wheel in the car to take home and so he finally agreed to take a picture with his "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site" quilt. This was by far the most difficult to make, so much hand sewing. I told Mary I had a special one for Roger and she wanted to see it. I felt bad, but I kept putting her off. I had a surprise for her too. I took Roger's hand prints and quilted them into the quilt. Should be a keepsake!

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After all the paper was cleaned up I got out the quilts and they opened them one at a time.
I was so nervous about all the quilts. I put so much time and love into all them.
I worried for nothing. Stacy text me a picture of her and the kids Christmas morning on their couch all wrapped in their quilts.
I cried...

Christmas Eve

As always we spent Christmas Eve morning with the Dupplers and the Zierks. Carrie hosted a delicious breakfast. Ain't that right Dave.

 I got down on the floor and played puzzles with all the 2 year olds. They were very good at taking turns and helping each other out with the alphabet puzzle.

 Erica taught Matthew how to play Rock, Paper, scissors.

 The adults chilled on the couches.

 Here are the 2 youngest member this year. I'll have to get a picture next year to compare - I bet Barkley out grows Luke.

 

Yeah it was a great start to Christmas again this year!

COOKIES

Our cookie bake this year turned into a cookie exchange. Each one brought a dozen cookies for each other - No baking was had.
Good thing! It gave us time to catch up with the "daughters" and play with the kids.
Mike and I had this old dining room table in the basement. I offered it to Carrie thinking it would be a great size for the kids to play on. He cut the legs down to the perfect toddler height. Just needs a coat of paint and the kiddies have a play station and I am minus one more thing outa my basement.

Sharen guiding Kallie with a puzzle.

Aunt Erica building a track with Kendell.

 Stacy holds Luke has he holds court with Matthew and Kaylyn.

Roger had his sights set on the fruit tray. A grape, slice of banana, topped with a strawberry on a toothpick make a "Elf, Not a Santa!" Silly me.

 Now for the real fun. Matthew helped me whip up some frosting. Green and white. Each child was given a Christmas knife, cookies were decorated and more memories were made.

 Roger wasn't too sure about the apron or the decorating, but he warmed up and sat right down and smeared frosting all over the place just like the rest of them. A few tastes and bites were had by all!

 Kaylyn, Erica and Kallie stayed at the table until the last cookie had frosting.

Another successful Christmas Cookie day.

Sisters, Sisters

Lives get busy...
You have your sisters living close by, yet you don't SEE them, but for the occasional holiday. I think it was last Easter we were all together at the same time.
Sharen had a day off and thought it would be great to get together for a Christmas lunch with just the sisters. She called us all and set up a lunch date. We all thought it was a great idea!

Vicki is heading to Disney World to spend Christmas with Andy's family.
Sharen is going to be a Grandma again.
Deanna and Linda will be having a house full this Christmas, with Ed bringing family and "friend".
If your reading this you already know what is happening in my life.

Just like old times we laughed at each other, talked over each other, teased each other - you get the idea. Sisters!
It was such a hit we plan on doing it more often.

Only one thing would of made it perfect.
WE MISS YOU SISTER MARY!!!

Travel Ornaments

I love Christmas ornaments!
My favorite shop in Myrtle Beach is the Christmas shop.
When Mike and I travel I try to get an ornament from the places we visit. This year we took 2 trips out East. It was April when we stopped in the Football Hall of Fame and ornaments were slim pickings. I found one for $13. If all the places were this expensive I was about to blow out the credit card on ornaments?!?

Walking around the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame gift shop looking for an ornament I liked,  Mike says "Hey, how about these?" He was looking at key chains!
Not a bad Idea - lots to choose from and much cheaper. So I bought one!

All through our vacation I found the perfect Christmas ornaments in the key chains aisle. :)



Niagara Falls

Hey Dad!

I thought of you today.

I shoveled the driveway - just like you taught me - a path down the middle and pushed to both sides.
It was beautiful out. It was sunny, cold, crisp, clear, and fresh.
The snow was soft and light and fluffy. I had a great time. Yeah, I thought of you.

Sure brought back some good memories.
I loved getting out when we were little and shoveling with you.
Turns out I still do.

What's that Smell?

Something is smelling around here.

Is it this?

No silly - that's only for the bathroom.

This?

Wrong again - that's more like Thanksgiving, cranberry apple.

This must be the answer.
Our live, fresh cut, pine smelling tree!!

standing straight in the holder - check
rope tied to the base - check
up on a table so Luke can pull himself up and not the tree over - check
ornaments and icicles brought up from the basement - check

LET'S GET THIS DECORATING STARTED