Moda to the rescue!

On Christmas Eve at about 5:30 PM, my boys asked me where their stockings were so they could put them out for Santa. With dread, I realized that all the stockings were still packed up somewhere in the attic in one of the many boxes we did not get down this year. I had completely forgotten about stockings! How could that happen?!! I frantically called my husband (who was in town trying to buy me a present) and told him to forget about me and get candy for the stockings! After all, Santa was coming tonight and the boys would not forgive him if he did not leave candy!! I started scurrying around trying to find 2 substitute stockings and I did find one. One had gotten left out from packing last year but that still left me one short. Well, what's a girl to do?? I spied my Moda jelly roll and went to work. I made this in less than 20 minutes but would it pass the child test. My darling boy LOVED it! Whew! I am glad to report that Santa did indeed come and fill the stocking will all sorts of goodies that would satisfy any boys dream! Thank you Moda for helping me out in this crisis!!

Handmade cards

I been working on some handmade cards. I didn't realize how soon I would need one. A former student of mine was taken to the hospital and will be there until they can determine his illness. He is only 15 and the sweetest boy ever! Please pray that he will be well soon. I was so glad that I had a card on hand to send him.

Daisy Quilts Give Away

Daisy Quilts is have a give away. The drawing on New Year's Eve so you need to hurry on over there. She has some beautiful items to give away. Whoever wins will be ever so lucky!!

A Needle Music Box

My mother-in-law gave me a music box for Christmas. It is very pretty. I decided that it would be perfect to keep my sewing needles. Needles are a big deal to me and priceless when I go to get one. This way, I will know exactly where they are. Needles can be like gold around here for I am forever losing them or leaving them in my pin cushion and then they get gone. Anything that will help keep me organized will be a good thing!!

Handmade ornaments by the boys

Deniska and Nikolai made these ornaments and I love them!! They are my new treasures!

Handmade gifts

Christmas is almost here and I am still finishing up gifts to give! Why I don't start early every year is a mystery to me!! These are a few of the gifts that I have made this year.

These are criss-cross coasters. I have made a ton of these and given as gifts this year. They are fun to make and everyone can use coasters!



Another fun thing that I made, was the origami boxes from scrapbook paper. Martha Stewart's scrapbook paper is divine to work with on these boxes. Everyone loved them! I put coasters or magnets in each of these boxes. I have 3 left over. My plan for next year is to make them during the summer and then fill with fudge or cookies for my co-workers. We'll see if that happens....

I made magnets for all of the boys' teachers. I love making these little items. They are so fun to make and very useful. I also put them on my business card. These are fun, quick little items to make. I made all of these this spring and stored them on my refrigerator. The boys picked out which ones they wanted to give their teachers.

And, what Christmas would be complete without a cross stitch item or two? I just love this little pillow. It was hard to part with it but I know it has a good home in which it will be loved! I think I might just have to make another one of these!!

My plan for next year is to actually write down what I want to give and to whom. Then, in January, I will start making. I already know the big gifts I want to give. I have a quilt or 2 in mind for some folks. I want to make a table runner for a friend of mine. Pocket tissue holders would be good for Dennis' co-workers. Since I am in a sewing mood right now, I should take advantage of it and get some things done! Maybe it's not too late for this year - where's my knitting needles?!?!

Christmas decorations

For the past several years, I have participated in a handmade ornament exchange with a group of online friends. This is the ornament tree for this year. I just love every ornament. The cats love the ornaments too but none of them have bothered any of the ornaments. They are good cats.

Molly is holding the light for me. She loves the tree but does not bother any of the ornaments. Good kitty!!

St. Nicholas - patron saint of Russia. I just love this St. Nicholas with the Holy Family. I collect St. Nicholas' and this is by far my favorite one. St. Nicholas is not to be confused with Santa Claus. I do not collect Santa Claus' (although I do dearly love Santa Claus too!!)

The Holy Family under the tree.

Rag garland

I made a rag garland last weekend for my living room. I saw these on a primitive web site (sorry I can't remember where) and I thought that it looked like a quick and easy solution to my doorway into the kitchen. I like it so well that I will hate to see it come down after Christmas. I chose to use colored lights but I think clear lights would be just as pretty.

Moda

I love Moda fabrics. I love the designs. I love feeling of the material. I just love it all. Not only Moda, but I am a equal opportunity lover of fabric - rarely have I met a fabric I couldn't love. This is what came in the mail this past week. I want to make 2 quilts and some placemats. Lots of fun projects just waiting to happen!

Flip Ultra Camcorder Giveaway

Common Sense With Money is hosting a giveaway for Flip Ultra Camcorder. This giveaway ends 12/10 at 9 PM CST. The winner will be contacted immediately and will be given 48 hrs to contact back with their mailing address. Hurry over there and sign up to win this camera.

Advent calendars

I am on a quest to find the cutest advent calendars. I found this one at Musing, Memories & Mayhem. It is adorable. It's made from a mini-muffin pan. Who would have ever thought?! Here's another example, found at Aleta's Art, with a tutorial.
And, if a muffin tin is not your thing, you can always use a cookie sheet like this found at Making Memories. Isn't this pretty?

That's 3 examples of making an Advent calendar using every day items. So, if you are like me, and have never used your mini-muffin pan or have an old cookie sheet, why not make an Advent calendar? You might want to hurry since Advent started today. Maybe next year?