Brother Quilts

I decided back in September that I would make a modern quilt for my brother and brother-in-law for Christmas. And true to how I usually work, I waited until a week before Christmas to get started. (Not exactly true, I purchased fabrics back in September). I worked around the clock for 2 days on each quilt. And because I waited so late to start, I was in a bit of a rush and didn't take as many photos as I'd have liked.

Quilt #1 for my Brother-in-law.

Quilt #2 for my Brother. This picture is just of the top, it has not been quilted and finished. 

When I look at these photos it's pretty obvious that precision is not one of my strengths. Regardless, I love the way the HST piecing turned out. I got some pretty nice feedback from the brothers, which makes me super happy. I am currently in the process of making a much larger one for our bed at home.

What kind of handmade gifts have you been working on lately? 

December: as seen by Madeline

We've been given a wealth of things lately.  One of which was a hand-me-down point and shoot that I gave to Madeline.  She had been asking for a "real Princess camera" from Santa and I was NOT going to buy a camera for my 4 year old.  This generosity from my cousin came at a very good time.

When they gave us the camera the pictures had a pink tint.  As soon as I gave it to Madeline she banged it on something (as I suspected would happen, hence the NOT buying) and, voila, it started taking perfect pictures.

Here's a collage of some of her work.  This is a very small sampling.

  

click on the image to view it larger.

Look What Santa Brought!

Santa worked very hard on some gifts....

and was just given others.

We had a very wonderful Christmas with family.  How did you celebrate?

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Have you ever been so tired you feel like you're watching a movie of your life?

Today was one of those days.  This movie could have gone a few ways.  I'm very proud to say, it turned out to be a movie I'd buy and watch over and over.

I've been working on several orders, one of which was very large and time consuming.  I promised my kids that if I finished my work last night, today we would have lots of fun.

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We played in and picked up the leaves. 

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We decorated and ate some sugar cookies.

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And we read our bedtime stories right by the Christmas tree.

After the kids were in bed, I baked some cupcakes. I'd like to say it was for National Cupcake Day, but I was just craving sweets.  I'm also planning to share some with my mother-in-law for her birthday.

btw.  All photos are from weheartit.com.  My computer is full and I can't load any of the pictures we took while having fun.  I think after Christmas I'll be able to free up some space on my hard drive.

It Really is a Wonderful Life.

I love this movie.  For so many reasons.  Here are just a few:

Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.

The memories.

  My family usually watches it while we're all getting ready for midnight Mass.  I love to watch it on T.V. and one year my family insisted we watch the DVD.  I wouldn't let them, so when I went to take a shower they switched from TV to DVD.  

Another year, we were at my Nana's house and, this was before NBC had bought the rights, it was on so many channels we would just switch the channel when it was a commercial.

The quotes.

"I wish I had a million dollars...Hot Dog!"

"Say brainless, don't you know where coconuts come from?"

"George Bailey, I'll love you till the day I die."

"You see George, you really had a wonderful life."

"Help me Clarence, please. I want to live again." "My mouth's bleeding, Bert! My mouth's bleed... (He reaches in his pocket) - Zuzu's petals! Zuzu's...There they are! Bert! What do you know about that! Merry Christmas!" I could go on, but I won't. It's a great movie, a beautiful story and my favorite Christmas movie.  I love it so much that I have to pack it away with my Christmas things to keep myself from watching it all year long. p.s. I'm watching it right now.

It's not even Thanksgiving yet...

...but I'm gonna dream of this room for Christmas right now.

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Breakfast with Santa

This morning my mom, the kids and I had breakfast with Santa.  And heard a story from Mrs. Claus.  We're pretty special like that.  The kids were encouraged to write a letter to Santa.  Madeline, not being able to write, drew pictures of what she wanted.  She asked Santa to bring her:

1. A real princess camera.  Not happening, FYI.

2. A puppet theatre.  Eeek!  I'm so excited about this one.

3. Small colored marshmallows.  She asked me  for some at the store yesterday and I absentmindedly told her to ask Santa.

4. a ladybug that lights up.  Santa may or not make this happen either.

This is the first year she's really *gotten* Santa, so it should be a super fun Christmas!

Today's clothes people.

I make these before bed, to avoid arguing with my little girl about what she's going to wear for the day.

Handmade Christmas on Mars

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I love this so very much.

Now, back to work (or start working, whatev).