Under our tree are wonderful packages waiting.....


our real blessings and gifts have arrived earlier this year, 3 new grandchildren!!!

Here are some recent (December 2011) photos of the little darlings...
looking like a snowbaby is 3-month-old grandson!

Nina Kate is sparkling like her Christmas tree!

Twin sister, Sophie Jane, is enjoying the peace of the season! [the twins are now 5 months old]



Listen! Do you think that could be Santa coming now?

[the beautiful innocence of babies' first Christmas!]

It's all in a day's work.....

This gardener's bucket tote is the project of the month I will be teaching this Saturday! Making it was my "day's work" at the shop!

The pattern is in the current issue of QUILT magazine. Using a 5 gallon bucket, it makes a very stable and portable organizer for garden tools, gloves, seed packets, sun glasses, water bottle and so forth.

I chose a drapery-weight, large floral fabric for the background and used co-ordinating striped fabric and green leafy fabrics for the pockets and trim. [Thank-you Macrina, for the bundle of fabrics, some of which are used here!]
I also made a matching smaller tote using a 5 quart bucket.


These instructions are on-line at QUILT magazine's website.

Now I have one of those "day's off" tomorrow...yeah!

Tokyo Milk Products (something lovely!)


As you have probably noticed, birds are "in"....they are appearing everywhere and I love seeing them! This week, I discovered bath products by Tokyo Milk. The graphics of the labels are so beautiful (one is a sparrow), and the bar soaps even have fine glitter on the art work to add to the charm. I will save the labels for collage and enjoy the wonderful soaps and perfumes! Great stocking stuffers or hostess gifts!

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Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread

I am feeling much better after a day of total rest and medications. Soon, I plan to make this shortbread cookie, recipe .

It is from the JOY of BAKING web page....I will have to read more of the recipes there!

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One thing I have "enjoyed" while healing from this pinched nerve is my microwavable neck "pillow" or tube, which is filled with rice and lavender. BTW we had made these comforting neck pillows a few weeks back....I did NOT sew it while my neck was hurting! So warm and relaxing! Easy to sew too! ( The pattern is from http://www.allfreecrafts.com/ , I tried and tried to put the direct link to these instructions, but ended up writing her directions below.)

Directions for the Original Rice Hot Pack: For those who would like to stick with the traditional rice pack project, which produces a 3' x 4.5" tube, divided into rice filled segments, here are the full directions:
Supplies: scrap of cotton fabric ( be sure to use 100% cotton!), 37"x 10"; thread; chalk; sewing machine; one cup measure; measuring tape; scissors; 6 cups of white rice (not instant).
Skills:This is an easy to make beginner's sewing project. Ability to measure, cut, and sew rectangles with half inch seams.
What You Do:Fold fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the bottom and length using half inch seams. Turn tube right side out. Measure and mark with chalk, from bottom seam, every 6" along the length, ending a half inch from end. Pour one cup of rice (mixed with dried lavender it you can find it, our local health food store stocks it) into tube and sew across width at the first 6" mark, enclosing rice in a 6" x 4.5" rectangle. Repeat for remaining 5 cups of rice. Turn in a half inch from end, and sew very near the edge to close tube.
Include these instructions with your gift: "Rice Buddy Hot Pack/Cold Pack. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, until hot, and use as you would a hot water bottle. Great for easing aches and pains. For cold pack, store in the freezer."

A week from Thanksgiving! I have the day off and time to use the camera (which has been "iffy" about working lately!) and to write on my blog! Yeah!

This photo was taken out on the back porch, of the watercolor painting which I am removing from the glass frame today and shipping to a sweet blogging friend. She has purchased it to be a special Christmas gift for her daughter! Thanks, Gemma!!!!

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This is a sweater which I just finished knitting for my son who has recently moved to Minnesota. It is stockinette stitch knit in a bulky wool blend yarn in "pumpkin heather" color....the camera couldn't do it justice, so I scanned a bit of the knitting (small photo). It was my first time to knit a "saddle shoulder" garment. I am excited to be able to give this to him next week when we are all together in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving and his cousin's wedding on Saturday!

I'm also making alpaca neck warmers for the young ladies of our family who live in the northern states! These only take 1 skein of soft bulky yarn...no more cold necks!

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The next photo is of an autumn fairy doll sent to me by another wonderful blogging friend, (Celtic Lady). Clothed in sparking autumn leaves, this sprite is hanging under a lamp and serves as a muse to help me do all the projects I am working on for family Christmas gifts....sewing and knitting. [ She can, perhaps, fly off to some adventures while I sit there being an old "sew-and-sew", LOL!]

I am having fun making gifts and things for myself.
This tea towel....flour sack variety has been dressed up with yo-yos and machine embroidery stitches. The pattern below is for a new handbag which I am about to sew....all of these projects are keeping me away from the blogging world. I will be back!

Browsing through a flea market this afternoon with my friend Gayle, I found
this treasure.....

A mug decorated with birds and blackberries (perfect since Michaelmas is coming up!) AND it was made in Scotland, home of fictional detective Hamish Macbeth!

Any Scottish ancestors would have approved of the price tag, too! Only $1.00!

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More gifts...these apples were picked for me by my friend, Lizzzie. They are photographed on a blue and white quilt given to me by my friend Paula.


It is time to bake something....

so I found a simple recipe. It is wonderful!

As it only used 2 of the apples, I have plenty for making a pie, or putting through the juicer. But first I may need to do a watercolor....of course!

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Another project this week was the making of this small baby quilt. Very simple, soft and cuddly.

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Our outing for Labor Day was a drive to Eureka Springs....and a hike through the downtown and surrounding area. We saw this in the window of and antique shop....which was closed. [Thanks for taking the photo, Mr. Pear!]