Silver Bells

"Silver Bells" is a classic Chistmas song, composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans - was first performed by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the motion picture 'The Lemon Drop Kid' , filmed in 1951. The first recorded version was by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards. The song was inspired by the imagery of Salvation Army bellringers standing outside department stores during the Christmas season.

For my Charming Girls - I really am trying to stick with the "slow" process.  I am following  Bonnie Hunter Mysteries, the Layercake sampler, and Beth Ferrier's MidWinter.  But they come out once a week or 2 weeks - so I pulled one of my scrap bins (I have 3 large totes), closed my eyes and pulled a scrap "noodle" out.  GREEN, so I started making green strip blocks and any large pieces got cut into squares for future projects (1.5",2",2.5", and 3.5").  

   I had a quilt machine done for the "100 Quilts for Christmas", but it went off before I photo'ed it.  SO I am posting a photo of another quilt that was given out for Hospice before I came across this group.  I just loved the simplicity of this quilt and the backing was so soft - I tied with multi-colors.

I made two pillow cases using this tutorial: http://blog.sewhooked.org/2010/01/29/sewing-hot-dog-a-pillowcase/ And they go tomorrow night with me to quilt guild for the 1 million pillowcases project.
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/

I'm cross-stitching this little cat - think I need to add a mouse.  My "Queen" does not mouse, she sits to be admired, awed, and fawned over.  It will be a pocket on a new bag for me.

And these delightful trees were from Jane of Sew Create It who offered the free pattern and tutorial for a table runner when a guest blogger on Stash Manicure (see button on side).  I was going to make a wallhanging, but they are going to be part of a new Shop sign - I vend at shows and tired of a boring paper sign.  You will get an update.  Thank you Jane for inspiration!

 I know, you don't believe me when I say I am going "slow" - but if you only knew what goes thru my three machines normally!  I've enjoyed watching the old movies - never really been the one to just sit and watch TV - it's always been a background noise or not on.  And I have been listening to "The Sounds of the Season" - a cable channel with seasonal music.  BUT  I still don't bake.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Here We Come A-Wassailing

Wassail" comes from the Old Norse "ves heill"--to be of good health. This evolved into the tradition of visiting neighbors on Christmas Eve and drinking to their health.

I chose this Carol and trivia in honor of the late Francis Trip - my school music teacher and when retired she formed a community choir which consisted of a majority of her former students.  They perform different seasonal concerts, community functions, assist the High School Musical and wrap up the year with a "Wassail" sing-a-long with the community.  It was announced the beginning of the concert that Francis was hospitalized that morning and one of the choir members would be conducting.  At the end of the concert, they announced she had passed.  I believe she held on to hear her "angels" sing one last time.

On a happy note, we got lucky and the severe snow storm missed us.  My MOM was in a state as she had a huge party planned for her sewing classes and now it would have to be cancelled.  It went as planned and one of the gals brought "jello shooters" to toast the meal.  For those not familiar , they are jello made with Vodka and set in a little jello cup - and she brought Godiva Chocolate liqueur to top them off. 

I made up a new name tag for my quilt guild using a free design from Janet at :
http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz/tutorials/index.htm



I made two scrappy stockings using this tutorial: http://www.sewinspiredblog.com/2010/12/scrappy-stocking-tutorial.html to hang here for my grandsons and fabric framed the Lilacs.

And got all 60 strip blocks ready for Bonnie's Cotton Boll.  And fell in love with Beth Ferrier's new BOM - Deep Midwinter : http://applewd.com/BOM/page1.html

I have my gifts wrapped and have a small list of missing items (or add ons) and list for stocking stuffers yet to get - traditional orange, new toothbrush and ribbon candy.  I added those battery tea lights amongst my mantle pieces for a little glitter.  I think I'll catch a seasonal movie while snuggling with the furry.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Deck The Halls

Germany made the first artificial Christmas trees. They were made of goose feathers and dyed green.  I have my great-grandmother's feather tree she made as a young girl, but it is very fragile and I have a furry that is too curious.

I finally got to decorating for the season.  I don't put up a tree any more, but my SIL brought me the "glitter" tree as she thought I needed one.  The little figures are keepsakes my children have given me thru the years.  And the wallhanging is an advent that I made my daughter 25 yrs. ago.  I wanted to display my Charming Chatter's Secret Santa Swap that Shannon made me so hung it over the enclosed fireplace - love it.   



I made up the two cross-stitch stockings for our sewing classes' holiday parties - one for our Monday group and one for our Tuesday group.  We pulled names, so a Secret Sister Swap.  Funny because I pulled my Aunt for the one group.      It has been hard for me to get in the seasonal mood this year and I think it is because I had everything done so early this year.  And with setting the goal of  taking things slowly during November and December just is not how I work.  And then my grandson threw the monkey wrench of deciding to come early - but he's a keeper.                  

         

                                                          

    I pulled another quilt from my "finished" bin - scrappy maverick stars from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville.  Very easy pattern and works up so quickly.  It has made it's way to the Veteran's Hospital and is part of the "100 Quilts for Christmas".  Remember those in need at this time of year.  Check with your churches - they usually have a list or I have even seen in the malls and outlets with "adopt a family" trees where you can pull a name and send gifts.  Our area Walmart has a mitten and hat tree that you can clip items on when you go to shop.

Many blessings to all,

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

                                                                     



The Holly And The Ivy

Everyone is being clever with Seasonal titles or count downs.  I thought I would title my posts with Christmas Songs and then add a little trivia.  Did you know if you received all of the gifts in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," you would receive 364 gifts?

The first day of December blessed us with a rather nasty storm with an "unverified" hurricane that took out a window and the front door.  Lots of mop up - the rain was going sideways at force gale.  Luckily my son has no fear and raced to the house to check on us and did a quick patch up and then returned the next day to do full repairs.  All safe and well - just breathe.

I am doing both of Bonnie's mysteries and loving them.  Hoping they will clear a lot of scraps out.  This is a pile of block bits of the Christmas Lights (not Christmas).

And did up the "big brother/little brother" snuggies for my grandsons.

And since the final block of the Row BOM is up, I decided to finish to a flimsy and get ready for longarmer.  I've changed a few rows and doing the borders different.  The back will be pieced. 

http://www.claudiasquiltshoppe.com/freebom.htm

And I have another quilt under the machine quilting up for the "100 Quilts for Christmas" - that I will show on Monday.  When I say under the machine - I quilt on my domestic machine.  Maybe next year will see the long arm - birthday wishes.

I've done very few stitches on the cross-stitch  and my handquilting hasn't been touched since last post - oh my.  But I am suppose to be enjoying this SLOW process - gentle reminder.  The final month of the year - enjoy each day and take time to reflect with each stitch you slowly, lovingly sew.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon