O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

Our Christmas tree is completely decorated and  there are even a couple of gifts under the tree. I was glad to finish and and took this photo with my tablet, but also took photos with my camera. I did a little baking and then went up to my computer to load the photos and do my blog post. But....my computer seems to have died. Since it's nearly midnight, I don't think I'll wake Steve for help. Hopefully, he can fix the problem in the morning. Typing a blog post from my tiny tablet is not exactly easy. I'm going Christmas shopping with my son, Devlin,Sunday afternoon, so Steve will have all day to figure out the issue. Hope it's something simple!

Believe!

Our Christmas tree is fully decorated! It's about 9 feet tall and I think there must be 500 ornaments on it. I have kept almost every ornament from our 46 years of marriage plus a few from my mother and my mother-in-law. It's a tree that is laden with memories and I love it!

The "Believe" ornament in the photo above carries a really special memory of a dear friend, Dorothy Woestehoff. She passed away from cancer in March of 2011 but at Christmas in 2010 she had her daughter shop for ornaments for each of us that were in Bible Study together. She had her husband John deliver them. Dorothy was a delight. She was so cheerful even in times when most of us would find it hard to be cheerful. She had a very strong faith. When I see that "Believe" ornament on my tree, I am reminded of her faith and her kindness. It's an ornament that I don't put away, though. I hang it in my sewing room where I can see it all year round. Dorothy would like that. :-)
We are going to have some warm weather this weekend.........temps in the 40's and that will feel like spring here in Minnesota. Now that the tree is up, maybe I'll get my frozen pumpkin off the front porch and replace it with a Christmas wreath. I'm so slow at getting things decorated this year that I will have to leave everything in place til Valentine's Day. Then again, I usually do that anyway. LOL!
Have a great Saturday!
Sandi

Birthday lunch and lots of pretty things..........

Today, I treated my good friend, Sue Kraemer, to lunch for her birthday. Her actual birthday is in October but we have both been so busy that we couldn't find time to get together. Today worked for both of us so we met at the Henderson RoadHaus, enjoyed a great lunch, and then got caught up on chit-chat. Yes, we did. One of the things we talked about was the upcoming craft show at Minnesota New Country School. It's this Saturday and we both plan to be there and see what lovely and tasty things are for sale. After that, Sue will head over to the shop "HeArt of Henderson" that she owns with Lisa VonLehe. (And so will I as I have just a teeny bit more Christmas shopping to do!) The two of them really have a knack for doing creative things and bringing creative folk together! Sue has been doing these awesome framed chalk pieces. I bought a small turquoise one that says "Happy Holidays". There is something about that color that always reminds me of when I was a kid. Could it be the turquoise and white polka dot gathered skirts that my mother made for me and my sister Judy? Yes, it probably is. Anyway..........these chalkboard greetings are just really cool!

Lisa has been making signs with vintage designs and decoupaging them to old bits of painted wood. I bought one of these for a gift for someone. Cannot tell you who.....

This little nook is filled with all sorts of goodies from wood-turned seam rippers to pottery to jewelry! There are over 40 artists/crafters who are consigning goods at the shop!!

If I had a granddaughter and she had one of those 18" dolls, I might just be tempted to buy some of these darling outfits. The little fleece footy pajamas are so cute!

Something new are these lovely gift boxes! Such a pretty way to give a gift!

And this corner of the shop is one of my favorite spots. I have bought several of Lisa's crocheted potholders and coasters. I have plans for some of the coasters.......they are going to become pincushions!

And last, but not least............something good to eat! Lisa's daughter Melanie does the Maple Syrup and the jellies. The cranberry jalapeno jelly is so good when you plop a spoonful on top of a Ritz cracker that is smothered in cream cheese. Just ask me how I know. LOL!

I am almost finished decorating our Christmas tree. I've only been working on it the last three nights. During the day, I've been wrapping up details on the church and library silent auctions. That's all done now, except for just a couple details at the library. And so on Friday, I will definitely finish the tree. I've been "on the go" so much lately so it is nice to have a whole day at home! Talked to Collette tonight and she continues to improve. Her husband Daryl is great at taking care of her and juggling his job and all the other family stuff. Life sure gets busy and sometimes totally crazy. And that's just the way it goes. 

Happy Friday!

Sandi 

Christmas Trivia and Treats!

It was another great day! Baked up some sugar cookies this morning and while they baked, I wrapped a couple of packages that I needed to mail to my sister-in-law. I picked up my friend Doris and we headed over to Fairview Assisted Living to visit with the ladies. They enjoyed the cookies.........

and the pretty quilts, ornaments and other pretties............

and then we played a little bit of Christmas Trivia. I found this deck of cards at the Dollar Tree store and thought that might just be a bit of fun. We played it yesterday, too, and some folks have a really good memory for Christmas movies, stories, etc!! This was my last volunteer activity. When I said that to my husband and then to Collette this evening, they thought I wasn't going to volunteer for things anymore. I said "no, no, I just mean it's my last volunteer activity for this year!" LOL!
Collette called and I am happy to report that she is doing so much better. Stronger meds are helping and I think, too, that just knowing what is wrong helps one to cope with pain. And the prospect of knowing that you will get better helps, too!
Half the ornaments are on the our tree! I have been so busy lately that I guess I have kind of "run out of steam" on my tree. I put on a few ornaments, listen to some carols, maybe get a cup of hot cocoa, write a Christmas card, put on a few ornaments, repeat. LOL! I tend to decorate the tree slowly because I just love looking at some of the ornaments and remembering where we were when we got certain ones and when others were made. It is such a fun trip down Memory Lane!
Want to say "THANK YOU" to all of you that have recently left comments and shared concern for Collette. I really appreciate it! And here's a little secret........as I mentioned the first of this month, I am determined to blog every day in December. And the secret is this.......everyone who comments in December will be entered in a drawing for something fun and my Random Number Man will draw the winner on December 31st, New Year's Eve. And every comment will go in the drawing, so the more you comment, the more chances to win. I have not done a giveaway in ages so I thought it was about time to do one. It'll be a "out with the old, in with the new" awesome little giveaway. But remember, it's a secret. Hee hee............
Looking forward to lunch with my friend, Sue, on Thursday. I'll have some great photos to share of some of the awesome things at the shop that she and Lisa keep filling with goodies. HeArt of Henderson is the place and wait till you see the fun stuff they have on display!
Time to relax........
Sandi

Sharing Christmas Pretties!

It's almost two years now since I began visiting two local assisted living facilities, bringing some quilts, my miniatures and any other pretties that I think will be of interest. Today, I headed over to Comfort First in LeSueur to share Christmas Pretties with the residents. I decided that ornaments would be a fun thing to share and that would bring back memories.........

Many of these ornaments are ones that I made and taught in community education classes and at the library. The two Santas on the left were made by my mother, Mary, in 1972 and sent to us when we lived in New Jersey. The snowman in the center is made from styrofoam balls and left-over bits of quilt batting. I have a tutorial here...... Fluffy*the*Snowman!

The ornaments and pretties made there way around the table and when the last one came around, it was time for fudge and candy canes! I had brought along that little book "Treasury of Christmas Stories" as I found a poem in it that I felt everyone would enjoy. I was surprised to discover it on a blog so I can share it with all of you. You'll find the poem here....... The*Secret*in*the*Barn.

When I finished reading the poem, we all shared a special Christmas memory. It is always so sweet to hear the special things that folks remember. It was a really enjoyable afternoon and tomorrow I'll do it again. Taking my friend, Doris, along and we will go to Fairview Assisted Living with treats and pretties again. I am so blessed to be able to share so much fun with others!! Really makes me happy! Yes, sew very happy!
Sandi

Ya Gotta Have Heart!!

Today was a good day. Got news that made my heart feel good. Same for my daughter Collette. She got results of her MRI and she has a bulging disc which is not the greatest news but it is an answer to her pain. She has found it so hard to not be able to do anything. She is owner/manager of a large daycare in nearby Mankato and so she is busy, really busy. Last Friday night was the annual Christmas party. She was simply not feeling well and could not go. Last year, I made ornaments for her staff and if I remember right, I never shared them here on my blog. I made 54 little Christmas trees from a sweet green plaid wool blend fabric. I just drew a tree shape and then cut two of each, ironed on a triangle of fusible craft batting from Therm-o-web, then stitched around each with red Perle cotton (made the thread long enough to create a hanging loop). I glued a snowflake/star to the top and then Collette attached each to a little gift bag for her staff and teachers.

I enjoyed making the little tree ornaments and had plans to make little wool plaid heart ornaments this year. But then things got busy, kinda crazy with health issues for Collette and my mom was having some challenges at the same time. Plus, I was in the midst of several volunteer projects. So I re-thought my ornament idea....

When I went to Collette's to help her out last Wednesday, I brought along my big flat box full of craft stuff, my glue gun and my bucket full of ribbons and bells. I helped her with some stuff she needed doing and then when she was sleeping, I started making hearts from red chenille stems.........

I shaped lots of hearts and I counted out 45 bells. I cut 8" lengths of metallic cord and strung a bell on each cord.

Then I tied a loop just above the top of the bell and then tied this to the top of the heart. Sorry, this is not easy to explain. Strangely, the color on this photo is not the same as all the other photos and I have no idea why! Took this photo to show you that all you do is fold a chenille stem into the shape of a V, then secure the end pieces so you get a teardrop shape. Last step is to push the secured end pieces down toward the point to create the heart shape. 

When all the bells were tied on, I added a bow to each heart. I always put a dot of glue at the center of each side of the bow on any ornament. This secures the bow and you won't be frustrated by bows that come undone.

And here is what the bell ornament looks like on the tree I decorated for her last Saturday!

If you enjoy making crafts and want to add another little bell ornament to your tree, there is a little tutorial on a blog that I did with my grandson, Jacob, when he was younger. Just go to this link and check out ......... everytime*a*bell*rings!
Collette will begin physical therapy later this week and perhaps by next week, she can return to work. She is very fortunate to have great assistants and excellent staff. They all have big hearts and are just plain awesome!!
When it comes to our big tree in our living room.....well, I kinda had a lazy day and didn't get it decorated. But I did get the laundry done and started my Christmas cards. Steve figures it will take me til Friday to finish the tree. We shall see.............
Sandi

Helping Santa......

Helping Santa is an important job! Many moons ago, I worked at a computer company and a fellow co-worker, Marlys Neudecker, helped me make stockings that our co-workers filled and donated to the local toy drive. A few years ago, I made some more stockings and members of our Bible Study group filled them. Last Spring, I asked the gals if they would help me make them. I brought my stocking patterns and my knit fabrics to the church and we spent an afternoon tracing stocking shapes, then cutting them out..........

 

 That's Doris tracing a striped stocking and Mary Ann is cutting them.

Working hard is Arline and on her right is our Pastor, Deb Meyer. 

That's Joanie on the left and me on the right. Notice those pretty stained glass windows. When the stockings were cut out, about fifty of them, they were pinned and ready to be sewn. Pastor Deb volunteered to stitch them. When she finished stitching around all the stockings, she returned them to me and I added the fur cuff and the loop for hanging. 

And then this morning after church service, it was time to fill them. Remember that we are only helping Santa. We fill them, he'll deliver them!

Lorraine, Sabrina, Dana, Hannah and Hailey are walking along the "assembly line" of candies, puzzles, stuffed animals (generously donated Beanie collection from Dana), coloring books, etc. to fill a stocking.

Pastor Deb was having a great time. We were all excited to think how happy some kids will be on Christmas morning when they get these stockings. It was serious work making sure every stocking had just the right stuff in it. Thanks to all the helpers today. Santa will be so pleased!

 And when we were all done, I lined them up on the piano...........stockings for good little boys.......

 and stockings for good little girls.........

All of them will be donated to a local toy drive to bring big smiles to lots of little kids come Christmas morning!!
After we finished with the stockings, I delivered this platter of fudge to our table at the Henderson Holiday Showcase event..........

and then I went home and enjoyed a cup of cocoa........followed by a long winter's nap!
;-)

Back tomorrow with a heart-themed post!
Sandi