Happy New Year's Eve!!!

 I don't know where the week went but it went and I haven't blogged all week!  I must have been in a coma...although I was going to blog last night and my daughter called and by the time we got off the phone it was 5:00 p.m. and I had been up since 2:00 a.m. so I didn't even get supper made....just a pizza and I was done for the day.  I must admit, I am not pushing myself  as hard as I usually do because it is a holiday basically until after my birthday! LOL!

I made some banana nut bread yesterday and it was a new recipe that called for sour cream and what a difference it made!  I usually don't care for banana nut bread but this was tasty!

My snickerdoodle candle came in the mail and boy does it smell good!

 I've been browsing on the computer and found some cute free patterns..........from Priscilla and Chelsea
of the The Real Housewives of Cross Stitch.......this cute pattern in honor of Chelsea's birthday..........
 

and this one from Needlework Press relating to Covid and this past year.............there are lots of free patterns out there and usually at least one from each designer.  Just visit their websites.

I was watching the latest episode of Celeste Creates and she mentioned a New Year's Eve start!  I had my plans for New Year's Day and my birthday start but I didn't know there was one for New Year's Eve!  Heavens!  So, I had a free pattern that I had wanted to start for awhile and I dragged it out........it's a reproduction sampler, my first!  I had material and cut it to size and zigzagged the edges on the sewing machine.  I dug into my floss and didn't have but 3 and they were all in obscure places in the pattern.  So, I ordered the needed floss and will start when it gets here.  I also ordered 2 patterns that were to be for New Year's Day and my birthday but alas....they will also have to wait.  Meanwhile I have been going through my fabric and I plan on making project bags.

  

I did cut more fabric and worked on my hexies and I've been working on my socks too.  I subscribed to CBS All Access so I am off to watch a football game!  Yay!
What are you doing for New Year's Eve?  Stay safe!

Happy Trails!!!
 

YOP Week #26

 It's been a busy but wonderful week and I hope it has been for you too!  I received many wonderful gifts from others and myself! LOL!  Crafting was a featured activity starting Christmas Eve with my Christmas Eve sock cast on................in the Whoville colorway of self-striping yarn..............

Then it was on to my Christmas Day start....The Christmas List which I will work on in a "rotation" so that I will have it finished, framed and on the wall by next Christmas....it's a big project!

I finally found time to work on my Tiny Trees and my seam ripper and I became very good friends!  What looked like a simple little quilt was not so simple.  I have since found a pattern using foundation paper piecing which I will do next time but for now I will muddle through.  I am not a very practiced quilter but the only way to become one is to PRACTICE!   These 3 little trees took me all afternoon!  I'll be trying some more today with better luck I hope.

I also worked on Chicken Joy.............

Santa evidently thought I was a very good girl because look at what he left me (although I have a feeling he got a lot of help from Mrs. Claus!).............actually, she told me she got in on the Cyber Monday sale at Fat Quarter Shop!  Some Lori Holt Chunky Thread for some Granny Squares.....

I forget what they call these.....cheater quilts?  Anyway, it is printed on the fabric but you can quilt it and I have done it before by hand and it is so relaxing and enjoyable.  When I saw this I had to have it!  So pretty!

There was a little cutting board.........

and some fusible fleece to make project bags once my zippers arrive...........

and then some freebies!!!  Some hand sanitizer and a fat quarter bundle of Lori Holt's Shabby solids which was just what I needed!

Another item I received was a Needlework Enthusiast's 2021 Book of Days.........I will be documenting my "making" projects in here..............

Although I thought it was bigger but this is fine...........Brenda and The Serial Starter (Laura) had one from last year and it was much bigger!

This little cutie was at the feeder this morning..........

BTW...last week I had a bird at the feeder and asked what it might be and I got 2 answers....I thought it was 1 of the answers because it had a short beak.....later I looked out and there was one with a longer beak so Kay and Connie you were both right!  I had one of each of those birds! LOL!  Now, can anyone id this bird above?  So cute...I am guessing some type of chickadee?

Anyway, I hope you have a nice week and a Happy New Year!  God knows we all deserve one!

Happy Trails!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

 

The day is almost over and I was going to sew today but  too late now!  I have to do it in the morning when I have energy and I'm fresh...it doesn't last long!  I hope you all had a great day.  I think the Grands were pretty excited with the Disney Channel and National Geographic that came with it!

Amy got her mystery book last night and her earrings today.  I got a Miss Fisher mystery book last night and a box of spices today with recipes!

 

Grayson got me a little stuffed bear that is so soft.....he knows I love animals!  Miss Peeps liked it too and the wrapping it came in......

and I still have lots of fish crackers left from Sam's present to me.............I am one lucky Grandma!
 

I made myself a nice breakfast this morning and made a start on The Christmas List.  It is a big project and I hope to have it done by next Christmas........

Here's my Merry Christmas bag......

and here's the little bit I got done so far.........

I have been reading this for my Christmas read................

and here's another Christmas book.........

a little holiday humor never hurt anyone........

Happy Trails!!!

 

 

 

Advent Gift #10

 It's been a quiet day here on the home front.  A little cleaning, and I dyed my fabric for tomorrow's Christmas List cross stitch start......

It looks nice but it doesn't show up in the photo.....it's Evening Blue Rit dyed and then coffee/tea dyed too.

Amy received her salt lamp last night and liked it and I received these new plastic storage bags.  I'm not sure what you call them but I have been wanting to try them.........There are multiples of each size and they're made to look like Mason jars.....too cute!

 I started my Christmas Eve sock cast on in the Whoville colorway...........
 

Here's another book to cuddle up with over the holidays..........

  and some holiday humor............

Happy Trails!!!

P.S. Remember...Santa Claus comes tonight!!!

Advent Gift #9

 Well, Amy had her last day of school yesterday.  She received her Bath and Body Works Snicker-doodle candle and she loves it!  She said it smells better than snicker-doodles and she's right!  I just ordered some candles as they had a sale.  I ordered one of the snicker-doodle ones.....so yummy smelling you could eat it but I would not recommend it! LOL!

Look what I received............be still my beating heart.........fabric with Nancy Drew book covers!  I think I'll make a project bag or 2 and maybe a pillow.....any ideas?  Love, love, love it!!!

I got a package in the mail today from Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield and wow was it nice!  I got one a month ago and it had some nice items in it but this one was over the top!  Did any of you receive one?

I haven't read the booklet yet but I will.

They sent a forehead thermometer, a mask, some colored stretch bands which I am not sure what they are for.  Antibacterial gel with a carbiner to hook onto something.

a blood pressure monitor which I already have but it's nice to have a backup!

and a fitbit!!!  I was just getting ready to order one with my trekking poles!  They also sent a zippered pouch and a pen and a blood pressure log...it was like Christmas! 

I need to roll the cookies in powdered sugar one more time and then....yum!  My Barilla meal last night was delicious, easy and healthy.  Vegetarian too.

I got my material cut for  my Christmas Day cross stitch and tomorrow I'll dye it,  I also have to wind my yarn tonight for the Christmas Eve sock cast on!  What are your plans for the coming days?

Here's another Christmas read......

and some holiday humor.............

Happy Trails!!!

Advent Gift #8

 The gifts just keep getting better and better!  Amy got a box of Russell Stover chocolate candies and I got the cutest little rolling pins!!!  She got them at a garage sale last year (before covid) but then couldn't find them by the time our Advent came around.  That has happened to me!  They are old as they were children's play rolling pins but they are made just like the big ones.  So precious!  Not sure what I will do with them maybe a frame for a kitchen cross Stitch or to use as ornaments for a kitchen tree?  I just love them!

Today I got my pasta dinner made and some Christmas cookies.............they still need to be rolled in powdered sugar.....I call them snowballs but there are different names for them.  They are my very favorite Christmas cookie....

Here is my Chicken Joy that I've been working on.........it's actually a light green sparkly fabric but it doesn't show that in the photo..........

I was able to get a little work done outside too.  I brought pots into garage and rolled up the hose.  I also got the remains of the tomato plants out of the pots and put the cages away.

It was near 60 today so nice to be outside and tomorrow it's supposed to rain so I'm glad I got some work done.  It will be in the 60's tomorrow but when the sun shines on Thursday it will be in the 30's!

Very unusual weather this year for sure.

Here's another Christmas book.........

Here's  a double dose of humor for today.....the Rottweiler was sent by my daughter and so true!

Here's your Christmas humor............

Happy Trails!!!