Christmas Wrap Up

     I hope all who are reading this had a wonderful Christmas spending time with family and friends. I finished two quilt related projects just in time for gift giving. The first was a Disney Princesses fleece blanket for one of my youngest cousins. She had wanted one like I had made previously for her big sister.
     I also made a quilt for my cousin and his wife. I was thrilled with how it turned out, but I hesitate to post this photo as the colors are not even close to being accurate. I used Hoffman Bali Pops 2 1/2'' Strips. For those familiar with them, I used the Zinfandel Bali Pops. The borders, which really do have square corners, are a rich wine colored print batik with a soft inner green border.  It's my own fault for not having photographed it at home before gifting it. Why didn't I do this? I guess I had just been too busy shopping, baking, decorating, visiting, wrapping, etc.

Kindergarten Christmas Nativity Program

     This morning I attended a wonderful presentation at the parochial school where my cousin's children had gone to school. Now one of my cousin's granddaughters is a kindergartener at that school. To see those little ones portraying the Christmas story was truly heartwarming. It seemed as if each kindergartener had a small speaking part, and all delivered their lines with assurance. Their singing of the many carols was also bright and enthusiastic. What struck me most were all of those beautiful, innocent, beaming little faces. I am so glad that I was able to attend the performance; I only wish that my cousin could have been there. How she would have loved it. I'm sure she was watching from heaven.

Holiday Presents for Pets

    This afternoon I went with friends to Fabric Corner in Arlington. Following that, we went for lunch. Good food . . . good friends . . . a lovely way to spend an afternoon. On the drive home, we were discussing buying presents for pets. Our local newspaper had had an article in last Saturday's edition reporting on the ever increasing number of pet owners who buy gifts for their pets. Isn't that absolutely ridiculous! "But," you say, "isn't that a new t-shirt for Katie under the tree? Well, yes, it is, but really how could I resist? It has such a cute snowflake design and says, "I'm Snow Adorable." Oh, and there may also be a new leash. Finally, there are bound to be a bag or two of Newman's Own dog treats. (Did you know that Paul Newman also had a miniature schnauzer? Besides being a fine actor with incredible blue eyes, he was obviously a fine judge of dogs.)
     I have many, many ornaments; so many in fact, I have to put up two trees to display them all, but I couldn't resist buying this 2011 schnauzer ornament.  Beneath it is a Santa ornament which I have had since I was a little girl. Another ornament with equal longevity is this sweet angel that nestles in the boughs.  She always has a special place near the top of the tree.

Old Scituate Lighthouse

     Yesterday after doing some shopping in Scituate Harbor, I drove over to the lighthouse. As I was preparing to take this shot, a cyclist rode into the frame. I think the human element enhances the photo.

Boston Celtics Quilt

     Today at our guild meeting I turned in another quilt for Wrapped Up in Sports. One of the members of our guild has been coordinating efforts by some of our guild members, and she announced today that she will be delivering one hundred quilts to this organization. The professional sports team-inspired quilts will then be distributed to children in need. For more information about this group, visit their website. Here's the quilt that I made.

  

Shimmery Delight

     Last night I attended a small gathering at a friend's home where I was completely captivated by her elegant Christmas tree. Isn't it gorgeous! Though totally non traditional, this shimmery, pink confection was an absolute delight to the eye. 

Late Bloomers

 
      It's December 4th, and some of the flowers on my deck are still blooming. That's really quite unusual for Massachusetts at this time of year. I had cleaned up my garden and had dumped my many pots and hanging baskets into the compost pile, but I decided to leave these two pots for a while longer and I'm glad that I did. Mind you, we did have a couple of inches of snow last month and we've had some pretty cold nights, but these flowers continue to bloom.
     While these summer flowers continue to put on a colorful display, I've have been busy decorating outside. In the back of my yard, there is a pine tree which ten or twelve years ago was a tiny sapling give away at the DPW for Earth Day or some other reason. Through the years it has grown into a lovely tree. I began hanging ornaments on it a few years back and decided this year to add lights. I think I did this in part to celebrate its survival after last winter's many heavy snowstorms. I remember blogging once during that period that I thought for sure the tree was a goner since it was completely doubled over and appeared to be ruined. Fortunately, it bounced back and here is a picture taken yesterday.

I enjoy looking out my kitchen window and seeing it, and hopefully motorist going by will as well. Now if only I could just start putting up the inside decorations and begin my Christmas shopping, I would be all set.

Christmas Sparkle

     One of the many things that struck me at the Houston International Quilt Festival was the wide use of crystals to embellish many of the pieces on exhibit there. As I was looking at this wallhanging which I made a few years back, I realized exactly what it needed . . . sparkle, so I added crystals all over the tree. I really like how the whole tree sparkles when the light hits it. Unfortunately, this photo doesn't quite convey just how bright and truly sparkly it is!