Final Post of 2013

 
     Here is my last project for 2013. I started working on it during this past weekend of quilting and finished sewing the binding today. The pattern is "Reindeer Holiday" designed by Jan Kornfeind from Country Appliques. I knew when I saw the pattern online that I would have to make it!

The pattern showed printed white fabric for the reindeers against a red background, but I chose to use sparkly white snowy fabric for the background and brown suede-like fabric for the reindeer. I was also lucky enough to find a red and green braid to frame the reindeer. I love, love, love how it turned out! It's time to pack away the Christmas decorations until next year, but I may leave this wallhanging up for a bit.

     Yesterday morning I met friends for breakfast in Hingham. It was good to see them and to catch up on all their news. A few hours later Emma and I had a visit from my godchild Kristin and her little girls. They played with Emma and then after going to lunch we came back and played some more. They enjoy hearing me play my flute and so they sang a couple of Christmas tunes while I accompanied them.  Emma turned two today, so the girls frosted a few small bones and sang 'Happy Birthday" to her. Emma wasn't quite sure what it was all about, but it involved treats and the girls, so she was beside herself with happiness.
     As 2013 draws to a close, it's time to think about resolutions. I think I'll just work on the same few resolutions that I have made for the last two or three years . . . maybe in 2014 I might actually follow through on them.

For Me???

     Here's Emma checking out a Christmas present from my cousin Kristin's family. The girls picked out some fun toys for Emma and there was also a bag of treats. Emma was a very lucky puppy this Christmas as she received another toy from my friend Janice and two more from Santa.

     This weekend is our regular scheduled quilting weekend in Stoughton. My friend Donna was busy adding the final borders to her one block wonder quilt, and she agreed to let me show you her simply exquisite work. Above is the fabric that she used and here is the completed quilt top.

     Part of the fun of one block wonder quilts is that you are never sure how they will turn out. You can use a special kaleidoscope mirror to get a suggestion of how the fabric might look, but you never truly know until the fabric pieces are all cut and sewn together. Two people using the same fabric will get totally different results.  As you can see from Donna's quilt, sometimes the results are simply stunning.

Christmas 2013

      On Sunday, I had friends come for dinner. Monday and Tuesday were spent doing some last minute odds and ends, baking, and furiously trying to finish a Christmas quilt for my cousin Kristin's family.  I spent Christmas Eve at her home and brought the finished quilt!!! In the rush to get it completed, I didn't get a chance to take any good photos of it, but these

 quick shots taken that night will give you an idea of what it looks like. The colors are off in the photos,  but it really is quite cute. My cousin who is also my godchild pointed out that I had also made a paper doll themed quilt nearly eight years ago when her oldest daughter was born. 

     Christmas was spent at my cousin Linda's home. It was great fun to celebrate Christmas with my seven little cousins and their parents. 

     Today I decided to just relax and go see a movie. Philomena was playing at the Loring in Hingham. The film stars Judy Dench and, as always, she was wonderful. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. Do be sure to bring tissues. Perhaps the saddest and most shocking thing is that this story was based on truth. I would rate this movie an "A."

A Very Snowy Tuesday

     Wouldn't this make a great photo for next year's Christmas card? I totally agree, but unfortunately, my card for this year also features a different red ornament. 

      It snowed most of the day on Tuesday bringing us about another six inches. The tough driving led to the cancellation of our camera club's holiday party. I had been looking forward to seeing a slide show made up of photos by members who had gone on our most recent Italy trip. It's always fun to see what fellow photographers captured. I'm sure it will be shown sometime in the new year.

Anyway, when I let Emma out yesterday morning I grabbed my iPhone to grab these photos. The quality is really quite good. Here's another and if you look closely you'll see Emma and me. 

     In the afternoon I attended a Christmas program at the parochial school that one of my little cousins attends. It was joyful with wonderful singing. The children in their costumes were adorable. My favorite were the kindergarten and first graders singing "Rudolph"and "Up on the Housetop" with their construction paper brown antlers and red noses! Too cute!!!

     Later, my quilting friends met for a lovely dinner at Trattoria San Pietro in Norwell. This was my first time at this restaurant, but I know I'll return to have the grilled pork tenderloin which I sampled.  It was delicious. My dream job would be as a food tester; then I would be able to sample a little of everything before making my choice. :-)

Second Snowfall

     The snow had just begun falling yesterday when I snapped this photo. Emma has never used this doghouse; it's just a decorative feature in the backyard.

     Lovely, light, fluffy snow soon dusted the branches of the fir tree which I have been decorating for the past few years. Unfortunately, the snow we woke up to this morning was not light and fluffy but rather, it was very, very heavy wet snow. Since the temperature was predicted to soon drop, I spent quite a while shoveling my driveway and walkways. I'm usually a true snow lover, but not when it is this type of snow. 

     Later this afternoon when I was passing the fully decorated tree in the corner of the living room I noticed it beginning to sway slightly. Holding the tree upright with one hand, I began to quickly remove all of the ornaments, glass ones first. When it was stripped of decorations, I discovered the problem. One of the legs of the stand had not been fully opened. . . my bad. Thank goodness I was able to prevent a disaster from happening. 

First Snowfall

     After attending a wake this snowy evening, I stopped at the supermarket to pick up a few things. As I was driving out of the parking lot, these snow covered trees under the streetlight caught my eye. I circled back around, popped out with my iPhone, and grabbed this quick shot. The 'purple-ish' glow cast by the light was a surprise when I viewed the photo on my computer, but I love the effect it created.

Holiday Get Together

     Last night I attended a holiday get together at our local quilt shop, Heart in Hands.  For my "show and tell," I brought this recently completed wall hanging.

The pattern came from a new Art to Heart book, Ho Ho Ho Let It Snow which contains many wonderful, fun projects.

At the end of the evening, everyone received two gifts. One package from the shop owners contained a pattern and a fat quarter, and the other package from Sharon and Claire who run our group contained an adorable little bag and way too-cute tape measure earrings! 

Thanksgiving 2013

     Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. I made this stained glass turkey probably thirty years ago, and each year it hangs in the front window. Thanksgiving this year was held at my Cousin Brian's home, and it was a relaxing, wonderful, delicious day. On Friday after a day of quilting, I headed to my Cousin Linda's home for her annual party before the annual Beverly Tree Lighting ceremony on the common. The high school chorus performed and then three or four police cars with sirens and flashing lights escorted a fire truck carrying a very special guest. Yes, it was Santa Claus!!! Honestly, I don't know how he is able to fit so many appearances into his incredibly busy schedule.
     The rest of the weekend was spent quilting with friends. This morning as I headed to early Mass, what should appear but this rafter of turkeys crossing the road in front of me, and they were taking their very sweet time doing it. It's a good thing I had left early.

        It gave me a laugh, and it certainly was an appropriate ending to a fun Thanksgiving weekend.