Last Night's Zipper Bag

A clean table is inspiration. I needed to sew buttons and button holes on Larry's Christmas present (does anyone else wrap up almost-done gifts? eeks!) and I had extra of his brown print. It became the lining to a project I've been trying to get to since summer.

You can find the tutorial here, called the Straight Sided Triangular Cosmetic Bag. I just call it cute! so cute, there is another one coming along nicely beside it!



I also strengthened the outer fabric with fuseable fleece. I think I could have used a lighter weight interfacing, but I used what I had on hand. I purchased the zippers at the thrift store, for 29 cents apiece! I could not believe almost $2 apiece at Joann's, part of the reason these were not attempted before now. Is that silly? I save on every bit I can.



Doesn't my Larry's shirt make a nice backdrop? *smile*

Nat is celebrating her one year anniversary with a giveaway of her sweet, made with love heart ornaments. Go sign in as a follower, and see her neat creations. The giveaway is for January 3rd.

Happy Quilting, Pokey

The New Year LIST

So, does this time of year find anyone else making lists? I was cleaning off my work table (which was stacked way high!) and I started saying "I have too many projects started!"

• There Goes the Neighborhood you have seen this one, I need to finish my ideas on it
• 

• Spiderweb oh, yes, I did start and lay aside-
• 
• 

• paper-pieced Log Cabin 88 squares completed, just looking for a sash
• 

• Vintage linens or as my daughter Lydia says, "thrift store sheets"
  

• Nine Patch top put together, just needs another border around it!
• 

• Half Hexagons I need to do hours of ripping out-argh!
• 

• 2 purses I need these!
  

• brown and green square in square fabric purchased and waiting
  

• I-Spy! from the exchange with Karen
• 

• Pocket of Posies or my version of Barbara Brandeburg's pattern

• 
• 
  
• three table runners they just need quilted!

• and how about those pieces you are hesitant to cut into?!? WHY?!?
  
• (see Rosewillow's challenge for next year)
  

• 

I have a fairly good excuse since my full time days are so long, but... I need to whittle this list down! At least, so that I don't feel so guilty on starting something new. *smile*

And, speaking of something new, I am not counting (but should!) four tops that I have taken in to do for others.

PLUS, I joined in for 2010's Patchwork Posse! I spoke with Becky, the creator of this group and this sounds like some fun times to be had by any who join in. Go over and check this group out, and tell Becky I sent you.

Okay, Sew this list is almost daunting, but inch by inch, it's a cinch, yard by yard, it's hard...right? Is there any body reading that wants to share their sewing list? We'll serve as an encouragement to each other to "gitterdun!"(pardon the slang!) No deadlines, but I will try to post completion projections with dates....
:-}

Happy Quilting, Pokey

Nativity

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder:
and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6


Keeping Christ in Christmas, Pokey

Speedy Delivery!

What? A package for ME?!?
Oo-oo-ooo, from Santa?
He says I've been a good girl? Why, yes, yes I have!

How very sweet, the good people at The Fat Quarter Shop were very generous this year, I was chosen with 21 others to receive an item from my wish list. And they picked the fresh new designs from Lizzie B Cre8tive- Love those girls! They are always having fun!
Don't you love these prints? Thank-you! Thank-You! Thank-YOU!

Happy Quilting, Pokey

Christmas is a' Comin'

A Sweet Christmas

Have you ever made these? I couldn't find Rolos this year, so I used these, cut in half.




You use small pretzels, I like the Hanover squares, and nuts. Pecan halves are pictured, but I use walnut pieces, cashews or almonds, too.
Put your caramel on your pretzel, on a microwave safe dish. Nuke on high for 20 seconds, just to soften the candy, not too much!



Now, gently push your nut of choice into the melty caramel. Let them set, and put onto a serving dish . . . if there are any left . . . Easy Award!



Kelly at Charming Chatter is hosting a giveaway, and she invited us to share a Christmas memory. Here is one from long ago, since my baby girl turned 30 this year.

Merry Christmas to you, Kelly, and thank you for a giveaway at Christmas!

We have so much to be thankful for. One sweet memory of my daughter was Christmas#2. She was 16 months old, and my Momma had sent her the homeliest little doll (Momma said you couldn't help but love it!) and Granddad, Lydia's great grandfather, had made Lydia a dolly cradle.
Lydia toddled right over to that bed, and said "Baby?", took the dolly out of it, gave it a little glance and said "Baby?" again, and laid it down. Then, she dove in, head first, to that little cradle and lay down! She turned her head and looked at us through the doweled sides, and gave her Daddy and I the biggest grin!
She wanted to be the baby for that bed!
The baby doll became her favorite doll, named "Night-Night Baby". She still has it and the cradle.
Sweet Christmas memories!

I hope you are all making sweet memories this year, they seem to grow sweeter as the years go by.

Merry Christmas, Pokey

We Need a Little Christmas

What's on the Frame

Today, Lydia and I are doing a joint effort on completing Christmas gifts, my first official day out of school -hoorah! She has table runners that have been waiting for me to "load" them on the frame. Why does it seem to take so long to put a project on the frame, but not so long to sew it? I think it is just more fun to do the sewing!



These have different backs, but we stitched them together so that we could put four runners on at once. I used white thread for all to keep it easier. The two brown ones use the same fabrics, but it was pretty neat to see how the black frame made such a stunning change. I also quilted it with blended styles, as it is going to a gal with a little more modern flair. (click to enlarge) Now, Lydia has the job of binding them! She's finishing the green one as I blog. . . .


"
This is my Christmas version of "Ticker Tape" finished and given to our preacher and his wife. These are really a fun break to the fine matching of points and seams! (She had it displayed with the backing side up; it was a beautiful backing, do you think she didn't care for the raggedy look? lol)



I have a few more of these planned, for those fill in sewing times, when you just want to have a good time finishing something.

More to do, I guess I better get going!

Happy Quilting! Pokey

Mrs Moen Has a Village to Give Away!

Really, a village? Well, Nina is a talented designer and she is sharing a a kit for a Village Table runner top, with the little dot fabric for the snowy sky. Don't you love it?

Go visit her and see this and other beautiful creations from her imagination. You are sure to be inspired.

This opportunity is good until January 31st.

Happy quilting, Pokey

Christmas in the Classroom

Hi! It is amazing to be so busy and not have have much to post, but it's mostly about SCHOOL and the little guys these days.

We have 26 glittered angels for them to hang on their Christmas tree when we get out of school tomorrow on our Christmas break. Also, there are 52 gingerbread boy and girl ornaments. Most of my boys are asking, "Why do I have to make a girl one, Mrs. Davis?", with my reply being, "Because your Mom will like it," and that usually appeases the grumbling. There have been wreaths hanging in the classroom windows, with the verse from 1 John 4:10, saying:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins."

Kinda deep stuff in that verse, huh? But, that is God's love for you, simple, yet complex; basic, yet intricate, all of the above.


Wednesday, we presented the Christmas Pageant in our Chapel service, with a class of 7 and 8 year olds reciting the entire passage of Luke 2:1-20, and they were amazing! Little shepherds that in rehearsal the day before were rolling around on the floor, now were acting it out like pros! All the while wearing pillowcase robes with rag belts and coverings on their heads. The angels' costumes are old children's choir tops, and garlands for halos balanced on their heads.
"Mrs. Davis, it keeps falling off! What will I do?" "Well, pick it up, put it back on, and keep going!" It fell off, she picked it up and slapped it back up there, and on we went. Too cute!

Tonight is the school wide musical, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" It's sure to be a great night of singing and hyper-ness in approximately 75 minutes of the evening. What fun!

I really do enjoy the job, no, the ministry of being a teacher in a Christian school.

Merry Christmas, Pokey

Fat Quarter Shop, Dear Santa Giveaway

Dear Santa,
How are you today? So, my friends at the Fat Quarter Shop are telling me that you will be by to pick up these letters! How neat is that?

Since I have been extra good this year (all year) and since you are going to be at this sweet store anyway, um-m…

I was hoping you would look at some of these collections for me…

Any of them would do.

Have I mentioned I have been awful goooooooood?

Thank you Santa!

xoxoxo

Pokey

P.S. Enjoy the cookies.

Come Meet the New Neighbors

We are doing some fun things, so I wanted to share the creativity. Lydia wanted to make some tic tac gifties, after I had shown her these Halloween treats at Pleasant Home.
Lydia made her own, and they are right cute!



Myself, I've gotten a whole new "neighborhood" of houses .
They are a sweet group, I look forward to bringing them together.




Since this is a "gift" to me, it will wait until later, after the Christmas rush. There are still gifts to get completed for others, yet!
I wanted to get a post for Amy's Sew and Tell. Go see the other folks, and tell them Hi! A Friday finish is always an encouragement, keep going!

There Goes The Neighborhood

Hi, so I feel left out not posting this week at all, when actually I have sewn every spare minute it seems!
These are my twelve houses, and tomorrow, I will have only one of mine, and eleven new neighbors! Stay tuned, we'll see these guys again....

Happy Quilting, Pokey

Tomorrow, Back to School

What does one do with one's self when she has a few days off from work? Well, ....
Lotsa blog surfing... and cooking... entertaining good people... sorry, I didn't take pictures of any of that stuff. Then, there is always sewing! Pincushions, table runners, little houses for a "There Goes the Neighborhood" quilt exchange, hot pads... I have a few more things I'll save for later.
I have seen so many generous blog giveaways, 'tis the season, you know?

The good ladies of Marie Madeline Studio are giving away a QUILT of YOUR CHOICE-!!
Both of these are beautiful, I don't know if I could pick one, but I'll certainly try! Read their directions, and it looks like I get a point if you tell them I sent you, so do that, too!

See? Ya gotta put your name in for this one!

Happy Quilting, Pokey