Saturday, December 6, 2008

Dashing Through The Snow Fabric Swap!

Here's my Dashing Through The Snow Fabric Swap - it's going in the mail today! I can never find tissue paper in my house, so I used extra fabric from the Fat Quarters I made to make a bag to hold all the goodies, LOL!

Naughty me - I took all the selvedges, but I used some to make an ornament.
But I washed and dried all the fabric before I cut them into the Fat Quarters, so I'm hoping that makes up for the selvedge-snitching.

I included some of my favorite notions, and another little bag full of curved quilter's safety pins, and a pattern for a charm tote (and I included a pack o' charms, too!).

Hope she likes it!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Stocking Swap - Finished!

Here's what I made for my swap partner in the Stocking Full O' Cheer Christmas Stocking Swap! Yes, there actually is a stocking under all that other stuff, LOL! Hope my partner likes it all.



Ah Ha! Here's the Stocking!

One of my handmade necklaces, wrapped in a Ribbon Bag.

And this cute little thing is chock full o' quilter's safety pins!

Now I just have to get it in the mail!


Tuesday, December 2, 2008

My Beautiful Grandaughter


This is Macy, my beautiful new grandaughter! She is about 12 weeks in this pic, and she's 15 weeks old now. I am sewing some "stuff" for her - I hope I can finish before Christmas!


Sunday, November 30, 2008

Christmas Tree Pin

Here's a fast little project that's perfect for a stocking stuffer! All you need is some craft wire (I use any in the 20-something guage range), seed beads, E-beads, plastic star, metal tie tack (which you can buy in packages at any craft store), craft glue, and needle-nose craft pliers.


Using a 2-foot length of wire (approximate), bend a small, tight loop in one end - this is to wrap around the tie tack, which you'll do later. Referring to the pictures above, make a right-angle turn and slip one seed bead, one E-bead, and another seed beed on the wire. Make another right-angle turn in the opposite direction. Repeat the beads. Continue making turns, but make each "branch" longer than the preceding one, and add a couple more beads (starting and stopping with seed beads). Don't add too many beads to a row - you want them to slide back and forth to give the Christmas Tree Pin some motion. Add some narrowing turns without beads at the bottom for a "trunk." Slip a tie tack into the top loop and crimp with the pliers. If it's still loose, use some craft glue to anchor it. Glue a star onto the tie tack. I made envelopes out of scrapbooking paper (use a small pre-made envelope as a template), and cut cardstock to fit the envelope. Attach the pin to the cardstock and insert into the envelope for a cute presentation! My coworker, Janell, and I made tons of these last year. They are fun to make and to give!


Friday, November 28, 2008


Happy Thanksgiving Day! Today is my day to cook - my sons go to their wife's/GF's for Thanksgiving. Here's a recipe for a delicious cranberry sauce that I've been making for years. It will be wonderful for Christmas as well.

Cranberry-Pear Chutney
This ruby-colored chutney can be made up to 3 weeks ahead and stored in airtight jars in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. It also makes a great hostess gift when packed in small, decorative glass jars. Serve with turkey, pork, ham.
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 3-inch cinnamon sticks
1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
2 cups peeled, chopped Bosc pear (about 3 medium)
1 cup peeled, chopped Granny Smith apple (about 1 medium)
3/4 cup golden raisins
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Combine first six ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until cranberries begin to pop. Stir in pear, apple, raisins, onion and ginger; cook 20 minutes or until fruit is tender. Remove from heat; stir in juice. Cool to room temperature, and discard cinnamon. Cover and chill.
Yield: 4 ¾ cups (serving size: ¼ cup)