These German bell ornaments were gifts that I made for very dear friends & teachers this year.
Choosing from the tons of fabric, ribbon and beads available everywhere --- well, goodness, you can personalize these to fit just about anyone. The directions can be found here and although the folding seems complicated, just keep thinking 'folding a paper airplane.....'
I did indeed finish this Christmas tree skirt in time for Christmas! There were some serious doubts that I could get this done in time for present-opening. And honestly, my hook flew like it has never flown before and I just amazed myself with finishing it.
The pattern if from Country Woman magazine, issue: Nov/Dec 2003. I'm not sure if this issue is still available.
And of course, the cats presume that it was entirely crafted for their napping pleasure....
And many of you asked for the pattern for this aqua doily. It is from Magic Crochet magazine, issue: April 2002. From the buzz on different web pages, I don't think this magazine is available any longer. I have picked up a few at rummage sales and thrift stores.
And then we found this rather cute skull fabric at the fabric store. Actually, not too scary and quite adorable when coupled with the flowery, black fabric.
And the friend -- well, she loooooooooooooved it. Along with the black nail polish that came with the bag.
There is so much to celebrate during this holiest of holidays -- and that also involves being neck-deep in wrapping paper, cookie dough, hand-made presents and finding the mate to that boot that seems to disappear as soon as it leaves our son's foot....
It began with a walk through a beautiful store and fingering these gorgeous, vintage doilies. Oh, how I wished I could actually make something like that. Having been told that I could never possibly accomplish something as fancy or delicate as that -- I went on my way with those beautiful doilies still dancing in my mind, but resigning myself into believing that I could never make something so gorgeous.
And then I met Susan. She was one of the 'parents' of a student I had in my 4th grade classroom. And she not only loved doilies too, but she actually made them! What? Are you kidding me? 
And a few people have questioned my love for doilies, okay - actually rolled their eyes - because it conjures up for them the picture of the aunt that is just-sooooo-not-with-it and *gasp* gave the crocheted toilet paper cover for a wedding gift. But I don't mind the comparison at all -- I love the connection to my aunts & grandmas -- yes, even if my husband does get a kick out of calling me 'Doily Dawn' and swears he is going to include that name in my obituary.
A gift of a lovely thought. This vintage hanky is from a lovely blogirl-friend, Marlene. I met this woman through her lovely blog & laugh out loud at her funny, funny insights into every day living and wipe a tear for her heart-tugging endearments.
And she sends me this. Does she know that vintage hankies have such a fond place in my heart? I collect these! I love these! I cherish these with every particle of my collecting self!
Ah. Such blessings. From such a beautiful friend.
These last few days before we gather together to give thanks -- I am spending in front of my sewing machine. Yay. I think I might just get this 'Pumpkin Crazy' wall-hanging completed before Thursday!
And yes, if you know me, the most troublesome part of completing something like this is -->the quilting. Between the thread breaking & a complete tangle of threads on the bottom.... I. don't. like. this. part. I know I must be doing something wrong. It is such a hair-pulling endeavor.........and I see all of your quilts and your beautiful quilted stitches -- oh, please, zap some of your gifted sewing talent my way!
I am paper-piecing these pumpkins with scraps from my fabric stash & using the 'Pumpkin Crazy' pattern from the Nov. 08 issue of this magazine ~
And seeing my fingers doing something with needle or thread calms & soothes the pains that make their way into that thing called---> LiFe.
Still. I am thankful for so much. And yes, w/ smile on my face, I am thankful for all of the friendships from you, dear readers!
I am catching up on Christmas gifts & am in the process of finishing these cross-stitch items for my favorite sisters-in-law and mother-in law. The black & white stitching is going to be a biscornu -- French for a 'quirky, little pincushion with 8 sides'. Because 'L' is soooooo into beading, I will be making a matching scissors fob to go with this pincushion so she can take these to all of her beading classes -- and for those times she sets up 'beading camp' on the dining room table as soon as a family meal has been cleared.
'B' has a love for goldens that almost surpasses our love for this beautiful dog, so when I saw this pattern I just knew that this would become a pillow for her....and most likely her dogs. Hey, she leaves the TV on for them while she is at work -- so providing a stitched pillow is almost a requirement for them......
And here is a blue-bird with apple blossoms that will become some sort of something for 'E'. She is so sad that their cat has chased away all of these birds from their feeders, so I tried to capture their beauty in this stitching. I'm not sure how to finish this, but hopefully an idea will spring forth before the mad dash for getting all of my gifts done hits me on the head-- that mad dash usually hits about the 20th of December. But.....
~~~
Simply beautiful. 
~~~
