FINISHED AND DONE WITH:
Christmas tablecloth on the table finally (by December 24th)!!! This was my mom's...... she made it herself and it always speaks CHRISTMAS MEMORIES to me. My dad worked in a shoe store in Portland and this fabric was one they used for their window displays.. then it would come home with him when the holiday was over. (Thom McAn shoes - does anyone remember them?)
The BEST EVER banana walnut raisin bread made (gluten free of course)... to give to neighbors and friends. I made 7 loaves... we ended up eating one medium sized one and the big one! I've got a recipe here on my blog somewhere, under recipes, but this was even better as I tweaked it somewhat, and added some maple extract. Boy was it good!
Made two batches of shortbread cookies and butter cookies... gave away most of them.
Got some Christmas pillowcases made for our bed.. finally done on New Year's Eve!
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| Found this RED CUDDLY BLANKET at our local Bi Mart store (kind of like a K Mart or discount store - got this in early December and put it on our bed.. and it screamed to me - "you need some Christmas pillows on here!" |
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| I had so much gorgeous Christmas fabrics I've been hoarding.. so thought why not use it for some pillowcases? The smaller pillows are one I covered with a washable cover, and the smallest one that looks like patchwork, I bought at a local thrift store for $1.00! |
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| GORGEOUS fabrics! |
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| See the little white birdhouse? I got that in early November in Astoria on our trip there. Love it!
I finished a cute little (4x6) wool felt "foxy" pillow for a Christmas gift and even got it mailed BEFORE Christmas!
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Got presents wrapped for my sister and hubby who were coming on New Year's Day for our Christmas.... the kitties joined in.
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| Maddie, my year old (rescue) calico... is finally warming up to Rudy, our recent rescue kitty! A little "paw touch" saying "hey you're not so bad little Rudy!" |
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| Rudy is pretty laid back.. he likes to be in the midst of everything! (Wrapping included). |
Change up the old calendars. I love love love this Susan Branch calendar.. I've used it for two years by whiting out the dates and changing them for the next year, but decided it's time to move on. This was a 2015 that I also used in 2016.
Now for the new 2017 calendar in my craft room:
WHAT I HAVEN'T FINISHED YET... THAT I WANTED TO GET FINISHED!
Little desktop calendar that I started making before Christmas... as a gift for my sister... but this is only my prototype and didn't get one done. These darling month printables can be found on Free Pretty Things for You. Just darling! I'll finish this pretty soon and show you the finished "real" one!
I had started a baby blanket for a friend of my son's new baby, but got about 5 large blocks done and decided I didn't like them... so tore them ALL out.. .rewound the yard... and decided to try this Virus Baby Blanket.... yup, that's the name! You can find the pattern here on YouTube.
I was doing my squares in bright colors, but decided to do this one in only white, teal blue and a veriegated teal and gray and white. I've only finished two sets of 4 rows, and need to do at least three more sets of 4 rows.. but I think it will be really pretty. Will show you the finished product (hopefully) in the next couple of weeks. It's hard to sit and crochet with a new kitten around!
Oh.... and we just got 4 more inches of new snow today! and more on the way..... plus a cold front with below zero temps by Wednesday.... and now they say another 9-15 inches!..... on top of the 6 inches still on the ground....... Oh no. Me no like that news.......
Good time to craft this week...............
Now onward into 2017...... we'll see what surprises it holds.
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I have the same exact calendar. She was in our town a couple of years ago and I got her to sign it on my birthday. Of course, I'm not going to part with it!
ReplyDeleteOh, and I don't know what you're talking about! You've got lots of mojo going on it seems :). Projects galore, and tons of things checked off your list.
As for me, well, we're in sunny Florida and just about to play night pickleball, so I'll catch you on the flip side ;).
xxx
Doreen: That's so neat you "met" Susan Branch! I've loved her for years.. and more now that I follow her blog. I've read her first book, The Fairy Tale Girl, which talks about her early life and I so want to read the next one! Have you read any of her books? She is so talented with her artwork and writing.
DeleteHope you are enjoying sunny Florida! We woke up to about 15" of snow this morning. Ugh. on top of the 6" we already had on the ground. Wish I was in Florida about now!
~Marilyn~
This blog is a sweet "Christmas Cameo of Old and New" ...
ReplyDeleteKittens,
Cookies,
Calendars,
Crafts,
and
Thom McAn.
I love it!
Keep cozy.
Jean, that is pretty sweet! I'm trying to keep cozy with our new 15 inches of snow that we woke up to today! I'm just NOT a snow bunny and wish about now that I was living at the Oregon coast... though they even got some snow today! Burr.r.r.r.r.r.
DeleteIt's been fun peeking in at what you've been up to Marilyn! We have a lot of the same interests... I used to quilt & sew (need to get back at it), and I love to crochet... love animals as well, but my home is filled with dogs. LOL. Thanks for sharing where you got the calendar... I love her design. Your sister is going to love it when you are finished.
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for the comment. I don't have your email address or would email you too, as don't know if my replies go back to you. In case you see this, it's good to know we have the same interests. I used to be obsessed with sewing! now I'm more obsessed with paper crafting.... and now and then... with crocheting. I love how crocheting is so relaxing. Sewing.. on the other hand.... kind of hurts my neck and back as I lean over the machine so much.. so I have to limit it now. Have a great January!
DeleteThis has been our coldest winter since I moved to Washington back in 1974. It was -5 yesterday morning and the forecast is more snow next week. I'm so glad that I have the option to stay home and off the roads. . . retirement is grand. I do remember Thom McAn they were a very well made shoe and very popular. I hope that you haven't thrown your Susan Branch calendar away, because it would make some lovely decoupage signs to hang and change with the seasons. Now for the baby blanket that you are making, it is gorgeous!!! There is nothing as nice as a handmade gift and this one is going to be treasured, I am sure :)
ReplyDeleteStay warm my friend.
Connie :)
Connie, Yes.. this winter is pretty darned bad! when we lived in LaPine, OR (south of Madras about 70 miles) in 2012, it got down to 32 below zero! Pretty darned cold for Oregon. I lived in Sheridan, WY in the mid 70's.. and one year it got down to 34 below. Didn't stay there very long! Minus temps are kind of unusual for both Wash. and Oregon for the most part, but now and then those horrible cold fronts move in. The other night, it got down to -14 here! My dad worked at Thom McAn for many many years and managed some of the stores in the Portland, Oregon area. I loved their shoes! And I'm plugging away at that quilt! The baby is due any day now! Hugs.. Marilyn
DeleteIts been cold but all the snow is gone....the wind in IL has been brutal.. Love the colors os your crochet but since its been so cold here I've been knitting up a storm on socks. I have pairs going at one time. Love the blanket you found for your bed really is very pretty. Stay warm and thanks for sharing what you've been up to!
ReplyDeleteCathy, yes is brutally cold here too. I'm so glad we don't have the winds to make it worse. We're at about 2 feet of snow here as of Jan. 9th. Ouch and yikes and now we're going to get freezing rain on top of it. I've never made socks yet!
DeleteHi Marilyn. I'm kind of glad to get Christmas wrapped up and on to the New Year. Your Christmas bed looks lovely. I love those kinds of touches. Thanks for your visit and home fires look more and more wonderful the older we get, don't they? I'm so glad my grandson got home safe and sound and then that horrible thing happened in Florida. We just don't know what we will hear about next..Hopefully...a Happy New Year..Judy
ReplyDeleteJudy, I'm so glad your grandson got home safe. We always worry when our kids or grandkids are out on the road or in the air! And yes.... I love retirement in th at I don't have to go out in this nasty weather unless I absolutely have to. Home is where I'd just rather be. Happy New Year to you too!
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