The Stockings Were Hung by the, well, ummm, Wall with Care

I made the first stocking for Cabalito. Even chihuahuas need stockings!! The Nancy Halverson stockings I made last year for us. I thought the panel was so cute, and, again, I am a sucker for a panel. There were two more - and elf and an angel. I made those up for Joy and John Owen's cousins.
We have no fireplace so the wall just has to do. I hope you are enjoying the holidays. I am counting down the days. Only three more school days until Christmas holidays!! Woo hoo. This weekend I hope to get you up to date on my mystery quilt progress. - Julie

Advent Calendar

This quilt is an advent calendar from a Nancy Halverson panel. (I am a sucker for a cute panel.) It had cut out ornaments that you fused to black felt with a cord hanger to put on each button as the days go by. My two kids take turns picking out ornaments to put on the calendar. I just love this one and had so much fun machine quilting it.
We went to see a local production of A Christmas Carol tonight. It was such a good performance. One of my students was in it, as well as two friends. They did not disappoint and we are still smiling from the good mood and Christmas cheer that was contagious at that event. Hooray for the New Horizon Theater players!!
Julie

And I thought Hawaii was part of the USA!!

Didn't you think Hawaii was the 50th state? I know that it used to be. What happened to it? Was there a revolution and Hawaii won its Independence? The reason I ask is because of a message left on my cell phone today. I tried to order some candy to send to a friend that lives in Hawaii. I went online last night to Heaton Pecan Farms (Clanton, Alabama) and placed an online order. Today they called. Their message said, "Hello, Mrs. Stewart, this is Heaton Pecan Farm. We only ship to the United States so we won't be shipping your package to 'Hiwarya'. Please call 1-800 etc.. if you have any questions." Of course, I would love to call them back and tell them that "Hiwarya" is in the United States but they are on Central Time and I can only make calls during my planning period which is between 7 AM and 8 AM Central Time. I had an appointment immediately after work today and didn't get home until after they closed. I am amazed at the ignorance of some people. Today I contacted another company and they have no problem shipping to Hawaii. Good!!
At the top is a Santa Quilt I made in a class at Quilts and Fixins in Jonesboro, Georgia. It is one of those fusible grid quilts where you place all the squares of fabric on the grid, iron it down, then sew across all the grids. It was fun to do but not fun enough to do again!
Julie

Christmas Present and Nativity Scene

I came home from work one day to find my old bed replaced with this new one. There is also a nightstand and dresser. I have been wanting this sleigh bed for several years and was so surprised to find it here! Cabalito seems to approve. He insists on being in all photos if at all possible.
The quilt on the bed is from a class I took when I first started quilting. It is called Thrifty Stars and I think it makes a nice Christmas quilt. It was machine quilted by my friend Cindy Wall.
I don't know what blogger is doing. All the above text was blue and underlined. I got rid of the blue, but can't make it not underlined. Weird. I also cannot drag the photos around like I normally do. Why? I guess I will never know.
Anyway, my mom pulled this old nativity scene out a couple of years ago and gave it to me. It is one that she and I made in ceramics back in 1979. It is in pretty good shape except that an ear is broken off the donkey and a sheep. I have them cleverly turned so that you can't see the missing ears. I love it because it reminds me of Christmas past. In 1979 I was 14 years old. Now my kids love it and they enjoy setting it out for me. I am glad that it is becoming a tradition for them too.


I plan to show some more photos of Christmas items that I have made soon. Don't touch that dial!!
Julie

Ten More School Days Until Christmas Break!

Yes, I am counting them down! Our last school day is December 18th and then we are off until January 5th. I am so looking forward to the time at home. I hope to get my sewing room organized. Wish me luck there - I have been meaning to do it for several years now. My problem is that when I get down there I don't want to spend that precious time organizing, I want to sew!!
I just returned from my guild Christmas party at Flavin Glover's house. As usual it was a lot of fun. I didn't bring my camera and so have no pictures. Everything was beautiful and there was plenty of good sweet and salty snacks. Perfect. I took some roasted pecans and I have some leftover which I will share with my coworkers tomorrow.
Well, have a good Friday. I am so glad tomorrow is Friday. Hooray!!
Julie

Mystery Quilt Advent Calendar

Hi. I am doing a mystery Advent quilt with Marion at Villa Kunterbunt. I thought you might like to check it out and join in. I LOVE mysteries and this one looks as if it will be quick and fun. The finished product wil be only about 27" by 27". You will need red, green, and white fabrics. Visit Marion's blog and read about it and let me know if you decide to join in.

Julie

December is Here!

Here is the December block from my Sunbonnet Sue Throughout the year quilt. Isn't she cute? We put our tree up today after school and it is decorated!! I bought a few gifts already. I just love Christmas! And, only 13 more school days until Christmas Break!!!
Julie

SSCS Gift

I am quite sure that my Secret Santa Christmas Swap partner has no idea who I am, so I am posting photos of what I sent her. I made her a bag and a little quilt using the Flutterby fabric line from Tula Pink. I also sent some eyelash yarn (I don't know much about yarn) and a Santa Claus Pez dispenser for her little girl. She is due to have a baby very soon now and I am hoping that the little quilt will be just perfect. I figured she could use it for the baby or her little girl. It is up to her. I sure hope she likes her gifts!! I can't wait to hear that she has received her package. I am also excited to see on Chookyblue's site that MY SSCS gift is on the sleigh and heading my way! Woo Hoo!!

Julie

Good News, Bad News

Good news!! The girls finally went home. I have the house back. Joy is exhausted and already asleep. John Owen is in his room playing. So nice to have a quiet house.

Bad news. The Iron Bowl is a total disaster for Auburn! For those of you who don't know, I graduated from Auburn University. We beat our major rival, the University of Alabama, for the last 6 years in a row in the Iron Bowl. The Iron Bowl is the name of the football game between these two rivals each year. Auburn has had a terrible season this year, and Alabama has been ranked #1 (and still is.) It is the 4th quarter and the score is 29 - 0 with about 11 minutes to go. Oh well.... We'll get 'em next year!!!

Julie

WAR EAGLE!!!!!

The Christmas Season is Upon Us!

I have finally recovered from all the food and fun of Thanksgiving. Wow, it was a lot of work. There is so much preparation work - my sister and I started 2 weeks beforehand getting things organized and ready. It is so nice around here now. However, I am getting stressed seeing all of my hard work undone by 8 twelve year old girls who are here for a sleepover. They are all my students and are friends with Joy. They are currently running up and down the stairs. Fun!! I can handle it - I just barely remember how I used to like to scream and run around and act silly at that age.

I decided to share some photos of my favorite Christmas quilt. This was a paper pieced BOM and was one of my very first quilts!! My kids LOVE it when I pull this thing out and hang it up. It is a sign that Santa soon will be here.