Shannon's Busy in the Studio???!!!!

I spent most of yesterday and part of Friday night helping Shannon make some simple tree ornaments for her co-workers. She saw some she liked in the new issue of Quilting Arts Gifts, we changed them a bit, and off she went. Bentlee also got into the action, making a bird to go on her dad's Yankee tree.

Shannon picked fabric from my stash,



cut out the pieces with the templates she made from poster board,



fused the fabric to Timtex, and finished the edges with satin stitch.



Bentlee also learned how to satin stitch--



After decorating the trees and giving the birds button eyes, she put on hanging loops with pearl cotton.



And here are some finished ornaments!!



If it looks like I've gone a bit overboard with documenting this- getting Shannon interested in what I do in my studio has been a bit of an uphill battle. Here's evidence that there may yet be hope!

Winter's Here



so we put up the Christmas tree last night. This year, it's more out of the way of traffic next to the fireplace. Here's Bentlee and Jaden striking a holiday pose for Santa! (Yes, one of these years I will get the red drapes for the door done--)



I also got some work done on a challenge piece for one of the online groups I recently joined- the 12 by 12 Project. Can't show you the whole thing, since the reveal is later this month- but here's a teaser.



I'm pretty happy with how it is turning out. Just a little more embellishment, face it, and we're good.

I'm also looking around at my studio and trying to figure ways to make it more functional and inspirational. I feel the stirrings of a definite clean, de-clutter and reorganize coming on! (Couldn't have anything to do with the new issue of Studios, could it?)

Hope your weekend has been inspirational and restful!

Christmas Calm

We had a nice, relaxed Christmas at home. The big storm that was supposed to hit waited until we went to bed to show, which made picking up the grandkids easier for Lance.

Christmas breakfast has always been an important family tradition for me- I try to make things I don't normally do. So, I was up early making caramel rolls, using Laura Cater-Woods recipe from her blog. It did not disappoint!



After cleaning up the kitchen, the four of us retired to the living room and had fun opening presents. I now am a happy owner of Jane Dunnewold's book, 'Finding Your Own Visual Language', a lovely hand-thrown bowl, a new watch, a wide assortment of coffees, and a number of new goodies for the kitchen from Ikea.

We just relaxed until the kids arrived in the afternoon, then watched them tear through their presents. Dinner was a low-key, traditional one with only our friend Patty an addition to the table.

I rather liked the relaxed atmosphere- no stress, just fun. I need to remember that next year!

This morning, we woke up to at least 6 inches of snow. Shannon has to work today, so I was out shoveling the driveway while she got ready. This is the sight that greeted me--



Yes, it looks beautiful, I won't deny that. I just hope that we don't get hammered with storms this winter. Our home is in a high-density development, and when the snow gets thick, it is hard to drive, and harder to park. We may be looking at having to haul the snow out if this keeps up!

I hope your holiday was blessed and full of family, friends, and good cheer. And now, I'm off to the studio in the hopes I can get Blue Tsunami faced, and the hand stitching started.

Rushed and Harried- there's too much to do!!

It has been nuts this weekend, what with trying to get stuff done. I'm having some co-workers over for breakfast tomorrow, and wanted to gift each of them with one of the houses Jane Davila did for Quilting Arts Gifts. I got all the pieces fused by early this morning, and sewed like crazy all day. Not a lot of extra embellishment, but I'm happy with how they came out. Please forgive the extraneous stuff from my studio, but the roofs are still drying with the glue, and I didn't want to move them.



While I was busy down in the studio, Shannon was busy all day in the kitchen. She made a dozen loaves of her special Swiss braids for gifts at her work Here's a couple rising,



and here's a couple that are done baking. This bread is yummy!



Friday night I also did some dye painting with some of the silk scarves I have left. I was not happy with most of the results- I just don't like what I get with dye painting as opposed to low water immersion, at least as a first application of the dye. So I took three of them, and overdyed them today after I got the sewing done. Fortunately, I could use the same color on all three, and I took the easy way out and used the vinegar-microwave method. I may go at them again with discharge paste, but that will have to wait until next weekend.

I also got an early Christmas present. Karen Stiel Osborn had a special sale on some of her cards, and I couldn't resist. I got them a week ago, and they are even more spectacular in person. I'm going to try mounting and framing them, that's how special they are. Karen does wonderful collages, in both paper and cloth.



I am so not ready for Christmas. I haven't wrapped a single gift, and still have a couple to buy. I did get the gifts intended for my kids who live in Florida and Chicago mailed last Friday, so hopefully they will be there on time.

I'm working through the 24th, then will have a blessed vacation until January 5. I'm hoping to spend a lot of it in the studio.