Monday, December 12, 2016

ALMOST ON A WRAP.....CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

PRETTY CENTERPIECE



Well here we are to the 12th of December, and I am FINALLY feeling like I have got most everything done.  Just a little bit of shopping to do, and they are all quick and pretty easy pick ups so I think it might count as I am done, lol.

I spent all last week working on the gifts for my sisters and brother for our annual Christmas dinner/gift exchange last Sat. night.  For those of you who "might" read this post who don't know what I am referring to, I'll give a very brief summary.  After my mom passed away 4 and half years ago now, I began having my sisters and brother and their spouses over for dinner without any of their kids or grandkids (WAY too many of us that way!) and do all of the things that just say MOM to all of us.  I sit my formal dining room table with Christmas china and crystal, complete with a REAL flower centerpiece, and name cards.  I fix a prime rib and few of mom's other favorites, and we spend the evening catching up with each other and in great conversation.  We exchange small gifts and soo enjoy our time together.  This year was no exception.  I took NO PHOTOS on the night, which I have no idea how that happened, but I do have some pics of the gifts I made, and a couple of those I received from my sisters.  Let me just say this....I am soo glad we have this time together, as honestly it is turning into one of the only times in a whole year where this might happen.  I just think it is important that we stay connected, and I promised mom that we would.  Let me show you what I made.
NEW ORNAMENT FROM ONE OF MY SISTERS!

I decided to go with the no sew fabric Christmas trees this year, the hot pads I made this year for the first time, and ornaments for all of their kids who might still live at home, or their grandkids.

ALL VERY DIFFERENT TO SUIT EACH ONE...






I HAVEN'T GIVEN THIS ONE YET AS IT IS FOR MY NIECE JESSICA.  SHE WILL DO MY HAIR TOMORROW, AND I WILL GIVE IT TO HER THEN....SHE LIKES THINGS MORE ON THE PLAIN SIDE, AND I AM REALLY HOPING SHE LIKES THIS

THIS ONE WAS FOR MY BROTHER DEAN AND HIS WIFE HEATHER.  THOUGH IT IS MULTICOLORED, IT WAS DONE FROM JUST ONE FABRIC.  IT WAS FABRIC LEFT OVER FROM LEAH AND JOE'S TREE SKIRT, AND I LOVED IT!  PROBABLY MY PERSONAL FAVORITE

THIS ONE WAS FOR MY SISTER DONNA AND HER HUSBAND, AND I WISH I HAD TAKEN A BETTER PICTURE OF IT AS IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE THE FABRIC ON IT.  I LOVED IT.  

THIS WAS FOR MY SISTER DANAE AND HER HUSBAND.  A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO SHE DECIDED TO DO ALL OF HER CHRISTMAS DECS OVER IN BLUES AND TEALS, HER FAVORITE COLORS.  I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE THE TREE BY ITSELF, PROBABLY BECAUSE I DID THE TOP OVER A FEW TIMES UNTIL I WAS HAPPY WITH IT, LOL.  IT IS PICTURED HERE WITH HER HOT PADS.  I MADE THEM OUT OF FELT, AND ADDED IN A LAYER OF WARM AND NATURAL AND I THINK THEY CAME OUT BETTER THEN THE OTHERS I MADE FOR MY OWN KIDS

CLOSER LOOK

CLOSER LOOK AT TOP.  IF YOU KNEW WHAT I WENT THROUGH TO ARRIVE AT THIS.  I TRIMMED AND TRIMMED LEAVES AND PUNCHED HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE TREE, AND EVEN BRAVED THE HOT GLUE GUN, AND THERE IT IS, LOL.  I DO LIKE FINALLY HOW IT CAME OUT
MY  BROTHER'S HOT PADS AND ORNAMENTS FOR HIS KIDS.  EVERYONE'S BUT DANAE'S WERE ALMOST IDENTICAL

JESSIE'S LITTLE BOY DOESN'T CARE FOR CANDY CANES, SO HE GOT THESE SUCKERS INSTEAD, LOL

HERE IS LITTLE WESTON WEARING THE CHRISTMAS PJ'S I MADE FOR HIM.  MY SISTER DANAE, HIS GRANDMA, BOUGHT THE FABRIC AND I MADE THEM UP FOR HIM.  SOO CUTE
And then if you recall, the week-end my sister Diane and I spent together here recently, I showed her how to make one of these trees and then we worked on them together.  So since she already has one (though she NEEDS to finish her up, lol) I decided to do something different for her.  I had seen a kit and a tutorial on these cathedral window ornaments, and I loved them so I made them up.  I kept one, and I gave one of them to her, and one will be for my girlfriend who I am lunching with on Thursday.

THESE WERE PRETTY EASY TO MAKE, AND I ENJOYED DOING SO SURPRISINGLY AS THEY WERE A LITTLE "FIDDLY", BUT THERE IS NO WAY THEY WERE WORTH THE PRICE OF THE KIT.  I COULD HAVE EASILY MADE THEM UP MYSELF USING FABRIC FROM MY STASH, AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN JUST AS GOOD...MAYBE BETTER, LOL, AS I DID NOT CARE FOR THE CHEAP RIBBON THEY CAME WITH EITHER



PERSONAL FAVE, LOL
ANOTHER SISTER CROCHETED US COASTERS

AND A NEW DISH CLOTH....I LOVE LOVE THESE DISH CLOTHS!  SHE'S MADE ME A FEW AND THEY ARE MY DEFINITE FAVORITES

 This week I will make an outfit for Capri for her birthday, and get my hair and nails done, and have a Christmas lunch with my girlfriend, and then on Sat., which is hubby's birthday, we will take my grand daughter Lindsey to see my niece Katie in the Nutcracker.  She has a pretty big role this year, and she is quite excited about it.  After the play, we will get Katie and go out to the Candlelight Pavillion for their annual Christmas play and dinner.  We trade off which group of grandkids we take to this every year, and it is ALWAYS a very fun night and adventure.  Soo a pretty busy week.  I've put all my cards in the mail, and like I said, have pretty much most everything done.  I skip the baking anymore though it sure has LOTS of wonderful memories associated with it.  But I avoid both sugar and gluten, so it is just as well. I do still have to make up something (can't decide yet what) for both my cleaning woman and nail lady, so guess I am still with a little on the stove, but compared to what I started with it, it's feeling like non events, lol.

I do have to show you this DARLING little video of my 3 year old grandson Luke.  If you have the time, it is quick and just soooo sweet it is sure to bless you.  ENJOY!  Hope you are all enjoying the Christmas season, and your blessings overflow.  Debbie








4 comments:

  1. Well, you ended this post with a BIG smile! Luke is so cute singing his heart out!
    I love reading about the special dinner with your siblings. It is wonderful that you are making the effort to stay connected even as you are all busy with your own families. Your gifts were certainly lovely and I am sure that the recipients were delighted!

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  2. Must get to the PC to see the video, especially after reading Cheryl's comment. The evening you host for your siblings sounds like a relaxing and pleasant one. Do you tell the same stories each year or do some new ones pop up? All the gifts are special and even more special because they are made with love. I have a feeling that I wish that I were as prepared for Christmas as you are.

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  3. I love Luke singing!!! What a great job he did! You have been so busy! Every thing looks wonderful. I am so glad you showed those trees. They look just fantastic.
    How nice that you are almost finished. That is so awesome. I am almost finished.
    It feels so weird to have this much time left.
    Thank you so much for sharing.

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  4. I think it is so neat that you and your siblings have this gathering each Christmas. It's so important for children to be cohesive after their parents are gone. As usual, your work is lovely and represents a lot of work. Happy week!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!