A Really, Really Random Post

I know I have been missing from this blog for a while. It was not planned but just happened. Be warned this is a picture heavy post,

I actually had my house decorated early this year. We are having my husband's (almost) entire family over for Christmas Eve, all 60 of them! Nine others are out of state and won't be here. Think about that 69 people!

I am sure you have seen these all over blogs and Pinterest. They were the fastest and easiest thing I have ever made! I already had the jars, trees and Kosher salt on hand. All I had to do was go to a craft store to buy the little figurines.

Not that I am any authority, but this is my quick Martha-like decorating tip. If you have plants around your house put in some holiday floral picks and you have instant fun! I got these dots a few years back at Target. I love how they look with the lime green plant.

My mother in law is coming to stay with us and she is a Scrabble fan, so I always put these out for her on this gorgeous pie crust table that she gave me.

It was so fun to pull out this quilt I made last year. I hung it in the living room and it really looks amazing!

Yesterday was my birthday. My friend Cynthia sent me this beautiful pillow that she made! I have others that she has made over the years and I always look forward to putting them out. She also sent me those cute napkins that I will be using this week for book club. Thank you Cynthia!

Saturday night I went to see the Nutcracker with my daughter, Caitlin and my granddaughter, Madison. Maddy gave me this gift from her and her brother Finn. I makes me cry to look at it, how lucky am I! The little tag was added to let me know she made sure not to use Christmas wrapping paper for my birthday present!
Next weekend I get to go see It's a Wonderful Life with my grandsons Griffin and Elliot.

My friend Barb of Fun with Barb, sent me some gifts as well. This was a party favor she had at her recent Christmas dinner party. What a great idea!

It was filled with all kinds of goodies. Just imagine filling it with small things for those hard to buy people (teenage boys).

A cupcake paper makes it even cuter!

She also sent me some cool retro fabric that needs a special project to showcase these designs.

I love those Christmas fabrics that are so my colors. The notebook and needles are a very fun touch! Thank you Barb!

Remember the Kaffe Mini Quilt Swap I was in? My swap partner, Anneliese sent me Mary, Jesus and Joseph that she made all the way from Austria! How sweet to get an unexpected gift! Thank you Anneliese!

My husband outdid himself this birthday! This is a great selection of Blueberry Park to get me started on my next project after the holidays.

Do you still send thank you notes? I hope that it nevers go out of style though I am afraid email is doing just that. I splurged on these Kate Spade (I had a coupon) note cards and love the creamy color and weight of them. I save everyone I get. I have the very last one my grandmother sent me for my birthday with $5 tucked in "to get some milk and bread"!

At Thanksgiving I gave the grandchildren some cotton squares on freezer paper and some markers. I asked them to draw pictures of themselves and all the adults. They missed 2 people, once they are done I am sewing them together for a fun little quilt.

I also need some help. My grandson Griffin is into The Legends of Zelda. I want to make him a quilt for his bed and I found this fabric. Does anyone know if there are any patterns or something for me to follow to make a presentable quilt? I.know.nothing.about.it! Jamie???? I am counting on you!

My life feels like this room looks right now......I was so ahead of the game and now I am not. I am not good with disruption or major changes, I know that about myself.

This past week we had not 1 funeral but 2. My sister in law lost her father, she called me the night we came home from the wake of our dear friend Mary. I still feel so sad for everyone who lost their family member, it's a hard time of the season to say good bye and brings up many memories.

I will leave you with a pretty picture of my Beyond the Cherry Tree runner that looks fantastic on the table with the Christmas trees and (out of site) candles.
I told you this was random.........

Kelly

It Was A Wonderful Weekend

It's A Wonderful Life is in my opinion one of the best movies ever! There is so much in this movie that warms your heart. My son Dylan, his wife Mary and grandsons, Griffin and Elliot treated me and my husband for my birthday.
I also think Donna Reed is one of the most beautiful actresses of all time.

We saw it in an old time movie theater which added to the fun. As you can see we were in the nose bleed section. It added to that nostalgic feeling, Mary and I of course shed a few tears at the end of the movie. We walked across the street to a cute little place called the Bistro for dinner. For all the locals if you haven't been to Phoenixville in a while, you need to check it out. It is a vibrant town filled with all sorts of interesting stores and restaurants.

Barb from Fun With Barb sent me some wonderful gifts for my birthday! How fun is this beach bag with the vintage bowling fabric. I will be using this later this spring when we head to Florida.

Isn't this a creative way to display buttons? I will be keeping this just the way it is on a shelf in my sewing room. These cute pink socks are also a winner!

Barb also gave me the house mug rug that I am displaying here with a cup that is so me, given to me by my friend Stephanie. How lucky am I? There is also an aqua cup to match the red one, one of my most favorite color combinations.

Stephanie also gave me these adorable scissors that are perfect for getaways in the little cover. I really am pretty lucky to have such nice friends.

These cute little slippers are from my friend, Cynthia. She is a quilter and a knitter! I am always in awe of knitters, I can't seem to get the hang of it!

Griffin and Elliot on the beach

I leave you with this Christmas card of my innocent grandsons playing on the beach in Cape May. Our family wishes your family joy and peace this holiday season and in the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah (Cheryl I am talking to you!).

Kelly

The Good and The Ewww

My quilt is complete and I am very happy with it! I decided to chuck the border in favor of a nice red binding because I am running out of sewing time! I just realized I forgot the buttons on gingerbread boy....
Looking at it hung up I would definitely change the star fabric background (bottom left) it just doesn't go in my opinion. Hey that's what it's all about learning from our mistakes! I also fused the ribbons on to the wreaths, they were supposed to be dimensional.

Yesterday was our bee's Christmas lunch. We opted out of a restaurant this year and Robin hosted at her house. It was so much fun and way better than going out. Above are the gifts I received from my friends.

How cute is this? Jean did such a nice job and made each one in our "colors".

Robin made this again in our colors. I decided to put it in my sewing room so I can enjoy it year round, though it may go on my Christmas tree too.
I will have to hide Ellen's hand lotion and hand sanitizer or a certain granddaughter will leave my house with them. Kathy's granola will be a nice addition to a morning cup of yogurt. Thank you again ladies it was a super nice day.

So today I see they picked the Pantone color of the year.........I cannot even put it on my nice, bright, cheery, clear colors blog..............Marsala! Not one vote on my survey for it! It's a brownish red, all I can think of is dried blood.... I am sure there are people out there that will love it but I can never see putting it any place in my house, let alone wearing it. Okay maybe a lipstick? On second thought no way! Just my opinion, but then again I like lime green, caribean blue, aqua and hot pink, they surely did not have me in mind when they picked it!
Please tell me what you think about their pick!

Kelly

Handmade Days

The past 2 days have been a little crazy! I had lunch with my friend Judie, she gave me this beautiful handmade angel. It also has the beach theme going which is a love we both share.

My other friend, Suzanne made this cute pincushion from an egg cup. How cool are those feet?

Christine made this lovely quilt that has silk leaves all over. It does feel like they are blowing in the wind. My granddaughter Maddy immediately claimed it as her's! I stole it back.

Cheryl took a book binding class last fall and made this stunning book for me to write down all my thoughts or ideas in. I love how she personalized it with the "K".

Sujata made these adorable mug rugs in my favorite colors! She even did hand quilting in the center.

Isn't this cute? Jane made this in my colors as well. This is something I really like but would never take the time to make for myself!! It is good to have creative friends!

My oldest granddaughter, Fallon made me a cup for my coffee. I will keep this always as she is growing up fast.

My husband surprised me last month by asking if I wanted to go to an art show and pick out a piece for my birthday. I will tell you I almost fell off the chair. This is not something he would want to do and I so appreciate his thoughtful gift. It is not a great picture but it is a watercolor that suggests trees to me, maybe at sunset or sunrise, you decide. Yellow is a color I am growing to like more and more.

Griffin, Elliot and Maddy made these santas. His beard is numbered and you cut off a slice every until Christmas. They are really enjoying this!

These are my name tags I made for some of my friends.....I took them with the iphone and I don't know how to turn them right side up...anyone know? This is annoying but I will show them to you anyway. Jane I can't find yours!

Kelly