Christmas Concluded

Wow, we made it! Christmas was SO MUCH FUN! Mary Katherine will be 3 ... T-H-R-E-E ... in 28 days which I absolutely cannot believe. Needless to say she was fired up about Christmas. Christmas Eve consisted of roasting marshmallows and weenies in the fireplace, then baking cookies for Santa. I love doing fun 'kid' things! Once she was fast asleep - and I woke up from my cat nap in the rocking chair at 10:00 - I proceeded to BEGIN wrapping presents. That's right, not one present wrapped before 10pm on Christmas Eve!! Christmas morning was of course fun. Santa left MK a note telling her what a good girl she'd been (via updates from Sadie Elf) and she was mesmerized that 'Santa ate all the cookies'. Here she is with Old Saint Nick.
One of the literal ZILLION gifts she received was this tractor that drives, talks, and sings. She's a farm girly girl - meaning she owns more shoes than I do, big hair bows are a must, and sitting at the vanity to dry, brush, and curl her hair is a daily regimen; but she's a farm girl at heart. Wearing water boots, checking on cows and driving the tractor are probably some of her favorite things to do! Check out the driver of the tractor!
Back to the birthday thing. I have a summer birthday so never experienced celebrating barely a month after Christmas. Not fair to the Christmas people! Everyone is still 'hung over' from all the Christmas shopping or just 'saves' a would-be Christmas gift for a birthday present. So, I always make an extra effort to keep her birthday separate and speacial. One last shot - LOVE Applique Cafe's Zig Zag Tiara - only three quick steps!! Notice MK is holding three fingers, she's practicing!!!
Excited about 2011, but enjoying my mini sewing vacation. I guess I'll officially be back on duty over the weekend or beginning of next week. Happy New Year everyone!!

Christmas on a Budget

Quick post! I love giving 'homemade' gifts ... add cost efficient and you can't go wrong! I purchased a 2-pack of white waffle weave guest towels at Target for $4.50-ish. Applique Momma's single ornament design - cute and quick. I used SWP to merge in an initial and topped the ornament off with a cute red bow.
With my investment totaling less than $3 per teacher - even though I thought they turned out SUPER CUTE - I picked up another gift as well.

We spent Sunday afternoon in the cooooold/wind attempting to get a Christmas card picture. Not sure this will be the one, but cute non the less. Also, love the Applique Cafe zig zag Christmas tree design in pink and lime green. A break from the traditional Christmas colors.
I've made a pretty good dent in my Christmas shopping. A few more things to get (not sure when!) + pictures with Santa. HOPING to finish all Christmas related items by the end of this weekend. Fingers Crossed! Merry Christmas!!!!!

Last Call!

18-ish days until Christmas! WOW! I have been so blessed with lots of great customers over the past several months. Looking forward to working with everyone in 2011! After reviewing the outstanding number of orders to be completed before Christmas, and the fact that I still have LOTS of Christmas shopping to do, I have decided to place a hold on new orders for now. Orders to be completed by/for Christmas that is. Non-Christmas orders, Valentine, Easter, etc. orders can be placed at any time ... but realistically will probably not be completed until the beginning of January. Any questions, please email me as always :)

Another Christmas outfit. This was my first attempt on an ITH (In The Hoop) project. The entire shirt was done on my embroidery machine!Basic Christmas tree appliqueRibbons pinned in place and covered with Glad Press-n-Seal to prevent the presser foot from snagging on the ribbonsThe finished product!

Mary Katherine was having a snack the other day (Teddy Graham's & Capri Sun) and I looked over after she'd been at the table for a few minutes...
She'd organized the bears I poured out in a pile into this neat line! Can we say OCD? Like her mother!!!!