Quilt Therapy

This weekend, I authorized a new server company to migrate all of my sites and customer’s sites to a new server.  While in the long run, this should alleviate many of the hosting issues that’ve happened the last few weeks … in the short term, it’s extremely stressful as we try to get all of my customer’s sites back up and running correctly.

So, one minute – this site loads.  The next minute, it disappears!  SO frustrating!  Hopefully, it’ll only last a day and then they’ll tell me that things are all wonderful again and I can go on about my business.

Until then, forgive my mess.

If you need a little motivation to keep checking on things, take a look at the new 2008 BOM project I’ve designed for BOMquilts.com – I’ll be testing out fabrics and the pattern later today and I’m excited about the possibilities!

Strippin’ With the Stars
2008 BOM Project from BOMquilts.com
Designed by TK Harrison

Last night, we celebrated Christmas with my husband’s immediate family.  I convinced everyone at Thanksgiving that I thought lasagna sounded like a great holiday meal, and they all agreed!  So, at lunch time yesterday, I was in the kitchen stirring in my pots.  I made the meat sauce from scratch, enjoying the bubbling sensation of the final product.  One little tip I found – if, like me, you don’t care for great big lumps of meat in your sauce — use your potato masher to break it up!  It worked perfectly!  The two pans full of the fabulous Italian dinner were in the oven and waiting to be baked just after the kids finished eating their lunch.

Then, we spent the next few hours finishing the Christmas gifts and cleaning the house.  Everything truly was lovely, clean and festive.

And then we ate.  My lasagna turned out scrumptious … I had fun making some garlic toasts from bread that JD had made earlier in the week … and I even made smokies and butter noodles for the little kids who preferred something besides what the rest of us were having!

And then it was time to rip into all of those presents!  The kids could hardly wait.

Fun times by niece A, who loved her new sparkly lamp we gave her.  DD#1 enjoyed a pretty shirt from her grandma.  DD#2, whose fascination with nut crackers is beyond me, carried her new wooden friend around for hours.  Son-man was a little distraught – he got no TOYS!  oops!  {make a mental note for next year}  But, he did get a great much-needed jacket and a cool Wrangler snap shirt that matches his dad’s.  DD#3 was once again Dora-overflowing with a giant color book and a new Dora chair that fits only her tiny-hiney.  Nephew received fun toys as well and had all of them out of their boxes and was playing with all of them at once!

The adults, well we had fun, too.  I received some money and a gift card as well as a new lawn chair.  My MIL & SIL both loved the fabric bowls I made, as well as the calendars and brag books that I put together.

After dessert of cheesecake and a lovely chocolate mousse pie, we all sat around staring at each other – wondering if we’d blow up if we moved.  The manly-man came to me and said he was ready for prayers – he was SO tired!

I’d call that a successful day!

Oh yes I did!  Although I didn’t spend as much time in my sewing room as I wanted, I did get to quilt yesterday!  I finished the mockup blocks for a quilt I’d designed a few months ago (I had been waiting for the fabric to get here for it):

The whole time I was making this block, I was singing Corpus Christi Bay, a song sang by Gary P. Nunn – we got a cassette of his many years ago and the kids love his music, so we listen to it often.  The palm tree and the waves and sand just reminded me of Corpus Chrisit, Texas – a place we lived for a little while.  

And then I designed a quilt for a new fabric line called “Summer Basket of Flowers” designed by Terry Clothier Thompson for Moda Fabrics.  Bold colors, solid colorways … here’s a sneak peek at a block in this quilt:

And finally, I picked up the fat quarter pack from another new fabric line called “Swell” designed by Urban Chicks for Moda Fabrics:

hmmmm, just what am I going to make with this one?!  It reminds me of some of those aprons that my Grandma used to wear … a 50’s retro kitchen … a summer sun porch … a shabby chic resale shop … and some fabric that my other Grandma left to me when she passed away.  I laid the fabric out on my table and will walk around it a few times over the next few days, to see what I can see and to help improve the flow of creative juices.

I spent most of my spare time yesterday scrapbooking.  I had a birthday girl that needed her pages completed and I had a mess of Christmas pictures to prepare pages for.  I had a great time and enjoyed every single creative thing that I did.  I love days like that.  Today is deemed quilting day and when I finish working, I’ll head to the house and find my fabric and get busy!  I’m excited as I have a ton of fabric that needs to be made into quilts.  It’s been calling me for days but I haven’t had a chance to cut and sew.  Today is the day.

I share with you a gift from our youngest, for which she was extremely proud of making for me.   These are my favorite gifts and the joy is spread out over the years as each year we get our Christmas decorations out and we have fun trying to remember who made it and what it was. 

I snuck out of the house before the kids got up this morning.  I needed just a little while here in my office to take a deep breath.  Last night, after the kids were down, I took some time to make a thank you mini-book for one of my friends who sent all of us gifts.  It was very fun and I’ll be making a few more today.  Sometimes, the creativity is screaming to come out and I have to listen to it. 

I wanted to post this photo of one of the tote bags I made for Christmas.  They were so very quick and easy, I ended up making eight of them:

I also wanted to share a project with you that I wanted to make and finally found the pattern for.  These are “old hat” projects that were popular a few years ago.  Fabric bowls.  I was looking for crafty patterns at my local big box store for my daughters for holiday gifts and ran across this one, from Simplicity.  I purchased it and came home and had a blast, making the napkin holder bowls.  Of course, as is my style, I couldn’t totally stick to the pattern {blush} and found myself making all sorts of different sized bowls.  Thus far, I’ve made 10 of them!

Last night at church, all four of our children were involved in the service.  The oldest was an acolyte … DD#2 lit the Advent candles … son and DD#3 were readers.  And boy, did they make their family proud!  Son-man is a born public speaker.  His words were clear, his enunciation perfect and his stage presence unbeatable.  The youngest was nervous and scared.  When she told me that she wasn’t sure if she could do it, I asked if she’d like to hold my hand while she was up at the microphone.  She said yes.  And when it was her turn, that little six-year-old self walked right up to her spot and delivered the words as if she knew them by heart.  She held my hand until the second paragraph and then I gently moved her finger over to the paper as it was a long paragraph and she routinely needed that finger to follow along with the words. 

Many, many folks came up and congratulated them and/or shook their hands and/or hugged them.  I think many who knew them were a bit stunned that they were so bright.  Of course, their parents know that they both (well, all four kids, really) read well above their age-level … so, we were not surprised but still mighty proud!

This morning, as I went to the bedroom to see if they were ready to join us in the living room, they all smiled and began singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  It was just lovely.

Then, there was no stopping them – it was time to see what Santa left for them!

“This was the best Christmas EVER,” the youngest Miss exclaimed, after opening each of her gifts this morning.  Santa done good.  Mom and Dad done good.  She thanked us with each present. 

The son-man was elated.  I can’t even tell you how excited he was, and with each piece of torn wrapping paper, he’d let out a giggle and a whoop.  He got everything he wanted and more.

Daughter #2, after just coming off of her birthday week, was excited for gifts … but, more excited for play.  She went from one thing to the next … and then took over her siblings’ toys, if they weren’t looking.

Our oldest daughter was pleased with her gifts and within 10 minutes of finishing opening them, she had her loot into her room … put away … and she was on her bed, enjoying some doodle pens. 

The dad-person found me some spool holders and some stars for my wall … and already put up the electric can opener that I asked for.  I used it for lunch – it sure beats the hand-held one!

We got Dad a portable rechargeable screwdriver and some giant, extra strength Ziploc camping bags.  Ah yes, the tool man and the retentive organizer.  Both fit him perfectly!

I missed my Teeny, as she was always running from kid to kid on Christmas morning.  You know, just in case one of them got a BONE or a QUILT that she could nab!  I have no photos this year of her doggie-butt, either.  But, our other dog, Phydeaux, did get to enjoy the fruits of my cooking labor – as JD gave her the ham bone after it cooled down.

I sure hope each and every one of you saw the light of Christmas with renewed hope and faith. 

Yeah.  We all done good.

Thoughts for This Christmas Countdown Day:  He’s HERE!  He’s HERE! 

Tomorrow.  The kids are anticipating tomorrow with glee.  This morning, they attempted a trial run.  I know because I was sleeping on the sofa when I heard the running of the youngest’s bare feet on the kitchen floor.  She ran to see if Santa had come, then ran back to her bedroom … slamming the door.  UGH.  That’s not the way I like to wake up in the morning! 

Tomorrow, I may have to put chairs in front of their doors, so they cannot come out of their rooms until I let them.

Tomorrow, I’ll go to their rooms and gather them around and they’ll sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, before being allowed to see what the jolly ole’ man brought them.

Tomorrow, I’ll cook a nice, slow Christmas dinner.  Enjoying my time in the kitchen while the kids play with their loot.

Tomorrow, we look forward to the pinnacle of our success here on earth, remembering the birth of our Christ child.

Tomorrow, I’ll need meds … for the headache that will surely pound upon my skull while the whizzing and burring of loud and obnoxious toys fills the air.

Tomorrow, my husband and I will smile a million smiles at each other – thinking of the joys that our children are, and the fun that they’ll be having.

But today, we want to wish you and yours the most merry of Christmases … filled with family, friends, laughter and love.

Thoughts for This Christmas Countdown Day:  Praying for today … and for tomorrow.  Thank you Lord Jesus, for the gifts that you have bestowed upon us.

It’s Christmas Eve Eve.  And it’s even cold here in Texas.  The kids are impatiently awaiting Santa and the parents are cleaning house, in anticipation for hosting our family’s Christmas and dinner.

Yesterday, the son-man decided he was *not* waiting until Christmas to open his gifts.  He threw an eight-year-old tantrum … complete with stomping feet and screaming.  I just looked at him, explaining yet again that his behavior was not acceptable.  And then I did what every parent does at this time of year … I bribed him with visions of Santa, taking his presents back to the North Pole. 

Hey, don’t give me that!  You’ve done it, if you have kids!  And it worked, too {hrumph}!  He was rather pleasant the rest of the day!

I spent most of my free {said with my tongue in my cheek} time in my sewing room, making more Christmas presents.  I finished two for my MIL and three for my SIL … and one more for a friend.  I’m going to run by the store before church this morning to get more supplies, because these gifts are very fun to make and lovely to look at and give!  I’ll post pictures after the holidays, so you can see.  Right now, though, shhhhhhh – there may be eyes and ears watching me here.

We are getting ready to attend the fourth Sunday of Advent church service, today.  I love the church seasons, but love the amazing feelings that are in church at this time of year, too.   I feel it at Easter, as well.

Thoughts for This Christmas Countdown Day:  Do something just for YOU today.  Whether it’s curling up with a good book, sitting and watching life outside of your window or taking some time for quilt therapy.  Especially if you have children.  You need just a touch of down-time before the kids take over – Christmas really is about them!

Whew.  It’s done.  What, you ask?  The shopping … it’s done.  I drove to San Antonio yesterday because I needed to finish my shopping.  I actually didn’t even start shopping until Wednesday {blush}.  I went to the local big box store and then the local craft store to see how much of my list I could complete.  Wait.  That’s not true – I didn’t even HAVE a list!  But, I knew I had to get gifts for six kids (our four and our niece and nephew).   But, of course, I couldn’t find everything that I wanted to get, so a drive to the big city was necessary.

Of course, I was dreading it.  What if I couldn’t find my way around?  What if I had to get off of the main highway?  I’m not so good in the city.  And my anxiousness is usually unwarrented.  As it was yesterday.

I drove into SA and saw a Target store – that was my first stop.  While looking at all of the Lego Star Wars boxes, I realized I’d asked JD to go online to look at them and tell me which one to get for the manly man.  You see, the little guy has watched his dad’s collector’s editions of Star Wars over and over and over again.  He can probably recite all of them verbatim.  But, JD hadn’t told me which one the boy-child wanted.  I rang him on the phone and he was able to cryptically (because he was with son-man) explain which one I needed to get.  I scan the shelves and can’t find it.  Dang.  I move forward with my cart because a lady is trying to squeeze her cart into the row … and as I do, right there, at the end of the aisle, is the one that I need to get.  There’s only one box – and I pick it up and send a “Thank you God” to the heavens – He has saved me yet again, this time from sudden death by a droid!  And that meant, I could ease my mind and focus on the rest of the gifts.  Because that was the *only* specific gift that I needed to find.  Whew again!

Since the kids didn’t really have specific requests for presents, I was able to walk through the rest of the toy section without a care in the world.  I could pick and choose anything that looked right, for each child.  It was nice.  And then I went to the under-things sections and got them all their traditional no-seeums for their stockings.  They all look forward to getting new no-seeums each year … in fact, DD#1 specifically told me she needed new upper no-seeums just the other day and that she was waiting for Christmas to get them!

Once done there, I went to the end of the shopping area and found an office supply store – where I picked up four matching items that JD and I had agreed each of our children needed for their new rooms.

And then, it was time to reward myself!  I wanted to hit a scrapbook store – aptly named Scrapbook Heaven!  I was in a hunt for more of those small books, like I put together at Thanksgiving.  But, alas, they had nothing of the kind.  So, I grabbed some 6″ and 4″ square chipboard and decided to make my own. 

After the kids got down last night, JD and I hauled my purchases into our bedroom and began our wrapping.  This is something we’ve always done, usually after DD#2’s birthday each year.  It’s kinda fun to have no gifts under the tree clear up until the last minute … and then all of a sudden, the tree is full of presents!  And I refuse to do the wrapping alone.  We made the kids together, we consulted on the gifts – and the remaining work should be shared.  I wrap, JD makes the gift cards.  It’s tradition!

Of course, I always have a stash of something, somewhere … and I always forget about it.  Last night was no exception.  When we were down to our last gift to be wrapped, I remembered that I had more in my sewing room.  hehe  That meant we had to unwrap one gift that we’d bundled together and wrap them separately … so each child got the exact same number of presents as the other child. 

Now, we’re done.  I still have gifts to make, of course, but that’s fun and around my house, it’s called quilt therapy!

Thoughts for This Christmas Countdown Day:  When the shopping is done, it’s time for therapy — quilt therapy!

I’m writing this note in the wee hours of the morning … because, I *must* get to the big city to buy gifts for my children or the tree will continue to be bare!

Daughter #2 had a fun-filled birthday evening, begging me on more than one occasion to let her open her gifts before whatever … before dinner, before dishes, before cake, etc. etc.  She loved her quilt and I put it on her bed and she got right on top of it (errrr, yeah … the girls sleep on TOP of their bed coverings so they don’t have to make their beds the next day) and went to sleep. 

This was funny because I used “sparkler” candles and she couldn’t get them to stay out when she blew on them!

The quilt my MIL andI made a couple of years ago, finally done!

And then I spent a couple of hours getting “Family Movie Night” gift bags ready for the girls’ teachers — a popcorn-looking box (I tried to replicate a box of popcorn, using some ink jet bag kits that I had) of movie theater popcorn, a package of Boy Scout microwave popcorn and a gift card for movie rentals.  It was fun, but I’m done for the night and ready for bed!

Thoughts for This Christmas Countdown Day:  Remember those who service your needs throughout the year – especially the teachers of your children!