Santa's on his way..........Christmas

blessings to you all!!

Where does the time go?  I seem to be asking this quesiton a lot lately.  We had a busy time with classes in December, even though I said I wasn't teaching any!!  I love the classes and all my ladies.  We ended classes just in time to get ready for Christmas!!

This group, which was one of the last, was busy creating their December recipe cards.  The cards turned out adorable with a sweet little vintage elf.  Everyone was hurrying to get their cards done because they knew a potluck lunch awaited them!! 

Betsy was so sweet and surprised everyone by bringing a bundle of wool for each person.  What a kind and thoughtful soul she is.  I have already used some of my wool.  Thanks Betsy! 

Lunchtime and YUM!!!!!  Everything was delicious.  I love a good old potluck meal.  There are always recipes you have to have. 

My friend Lynn and I went on a little antiquing extravaganza recently.  We visited several local shops and some not so local.  I fell in love with this sweet little display at a shop called Two Old Birds located at the antique village with Suzanna's.  They have fun vintage things.  I think I have already started collecting the little trees and glassware to go on top.  Just what I needed......another colleciton.  But I love, love the look!! 

These quilts were displayed at a quilt shop in Mooresville, NC.  Both sides of the building had rails with quilts draped.  Of course, my camera died before I could take anymore pictures there.  Beautiful and fairly priced.

This is the front of an old hardware store in downtown Mooresville.  I just love old downtowns and all the shops......reminds me of growing up in a small town where everyone shopped downtown.  We need to support these small businesses as they try to survive in a tough time. 

Look at the old Santa and tree.......history there! 

So here is a picture of some of the "glass" I collected on an outing the other day.  Told you I was starting a collection! 

And speaking of collections, here's my latest......I just love these vintage carolers.  This is all I have so far but by this time next year I will probably have an entire choir!!!!!  Let me know if you run across any of these guys in your travels.  I've only found the one girl caroler.  They said "Japan" on the bottom which means they are pretty old.

We took the girls to visit Santa at The Rusty Bucket.  Reagan looks forward to that trip every year and has been going since she was four.  Raleigh, however, is terrified of Santa (anywhere) and has never had a picture taken (except when she was a baby and didn't know any better).  This year she said she thought she could do it and said she was even going to give him a kiss on the cheek.  We'll see................. 

She did it!!!!!  Look how proud she is.  And of course Reagan is most excited to visit her favorite Santa again.  Look at all the doll babies......they each had their bitty babies and American Girl dolls.  Santa had a full lap! 

Awwwwww...............this is my most favorite picture. 

Even the big boys have to visit Santa.......Markie wanted to make sure Santa knew he had been a good boy too! 

Ride 'em cowgirls! 

After a fun day in Apex, the girls came back to our house for a little craft time.  We were making red and white mice ornaments.  Raleigh made a couple and decided it was time to move on.  Reagan made quite a few and wanted to make more. 

Almost done................

Ta-da.......sweet little mouse ornaments.

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas.

Christmas Stockings

 One of the classes I've been  teaching this fall/winter is a crazy quilt stocking.  We built our bases and appliqued lots of fun designs to the stockings.  I have one group of ladies that came to make stockings that had never done anything like this before.  They had never been to any of my wool applique or embroidery classes and decided to take the plunge and start with a stocking.  I was a little skeptical at first because the stocking isn't exactly a beginner project, but I was willing if they were willing.  I have to say how proud I am of those ladies.  They got all the applique done, all the decorative stitching and came back yesterday to finish their stockings.  They did a great job.  So this post is all about my little Fuquay group and their beautiful stockings!

The gang's all here.  Everyone is sharing their stockings.  Each one was beautiful and unique.  Some added special yarns, beans, ribbons, bells, buttons, trims.......just so imaginative!

Joyce, who says she is not a sewer at all, gets busy working on her cuff.

Helen's stocking is the only one with a pocket.  She got lucky when we were plundering through the wool and found an old wool shirt piece with a pocket.  It looks great. 

Pat and Donna share space and the sewing machine. 

Jeannie chose the thickest wool in the bins for her cuff.  We'll see how that works out Jeannie. 

And look who's on the sewing machine......Joyce!!  We had to take a picture to prove that she actually sewed her stocking.  You did great Joyce and I can't wait to see what else you decide to work on. 

Jeannie took this picture of me, head stitch aka teacher, trying to stitch on that super thick cuff for her.  It was a determination thing and we got it done.  I just prayed the needle didn't break! 

Jeannie with her thick cuff.  She had to hand sew the hanger on.....I knew it wouldn't even fit in the machine. 

What a beautiful stocking Donna!!!!  Donna said she couldn't believe she did it! 

The stockings were so pretty just laying on the table.  What follows is each stocking the ladies created.  I wanted to share them with the gals that are still working on their stockings to motivate them to finish and also to possibly share an idea.........

I have to say the pictures don't do these stockings justice.  You just have to see them in person!!!  So many of the fine details just don't come through in the photos. 

The Fuquay ladies and their beautiful stockings......good job and happy decorating!

I think sometime after the New Year I'm going to offer this class again.  I know a couple of ladies who want to come back and make more stockings.  So stay tuned if you want to get in on the fun.

Scrap Book Paper

A quick note to let all you local gals know about a great sale going on at Scrap Magic in Fuquay-Varina.  They are having a 50% off storewide sale!!  Yes, that's right, storewide!!!!  I've already made one trip and think I need to go back for more.  This is a great time to stock up on all your scrapbook or card making supplies.  The sale will run until December 17th.

Scrap Magic
305 S. Main Street
Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
919-346-0414

I picked out paper for a couple new recipe cards while I was there.......stay tuned for that.........

Doesn't everyone need a little red truck for Christmas?  I had a class here today for the pillow, embroidered towel and ornaments.  We at least got all the parts cut out and the towel pieces placed before the ladies had to leave.  Happy stitching to them!!  I worked on this design quite a few years ago but wasn't happy with it and before the Barn Sale found it in a crate and re-worked it.  I LOVE old red pick-up trucks.  My husband has a red 1998 F-150 which sort of qualifies but not quite the same. 

Eight wonderful ladies showed up to work on the truck project this morning.  They were super busy trying to get all the parts traced and cut out. 

Doesn't Pat look festive with her red top and beautiful green and red scarf!!  And looks like she just about has all her pieces pinned and ready for stitching. 

I think I need a bigger table for these gals.  They did all work well together. 

I'm just thinking about this Sharon, why do I need another project?!! says Betsy to herself!!  Sorry Betsy, but one can never have too many projects. 

Hope you all find some time to do a little stitching during this hectic Christmas season.