Hello December! Catching UP

Thanksgiving

Lots going on here....although it might not look like it.

Fall Plates we've been eating off of all season.

Reminds me of illustrations by Heather Ross.

Isn't this a sweet bowl?  I found them at Walmart back in October.

We had cranberries and oranges for Thanksgiving.  Along with the usual: turkey, dressing, sauerkraut and kielbasa, store bought pies, mashed potatoes and sweet potatos- baked.  MMMMM.....It was pretty good.  Plus it was a quiet day.

Here's the guest room.  More often than not, though, it's my daytime nap room.

This is a Jan Patek pattern:  Lilac Hill.  It is applique.  I loved making it, and love it even more displayed on this bed.

Here's a wall hanging I made years ago--whales and ships!  Love it!

I have a theme going on in this room--Here is my doll walking by the shore.

My mermaid cross stitch.  I also did the framing.  Design by Kathy Barrick.

A present for self:  Bloombox from Bloomerie Fabrics!

Love this color of tissue paper-- aqua!

GOODIES!!!  Love it!

First sleeve for the sweater below-- I'm getting to the finish line!

Bet you can't guess what's my favorite color right now!

Hash browns-- frozen and premade.  See this blog for more about it!

Prepare and Nourish by Anya

A good ending.....

Love this pup, but she sure is a pain in the butt!!
Have a Merry Christmas preparation period, everyone!

Why God Made Colors.....

I can't say that I really know the mind of God.  I actually only have theories about why He made colors.  I think He gave us colors because He loves us.  Colors are a gift to us.  And speaking as a person who Loves color, works with color,  plays with color, it makes my heart feel better about the world, and it humbles me to think of all the Good Things He has given us.

Colors are like a balm in Gilead.

~

There are so many fantastic fabric designers in the world today.  Some new ones to the Moda world of fabrics are Lauren and Jessi Jung.  Click here to read their blog.  Yes.  It was me.  I won a jelly roll of their new line- Birds & Berries.  (BTW- I'm NOT getting paid or otherwise to mention them in my blog. I really did win this in a random drawing.)  If you love color, and pattern and detail, you should run to your nearest quilt fabric store and treat yourself to some of this gorgeous eye candy.  I guarantee you it will make you feel better.   Digital photography is great, and if you don't have a quilt shop near you, it's the next best thing to being there, but there's just no comparison to touching, seeing, feeling the FABRIC and seeing it with your own eyes in different light.  Trust me-- just GO and see for yourself!  Your life will just not ever be the same as when you are viewing textiles, paints, paintings- ANYTHING handmade or artistic or sculpted- in person.  Your life will be forever changed when you see something authentic- the real thing- not just a photograph.

~

Thank you to all the designers who give us wonderful colors and patterns to work with in our lives.

And thank you, God, for making all those wonderful colors!

~

Photos:  1-5:  Lauren and Jessi Jung's Birds & Berries fabric; 6: Fig Tree & Co., Joanna Figueroa's California Girl;  7: My thread spools; 8-9: Joanna Figueroa's Tapestry; 10: Jan Patek's Lilac Hill, with my vintage Singer; 11:  Joanna Figueroa's Tapestry.





The Perfect Gift

The Perfect Gift

If you’re alone this Christmas - Know that God is with you - Immanuel.

If you’re poor this Christmas - Know that the best things in life are free.

If you’re sad this Christmas - Know that you will be comforted.

If you’re happy this Christmas - Know that we are celebrating with you.

And if you just can’t seem to find that "perfect gift" -
Know that it was already given - Jesus!

More About PeonySTreet - Why We All Come In a Bag

From Dottie Rose:
When Bebe was a little girl, about 6, she had a favorite Raggedy Ann doll that I purchased for her. She played and played with that doll. One day, the doll was ruined by some water that flooded the basement. Bebe really wanted another Raggedy Ann. Her Granny Lil was making lots of Raggedy Ann's at the time, in all sizes. I told her maybe Granny Lil would make her one if she asked.

Bebe was so cute when she asked her Granny for a doll! She was so shy about it!

A few weeks later, after church, Granny Lil told Bebe to look in our car. In the back seat was a brown paper bag, like a lunch sack. Bebe opened the bag, and there was a new Raggedy Ann doll, handmade by Granny Lil! Bebe was so happy! Granny Lil had already gone home, so Bebe wrote her a thank you note (with my help)! She LOVED the doll! It was even better than the one I bought for her! The doll was just her size, and all the clothing was removeable, complete with elastic and snaps, and an apron! Perfect!

A few weeks later, after church, Granny Lil told Bebe to look in the back seat of our car again. There was another paper sack. Inside was a Raggedy Andy, complete with a hat, to go with her Annie! Bebe was really happy then! She loved both of the dolls. And she still has them to this day.

Bebe: I've made cloth bags for all my dolls because of this - it reminds me of how I got my dolls from Granny Lil!