Color Change and a Birthday

I love how this spice cabinet turned out after changing the color from rustic gold to this "farmhouse" green. I  used craft paint and had to mix a couple colors to get the one I wanted. It looks just like the green on vintage cooking utensils, which I now plan to collect! And it looks great with the old cookbooks. So happy when things work out like that! (Rick did the distressing. Great job.)

On Sunday we celebrated the 22nd birthday of our youngest son, Eric. He is such a wonderful young man, so smart, caring, and funny. And he is the one Tad raises his arms to pick him up and read a story. We can't compete when Eric is around.

And look at Tad. His parents cut his curls off! He looks like a big boy now, but I'll miss his long red curls. (By the way, we love Eric's long hair. We're just old hippies :)

Small Dresden Quilt

I finished this quilt before the Christmas rush and then forgot to show it. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. The colors are so bright and happy. As usual I did a crazy amount of hand quilting :)

I'm thinking of opening up my etsy shop again and featuring quilts and small sewn items. This might be my first offering, though I'm not sure about pricing. Need to do some research and see what other hand quilted items go for. Any advice would be appreciated!

We are planning on working on the kitchen cabinets this weekend, sanding and repainting. Yesterday I cleaned out the hall closet (which is a big, walk-in) and also weeded out old papers and files. Aren't we productive? It's just the New Year thing and will fizzle out, I'm sure! But we will run with it and get as much done as we can before that happens:) Oh, also yesterday, I went to the garden center and bought some seeds to start. Just perennial flowers for now. I'll start annuals in February and March. Really can't wait!

I hope you all have great and productive weekend too!
 

Our Christmas

We had such a wonderful Christmas with our boys and some extended family. Three days of celebrating and eating. I need to get back to a reasonable diet, there have been too many goodies here!

Son Justin and wife Lizzie

Grandson Tad and his daddy, Andrew.

Son Eric reading one of many books Tad received.

Christmas was so fun with a little one around. Even though he had a cold, Tad was a trooper with all the celebrating and excitement. And yes, he loved playing with the boxes, especially the bows!

Now that the presents have been opened, I can show the quilt I made for Lizzie and Justin. Really a late wedding gift. 

This pattern was from a BHG magazine and is really a departure from my usual work. Different kind of pattern and colors for me. But I needed to make something just right for them and I think I did OK.

So now I'm thinking ahead to a new year. Feeling the need to organize, plant seeds for the garden, and start some fun new projects. What are you planning for the new year?

Merry Christmas!

A few of the ornaments carved by my husband.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, full of fun times with family and friends.

Less Than a Week

Finished snowflake afgan.

Pillow inspired by NanaCo.

Thimbleberries pattern.

The gifts are bought and wrapped, the house decorated, the cookies baked, and all (well, most) crafts are completed, and all that's left to do is some house cleaning. Then it's time for relaxing with family and friends, enjoying good food, and feeling very grateful for all we have.

Why does Loyal look so exhausted? He hasn't done a thing to help me get ready.  Though he does keep the mice under control, so I guess he deserves his nap:)

A Pinterest Christmas

Uncle Eric and Tad

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Time spent with family is my favorite. We missed having Justin and Lizzie here, but we will have them for Christmas. Can't wait! 

With Thanksgiving behind us, we are getting the house decorated and treats made for Christmas. Such a busy time! Why do I always wait for the last minute to start the gifts and decorations I've had in mind for months? Maybe I just need to be in the season to get motivated. Well, I'm motivated now and Pinterest is helping - probably too much! I'll never be able to make everything I've pinned. Not this Christmas, not ever:)

Here is one of the Santas that I pinned and got the pattern here. Isn't he cute? Very easy to make while watching TV.  I even have a die to cut out the tiny holly. I just need to add a ribbon or twine, and then hang on the tree, or add to a wrapped gift.

This is another project that I pinned awhile ago, but thought it might be too complicated for me. But I paid the $2.00 for the Ravelry pattern, looked it over and decided I could do it. And now, after making a zillion of them, I could do this square in my sleep!

So, has Pinterest been helpful for you this holiday season, or is it driving you crazy? (Spending too much time looking, or trying to make everything on it:) I'd love to hear your comments. Have a great and productive weekend. I have to work, dang it!

Happy Thanksgiving