Are You Resolute?

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? I find that during this annual period of reflection and self assessment I do better to commit to learn something in the new year, than to make a resolution to change a behavior (with resolutions I usually don't last through February). Last year I decided to really learn to knit, and I also learned some new techie skills on the computer ~ that resulted in new friends through this Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and my Etsy Group: pretty nice huh.

I know that this year I will be learning how to knit socks. I'm signed up for this class at our shop in January, and am looking forward to it because Mary Hull is a great, patient teacher! But you'll find no profound revelations here today, I'm still reflecting on what else will be in store for the start of this next decade. I'm open to suggestions...what are your plans and resolutions for 2010?

And for a little show and tell, this is a hat and scarf set that I just finished knitting. I made one for a gift for someone, and liked it so much I whipped a set up for the Etsy Store!

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~ Benjamin Franklin

Enjoy the day ~ and the year!
~ Dawn

Freebies for Redwork Lovers

If you love stitchery and are a fan of redwork, Alex Anderson is offering free redwork patterns during the Twelve Days of Christmas. You can download them here from her site. She started on December 25th and will continue to put one up each day until January 5th. Merry Christmas to us ~ Thanks Alex!

Enjoy the Day!
~ Dawn

Update on a Hat and a Quilt

Just a quick home made gift update (we're really stretching out the holidays here, I will get back to work here soon, I promise)...Elsie opened her hat first thing on Christmas morning and had to put it right on (it fit ~ yea!). She loved it ~ apparently she had been asking for a pink hat for Christmas and hadn't gotten one, so it was like a little Christmas miracle to her. Her delight claiming, "My Hat" when first seeing it was so cute!

She wore it for quite some time, and had to show everyone the tassel on top.

As soon as she opened her quilt, she said "Animals!" and had to go find a place to spread it out and lay on it. I think this will be the TV watching quilt for a little while.

I think I probably spent the least on these two gifts, and they really were after thoughts whipped up at the last minute, but were well worth the effort!

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

Babies!

We have babies on the mind here because my daughter Lisa recently announced that they are expecting again, so some time around July I will be a grandma for the second time!

I saw a new movie trailer when reading Mountain Home Quilts blog and just laughed out loud ~ but maybe it's because I have babies on my mind. For this movie, four babies from different parts of the world were followed documentary style with beautiful footage for one year from their births. The cute picture above is from the movie. It's amazing, and quite touching how similar babies are no matter where they are born! You can also visit the Babies the Movie website and view the trailer. The movie is due for USA release in April 2010. I think my daughters and I will have to have a starbucks/movie date for this one for sure!

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

The Stockings are Hung By the Chimney with Care...

The stockings are all hung by the chimney with care...

These are stockings that I made for the kids and they come out each year.

I made them from patterns found in Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine many years ago. This magazine isn't around anymore, but back issues can be found occasionally on ebay.

I have patterns to make one for my hubby and me too, but I haven't had the gumption to start them yet. Dad's will have a wood working shop, and mine will have an old treadle sewing machine, so they are perfect for us (but I think I'll have to write Grandma and Grandpa on the top instead of Mom and Dad at the rate that I'm getting them made.)

...Last minute gifts are all quilted and bound...

I whipped this up from a panel in the wee hours for Elsie. Starlyn gave me the cute multi-colored ric rac and the idea to top stitch it on the border after it was all quilted. I've had it on my pile for a while and thought I'd get it to Elsie this year. She loves animals, and is starting to say her letters.

...And my last trip to the mall has been made! This is the famous Pointsetta Tree at the Mall in Columbia MD, brought back by popular demand :)

Now let the celebrations begin...Here's wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

Joy to the World!
~ Dawn

What To Do on a Snow Day

Since it looks like this outside...

I've had the knitting needles a clankin' and I completed my first little hat! It was an easy one that I whipped up (after a few tips from Starlyn) as a quick last minute gift for Elsie ~ I'll let you know if it fits her, I have no idea if it will or not. It was fun to make, and I'm already addicted. I'm starting another, and will take it on the car ride on Christmas day :)

...And Jocelyn over at the Happy Cottage Quilter blog is also enduring home renovations this Holiday Season and has decided to have a give-away for this Meme's pattern, some tea towels and fabric. So hop on over there and leave a comment to be in the running!

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

The Big Dig & Warming Up With Baby Blankets

So the snow stopped coming down, the sun came out (although the wind kept on blowing), and the big dig commenced.

Bobby, being the youngster that he is, was determined to get out in his Blazer and do a little toiling around even before we were all dug out. But we finally got our other vehicles somewhat mobile, and even got over to Heather's to take her a snow shovel (one purchase none of us had thought of yet for her new apartment). After being snowed in all weekend, Heather decided to come back with us and hang out at our house for a while, and we decided to play with/pack up some Mountain Baby Blanket donations that we had accumulated.

Some customers at the quilt shop donated little quilts and blankets last month. Jenny made the cute little flannel rail fence quilt above.

Ruth donated six little quilts that she hand quilted from panels like this one. Some were a little larger for bigger kids too.

Along with some fleece blankets donated from our church, we had enough to box up for another shipment. So because of some very generous people, for 2009 we have donated 30 quilts/30 childrens books and 11 fleece/receiving blankets to the Christian Appalachian Project for Mountain Baby Blankets. Thank you all!

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn