Home for the Holidays

The best part about the holidays every year is our annual Christmas Eve picture. We have been taking a picture of our family gathering at this time of year for the past 15 years. Here is a picture of our happy group this year minus my son-in-law, who unfortunately had other family commitments.
To you and yours a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year from our family to you.

Ready for Christmas

It's almost here. The stocking are hung as they are each year and we are all awaiting the arrival of Santa.
But sometimes I think we really forget the reason for the season. Christmas should be a time of peace, thanksgiving, and love. Something that was present at the very first Christmas over 2000 years ago with the birth of the Christ child.
May the holidays find you and your loved ones encompassed in the real meaning for the season with peace, and love in your heart and a time of thanksgiving for all that you have and hold true. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

A time to relax

The holidays can create a sense of being overwhelmed. This year I baked over 750 cookies and am happy to say gave them as gifts to many, many friends and relations. I really enjoy doing this yearly ritual and when I was unable to do it last year felt as if something was missing in my Christmas spirit. Perhaps it is the act of giving something that I created that I so missed.

Now that most of the gift cookies are gone, the house is clean, and the menu for a holiday brunch all set, I took some time to "chill"; well not actually "chill" it was more like a nice hot soak in the hot tub. Something I always wanted to do when the temperature was below freezing and the snow had fallen. It was so enjoyable.

Winter Storm Advisory

When I lived in a large metropolitan area a winter storm advisory meant that there would be traffic delays, noisy snowplows, and worries of just how to get from place to place.
I now live in a small rural town where winter storm advisories mean a time to snuggle up with a good book, listen to the quiet of softly falling snow, and a time when art overrules logic. Somehow there is no better place and time to let that right side of my brain play as the world slows down to a halt, and the crisp cold air lets those creative juices flow. Summer doesn't do it; spring beckons to garden; and fall is a time to rake and repair. But, winter and snow, when the world is black, gray and white, that's the time I like best.

The Perfect Tree

This year I tried to buy an artificial tree. Really, I did! However, after browsing through the Internet and visiting Lowe's, Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Target, and other stores I just couldn't do it. True the ones I oogled after cost more than I wanted to spend, but all and all I just couldn't tarnish the image in my mind of Christmas past, the wonderful scent of pine, and the look of a not too perfect holiday tree. Perhaps it is the fact that I live where the weather is cold and snowy and evergreens are plentiful or maybe it is just the adventure of driving to the tree farm, walking in the snow with saw in hand, and the arduous task of chopping down your own Christmas tree and hauling it back home. I call it part of the Christmas spirit and tradition; a feeling of holiday magic.

Creative Friends

I have a very creative best friend. She's not really just a friend, I consider her like a long lost sister. We met on the Internet and then through a quilt group and then at a quilt gathering. That was 10 years ago and we have been friends ever since.
Every Christmas we exchange gifts and every year I can't wait to see what she has sent. They are always wonderful and special. She can read my mind. Take for instance this year I purchased some gift baskets from Stonewall Kitchens as gifts for some friends and said to my DH that I wish someone would send me a gift from Stonewall Kitchens. A week later I received the above. A box of goodies consisting of jams, jellys, apple butter, and scone mix from her together with a Nantucket basket (which I adore, as I have not been able to make one for myself) and an array of quilting fabrics and a pattern. I swear, she can read my mind.
And, that's what is so special about having a creative best friend. She views our friendship with a creative flair.

Creative Decorations from Nature

Winter Bird Bath
Nature's Holiday Icicles

This morning I was greeted with some creative inspiration Ala Mother Nature. The snow surrounding my bird bath glistened as the sunshine touched it. Also my garage was be speckled with icicles hanging as though suspended in midair. Everywhere I looked, Mother Nature had put up her holiday decorations and they always look spectacular. No special glitz or paint used and yet it is so hard to duplicate the work of a master. Whatever the season, she does her art without hesitation, or fear of criticism. Sure, I do complain when the temps are too cold or too hot, but all and all I find her creative art truly sensational.

Creative Mondays

Where does inspiration come from to be creative? What does it take to get those ideas flowing.

For me it comes from other quilters. I belong to a group (not an official type of guild) but a group of women some older than myself; some younger; who meet weekly at our local library. Some of these women are snowbirds some are life long residents of the small town. There is no official meeting just quite a bit of "show and tell" and a lot of discussion on various ongoing projects. Some bring sewing machines, some do hand work, some just come and drink coffee and visit. But, all and all, they are the nicest and non judgementmental group of women I have ever met. They are open to all types of creativity and eager to find out what current projects are and what's new in the world of fiber.

Above is a quilt that one of these women brought for "show and tell". She worked on it during a long RV trip to Florida. It's all hand appliqued and hand quilted. It is gorgeous.

From time to time I bring some of my work for "show and tell". It's usually not traditional in nature, but it is appreciated by everyone. No quilt police who tell me it's not really a quilt or that it has to be hand done. Everyone appreciates every one's efforts and that is a gift in itself.