The Ornament Contest

Here are the entries for the family Annual Ornament Contest. It is so much fun to see what everyone comes up with. This year we had a common theme of nylon hose used some how in the ornament.

The Pink Heart

Mr. Snowman

Mrs. Snowman

Santa

Crocheted Snowflake

The Glass Ball

Lastly, the official auditing committee counting the ballets. Really the contest is not about winning. I personally love seeing everyone's ideas.

Two Projects Completed

I am a very beginning knitter. I LOVE knitted things and I like to read blogs with talented knitters . I'm in awe over their creations. I made the scarf above with just the simple knit stitch with very soft pink yarn.

I made a list of all the things I wanted to complete in 2009, but I can't find it at the moment. On the top of my list was putting the binding on this Turning Twenty Quilt which I finished a couple of months ago and didn't get the binding on until today. I didn't make it with anyone in mind, I just loved the colors! I am giving it away tonight to someone who just moved into a new home. I don't have any more quilts to bind so my finger is going to heal up. Maybe, in the new year I can learn to use a thimble! :)

Merry Christmas

Sprite, Pippi and Fibbi wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. It is not an easy task to get them to face forward and wear their new hats. :) But, they wanted to send their holiday greetings too. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!!

Here are the gifts I made: A baby quilt for a new addition to Eric and Renee's family in January.
Why pink? They know it is going to be a girl.

A pillow for my sister-in-law Frankie. I hope she likes it. The buttons are from my mom's button box. It is always so much fun to look through the buttons. They are all so different. There are only a couple that are duplicated.

This is my ornament for the contest at my parents house. My family will celebrate Christmas on Sunday. I can't wait! I will post all the entries later.

It's My Birthday!

Today is my Birthday and despite the less than desireable weather, Conan and I journeyed out into the cold. We went to my favorite restaurant, The Oven. They serve the best Indian cuisine in town.

Here are some photos from The Oven.

Even though I was stuffed, the server brought out this fabulous dessert, and I almost ate the whole thing!

One of my friends made this wonderful fleece blanket for me. Handmade gifts are best. Jana's son has the same birth date as me.

Connie, Kate and Cody came over to sing me Happy Birthday, and gave me this adorable rabbit and "Sister" plaque.


Tonight so far we've had a mixture of rain, sleet and lightning. On our way home from the restaurant, we stopped so I could take a picture of this lighted Christmas tree. I think the photo turned out pretty neat. It captures the kind of weather we're having.

Some of My Favorite Christmas Decorations

The Advent Tree is the new addition to my Christmas decorations this year. I found this Advent Tree in GA when I visited my sister Kristine.

I grew up with an Advent calendar. My mom made it from felt and it hung on the wall by our dining room table. Each night when we ate dinner we would pin an ornament on the tree. I have such great memories of this tradition and was so excited when I found this Advent tree. The tree fits in the back of the back along with the tree stand. Each day there is a pull out drawer which has an ornament to put on the tree. Of course the 1st day had the red garland beads.
Another favorite of mine is our Nativity set. Conan and I purchased it a couple of years ago. I think it is beautiful!!

The Ornament Contest

We have a new tradition in our family and it is making a Christmas Tree Ornament. This year will be our 2nd Annual Contest. (There is really no prize.) We make an ornament and then bring it to the Christmas celebration at my parents house. This year we added a new twist and nylon hose has to be used somehow in the ornament. Above, is the beginnings of my ornament. Can't wait to see everyone's idea. Last year, they were all adorable.

Pictured below are holiday quilts on display this month at the Bernina Sewing Studio. The red and green colors really got me in the Christmas mood.