Secret Santa Stocking Swap!!!

Today was the day! We all got to open our stockings from our secret Santa's. Too much fun. Marion was my secret Santa and she spoiled me rotten with the goodies she sent! Thank you, Marion, you are such a dear! So, here is what I got...

I loved everything! I got a wonderful stocking and holder that have been hung up for many days taunting me. There were a few things that didn't even fit in the stocking. Let's see... I received two beautiful asian print FQs. Bobbin covers, scissor tip covers, a cute needle holder kit, needle threaders and some hand lotion (all needed and appreciated). A large Mocha Latte scented candle (oh, so yummy). "Chalk It Up" book and chalk board fabric (too cool). I also received a gorgeous little tote, a sweet note pad, wonderful Christmas Memories book, and some dark chocolate. Thank you again, Marion, it was all so very wonderful!!!!

Yesterday was our annual Christmas get together and dinner for the quilty ladies at my church. It was a lot of fun. I just love those ladies! While I was there, I finished the quilting on my wreath WH. I just need to trim, make and sew on the binding, but not sure when I'll get to that.

I'm also pleased to announce that I am completely finished shopping for the hubby and that includes taking the kids to shop for him as well. I even have all of his stuff wrapped. (Except for stocking stuffers, those are still hidden.) Now, if I can just finish wrapping the kids things. I have been wrapping presents every day for well over a week, maybe two. Does it ever end???? LOL! The house is decorated except outside lights, but the weather hasn't been great here and I haven't had the heart to ask hubby to do it. He won't let me climb on the ladder to do it myself.

I have to make some more goodies in the kitchen today for our pastors. I don't really need them until Christmas Eve, but if I do it now I don't have to think about it anymore.

I hope all of you are winding down, relaxing and enjoying the holiday season. And I hope that every gift you receive is filled with love and thoughtfulness!

We Were Elfed!

This was too much fun and so silly, I had to try it and share with everyone. So, Merry Christmas from the Camou family...
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1504130277

Christmas and Birthday

Hailey's school Christmas play went very well on Thursday. And while I know I might be a bit biased, she was by far the best of the actors. Her teacher said she'd never had a student that could act so well. Always wonderful to hear your kids being praised by others. She was really sweet too when Gentry wanted to share the limelight during picture time.



Friday, when Hailey has half days at school, we decided to brave the mall for a Santa visit. I couldn't help but ask them if they thought it was the real Santa or one of his helpers. They said the beard and hair seemed real, so it must have been the real one. LOL! I guess only Santa can have a gray hair and beard. LOL!




I took a break from making Christmas gifts to make a birthday present. It is for my Godmother who will be 75 tomorrow. She is probably the most influencial person in my life. My parents aren't Christians, but she and her family are and they led me to Christ when I was a child. Tommie is an amazing woman who constantly demonstrates the fruits of the Spirit. She is also a wonderful cook and loves lemons. So, making an apron from this lemon fabric seemed like the right thing to do. I also thought these bee buttons looked cute and couldn't resist adding them.

Christmas Party

We had our guild's Christmas party this week. It was so much fun! It was a potluck and I brought the very tasty, very easy cocktail meatballs. I think I'm going to have make another batch today!
Show and tell was great. I had just enough goodies for each person to win something. My Sunday "time-off" allowed me to have the top finished of the Christmas Wreath quilt kit I won at the all-nighter. This was such an easy wall-hanging to piece. I need to baste it, but I haven't decided how I plan to quilt it yet, so not in much of a hurry there.



Our guild president gave each of us board members a present. We all got these cute ornaments and this beautiful scarf! I'm wearing mine right now. :)









We also had our gift exchange. I love the way we do the exchanges! Sit in a circle, and have someone read "Twas the Night Before Christmas". We actually used the quilter's version of the story. Whenever the reader says "the" you pass the present to the right, and when she says "and" you pass to the left. At the end of the story, whatever present is in front of you is what you get! This could work with any story/poem for other times of the year. I tend to think that God puts his own hand in it as it is amazing how many people get exactly what they needed/wanted. I got a storage box that I truly need for my thread spools. A set of scissors, including pinking shears that I need. I lost mine years ago. And this sweet book that I can't wait to read. I'm going to wait until after Christmas though to play with my goodies.

Hailey has her school play today. Can't wait to see it!

Look what arrived!!!

I was gone most of the day, but I had a wonderful package waiting for me when I came home. Look at how pretty Linda wrapped up the quilt I won on her blog!
Isn't it beautiful!!! The piecing, the quilting, the fabrics, the embroidery...all stunning! I just love it! Can't wait to find just the perfect spot to display it.

Here is a close up view of it. Too cute!!!!

She even made a pretty label for the back. I'll be attaching it today. :)

So, thank you, Linda, so very, very much! I couldn't be more pleased!!!!!!!

Second Sunday of Advent

Isn't this a cute nativity scene? Hailey painted it when she was in 2nd grade at church. Yes, the decorating has begun and we might be about half way through, though I'm not really sure. The poor tree is still waiting to have it's lights finished.

However, Christmas has been trickling in already. I have received three subscriptions as gifts and two of them already sent the magazines. And yesterday the postman brought me a package from my Secret Stocking Santa. Now, I don't get to open anything yet, except for the box it came in. She sent this pretty stocking, plus the sparkly hanger. The stocking is filled up, but there were a few items that didn't fit that I put on the mantel. We all get to open them on the 20th and have a chat session.


I got to take a break from the Christmas chores yesterday after I made sure that everything that needed to be mailed out was made, wrapped and ready to go. Then I had some to time to work on blocks for the guild. The first is this redwork block for the BOM. I was inspired after winning that gorgeous quilt from Linda. As you can see, this pattern isn't nearly as glamorous, but I did it and it's okay. I don't think I'll be doing anymore though, at least not without a good lesson from someone who is much better at it than I am.

I also started on the next QOYO block. Well, all I can say is that I won't be taking any pictures and I have visions of things being thrown into the trash. My only real remorse is the thought of the fabric I used going to waste, but the pieces are so small I don't think they can be salvaged. I'd be lucky if I could come up with eight 1" cut squares from all of it. I'll see what I can do. And now, since it is a "quilt of my own" I need to come up with a different block that might have a similar feel to it. Any suggestions? I'm looking for something very quick and easy as I'm running out of time now.

In the meantime, I'm going to work on something just for fun...the Christmas WH kit I won at the All-nighter. I've already started cutting pieces for it. Tomorrow I'll go back to being a Christmas elf and making and making and making things. But today, other than decorating, I'm taking a break. That is unless one of you comes up with the perfect idea for a QOYO block.

Great mail and Happy Chanukah

Happy Chanukah to all of my jewish friends and visitors. My family and I will be thinking about you all and your wonderful customs and celebrations.





Yesterday was a great mail day. The present I ordered on Friday for the guild exchange arrived. It is a precut block kit from Lazy Mazy called Happy Penguin Holiday. I layed out the pieces of one block to see what it will look like and to take the picture. My kids loved it and were sad when I said it was going to someone else. Good time to remind them it is a season of giving and not receiving.


I also got a surprise in the mail from Sissy, the owner of Lazy Mazy. I can't tell you how much I need these little tags! I will be doing a bit of organizing tonight in an effort to make room for Christmas decorations. These will really come in handy! Thank you, Sissy! Oh, and she is having a great sale today on FQ's and Strips.

Hanging of the Greens

Today was the start of our Advent season and the Hanging of the Greens service tonight at church. It was so great! We got to watch all of the kids in our church lead us in worship. Two particular children caught my attention...

Gentry was cast as Joseph. But my shy boy is known for stage fright. I couldn't even get a normal smile from him, poor baby!
Here he is with "Mary", also known as the girl he has the biggest crush on. She is precious for sure! He did a great job though and I was tickled watching him.

Hailey isn't shy at all and was wonderful. She sang loud, clear and didn't miss a beat. She has even gotten really animated the last few years when she sings...as though she is really trying to get the meaning of words across.

The picture is poor quality, but I had to try and capture it for you all anyway. There were all dressed in white, with candles (electric) in hand. The lights were off and it was so beautiful.

There is just nothing like starting off the holiday season blessed by our youth. It definitely warms the hearts as the temperatures cool down.

Sooner Saturday!

It was an awesome end to an awesome day! The OU Sooners won! Woohoo, it was a great game. :)

The kids had rehearsals yesterday for their Christmas performances tonight. So, that gave me a bit more time to get things done. I made so many things, none of which I can show as the recipients are visitors. But I'll be happy to share some of the great project ideas when the holidays are over...if someone reminds me.

I did make my sister promise not to visit. So, I can tell you that in the middle of being a Christmas elf yesterday, I had an idea to make matching coasters for her placemats (which I had only finished about 2 seconds before the idea). So, yes, I made coasters too.

I was also busy on Friday night making some ornaments with the clear glass balls. I have to push my finger in them to adjust things. Well, one of them had a little stick of glass sticking out at an angle, but I didn't see it. I felt it though, as I turned my finger counter-clockwise which put the entire piece all the way in. I knew I had glass in my finger (which is the same size as the opening) and I knew my finger was stuck. I just sat there saying, "ouch" for several seconds before trying to turn my finger clockwise and thus removing the glass. Yes, I kept on going though and made several more ornaments. But I looked at each opening from that point on to check for impending mishaps. LOL!

And the winner is...

Kim! Congratulations, Kim! Send me an email with your address and I'll get it sent off the beginning of next week. This was lots of fun. I think I'll have to do it again soon.

Guild was great the other night. I won a door prize, which is always fun. I don't even care what I get, I just have fun winning!

It was reassuring to see the other ladies' BOM and that they were all off just like mine was. For December, the BOM will be redwork, which I've never tried. I see so many of you ladies posting your redwork and it is just beautiful. I'm not sure that I have the confidence to give it a try, but we'll see.

Melinda was our speaker and taught us how to make some really cute things! I think I'm going to give one a try today. I just have to finish my sister's last placemat first.

QOYO #4 and Sooner Support

Woohoo! A good productive day so far. In addition to many other things, I managed to finish the 4th QOYO block! Now, I'm all caught up there. However, the next one is due two weeks early, so the break won't be long. And it doesn't look like a very fun pattern either. It is called Whirling Pinwheel. I'm not a big fan of sewing curves or using templates.



In honor of the upcoming OU game, I thought I'd show support by posting the really old pic of me. My Godparents were huge OU fans, bought this outfit and had my picture made. It didn't actually have OU on it, but the right colors and the football were good enough for them.

Too fun not to try...

I have been completely inspired by Donna and Linda! And I'm overly curious about the lurkers that visit. I have so many hits from other countries. I would love to know who you are! So, like the ladies above, I'm going to have a drawing for each person (lurkers and non-lurkers alike) that posts under this comment. What will the prize be? That is a secret, but I can tell you that it will be found hidden inside this cute tin. I'll hold the drawing on Thursday at noon my time, so don't wait too long to post.

November BOM and QOYO #5

BOM is done. It was made with a paper piecing pattern. I love paper piecing as it really helps to make everything precise. However, as you can see from the picture, the pattern itself wasn't precise. It is about 1/4" off where the strips are supposed to match. My OCD is off the charts when I look at the block! Thanks goodness I will be turning it in tomorrow and then I won't have to see it anymore. It was fun working with the strips though.

Speaking of strips. The 5th QOYO block was "Strips and Stripes" and it was up to us what that meant. Fortunately for me, the bonus block I made a couple of months ago, fits that description, so I'm not as behind as I thought. Now, I just have to finish the 4th block today.

Finally!

I actually get to take something off of my UFO list! I finished my Autumn Wall-hanging.

I also have a couple of close up pics here of a little scarecrow and owl that I just had to add. They were too cute to leave off.

I just couldn't stand the thought of another year going by and not having it done. And I was determined to have it done before the Christmas decorations start going up in a few days.

And I also dread the thought of how this list will look in January when I will probably have to add the quilts I started this year.

UFOs 2007

Needs to be quilted and bound...

• Twisted Sisters Quilt
• Rejoice Quilt
• Sampler of Psalms Quilt
• Jacob's Ladder Quilt
• Katydid Mystery Quilt
• Raspberry Tea in Tuscany Quilt
  

Needs to be pieced, quilted and bound...

• Jack-o'-lantern wall-hanging
• Christmas Quilt 1
• Christmas Quilt 2
• Charm Quilt
• Autumn Sampler Quilt
• Mystery #122A Quilt
• Mystery #122B Quilt
• Hailey's Birthday Quilt
• Christmas Greetings Table Runner
• Retreat Swap Christmas Quilt
• Judy's Quilt
• Ostrich Challenge Quilt
• Hailey's Round Robin Quilt

Now, for the rest of the weekend, I have several blocks to work on... two QOYO blocks (yes, that means I'm behind) and one BOM. However, I really am dying to work on that Christmas Kit I won last weekend!

Christmas Panic All Night Quilting

Last night our guild had a "Christmas Panic All-nighter". It was so much fun! Most of the people cut out around Midnight, but Jean and I lasted until 7:00 in the morning. I won a great door prize from a store just south of us in Mississippi called Sew Susan. It was a kit to make a Christmas Wreath quilt wall-hanging/table topper. I can't wait to start working on it!

While I was at there last night, I got a lot done on my sister's placemats... the tops are done and now I need to birth and quilt them. I hope she likes them!






I also got a kit from Lazy Mazy yesterday. She pre-cuts the fabrics for her kits and she does an amazing job! Think of how much time it saves in making a quilt. Though I have no idea how she manages to find the time to cut everything. And, no, she doesn't have any type of die-cutting machines. She just uses rulers, templates and her rotary cutter...Amazing!