My sweet mama made me a beautiful gift. The most beautiful gifts are handmade aren't they? As soon as I held these in my hands I couldn't wait to share them with you. These really inspired me to make kitchen-y Christmas gifts for the ladies in my family this year...which I haven't actually started sewing yet. Of course.
Look how sweet! Fabric adorned kitchen towels and a potholder to match. Love it. Mom bought a few yards of this kitchen toweling at a quilt shop last year and this is what she's done with it.
These go perfectly in my kitchen. Which I would show you, but it's a mess. I will show you my sweet new gingham curtains though! I've had the fabric for these for ages, but never got around to them. Somehow they magically appeared on my windows when my mom was here visiting this fall. Funny how that happens.
Unfortunately, the trim around my windows didn't get magically painted while she was here. The trim was finished this summer, but and are still the primer white. They look nice until you get up close, then it's quite obvious that they need to be painted.
See above? Totally needs paint. Which I have and has been sitting in the kitchen for months. I'm a loser.
Thankfully even though I'm a loser, my sweet German friend Sabine loves me anyway. And she surprised me with THE most lovely gift this week. I opened this and almost fainted.
She stitched and framed this for me!! It's hanging near the kitchen table right now, so that I can see it all day while the girls and I do school. It's a bit dark in the kitchen, not good lighting so I haven't gotten a great picture of it yet. I'll do a proper photo shoot soon, but couldn't help but get it up on the wall as soon as possible! It kills me it's so cute.
I love this so much. Making dinner has been so much more enjoyable since I take little trips to see my new Christmas stitchery! I can't thank you enough Sabine!! xoxo
Now, making dinner is also pretty fun because I get to hang out with the Christmas bunny. Charles aka Foofy is his name(s). This month he is officially known as the Christmas bunny. Soon he will be the New Year Bunny, then the Presidents Day bunny and let's not forget the Easter bunny.
It's a bit difficult to get a good picture of an active Christmas bunny. The next one is blurry, but you get a good idea why I call him Foofy.
He's a fluffy little angel. His cage is actually in the kitchen/dining area. It's really the best place for him. He was in my daughter's room, but he likes being in the kitchen so much, and uses a litter box every time he has to go potty, so it made sense to move him down here. When we're home he literally just hangs out in the kitchen. He LOVES attention, especially head rubs.
It's so hard to get him still for a picture! So I asked my daughter to rub his head so he'd sit still for a minute. As soon as she stopped,
Christmas bunny on the move!
We put this rug down on the tile floor in the kitchen. That way he can get traction for his acrobatic jumps, since he has such fluffy feet that slide on the tile.
Ok, time for me to get back to work. School, then into town for the girls' dance lessons, then home to make dinner with the Christmas bunny. Then, if I can push aside my loser-ish tendencies, I will head to the sewing room to get started on some Christmas gifts. That or sit on the couch with a glass of wine. x
LOVE the gingham curtains! I have a similar image pinned on my 'in my kitchen' board on Pinterest: we will be moving between Christmas and New Year (great planning, I know) and I have already bought the fabric. So my question is: can your mom hop on a plane to Holland and come over in a few weeks? ;-) The stitchery is lovely too!
Posted by: Kim | December 06, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Hi Sarah! I love reading your posts. You make me feel better, because I had crown molding put in last winter and I STILL haven't painted it. So we can be losers together. lol
Your mom is so talented, I can see where you get it from! The towels and potholder are beautiful. I love cheery gingham curtains too. Sabine's stitchery is absolutely gorgeous. Christmas bunny is too cute. What does Rosie think about him? xo Jen (P.S. I would totally sit on the couch with a glass of wine!)
Posted by: Jen in NY | December 06, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Oh my word, you receive the best ever presents! You must be a very good daughter and friend. You've inspired me to make some kitchen-y gifts and the sampler, I'm sorry but I must confess to serious sampler envy. Oh and the bunny, I'd like him too, please! He looks seriously furry.
Hen x
Posted by: Hen | December 06, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Ooooh, those curtains and towels are beautiful! What a wonderful gift idea. Hmmm. Now I'm thinking. Thinking....
Very cute Christmas bunny. And Sampler. Cuteness all around!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | December 06, 2011 at 02:26 PM
What a wonderful gift! Love your curtains too~ and the Christmas bunny! LOL You are a busy person and do not have loser tendencies!~ everyone needs to relax some. ;-) Have a happy day!
Posted by: Sandie~ call me crazy | December 06, 2011 at 03:14 PM
So everything fits perfectly in your cozy kitchen!!!!
The gingham curtains are great and NO ONE can see that the walls need to be painted. NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a pleasure to stitch that for you and in every stitch there are good thoughts and wishes!!
Charlie is as sweet as sugar!!
Hugs,
Sabine xxxxx
Posted by: Sabine | December 06, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Funny, I just posted about our bunnies - we have 4. They hear you in the kitchen and think it is salad time. I made a quilt with photos of all four of our babies. I have some things I'm waiting to be magically painted too. The elves must be busy.
Posted by: Mary | December 07, 2011 at 01:55 PM
Loved reading about everything, but I am especially in love with Sabine's present. Any chance she can send you a link to a pattern, or did she invent it herself? Thanks!
Posted by: Elizabeth | December 08, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Dear Elizabeth!
I found the pattern in a french shop in February and ordered it. Unfortunately the shop is closed!
But maybe you will find it somewhere in the www! Search for: "Enchanté Noel"
Good luck!
Sabine :o)
Posted by: Sabine | December 08, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Hi Elizabeth, it´s me again!
I just "googled" and found out that the lady still has her shop open! Maybe she re-opened it! Lucky you! Search for "passion bonheur" and you will find the pattern and see the possibilities how to order it!
I hope; I could help you! Happy stitching to you!!! Have fun!
Sabine
Posted by: Sabine | December 08, 2011 at 09:31 PM
The towels and the curtains remind me of my grandmother. They look just like the things she used to make. Still miss her.
It's awesome that you've trained the bunny to use a litter box. Didn't know that could be done. He does look like an active little fellow.
I enjoyed reading your post. And, remember, there are no losers at Christmas!
Posted by: Steve DeVane | December 09, 2011 at 05:51 AM
I wondered what you meant by Christmas bunny! How fun. Your mother is so talented. Just like you. I always love to see what you are up to at your house. Your photos tell such a great story. This cross stitch made me sad a bit. My mother was such a great cross stitcher and sewer. It made me miss my mom!! I'm so glad you have yours to enjoy. She's amazing at her craft as you. Happy Christmas.
Posted by: nanette | December 23, 2011 at 09:20 AM