Anyone Can Quilt

Me, trying to get up.

This is what my mornings look like lately.  Not wanting to get out of my cozy bed, content in the covers.  Partly because it's been so gray and wet outside.  Partly because I don't have to be anywhere early in the morning.  One of the perks of homeschooling my girls.  Mornings aren't stressful, we get to linger over breakfast, and heck why not do school in our pajamas and poofy robes today. 

 

Ok, I'm crawling out.  We do have work to do after all.  When school is done I'll get to play in my sewing room while listening to the music of the rain.  My favorite sound.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank You all so much for the coffee cozy love!  Your comments were all so sweet and kind and wonderful.  I'm having so much fun sewing up some new ones to list in my Etsy store.   Along with some jewelry.  I don't show jewelry very often on my blog.  But I do love making jewelry.  And it's so fun stocking up my little shop!

 

This cozy is one of my favorites, I'm in love with this swirly white vintage button.  And anything with little birds on it kills me. 

 

Here's a little jewelry peek. 

The colors!  Choosing beads for me is almost as fun as picking fabrics for a quilt.  I said almost.  Have a wonderful day my friends.  And I will sincerely try to be out of my pajamas by noon.  Please wish me luck.  xoxo

All is Merry and Bright... except for the car.

I love this time of year.

I love candy canes.

I love the smell of this tree.

I love that the whole family has "Wii arm".  Ouch.  As a result of playing too much Wii.  A Christmas present from the grandparents. 

 

I love vintage Christmas linens.

 

And I love these mangy beasts, lounging by the fire.... all day.

 

 

I love my new Belgian waffle maker!

I love watching my girls decorate gingerbread cookies.

I loved helping with the children's Christmas program at church.

My main duty was chasing down stray sheep that wanted to play the piano. 

And I couldn't get over this little guy.  He was precious.

Oh ya, here's something I don't love:

Our car was parked on the street while we were in church last Sunday.  They left a note saying that they bumped into our car "Lightly."  Oh, at least it was Lightly... That made me laugh.  As soon as we walked out to the car and saw this I looked at my husband and started singing, "It's the most wonderful time of the year..."  And he chimed right in.  Now that's our theme song whenever something unfortunate happens.  It cracks me up.  My mom called me the other day stressed about something, so I started in, "It's the hap-happiest season of all..."  Cheered her right up.  And I'm too far away for her to smack with the phone.   

 

On a creative note, I made this last night for Little Sis's Blythe doll.

 

And look Monica, we also gave her some freckles the other day!  That was fun.  And speaking of my friend Monica, look what she made for me at the retreat last month.  This thing makes me so happy I can't tell you.  I love it so.

It's a thing of beauty.  Thank you Monica! 

 

It's ok ladies, take a few moments to reflect..... shed a tear..... I understand.  

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.  Have a wonderful week full of love and family fun... and maybe some huge waffles.  x

Advent

Busy busy busy.  That's what it's been like here at Anyone Can Quilt cottage.  The tree has been purchased and decorated, the Christmas candles have been lit, and the crafts are under way.  The girls are practicing for their Christmas program and I'm trying to get gifts made and some laundry done.  Which is why I am soooooooo behind on my favorite blogs!  I'm hoping to catch up on my wonderful blog friends this week. Speaking of crafts, we made these sweet little pine cone Christmas trees at our homeschool group.  The kids had such a glue-y, glittery, messy good time. 

I know you've all been dieing to see what was in some of my little Advent packages from Sabine.  It's been so fun discovering what's inside each morning!  This very morning my treasure was this.

Oh my goodness!  It's so cute!  Here's a picture of what I've received so far.

Here's my loot, minus the chocolate bar that mysteriously disappeared.... into my belly.  Oh, and it seems I forgot to add the wonderful Cath Kidston tissues to this grouping.  Which is odd because I loooove them so much, and they are my first official Cath Kidston treasures ever!  I'll get them in next time.  By the way, if you are unfamiliar with Cath then please click on the link.  You are in for a treat. 

Sabine sent me a wonderful Miss Marple movie!  She told me how much she loves these old movies that I had never heard of.  I love old movies and this one was great! 

I learned something I didn't know about DVD's though.  Apparently, our DVD players here in the U.S. are programmed a bit differently that in Europe.  When we popped the movie into the player a lovely little message popped up onto the screen telling us that this DVD is not for this 'region', and then to please remove the DVD.  Well I never!  I was so sad.  But then my computer genius husband suggested that I try it on my laptop.  Fortunately it has the option to change your region.  So I changed it to 'Western Europe', and we were good to go!  But, it did warn that you can only change your region 5 times.  Which is annoying.  My daughter suggests that we send a "Strong worded letter" to the DVD people.  I love that kid.  Anyhoo....

Two more of my lovely gifts.  This adorable mushroom ornament, and this gorgeous embroidered cushion cover!  It's so pretty, and huge!  I can't wait to make the pillow guts for it so I can put it on my bed.  It says "Sweet Dreams". 

Yummy tea.

Beautiful gloves.  And did you see my white wreath with the cute little mushrooms?  Well the little mushrooms were one of the little gifts.  I love how they look on my white wreath.  Thank you so much Sabine!

So I am making something that I'd love to share.  But it's a surprise for someone special who is reading these very words.  So that will have to wait.  I can show you this little ornament though!  It's from the book that I blogged about here.  I just need to attatch a string for hanging.

We've had white lights on the tree for years.  But last year we decided to go for the colors.  The kids love the colored lights, and they remind me of my childhood Christmas trees.  The girls had so much fun decorating the tree.  It's so nice that they are old enough to do most of the decorating.  But I have to say I do miss the days of their little hands putting 6 ornaments on one little branch. 

Look at this naughty girl.  She's been trying to open the Advent presents early!  She is such a handfull. 

I just know that when I turn my back on her I'll hear a little rip of the paper. 

Now I better get back to the Christmas festivities... is doing dishes a Chrismas festivity when you're listening to Christmas music?  It is for me! x

My other personality..

I am a quilter.  That is my first love in the world of crafty love.  But I do dabble a bit in the jewels.  Making jewelry is fun.  I love sterling silver, and vintage crystals, Swarovski crystals, gemstones, great glass... the list goes on.  There is something about a nice handmade piece of jewelry that I love.  Just like choosing great fabrics and patterns, I so enjoy choosing colors and textures of beads and silver, and then making something beautiful. 

Every first Sunday in August, my little town hosts our annual Antique Street Fair.  Antique and craft vendors from all around line Main Street.  We also have live folk music and a classic car show.  It is really a fun day.  Every year since I moved back to Oregon from Florida, my bestest friend from high school, and now my sister-in-law, (how cool is that!?) participate in the fair.  Amy makes all natural bath and body products which are heavenly.  And I am the jewelry lady.  We are always stressed out getting ready for this thing.  But once we are there and all set up, we visit and laugh and sell our goods.  My Mr. often sets up my girls with goods to sell too.  In the last couple of years they sold ice cold drinks to the peeps.  They make their own signs and feel quite important!  This year they might sell homemade play dough.  We haven't quite decided yet.   Ok, I haven't quite decided yet...one more thing to make!  But back to the jewels.

Don't you just love these beads?  I think they're my favorites.

And now, I will leave you with a disturbing image.  One of the results of creativity.  Try not to stare too long.

Do you think I could fit another dish in there???  I am ashamed.  x

Leona's necklace

I just finished my grandma Leona's necklace from the post before last.  Oh my.  I am in love with this necklace.  I spent time this morning soaking and scrubbing the delicate crystals one at a time.  When I started I wasn't actually sure if they were a light beige, or clear and dirty.  They were definately clear and dirty.   Then I carefully restrung the necklace and added a new sterling silver clasp. 

I decided to add a delicate extender to be flexible on the length a little bit.  And yes, the necklace is on a neck form.  Don't you all have one of those laying around the house?  No?  Well I have a ton of them.... but alas.... that is a story for another time.

I had the wonderful idea to present my grandma with her new and improved necklace on Mother's Day.  I unfortunately hadn't taken into account that we had the crazy dance weekend to contend with.  Soooo, I can't wait to bring it to her tomorrow.   

Before:

After:

I can't get over how gorgeous the crystals came out.   My grandma is going to look so elegant wearing her Mother's necklace.  I love being able to be a part of this special memory of her Mom. x