Needles and Pens

Now that Christmas is over and the gifts unwrapped, I can finally share all of the projects I've been working on. Lots and lots of Christmas gifts! I've decided that doing things at the last minute is just... the way I do things. I get some kind of adrenaline rush from it all, and I really surprised myself with the number of gifts I was able to finish in just a couple of weeks: Nine dinosaurs, for all the little boys in the family... Eight little dolls, for the girls... Six sets of flannel pajamas... And at the very last minute, a quilted floor pillow for Emily's "black and white" room... And a Christmas quilt for baby Aaron... My sewing machine was smokin'! And it didn't get much of a break. My grandson is being baptized this Sunday and today I started sewing his baptism outfit. White satin -- not my favorite fabric to work with, but it's coming along and I'm sure he'll look adorable. After all, he's adorable no matter what he wears. ;o)

Pat Sloan is starting a "Christmas Rumble" over at her blog. Just click the logo above, then leave a comment about what gets YOU in the Holiday Spirit! You have until December 15, and you could win a quilty, Christmas-y gift from Pat. Fun!

Yesterday we celebrated Emily's 14th birthday. It was very, very... zebra. She received so many wonderful gifts - and there was definitely a strong zebra theme. Right down to the socks on her feet: And some really great things for her new room, like this cute zebra wall hanging, made by her sister: More original art, by her little brother: And of course, new bedding and curtains: I felt like I had really splurged to make the curtains (the fabric cost around $40) until I found some almost identical zebra panels at Target that would have cost us $100 to buy. I can't take credit for the bedding, though. It's from the Seventeen Posh Collection at JC Penney, where my older daughter works. It's absolutely perfect for Emily's room! What a great day! Many thanks to her grandparents, aunties and uncles, brothers and sister for giving Emily such a fantastic birthday!