Saturday, December 18, 2010

Rainy Day Session

It is a rainy day session for us and it is forecast to continue through next Wednesday.  It is actually nice to be getting the rain and it isn’t too chilly outside.  They call this a “Pineapple Express” in our area, meaning we get lots of rain with milder temperatures.


Our oldest son and his family happen to be up in the Sierras where it is forecast to receive 12 to 18 feet of snow through next Wednesday.  They received three feet overnight last night.  We may not see them again until spring at this rate.  LOL



Thursday DH took the day off of work as he needed to drive into L.A. to pick up some wine for Christmas.  He asked if I would like to accompany him and stop off at the fabric district.  He did not need to ask twice as I had jumped at the thought.  It was a fabulous day with fabric stores for blocks filled with luscious fabrics, trims, laces, buttons, patterns, beads, feathers and anything you could imagine.  It really is a great place to visit if you do clothing construction as most of our fabric stores cater to quilters and have a very limited amount of fabrics for clothing.  I was in heaven and could have spent many hours there.  We met up for lunch at the famous Coles and enjoyed a beef dip sandwich.  YUM!!!


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Today I was able to spend some time sewing and playing around a bit.  It actually felt really good to be all caught up and have some free time.  I got the last border on my Christmas Cactus quilt and I really LOVE it.  Thanks, Sandi, for sharing your fabulous pattern with us.


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I recently read on someone's blog about making your own spray starch.  I wish I could remember who wrote it so I could give them credit, but, sadly, I cannot.  It called for two cups of water, 1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch and 2 drops of lavender essence oil.  Since I an not a fan of lavender I found some "fresh linen" at Mich*aels and used that.  Not only does the mixture work well, it smells utterly fantastic.  I am sold on it.

As well, I made a few Christmas pinwheel ornaments from this tutorial.  They went up so quickly and were fun to make.  They will be super cute on the tree or on top of packages.



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Two of our grandsons had birthdays this week so we were able to celebrate with their family.  Mr. B turn 8 on Thursday and Mr. T is 13 today – a big teenager now. 



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This evening we are going to another son’s home for our annual Christmas dinner with his family.  We enjoy a great meal followed by a trip around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights.  It should be interesting in the pouring rain tonight.


I received my pincushion from the swap that I participated in at Pigtales and Quilts.  It is a lovely pincushion in the shape of a watermelon with lots of beading.  The workmanship is fabulous on it.  As well, Thearica enclosed an ornament for our tree.  Thank you so much, it was a fun swap to participate in.


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I recently won a giveaway from Talin with lots of wonderful trims.  I know that these will come in so handy with the sewing that I do for my grandchildren.  They are beautiful and will be the perfect accent to little girl’s dresses.  Look at the fabulous pincushion she enclosed.  I LOVE her fabric choices and the cute flower on top.  Thank you, Talin.


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Tomorrow we light our last advent candle which means that Christmas is right around the corner.  My, but the year has flown past.  I am sure that I will be tied up with lots of preparation for our big Christmas Eve party so I would like to take a moment and wish everyone a very blessed Christmas.  It has been my joy to visit all of your wonderful blogs this year and to have you stop by for a visit to mine as well.  Blogging friends are really special.

31 comments:

  1. Wow...our men know that if they mention fabric we are there!!! In the car and ready!!

    Happy Birthday to the grandkids.

    Love love the quilt....

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  2. Great post and I love your Cactus quilt. I remembered those pinwheel ornaments what fun. I might make some for DG's tree. Happy Birthday to DGs - Hugs Nat

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  3. that christmas cactus quilt is amazing, i love that..i've been looking for some christmas cactus plants and yesterday while visiting a friend, she wanted to show off her mom's HUGE christmas cactus, it was beautiful, she gave me a cutting of it, it was red, her mom also had a white one and gave me a cutting of it as well. I have them in water and hope they'll root good.

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  4. Oh what fun to go fabric shopping. What a thoughtful DH you have.
    The cactus quilt is looking great.
    Love visiting with your family.
    Happy Birthday boys.
    Will check out the tut for the pinwheels thank you.
    Oh I have also sent of a wonky house as I thought it was fun.
    Have a wonderful Christmas with all you lovely family. XXX

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  5. I cant imagine that much snow...how do they cope? That was a nice treat to the fabric store with hubby!

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  6. Thanks for the link to the pinwheels....I MUST check that out! Still loving your Christmas Cactus quilt...and thinking of my dad. Hugs...Merry Christmas!

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  7. The Christmas Cactus quilt is just wonderful, and i love the ornaments. So nice to have some birthdays to celebrate!
    Micki

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  8. Your Christmas Cactus quilt turned out great! And I love the watermellon pin cushion, how creative, lucky you. It is pouring here, and very windy, good day to burrow in the sewing room.

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  9. I LOVE that christmas cactus quilt. It's awesome. I really need to make a few Christmas quilts!
    Cheers,
    Dionne

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  10. Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy your time with family. Hope the rain lets up for the lights. Your catus quilt looks lovely. Thanks for sharing the tute on the cute pinwheel ornament.

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  11. Loved reading everything - especially the spray starch and the pinwheel ornaments information. Have a Merry Christmas!

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  12. Loved your post...and the fabric trip with DH. Thanks for the tute on the pinwheels too. The Cactus Quilt is wonderful.

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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  13. you have a keeper DH! The only place for clothing fabric of quality around here is in or near Chicage.

    I like the Christmas cactus quilt. I have never seen one like it before.

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  14. I am so jealous of the fabric district. Oh heaven!!! Your quilt is beautiful. Have a blessed Christmas.

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  15. Your Christmas Cactus quilt is absolutely amazing!! How fun to go the the fabric district - I haven't been there in years. But I have had a beef dip from Coles not too awfully long ago :)
    Thanks for the link to the ornament tutorial - so cute.
    I hope that you and your family have a marvelous and merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!!

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  16. Love the pinwheels! And your quilt. . . oh my! It's GORGEOUS!

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  17. You are very welcome. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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  18. That quilt is unreal. Happy Birthday to your grands!!! I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas!

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  19. Wow...fabric..now THAT's a 'real' date! I don't think we are there yet. Hubby isn't quite aware of just what fabric and trim mean to me yet. :o)

    I love your quilt border! Gorgeous!And the pin cushion is so sweet. :o)

    Merry Christmas!
    Donna @ Comin' Home

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  20. BTW, I adore the photos of your grandkids and their birthday party. How special!

    Did you by any chance notice the tutorial I did on fleece sleeping bags for children with matching pillows. I thought you might like it if you've never made one of these before.

    I sort of 'made it up' out of my head. I wanted to do something besides a fleece blanket for the grandkids. :O)

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  21. You've been so busy. I don't know how you fit it all in...all that beautiful sewing, family celebrations, and your house looks wonderful all decorated for the season.
    Your day in LA sounds like a great treat, and lunch out with hubby is a perfect way to finish the day.
    I hope you and your wonderful family have a joyful Christmas, dear friend, and that the New Year is filled with happiness and good health....and peaceful rest..at least for a time :)

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  22. What a fun day you had with your sweetie! And what fun things have arrived in your mailbox.

    We could use some of your rain or some of Maine or Minnesota's snow! We are dry as a rock. Thankfully the mountains are getting pounded and we'll have water this summer.

    Have a wonderful Christmas with your lovely family! It'll be a small crowd for us this year. I'm glad, I think.

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  23. Merry Christmas

    Your Christmas Cactus quilt is very unique, I love it.

    I hope you and your family have a wonderful time together for Christmas and I wish you all the best for the New Year.

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  24. That would have made my day to go to the fabric district. Looks like you are having a festive holiday. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  25. I love your cactus quilt...great choices on your color selection. And those pinwheel ornaments are adorable. I love pinwheels....thanks for the link!

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  26. Love the idea of that fabric district!!
    Cute pinwheeels, will go look at the tutorial, hope Christmas was great, love Tracey

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  27. E knows the way to a womans heart doesn't he?!! Wow! I am drooling over all of those fabrics and notions! And a yummy lunch out too!

    Love your finished quilt, it is just gorgeous! You do such a beautiful job on all of your sewing. Mimi was looking at the mug rug that you sent me and admiring your stitching around the snowflake!!! You should be giving lessons, but when would you have time?!

    We are in the midst of a blizzard here. I just went over and helped my nephew get unstuck with FIL's car. He comes to pick him up every day, leaves his car and takes FIL's car. He got off onto the lawn a bit and was stuck. I wanted them to take my 4 wheel drive but......Finally got his car out with me driving and Nephew pushing. Life in Maine! ha!

    Got to try some of those pinwheels, they are so cute. :o)

    Can't go anywhere today so will get some sewing done! Yippee!

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  28. I hope your holiday was filled with blessings!(I wish I would have seen that tutorial for the pinwhells sooner)!

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  29. Beautiful lace and ribbons. Have heard a lot about your very unusual rain. Our snow finally disappeared today after lots of overnight rain and a rise in temperature. Can walk on the pavements again. Yippee. Has been like an ice rink.

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  30. Thanks for sharing the tutorial for the pinwheel ornaments.

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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