Thank you and a Give-a-way!

Hugs and many thanks to Donna and everyone who offered prayers for my Mom. She is doing well and we are looking forward to her release from the hospital later this week! She's a spunky gal! I still am not sure of my own travel plans, what kind of home care she'll need and for how long, so we're just 'playing it by ear' to see what happens next.
I've noticed, too, that my lil' blog is approaching 1000 views! Now, I know some folks out there get that every week, but it's a pretty cool milestone for me! I've decided to celebrate the occasion with my first give-a-way! Anyone who leaves a comment in the post that tips the counter to 1000 will be entered in a drawing to win this set of snowman ornaments from my Etsy shop! Can't guarantee they'll be to the winner before Christmas but they're a fun winter theme anyway!

Just asking for prayer-

Satan apparently doesn't like busy and happy holiday seasons. My mom, Ann, (81) was rushed into emergency surgery last night for a blockage. She's stable, in ICU. I'm 700 miles away. Please pray as she heals and we make decisions concerning travel and such. Thank y'all-

Gotta love homeschooling...

One of those mornings I enjoy-- while other moms are rushing to get kids on the bus, I'm watching one son give a guitar tuning lesson to his youngers while his cannoli shells are bubbling in oil. Love it. (Unfortunately, camera batteries are dead. No pic. :( )

Our church's Christmas program is coming up this weekend, which accounts for little time to sew, craft, clean house, do laundry, eat--the usual. I love being the producer/co-director of our shows but it does eat the time up! So many people work full time now, it's difficult to find anyone able to help build sets and scenery. Not my strong points. Fortunately, the guys who know what they're doing were able to build proper supports. The art/finishing work---well, let's just say it's a good thing we're doing comedy. Wonky sets fit wonky scripts!

And this is a real life-interruptor: Sitting at a red light with Philip and discussing a library book when WHAM! A Chevy Trail Blazer met the back end of my little "Pumpkin"; a Kia Rio. No injuries but lost my car for two weeks. Boo!


Working on a bunch of needle cases for the Etsy shop (probably too late for stocking stuffers but I'll list 'em anyway later today) and a few gifts (no peeking Kal-El!)

Newly listed-

I (finally) finished several sets of snowmen ornies and got them listed today. I'm pleased with how they turned out!


Had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Company (in the form of daughter Ashley, son-in-law Patrick and now-11 months old Kal-El) arrived on Wednesday and from the moment they got here it was non-stop baking, cooking, movies and Wii playing! Chef-son Corey worked until after 8:00 and started on the things he wanted to make so I wasn't surprised to hear him downstairs in the kitchen with Patrick until the wee hours trying to get everything done before he went back to work in the morning. He was home by 5, though, so we had our turkey later than usual. We also had the pleasant company of some friends from church so it was a lovely time all around!

"I Spy" bags?

I have heard of I Spy quilts, ( made a half-baked I Spy quilt top last week for a shower gift) but yesterday I found I Spy bags for the first time. It's a really cool idea and goodness knows I have more than enough stored crafting supplies around here to make a few. I even have the poly pellets from my porcelain doll making days. I wonder about the safety though. I fear fabric or stitches ripping and little pieces getting into little mouths to choke on. Fleece is more difficult to tear--would it help to line the outer fabric with some? I'd love to hear from anyone who makes these and what successes and fails you've encountered.

In the 'not-sewing-but-I'm-proud-of-him' category: Number-1-Chef-Son made a chiffon cake with Swiss buttercream icing and fondant for the aforementioned shower. His first! And it was yummy!

Starting on Christmas?

So with Bell, Book and Candle almost over and all this time I can do what I want, it's time to start on Christmas, right? Nope. I remembered I have another new baby arriving soon so I started work on her quilt. (Jude's is still slogging along at performances.) I did some mass cutting for a few Etsy shop items and then-- IT happens. IT often happens. I'm working at a good clip when suddenly the shop that is usually ignored clicks with people and I have a flurry of questions and then a couple of special orders. Yeah! IT is a good IT-- cash in the fabric stash account! But no work today. Got a special visitor today and it's time to shift into Grandma mode! Kal-El is 10 months old now!

What to do, what to do...

Today "what to do" takes on two meanings:
First, a quandary-- Got a message at the Etsy shop to trade one of my items for something from their shop. Okay, I guess. I'm always happy that someone likes my item(s). But I don't need/want anything from their shop. I sell my items to pay for my fabric habit; I need cash. But I feel that if I say no, thank you, I'm being unkind or insulting. Is that how it goes for any of you others who have shops? Should I make a trade in a spirit of goodwill and support to a fellow crafter? What to do...

...on the other side is, really, what do I do now? I have a long list of projects that have been waiting for my 'want to sew' time (as opposed to the "have to sew" projects) and now that I have it I don't know where to start! Clothes for my odd-shaped bod? Pajama pants for the family (with a few put away for Christmas!)? Stock for the shop? Maybe I should clear out the UFO's some more? I dunno. I guess I'll see what jumps into my hands. One thing I am doing, though, is hand quilting Jude's blanket. Now that Bell, Book and Candle is running, I take it to the theatre with me. I have about an hour and a half of waiting time between my responsibilities. I'm hoping to finish it by Thanksgiving!