{Post 1,100} Christmas Runner

Gifts.  They are a thorn in my side.  I always feel like the gifts I give are inadequate.  But I'm doing my best and putting a lot of heart into them!  

I made two of these Little ZZ runners as gifts.  One for my girl, Elisabeth (that I never posted a picture of finished), and one for someone else.  The someone else hasn't seen hers yet.  It turned out so nicely that I decided to make one for a surprise for a woman at my church.  I admire her very much.  In fact, when I grow up, I want to be as selfless, kind, and loving as she.  I am going to surprise her with this tomorrow.  It is finished and measures 17-1/2" x 23-1/2".

Little ZZ #3:

Scrappy red binding, too.  Three different fabrics that I had bits of in my binding drawer.  I like it!!

{Post 1,098} Possible Do For Tonight

Is this too Princess Leia??  Potential do for the Christmas shindig tonight.

I am considering removing them recombining the two bottom ones.  Hmmm...

{Post 1,097} Hair Now, Hair Now!

Nothing quilt-y going on here, but I do have two new hairdos to show.  I did the first one myself.  It's called a waterfall braid.  I liked it.  Would probably look better if I let my hair curl at the ends.  

The second one is quite hilarious.  It didn't turn out "quite" right.  My hairdresser was a little exuberant to begin with.

The best way to explain this is that one pulls up about 1/3 of her hair into a ponytail in the center of the top of the head.  Then a French braid is done all around, pulling 2/3 of the hair from the outside and 1/3 from the ponytail (leaving the ponytail holder in).  It should have been braided much closer to the top and tighter, but it does give one a good laugh for the day.  I'm not going to say anything about it and see if my husband notices.

For your viewing pleasure...

It was a red-letter day for a few other reasons.  I bought a blouse today.  And a necklace.  And earrings.  I don't remember all of those things happening in the same day (OK--the same year) for as long as I can remember.  You see, tomorrow is my husband's Christmas party for his work, and I want to look my BEST.  The above picture is not my best :), so I'll press onward for a good hairstyle. 

I didn't just buy any old earrings, I bought miniature chandeliers.  My girls were shocked.  I only wear very tiny, hardly noticeable earrings...until tomorrow!!!

{Post 1,096} JOY to the world!

Here's the finished product on my new mantle idea for this year.  We have a big, long, mantle.  I am no decorator.  I combined a couple ideas I saw here and there.  Wes cut out and nailed everything all together for me.  That's my pine cone tree on the left side (by the J) spray painted gold.  

Here 'tis...

And, what would my blog be without a close-up?

{Post 1,095} Pine Cone Tree

This is what I started working on tonight.  I got a pine cone piece splinter, and let me tell ya----it hurt!!  I had to stop.  Since my adventure, I have found a better way to remove the pine cone pieces.  Here you can see what I tried tonight...pruning shears, scissors, CHISELS!!  None worked too well.

Here I am gluing them onto my poster board shaped trees.  I could wait no longer.  Even though I'm not finished covering the base (due to the aforementioned splinter), I spray painted the bottom of this tree metallic gold.  It.  is.  amazing.

Pic of that to come tomorrow.  This was tedious, but will look so cool when it's finished.  And it was nearly FREE!!

{Post 1,094} Bedroom Update Part 1

While I am not completely finished, I have made great progress.  My desk is completely cleaned off and organized. I even set up my charging station for my iPod, phone, camera, and tablet (back left corner).  I have always set my lamp up on something, and the station itself is the perfect height.  All things from the top have been put away.

Before and after (and notice in the before that my computer isn't even on the desk):

Here's a better picture of my bathroom with the flower arrangement:

I went through all my wall quilts that are not hanging right now and got them rolled up and put in the cedar chest in my room.

Here is the chest of drawers before and after:

I had to do a slight repair on my December "Count on It" quilt.  Where baby Jesus' neck and "shirt" touch, the red showed through the flesh-colored fabric.  I held my breath and cut into the quilt from the back, feeling like a textile surgeon.  The operation was a success.  AND I have a cleared-off chest of drawer top.  This and the cedar chest are my two hot spots in this room that attract clutter.

Off to do 48 hours worth of dishes (we've hardly been home) and make a dessert for a luncheon tomorrow!

~Joan

{Post 1,093} Update Around Here

One of my sons and I have been sick for a week.  Miserable existence, but it could be so much worse.  I was feeling a little energy last night before bedtime, so I made a list of a few things to get done today.  Then, drats, I only slept about an hour and got up until after 4:30 this morning.  

The 3rd thing on my list of 21 (I stopped making the list at that point because it was becoming depressing and overwhelming) was to finish arranging the flowers in the cone in my bathroom.  Here is what the bathroom sink area looked like after we took down the big mirror and installed medicine cabinets WITH STORAGE!!  After much deliberation, I purchased a floral cone made out of a thick wire-looking stuff that had been aged to rust and looked good.  I had a dickens of a time getting something to look good IN it, however.  This is what I came up with this AM:

Then I topped it off by scrubbing our bathroom from stem to stern.  Whew!  Now on to our bedroom (which I constantly feel guilty about because it's my "dumping ground" instead of a restful retreat).  New purchase of craft supplies?  DUMP.  New-to-us clothes from Goodwill that need washed?  DUMP.  Paperwork?  DUMP.  Bobbins, thimbles, etc.?  DUMP.  Christmas decorations (finished or in process that I don't know where to put)?  DUMP.  Box for broken blender waiting to be returned?  DUMP.  I'm sure you get the picture.

I took some before pictures.  The afters are always so inspiring.  Off to tackle the first area!

~Joan