{Post 1,102} Take 2

Here's the second 3-1/2" square ornament.  I love their simplicity.  They are both on the tree for now, but they might end up being gifts for someone.  I quilted this in the ditch with metallic gold thread.

I think I like having a light "star" better.  It sort of resembles a snowflake.  This is a cream with Christmas words in metallic.

{Post 1,101} Quilt Ornament

Did a few everyday things this AM, then wanted to sew so badly (even if it was just for a few minutes!).  This is the result...all from scraps of fabric and batting on my cutting table.  It is 3-1/2" square.

Inspired by Ruth, who made some of these herself and showed them on her wonderful blog.

{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!!