The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Years ago when we were dating, Glen gave me this beautiful quilted stocking.  I did not grow up having stockings and so this was all new to me. 

 

                           

 

 I was a student teacher at the time and I remember running across the street to the mall with another student teacher friend and landing in Shoppers Drug Mart.  I saw this snowman and thought it would be perfect in place of a stocking for Glen.  I would stuff his tummy with lots of great things!

 

 

 Little did I know that stuffing this guy would be such a hassle!  His belly is way to shallow and every year since 1999 I've been stuffing him then covering all the items that stick out with mounds of tissue paper and plastic bags.  Glen has affectionately named Mr. Snowman "Stuffers".  This year I decided that perhaps it was time to give Stuffers a break.

 

 

So I got busy...

 

 

I had some paper pieced quilt blocks from an advent calendar project I had abandoned awhile ago.  I  used some on the kids' stockings a couple of years ago.

 I think of all the skills that I've used the most in my sewing, I am most thankful for the beginners quilting class I took years ago.  The skills (like making binding) and tools (my rulers and rotary cutter are indispensible!) have come in so handy for all kinds of projects. 

And here she is.

 

 

And here they are all hanging in a row.  We have a fireplace this year!

 Merry Christmas!

Christmas ornament garland

I crocheted these cute little ornaments after being inspired by Emma Lamb's beautiful work.  They were a joy to work at over a few nights.  I loved going through my button stash and finding random, quirky buttons.

Once made, I decided to hang them in a beautiful row on my freshly painted cream wall.

Aren't they delightful?  They make me smile.