Christmas Projects all over the house

It only took - what  - 3 years? but the little Christmas throw I started at a retreat is complete and keeping me warm as I type.  I love the fabrics;  wintery but not Christmas-cute, which isn't me.  I'm nothing if not NOT cute.  I'd done another one of these throws in mustard and a muted red Jane Austen fabrics and have it ready to warm guests.  I'll post a pic of it another time. 

The pillows were also done a few years ago and I bring them out every Christmas.  I just pop them over pillows already on the couches after a pressing. The Noel pillow pattern was taken from the pattern series called Christmas Memories, possibly by Blackbird Designs.  I know there were 4 small booklets of 3-4 patterns each, and all together you would be able to make a lovely quilt pattern, but I think the store I bought them from only had 2 or 3 of the 4, but I had to have them.  Such a shame I stumbled on them too late, but I love what I did with the patterns I had.

The Tree of Life mantle scarf is also an older project- you can probably tell by the fabric lines.  Robyn Pandolph fabrics, I think.  Such lovely fabrics.  For someone who hates precision piecing (because I'm lousy at points), I have to say I'm pleased with the way this turned out.  While I'm being pleased with myself, I attached all those slate tiles to the wall after "the crash".  Seriously - there were ugly 1/4 inch bricks attached to the wall that ....just....fell off one day.  So, rather than reglue the ugliness, I too the opportunity to modernize.  The whole house can fall down now and I guarantee the only thing standing together will be these tiles - there's that much glue on them.

Last but not least, a cross stitch I did over a decade ago from a project taken from a cross stitch magazine.  Shortly after completing this, I got the crazy idea that a Lavender and Lace Celtic Christmasr design would be a great idea.  The beautiful lady in the red dress lies wound on her stretcher frame, possibly for all time, only barely started.  I did do some of the little angel ornaments, so figured a big project would be possible. Clearly, I was fooling myself.  Please don't tell my friend Ray, from work, about my abysmal photography skills.  He'd cry.  He's an incredibly talented photographer.

Merry Christmas!

Here's the tree that is WAY too filled with ornaments. They have no idea just how encrusted I'd like it to be...Alex forgets I'm an embellisher. The tree's just the start.
I added some vintage ornaments from the Christie Antique Market adventure I had with Christine in the fall. I didn't take a close look at them until I was replacing the wire hangers on them with gold ribbon this month, and found that most are Polish, one is from Czechoslovakia, and one East Germany. Even saying EAST Germany gives me the chills.
This is my big wrapping day, and I have to cook Christmas dinner tonight. I'm panicked about the number of stocking stuffers I have-or don't have, so I'm sure I'll end up going out, despite my better judgement, but when have I paid attention to THAT when it comes to buying gifts?
I've made some marginal attempts to do some straightening in the studio, and will likely make real progress this week, since I've taken the week off work. I've more pictures to take of postcards, as well, so I'll post them later.

I'm Free!

This is Noel; a cherished gift.
Both classes are done now, so yesterday I started a book purely for pleasure! "This is My Country, What's Yours?" by Noah Richler (yes, Mordechai's son). No textbooks for another month, and only one course at that. It's been a tough slog since my last post, but I'm ready to tackle the future.

I'll be teaching a couple of classes in the New Year at Quilter's Dream - I didn't take on much as I still have that one course to get through - and I've got lots of ideas, especially for the postcards class. I had so much fun making them on retreat that I can't wait to play with a classful of creative people!

The house is now festive; I've sprinkled Christmas all over the place. I know I've been successful, since Alex is complaining that, "you can't move anywhere in the house without getting Christmased." Ah, success! I remember when he used to love it all. I decorated our stairs the way our quilt guild president does - rather than putting garland and lights around the top (and therefore potentially killing people going down the stairs at night, I hear), I strung the garland, lights, and balls from the base of the posts. It looks lovely, I think.
I made some sourdough baguettes and lentil soup for lunch - perfect for such a miserable day. Back to my tea and my book.