2010 BRING IT ON!!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR

Holidays sure can be a mixed bag for many, but I hope you all had some good memories this time around. Here's one of mine..a sweet moment with my Amelia (a Mia and Mimi moment). We didn't do good at taking photos. We did get Jennifer a Flip cam...just like Sandi Henderson's and really wanted to make a video but it didn't happen. We were always in a rush or when we stopped long enough we crashed and burned.

I think I told you about our dear friend that has cancer. Well, Tim drove to get him and we had him stay with us for a few days. It was very different from our annual Christmas get-togethers, as you can imagine. I did lots of cooking and baking because he's always loved a good meal. But he really couldn't eat much and I have tons of food and sweets leftover. Does Goodwill take Christmas cookies?

We also had our annual New Years Eve party here. It was so much fun. A bunch of middle- agers drinking wine and Wii bowling was more fun than we have had all year! New Years Eve morning Tim's mom (who has Alzheimer's) called at 5 a.m. I can never get back to sleep so by the time the guests left and we cleaned up the confetti, etc. I realized I'd been going strong for 20 hours. I literally laid on the sofa January 1st and had an HGTV Fest all by myself, ate leftover Hors Devours, chocolate covered pretzels and gained another pound.

Jennifer and Joe also sold their house on New Years Eve, after only a short stint on the market. We went with them to walk through a potential model home they are interested in. Joe and Tim were only mildly surprised when I whipped out my measuring tape and Jennifer recorded dimensions for all the cubbies and insets. The interior designer in me perked right up and Jennifer, of course, is in heaven. I'll keep you posted.

Tim and I also had time to do a project we've wanted to get to for over a year. As you know, we repaintd our entry. Well, we started a family photo collage going up the stairs. It's a work in progress, but here's what we got done so far. Once I take down the Christmas decorations I'll give you the full reveal (I promise, it's not that bright):


Okay, so I know you are all waiting to see who the winner of the "When Santa Visits Go Wrong" Giveaway. I am serious when I say I had a heck of a time deciding. So in the end I said, "Who would Ellen choose?" I couldn't get ahold of Ellen, but I'm pretty sure it would have been Julia Gabriel here with the black eye. I mean seriously, she said she got the black eye from tripping on shoe laces. Do you think it was the shoe laces from those boots she's wearing? Julia, I know you could have won a trip or a at least a TV if you were on the Ellen show. But you win 25 fat quarters from my Woodland Delight fabrics for sharing this hilarious photo with us. Please send me your address, you lucky gal. And thank you to everyone else for your funny stories and photos. If you haven't done so, please go to the last few posts. It'll bring a smile, even if you're feeling kinda Scroogey.


So, now it's back to those projects and To Do lists and a brand new year to procrastinate. I love you all for cheering me on and I hope to give you more reasons to cheer in 2010!

WHEN SANTA VISITS GO WRONG, PART 4

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We had a Wii bowling marathon here and 7 yr old Wyatt put us all to shame. Today I should be running around getting ready before company arrives, but just had to post some Santa entries and a few photos of our tree. I made a tree skirt right before Christmas that really added that touch I was needing. I used lots of scraps mostly from my Flights of Fancy and Summer Soiree fabrics. These aren't the best photos, but hopefully you'll get the idea.

The harlequin clowns started a few years ago and when Wyatt was younger he was not too fond of them. They have a fun, yet sketchy appearance....you know, kinda like Santa.

Speaking of Santa...here are more Santa visits gone wrong:

Victoria Findley didn't have a photo, but sent this great story:

Every year my daughter wanted to go to macy's to see Santa... Last year as they sweep you through she realized there were 4 rooms with santas to make the line go faster, then when she gave her list he didn't bother to look at it but shoved it behind his back... My daughter being clever had written on the letter, " please sign here when you come on Christmas...."once we left I had to sneak back in there to get her letter so that it magically appeared signed on Christmas.... Later she said, I know that wasn't the real Santa... He didn't smell like Christmas, he smelled like sweat and body odor... She didn't ask to see him this year. But she has written another letter for him to sign... I'm guessing to double check the signatures to make sure it was real!!!

Note: Do you think she's watching too many CSI episodes? She's probably even thought to have Santa's milk glass tested for DNA. My kinda gal!

Here's another story (has nothing to do with the photo) that is a must read.

Amy Menges says:

Thanks for the great idea of posting Santa photos! I've really enjoyed reading through them, and your own story is HILARIOUS! Honestly, you should win, but, then, where's the fun in that? :)I don't have a photo to go with my story, so I'm including a "normal" Santa shot of my own children. Hope you enjoy the story, none the less.

I can remember things from when I was really young. Like going to see Santa. He lived in an A-frame shack that was put up in the town square next to the fountain. With my dad carrying me, we opened the door, stepped in, got within three feet of the big jolly guy, and I started screaming and climbing up and over my dad's shoulders and on top of his head. I know I was really young because he still had hair then. Come to think of it, I could be the reason he went bald... Anyway, I was apparently headed for the rafters and was going to swing my way outta there like a monkey. There are no pictures of me with Santa. Go figure. What does it mean that I'm now 50 years old and still traumatized by the event? Worse, what does it mean that I endangered my own children's mental health by putting them on Santa's lap for a photo shoot? Therapy? Yea, I'm thinking about it.Merry Christmas. Amy Menges

Amy Miraflor says:

Well, we went to see Santa yesterday, and I just can't get over my son's face in this picture. He is going to be 3 next month, but he looks so completely bored! My little girl is 7 months and is oblivious to whats going on. So here's my entry...its not NEAR as hysterical as the others, but I thought I would give it a try... just by chance I might win some material, because I LOVE your material! :) Also, thank you for stopping by my blog the other day. You are so right, the first nativity scene wasn't elborate, thank you for reminding me. And I really love your daughters birthday cake for Jesus idea, I will definately use that in the future! May God bless your Christmas season. Amy Miraflor http://www.miraflorfamily.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your holiday!

WHEN SANTA VISITS GO WRONG, PART 3

Here we go with Part 3. Just can't get enough of these, right?

Jenna says:

This picture is from a couple of years ago of my daughter and son (ages 18 months and 4, respectively). Yeah, they were less than thrilled. As my sister so eloquently phrased it, "start saving up for therapy now!"
Jenna

Becky Cowell says:

This is a photo of my little girl taken last year. She was 11 months old.All was well until she looked around and saw who had hold of her, then the screaming started. I told the photographer to take the photo quickly, she paused and asked me if I was sure... Regards, Becky BeckyEtal.blogspot.com
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Diane Ruby says:

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My daughter sent this picture of my granddaughter, Ruby, and I can't stop laughing. Somehow, she just doesn't embody the spirit of Christmas!

Jennifer Worthen says:

I had recently adopted a lab/husky mix that I named Amy. She was attending training classes at Petsmart, where every year Santa comes and you can get a picture of your pet with Santa. Poor little Amy was very shy at this point, especially around men, and it was clear that she did not like this man in a red suit trying to hold her still for a picture. To top it off, she had a big red spot on the front of her face that she had scraped in the shelter before I adopted her. I look back at this photo and can very clearly see what my poor puppy's face is saying: "Get me out of here. Right. Now." I've never taken her for a Santa photo since!

http://www.jenniferworthen.blogspot.com/

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Just remember, you too have time to yank that photo out of your, um, photo album. Read that first post below for your chance to win that Woodland Delight fat quarter bundle.

WHEN SANTA VISITS GO WRONG, PART 2

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you are busy digging through your photos. I knew you'd come through! To jump in and join the fun, just read the previous post for a chance to win an entire set of Woodland Delight fat quarters. Come on, surely you have a couple photos stashed in a shoebox under the bed. Now here's our first contestants.

Julia Gabriel says:

I think I was 7 here and about a week before this fated and well remembered photo I tripped over too long shoe laces and tumbled down a flight of stars earning myself this lovely shiner and a concussion. I did get lots of early Christmas gifts though lol. It happened the week before Christmas.

Anna says:

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I'm a faithful blog reader from your homestate! I just read your recentpost and you may be horrified to know that I can oblige you twice. I was one of "those" moms who took their kids (two boys) to see Santa every year. I've recently finished compiling their Santa books and I love them. They each have one of those screaming Santa photos and those photos are my most treasured. They say so much about what the boys were like at that age -- mostly that they only wanted to be held by their mom or dad. (Wouldn't I love to have those days back!) Anyway, I've attached my two submissions. What a fun contest -- even if everyone will make fun of me LOL!XOXO,

Anna http://www.thimbleanna.com/

P.S. In my Dec. 11th post I blogged about finishing the Santa books and why I did it. ;-)

Diane Young says:

These are my grandchildren, Shayla & Finn, Christmas 2006. Finn still doesn't want any part of it. Mele Kalikimaka & Aloha

These are my daughters. One traumatized. . .Two UN-traumatized! She hasn't had her counseling done yet, as this photo is from last year's visit to Santa. She didn't mind him at all this year!! I know she wouldn't mind me sharing her pain for the sake of fabric!! Merry Christmas!

Amy Oliver says:

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Mary Kolb says:

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Well, this may not appear as a visit gone wrong….unless you saw it from Santa’s perspective.

You see, my sweet husband agreed to play Santa for a family gathering which we also hosted! That doesn’t sound so bad until you know that MY family is around 85 people at this time. This includes my parents, my three brother and five sisters and their families!!!

So hosting included cleaning the rental hall to our specifications in the morning, getting all the food and beverages, setting up all the tables and chairs, decorating and putting up lights etc.

So, when this photo was taken, my husband was exhausted, overheated and had visited with about 25 “believers” before my daughter and daughter-in-law pushed him to the limit and also sat on his lap. And Santa still smiled!

Just looking at this photo reminds me of what a lucky woman I am to be married to what I consider the real Santa.

WHEN SANTA VISITS GO WRONG

At a Christmas luncheon the other day the subject of making children sit on Santa's lap for those much needed photo memories came up. I was quietly absent from that conversation. I didn't want to be a Christmas Party Pooper. Then my hairdresser told me he guilts his children into having their pictures taken on Santa's lap. He told them that is ALL he wanted for Christmas when they expressed their fear.

That screaming child above: turned out to be my son-in-law! I rarely see him act like that now.

And here I am, the only photo I know of me on Santa's lap. I was old enough to not be doing that kinda thing if you ask me. I didn't trust him...told him I didn't believe he was really Santa. When he said he was indeed, I yanked his beard. Yup, I still remember hearing the elastic snap and the gasps from the crowd. I was swept away without so much as a, "Good job Sherlock!"

.There are no pictures of my kids sitting on Santa's lap. Nope. Jennifer was terrified of anyone dressed in costume, so we stayed on the other side of the mall. But anytime I see photos of children crying on Santa's lap, I can't help but laugh. It's an uncomfortable laugh, like when someone falls. It's hilarious, but should one really laugh? Yes, I mean No. Oh, but it's too funny.

. MAY I BRIBE YOU WITH A WOODLAND DELIGHT GIVEAWAY ?

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I got to thinking. I'd like to bribe you into sharing your painful, er, I mean hilarious Santa photos. The photo could be of you, a relative, your kids, grandkids. Just please have it be a legitimate photo that you have permission to share (probably not one of your ex, ya know). I will need you to email a photo to me, via paulaprass@yahoo.com in a .jpg format. I will be posting them throughout the Holiday season. Then I will ask the rest of you to vote on your favorites. The winner will receive an entire set Woodland Delight Fat Quarters! Yes way! That's 25 fat quarters.

So just pretend this is you and your sister sitting on Santa's lap, or your kids, or you ARE Santa. Just make sure it's okay to share. I just might be asking you to show proof of the counseling sessions! I will put your photo right here for all to see for everyone to vote.

'So grab some eggnog and that old photo album. I am sorry if this Giveaway narrows down the contestants. I will have more giveaways, I promise. xoxo

FROM A CORNER OF MY WORLD

Hi. Come on in.
Every year I wish for things to slow down a bit so I can soak it all in and actually enjoy this wonderful time of year. And every year it seems so much gets packed in that I barely have time to decorate. So for some reason, probably because we repainted our entry a fresh green, I pulled a late nighter and decorated this one area. I do have the Christmas tree up in the family room, but things are still sparse everywhere else. I decided to take photos for you, since I haven't posted much Show + Tell lately. Also, it probably won't look so good once Amelia comes tomorrow and I have to "asplain" why the wrapped boxes are just for decoration. Whatya bet she won't take my word for it? I have to shake them every once in awhile myself.

This is an adorable ornament that Jennifer got me last year. Funny, but all too common, is that I got her the exact same ornament. I didn't want it to get lost on the tree, so made a little shrine. Also, while I know my walls are not subtle, I must say that the camera insisted on turning the green a bit neon in this Bird Under Glass shot.

Now for a hot cup of cocoa and some Andre Bocelli Christmas music to reward myself (whatever). Hope this warms you up a bit and puts you in the holiday spirit. xoxo

WINNERS BEFORE MIDNIGHT

Oh dear. I promised I'd announce the winners of my fabric on Tuesday, didn't I? Wait, it's still Tuesday. It's not that I haven't planned ahead...just one of those days, and my day still isn't over. But enough about me. Drum roll please:

Grey Woodland Delight: #23 becki

Pink Woodland Delight: #144 Material Mary

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Thank you all so much for your awesome comments and endless creativity.

SO MUCH TO SAY + GIVEAWAY

I've been a busy girl, but oftentimes have nothing to show for it. Most of what I do seems like it takes forever to get completed. I've started a quilt for my Amelia in hopes to have it finished for Christmas. Since that isn't happening, I'll show you at least the start. I'm using fabrics from my Summer Soiree. I have appliqued the flowers and leaves onto the pieced vase and background. It's the first time for me to applique, and I think I did pretty darn good. I'm having so much fun planning it out. I'll share more as I get further along, but don't hold your breath. I wouldn't want you turning blue on my account.

Okay, I just had to show you another sighting of my fabric on TV. This is from the CBS show, Accidentally on Purpose, starring Jenna Elfman. I have never seen this show, but emails had me checking it out. Sure enough, it is indeed my Par Avion from my Flights of Fancy fabric collection that Jenna is sitting on (instead of wearing). Gee, my doctor uses paper, but I'm sure that will change now! Not exactly what I had in mind when I designed it. Hope they used the laminate for easy cleaning (eewww, did I say that?).

I have several projects and deadlines spread out here, there and everywhere, some of which I can't wait to share with you, but most as I mentioned are not complete. I find that I have no trouble coming up with ideas and designs, in fact, I can't turn them off. The problem is all the behind the scene details slow me down. I have no time to play with my new Woodland Delight fabrics right now. I'm sitting here today with a long list of what I should be doing, but find myself "daydreaming" (another word for procrastinating) over a fresh stack of Woodland Delight. Oh what I'd love to make with these new fabrics. Hhmmm, maybe you can help.

Whatya say I give you a choice between these two stacks and you tell me which one you'd choose and what you'd make with them. Easy enough, right?

PINK WOODLAND DELIGHT

GREY WOODLAND DELIGHT

On Tuesday the 15th I'll randomly pick a winner for the PINK and one for the GREY. Each stack contains 1/2 yard of the fabrics shown; enough to make something birdalicious, wouldn't you say? Can't wait to hear what your ideas are. You just might speak them into becoming reality. Fun, huh?

Now I need to get back to work and leave the daydreaming to you! xoxo

THE SIMPLEST THINGS

Oh dear, it's so close to Thanksgiving, my imagination is running ahead of me. I can already smell the turkey in the oven, even though it's still in the frig. For the first time in years we have invited a larger crowd. Today I am juggling work with prepping for tomorrow. I bet many of you are busy as well, but I just had to pop in to say hello along with some important news.

First of all, drum roll please. I want to give you a preview of my soon-to-be released quilt pattern called Woodland Delight, of course. I have had several requests for it since Quilt Market, so somewhere between projects I have been working on this. Designing patterns is time-consuming, especially for a perfectionist. But alas, I'm coming up to the home stretch. I had hoped to have it ready when my Woodland Delight fabrics hit the stores, but I've had several indications that fabrics have been arriving this week.

I know Fat Quarter Shop will be offering the pattern and fabric kits as soon as I get the pattern to them. Theywill accept pre-orders, just email them and ask to be notified when the kits are ready. The pattern by itself will sell for $9.00. If you are interested in pre-ordering just the pattern, email me. I also know some e-stores plan on carrying the Woodland Delight pattern, so this is your official heads up, with gift giving season in full swing.

Speaking of the release of Woodland Delight fabrics, Hawthorne Threads (previously Fabric Supplies.Etsy.com) is having a Woodland Delight giveaway: Three Fat Quarter Bundles. For details click here. But hurry. You only have til Sunday, November 30!

Now see why I had to interrupt your busy schedules?

We got a huge Wyatt and Amelia fix on Sunday. We had them all to ourselves. Their request for dinner is always the same. Get this: salmon, couscous and edamame. Yeah. My kids would have accused us of trying to poison them. Anyway, W & A want to say the blessing. Amelia bows her head and starts, "God, don't you just LOVE this day"? Then she dives into a litany of simple, yet profound thankfulness. Now, don't you know it melted His heart? Oh, to be more childlike in my praises and wonderment.

So as I head back to my To Do list, I just have to let you know just how thankful I am for each one of you. Your comments are such a blessing to me. When you take the time to nod your approval at my quirks and weird humor is so good. When my last post talked about how I still love to embarrass my grown kids for the things they did when they were little, you understood. In fact, Nancy from A Little Bit of Heaven sent this poem that you might have read before, but it could come in handy these next few family holidays:

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid,
And bring so much happiness...just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided.
Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
And I'll bounce on the furniture...wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff all the toilets and oh, how they'll shout!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like sugar and bleach.
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat,
I'll gag on my okra, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry...I'll run...if I'm able!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!
(When I'm an old lady and live with my kids)

And later in bed, I'll lay back and sigh,
I'll thank God in prayer and then close my eyes.
My kids will look down with a smile slowly creeping,
And say with a groan, "She's so sweet when she's sleeping!"

Thank you Nancy, and thank you to everyone who reads my posts. May you all have a Thanksgiving filled with wonderment and praise over the simplest things along the way.

WEIGHING MY WHINES

What has happened since my last post, you ask? Hhmmm, let's see. Oh, I know...the freight company destroyed our booth upon return from Quilt Market. Here's the booth at Market:
Did I tell you that Tim (MacGyver), my husband/engineer, devised this booth to fold up into itself? Pretty ingenious, right? Think about furniture that comes to you either blanket wrapped or in a cardboard box. Now here's the booth I received back.

While these were taken with a cell phone, and I'm only showing a few shots, I imagine you get the picture. Holes were poked throughout. So now the burden is on us to try to get compensation.

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Let's see, what else? My business credit card has been compromised. Someone went on a shopping spree soon after Quilt Market. Then we had the water department come out to fix an underground leak in our yard. They came to the door a few minutes later and proudly announced they'd fixed the problem. At 6:oo pm I went to make dinner. No water, not even a drop. Turns out they never turned my water back on. My mother-in-law's Altzheimer is getting worse. She sometimes calls 6 times a day to tell me the exact same thing. She's afraid and lonely and we're 5 hours away.

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Truth is, these are really nothing more than inconveniences. I get frustrated, but am quickly reminded of how blessed I really am. It truly changes my perspective when I choose to turn my attention to what a wonderful opportunity I had to be at Quilt Market.. and I was only without water for a couple hours, etc, etc. My friend Don's inoperable Stage 4 brain tumor; now that's an inconvenience. Don't get me wrong...I love to gripe with the best of them. And if I'm truthful, I most likely won't change. But what I'm trying to do, at least, is put it on an imaginary scale, and these whines all added up to about an ounce. Sigh.

I know you were wondering what Tim and I were on Halloween, so here's the big reveal:

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Tim as a Canadian, and I as someone who works out. Amazing, huh?

I know, I know. We have pulled off some amazing costumes in the past though. It was so much more fun when we could royally embarrass our kids, but that doesn't have the same effect now that they aren't teenagers.

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Oh my gosh, once Tim dressed as the Godfather. Not THE Godfather, but one of Peter Sellers disguises from a Pink Panther movie. Do you remember how he stuffed his cheeks with cotton so he could look like Marlon Brando then choked on a drink? Then got in an elevator with these tough guys and passed gas? So I found a double breasted black pinstriped suit, black shirt, white tie and Fedora hat...I mean the works. But before we got to the huge Halloween gathering at our church (yeah we weren't bible characters) we stopped at the mall to find a whoppie cushion. We had the kids with us. I was also dressed in an elaborate costume...oh I wish I could find pictures. But the kids wanted absolutely nothing to do with us and walked way behind. Of course, being good parents we made sure to turn around and yell to them, by name, to hurry it up.

I frankly have no trouble embarrassing my kids, sometimes unknowingly. Here's another opportunity for me to pull out that imaginary scale I was talking about. I am reminded of all the times they threw themselves down kicking and screaming in the grocery store. Or the time Jennifer ran giggling, pushing the shopping cart with Jonathan in the seat, barrelling into the end cap of cereal. Oh, and how about them hiding inside the clothes rounders to scare unsuspecting shoppers. I'm the mom who left the cart in the isle and promptly escorted them home. So my thinking is ~Hey, I'm still in make up mode, don't you agree?

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Now as we grow older we will undoubtedly truly embarrass them. To that I apologize now:

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Sorry. I swear, I won't do it again.