Taking Care of Mr. E.

Mr. E had a bad tummy bug the last week and I took care of him for three days so he wouldn't get anyone else sick. I didn't get any Christmas sewing done, but my camera got a work out instead. Here are a few random photos of our time together.

He has to keep his cell phone handy,
after all mommy or daddy might call.

I introduced him to a wooden spool and a bowl.
He figured out how to beat the spoon on the bowl,
but he also thought the bowl was a great hat.

He's beginning to enjoy tummy time
and discovered the bottom of his exersaucer.

He now likes to feed himself . . .
usually the bottle is in the right position.

He is better now and is enjoying early Christmas presents: his top two front teeth! He has four teeth now and loves them. Yesterday he surprised me by giving me a kiss! How cool is that? Who needs anything for Christmas when you have adorable grandchildren?

Sweet P

A Scarf for Hotel Man and Photos With Mr. E

I finished the scarf for Hotel Man. He was gracious enough to let me take a photo of him in it.

Mr. E came over and spent Sunday afternoon with us. He came appropriately dressed for the game and for the holidays. I love the smile on his face.

Hotel Man, AKA Grampa Boo, adores Mr. E and I'm sure the feeling is mutual. Here they are having an intimate conversation. I think they are talking about how ugly the Patriots played on Sunday.

Mr. E loves to look at himself in any mirror,
even if the mirror is as dirty as this one.

I am almost finished with my Christmas gifts. I have a child's apron and a Christmas stocking left and then I'm done.

Tomorrow we are getting another snow storm. Hooray! I love snow, but I have to go to work instead of staying home and sewing. Oh well, I'll get a snow day sometime this winter.

Sweet P

SSCS Package and First Snowfall

My SSCS package arrived from Granny Loz a few days ago. She included this wonderful stocking that was holding a Christmas soldier who is hiding a seam ripper and a Christmas stocking stitchery pattern.

Four children's book for Mr. E,

A mug holder for Hotel Man,

And a present to open on Christmas. Oooo . . . I can't wait to open it up.

In other news, we had our first real snowfall of the year. Here are a few of the views we woke up to this morning.
Looking out the patio doors

Looking out the living room window

A close-up view of the mill smoke stack

Our car

I love, love, love snow. I was so giddy yesterday I think I drove one my co-managers crazy. I couldn't stop smiling, singing Christmas songs and giggling. Now I am really in the Christmas mood!

Sweet P

What's Happening Around Coffee Time

It's been a quiet holiday weekend at Coffee Time. My mail box is still looking for my Stitching Angel package and my Secret Santa package. However, I did win a drawing on Threadbare Creations and received these two adorable Christmas stitcheries. Thanks, Rose!

I finished the scarves from Joy's Scarf Along. I kept one for myself and the rest are gifts. I love them! I wore mine shopping the other day and received a few compliments and smiles on it.

I finally wound my Cosmo floss and put it in a box. I'm still looking for the right pattern to be able to use them, but for now they are fun to look at!

I've been working on my Gypsy Scarf from Learn a Stitch, Create a Scarf. I'm onto the second of three parts of it. I love it so far! The flower stitch in cream is a new one for me. It took me a few tries to figure it out, but I think I like it.
Today I plan to work on a few Christmas cards and goodie packages. I decided to send Christmas cards and stickers to our younger nieces and nephews. I figure they will enjoy getting their own Christmas mail.

What are you doing to get ready for Christmas?

Sweet P

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish everyone a
Happy Thanksgiving
today!

I finished my one cooking chore last night - Pumpkin Tiramisu. Today we are going to my in-laws for a late afternoon dinner.

Thank you to everyone who stops by to read my blog. I hope you have a wonderful day today and a great weekend!

Sweet P

What I Want For Christmas

I was cruising around the Janome web site the other day and say this little beauty:

It's a Janome Gold Plus Trim and Stitch. What makes it so special? Besides being a portable machine it also has a Light Serging System. I think for my sewing purposes this would be a great new machine. I do minimal garment and home dec sewing, but may do more if I had a serger and I'm not thrilled with having to own to separate machine.

Has anyone test drove this machine or own one? Any comments? How about the price? I can't find a published price anywhere. I do plan on calling my local Janome dealer, but would like any input anyone has.

Thanks!

Sweet P

Scarf Along and Christmas Tree

Today was a sewing day for me and I got several projects worked on for Christmas. I worked on Joy's Scarf Along and finished one scarf. I'm happy with this one and can't wait to finish the other seven.

Here's a close-up of the fun trim I found for them. I love it!

I had enough scraps leftover from the Scarf Along fabrics to make this Christmas tree with the pattern from Pleasant Home. I'm going to give this to Mr. E for his bedroom door. It will match the Quilted Nap Sack I'm going to make for him from the same fabrics.
In case you're counting, that's three projects from these Christmas fabrics. And, I still have enough scraps leftover for at least one more project. Not bad for 13 half-yard pieces of fabric, huh?

Are you getting ready for Christmas?

Sweet P

Quick Christmas Swap and Sneak Peek

I participated in Jenny's Quick Christmas Fabric, Buttons and Trim swap. My envelope of goodies arrived yesterday from Darcey in British Colombia. This was Darcey's first swap and she did a great job on gathering the goodies. She included blue Christmas fabric (my new fave color this season), red, white and green ribbon, snowman and snowflake buttons, a scissor fob (that is now attached to my yarn snips) and a key chain for the 2010 Olympics in Whistler, BC. Thanks for a great package Darcey. I hope you start a blog soon.

I'm finishing up my SSCS giftie. Here's a sneak peek at one of goodies I'll be sending to my surprise partner. I love these fabrics and what I'm making. I'll be making one of them for me too.

Mr. E stayed over last night. He's getting over a nasty double ear infection and mommy and daddy needed a good night's sleep. As usual, he slept well for me and mommy and daddy slept well at home. This morning mommy and I got our hair cut and then we went to Applebee's for lunch. Mr. E enjoyed applesauce and crackers. They've gone home now and I'm relaxing with a cup of tea and a few magazines before I stitch some more.

What are you up to today?

Sweet P

Joy's Scarf Along - I Couldn't Resist

I've decided to join Joy's Scarf Along. This summer I bought 13 half yards cuts of Peppermint Cottage by Diana Knott. I have a pattern picked out for some of the fabric, but there was enough of the fabric to cut the pieces out for the Scarf Along. Why not create Christmas-themed scarves for Christmas presents? I think it's a wonderful idea.

Here are close-ups of the fabrics

I can't wait to start sewing the scarves. This will be a lot of fun.

Anyone else joining along?

Sweet P

Don't You Just Love a Bargain?

What do you get when you take this . . .

Add this . . .

And follow this link?


You get this . . .

I have been thinking about buying a yarn ball winder, but thought I would do a Google search to see if you can wind your own center pull ball of yarn. I found the link, wound the ball and I'm happy to report that the money I saved from not buying a yarn ball winder will go to buy more yarn! I started using this ball of yarn and love the way it's working with my project.

What's been one of your favorite bargain discoveries?

Sweet P

Quilt Show Shopping and Friends

Today my DIL, Mr. E and I went to A Quilter's Gathering in Nashua, NH. The main purpose of the trip was to visit some quilting friends and show off Mr. E. OK, we did want to see some awesome quilts (which we did see) and do some shopping (which I'm happy to show off).

My first purchase was this $3 Christmas panel. It has cookie recipes, ornaments and gift tags on it. Wonderful items to dress up Christmas presents this year.

At the same vendor I couldn't resist this gorgeous Christmas fabric and a panel to make a Christmas book.

The Spa Therapy Bags pattern looks like a fun pattern to make a shoulder pack and matching eye pad. The four items on the left came in a little bag called Embroiderer's MRES. The blue thread looks hand dyed, the stuff on the Orvis card seems to be a chenille thread, the purple thread is a heavy thread and there are lavender heart buttons. What a cool idea!

My friend's brought me gifts too. One friend gave each of us a set of FQs and a panel. I got Funky Monkey's. Perfect for a quilt for Mr. E.

Another friend gave me a goodie bag with a winter memo pad, magnet and pen, ant fabric, Tim Tams and two pieces of wonderful chocolate.

Thanks Judi, Maggie and Pat for a wonderful afternoon! I hope we can get together again soon.

Sweet P

Angel Goodies and Projects for Mr. E

I finished my Stitcher's Angel projects. They'll be sent to ***** in a day or two.

First up I made this sewing tote.
There are pockets on the outside and plenty of room on the inside.

I suppose you noticed something peeking out of the top.
Here's what tucked inside: a needle case, a pin cushion and a scissor case.
There will be other goodies in the package too.

I finished two projects for Mr. E this weekend. First up is the warm and toasty red hat.
Every little boy needs a red hat, don't you think so?

I also made him this bright yellow and purple scarf.
He'll be nice and warm this winter now.

I started two scarves this weekend with the stash of yarn I bought on Friday. I can't seem to stop crocheting right now. That's OK. I'm lovin' the yarn right now.

Sweet P

Around The House (A Life Examined)

Giraffe Dreams posted this on her blog today and I thought I would do it for me.

Around The House: October

Reading: Younger by the Day 365 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Body and Revitalize Your Spirit by Victoria Moran

Enjoying: Fall in New England. Colorful leaves and cool, crisp evenings. Perfect weather for snuggling under quilts.

Learning: That being a grandma is loads of fun and gives me plenty of reasons for staying healthy and young at heart. I call this pose: What's Up? I'm the Big, Bad, Mr. E!
Watching: I love watching football and crime and medical shows, including NCIS (both of them), The Mentalist, Criminal Minds, Trauma, Mercy, Three Rivers, The Forgotten, The Good Wife.

Anticipating: A reason to make Pumpkin Tiramasu from Baking Delights. Anyone want to come over for dessert and espresso?

Realizing: The Hotel Man will be home in 24 hours from his two-week trip traveling around the world. Yup, that's right. He flew from Boston to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to London, London to Venice and tomorrow he flies from Venice to Boston. Woohoo!

Pondering: What to make for Christmas gifts this years and who will get them.

Studying: Learn a Stitch, Create a Scarf from Leisure Arts. See that pile of yarn at the top? I've already chosen two scarves to make from the book.

Wondering: How do I to get used to a body that is going through peri-menopause? I'm open to any suggestions you want to share.

Remembering: My father as I was growing up. He taught me how to be a frugal shopper, yet enjoy what I bought.

Praying: I'm praying for my aging parents.

What you are doing this month?
Sweet P

Vacation - Days 3 and 4

Day 3 of my vacation was truly a Mr. E day. He decided it was a day to not sleep and to play and play and play. While I had a lot of fun playing with him, I didn't get into my studio. Not a big deal. I would never complain about spending time with Mr. E.

Mr. E went home with mommy last night. After a good night's sleep, a cup of coffee and breakfast I went into my studio. Eight hours later I emerged having pulled fabrics for my Stitcher's Angel projects and finished several other projects.

I made Mr. E two Trick or Treat bags from leftover Halloween fabric.
I used Lazy Girl's With Love Tote pattern.
Instead of using 1-yd of fabric I used FQs.
Little bags for little man.

A few weeks ago I bought a remnant of pre-quilted car and truck fabric.
Of course I had to get it. All it needed was a binding.
I paid $3.74 for a piece of fabric that cost over $15 regular price.
The binding came from my own binding bin.
Not bad for a quick and cheap quilt.

My last two projects of the day are for me. On vacation this past summer DH bought me three pieces of fabric with the understanding that I make something for me. Today I did that. I made a crochet project tote roll and a needle case.

I'm happy with how they turned out.
I still have enough fabric leftover to make another project case.
I'm trying to design a case I can use while doing embroidery.

That's all the vacation news for now. Tomorrow I go back to work. I wish I had a few more days off, but maybe next time I'll be able to take more time off.

Sweet P