End of Another Year (68th ending for me!)

Our old electric fireplace wouldn't heat anymore, so we replaced it with a new one...making our family room, which is generally really cold, comfy and cozy.
Then we carried the old one up to the living room where it will lend a faux feel of warmth.

 I found some old log cabin squares I'd made a long time ago, put them together for a kitchen table runner for Christmas.

 We lit up our antique Christmas decorations,

 featured them below the newly completed wall hanging

 got another newly completed project onto the guest room bed

and Lar sat down to enjoy the ambiance in the living room.

 Kept putting off my baking - with exception of fruit cake, so just a couple of days before Christmas got some chocolate cookies and Welsh cakes made.  Our neighbors always enjoy the Welsh cakes.

 Christmas Day found us at oldest son's house - his wife courageously prepares dinner for us all - and it is always deeply appreciated!  Here Madelyn is exploring her new baby - "eyes".

 Julia and Madelyn posing for a beautiful picture.

 Our gift to Larry 4 - sweatshirt from his Pop Pop's alma mater seems to have gone over well!

 Isn't Larry and Colleen's tree gorgeous?  And it looks like Amy was taking a picture of it too!

 Delicious Christmas dinner.  Thanks Colleen and Larry!

 One of our gifts to Julia - creating a warm, comfy fleece throw for herself...she did a great job!

 She shared some of the warmth with her Pop Pop!

 And then, lo and behold, when we got to Virginia, Granddaughter Jessica had made a cover and pillow for Pop Pop so he has his own.

 She gave me a Nova sweatshirt (her swim team) so we would match nicely.

 It was a peaceful, relaxing visit - people taking time to sit and hug....

 to doze

and to learn to make a quilt.

Look at the precision of those matching seams!  I was very impressed by her first effort....even better than I sometimes do.  She made one square while we were there - and went on to make another while we were traveling home the next day.  I have to get to the store to buy some more fabric so she can continue.
Next time we are together - quilting!
It was a great Christmas - and I hope it was for you too.

 Our family tree (lots of ornaments with nostalgic history) and tons of lights!

I Have Kept Busy

Came across a bunch of photos of various crafts and projects I've had over the years. Gee, I really have kept busy! My Grandma always taught us about idle hands.
There were the little munchkins - made of stockings as I recall - I sold a number of them, below you can see the angel on left and Mrs. Santa we kept for ourselves, then one I made for a realtor, a carpenter, a hairdresser, and others. Then I made a few tea cozies - never kept one for myself. Then the little door hangers indicating to guests whether or not the baby is sleeping. Over the years I've lost track of the number of dolls I made. Many were custom made to order - eye color, hair color, etc. Most had music boxes inside. The center picture below is of a few "character pillows" I made...sold them all. Then there was the candlewicking pillow - I think I sold that too. Next to that is a doll with high button shoes...the buttons were antique black buttons.
Here is a pillow I made for my sister Carol's anniversary (25th, I think). I had some antique satin and lace and cross stitched the center picture and the words. More dolls, and more "character pillows" these made to resemble the people who were getting them. I also did some in school colors, and in several instances used the authentic uniform fabric to dress them for St. Peter's School in Merchantville. Haven't found any pictures of those as yet.More dolls and some traditional quilt designs for throw pillows. Again, all sold, or given away.Then came the Cabbage Patch craze. People were going crazy trying to buy those dolls and I came up with my own design - sold quite a few. Also, below, a one time Strawberry Shortcake type doll.Somewhere along the line I met a lady who became a good friend. She ordered two character dolls...one to look like herself, and one to look like a friend. The dolls were dressed as identically as I could manage to the way they were dressed in the picture she provided.

From the Beginning and Finishing Touches

Nativity I made (PlakShack?) some 30 years ago.and a wreath my sister Gwen made me probably 20 or 25 years ago...it has hung for Christmas every year since.