Whaaayell. . . . that was a short one now wasn't it?. . . the year 2000? Vaaaaarooooooooom! Borrowed my son's skateboard to propel myself into the new year. . . . it was a good sign - i landed on my feet (yeah right!) Cleaned off the desk of 2000 (found some '99 garbage amongst the mess as well) paid the remainder of the bills that kept tip toeing around each month acquainting themselves with different corners of the desk, washed more windows, cleaned the semi-studio, started jogging again, (Jan. 1st thru the 4th), and am busy on new designs and finishing designs for the "Stitch A Garden" book (ok, when i comes out your going to forget you waited 2 years for it.) I think you'll love the new raggedy, Annabelle - not quite in pattern form yet but please watch for her about March or April. Keep your eyes open for new issues of Country Sampler Magazine as I'll have something new in each one for the remainder of this year at least. In short, been getting to the tasks at hand. . . and let's not forget - it's BASKETBALL season here in the household. Baseball games are soooo much easier to stitch at wouldn't you agree. . . .even tho not quite as exciting.
Didjah get a gift for Christmas or Hannukah or Kawanza or what day may be it? (do i need spell chek? let me know.) I received a quilt calendar plus a family calendar made by my Aunt Bernie and Uncle Bob. January has a pic of myself in the center of two of my dear sweet aunts, ages 87 and 85. Such a wonderful gift filled with memories of their visit in the fall of 99. Also got my own little carry around CD player for my semi studio with no door, so i can play MY OWN music and enable myself to block out any tv clackery. Here is one of my very favorite CDs. Kim Angelis, "Violin Voyager". It is vivacious violin music with keyboard....think she sings on one song only. I doubt she'd mind if i passed on her order ph.#: 1-888-754-1688. "The Messenger" is splendid as well. Both are excellent sounds for nimble fingered stitching . . . . and housecleaning (ugh) as well. Also i received wool socks and chocolates. . . why it occurred to anyone that i might want chocolates, i'll never know. . . . lordy! Where does folks get such ideas anyway? . . . . and well i'd like them also to clue me in on where all the little "muddies" disappeared too so quickly. . . i'm shakin my head, i AM! Geez . . . .life's a mystery sometimes!!
One of the high points of Christmas was our sewing club's 1st annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party. I ignored some imposing business deadlines and immersed myself into the preparations including sending out actual invitations, cooking, baking, CLEANING (ugh), purchasing prizes, christmas favors, and putting a bit extra into the usual decorating - this year adding quite a few candles and topiaries stuffed with twinkle lights.
HAPPY NEW YEAR dear stitchin friends,
This being a rather new club, I deliberated whether or not to have mulled wine in addition to the tea and mulled cider and decided to do so. It was the right choice as the crockpot of mulled wine was emptied and needed refilling before the last two guests even arrived! We had a jolly time!.
Had some great party ideas tho not many of them were mine:
As my friend Frannie suggested, we were to bring a baby or toddler pic of ourself, secretly put it in a bowl, number each one and then guess who was who. There were FOUR winners which nearly wiped out my prize stash in one game but what fun we had.
At the party we made rag balls, winding fabric strips and ribbon around styro balls and decorating some of them with beads, buttons, star anise, felt and whatever. Dabbed them with Christmas scent when finished. We cheated on tradition which is to take long fabric strips and wind them into a ball, inserting little tiny treasures as you go. Years later someone would unwind the strips to discover the hidden treasures. This would be a great project to do with children of all ages. All of ours came out so very uniquely different - when they were complete, we did a bit of trading in the spirit of the season.
(this one WAS my idea. . . but not a great one as far as most were concerned.) The invitation instructed everyone to prepare a verse of "Up on the Housetop" using themselves or a friend like, "first comes the stocking of big ole Reets - my she has such smelly feets"....etc. Well, even after the wine, no one felt much like singing solo . . . except for my friend Karrie who doesn't stitch an inch but is a professional singer/songwriter- she easily belted out a well-prepared, nifty little verse or two. .....so come to think of it, i guess it did work out quite nicely for all.
OH!! I forgot! the COOKIES! yes!. . . we each brought 3 or 4 dozen of one kind of cookie and also the recipe for it. (i offered up a best seat by the cracklin fire for anyone sneaking me an extra dozen) Joyfully we each filled our container with a few cookies from each plate to take home. Recipe cards were provided for those wanting to jot down their favorite. I really got into it and typed up a card for everyone with my "Pecan Tassie" recipe on it and on the backside was a little story about acquiring the recipe. (the funny thing about it is, i've baked these cookies for YEARS and i cannot remember one time when they did not come out absolutely delicious. . . . except this time. . . for the party. Can you believe it?!!) I will print the recipe and my favorite recipe from the party in a newsletter next fall, preceding Christmas festivities.
We had a grand time. Maybe next year you could come.
Something you might keep in mind for next year. I simplified one of the "Festive Round Wooleys" pattern RR48, and did a class once a week at the elementary school. Boys and girls alike - these came out so wonderfully primitive and of course, the biggest joy, they were all different. WoolFelt is so easy to work with and lends itself well to projects for all ages.
Not sure what attracted me to it but on the clearance shelf i found a bunch of beautiful chenille rickrac and cording. Have already used the rickrac on Annabelle's dress. I'm excited about it and will try ernestly not to overuse it.
"ramblin" well describes this newsletter right? Let me list things soon coming.
Ok then, I sincerely hope your New Year is well lit with bright new ideas and creations. Hope your resolution is to LIVE your LIFE! Let me please say good-bye for now with once again, some pictures. My friend Don, sometimes member of our sewing club, made up my "Cookie" pattern a few different ways. Also makes up his own designs (patterns possibly available later this year). His wife is a photographer and took pictures of some of his creations. You should see the dolls this gentleman makes. . . and you will. . . Behold!
