Well, I'm back and very happy about it.  I did manage to find my black layering tank (along with three flashlights and tons of other random junk) in my closet.  I also emptied my dresser and cleaned out some other junk drawers and catch-all closets.  The car is loaded up with bags and boxes for Goodwill.  It feels good.

What I did not find was my zipper foot or the other missing one.  In fact, I didn't make it to the sewing room at all.  Kate had some weird fever virus and was generous enough to pass it on to her mom.  Thanks, hon.  The sickies brought my cleaning streak to a standstill and I am having a hard time getting back in the groove.  I will get to it soon, though.  I have to or the crafting will also come to a halt pretty darn fast.  And we can't have that now, can we?

I did manage to squeeze in some crafting between cleaning closets.  I have been dragging my embroidery everywhere - soccer practice, pool, carpool line.  Seeing Hillary's new stitchettes got me going on the ones I already have.

I have this vision of them all individually framed and hung as one big group on my guest room wall.  Three out of the eight I have are finished.  Of course, the winter set will be coming soon.  I imagine I will be stitching in the carpool line for awhile.

Back tomorrow with some WIP.

A little bit of everything today.

I am a little late to the party, but here I am anyways.  De-lurking, you might say.  I invite you all to do the same....come on out and play.  Let me know you are out there!

Erin and Jane also tagged me.  So I need to come up with 6 weird things about myself....

1.  I don't like gravy or goopy sauces.  No Hollandaise or Bearnaise for me.  Hold the mayo and sour cream, too.

2.  I am blind in my left eye.  When I am tired, it "hangs" or doesn't track as well.  Sometimes people don't think I am looking at them.

3.  I was a History major in college, but I do not enjoy non-fiction unless it reads like a novel.

4.  To go to sleep, I have to move around in bed until everything is just right.  Sometimes I am moving a lot.  My college roommate Karen aptly named this issue "dog problems."

5.   I love to read, but I do not choose most of my books.  Fatty does that for me and I like it this way.  Same thing goes for music.  He buys, he loads my ipod, I listen.

6.  I consider popcorn a completely suitable and somewhat nutritious dinner.

Phew....I had a difficult time coming up with six things.  In fact, I asked for help.  Funny thing is, Fatty and I thought of the same things with the exception of my love of brussels sprouts.  He thinks that is weird - I don't.

Um, I sometimes break the rules....I am not tagging anyone else.  Feel free to play along if you'd like!

And, it's time for a wee blog break.  When you can't find the zipper foot or button shank foot (I have never used it, but it IS missing) or your favorite black layering tank, it's time to clean the sewing room and other closets.  I am not sure how long it'll take.  I will be back sometime next week.  Hope the weekend is good to you!

The sun is shining! Woo hoo!  I had playground duty at Jane's school today and got my fair share of vitamin D while watching the kids play out in the cold.  Oh happy day!

Something else making me smile is this:

Vintage buttons!  I bought this button card on ebay for a mere $5.50 (plus shipping, I know).  It had writing on the back and the date - July 1948.  It says, "Sent to me from Florence Meek.  Many of the buttons belonged to her mother and my pal in Port Arthur Texas."  That makes me think that some of these are really old.  Can you believe my luck?  Oh, I just love it!

Fatty likes to shop and he knows me so well.  Look at some of the stuff he gave me for Christmas...

Buttons, a high school letter (perfect for my collection, no less) and fabric - most, if not all, vintage!  I love it all and can't wait to start creating.  There are about 7 or more (!) yards of the quilt-like fabric (he paid under $10 - good thrifter!) - what to do?  I am thinking like Maria von Trapp...clothes for the kiddos and maybe even something for me.  Fatty thought it would make good appliques and I agree.  The H is begging to be put on a pillow, I think.  Any other ideas?  The other fabric is so cute - I love the little prams.  It'll surely show up in some patchwork.  I have lots to do so I am going to get on it.

Happy weekend to you!

Thank you all for the great comments about my handmade gifts.  I had a lot of fun making them - I really did.  But... (you knew that was coming) I think I overdid it again.  Too many big ideas and not much time left me and Fatty wrapping ALL the presents Christmas Eve afternoon.  I had just enough time when I was finished to take a shower and get myself to 5:30 mass.  Thank goodness my mom was here and took over cooking duty.  And Georgia got my kids dressed for church.  Christmas Day was relaxing, but we were up early and off to the airport on the morning of the 26th.  Some of the gifts I had really wanted to make got cut off the list, too.  The Christmas cards never got sent.  I did not make anything for the girls or Fatty and although no one was the wiser, it made me a bit sad.  On that note, I am going to really try not to over commit myself this year.  I am going to practice saying no.

On to the drawing...
First, though, I loved getting comments from some new people.  It is always fun to discover new blogs.  It amazes me the amount of talent out there.  You all are great! OK, then...

I wrote all the names on little pink circles, folded them up and had Jane draw a name.  So, without further ado, the winner is....

Robyn!  I have fabrics all picked out and will get to sewing a new apron for you.

The girls and I all have double ear infections plus a sinus infection for me and something near to pneumonia for Jane.  The house is a disaster because we left it that way when we went on vacation.  The Christmas decorations need to come down and I need some serious rest.  I also need to get organized in a big way.  So, you won't be seeing much of me for the rest of the week, but I will be back soon.  Probably sooner than I think.

Six - Saturday, January 6, 2007 at 9:00 p.m. central time to be exact.  My brother Nolan and my sister-in-law Georgia's office/guest room re-do will air on Design on a Dime on HGTV.  I have seen it in person and it turned out great.  Tune in or TiVo!

Seven - Happy New Year!  I think it is going to be a good one.  I have a mental list of goals for the year and am looking forward to putting it all down on paper so I can assess my success (or lack there of) in 364 days.  They mostly have to do with getting organized, staying organized, not over-committing and taking better care of myself.  And limiting my tendancy to procrastinate - I know I can't make it go away.

Eight - Knitted Ski Hats for the guys or how I spent my carpool/soccer practice/TV time in November and December.  All knitted in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran.  The pattern is my own.

for Tiger, Evan and Finn

clockwise from top
for my dad, for Ian, for Nolan, for Miles, for Ryan

My family on New Year's Day - all wearing hats knitted by me.

OK - that's it for the gifts.  Phew!  I had fun making them, but am looking forward to making a few things for myself.  2007 is going to be good indeed.

First things first - this is post number 100!  And what better way to celebrate than with a little giveaway.  Leave a comment and I will draw a name on January 3rd.  What will you get?  I don't know yet, but I promise it'll be good.

OK - back to the gifts....

Five, part two
Freezer paper stencils for my nephews and Heather.  The number idea stolen from Meg who stole it from someone else.

for Finn

for Ian and for Miles

for Evan

for Heather

Five, part three
Applique t-shirts for my nephews and Heather

for Evan

for Ian (the tractor idea shamelessly pilfered from Stephanie)

for Finn

for Miles

for Heather

Just a quick hello to say Merry Christmas to all of you.  Hope you have a great holiday with family and friends.  I am still wrapping and crafting, but will be back sometime next week with all the secret gifts I gave.  Thanks so much for all the inspiration and support you have given me - I am constantly amazed with what I learn from all of you.  Merry Christmas from our house to yours!