The Stockings Were Hung...

Growing up, we all had our own stockings, hand quilted, beautiful and made by my mom. Each was unique and since none of them had names on them, it was an annual struggle for whichever one we thought was the best (usually the all green one, MINE). I have since wanted to make stockings for Steve and I and our family but haven't had the time. Last year at this time I was in full pregnant mode but nevertheless I managed to make this quilt top. I was going through a quilting phase and thought I could make a piece large enough to cut into many stockings for Steve, our unnamed baby and myself plus extra for any children to come.

Well, then high blood pressure entered our lives, bed rest ensued and the stockings never got finished. This weekend I found the quilt in our decorations, made a pattern, cut, machine quilted each differently and done. I love them. I wish I could say how much but I love them enough to annoy Steve with all my exclamations. I lined each with quilt batting for texture, they are backed with white flannel I had in my stash and topped with colorful wool felt also from my stash.

Steve's is green, mine turquoise and Henry's red. I love the way Henry's quilting turned out. All we need now is our tree and let the holidays roll out.

Thankful Hearts

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving break/holiday. Steve and I celebrated all week with lots of movie watching, Dr. Mario, eating and sleeping in and not enough being productive. For Thanksgiving, we ate dinner with friends from our ward and there was plenty of yummy food plus lots of new recipes to share. Then the turkey coma set in and we revived enough to skype with family and eat more pie with our new neighbors. Friday left us black friday shopping at 12:01 AM (NBA Jam and my new Cricut Expression!) plus we enjoyed an authentic Cuban dinner I won in a ward service auction. Saturday was tailgating with friends for the last home game which we won and a matinee date to see Inception. I loved the movie and I loved how they styled Ellen Page, she really is quite lovely. And now, thankfully the leftovers are gone, the desserts have been gobbled up and we have less than two weeks until christmas break. Man, where has this year gone? Somehow at Thanksgiving, Henry took off his pants. He loved this tricycle even though it was pink.

Steve rocking a beard. I love it.

Different Like Coco

I always have an eye open for interesting children's books. I loved this one.

I am totally wanting this fantastic children's book Different Like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews about the life of Coco Chanel. Not only does the art look fantastic Matthews but it has memorable quotes from Chanel that I love and would love to impress on the minds of young readers. "The most courageous act is to think for yourself. Aloud."

P.S. The movie, Coco Before Chanel with Audrey Tautou was wonderful too but much darker than I thought it would be.

Henry: 11 Months

Henry is 11 months and a couple of days. I can't believe that next month he will be one year old! We finally got into a doctor and he is 19 lbs and 28 inches. Right in the middle. Average. Totally healthy except for an ear infection which we are currently fighting off with bubble gum flavored antibiotics. Here are some shots of Henry I managed to take while I was photographing the table. He wandered over to the deck while I was out there and proceeded to play with and eat the screen door. I think they are hilarious especially the one with his tongue pressed against the screen! Funny guy.





P.S. Thanks grandma and grandpa g for the box of warm early birthday pj's.

Christmas Shop Update

So this week the last of my christmas inventory will be posted in the shop. I stayed up until 12:45 am last night photographing. I have to say I am happy to finally be done and have it out there. Hopefully by Friday I won't be so sick of it that I don't want to decorate our apartment. But who am I kidding? I will be more than thrilled to go get our tree and hang garlands. Can you believe it is that time already?

Here are some of my favorites.

And the Winner is...

So there were 194 books in the case. Tina is the winner with a guess of 193. Thanks everyone for guessing. It was fun having so many comments and seeing who would be the closest. I'll probably do this again in the future.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Clark: Table for 6

Don't forget to enter the giveaway. Today is the last day!

So when we first got married we borrowed a table and chairs and then eventually had to buy our own. We bought the standard newlywed table with white legs and tan top for $15 at DI. Mismatched chairs, black paint and new upholstery got us a complete set for a relatively inexpensive price tag. Our table was fine. But every time we had guests over for dinner or I wanted to throw a party, I found its small size very limiting. You can fit 4 dinner plates, cups and one bread bowl on our table. Food had to be served buffet style in the kitchen and everything felt super cramped.

Once in Georgia, I was scouting out other furniture needs and stumbled across this table buried in the back of a consignment shop. It had all the things I love: mid century lines, 6 chairs including one captain's chair and it needed lots of love. And for $125 it was a steal. But I didn't get it. It wasn't a need but I kept thinking about it.

So Happy (early) Birthday and a little bit of Christmas to ME!

Yesterday we went and picked up this table and since it was still there and no one wanted it, the lady gave it to me for $75, table and chairs! Hooray! Isn't it lovely?

I love the base. And it came with 3 leaves (not pictured) so it can grow to 8 feet long. It does need some work, one of the base legs is loose and it needs refinishing or painting. Also the chairs need work too, look at that hot quilted upholstery! but I love a challenge and I can see the potential.

You better believe I am already dreaming of dinner parties, table runners and warm conversation over good food. But first things first, I need to get to work. Updates to come.

P.S. Now don't you think I need to get this couch? Wouldn't the person who owns this table also have that couch?