Santas Workshop

Hello Out There!  This is sadly a no-sew post.  We've been busy with other Christmassy stuff as I'm sure you are too.

The 2016 Craft Project was........Shower Tabs to Steam Away Colds.  Everyone pretty much guessed bath salts which was close.

They were fun to make and smell wonderful.

Giveaway Winners: Alicia B (even though she commented on FB and not officially here and cause we're friends).  I also picked at random from those who guessed bath salts or bombs and Janet O was the winner!  Send me your home addresses and santa will bring them your way.

I made my own labels with Avery.  Did you know that you can print your own at home through their website? they have a gazillion designs.  So easy!

 And here they are ready for gifting.

I love setting up crafting stations here in the DR.  Hanna is busy assembling our guild favors.

 We decided a little "treat" was more fun this year than the same old recycled FQs.

While ordering Christmas Stamps I saw this on the USPS website and all I could say is "Merry Christmas Barb".  

 This came as is, fully framed, for $39. with the newly minted stamps.  I just love it!

 It was released the day before my Birthday last year.  How fun.

 I've hung it in the "Hall of Presidents"  which I need to do a post on.  You can see some of my collections of  Lincoln here.

I found a vintage tablecloth at the antique mall.  These are almost always card table size and imagine they were used for bridge parties or bunko.

Here is a video of the windowsill Hanna and I arranged in our kitchen.  We wanted a theme that would work through February.  We bought almost everything at the Dollar Store and most of it is Plastic but I think it looks like a million bucks......ha ha....get it?

Hope you are enjoying all the sights, smells and sounds of the Holiday season.   

I'll be back soon to share a Christmas quilt that I made start to finish in 2 weeks.  

xo

Party On!

Welcome to the end of my blogging year 2015.  Thank you first and foremost to everyone who has taken the time and showed me kindness and encouragement through their comments.    It is the only valued payment I receive for the time and effort I put into the Fun With Barb blog.

I'm send you all our 2015 Christmas Card

This was my fall of saying YES!   I said that to almost anything that came my way:

• "Would you come to speak and teach at 4 different guilds between Sept and November" - Delighted to.
• "Are you going to do an international block swap with 80 participants?" - Yes.
• "Will you run the judging for your NJ Quilt Guild Show?" - Okay.
• "Honey, do you want to have a Christmas Dinner Party for 24?" - Of Course.
• "Do you want to be the new Hospitality Chairwoman for the guild?" - Why Not?

Today I am sharing some photos of my house decorations and party photos.

House Decorations:
Dining Room hutch with our Danish Tomte and Danish plate collection.

My new door wreath.  Thanks Joann Fabrics!  Burlap poinsettias.  

Uncle Buck got a little sprinkling of berry garland and a poinsettia boutonniere.

 Here is my boy, Andrew's, little tree.  I set it up for his and Sigourneys visit.

 This is my sewing room tree.  I use red and pink vintage ornaments and Tinsel - yay for Tinsel!!

 Hanna's tree has polka dot and jewel toned ornaments.

Our Family Room tree is real and holds our oldest treasures, including my Grandparents 1940s ornaments and one I received from my kindergarten teacher.

House Party:
I like to play the game "who am I?".  You pin a name on every ones back and they have to guess who they are through a series of questions - like 21 questions.  It's a great cocktail hour activity.

Here is the bar.  Our policy is that we make your first drink and then you help yourself.

I set up a Bubbly Station - It's Christmas after all :)

Here are favors that I made for the ladies: silver whisks filled will kisses the tags read "We Whisk You A Merry Kiss-mas" (thanks Pintrest).

Boys got a decorated mason jar filled with munchies - the perfect "morning after" snack.  Boy, this red truck with a tree is literally EVERYWHERE this year.

Guild Party:
My theme was Red and White.  Simple table covers and silk white poinsettias.  Everyone brings their own place setting.  This is Hanna's and mine.

 I brought a tree from home with a simple red burlap and R&W toile' garland.  That Craftsy box worked great to give it height and matched my theme.

I made 90, yes ninety,  FQ favors.  I rolled them in Ikea napkins and tied them with bakery twine.  I got the mini laundry baskets at Michaels.

It was so wonderful have Hanna home to help me with set up and to share the evening with me.   We had a hoot.   How about that ugly Christmas Sweatshirt? It has gold glitter puff paint - ouch!

Aaahhh, all obligations are over and now it is on to Christmas with my family.   I took a break and watch Elf, my second favorite movie in the TV room by the little R&W Danish tree under a special quilt.  Whew!

This is Fun With Barb signing off to enjoy family time.  I look forward to another year sharing quilting inspiration and other fun in 2016.

However you Celebrate the Season I wish You Peace and Love.