News of the World - My World

Here is my quilt published in a beautiful new book "The Quilters Night Before Christmas".

This book illustrates each stanza of the poem written by Clement C. Moore almost 200 years ago.   I made a santa that reminded me of these little elves that we had when I was a girl.

Sue Reich invited quilters to submit a little quilt for each stanza which was also to include a quilt or quilt block.  Here the cover quilt made by Jill Mezaros.  Each quilt is unique and many are made by quilts friends from around the country.

It is a beautiful book with vintage postcards and Christmas history and traditions.

 

 It also includes some wonderful traditional quilt patterns.

It is available on Amazon for $28.00 and is a hardcover.  A perfect gift for a quilt friend or for yourself!

In other publishing news; I was featured in the December QuiltMania Magazine for my Instagram Account.  What a nice surprise and huge honor!   I was proud to be among the other quilters who I also follow.

This year I decided to display my White House Historical Ornament tree.  I'm trying to separate the beauty of the craftsmanship and history with the current atmosphere in DC.

Each year the committee selects a past President to honor.  Here is my collection.  I am only missing 4 to complete the collection and I think Santa is going to come through this year.  They are gorgeous ornaments. The White House ornaments include the same limestone as the actual White House!

Each ornament comes in a pretty box with lovely goldleaf and an illustration.

A booklet is included with historical facts about the President, his administration and how the family celebrated Christmas in the White House.

This year I am challenging myself to read one little booklet a day.  I am learning so many things about the President and White House.

I have also been very busy lately watching the entire Bond series.  It started with watching all the Daniel Craig movies then I took the plunge and watched them all.  Here is my very sloppy tally sheet.

My favorite is Daniel Craig, then Pierce Brosnan.  It was great fun watch them in order. 

I made a new crochet pattern hat for my quilt guild's Holiday Silent Auction.  I may even bid on it myself.

We had our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday because my son, Andrew, worked night shifts at the hospital Wednesday and Thursday.

It was wonderful to relax on Thursday and have dinner together on Saturday.  It think it was the best turkey we've ever cooked!

We cooked for 12 even though there were only 3 of us.  I love the week of leftovers! 

I am Thankful for all the friends and talented people I have met through quilting.  Thank you for continuing to read my blog or visit my Instagram feed.  Quilting has enriched my life beyond measure.

See you next time~

xo

It takes a Village....

Warning:  This is long and photo loaded with Christmassy Stuff.

I'm opening my post today with a photo of my Angel Tree.

My mother gave me my first angel ornament and a new one each year until she passed away, which was soon after the tradition started.  After she died many of my friends and family have given me angels for this special tree.

Our Dickens Village is one of my favorite decorations.  I add little touches every year.  This year I added a table skirt and some new bushes, like the front hedge.  I also added Ralphie's house as I reported in the last post.

Enjoy!

Here is a view before I add the snow.  I can not tell you how much difference it makes in creating the illusion of a real town.  It also hides those white ceramic feet on the figures.

And After - 

 Mr. Fun always does the fine snow on the rooftops.

Here is the "let's look up the skirt" view of the ugly wiring job.  Every year I think I'll do better then I get into it and don't.  ha ha.

I was really under pressure from this guy: Mr. Starbuck, who was judging my every move.

The end result.  I leave this up all of January to enjoy from the couch.

Here is the framed print of the Lincoln inking that Barbara gifted me.  I chose a red silk mat, simple scrolled black frame and museum glass.  I had it done at Michaels and they do a wonderful job.

It is part of my "Hall of Presidents"

I have a White House Historical Society ornament tree.  Did you know they are less than $20. each and they come in a beautiful box with a booklet all about the history of each years ornament. 

One day I'm going to sit down and read each and every one!

I got a wonderful gift this week from Kelly.  Do you know what this is?  Have you ever received one?  Made one?

It's a SURPRISE BALL.    How fun is that...?  really fun!!!!

You unroll it and surprises fall out - I'll share mine with you.....

 I wish Kelly had been here to hear my squeals of delight.  I did save it for when some friends were here.  Thank you Kelly!!

Well at last you have come to the end.  Sorry it was so long.  I have been super busy with a party we had.  I'll share more decorations next time.  

In parting, this is how coco has been helping me lately......

what a super duper dog - 

Hope your Holiday plans, parties and prep are going merrily!

Fun For Friday! More is More

Happy Friday!  More is More becomes my basic philosophy this time of year.  It seems such a short season and the pretty lights and baubles are especially welcomed during the darkest month.

When the love of history and Christmas collide this is what happens - My White House Tree.

Each year the White House produces an ornament honoring a past president or tradition.  I have only 2 more to collect and I'll have the set.  This year it is William Taft, the first President to have a car.  Here he is loaded with gifts.

I have one of those funny 1950s pink and grey tiled baths.  Let's call is retro - so much more fun than out of date, lol.
My friend, Norma, custom made me this pink ceramic tree - I love it and keep it lit 24/7.

The two shadow boxes I found at Homegoods in two different years.  How lucky is that?   These would also be fun to make.

Many years ago I started using old Christmas cards as labels on packages.  I use patterned craft scissors to cut the edges.

It is fun to match themes with people.  Hanna gets the cat cards, Rich the sailing or nature cards and Andrew gets the funny and dog cards.  These are going off to some special friends.

This is for my friend, Kelly (Pinkadot), who has a wonderful blog.  She commented after my last post that her sewing room was "one hot mess".  Well, so is mine! (Our house came with a 3rd floor in-law suite - great for a craft room!)

It is too easy to crop out real life.  Here is real life!

and here -

So don't ever be fooled here at Fun with Barb, next to a great photo is a pile of crap that I moved.

So, have you seen these yet?  These are melted peppermint candy cookie trays.

These only took a few minutes.  Find the directions here.  I think I'll cut come cardboard and wrap it with foil before I use them to strengthen the bottom.

Fun and fits my More is More philosophy!  ho Ho HO!