Handmade Beaded Gifts!

Beautiful scissors fob that now lives on my curved embroidery scissors!!

Bracelet and matching necklace! (that I've worn out already!! love this green.) -(that is worn while out-not broken!)

Two lovely bracelets!

(yes, the pictures are awful, but you get the idea!)

Hand Made Gifts

I made some gifts, you know 'cause I told you...but I received some great handmade gifts, too!! I am excited about them, so I'm going to share some of them here! Like this....

Yep..50 pounds of corn flour! And a corn flour cookbook made especially for my family! There are some hand drawn illustrations and lots of blank pages for me to add recipes! I really love this gift!! I've never used corn flour before, but I'm excited to give it a try! Isn't this fun! (and very practical!!) Corn pancakes and tamales coming up!!

Still Christmasing!!

Christmas always lasts for DAYS for my little family! This year we are working on 3 (with a 1 day break in between 1 &2) --3 days of celebrating...it takes even more to prepare! Good thing I love that part too! Both family Christmas celebrations this year were really good. Long, special, fun, somber, busy, restful, etc...fulfilling overall! As for material gifts...both simple and extravagant. A lovely balance for the most part! I'm feeling VERY spoiled! Tomorrow is one more family gathering! The ENTIRE clan will be together. (Just one missing at Christmas today!) I'm very excited for pics!!!

Speaking of pics Here are some of the things I made for gifts!!!

Drawstring bag to hold felt board pieces! (made 2-from Aronzi Aronzo Cute Stuff)
Cloth napkins for my hostess SIL!--these are already on my Christmas sewing list for '09!

And a decorated journal for my artsy SIL! (from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts)

Not pictured...Pillow & mini quilt from Cool boat pants my Daddy made, 2 little apron & oven mitt sets, 3 crochet washcloths, and still unfinished ...A set of 7 embroidered tea towels that I hope to finish by the new year! Whew! I'm hoping to sneak one more lazy go nowhere day before school starts again!

I hope your celebrations were joyful and togethery! Merry Christmas!

It's snowing!

Oh, I'd be so happy if it snowed all day! every day. through Christmas day. It's so pretty! and fun! (stayed up late sledding with lots of friends! SIL and her kids stayed over, Husband made everyone breakfast!) oh, how I'm loving this week! (it's nice to be busy and distracted) cozy. warm. family. friends. What more could possibly need?

Toy Society Christmas drop

Dropped: bench outside the William G Reed library Shelton, Washington
Number of toys: one little sock buddy
Dropped and Made by: Me (Julia)
When: December 20, 2008
And: It’s rather snowy here. I hope someone brings it home soon! Poor cold little softy!

It's snowed an inch or two since the drop and I don't think it's gonna stop anytime soon! I so hope the poor little thing doesn't have to wait for a thaw!!

(I love this!)-Thanks Toy Society -Check it out! so many toys dropped this weekend!

Sad or Glad?

No school again today!! So, this year Christmas break will be 3 weeks! yay snow..sew sew!

My kiddos had a blast sledding all afternoon at their cousins and stayed over! fun! hot cocoa for them when they get home!

niece's b-day tonight!

Ahh..gladness!

No school all week also means no pre-school! no pre-school Christmas party. no gifts crafted for their parents, no stories or art or painting the snow or poems recited. I miss the little turkeys!! I may just have our little festivities after the new year! Poor little guys!

They also canceled the school's Christmas program! (it was right to do it, no school=no practice) but I love it & was especially excited for this year because my son & nephew each had lines, Nephew & other son learned instruments with their class to play & little nephew had a special song to sing with the Kindergarten (who I had last year)

oh..sadness

Ta-Da!! two felt board sets ready to be wrapped!! I made two face sets (both pictured) and two shape sets(one pictured) I also die cut two alphabet sets at work...I have so many more ideas, it's hard to stop here, but there are more gifts to make and only a week to finish (SEVEN DAYS!!!)

Now, time to bake up some cookies and eat them!!-I mean share them ...and maybe finish one more gift! If the snow and icy roads keep school canceled I may just get all my gifts sewn!

Sending some quilt love

So, here are the quilts for {B} to take to Africa!! Sewing these quick little thing up was fun...especially wondering about the little one that will be wrapped in them! So happy for you, {B}! Can't wait to read that you've gone & are home with your new love!!

Today I will be enjoying...

No shcool because of ice & snow!!
Time to work on some Christmas gifts!! I have grand plans but time is running short! I wonder how productive I really can be.

Ahhhhhh...Off to elf my day away!

And The Winner IS... ...

Danielle!!! Congratulations!!! You've won my ornaments!!!

Thank you to everyone who came by and entered my drawing!! I was Shocked at the number of comments I got!! I thought up to 50 but over 200!!man! thank you so very much for playing along!!

I may need to revise my list!

2 Christmas Parties, 1 parade yesterday and today a baby shower! whew.
But...the tree is up & decorated. some baking has been done (and will soon be eaten up!)
I'm so hoping I can get to some sewing today! Wanna see my gift list? I have grand plans!!

• 2 felt board sets,
• a napkin set in a sewn basket,
• a quilt,
• toddler sized chef hat,
• 12 ornaments (still need to choose pattern),
• a scrappy embelished journal cover,
• 2 neck warmers,
• a set of dishtowels
• 3 crochet washcloths
• 1 stocking (for me!)
• a pair of slippers
• and some other stuff I haven't thought of yet!

AND my poor camer is broken! sad me...I'll have o use the big camera.

IT'S GIVEAWAY DAY!!!

**WOW!!! I obviously had no idea what I was getting myself into! Thanks for all the kind words!! and enthusiasm for my humble offering! As soon as I can get it together, I will announce and contact my winner! Yay! and thanks again!

Here it is... I am giving away....







an assortment of handmade ornaments!! Because I love handmade ornaments! The patterns are from various magazines, other bloggers, and crafsters...but I sewed them up with much joy! If you'd like me to send them to you just leave me a comment and I'll have one of my handsome young assistants draw a name by Dec. 7! I will not count any comments after midnight(Pacific time) Dec.3 and I'm sorry I can't ship outside of the U.S. Thanks for sayin' hi!! and thanks for plaing along!! Merry Christmas!

**I almost forgot...Go check out Sew Mama Sew and see whoelse is playing!! fun!!

Advent

I love waiting for Christmas!

I saw this brilliant idea on My Little Mochi and HAD to make some for my kids! super fun. I also was a little bad and bought the beautiful Christmas paper on grocery day. I wanted to get one of everything from the display!

speaking of Advent...when I opened the first box of Christmas junk to decorate my house with it smelled like cookies. I thought oh, no! There are old cookies in here! But.. It was a cookie scented Yankee candle that I hadn't ever lit and forgot I had! Today my house smells yummy!

yahoo

Yahoo! I won a prize! This pretty book! Thank you, Sew mama Sew!
Go check them out!!

Gobble! Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thankful Wednesday

Today I am thankful for a fridge full of groceries, 4 baked pies (4 to go!), a quietish house, the radio playing Christmas music, family day trip in the works, and looking forward to tomorrow! I love Thanksgiving!!

Thankful Tuesday

dominoes
Originally uploaded by sometimes Julia sews

Today I am thankful for Surprise gifts (and the friend that gave them!), games with my kids, James cooking dinner, a clean house, Pie pastry ready for PIe Day (30 people for thanksgiving = 8 pies, I think), pies in the freezer, a few early christmas decorations that have uh...appeared around the house, stressful feelings falling away, happy cute baby boys, and long holiday weekends!

Thankful Monday

Today I am thankful for the ice cream I forgot was in my freezer from Saturday! And the dark chocolate hot fudge. And I am thankful for this minute to sit and reflect on what I am thankful for. (I love counting my blessings! There are so many.) I should be washing and mopping and folding, but it'll all still be there in an hour or so. I guess I'm thankful for that, too.

Watch this space!

See that Give-Away Day button to the left? Sew Mama Sew is celebrating handmade holidays again this year! I've decided to play too!! Just deciding what to giveaway! Come on by on Dec 3 to see what you could win!!! And check out Sew Mama Sew that day too to see who else is playing!! Merry Christmas already!

Thankful Saturday

Today I am thankful for my children. Who are still sleeping at nearly 8 am and are off to a friend's house for the afternoon!-oh, yes I've got it good!

I still see them both as my little ones, but they are quickly growing into young men! They're good boys and I'm honored to be their mom. Even when they're making trouble I often find myself proud of them. -not for the trouble, but because I know that once corrected, they both try to take it heart and apply whatever lesson or request is being made! They're both smart, respectful and loving.
R is 11, hard working, certainly smarter than I, has a strong sense of justice and right and wrong, is loyal and caring and handsome, of course!
Z is 9, generous, sweet,and is kind to others and willing to stand up for those he feels are being treated unkindly and is also rather cute!

Maybe I should cook them a nice breakfast before I make them do chores(see how good I've got it!!)

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my mom. I've said it on here before, but it's all true...She still spoils me (and my kids..like a good grandma), has always been supportive of my endeavors and interests, listens well, offers insight (without being bossy)even if I might not like it! Is honest and generous(and spunky too) My mom is a GOOD friend and always my mom.
You're a good mom. I love you.

Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for babies!! One in particular who is on his way today!! Waiting by the phone to rush out & meet him!! (though i may have to wait 'till tomorrow, BOO!) I do have many pregnant friends right now! I count 5 more babies on their way! Warm, sweet, soft, growing babies!! What a great thing to be thankful for today. (I am also thankful they are not my babies! What would I do? I love my big boys!)

Thankful Monday

Today I am thankful for friends. I know that if tragety (major ro minor) came into my life, I'd be taken care of. Makes me feel a little safer. Proven to me today be responses I got asking for meals to help a dear friend who's just lost a family member. Thank you!! I feel blessed and I'm sure my dear friend will, too.

Using my books

one for me; one for someone else! I love quick projects!! Off to sew more gifts & watch Christmas movies...'tis the season !!!

Thankful Friday

Today I am thankful for clean water, good food, good doctors and all that I have right here daily!

I came across a post on a friend of a friend's blog that I am inspired to participate in. There are often great opportunities to sew and help others. I've chosen this one. I will create a mini 2'x2' quilt for a baby in an orphanage in Ethiopia. It's a small thing, but it will make a warm difference in a small person's life. I'm glad for the chance to help. They want to have 80 be Dec. 20. Many hands make light work! Could you chip in?

Here are the details from {B}:

If you sew or know a Sew Sister, Mom, Friend or anyone else that sews
please tell them about our contest. We will send each person that enters enough
Fabric to Make the front of a mini quilt.You may enter more than once-just let
us know how many you would like to create. You finish the quilt with your
design, creativity & details.
Mail the finished mini Quilt back by Dec.
20th.
We will be selecting several winners on Dec.31st!
First place
$100.00 gift certificate to Junk Posse
Jewelry
Second place $50.00 gift certificate to Junk Posse
Jewelry
and three runner up prizes.
Sew what are you waiting for?
Enter Today and help to give a sweet little one in Africa something to cuddle
with.

If you are interested in being part of this, please email me::brittlee17@yahoo.com. We are very, very excited about this project. This is a very simple project...you do not have to be a pro-sewer to take part in this

AND...Seriously, check out Junk Posse Jewelry! beautiful!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the sunshine!! It's been dark and wet for a few days...It was so nice to have recess outside today and it's so nice not having to turn on the lights at noon! Yay sunshine!!

Thankful Wednesday

Today I am thankful for my husband! I do love him so!! He loves me, too! We've grown up a lot together and I hope to grow old with him in time!! I still anticipate his return home everyday! My day just isn't complete without my man!! (of course I could go on, but I'll save it for his ears!)

Thankful Tuesday

I am thankful for Today!! School's out for the day (Veteran's Day--I'm thankful to all of you, too)
No school=no work! I have no plans and have managed to keep it that way! Pajama day!! I feel rested already!

Not Bad For a Weeks Work!!

Rice heat bags.

Bibs from Bend-the -Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Burp cloth sets!

Three funny penguins.

Thankful Monday

Today I am thankful for my job! (yep, even on a Monday) It's joyful and inspiring and the folks I work with are unbearably CUTE and sweet. ( yay! for pre-school)

Thankful sunday

Today I am thankful for family. Both in my home and extended. I love them!

Busy Saturday?

No? Need to do some Christmas shopping? Want to see a lovely custom built house?? Come see me here! ( and lots of others)...
(It's my first sale!!)--It was a bust...but a really nice day spent with really nice folks!! I had fun.

My turn at the Busy Little Quilting Bee

LOOK!! Some of my fellow busy bees have finished blocks for me!! I am ecstatic!! Thank you!!

I asked for red crosses on the drab green background for a military feel without being too"army". Kind of a focus on helping (red cross) rather than scary battles or boring camouflage. These are brilliant and I can hardly stand waiting to see what everyone does!! Thank you so much, ladies!!!!

Let's Call This Pic "Finished"

TA-DA!! yesterday, I finished putting all my crafty stuff away in my new room!! I am so excited to get in there and stitch up a storm!!

The boys are so happy in there new, much bigger (used to be a garage once upon a time) room!! They actually spend time in there now! It took a long time and there is STILL stuff around the rest of the house that needs a place since the room switch, and the giant donations run to make but it is so nice to have a place to work and so nice to see my boys so much more comfortable!!

Switcheroo

orange-mess
Originally uploaded by sometimes Julia sews

I had a 4 day weekend and the boys have outgrown their room. So...The play/sewing room is now their bedroom and their old bedroom is now my very own sewing room! We spent 1 evening and the last 2 days moving and sorting and arranging. The boys now have a nice, clean, BIG room! And I now have a big fat mess. We just dumped all my sewing stuff in the room so I'll need to take it all out to put the furniture right before I can put anything away.

Let's call this picture "before" and hope the "after" fairy comes and fixes it while I sleep!!

Busy Week

Baked for a school bake sale.
Put the binding on this wallhanging at craft-night(oh, how I love craft night! thanks Shalisa!)


Finished these skirts for my little niece. (who wore all 3 at once--CUTE) They used to be shirts. I just cut the top off under the arm holes, put in a casing and elastic, hemmed to the length I wanted and -done!
And, all the regular work & family & Mom stuff. I'm still tired. whew! But-off to process some pie pumpkins for freezing & later baking!

I'd love to win a quilt!

Pigtails and Snails is giving away a quilt! It's pretty-go look! (found via Chickpea Sewing Studio).
I love yellow! And now I think yellow and brown is so great!

I'm a busy Bee!

sept-busy-bee-block2
Originally uploaded by sometimes Julia sews

This is my second Sept Busy Little Quilting Bee block!! Now it's my turn to send fabric!! YAYAY!!!! I've decided and changed my mind so many times. I've still got 2 hours before I need to get my stuff out! I wonder what I'll send??

C is for Cloud

I didn't really write a complete cloud curriculum! ( there is no math, social studies...)How about a few projects and a book list? Great!

Clouds theme

Book List:
It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw
The Cloud Book by Tomie de Paola
The Drop Goes Plop by Sam Godwin
Raindrops by Larry Dane Brimmer
Little Cloud by Eric Carle
Clouds, Rain, and Snow by Dean Galiano
A Drop of Water by Gordon Morrison
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Cloudy Days by Jennifer S. Burke
Down Comes the Rain by Franklyn M. Branley


Art:
Cotton ball cloud pictures (cut a cloud shape out of blue paper, glue cotton balls all over it, hang it in the “sky”(the ceiling)

Glue rain (use blue glitter glue on black or blue construction paper, drop & squiggle right out of the bottle or use a paint brush to make “rain” all over the paper, Cotton ball clouds can be added after the glue dries)

Cloud prints(fold blue paper in half, open it, drop blobs of white pain on one side, re-fold, open, LOOK! Clouds!, let dry)

Science:
Cotton ball rain clouds (have plenty of cotton balls handy but, only put out a few at a time, put a little water in the bottom of a shallow dish, use a cotton ball “cloud” to soak up some water(condensation), squeeze the cotton ball with your fingers and watch it “rain”(precipitation)

Water cycle/weather felt board

Dramatic play:
Rain gear dress-up(no umbrellas inside, please!)

Outside activity:
Rain gear dress-up with umbrellas
Lie on your back and discuss what the clouds look like!

Have fun! (yes, this is super fun to me!)

Quilty thoughts

Houses, circles, birds, a leafy tree, split rail fence, log cabin, wonky 9-patch, 5 point stars, black&white, red&white, checkerboard, triangles, bugs, old jeans, batik fish,eyes, hens, Katie Jump Rope, green w/red crosses, oh, there's more.

I need to choose just ONE idea by tomorrow and assemble my fabric packages for my turn at The Busy Little Quilting Bee. Hmmm... I'd better get a wiggle on!



**Edit: Cupcakes or green/red crosses or chickens...I guess I'd better narrow it down a bit more!

For my Nephew!

He's 5. The frog border matches his special frog blanket. I cut the fabric when my R was 5(6 years ago!) Now it's perfect for my other little guy!! I think 'll save it for Christmas.

I *heart* felt

This makes me want to get out my stash of felt and start cutting, gluing and painting!! A Felt-board flickr group!!!!!!! Too fun!

Saturday all to myself

These are now pillows! (need filling still)
This is now a wall hanging (needs binding)
Busy little bee blocks ready for the mail!(one more to go!)
I didn't print the blocks, but I put the quilt together. (cute, yes?)

I also finished binding hat silly nephew quilt, but a pic'll have to wait cause I didn't take one.

thematic curriculum

(yes, another post!!)

I teach a letter of the week and like to build my themes(pumpkins, dogs...)around the letter AND seasonally. This summer, I took a curriculum development class and LOVED it. My final project was a curriculum for rocks. Fun. Today, I'm pondering the letter Cc. I really want to develop a thematic curriculum for it. BUT...Do I want to teach Clouds or Caterpillars?? There are great books, and activities I can think of for both! If I do one this year, I can do the other next year...But which one is more fun today?

Circle caterpillars with google eyes...butterfly life-cycle...The very Hungry Caterpillar...coffee filter butterflies...

It looked like spilt milk...cotton balls...rain...water cycle...umbrellas...snow...

Hmmmm....(these are the things I ponder) Wanna see some of it when I'm done??

But no Plum Kuchen

Chocolate zucchini muffins, zucchini bread, granola (slightly burnt) and pear sauce. YUM