Chubby Friends

Ten ornaments finished and ready to place on the Christmas tree.

Who's Counting?

The days are flying by...

Found another spot to hang some stockings...the kitchen windows.

Design Wall Monday - Getting Ready for Christmas

I almost didn't post today...I feel like there is so little going on in the sewing room...but I am working a little bit on another bear stocking.

I just have a little applique work with holly leaves to get this ready for hand quilting.

Here are the next two waiting to be made...these will have to go on that pesky list that only gets longer...the list of projects I want to start.

I've also been working on some of my Bucilla felt projects. Here are some ornaments that have been in the works for a couple of years.

Some adorable little snowmen that need some black top hats, winter scarves and some Christmas doo-dads to hold.

Some Santas who need pompoms on the top of their hats and also some Christmas doo-dads to hold. Seems doable before Christmas!

I'm making some progress on the doo-dads...see the little stockings two get to hold!

I also want to share my favorite organizing helpers. Cosmetic bags and fishing tackle boxes...what a combo.

I got a set of matching cosmetic bags several years ago at a screaming price right after Christmas. They are sturdy...pretty colors (I love lime green.) and so much cheaper than bags made especially for carting around handcrafts. Look for a cute set when every thing gets slashed in price after Christmas.

I found these wonderful fishing tackle boxes on one of the rare trips I made to Sportsman's Warehouse many years ago. I only go there once a year and looks like it's that time of year again to check the place for stocking stuffers. Maybe I will find some more nifty organizers for myself while I'm there. These are perfect for storing the beads and sequins that come with the Bucilla felt kits. Each section has a lid that pops up separately. The key is to find cases with lids that close firmly, stay closed but will also open without a huge effort. Seems simple but a lot of the organizers I have gotten from my local beading store open too easily and mean lots of spills.

Christmas Stocking Obsession Revealed

Last night I hosted my Bunco group for our Christmas gathering. It's been a while since I've shared my home with "outsiders" when it's decorated with my collection of stockings and other handmade items. It's a bit over the top and I always feel a little embarrassed when others witness my obsession with crafting for Christmas. (My family just thinks this is normal I'm sure.) The entryway is the showcase for most of my quilted items...most of which are my...bear stockings.

A series of Nancy Halvorsen stockings grace the top of the railing...a little hard to see in this photo.

Here's a close up of one of the stockings. They are from her book, "The Night Before Christmas." Lots of great little quilts and eight stocking patterns. 

I also have a small tree with some mini cross stitch ornaments in the entryway.

But the main attraction for me is the Nutcracker quilt I finished this past spring...I put a little garland on top of the hangar...saw that on other blogs...nice idea.

Here's another photo of the entire quilt taken earlier this year. It only took me eight years to make it.

Then they round the corner into the great room...just a few more stockings.

Here's a closer view of some of my favorites.

These are all made from Bucilla felt kits. Every year there are about 10 new designs released...of course I try to keep up...that's why it's an obsession. The older designs sell nicely on Ebay so I am in some good company with this obsession. I am looking for two stocking kits in particular, Rock 'n' Roll Santa and Santa's Sleigh...so please don't bid against me!

Just a few more pictures of my favorites...I  love the story of Noah. 

Oh...I just love this one...Mrs. Claus is holding...a stocking with Santa's name!

I'm pretty sure this was the one that started it all...my first born's stocking...we lived in Texas at the time.

Then number two son came along and he needed a stocking.

The highlight of the Bunco gathering was a gift exchange...where you get to "steal" a present or pick a new one from the pile. I put a handcrafted gift in the pile of presents wrapped very plainly. It was one of the last ones picked. I've shared them before on my blog, my moose ornaments. 

I split the pair up and put Merry Moose in the gift exchange and Chris Moose as the Bunco gift for the person who won the last Bunco of the evening. I can't tell you how much it pained me to split the pair up...but it all worked out in the end as the gal who won Merry Moose just happened to win Chris Moose...and she's a quilter who was sooo excited to win them both! It made me very happy.

Now I have to get back to making more Christmas stuff.

Design Wall Monday

A picture says it all. 

Another stocking finished. (Happy Snoopy Dance!)

The next stocking needs a little more work. I might push this to the UFO 2012 list. 

Here's the pattern...

Here's a look as some of my other completed stockings from prior years...

Bear by the Hook

Bear to the Moon

Garden Variety Bear

Bear to the Rescue

Teddy Angel

Bear in the Woods

Bear Between Boughs

Bear in a Flurry

All of the stockings are now up and hanging along our stairway to greet our visitors. I could easily be a person who leaves up Christmas decorations all year long...they are just so cheerful. One year our tree (artificial) was up until February. Are you someone who has your tree down by the New Year? I'm pretty close to the North Pole so it just never seems right to take it down...what if Santa stops by in July? Let me tell you...I see a lot of men throughout the year that look like Santa to me! You just really never know.

Design Wall Monday

I met my weekly goal again!

I cheated a little. I didn't get the bear done so I borrowed one from another stocking for the photo. I've been working on this stocking for at least four years...the accessories were the problem. See the peppermint candies...those were supposed to be paper-pieced and in green and white. I just couldn't get them to turn out to my satisfaction so I decided to look for buttons. It took years to find and they were a little pricey but they definitely "make" the stocking.

What I love about making these stockings is the variety of techniques each one incorporates. In this one I made the eyelet lace from the designer's excellent instructions. There is usually traditional patchwork, traditional or fusible applique, paper piecing, stuffed bears to make and sometimes clothes for those bears. I love it when the bears have clothes.

Can I finish another stocking for this week's goal?

I need to hang my stocking collection this weekend so I hope this one will get to join the party.

Also on the wall is my quickie quilt top that just needs some borders.

Subzero Activities

It is -13 at my house...I am doing my best to stay inside where it is warm...time to start decorating for Christmas. I don't know how much actual decorating I will get done but I'm going to really enjoy revisiting all my handmade goodies that have been packed away since last January. First up...more bear stockings.

"Teddy Aloft"

Since I'm married to a pilot, this is the stocking pattern that started it all 18 years ago when I saw it in a quilt shop in Utah...so it's kind of my husband's fault.

This little detachable bear was always traveling to other stockings when my boys were younger.

He has a little parachute...thankfully he has never needed to use it.

"Teddy Aboard"

Where there are planes...there are often trains. This little bear has a cute kerchief around his neck.

"Gingerbread Bear"

I had to have a stocking! The stove is paper pieced...isn't it to die for?  This little Mama bear has an apron with a...

matching hair bow! She snaps to the stocking so we don't loose her. I was a beginning quilter when I started these stockings and I learned so much with each one...I absolutely love them...they are my most precious "quilts."