So, my beautiful and talented sister did wear the tree skirt as a cape at a retreat. Edited by Donna herself:  “It wasn’t just at a retreat – I wore it (out in public) to the Ocean City Maryland Winterfest of Lights!  I absolutely love this (either way – skirt or a cape).  Also, note how well it matches the drapes.  Thanks again!”  Once she came to her senses, she used it appropriately!  Here are some pictures she sent.  Her blog is www.therockpaperscissors.blogspot.com.  The pattern I used for the tree skirt is Simplicity #3977 and comes in only one size.

Here are two of the many table runners I’ve made lately.  The book, “Lunch” has many fast and fabulous patterns ( www./terryatkinson.typepad.com ).  The one on the right uses fabric left over from my sister’s tree skirt.  An 18″ square one should arrive at my little sister’s home today or tomorrow as a surprise for her.  The one on the left is a duplicate of one I made for my mom.  She sent me the red fabric and the black and backing was won at a guild meeting.

My sister-in-law asked me to make a quilt in red/white/blue for her son & daughter-in-law who are in the Air Force.  I absolutely LOVE it ~~ everything about it!  The fabric is Mark Lipinski’s Krakow line that was purchased at www.auntbeassewingbasket.com and the pattern is from the book Material Obsession (www.materialobsession.com).  The quilt is 76″ square.

I’ve been busy making potholders, scissor cases and table runners for Christmas gifts. 

Last night, my sons and I went on board the Reliant and watched the Christmas Ships ( http://www.christmasships.org/ ).  Pretty cool since most people who see the ships are on land, not on the Columbia River less than 100 yards from the ships.  My USMC son was in Sea Scouts and it’s a fund-raiser for their ship each year.

Charles suprised his skippers with his visit on board.

I’m looking forward to running tomorrow morning when it should not be 9 degrees out like the last few mornings.  YEA !!!  Should be snow instead.

26 degrees and a wind chill that made it feel like 11 at 6am.  I wore 2 hats, 2 gloves, 2 socks, 2 pants, 4 shirts, 1 reflective long sleeve jacket,1 reflective vest, and 1 pair of shoes on my run today!

December 6th is always a special day because it’s St. Nicholas Day when we celebrate with little gifts for the children.  Today, my entire immediate family (+ son in law) will gather to have a turkey dinner for my USMC son who is home for two weeks.  I have little bags of candy coins to give each of them.

I also have a St. Nicholas drawing for my immediate siblings.  To enter, they must e-mail a story about St. Nicholas or Christmas growing up.  The drawing is next Sunday and the winner will get this hand pieced quilt that my mother and I pieced and I quilted.  The binding still needs to be hand stitched down.

This morning, the boys and I hiked in Forest Park.  Each of them ran into people they know.  I am feeling left out.  It was in the mid 30’s and very windy.

I made the following tree skirt for my sister and mailed it as a suprise.  Yesterday, I got a call thanking me for the lovely cape.  You go Donna!  I didn’t finish the binding in this picture.  Maybe she’ll send one of it under her tree or around her neck???  Hint!  Hint!

I just love the back and have a few table runners pieced with the fabric and waiting to be quilted. 

Cold morning for a run at 24 degrees!  BRRR !!!  I wore a lot of extra clothes!

We have had some gorgeous, but cold, weather here and the moon last night was spectacular!  Thanks to United Airlines who, when the gentleman at the counter saw my son’s ticket from Raleigh to DC to Philly to Chicago to San Fran to Portland said, “hmmm… we’ll fix this.”  He arrived six hours earlier and only transferred in Chicago.  Thank you United!

Here is a quilt that a woman picked up yesterday.  Her mother hand pieced it many years ago and she wanted it finished.  I washed it and it shrunk up to that old-time feel of quilts!  She was delighted when she picked it up.  It is flat, but I threw it over the couch for a photo.

It’s time for my annual Christmas potholders, pillow cases and other hand-made gifts.  I have my plan!  Currently, the potholders are in process along with 24 that I’m doing on commission for a daycare parent.

Out of 1 1/2 yard of the front and the same for the back, I can make 24 potholders.  First, I quilt the front and back on cloth.  One I use two layers of Warm n Natural and the other is Insul-Bright.  Then, I cut out my 9″ squares, sew them together, turn them inside out, hand stitch the opening closed and run a stitching line about one inch from the edge all around.  That’s it.  Lots of steps, but very easy.

Here are two I put together last week after my sister saw one on www.selvageblog.blogspot.com and knowing that I had the apple fabric, made her wish.  When she got it in the mail, she said she felt like a jeanie…  one blink of the eye after her wish and it was in her mailbox!

Happy 51 Anniversary Mom and Dad !

Andrew is the first one to ask for a class ring.  Neither of the other two were interested and since Andrew rarely asks for anything…

I disguised it among his afternoon snack.

My daughter was looking for a pinot noir and I found this for her after she found her own.  Notice the name:  Sarah’s vineyard.

And my sister, Donna, gave me this beautiful framed Queen Ann’s Lace.  I put it above my computer table near a piece of art my high school art teacher, Sister Anna Mae, made.