HNY Prep

 It’ll be New Years Eve tomorrow. Yesterday I spent the day with two of my side kicks (aka grands). We had a full day. I had a quick eye dr check-up, went to Piccadilly for lunch, quick shopping in 5Below, then back to their house. 

I had brought all the supplies for a planned craft with them for New Years. We donned the store bought NY party hats for the craft time. 

We made a NYE party hat out of a black solo cup and silver tinsel left from Christmas decorations. They came out so cute. 

   

I did supply them with Hobby Lobby 2022 party favors of hats, glasses, & noise makers,  too, for their family to have for their NYE festivities. I always supply all the kids families with the party favors, don’t ask why, it’s just what I do. I’m good at things like that. 

We had a nice day together.  Then the mom & dad arrived home from work and all our fun ended because we had to leave and head home. 

Gin

My Super Heroes

 A few years ago I made a super hero cape for my grand son while I was making tutus for the 2 girls. Tutus are always cute, but the super hero cape came out just as cute. 

Fast forward to this year and that same super hero cape was pulled out of the closet toys and the younger brother was enjoying it. This mawmaw jumped into action and just had to give him his very own super hero cape. Mainly because it had the name initial “C” and he’s an “E”. And secondly, it’s a great keepsake and they can both have there own.  Plus, there are 3 little boy grands and only 1 super hero cape. That doesn’t add up, so I made 2 new super hero capes. 

It takes ~~~~ 

   1 yard for the outside 

   1 yard for the lining 

   1/2 yard for the collar/binding/casing & initial 

I folded the fabric and cut on the fold the following measurements ~~~

42” across the bottom 

18” across the top neckline shape 

24” down from center of back of neck to bottom of cape 

Cut the name initial in any form you would like by first making a pattern on paper then transferring to the fabric. The initial is about 8” long by about 8” wide. 

First, pin or spray baste the initial in place on the right side of the outside fabric. Then appliqué in place. 

Place both fabrics right sides together and stitch all around the edge 1/4” in leaving a 3-5” opening for turning inside out. 

Press edge/seam down and stitch small opening for turning closed. 

For collar/binding,  sew this piece to outside neck line? Then flip over to inside, pin in place allowing for the circular neckline to lay flat and not pucker or bunch up and then sew in place, leaving 1/2-1/4” opening at each end to thread the drawstring through. 

Press edges down. Thread a ribbon or some type of yarn, etc. through the casing /collar/binding. 

And there you have it. Super hero capes for the boys are just as cute as tutus for the girls. 

Gin 

,Merry Christmas

 I hope your Day was all you wanted it to be.

We had immediate family Christmas at our son Brandon & Julie’s house in Christmas Day. 

But first we made a stop at the youngest son Trent & Natalie’s house to see their kids Santa stuff. We made it early to see Wyatt open some of his Santa gifts. 

He’s 2 so it’s a fun time for their little family. 

Then on to the Christmas Dinner and family gifts.

 And more ...

And again ...

And finally ...

There’s Brandon, Julie, Cohen, Everett, jennifer, Chris, Brooklyn. Brynlee, Trent, Natalie, Wyatt, Larry, and Me. 

The we went by our daughters jennifer & Chris to see their kids Santa things. Then back home. I did my side of the family Thursday with just the adults getting together for lunch.  A few days filled with people, food, snacks, gifts, playtime, laughs, stories. But oh how we missed those not there!

Gin 

It’s That Time

We made it to the Day before Christmas. 

 I think I actually accomplished and checked off all things on my list to do between Thanksgiving & Christmas. Read here to see.

Today I’m going to prep my cooking - chicken for the dressing, potatoe salad, pecan pies, pecan pralines, & Oreo balls. And Larry frying 2 turkeys. Others are contributing their specialities, too. 

My Santa gifts are ready.  We just have to load the truck tomorrow with everything and truck over to our oldest sons for Christmas with the family. Our kids have started wanting Christmas at their homes so every year they take a turn. I miss the hustle bustle of them all in my house, but I also enjoy the little bit of relaxation while enjoying everyone and everything at the kids houses. BUT they still want my food — so not too much has changed. Haha!

I’ve seen Santa a few times these last couple weeks and asked for a few things for myself and family including health, wealth and happiness for the new year. 

Merry Christmas to all!!

Santa Liberty

 We took in a little small town Christmas parade with one of our kids’ little family in their small town. Yes, it’s the small town feeling on Main Street that you see in movies and read about. 

It was short and sweet, but had everything you need in a parade:

Pageant Queens 

School dance team 

School band 

County officials

Horses

4 wheelers, side-by-sides

Fire trucks 

And Santa on the fire engine 

The only thing that could have made it better is to have been at night with all the Christmas lights on Main Street in small town Liberty. 

I’m still on checking off my Christmas to do list. Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas. 

Gin 

Throwing some extras in

 It’s definitely countdown to Christmas around here. But I’m throwing in some extra activities besides what’s on my schedule. Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas.

I whipped up another quilt this month for someone. It had to be big and fast. It measures 95x95 and the pattern is vintage Star. 

I’ve made 2 like this in the last couple months. I think I posted this one a few weeks back. 

Also in the making were some Christmas stocking, I had made a pink one first for a giveaway. Soft pink with lace trim and measured about 16” high and 12”

across at its widest part. You know pink is a Christmas color? 

Then that pink stocking turned into 3 more Christmas stockings. She wanted the farmhouse look and sent me the idea of what she would like.  

It’s an Irish Chain quilt pattern then made into a stocking. I’ve always been intimidated by the Irish chain pattern, but I took on the challenge and was pleasantly surprised it was not hard at all. I made 10 of the blocks, sewed them together, then cut the front of the stocking out of it. Then a back for the stocking in white, 2 cuts of the stocking in white for the lining, polyfill batting, stacked together, then sewn together. Made a hanging tab and top border. All this times three for three stockings. 

I’m hoping last minute sewing is done for now. I’ll be ready to start back sewing after the 1st of the year. 

Gin

The Christmas Spirit

Out of the dirt bike race, softball game and the dance recital, only the dance recital was a go. Brooklyn has been sick with strep for a few days so her dad kept her out of the game (he’s the coach) to have everyone safe from catching it. So that’s marked off the list for me to do. The dirt bike race was moved to another location and was too far to travel to go for the day so that’s marked off the list. 

The only show left was the dance recital. And it was so good and cute. It was a Christmas show with Santa, the Grinch, and the Reason For The Season. 

Brynlee, in the 7 year old elementary division had 2 dances and was the cutest elf. 

The second appearance they were dressed up elves. Here’s behind the scenes stage ready. 

Here’s the finale’.

And at the end when we’re leaving. 

I love dance recitals and watching all that confidence those girls have getting on stage performaning. 

 Read here to see what I have left on my to do list before Christmas. 

Gin