Holiday Eating Tips - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

I received this in one of my doll list emails. I wish I knew who the author is to give credit.

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat step #3.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across some thing really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a great holiday season!

Button, button, who's got the button? Lot's of B&W!

I decided to organize my buttons. Heaven only knows why I have so many and what I'm going to do with them. They are all in plastic bags now, most sorted by color. I managed to get 3 plastic shoe box bins down to one of the larger ones. Pinky sure wanted to play with them. But wait! I still have more scattered in all my bins that are not unpacked yet. *groan*


I joined a B&W and one other color quilt challenge, button over there >>>> on side. I didn't have too many b&w fabrics so I ordered from Jane. Great, fast service! Great variety. This is what I had. This pretty yellow is my other color:


This is what I got from Jane:

They are all washed now and hanging on the line to dry. Going to be a lot of ironing pretty soon. Can't wait to get started on my project. I'm not a quilter. The sewing together will be fine but as far as quilting it...don't know, might have to take it out to let pay someone else do it.

A few things

First, hop over and see what Sheri Howard is giving away. It's so cute!!! She has a nice blog.

Second, hubby was supposed to have peripheral bypass surgery on Tuesday. They just called him and the doc had to cancel for a few days because he has 2 emergencies first. He was happy (scared, ya know?) but then said dang, better sooner than later. Now he has to worry longer. :(

Third, I'm through with all my swaps and have time to make something for me but what??? I've went through all my patterns, books, magazines and just can't decide! Well, I'll let you know LOL

Last but not least, here is a photo of Pinky on her couch. It's out on the lanai. She loves it. When not on it, she's rolling around like a silly on that cold concrete floor.

Heart needlecase has wings (to TX)

Back on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 I had my 3000th. visitor since I started counting. I mentioned she was from Rotan, Texas. A couple days later I got a sweet letter from her. She mentioned how she liked my blog and she really liked the heart shaped needle case I designed for my partner in this swap. Well, I decided to make her one. It's on it's way to her now. Hope you like it hon!!! edit: I just looked at the photo and the little butterfly button is sewn on upside down!!! LOL

Robyn's give away

Robyn over at Daisy Quilts is having a giveaway! Some really cute things too! Click on her button over there on the right under the Christmas tree and you will go right over to her blog to enter!

Snowman/woman Swap & More!

Thought I'd show you a photo of the snow gal I made for my partner and the snow baby. Mom is a free pattern by Deanna Hogan of Blue Heron Dolls and can be found HERE. There is a link to her Picture trail to see many, many different ones she created. Baby is made with 2 styrofoam balls and a baby sock. It has a large washer glued to the bottom under the sock for stability. I also included a snowman pin, bell necklace and foam snowmen. Forgot to take photos of it all. :/ The photo on the right is the cute little guy I got from my partner VivLyn.




Kerry, at Attic Rose Creations, is having a 300 post give-away. Check out her beautiful Victorian boot. Many years ago I was in an online swap. We all used this pattern by Jacqueline Uetz. The photo of mine that I sent Kerry (and the shoe too) is not very good. I needle-tatted the lavender trim at the top. The other side has a small scissor pocket and flap that lifts up for needles.
First one mine to Kerry. The beautiful shoe on the right was made for me by Kerry Seymour. June 2003

Cute, cute, cute snowman ornament!

You really have to go HERE and see the cutest little snowman ornaments!! I sure hope I can find some time to make a few. I was just in Viv's santa swap and these would have been perfect! I have mine all packed and ready for the mail tomorrow.

How fast are you?

Fun site to find out how fast you type. Click on the title of the post. Warning, do not do this with cold fingers LOL.

3000 and counting

I'm not sure when I started counting visitors. I know it wasn't more than a couple of months ago. I just had visitor # 3000!!! Rotan, Texas arrived on "With Needle and Thread". 7:35pm WooHoo!!!
Sure wish they would leave me a note! It's so much fun to look at the feed and see where they are from.

Here is a photo from 2004. My hubby Mike modeling a shirt I made him. I'm pretty proud of the shirts I make him. You can't see the pockets.

Behind him on the wall is a wall hanging I was working on and a table runner. You can just barely make out my black and white kitty, Buster. He was my sewing baby. Always behind the machine watching. Sadly, he passed away in 2005. He was the most precious cat that ever owned me. I miss him still.

What are these???

Whatever they are, they were in a drawer of an old sewing machine cabinet I bought a couple of weeks ago. I sure can't figure them out. They look like they are made of bone. They have a seam but if you look in the holes, the seam doesn't show.



UPDATE: I found out with the help of my doll lists that these are coat buttons. WHO KNEW! LOL

Edna at Plum Thicket Primitives is having a give-away!

I was going to keep this a secret so I would have a better chance of winning! LOL But, you must take a peek at what Edna is giving away!!! The prettiest bear.
Edit: Congratulations to Kathi B., Port St. Lucie, Florida!

What to do with selvedges and a free pattern

You simply must go here and see what Jodie does with selvedges! One is a beautiful dress. She also has a free pattern for a tape measure zipped bag. Can't wait to make that one.

It's really been getting colder at night here. I know, I know, I'm in Florida, how cold can it get? Well, believe me, down to freezing. Although it was only 40, my toes were cold!

Downy Woodpecker

This little guy was in the bush next to the back door. What a little sweetie!

62 year old magazine

Check out the price! Cute baby too.

The cutest photo and caption

I think this is the cutest!!! I tried to put it on the side but it was way too big. Anyone know how? This photo is by Kevin Steele. You have to see his site. His kitty photos are priceless.

Abby's Quilt Give Away

Click on the quilt give away on the right and enter to win the prettiest quilt!! What a sweetie Abbie is. You really must read the story behind it.

I got a package today!

My Stitcher's Angel sent me such a wonderful package today! Stephanie sent me the neatest things! Starting off with the cutest little tote and inside it the prettiest apron! She had stitched my name on it. I've wanted an apron for quite awhile. Also there were a couple of post cards of California and a key chain.


Then, there was the prettiest little box filled with goodies!! There were peanuts, coffee, 3 pretty fat quarters, a couple of felt squares, TWO pretty little pincushions, and a needlecase with pockets that match my apron!!


Thank you so much Stephanie! You made my day. :)

Here is little Punkin'. I made her for a fall challenge on one of my doll email list. Everyone won something. Wasn't that nice? I have no idea what mine is LOL.






Kate Erbach - Trim and Fat Quarters donated by Cindy Ribet
Rosy - $25.00 gift certificate donated by Kate Erbach
Judy J - Modern Woman pattern by epb - donated by Terri
Iris - Victorian Doll by epb- donated by Terri
Angela - The Fairyland Doll book donated by Ruth
Carla Finley - Big Fat Hairy Deal - donated by Terri
Cindy Ribet - Vintage Topsy and Eva Doll donated by Terri

Little Punkin's designer is Susan Dean at Threadbare Primitives

Take a look at Viv's snowman swap over on the right. Click that and you will be magically whisked away from my page to hers! :D

The Video Winner Is.........

THE BAG

THE DRAW

THE WINNER!


Rose, please email me privately with your address. Wish I had one for everyone but never fear, I am going to do a lot of give-aways.