Merry Christmas to Mom

Could you resist this?

My dog, Dash, is begging for… food.  He loves people food.  He is a very fat Italian Greyhound.

My Cricut experience

Yesterday, while shopping in Walmart with my hubby, I noticed the Cricut machines were on clearance sale.  I kinda want one and kinda don’t.  I looked at the box (priced at $198 from $225) and decided I didn’t want one (for that price).

This morning, I checked my emails (the whole family is still asleep and I am cherishing the quiet!).  I received a weekly newsletter from one of my two favorite font addiction site (Lettering Delights) (The other is ScrapNFont).  I really liked the graphics they were selling, but what the heck is an SVG file?  I’ve purchased some digital scrapbook elements (just to play with), so I clicked the find out.  I was intrigued by the “cuttable” option and clicked a tutorial to find out more.  I landed here.  Of course, I was intrigued (and starting to want…).  Then, I clicked over to the Make the Cut software site.  Software was on sale… Bazinga!! (I love Sheldon and Big Bang Theory)  I can see the power of converting jpg and other file types to SVG and then cutting them out (which I currently do by hand….).  I have tons of font, too.  If I could cut fabric with a Cricut, I must have it.  A quick google search lead me to this thread.  Within mere minutes, I ordered the Cricut (Walmart site to store for $175) and the software.  Merry Christmas to me.  I can’t wait to appliqué… everything.  Just like my embroidery machine.

My Cricut will be delivered to the store next week.  I can’t wait!!!!!!  I ordered green.  hehehe

Don’t tell anyone, but I also ordered 4 new hoops for my embroidery machine.  Shhh

Aunt Dee

Do you remember the lovely quilt my mom and I made for my Aunt Dee.  Sadly, Aunt Dee passed away.  I hope she could feel the love mother and I pouring into the quilt.  Dee’s funeral was the most beautiful funeral I’ve ever attended.  I want communion at my service, too.  Dee, I will miss you. 

Machine Embroidery

I want to purchase this embroidery collection for a shirt for my Dad.  The designer recommends using a 50-70 wt thread.  Not knowing anything about thread weights, I looked up Coats & Clark .  I prefer to embroidery with XP thread, as it is not as lint-y (compared to Guttermann).  I didn’t find what I needed, so I called customer service.  A very help lady pointed me to this page.  It lists the weight of all their threads.  I hope you find it helpful, too.

Curls & Swirls Blog

I wanted to recommend a friend of mine, Rachel.  She is an artist and she has the cutest blog, Curls & Swirls.  Rachel paints the cutest pictures for teachers.  Rachel painted a super cute picture for Mr. Simmons’ Pirates.  If you adore your teacher, you might want to order one too.  Sadly, I forgot to take a picture before I wrapped it.   Boo

Twinkle Toes

Have you seen this gals pedi?  I must have twinkle toes , too. 

Homemade Oreos

My dear friend Tammy’s son is allergic to eggs.  As a result, he has limited food choices.  His favorite cookies are Oreos.  When I saw this recipe, I knew I had to make them.  http://www.kitchenist.com/cooking/sweet/blast-from-the-past-homemade-oreos/609  I am hoping me and Tammy can have a baking day.  We haven’t spent time together in ages.  Busy, Tammy?

Future Writer

?Yesterday, I found a blog post by my daughter from over 2 years ago.  It was full of angst over a boy.  I could feel her pain, but I could also see a great writer.  I encouraged her to start writing again (She had a very popular NeoPets blog, back in the day).  This morning, I awakened to find this gift.

She wrote a story about her brother’s excitement for Christmas.  Very nice job, Olivia.  Thank you.  Keep writing.  I make a good living by writing and you can too.

Crafting

You know I can’t go a day or two without crafting something, right?  My kitchen table needed… something.  Flowers would look nice, but I have bad luck with Poinsettias and my life is too busy to upkeep fresh flowers (who wants to cut stems and change water, when you can be sewing?).  I remembered the tissue paper flowers I’ve seen on the internet and whipped up a few.  I’m not in love with the pinecone.  Today I will remove it and add one more flower.  I think I will add fake snow to the vase, too.

Don’t they look real?  I used this tute.  I love this blogger’s idea, too.

Christmas Ornaments

Have I showed you my Shiny Brites?  I found these at the Thrift Store (my fav) in the original box.  I have six.  They really add something special to my tree.

And here is the ornament PJ made in school.  Beautiful, yes.

He also made this one.  Not sure what to think.