Party continued…

I’m bound and determined to get all these Christmas pictures posted before midnight tonight.    Then we can start the New Year with a blogging clean slate. 

I’m not one to make resolutions because I find it sets me up for failure.  Only once did I make it for the whole year and that was the year I resolved to read a book a week.   It really did feel good to accomplish that.   But that was a long time ago, long before quilting came into my life.    Now, I read in bed at the end of the night and am lucky to get in 10 pages.   

So, if you’ve made resolutions, cheers to you!  I’ll be rooting you on. 

Now, for the rest of the party…

We all give each other the same gifts (that way, no fighting)  LOL.   We all used to hand make these gifts, but sometimes that’s just not possible and really, does it matter?   Nope!

This was my gift to each of them.   I made the mat and Mr. CnW made the wooden candle holder.  

Here’s a close up!

Janet gave each of us this wonderful Snowman to hang on the wall.   

Right now, I don’t have any wall space, so it’s on the stairs.   Cute, huh?

Patty made each of us a pillow and also put together a photo album of our past Christmases.   It was so touching and fun to reminisce!

She made 2 different pillows, but there wasn’t any fighting!   I love the one I got!

Marsha took the next picture and you can tell she was really on drugs for her knee replacement surgery.  Haha.   That’s okay, Marsha, we forgive you!
She made each of us a little quilt and added the candle and wreath.  

I found the perfect spot for it.   

Cathi gave us each a 2014 calendar…it’s her traditional gift to us. She also made each of us these rag trees.  Her grandkids helped her do it.   So cute.   And….a snowman mug for good measure.

Found a place for mine on a nightstand.

When we play all the games, there are door prizes. We each contribute to the gifts.  This is my haul.   I just kind of threw them in this red tool box and I think it’s actually kinda cute. 

And these too!

So, thanks to my wonderful friends for another fabulous Christmas!   I treasure your friendships more than you know!

I had a few questions about the name of the quilt that was in a couple of the pictures from my decorating post.   

It’s called “Sarah’s Star” and it’s from the book “A Nice Mix” by Gerry Kimmel Carr.   It’s an old book, but if you’re interested, you might be able to find it on eBay or Amazon.  


I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for continuing to stop by my blog, even when I take a break every now and then.   Your support means the world to me.  

I would say that I’m going to try to do better in 2014, but I don’t want to set myself up for failure.    Karen issued a challenge to me to do a post every day during the month of January.   Hmmm, I turned her down, because I know my limitations, but I will try and catch up on all the pictures I have that I haven’t shown you!  Trying is always a good thing! 

Happy New Year!

Hugs, Anne

The Party!

Every year my longtime (sounds better than “old”) girlfriends from CA and I get together for our annual Christmas party.  It’s the highlight of our year and we all look forward to it so much.  
Everyone takes a turn at hosting it (except for me….too far to travel in “iffy” weather).   And, when we aren’t hosting, we are in charge of one of the aspects of the party.  
This year Janet was in charge of our stockings and boy did out do herself!    Check out what we got.
You might want to click and enlarge the photo to see all the goodies.   I’m mad at myself for not getting a picture of all the stockings lined up before the “chaos” began. 

From there, we needed some sustenance so headed for the dining room and dinner.    Cathi and Marsha were in charge of dinner and it was so yummy!  Pork roast with grilled veggies and potatoes.  Oh, and warm homemade applesauce.  Marsha was just 2 weeks out of surgery for a total knee replacement, so she provided Cathi with moral support.  We were just so glad that she was even able to come.  And get this….she lasted the WHOLE evening.  That would be from 5pm – 1am.   Superwoman!


Back row :  Patty and Janet.   Front row, Cathi and Marsha

After dinner it was time for our “Secret Santa” gifts.    First up was Marsha who gave this fabulous little quilt and Wool sign to Janet.    I have that snowman pattern…….LOL

From there, Janet gave her gift to Cathi.  Check out all that loot! 

Cathi’s turn to give her gift to…Marsha.  The snowman in the box is a chalkboard.   How clever!   And I love that snow angel. 

Well, that meant that 2 of us were left, which means we got each other.   
I had Patty and made the little quilt for her.   She has been mentioning that she wanted to find an old sewing machine drawer to decorate with and I found this one when we were in Snohomish, WA. 

I had to put the “stuff” in the drawer at home, dismantle it for the plane ride, and then redo it when I got there.   So, I took a picture at home… LOL

This is what it looked like at the end of the night after Patty added some goodies that she won.  I hope it’s something she uses over and over with the seasons.

Finally………my turn!    Obviously, Patty drew my name.   And look what I got?   OMG….I love the cross stitch so much.   And the clock and little snowballs are just wonderful.

Our secret Santa swap is always so much fun.  
Then it was on to play a few games. (My job)  We actually kept the games to a minimum this year trying to make sure that Marsha didn’t get too tired out.  We wanted her to be able to have enough energy to stay for the whole party.
I found this “pin the nose on the snowman” at the Dollar Tree.   I have to say, it was pretty darn cute and fun.  Here’s Marsha trying to get close.  Not sure if she was trying to peek or what but her hand is sure playing with the mask!

I think Cathi was our legitimate winner, but someone wasn’t close at all.  Can you tell what I’m talking about?   HAHAHA

And then it was time for our standby…JINGO.    Janet and Patty made the game quite a few years ago and it’s so much fun to play.  Bingo with snowmen!

We use Hershey’s kisses as markers.  The games are over when we’ve eaten all the markers.
Oh well, it’s not like we don’t have any sugar!
Now you know how Marsha managed to stick with us!   

Tomorrow, more giftys.   
Hugs, Anne

Calif Christmas - 3

After leaving the Gold Country, we headed to Patty’s house.  She was hosting our party this year so her house was all decked out. She’s also hosting her extended family (all 27 of them) on Christmas Day, so she pulled out all the stops!

 

I love seeing all her decorations. She changes them around from year to year so sometimes, they become new to me because I might have missed them in previous years.  

 

Love the chalkboard.  It always has a festive greeting on it.

 

 

The pillow in front is a pattern by Country Stitches called Season’s Blessings.  It has a series of 4 patterns.  

Santas and snowmen everywhere.

These are all from the Eddie Walker collection.   Unfortunately, she isn’t designing anymore.   We all loved collecting them.

This was made for Patty by Janet a couple of years ago.   Sorry, I don’t know the pattern.  

I love the simplicity of a few candy canes in a jar tied in burlap.    The white bottle brush tree just sets it off nicely.

Can you see Santa’s “bum” in the next picture?   He’s really searching for that perfect gift to leave.   LOL

Do you notice the berries in the strainer?    I never saw them when I was actually looking at the tree in person, but there they were when I snapped the pic.    Fun.

I always love what Patty does in this transom window shelf.  

So, that’s Patty’s house in all it’s wonder before we moved in and destroyed it.   haha.    Not really, but we sure did have fun at the party.   Those pictures to follow.    Maybe I’ll finish off the houses with mine next.   

 

Hugs, Anne