M's First Quilt

My oldest nephew is a soldier who is deployed to Iraq.  His wife is waiting for him to return in Texas.  In December, their first child was born, a baby girl.  

M. has loved Home Ec. this school year.  She wanted to make a baby quilt for our newest family member.  We bought a kit at Joann's called Fairy Beary.  I coached her on what to do, and helped with a few little things, but it is mostly her work.  The kit had some challenges in it - stretchy velour type fabric, and sheer, shiny pink fabric that tends to ravel.  I think she did an excellent job for her first quilt, don't you? 

We will have to wrap it up and send it to Texas as soon as we can!

Uncle Will

For Christmas, W4 gave me a two miniature mohair bear patterns and kits.  The first I did was the kit to make Pam Holton's 6 1/2" Uncle Will bear.  I finished him today.  Here he is:

Books Read in 2008

I love to read.  Since I've already started my reading list for 2009, I thought I'd share a list of what I read in 2008.  Here it is:

Light From Heaven, Jan Karon

Dear John, Nicholas Sparks

The Choice, Nicholas Sparks

Yada Yada Gets Rolling, Neta Jackson

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By Laura Ingalls Wilder:

Little House on the Prairie

On The Banks of Plum Creek

By the Shores of Silver Lake

The Long Winter

Little Town on the Prairie

These Happy Golden Years

The First Four Years

Farmer Boy

A Little House Traveler (includes:  On the Way Home, West from Home and The Road Back)

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Alone Yet Not Alone, Tracy Michelle Leininger

Seabird, Holling Clancy Holling

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Kate Douglas Wiggin

Memoirs of A London Doll, Richard Henry Horne

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out, Neta Jackson

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By Beverly Lewis:

The Preacher's Daughter

The Englisher

The Brethren

October Song

The Covenant

The Betrayal

The Prodigal

The Revelation

The Sanctuary

The Postcard

Amigurumi Mouse

I've been observing  the latest trends in crochet and have seen some really cute stuffies made in the amigurumi style.  I found a free pattern on the web to try it out.  I made this mouse using a larger hook and yarn than the pattern, and found buttons in my button box for the eyes.  I was able to make him in one afternoon, between folding laundry and picking up M. from practice. He's larger than a real mouse, but I think he turned out pretty cute for my first try at amigurumi.

Christmas Lights

Last night (December 23rd), we took a ride to Sandy Point State Park to see Lights on the Bay.  Here are some pictures from our ride.  When we paid our admission, we were told what radio station to tune in to hear Christmas music.  The station played a nice mix of religious carols, classic Christmas songs and more recent releases.  We had a great time.

Early American Companion Doll Outfit

While I had finished making this doll and her pantalettes a long time ago, she had been wearing a "borrowed dress" ever since.  I've finally gotten around to making her chemise, slip, dress, pinafore and bonnet.  She looks quite pleased with the results, doesn't she?

A Tray and Teddies

My mother gave me this terrific tray that she's had a very long time.  I always liked it and had told her to not get rid of it.  As she was making room for my grandmother to move more of her things into their house, she was parting with some things.  I was the lucky recipient of the tray I'd admired for so long.  It was too big to fit on top of my kitchen cabinets or on my plate shelf, so I found a spot in my family room.  It required that I rearrange quite a few of my collections, so I decided to have fun and gather the smallest bears in my collection for these shelves.  I have so many bears that many only get to come out for a special season, but these little ones have persuaded me that they don't take up too much room and should be out to participate in life all the time!