One Last Christmas Project

Hey ya'll! Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas! We had snow on Christmas Eve and that always makes me happy! Yesterday we had another 3" or so. 4 snows so far makes this an unusually wet winter. If this keeps up, we'll have a really amazing spring!

I just wanted to pop on here for a minute and share the last Christmas project of the season. I know most of you are tired of Christmas, but I've had some requests to share this and this is the first chance I've had to do so and it's easily adaptable for other occasions.

On the 23rd I decided I needed to make this. A neat gal (Thanks Elaine!) on a site I frequent (Hi SS buddies!) made one and I thought, "well that looks like a quick, easy project". The original idea came from here:

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/11/fabric-wreath.html

Then I started thinking how you could make these for different seasons and holidays and how they would make great gifts. So I made one and I really like the way it turned out, but if any of you attempt one like it, it comes with a warning....

The project starts with a jellyroll bundle which is a thick roll of fabric cut in 2 1/2" widths. Then you just cut those into 5 1/2" lengths and start tying them to your wreath form. Well, first off those jellyrolls are expensive and I found some fabric on sale and added some that I had in my stash. Thus, you have to cut it yourself and use pinking shears on the edges. It's a lot of cutting folks. I used 6 yards of fabric and then added some brown tulle, which by the way, is very uncooperative. I purchased a wire wreath form at Hobby Lobby. And I tied...and tied...and tied....for 2 days. And here's the warning...your fingers will hurt... that night... and the next day...a lot.

And no, I don't need any reminders about the fact that I am no longer a spring chicken.

I imagine if you just worked on this a bit every day instead of tying for 4 hours straight at a time, you might not run into the achy finger dilemma. However, once I start a project, I have trouble walking away from it. My Mom even called me a bulldog, referring to my stubborn determination. But, I did finish it, and I ended up giving it to her, but here's the end product:



As the stiffness and aching faded, I must have forgotten (once again, nothing to do with my age!)my resolve to never make another because when I was in town the other day, I found myself purchasing the perfect material for a Valentine's wreath...

Merry Christmas!

Hebbert Family Christmas - 2009

Good Gravy, the year has been here and gone - doesn’t seem possible, yet here
The baking has started, the lights are all strung, and the carols are filling the air.

Our box at the end of the dirt road is filling fast with holiday greetings we love so much
It’s a treat to hear from each of you; thanks for keeping in touch.

We were blessed with good snow on the first of December and we couldn’t resist going out
First thing at daylight I was out snapping photos, it’s something I’m crazy about.

The ducks in the tank looked awfully cold, enjoying the little dirt lake
The magic of snow just makes my heart glad, Christmas spirit in each falling flake.

This year brought great sadness as I lost my Dad and the world simply tilted I fear
And although I’m devastated and we’re all saying “he’s gone”, God is celebrating and proclaiming, “He’s here”!

Changes seemed to mark 2009, as Tyler graduated and began college this fall
I’m adapting better than I expected, but miss that kid and looks forward to each and every call.

Caitlin at 16 has started taking college classes, earning dual credit – college is headed her way
She’s 4-H president, still plays the piano and her love for horses is still a priority these days.

Gary stays busy with cattle and horses and he shoots at the range when he can
He brought home a big deer, loves working with colts – he’s never still and always has a project on hand.

As for me, I’m getting a taste of that empty nest - seems our homeschooling days are about to end
Not liking it, not in the least, but it’s been a blessing and new adventures lie just around the bend.

As for now I’m enjoying the quilting and scrapping and wondering what God has in store
For soon it’ll be quiet, school books packed away and no children to teach anymore.

I’m sure I’ll be drafted to fill in the gaps, as the kids have helped so much through the years
We wouldn’t change a single thing, loving this lifestyle through laughter and tears.

They say ‘count your blessings’, well that’s hard to do; don’t think I can count that high
We’re drinking from our saucer, giving thanks to the Lord, and knowing He is always close by.

So for now we’re enjoying our time with the kids and celebrating the new roads ahead for all
May your Christmas be blessed and the New Year be bright and may Christ be the center of it all.

The Christmas Elf

Whew! I'm pretty sure this time of the year is crazy busy for everyone and you would think that we would be prepared. I mean, we do have 365 days to get ready! I would do good to take a bit of my own advice. Most of the hustle and bustle is self-inflicted. I know that Christmas is not about the baking and decorating and gifts, after all, the greatest gift of all has already been given and Christ was the one who gave it.


Still, this time of year rolls around and we're all scurrying about. I myself have asked Santa for an elf and a few extra days. Searching..searching...searching...nothing. Sigh. Heck, if I hadn't spent so much time searching, I might have gotten all my gifts made! I have come to the conclusion that I am the Christmas elf. Just hope I don't end up sprouting pointy ears.


I know it's been a coon's age since I've posted. I apologize. Hopefully I'll get back in to the swing of things. We've had company recently. My BIL and his 3 little cuties have been here. My Mom's flying in for a week tomorrow. BIL and kidlets are returning on Tuesday. Heading back out on Wednesday. My little house at the end of the dirt road will be packed, and I may very well be running around in circles, but there's always room for one more although that 'one more' may end up having to sleep in the kitchen!


This year I made quite a few gifts and I've had a few requests to see what I've been up to so I thought I'd share. My sewing machine has been humming nonstop for quite some time. For the most part, I made lots of pillowcases. I like giving homemade gifts and these are fun and don't take weeks to complete. I found instructions on making a french seamed pillowcase that doesn't leave any exposed seams. Here are 6 I made. I enjoy choosing special fabrics for each recipient. I used to make these for the kids when they were little...which we all know was just yesterday.




I also made 3 sets of these:




I've had mine for years and I still think they are neat so I made some for some dear friends.


I made a bunch of handmade cards for my mom, but I forgot to snap photos and they are already wrapped and under the tree. I never know what to get her, but she writes tons of cards and I thought this would be something she could use.

I also made this rag quilt:





It's the first rag quilt I've made, and I really enjoyed making it although I was tired of pink by the time I completed it. I made it for my best friend whose favorite color...yep, you guessed it, is pink. She also has a husband and 4 boys and I figured if I made the quilt pink, there was less of a chance that it would end up being confiscated for some hunting trip!


I made lots of the Whopper Reindeer I made last year too. I think I posted those last year.

Finished baking and all plates have been delivered, but won't post all of that again. Look at December last year if you want to know. I don't think I made anything new or different.


My Christmas letter...ie: corny poem, is still sitting in the addressed envelopes on the desk. Still need to pick up the photos tomorrow and pop them in the mailbox. I told myself I wasn't going to write one this year, but then the cards started pouring in and every one remarked how they were really looking forward to that poem...sigh.


Yes, I'll post it in a few days. Ya'll are ruthless, but I love you anyway!


Here's hoping you'll all take a few moments from your insane list of things to do and reflect on the blessings in your life. I know that for me, it always puts things back into the proper perspective. Even Christmas elves are more efficient when they remember what's really important!