Ready for the new year!

I am happy to report that I am getting back to business. While I'm still enjoying the holiday, the work downtown is finished and I do have more time. It feels really good. I haven't gotten back to any sewing yet but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. My first project will be to finish the backing and quilting for a top that I gave someone back in May. I'm hoping to finish before this person has another birthday. I have many other projects but have to take them one at a time.

Now that I'm home I can just enjoy the house and my decorations. I don't have any plans to un-decorate yet. There is scads of time for that. And even when Christmas comes down, there is always time for snowmen. As you can see, Molly even got in on the decorating!

Santa is happily resting in his rocker. 

Just a few of the gang. 

Always room for one more. 

Did you ever stop to realize how many snowmen there are?

Standing guard

Whatever you may do, I hope that everyone enjoys the rest of the holiday and has a wonderful new year.  And may it include lots of time for sewing!

It's about time...

...for another blog post, that is! I can't believe I have neglected this for so long. Working seven days a week and trying to get ready for Christmas has really taken all my time. Now that my cards are all sent, presents are bought, wrapped and in the mail, I can finally get back to the rest of my life. I only have two more days to work at the Christmas Village. And lucky for all of us, the weather has not been too cold.

Our Good Enough Quilters group met two weeks ago and it is time to share their wonderful creations with you. The pink and green quilt was made by Fran. Isn't it pretty! We all loved the finished product. The back of the quilt was a solid piece of fabric which really showed off the quilting.

Our group is making a bug jar quilt for the local nature center and here is one of the blocks. I hope whoever made this will forgive me for not remembering who this belonged to. We will each make our own section and then put them together in a small quilt. I love the idea and we all will have them ready for our February meeting.

Looks like black shoes were our theme for the night!

This is Cindy's Halloween table runner. I think it is hard to see in the picture but the center is rather sparkly.

 Debbie made this quilt for her granddaughter. I think the colors are great and the quilting she did is perfect.

This is Laura's block of the month quilt. Very hard to show since it was a king-size quilt. I think the different blocks look great. It is one of my quilts in progress. Mine will not be king-size. At the rate I'm going, doll-size would be impressive.

I'm not sure when I will get back to this blog so I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday. May you be surrounded by those you love. 

I'm still here!

I just looked at my blog and can't believe I haven't posted since November 21st. Wow, where does the time go?

Actually I have been spending most of my time at the Kathe Wohlfahrt store at the Christmas Village in Philadelphia. It took us a week to set up and then opened on Thanksgiving Day. As usual, we have wonderful handmade German items and lots of wonderful customers. There are people who have been coming since we opened for the first time four years ago. I think I have mentioned this before. If you live in the Philadelphia area, be sure to visit the Village. It is open every day from 11-7 and on Friday and Saturday from 11-8. Just like a trip to the markets in Germany.

I did have off from there for the last three days so I could help at the Craft Show at the Pearl Buck House. The show is juried and filled with wonderful items. The Santa candle holder is one of the items I found to buy there. So very cute.

In the middle of all this running, I have been trying to get all my decorating finished. Before I could start, I did have to get some help to bring in the bins of "stuff". A friend brought some in a few weeks ago and then my godson came over and took those out and brought in the rest. It sure is helping me to make progress. I'm getting there!

The snowmen are getting ready for winter to arrive. 

Just a little comfy spot by the hearth. 

Does anyone smell gingerbread?

The carolers and the French Santa. 

Love the funky tree in the middle.

It is always so much fun to get out the decorations and find things you had  forgotten about. I am pretty pleased that items for each area are in the same bin. Makes the job go so much quicker.

My goal is now to finish the decorating and maybe even get to sewing! There is still time, right?

A lovely day

The weather was perfect on Sunday and I got to spend the morning in Philadelphia watching the Philadelphia Marathon. No, not running, watching. My nephew came down to run the half marathon. No, running 13 plus miles is not my idea of a good time but it was really nice to watch others on a lovely sunny day. He finished in under 2 hours and was pleased with his results. (He ran the marathon a few years ago and that day was cold and rainy. This was so much better.)

It was a very early day for both of us. I was very tired but couldn't use running as my excuse. After I watched the beginning of the race, I went in search of some breakfast. I didn't want to venture too far away from the race and lucky me, the only place to choose was The Four Seasons! After spending so much time in the last few days on my feet setting up for the Christmas Market, it was simply lovely to sit and relax and enjoy a delightful meal. Doesn't it look good?

After I finished eating, I went out to watch the end of the half marathon. There was quite an air of the event and fun to see all the runners as they finished. Most of the half marathoners look pretty happy when they finish. When Chris ran the marathon, I saw some people who looked totally beat after 26+ miles and some who looked like they could run it again.

While I was waiting I saw a few very special murals. Philadelphia has a very strong mural arts program. I believe they have more murals than any other city. I knew this but didn't realize that it extended to the trash trucks. I love this one. There were only two there but I would love to see the rest of the fleet. There are several mural tours in the city. Not sure the trucks are part of that tour!

I'm not sure if I'll be posting before Thanksgiving so I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving, hopefully spending time with people you love. I'll leave you with this lovely picture from the lobby of The Four Seasons.

An interesting picture

For the past three days I have been working at the Christmas Market in Philadelphia. The market opens on Thanksgiving Day and it takes us quite a while to set up. The market is in Love Park this year and we are located right near the Love Statue. You do see lots of people having their picture taken by the statue but today was a first, for us at least. There was not white dress but there was a wedding. Only a few guests along with the couple and their minister. I would love to know the story behind this couple. Very appropriate spot for a wedding, don't you think?

As I said, we're not set up yet but this is what our tent looked like last year. You can find us and the lovely German products close to the Love statue. The market will open on Thanksgiving Day and run until Christmas Eve.

Just a few of the things in our tent. If you want more information about market, you can go to this site.
Philadelphia Christmas Village

Be sure to come visit if you are in the area.

The seasons are colliding

As I look out my window I can still see some color in the trees. Of course, the tree right outside my window is almost bare so it does really give me a good view. I love how it looks on darker days and lighter days too. The colorful trees just pop!

I think I've captured this tree before. It stands between two houses and just stands out against the siding. It still has a way to go before all its leaves are gone but if we had another hefty storm, that would probably be it.

In my house I'm really trying to follow Nordstrom's lead and keep Thanksgiving decorations up until Thanksgiving is over. At Nordstrom's they even have a sign up that they believe each holiday should have its own time. I agree but sometimes it is hard not to get a jump start on Christmas.

Tonight I went to the first night of Festival of Trees at the Pearl Buck House in Perkasie, PA. The house is absolutely beautiful with all the decorations. Each room has been decorated by a local group or organization and they have outdone themselves this year. If you live in the area you should really try to go and see for yourself. If you want more information, you can go to this link Festival of Trees at Pearl S. Buck House. It will be in place until December 31st.

The rooms in the house can't be photographed but this milk house is outside. Don't you just love the decorations that transformed the house into Santa's. And if you got close to him, he talked. I hadn't seen this but a little friend (arm in the corner) asked me if I wanted to see Santa. She was especially proud since this house was decorated by her grandfather and most of the toys inside belonged to her or her brother. It was charming.

And I thought you should have a closeup of Santa's charming face. Very appealing, don't you think?

Even though  decorations seem to be coming at us fast and furious, I think we can finally handle them as we get even closer to the official start of the holiday season. Full disclosure, I did put some holiday rugs down in the house.

Have a wonderful day!

This and That

Wow, I can't believe the last time I posted was November 2nd. I do believe I have been making up for lost time by being incredibly busy outside of the house. I couldn't drive for 5 weeks and then just gradually entered the busy world full force a few weeks ago. I haven't done any sewing since I finished the birthday quilt.

Yesterday was a chance to slow down and have tea with some friends, as you can see from the sign on the table. We went to Tilly Mint's in Souderton, PA, truly one of the loveliest little tearooms I've ever visited. Trish, the owner is so charming and the food and atmosphere are wonderful. 

Don't you love the folded napkin? I do believe having tea is one of the most civilized ways to dine. I look for tearooms whenever I travel and also in the local area.

This was the food served for the three of us. It is always presented in such a pretty manner. The sandwiches were delicious. One time, someone told me they didn't think you get enough food when you have tea. Personally, I think this is plenty. Trish always serves raisin scones because they are traditional. And very good, I might add.

I just had to share the ladybug. Every time I've been there the ladybug is one of the sandwiches.

And of course, the yummy little desserts. Sugar cookies are always a seasonal shape. Just too cute.

I'll be back soon with more news. And hopefully some sewing too. 

Pillows, we have pillows!

I'm back with the pillows tonight. Here are 11 that we had pillow forms for. There were two others but Lynn liked those so much, she bought them already. I wish you could see each pillow close up and look at the fabulous backs on them. Some have the same backing but some others were made of contrasting fabric. You know how it is when quilters gather and create!

We ran out of pillow forms but that fabulous group just kept going and made more. There are 19 more to fill and these are great too. Notice the one on the lower right. She is perfect for our gift shop with the other Asian themed items we sell there.

Here are a few more. A few that have matches. I can't wait to get these out in the store for sale. May have to buy one or two myself. And a few more Asian ladies in the picture below.

I couldn't end the post without showing a few of the sewers at work. They were just absolutely great. And I have to say thanks to Fran and Cindy for setting up the room. It was the best arrangement for group sewing.

On the table you can see some of the fabric laid out. What fun to pick and choose from some fabulous fabric.

 Peggy and Karen did lots of the cutting. It was a real assembly line.

If you peak to the left of Lynn's shoulder you can see the pillows she bought! I think they already made their way to her home. I'm sure they look great.

Who knows what we can do next!