Tracing +

Cutting +

Sewing =

Wee yo-yo's.

I am home again and crazy busy.  Working on my ornaments for the holiday ornament exchange (supposed to be in the mail tomorrow....).  Still to do:  a birthday shirt, goody bags, presents to wrap, tie one on, finish putting up Christmas decorations, bake a cake, procure school party snack.  Not necessarily in that order.

See you when I come up for air.

Who doesn't like a good swap?  I returned home on Saturday to find this in my mailbox:

This gorgeous felted poppy pin was made for me by Sarah.  Not only did she make this for me, she is kind enough to share her pattern.  You can find it here.  When I first saw it on her site, I knew it would look great on my black and white check winter coat.  But the more I thought about it, I knew that it would be even better on my very own flapper hat.

I knit this in the car while traveling to Chicago for Thanksgiving.  Once again, I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran....love that yarn!  And like the others, this one knit up fast and easy.  Woo hoo!  It is the best color green and fits perfectly.

I was right - they were made for each other.  Thanks Sarah!  You've got me smiling!

Much has happened in the last day.

We came home from Chicago yesterday afternoon just so we could get our Christmas trees.  After we got home from the tree lot, our vet called to let us know that Breezer, our 13 year old black lab, had died.  Although Fatty and I knew that she was old and somewhat felt the end nearing, it was still a shock.  Fatty and I started dating two days before he got Breezer so the three of us have always been together.  It's very surreal - I keep feeling like something isn't right and then realize that, oh yeah, Breezer isn't here.  I am sad that I didn't get to say a proper good-bye and at the same time, I feel very fortunate that we didn't have to make a decision regarding her life, that she didn't die in front of the girls and that we didn't wake up one morning to find her dead on her dog bed.  She was a great dog and a wonderful pet.  I am missing her already.

Then this morning we received a call letting us know that Fatty's grandfather passed away.  He had been ill, but it still came as a surprise - I guess it always does.  We are packing up the car and going to pay our respects on Tuesday.  Ralph was a good man and, although I didn't know him well, I enjoyed spending time with him each and every time I saw him.

A couple of hours later, Fatty learned that one of his employees died suddenly this morning.  He was a 25 year old young man engaged to be married that died without warning and with no apparent cause.  Such a tragedy to lose such a young person whose life was really just at its beginning.

I am counting my blessings.  First on the list, the gift of life.

We just returned from Thanksgiving at my parents' house.  It was a nice holiday with great food and better company.  I am thankful for many things, but mostly for my family - the small one that lives in this house and the big extended one.  They are my biggest blessings and I am grateful to have them in my life.

Hope you all enjoyed your holiday too!

Kate is home sick, but I dragged her to the fabric store to pick up some sequins for a project.

Got these and then some other things...

Yes, I have a disease....I am addicted to fabric.

At least five of these are earmarked for specific projects/gifts.  I know it's not a great excuse, but I am trying hard to justify it, ok?  Oh yeah, and then there was the quick stop at the yarn store...under $20 in yarn to knit something for MYSELF.  Now that is good.  I never do that.  Knit for myself, that is.

I am putting a movie on and settling Kate on the couch with a bunch of tissues so I can rake the yard.  Once I get that done, it's more laundry.  An exciting life I lead, huh?  We hit the road tomorrow for the holiday weekend.  I am trying to consolidate a bunch of little crafts so I don't get twitchy while Fatty drives.  I will show and tell when we return.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Fatty and I arrived home last night.  We had a great weekend getaway to Jamaica!  And no, it wasn't his birthday present.  You see, Fatty sells beer and those good folks at Red Stripe treated us to four days away which just happened to coincide with his birthday.  Nice, huh?  So thank you Red Stripe!  We ate and drank far too much, but had a nice relaxing weekend.  I wish I could say the same for my parents who flew in to watch the girls - the furnace went out, Kate was sick and there were some issues with our alarm system.  Yikes...we owe them big!

Some nice mail was waiting for me when I got home.  First a package from Superbuzzy...

They have lots of cute things over at their site.  I don't have any grand plans for these new fabrics, but I still have two Archies to make and all of the dolls' accessories....these might just fit the bill.

I also got these sweet postcards from Alicia.  Do I ever love her style!!  Just the perfect thing to put me in the Christmas spirit.

And speaking of the holidays...there is nothing quite like putting a bathing suit on the week before Thanksgiving to remind me that a little pie will take me a long way!

Oh....lest I forget....  Big Birthday Greetings headed your way Nolan!  Hope you have a great day!

Remember this pile of fabric?  Well, I kept editing and settled on this combination.

It's a reversible patchwork headband!  I sent this to Sarah on Wednesday and am hoping she has it by now.  If she doesn't, I guess I just let the cat out of the bag.  Oops, sorry!

I just love simple patchwork and will definitely make more of these soon!

Today Fatty is 41 years young.  Let me tell you about him:  he's a loyal friend, a patient and caring father, a thoughtful and loving husband.  He picks out books for me, gives me foot rubs and makes me laugh.  He is silly and loves a good pun.  He loves to travel, eat good food, listen to music, and ride his bikes.  He puts up with my messiness and my moods.  I couldn't ask for a better companion and friend.  I feel blessed to have found him and lucky to have him.  Happy Birthday Fatty!  I love you.