A Gift I Love

It all started when my family saw them on PBS in 2005.  The folks had gone on a trip and came home raving about Celtic Woman.  Since then Celtic Woman has made five albums (all of which we have :)).  Their beautiful voices hooked me for good.  We went to see them when they came to Savannah, last March, I was so excited I was almost completely silent on the subject for weeks (which was a big deal).  For Christmas my brother gave me their new concert: Believe, and I was giddy.  I waited thirty days before it came.  It just arrived in the mail yesterday and I plan to listen and listen to it until I memorize at least one song.

My favorite song is: Téir Abhaile Riú

Who are your favorite singers?

Christmas Trees In Flaming Glory

Who doesn't love fire, friends, and rain?

Saturday mixed these ingredients to perfection.  Our friends came out just as it was starting to get dark, and just as the rain started to drip on the already blazing fire.  We piled on tree after tree, got smoked out of our rain shelter, danced around under the umbrellas and had fun eating ashy marshmallows.  When the rain came down in torrents, we surrendered and dashed inside for a game.

My favorite event of the night was when Hannah opened the umbrella, I guess just a little too far, turning it inside-out.  It was a very funny moment.

Birthday Party

I just arrived home from my friend, Madison's, 15th birthday party!  It is always so much fun playing games, planning outfits, cooking, petting cats, making brownies (which were delicious by the way), and my personal favorite....watching the "I Love Lucy" shows!  How many more memories can we ask for? Memories, a few years down the road, we will laugh at....

(photo: Amazon)

Happy Birthday, friend!

Making Your Own Key Ring

                                                                                                                                                           I have always admired my sister's classy key ring.

I have been wanting to make one for myself, but never had a real reason to do so. I decided to make myself one a few days ago, now that I am driving, and put keys on it as I acquire them. 

When we made my sister's, we had an embroidery machine, but ours is broken so I needed to choose a different method.  This opened up options and so I decided freehand my initials on the ribbon.  Nice and rustic, don't you think?

Instructions:  (See following pictures )

• Cut a 2 inch wide ribbon about 12 inches long (lengthen an inch or two for a longer name). 
• Choose a thick thread* (about three strands of a normal spool).
• Fold the two ribbon ends down about 1/4 inch on each end.  
• Line the two folded edges up together evenly. Pin.
• Make a knot in the thread and start your knot on the folded, inner raw edge (so it is unseen), and bring your needle straight up through to the top.
• Sew all the way around, pivoting at the corners, and when you reach the top, pivot about 1/4-1/2 inch before the end which makes a small casing for the key ring to slip through.
• For your name or initials, you will find the middle of the rectangle and write your name in chalk or a washable pin.  Start writing the middle letter first (unless you are writing in cursive**). Working out to the sides.  The reason you write the middle letter first is because it makes it easier to center the name properly.

*I used embroidery thread and separated it in half.

**For cursive: write your name in chalk and start at the beginning-end. .

Start by folding down each end by 1/4 inch.

Make a knot and start your seam in the folded edge. (You can hide your knot under the folded edge.)

Do a basic running stitch (in and out) making each stitch roughly the same length. At this point the front and back will look the same. 

(Back of finished key tag)

Sew a rectangle, pivoting at each corner.  When you make it to the folded edge, turn your stitch line about 1/4-1/2 inches away from the edge. 

Finished project!  You should go personalize your key chain, too!

Winter

     I stepped outside, unprepared in my thin shirt, for the whipping wind that brought in the cold.  I hugged myself as tightly as I could, but the breeze still made it's way to my bones. I shivered.  As cold as it was, I could only think how thankful I was that the low temperatures were setting in.  It finally felt like winter.

 

     Tonight we have a blazing fire roaring away while we play games with my brother's friend who is here for a few days.  It is cozy.  What are you doing this weekend?  Reading, watching movies, relaxing, or busy getting back into the normal routine of a busy life? So which are you doing?

Introducing Molly E. Designs!

Come by and take a peek at my new creations...

 

                                                                                                                                                                 

Domesticity

Take a peek at the most adorable apron my sweet brother gave me for Christmas. 

During Christmas break, I decided to duplicate it. I then copied the pattern and made two more.  They are fabulous gifts and I only wish I had enough for everyone.

 

When I wear theses beauties, I feel very domestic.  All I need is a 40's dress and high heels to do the trick!

What fun gift did you receive for Christmas?