Christmas Stockings

After 20+ years of marriage, I finally got our Christmas Stockings made. I've always wanted to have some nice homemade stockings but just never seemed to think about it much until Christmas time rolled around and then, of course, was too busy sewing and doing other things for the season. I always put my Willie Raye nativity on the mantel. The colors of it are not traditional bright Christmas colors at all, but are rather muted. So, I knew my stockings needed to be, too, to keep from overpowering and detracting from the nativity. So, I searched for a long time for a antique cutter quilt on ebay in colors I thought would harmonize nicely. A cutter quilt, if you don't know, is a quilt in such bad shape it isn't useful for anything other than cutting up and reusing in other things. The quilt I got had many worn areas where the batting was showing, some large holes and rust stains. But, there was still enough in good enough shape I was able to cut out 7 stocking fronts. I found a taupe fabric that matched perfectly, and was ready to go and got them done just in time for Christmas. They are all unique, but I know I won't be able to tell whose is whose without some other identifier added. Not sure what to do for that. I think they turned out nice and cozy looking.

Christmas Open House

My Christmas Decorations are up!

Decorating for Christmas is one tradition that I will probably never skip or simplify. I really enjoy creating a Christmasy atmosphere in our home. I start decorating the day after Thanksgiving, and work on it when I can. I have a lot of fun decorations, mostly because my DH's family loves to give them as gifts, many of them homemade. It took longer this year than normal, probably because I'm pregnant and Elsie hasn't been sleeping well, so I've been a bit more tired than usual. Here are some of the results:






























(My mother made this quilt. My husband made the bed for us one year for our anniversary.)

I enjoyed when everyone shared their Autumn decorations with me, so I thought it would be fun to share Christmas decorations, as well! Post images of your decor on your blog and link to it here, and we'll all come visit! I'm starting the links off with my favorite non-blog site for inspiration: the photo gallery at the Colonial Williamsburg website. Someday I will be visiting that place at Christmas time!

And if you haven't been able to decorate much this year, I want to share with you the words a wise friend shared with me when I lamented about how long it was taking me to finish decorating: "It only takes hanging one wreath to let people know you are a Christian. And if you don't put up many decorations, you are giving the gift of making your neighbor's decorations look better."

So, grab some hot chocolate and some sugar cookies and enjoy some sights of the season!

UPDATE: Boo Mama has started a Holiday Home Tour. She has tons of readers, so if you want to visit the jackpot of Christmas decoration pictures, be sure to click on her link!

Let's Decorate for an Autumn Party!

I LOVE Fall. I love the fresh start of a new school year and the new school supplies that go with it. I love feeling a crisp in the air and seeing the leaves start to put on their fall colors. I love how it makes me want to bake pumpkin bread and apple pie, and how it makes my husband want to make his homemade cinnamon ice cream.

And I love decorating for fall. I'm not one of those people who decorate for every holiday and season. But, I really have a good time with decorating for fall and Christmas. September 23rd was the official first day of Autumn. So, I've made the house look official, too.






I love to see other people's decorations, too. So, I thought it would be fun to have a virtual Autumn party. Everyone is invited! The only catch is, YOU are in charge of the decorations! Once you have decorated, post pictures on your blog and then post a link to them here. I'll pass around the virtual pumpkin muffins and apple cider, and we'll all sit back and enjoy the fun fall photos!

You can include your Halloween decorations, and any other special things you do for fall, too.