From My Sewing Room this Christmas

My sewing room this Christmas season was working overtime.  There were many days I would begin sewing early in the morning and finish up for the day watching David Letterman.  When it became clear to me that I might not be able to finish all of my promised orders, I enlisted the help of my mom.  I truly don't know what I would have done with out her help.

Sewing these little dolls brings me such joy.  My Etsy shop has allowed me to meet so many wonderful people some from as far away as Australia.  Each one with there own special requests and stories to share about the precious child that would be receiving one of my dolls.  As I packaged them for shipping,  I thought how awesome it was that a doll that I created would be waiting under their tree Christmas morning.  It brought back the child-like wonder of the season that can  sometimes be lost as my own son has now grown into adulthood. Sewing these dolls is special to me in so many ways.  I would love to share with you a sample of what kept me so busy these last several months........

It was great fun sewing dolls for others to give as gifts but it was even more fun to sew dolls for me to give to my loved ones :)

A Ballerina for my sweet Emily

A cowgirl for Kristen

A little Paris lady for Lauren

Just a few of my creations from 2012.  I have already started filling orders for the new year and am excited to share those with you as well.  So off I go to sew.......Thanks for stopping by ----wishing you a happy day

Christmas in Review

My Christmas season was filled with many blessings and happy memories.  I thought it would be fun to share some of them with you.......

The Blessing of Friends and Family.....

 Andrea, Mom and Me

 My sister and her family--Isaac, Tom and Hank

 Tyler and Jenna

Me, Emma and Kate

 Kate, Mom and Emma

Emily

 Alex and Stephen--eggnog in their new moose mugs :)

Aunt Angie and Mom baking cookies

Lauren, Alex and Kristen

I can't forget my fury family :)  Mabel, Geno and Sassy

One of my favorite Christmas memories this year....

A few days before Christmas, Alex and I along with Stephen, Kim and Emily took a little road trip to Cleveland to so see the original house used in the Christmas Story Movie.  

Just look at what we came home with.....

Yes.......a leg lamp. It stayed in the front window through the holiday season--it now lives in the game room. 

Just a  little glimpse of my Christmas --I hope yours was as happy as mine.

It's been sooooo long.......

I received a phone call from a very special childhood friend the other day.  When my cell phone rang I did not recognize the number--a very unfamiliar area code.  I usually don't answer calls that I do not recognize but thankfully this time I did.  "Hello"  I said.   As soon as I heard the "Hi" on the other end I knew it was my friend Rande.  As children, Rande and I lived just a short walking distance from each other.  She is just a few years older than I and learned to ride her bike much sooner than I learned to ride mine.  She would take the short trip to my house to visit.  As time passed Rande's family moved from our neighborhood but Rande and I continued to stay in touch with each other.  She would make the trip "home" every year or so and we always made time to see each other.  Sometimes we even would have a slumber party.

Me, Rande, Heidi, Andrea in 1979

me, Rande, Andrea in 1981

Just last year Randy came for a visit.  We spent the afternoon enjoying each other's company and catching up over lunch at Panera.  

Heidi, Rande, Mom and me

During our recent phone call Rande mentioned that she missed me and wondered if everything was ok.  She asked if I was going to do a blog post soon because my last post was way back in October.  I assured her that I was doing great.  I had just become so overwhelmed with Christmas doll orders that I had neglected my blog.  I promised her that I would start updating more often.   Her call was a wonderful surprise reminding me that not only has my blog allowed me to meet many new friends but also to keep in touch with life long friends.  So in the new year of 2013 I am plan to post more often----- looking forward to meeting and making lots of new friends while visiting and keeping in touch with friends I have known a lifetime.  Thank you Rande for this reminder...I love you   xoxo

Happy Fall Y'all......

although being from Pittsburgh, I should say Happy Fall Yinz Guys.  Another season is upon us.  Gone are the dog days of Summer and we say hello to crisp, cool weather, pumpkins and beautifully colored leaves.  Fall is my most favorite time of year.  I love all that this season brings........

HAYRIDES



PUMPKINS

DECORATIONS

 Another favorite thing about Fall are all the wonderful comfort foods that go along with the season---hot  apple cider, soups and stews---  not to mention all the amazing recipes made with pumpkin.  I love it when my house smells of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pumpkin.  A friend came for coffee this morning so I quickly whipped up some pumpkin muffins.  I thought I would share the recipe so you too can have a taste of the season......

PUMPKIN MUFFINS

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin

1/2 cup water

*******

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cloves

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

*******

1 1/2 cups raisins

1 cup walnuts or peacans

Place the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, pumpkin and water in a bowl and mix.  Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.  Add to the first mixture and mix.  Add the raisins and nuts.  Let stand one hour at room temperature.  Place in greased muffin tins.  Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for approximately 15 minutes.  Makes 2 doz. 

***** Raisins can be ommited.  My muffins were raisinless as they give me the willies :) 

I hope you are enjoying the blessing of Fall