A SPECAIL THANK YOU...just CLAUS

This might seem like old news...

BUT it needs a post because its sew full of

what giving means to me. 

This is my 81 yo Sister, Arbutus Swackhammer.

Yep that's her name...you can't make that up.

She had had a rough life...much by choice...much by

incidents that should never happen to anyone.

But this is a happy post. 

About her Adult Protective Services Caseworker, Brandon,

 and how he helped Arbutus find a new and happy life in 2020.

Brandon has 2 little boys, I had lots of novelty fabrics.

I decided a quilt for each boy was a perfect way to say 

'thank you' for all his help.

I had all these prints in my stash to choose from.

Perfect Ten, by Swirly Girl Designs is my 'go to' pattern for kids.

Makes a great size quilt to enjoy for years.

 Caleb, age 3, animals and bright colors.

Caleb 6, Robots and Helicopters

You see, Brandon works in Licking County

and he found her housing in Marion County

That was a 1 1/2 hour drive each way.

He made that trip once or twice a month

to ensure she would be ok.

My sister had NOTHING to setup housekeeping.

Brandon worked to get her an apartment she could afford.

to set up all the senior services available to her.

Many people donated household goods and delivered to me.

Brandon, would pick them up and take them to her.

You see, COVID was spreading fast and we were asked to stay at home.

 

I decided then my thank you gift would touch his little boys lives.

It wasn't long until I had two quilts made.

Backs

My Bernina 740 has a text function.

So each quilt was labeled, on the front of the quilt, after quilting.

Made by: Mrs. Clause 2020

I rolled them up and tied them with fabric.

Bagged them for Daddy to pick up on my porch.

He would place the bags under their tree for Christmas morning.

After all, they are from Mrs. Claus.

Christmas Day, Brandon sent me this picture.

THIS is why I love playing Mrs. Claus.

THIS is what the holiday season means to me.

THIS is a Merry Christmas.

I am already working of my giving for 2021.

I will find a Mrs. Claus recipient.

You can count on that!

2020 COLUMBUS MODERN QUILTERS REVEAL

My modern quilting group,

The Columbus Modern Quilters

recently had an on-line reveal of our 2020 Mystery Quilt

We received a total of 7 Clues.

The last was the layout of this top.

I grabbed some screen shots.

(photos by quilters, power point by Leigh Morgan)

This is my Mystery Quilt.

My hubby thinks it looks like a Native American design.

I'll go with that....when deciding the name.

I plan to quilt this one in 2021.

Rachel never disappoints with her work.

There were lots of little HTS left over from

one of the blocks...they ended up in the backing.

Leslie brought some beautiful colors to the cutting table.

We had an option for borders, 1, 2 or none.

She used a white for the small border and a pink batik

that matches the inside squares of the stars.

Heather showed us how a vibrant background

makes her design shine.  Just like her little girl.

Tami gave us a softer look and used

slub canvas fabrics.

I wish more finishes were available to see.

2021 will get us back together, meeting in person.

I will guess that first meeting might be an

entire day of "show n tell"

Wouldn't that be wonderful!

SPRUCE-FUL GREETINGS

I happen to love this light spruce green color!

Add some back, gray and white

when making cards and WOWZA!

Check out this amazing Dragonfly card

I found on Pinterest.

 The designer, Rachel Tessman,  

had a video and a blog post showing how to make it!

Her blog and business is Stamp Your Art Out!

She's a fun person in her videos...not to over the top!

I used my own stuff and CASEd her card

 (copying another scrapers effort) or  simply giving credit to designer!

Under the dragonfly wings is a vellum dragonfly.

The dragonfly is attached to the inside of the card.

The wings fold up and slip thru the punched hole.

Then fold them back down.

SO COOL!

Had lots of this spruce color and coordinating papers

so I  CASEd lot of Christmas card

Jackie Bolhois YouTube video titled

'Stamp Along with Dave and Make 1s.1 Easy Greeting Cards'

I like to add a stamp inside besides the greeting.

and on the envelopes

And I made some gift card holders!

Also found on Pinterest.

These have belly bands but will fit 

inside an A2 card envelope.

My design, gift cards.

I have been with a cardmaking group for 3 years.

COVID has changed how we meet (we don't)

and what we do (card swaps)

I miss the social part of our group so I dropped out.

I felt like I have enough supplies without a 

quarterly buy - in?  

2020 gave me lots of time to work on my own.

I think I got it!

PS Always do what is best for your own heart.

Your 'true" friends will remain, regardless.

 

CLAN GORDON TREE

Welcome to my Great Room and

The Clan Gordon Christmas Tree. 

I have many trees each year,

My Scottish Theme Tree and Mantle

transports Clan Gordon to Scotland each year.

Even Santa has a bagpipe!

It all begins with the tree.

Much to my chagrin...this is what happened

when I plugged in my pre-lit tree. Once lights begin to go...

I don't trust them any more.  

I love this tree as it has many kinds of branches

so, I opted to do a crazy thing.

I took wire clips and cut off  ALL the lights. 

I have done this before if I love the tree.

A timely and hand scratching effort, but I don't mind.

I added 5 brand new strands of 100 lights!

Every tree needs fattened up a little.

I use pretty flocked branches on this one.

I want a forest of Scotland feel.

Make sure they stick out from the shape of the original tree.

And I fluff the original branches as I go.

Many people put the star on the top of the tree last!

Nope...I work from the top down.

First I place two 'real' deer antlers, securing tightly as

they are very heavy.

Phil and I bought these on our honeymoon in Breckenridge, CO

Dec 4, 1999 (21 years ago today)

Then I place the star between them.

Tree topper ribbon is next.

I like texture, so there's a red shiny and a plaid flannel ribbon.

Both are wired which makes it easy to shape.

Then I add the ribbon strands throughout the tree.

This year I draped and tucked it down the tree.

I make sure each ribbon tuck is secured by a tree branch twist,

keep them fluffy...not to tight against the tree

and allow both ribbons to show, alternating them.

Next is a huge bin of ornaments.

I should count these, but I am pretty sure there

are close to 200 ornaments.

I may not use them all and some will go on the mantle.

See those big glitter balls on the right.

They go on first...inside the tree to fill in holes

The glitter picks up the tree lights.

Here are a few close ups of the ornaments.

I have lots of shapes, sizes and textures.

Lots of owls and stags !

And there's my only Scottish Santa on the tree.

I need more bagpiping Santas!

He is close to the top of the tree and 

you can see some glittery pine cones pics I added.

More fun ornaments and a bit of white for some pop!

The mantle has many layers.

There are two types of garland...all that look very real.

White lights and ribbons from the tree.

I added some ornaments and 2 stars.

The Stag canvas is beautiful and I added a flannel ribbon

to make it pop.

I have a Bag Piper Santa and he gets his special place here.

A different view.

And so the corner went from this.

to THIS!

This picture of Phil and me,  is a couple years old.

You can see the tree was decorated just a bit different.

Antlers higher up, ribbon goes around the tree horizontally.

Merry Christmas...from Clan Gordon

CHRISTMAS TREASURES

I have been helping my Brother-in-law, Gary, downsize

his 5,000 sq ft house.  Last fall his wife, Leah, of 30+ years

lost her battle with cancer.  He is 82, rattling around

this huge place, suffers with some stroke disabilities

 and is totally overwhelmed!

Kathy and Phil to the rescue!

When GARY mentioned a CHRISTMAS ROOM that needed

attention, Mrs. Claus was really excited to get started

on a room full of holiday goodies.

This vintage paper mache Santa was one of the first items

 I found and decided he should live with ME!

I just love the uniqueness he brings with his brown

paper bag and those eyes!

I also kept this this ornament tree.

I have often thought about making one.

Now, I don't have to.

And lastly. I couldn't resist this white (fake) feather tree.

I will find a very special place for it.

The downsizing in this room was no easy task.

It took me 2, 5 hour visits JUST to sort the CHRISTMAS stuff.

I found lots items to be donated.

I took 2 car loads like this to charity.

I had to sort thru all this and decide what goes where.

My sister's church in Marion, OH will be decking their halls.

with lots of ornaments

Glitsy garlands

All these large red bells will look pretty

hanging outside the white church.

My 80 yo sister hasn't had a Christmas tree

 in forever. So she will have first pick of everything.

I found these stockings and suggested to sis, she keep one 

and give the others to her friends, as Christmas gift. 

 I found  stocking hangers...for the stockings!

And the holiday happiness goes on and on!

The 3 large bins go to the church.

The 2 small bins, to my sister.

This tree remains at Gary's house.

I may bring this home to put in my great room

I have a Scottish Theme tree and I believe

all my decor will POP on this neutral color tree.

If you know me at all, you know

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I believe in paying it forward.

And with this effort, I believe Leah will be pleased

that many people will continue to love

the Christmas she left behind.