All was bright.

It really was.

The extended blogging break was nice also...unplanned, but nice.

Paper Plate Christmas Tree Garland

To begin, may I offer my heart-felt love and support to all those who've been affected by the events in New Town, CT.  It is a bitter reminder that life is precious.  I hope the following post might give you an idea of something fun to do with your little ones...and hold them even closer.

Dolly needed something fun to do the other day. I had seen THIS idea on pinterest, and thought it would be fun to try.

Christmas Tid-Bits 2012

Hi all.

It's that busy, wonderful time.  I've been stitching up a storm in my spare minutes, and enjoying decorating our new home for Christmas.

Our Christmas tree is covered with memories.

Twine Pom Pom Garland Tutorial

I'm not sure if you remember or not, but a while back I discovered that cotton twine makes fantastic pom poms with really fun texture.

I figured out a way to make my new favorite pom pom into a garland for our Christmas tree.  Want to try one too?

For my nieces

My brothers and I do a gift exchange each Christmas, and we always give to each other's children. It's easy on my side of the family...I only have two nieces (so far)! My darling sister-in-law gave me a few suggestions: a winter dress for the youngest and a dolly and me outfit for her older girl.

A Commission from Santa

And I'm back.  We've been SO busy framing our house. I'll share details later this week.  I thought I'd kick off the handmade gift parade with a special commission I received from Santa.  Dolly received a cute little Calico Critters raccoon family that her mama had as a child.  This little family needed a home...and Santa asked me to make it.

The Joy of Giving

As I've done previously, I help my kids make Christmas gifts for each other.  I want them to enjoy the idea of doing something for someone else...even if it's just a simple idea.  This year, we made personal toothbrush holders.

I was inspired by this darling washcloth toothbrush holder from Train to Crazy.

Source: thetraintocrazy.com via Chris on Pinterest

Love Where You Live Ornament Tutorial

I'm so excited to share this ornament tutorial as part of Gwen's Haul Out The Holly party.





Each year we give our children Christmas ornaments, just as my parents did for me.  Because of this tradition, after we were married, Mr. Pickup and I had a box of ornaments to decorate our tree with. I wanted to give our children the same gift.  I don't always make the ornaments, but I try to if possible.

With all the moving we did this year, and some darling state related ideas I'd seen by KoJo Designs (via Little Miss Momma) and in this Sew Mama Sew post, I wanted to do something to commemorate the two places we lived in Idaho this year.

Ruffled Christmas Pillow Cover Tutorial

This is the project I didn't need to do...but really wanted to!

Since February, I've been making little decorative pillow covers that fit an 11" square pillow form.  I think I've now covered every season and some holidays, too.  Here they are in no particular order:

1. Ruffled Christmas Pillow
2. Easter Pillow
3. Winter Chenille (not blogged yet, sorry!)
4. Red, White and Blue Pillow
5. Valentines Pillow
6. Spring into Summer Pillow
7. Fall Pillow

Pajamas are coming...

I'm slowly getting thing finished up for Christmas.  I've been hurrying to get things done before my time is taken up with framing the new house. We give our children new pajamas to open up on Christmas Eve.

Christmas PJs

I wanted to show off the pajamas my kiddos opened up Christmas Eve.

First up, for Big Brother, I altered a pair of his dad's flannels for him.  I realized that all of a sudden, he's growing up and not into robot themed fabric.


Using a pair of his jeans as a guide, I cut the outer and inner seams to match the jeans (with seam allowance.)  Since the elastic was sewn in, all I had to do was resew the leg seams, and add a new hem.  Simple refashion.  I later found a t-shirt on clearance that was the perfect match.

Last summer when fabric.com was having their Westminster fabric blow out, I purchased the floral fabrics and cute robot design (all designed by David Walker).  I later snagged some coordinating flannel.  For my little kiddos, I used McCall's #M4643.  I was in a hurry, and picked it out because it called for all woven fabric.  I haven't gotten over my knit fabric scare quite yet.  I love the ruffle hems on the girly version, made with the main fabric for Big Sister's pjs.

This pattern ran really big, (disappointment #1), and I didn't realize at first that the shoulder seams close with velcro (disappointment #2).  I ran out of time, and had to use what I had, so I went ahead and made them as the pattern described.  I think if I try it again, I'll close one shoulder, and add buttons instead to the other.  Thankfully my kids don't mind much.  I also (being in a hurry) didn't pay attention to the direction of the fabric, and the robots are upside down.  At least he can look down and they are right side up.  Hopefully next Christmas we won't have recently moved.  On the positive, the pattern does also include a cute robe.  Maybe I'll try some later on.

For big Sis, I used McCall's 5744.  I actually really liked this design with the wrap front.  Next time, I will be making the top a little higher, and add a little circle of velcro to keep things closed.  I modified the front seam slightly so that the seam where the upper bodice and lower bodice meet is encased completely in the bias tape, so there are no unfinished seams on the inside.  This pattern also has a nightgown version which I will be making this summer.  The bias tape was made with the main fabric in Baby's.

It was a lot of work, with mixed results this year.  Maybe next year I'll not worry about making pajamas and try to find some on sale.

Sharing with:
Polly Want A Crafter, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, and Blue Cricket Design.

Such a small King

Before I left for my Holy Land study abroad experience, I was told I needed to visit an artisan in Bethlehem.  So, I set aside some of my spending money in hopes of meeting a man named George Lama.  I have no idea if he is still alive, but I have a piece of his art that means more to me than any other Christmas decoration.

Shortly after I arrived in Israel, I made arrangements to meet Mr. Lama in his home.  We took a taxi from our campus to Bethlehem.  He graciously welcomed me and my friends into his home, and with sweet hospitality offered us something to drink.  He showed us the amazing olive wood carvings he made.  Each one was made to order, and by hand.  I chose these two figures, rather than a larger commercially produced olive wood nativity that was common in the Old City.

The detail in Mr. Lama's carvings still amaze me.  The delicate features of each person, the loving way that Joseph's arm fits around Mary, the folds and ropes of the clothing he included show that these figures meant as much to Mr. Lama as they do to me.

I love the way I feel when I remember what each figure represents.  A carpenter, with strong hands, who would be strong enough to father God's son.

A sweet and humble young woman who was chosen to be the mother of Jesus Christ.

The Creator, born on earth so that He could have complete compassion for and understand every part of human existence. 

“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53: 2-4

On this Christmas Day, I hope that you take a moment to remember what He has done...and will continue to do for each of us.  I am forever grateful for Jesus Christ. 

Visit HERE for some wonderful ideas to celebrate this important day with your family.

Creating Christmas gifts with my kids

Last year I began a new tradition of helping my children make gifts for each other.  You can see what they made in 2009 HERE and HERE.  Wanting to keep things a little more simple, I suggested we try freezer paper stenciling t-shirts for each other.  I found t-shirts for the older three at Michaels for $2.50 each.  We got Baby's at Wal-Mart.  I helped them look online for inspiration.  My older daughter and son wanted to make an Iron Man themed for shirt for their younger brother.  (You've seen his Iron Man affinity HERE and HERE).  We found this image,

 and I helped them trace and cut the design on freezer paper.  The children did the painting.

For Big Brother, the younger two wanted to make a Star Wars shirt.  Since the lettering was pretty intricate, I made the stencil, and they painted it.

For Big Sis, the boys looked at a couple different store websites for inspiration.  They found a t-shirt at Crazy 8 they liked.  We copied the image (sorry the resolution wasn't great),

and I created an applique and freezer paper stencil.

Here is my younger boy painting.

For Baby, I showed the kids some ideas, and they fell in love with Traci's owl applique.  I cut out all the pieces, and the older two took turns helping me to sew the appliques on.  At this point, my youngest boy was done with helping.

Here are the results...forgive the wrinkles.  I've been keeping them tucked away in a bag in my closet. 

Each shirt turned out great.  Best part, the children each had a lot of input on both design and putting everything together.  They are wrapping them up today, and are excited to see each others' reactions.

Sharing with:

Blue Cricket Design, and Someday Crafts.

Easy last minute gift ideas

Are you feeling the last minute crunch time hitting you too?  I'm getting close.  The pajamas are done, some doll clothes made, and this year's ornaments are finished.  I have a few more things to finish.  

I know...time is running out.  If you need a few more ideas, here are some simple things to try.

Giveaway Day with Sew Mama Sew

I love to give gifts at Christmas.  It is so fun to watch someone's eyes light up and see what you gave them.  So, how could I not join in with Sew, Mama, Sew's Giveaway Day?

I'll be giving away two prizes.  First, a  set of Symbols of Christmas ornaments and keepsake bag, along with laminated explanation to one lucky winner.  (The ornaments will look a lot like this:)

Second, and a free Symbols of Christmas sewing pattern to make as many sets of ornaments as you'd like.  I wish I could see your smile when you win!   Please know how thankful I am to each of my readers!

Entry is simple.  Leave a comment telling me the most favorite gift you've given.  If your email isn't linked to your profile, leave an email so I can notify the winners.  One entry per person, please.  I'll pick two winners via random.org and announce them here on my blog December 17.  So, you have until 6pm MST on December 17 to enter.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

(Here's some of the ornaments on our Christmas tree. We hung them up yesterday and discussed each symbol's meaning with our children.)

Christmas Decor 2010

Here are some of our decorations for Christmas this year.  It's been fun figuring out where to put things in our new house.

In the family room, we have our mantel.  I'm still not sure what to do with this funky niche, but for now this is fun.  I wish you could see the lights in real life...they twinkle. 

I haven't even shown these yet.  My husband helped me to build these picture ledges.  They are each 8 feet long, and are a fun way to organize our pictures.  We used Anna White's Gallery Ledges plans.  I added a couple of Christmas pictures for December.  The cross-stitch Santas I stitched while I traveled through the Holy Land 16 years ago.  I spent a lot of time on a bus and needed something to do with my hands.  :)  The Holy Family picture, including frame, was made by my sister-in-law.

Our family Christmas tree:

I am a big tradition nut for Christmas, if you hadn't noticed.  I revel in the red and green colors (my favorites), and love all the keepsake ornaments on our tree.  My parents and grandparents gave me ornaments each Christmas, and now we do the same for our kids.  It's a fun way to fill up a tree with memories.  I made the tree skirt in college...my first attempt at any quilting.  It's based on a pattern my mom made.

You've seen my wreath, and the Scripture tree.  The only things not shown are our nativities.  It's been stormy and the lighting not great, so hopefully next week I'll post them.