Don't judge a box by its cover

So my husband and I moved our family three days before Christmas 2015. I almost killed him for moving our household right before Christmas. The kids didn't have beds, we provided sleeping bags and pillows and they thought it was great fun, camping indoors. Our new house was piled high with moving boxes. I was able to find most of the kids Christmas gifts in time for Saint Nicholas' visit to our new home. I'm still finding gifts from last Christmas, I'll just wrap them and give them this year, right?

We've unpacked all of the boxes in the house, but quite a few remain in the garage and my new art studio. I've been missing some horse tack for what seems like months - 10 most likely -  Two weeks ago, my husband decided it was time to move the minivan into the garage. Not sure why he decided it was time, the spring thunderstorms and tornados have passed us by safely, I might add.

Although, the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve was especially scary for North Texas. We had been experiencing especially mild winter weather, when one evening the temperatures dropped about 30 degrees and we had a thunderstorm. We hadn't been in our new house a week, when the tornado alert sirens started blaring.  We stared at the tv watching the tornado's direction - coming right toward our house- My brother - in - law called us and said not to stand next to the windows. In our new house, it's hard not to stand near a window or a French door leading outside, plenty of light in this house as opposed to the ranch house cavern we used to live in. I was mentally assessing the situation, could I lower the children through the  pier and beam access holes in the kitchen or utility room faster when he called. And luckily for us, the tornado changed direction, but not so lucky for hundreds of people living in Rowlett and Garland. They lost homes, loved ones,  pets, cars, etc. We knew people who lost everything when the tornado rampaged through their neighborhood.

So my husband cleared out a spot in the garage for the minivan. He found some storage containers  labeled Lights and Christmas, so naturally I opened the boxes expecting to find Christmas lights. Much to my delight, I discovered 4 headstalls, 5 bits, 5 sets of leather braided reins, only 1 green shipping boot, 4 green polo wraps, a breast plate, a martingale, 3 sets of stirrup leathers including one set still in package, a cavasson, lunge line, bent out of shape lunge whip, various training aids but nothing in a complete set, and some western equipment. I was overjoyed to find my pelham double bridle and my first nice flat leather hunt bridle!  Today I oiled Dolly's leather halter,and 4 english bridles along with 5 sets of reins.  Perhaps next week, I will tackle the martingale, breast plate and english stirrup leathers. I told my trainer with all this equipment, I needed another horse - like a hole in the head -

Biblical Christmas Wrapping Paper

During art time this morning I let the twins paint using dot dot paint as well as finger paint on kraft paper. We are creating our own Christmas wrapping paper. I had been drawing stars for them to fill in and Christmas trees, then Nathaniel asked me to paint a rainbow, like Noah's Ark. That got me thinking, why not draw a picture representing each book of the Bible.

Emma drew a whale:

Natty chose Exodus (15-40):



After we finish our Christmas wrapping paper, I'll tie the gifts up with simple bows using yarn ribbon or tulle in coordinating colors and give our gifts within a gift to special people in our lives.  This is going to be a fun way to learn the Bible, spread the Good News and express our creativity!

Grams Christmas Gift

Last weekend my mother took me to The Old Craft Store on the Historic Downtown Carrollton Square  She thought I would enjoy having a new place to be inspired by sewing. I had picked up some cute Halloween Owls fabric at Hobby Lobby in late September, thinking I would make Emma a cute jumper  - if I start now perhaps I could have it ready for Halloween 2013 -
While I was there I saw a Memory Quilt. Since I don't quilt, I inquired about having one made.  I was told I would have to make an appointment over the phone with the manager. I was introduced to the manager and given a business card so I could make an appointment for a consultation. Couldn't I have just made the appointment when I introduced to the manager?  I thought, too much trouble for a mom of twins who doesn't get much time off.  I'll make it myself.  Aside from this bit of trouble and the throbbing migraine I was experiencing I got to walk around inspiration and fabric fairy land. Gorgeous quilting fabrics unlike what can be found at the big box craft stores. Vintage inspired fabric, Halloween/  Christmas fabrics, toille - a sewers dream!  And patterns that I have only seen on the internet were available for purchase. I wandered into  a large work room filled with friendly quilters.  If I can find the time, I would enjoy coming back for workshops/lessons and fabric, fabric, fabric!   

This is going to be one of my Christmas projects, making a memory quilt for Gram. Since she is house bound, I'm going to make a lap quilt for her. With the help of my children, I've picked out the fabric and washed it last night. Tonight I'll be lay out the squares and start the fun part, designing the quilt!. It's my husbands job to choose the pictures for the quilt. Raggedy Ann and Andy are going to be on the back of the quilt. I plan to do the sewing on my Singer. Will this be a good introduction to what my machine is capable of doing. I've had it for about 5 years and have only used it once. Too busy raising twins and designing jewelry, but getting to a place where I might have more time to enjoy sewing again. Will I pull my hair out over this project? Or enjoy it so much, that I make a memory quilt for my own mother? Check back to see my progress...