More than you want to know?

So, I read Amy's post, and thought I'd play along, too. 

Hi, I'm Chris.  Here I am yesterday.  I don't take a lot of pictures of myself.  I am more comfortable behind the lens than in front of it.

Here are some random facts about me, in no particular order.

I am a neat freak who can't stay neat.  I love things ordered, but I also have a tendency to pile things up in random corners. 

I am the oldest child of two oldest children.  It's been my privilege to know not only my grandparents really well, but through high school age, know some of my great-grandparents. 

My parents moved our family from Arizona to Utah the summer before my junior year.  It was a tricky transition, but I wouldn't change it for anything.

I'm the only girl in my family.  Living in the dorm my freshman year was very eye opening.  That being said, the friends I made that year are still incredibly close.  They are my sisters.  When Wes and I were married, although they lived all over, each girl came to our wedding, some with babes in tow.   

I worry at times about parenting my older children.  Preschoolers I can handle...tweens and teens, not so much.

I can stay away from most sweets, but I can't lay off semi-sweet chocolate chips.  I have a physical need for dark chocolate.  I'm the only one in my family who will eat Hershey's special dark.

I took AP art in high school, and only earned a 2 on my portfolio.  It was so devastating I didn't draw or paint for two years after that. 

Here's our second home.  (sigh)

Wes and I were able to build our first home (and six others) through a non-profit housing program.  With the skills learned and sweat equity, we were able to build our second home.  I can frame, do finish work, and paint with the best of them.  :)  I also learned how to tile with our second home.  I hate to be hot.  (Funny coming from a kid from Phoenix, huh?)  I'd much rather be cold and bundle up than be sweaty...there's only so much you can tastefully remove!   Still, I consider myself a desert rat.  Humidity and I don't get a long.

So now that I've shared a little more about me...how about you?  Anything fun you'd like to share so I can get to know you better? 

Handmade Gift Parade

Here are some more fun things I made for Christmas gifts:

For my sister-in-law (and by extension her hubby), I pulled out a vintage pattern and made her a lovely apron. I think everything home-related goes better when you wear a fabulous apron.

I had to make sure it looked good on, right?

The fabric is from Free Spirit's Savon Bouquet.  (You saw the other piece in the Swaddle Blankie.) I'm kicking myself for not snatching more up last summer.  I LOVE it.  The red I found at hobby lobby, the check from my stash.  I made the piping around the bodice to match.  The skirt is bound with matching bias tape.

For her family, a birthday banner.  I kept it in primary colors since she has two boys and two girls.

I really need to update my letters...I found a few things to change, like the letter "t". 

For all my nieces/nephews we were gifting to this year (and my own kidlets), ribbon candy ornaments:

For my parents:

A fabulous quilted table runner, using Amy's tutorial.  The back reverses to the same fabric I bound it in.  I love the colors and how they glow!

For my brother and his wife:

His and her oven mitts, using a new pattern I made up.  Tutorial to make some for yourself is HERE.

There are a few more things I made, like PJs for my children.  I figured this post was long enough, so I'll show those off another time.

On another note, January's Sewing 101 guest post will debut on Saturday.  What a great way to begin the new year!

Sharing with Freckled Laundry, and At Second Street.


And At Second Street's Tie One On!

Barbie Doll Clothes

For the next little while I can finally show off all the fun handmade gifts I've done for Christmas.  First up, Barbie clothes for my niece.  Her mama suggested that her doll needed some new clothes.  I instantly remembered Jess from Craftiness is Not Optional's tutorials, and I had all the motivation I needed.  I made a dress:

a froufy skirt:

an easy skirt:

(don't you love the little tucks?)

and four cap sleeve tops:  (you see two above)

I was able to use some fun vintage trims from my great-granma's stash, including the mini pompoms, and pink lace.  I hope my niece loves dressing her dolly up.

Sharing with Today's Creative Blog,  Blue Cricket Design, and

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.

Holy Guacamole

A favorite tradition that came from my family (I grew up in Arizona) was having Mexican food on Christmas Eve.

I thought I'd share my favorite Guacamole recipe with you all, in honor of my parents and grandparents.  

Pickup Guacamole

2 ripe avocados, diced and mashed with a fork
2 small tomatoes, diced
1/4 c. onion, grated OR 4 green onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
juice of one lime
1/2 teaspoon of fruit fresh (find it in the canning section)
dash of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
4 stems of cilantro, stems removed and leaves chopped (optional, but oh so good if you dare.)

Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Refrigerate for about an hour.   Serve with tortilla chips as an appetizer or as a garnish with your favorite tacos or enchiladas.  

IF you have any extra, cover tightly and refrigerate.  Avocados oxidize (turn brown) quickly, and don't stay good more than 24 hours.  

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your families.  

p.s. Another great gift for you, Aimee at HomeSpun Threads is offering her PDF patterns for free.  Check it out HERE.

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.

Congrats to the winners!

I just ran the numbers...

Winner #1 is :

 You've won a set of Symbols of Christmas Ornaments. 

 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Winner #2 is:

You've won a copy of my Symbols of Christmas pattern. 

Thank you so much to each of you for entering.  It was fun to hear each of you favorite gifts.  Quilts seem to be the hands-down favorite.  I was touched by so many who personalized their gifts for loved ones.

I'll email the pattern tomorrow, and the ornaments will mail out on Monday.

Merry Christmas!