Final Table

I set up my final Swing Choir table yesterday.  The only request was that the table be red and gold.  I think it really came together!  I created the ornament wreath yesterday morning on a whim and I'm sure glad I did!  I love the way it sparkles when the lights are down and the candles are lit.  The red dishes, I borrowed from my sister-in-law and the rest I already had.  This has been such a fun event every year - I'm happy to have been a part of it!

The end of an era

For the past 6 years I've been decorating at least one table for our local high school's Swing Choir Christmas dinner/production.  Through the years I've decorated as many as 3 tables in a year.  The dinner is a fundraiser for the group and each student hosts a table which includes selling 8 tickets and decorating a table.  Six years ago I volunteered to help decorate a friend's table and have been doing it ever since.  This year it comes to an end as I'll be decorating my last table for her beautiful daughter who will be graduating this spring.  (As a side note - it started with her oldest daughter who graduated 2 years ago.)  I'll be sure to post pictures of the final table but here's a quick look back on a few tables from the past.

A Handmade Holiday...

I had the best of intentions this year to make all my Christmas gifts.  As I look at the calendar and the list of projects to complete I've come to the realization that not everyone will receive a handmade gift.  This is not the end of the world but I have already started planning for next year!  I WILL have a Christmas where all my gifts are handmade.  In an effort to achieve this, I've signed up for a few classes (this way I know projects will actually be started and completed).  The photo above is one of my projects for next year.  I haven't decided who will receive this super cute clutch but I have a few ladies in mind...

I'll post pictures of this year's handmade gifts after Christmas - no peeking here!

Stockings

I love paper crafting but I do sew on occasion as well.  This is my latest project.  My sister-in-law and I took a quilting class recently at the Quilting Bee in Spokane.  This is a Buggy Barn pattern and my favorite way to create a quilt!  I'm making table runners from this pattern and will post the finished project soon (they're going to be Christmas gifts).

Grateful

One of the two cards we made at a workshop in October (the other card didn't make it home...).  I am absolutely IN LOVE with the Spice Cake DSP it's so versatile.  It's in the holiday mini so I stocked up for the future. (wink)

I {heart} Coffee!

The coffee sleeve was workshop make and take from a few weeks ago.  The sleeve is a no-sew project and makes the perfect gift for teachers, coaches, book club members and more!  The mug warmer I made for the hostess of a dinner party I attended on Saturday (I included Starbucks hot chocolate mixes in the mug too).  It's almost a no-sew; I stitched in the ribbon but the rest was all done with Stampin' Up's fabric adhesive roll.

Christmas Cards

I did it again and let time slip away!  Life has been busy but fun-filled with family & friends.  I was able to squeeze in one last class before the end of the year.  There is a quick pic. of the cards we made last night.  All of the designs are from Stampin' Up catalogs - we have fabulous designers at the home office!