Merry Christmas

Countdown complete - it is Christmas Day 🎄🎋 Wishing this day finds you and your family warmth and peace. 

2007 Thimbleberries fabric panel. 

Creating this Countdown really helps me through this holiday. 

What I am listening to - 2004 Shimmy Down the Chimney, a Country Christmas. 

Christmas Eve

So happy to have hosted another year of this holiday countdown. Sending much love over the internet to everyone who visited and joined me in this annual celebration. 

Christmas Eve to the Countdown to Christmas is about the Simply Delightful Thrifted Ball Gown. This one has a sequined bodice and to-die-for dress material. Sally Stand-In models the entire gown. I normally appear in these ball gown photos but either I couldn't get the expression right, or I couldn't get the right camera angles. 

This little darling will be thrifted back for someone else to enjoy. About once every six months I like to show off one of these incredible gowns. I dream of when I win a big Lotto jackpot I would claim the money wearing a ball gown and opera-length gloves. 

Found this 1954 Vogue sewing pattern at thrift earlier this month. A keeper. I thought she looked Christmasy in her red and white striped PJs. 

What I am listening to - 1997 Kenny & Dolly, Once Upon a Christmas. 

Female Sefiroth Cosplay Jacket

We interrupt our regular programming in the Countdown to Christmas for Part 1 to the Sefiroth cosplay project. Original concept post final-fantasy-female-sefiroth-project. Lined jacket Vogue 9219 pattern. The black batik and liner fabric were from my stash. This is the first time I have attempted to sew an adult jacket. Because I am pleased with how this turned out, I won't be sewing another version. The jacket liner thrifted material really is exquisite.  

I may even add some beading embellishment.😮

Here is where accomplished seamstresses will roll their eyes - I just discovered what bias tape is used for - binding the sleeve ends, among other uses. Duh! Since I didn't have black premade bias tape, I created my own. 

Part 2 to the Sefiroth project is the black shirtdress. Simplicity 8074 view C top portion. 

Sewing keeps my mind active and engaged. It also keeps my troubles at bay. More sewing in 2026! 

Bing and Grondahl Christmas Plates

I've got a thing for Bing and Grondahl Christmas plates. Day 23 to the Countdown features three more plates added to my collection.  

This 1972 plate came through at thrift for 99 cents.  The other two plates were purchased online for $5 each. I just couldn't resist. Missing plates 1961, 1969 and 1975. 

I also have a set of the Mother's Day plates that my mother collected. 

What I am listening to - 2002 City on a Hill It's Christmas Time. 

Lighted Christmas Houses

Countdown to Christmas Day 22 features lighted Christmas houses. I debated whether to bring out my houses this year, glad I did. I had a few more but I pared them down to these five - Victorian, Quilt Shop, Antique Shop, Tackle Shop, and Boat Shop.

The dog has left them alone so I know this decoration is safe from destruction. 

A quiet day on the Countdown, we are edging closer to Christmas!

What I am listening to - 2000 Hallmark 'Tis the Season Vince Gill Olivia Newton-John.

Christmas Greenery

Countdown to Christmas Day 21 is about the green - plants, that is. 

My Christmas cactus in full bloom. In the background is the bottle brush adorned with plastic ornaments. 

Bromeliad Tree

Catmas Wreath

Pineapple Tree

What I am listening to - 1997 Visions of Christmas, an Instrumental Holiday Collection. 

Beaded Dollhouse Quilt

Countdown to Christmas Day 20 is a beaded Dollhouse Quilt. 

When I first saw the image I thought it was a quilt for a dollhouse. No, it is a quilt that is a dollhouse. Lead-off image is my version of that quilt from the 1997 publication Simply Christmas, Craft Projects for the Season of Giving.

I utilized the templates provided in the book, drawn out on parchment paper. I deviated with cutouts in the window from Christmas fabrics. This was also indicated as a heat-and-bond project but I employed raw edge applique. 

As with all quilts, I think the quilt binding is the icing on the cake. An ornament print was used for the binding and the backing. The quilt was finished off in straight line quilting in a red thread. Image below is the quilt before washing and beading. 

Close up of beaded Christmas trees. 

What I am listening to - 2007 A Redneck Holiday. 

Lurch Look-Alike at Hospice Thrift

Countdown to Christmas Day 19 festive fellow spotted at Cameron Park, California Snowline Hospice Thrift. 

Plugging in a few more weird and wacky images. 

What I am listening to - Letters to Santa, a Holiday Musical Collection, United States Postal Service Exclusive.

Christmas Miscellany

Countdown to Christmas Day 18 includes holiday items that didn't get their own post. Ceramic elf is a thrift shop find from years past. The Noel buttons and the Snoopy pin came in a box of sewing-related items purchased at thrift.

Completed mouse stitchery included the instructions. 

I thrifted back the little otter face cross stitch kit. 

Each day on the Countdown, I highlight the countdown ornament and Christmas fabric in the background. I have A LOT of Christmas fabric. There is yardage here at the house and there is an entire of tub of fabric in storage. I have not one, but two, Christmas quilts I have made. I even wrap my eBay orders in holiday fabric but it has been a slow year for sales. 

On the thrifting front I will be so glad when Christmas is over. People who normally don't shop thrift will do so in December. You can always find new-with-tags items to give as gifts.  

What I am listening to - 2000 Bob Miller Now it Feel Like Christmas!

Pine Cone Basket

Countdown to Christmas Day 17 is my version of a pine cone basket. The pine cones are gathered from around our property. The basket was a 50 cent thrift shop find. 

It now resides in front of the house with the Mr.'s fishing rods propped in front. 

This pine cone basket craft is from the 1997 publication How to do Christmas Florals if You Think You Can't. 

What I am listening to - Harry Simeone Chorale, The Little Drummer Boy. Hands down my most favorite CD.