Sewing Patterns of the Christmas Kind

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187677417235

Countdown to Christmas Day 5 Simply Sewing Patterns of the Christmas Kind. These were obtained from the local quilt show a couple of months ago. All were listed for sale on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187677191563

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187676712326

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187676758056

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187676769437

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187676787916

What I am listening to - 1995 A Currier & Ives Christmas.

Plaidwork Skirt

Interrupting the Countdown to Christmas programming for a sewing update. Sally Stand-In models the plaidwork skirt with plaid flannel shirt. You can see my cat Susie photobombing.

What a difference a pattern makes. This did not turn out like the Free People plaidwork skirt but I knew it wouldn't. 

I started this project last month sewing-intentions. Here, pattern pieces are cut and ready for sewing. 

Pinning the pleats. 

First time I have ironed a folded sewing pattern, and first time I have ironed the fabric prior to pinning it to the pattern for cutting. 

Let's talk sewing pattern instructions. Is it me or does it seem like they are written in Greek? I eventually figure it out with the graphics and watching videos on the technique in YouTube.

With my Babylock in for regular service, I set up my backup Bernette work station. I have had this backup machine for awhile now and just now brought it out. 

Social Media Update: I made some tweeks on my Facebook digital creator account. I started hashtagging my posts with #grandfluencer. Maybe someday I could monetize? I did have AdSense on my blog but the ads were so annoying (images of gross things), I let the account lapse. 

I don't see anyone creating the type of content that I post. I really go all out in December. I begin composing the Countdown posts in October. 

Fun stuff coming up:

Grandbaby Malcolm is due any day.👼

Lunch is planned at a local casino on Christmas Day (no cooking or cleaning for me - yahoooo). 

Disney park hopper tickets purchased for the trip to Anaheim in April.

Santas Creepy and Otherwise

Countdown to Christmas Day 4 features creepy santas, a subject I have visited in years past.

ugly-christmas-sweater-and-creepy-santas

creepy-clauses

creepy-clauses-part-deux

creepy-claus-and-cookie-cutter-tree

What I am listening to - 1961 London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Handel Messiah.

Hoping Handel will save us from the creepy Claus. 

Barbie Christmas

Countdown to Christmas Day 3 - It's a Barbie Christmas!

One of the sewing patterns I've kept is this 1964 McCall's Barbie Doll's Instant Wardrobe.

Bought this Barbie collectible last year but decided to sell it unopened. Time to pay down the credit card. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187802172142

What I am listening to - 2008 Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Rejoice and be Merry!

Decorating with a Dog

Countdown to Christmas features decorating with a dog.🐶 Belle, our German wirehaired pointer, is nearly 8 months old. Since we can't have a full-sized Christmas tree inside (that would be a disaster), I have placed the artificial trees on the top shelf of the bookcase. 

Ornaments were hung in the kitchen window with curtain rods.

Only three areas were decorated - part of the front yard Candy Cane Lane has a separate blog post, the kitchen windowsill, and atop the bookcase. 

Doggy Destruction totals so far:

4 cashmere sweaters

5 tv remotes (that is replacing them one by one)

3 blankets

1 sleeping bag

1 baseball cap

She has snagged an entire breakfast burrito from the Mr. I had to re-make his breakfast. 

Her mission is to bring into the house any rocks, sticks, or pieces of wood. Acorns are another of her favorites. Pieces of paper, especially paper towels, are routinely torn to bits. 

What I am listening to - 2005 Relaxing Christmas Jazz, when I am not chasing after the dog. 

Countdown to Christmas Day 1

Welcome to Day 1 to the Countdown to Christmas posted annually since 2012. Highlighted during the event are thrift shop rescued CDs. I try to include a YouTube video of the CDs, if any exist. My holiday version of the Simply Delightful Thrifted Ball Gown. The updated Candy Cane Lane of our outdoor decor. My attempts at Christmas craphts from the 1997 publications of How to Do Christmas Florals if you Think You Can't, and Simply Christmas, Craft Projects for the Season of Giving. 

Upcoming posts include Holiday Weird and Wacky, Creative Christmas Clothing, and Creepy Santas day. 

I completed the Poinsettia rug skirt, finally binding the canvas to the back. Because of a certain critter in our house (cough cough Belle the destroyer) we do not have a tree inside.

What I am Listening to - 2011 White Christmas, A Traditional Christmas. 

An adorable mini-quilt was listed for sale on eBay. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187616503037

Baby costume sewing pattern too cute for school! 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187566098426

Ending the post with the recipe for the Mr.'s favorite cookie.  

COCONUT CHERRY MACAROONS

2/3 cup shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1/2 tsp. lemon rind

1 egg

Mix until well blended. Add.

1-3/4 cups cake flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. soda

Blend thoroughly. Add.

1/2 cup cherries

3/4 cup shredded coconut

Drop by small scoop onto parchment paper on cookie sheet. Bake 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes.