Life, lately

 

As much as I would have liked to have been able to share here all the things I have sewn for myself, since my vacation started.... this is it.

But hey, at least my house is clean, doughs are made, and gifts are wrapped.

Confession...

Every year, my children receive gifts for Christmas, and not from us.

And I have never given anything to the cousins they have in San Diego.

Yes, I am the most horrible person ever.

 

 

So I actually remembered to work on a little something this year, and since the California cousins have more toys then they need, and the Oregon cousins tend to eat all they toys they get, I decided on soft and fluffy blankets instead. This is such a easy beginners project. I measured out 1 yard (36") of the print flannel, another of the coordinating solid blue flannel, and I used a layer of cotton batting in the center. I know it is more expensive than that polyester fluff looking stuff, but it is my personal preference, however the other type of batting should work fine. Just sandwich all the layers together (right sides facing each other), pin in place, and stitch (I used a 1/2" SA) leave a 4-5" opening at the bottom. Turn right side out, and carefully turn out your corners with a pair of blunt scissors,give it a good ironing, then using a 1/4" SA, stitch all around it, and done!

 

I love this kitty print flannel! Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?

All the flannels are 60% off at Joanns right now (still..maybe?), and I thought this print was not only adorable, but can work for both the boy and girl kitty cats. I purchased plenty of yardage, so I have more than enough left over to make some for my own kitty cats. 

 So pretty! I also made some for a few puppy cousins, and of course my own little ones.

I was planning on making more lap quilts (and I might still have a chance to get some done, if I haul ass today and tomorrow) but I at least got one done. I used the Echino camera print linen, with a black and white cotton, chevron print on the back. I stitched all the squares as well, and it came out really great. This lap quilt is for my nephews girlfriend, who not only loves the color purple, but is into cameras as well, it could not have been more perfect!

 All this + our luggage has to fit into our little Subaru. And between you and me, I am going to pack the car, because if you know who *cough Mele cough* does it, he will get only the luggage and 1/4 of the gifts in, and then get a bit cranky. And it will be a very (very) long 18 hour car ride, if we are irritated at each other I am irritated at him.

 Space ship!

Nope, Mr.Wonderful finally (cause he is still not over the fact that he missed the deal on these, via Groupon months ago) bought (that's all him, I prefer the counter space) one of those oil-less fryer thingies, and when we cooked some chicken a few nights ago, I was sure that E.T was gonna pop out of there.

 So yesterday, after we finally had our power restored in the afternoon (ahem, it was a very long and cold night!) I was able to get all my doughs done. I normally work on one cookie at a time (make dough, bake, clean up, make dough, bake, clean up) but by the end of the night, I am pulling out my hair, and saying what I say every year "no more cookies!!!!", so this year I opted for making the doughs all in one day, and baking them all in one day. Duh.. I know, I know.

 Oreos are the main attraction this year, ever since Mele showed up from work, with a few gingerbread flavored ones, he was able to wrestle away from his co-workers, I was a goner. And while I have already made the infamous Oreo-cookie-stuffed-chocolate-chip-cookies before, I decided to make another little cookie this time.

Oh My Gawd.

And just when you think it doesn't get any better.. This recipe appears on her website. 

Candy Cane Oreo Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Seriously.

Go take a peek at her website, she just posted Candy Cane Crunch Krispies for heavens sake!

And finally, the chocolate covered Oreos. I am not allowed into my Sisters house, unless these are with me. No joke.

So excited! I will take pictures of all these lovelies once I bake them, and will try to post before I leave at the end of the week. For now I am signing off, it is snowing (hooray!!) and I am freezing my ass off, sitting here in the coldest room of the house.