~ Coastal Christmas Colors ~

So I freely admit that I have jumped on the bandwagon this year and gotten a head start on the decorating.  I actually finished it all before leaving town for Thanksgiving.

Upon arriving home ... I was so thankful that I had.

I love my new Shell Tree, full of my new ornaments ...

... a sparkly starfish on the top ...

... a few snowflakes to remind me that even in southern California, we can always dream ...

... and some sparkly birds.

And just in case you would like such a beachy tree for your own home, here are my resources:

Snowflakes: Crate and Barrel
Starfish Ornaments: TJ Maxx
Birds: Michaels
The pattern to make your own shell ornaments: My Etsy Shop.

Oh how I love Christmas!

PS ... Thanks so much to Maya at Completely Coastal
for featuring me on her delightfully coastal blog!!

~ My first Sea quilt ~

Almost a decade ago ... 9 years to be exact ... I made this quilt.
This was long before the idea of making Sea Quilts was even a glimmer in my eye.

I had received a book on paper-piecing for Christmas and I wanted to try my hand at some free-form design that encorporated some of my new paper-pieced blocks.

I chose the sea as my subject because I have always loved the sea.
Even though, at the time I lived smack dab in the middle of the desert.

As the quilt came together, I wanted to show how the light from the sun was so strong as to penetrate to the depths of the ocean.

I named her "Free Utilities".

I found her in the closet a couple of weeks ago, very grateful that she made the move with me since many, many of my quilts were sold or given away in that process.

After 3+ years of sewing nothing but the sea, this affirms to me that I was on the right track long before I knew that I was.

Because I do so love the Sea.

~ The Joys of my World ~

I have not generally used this blog to publish pictures of humans ... particularly those near and dear to me ... but I have spent the last 2 weeks with my nearest and dearest and this is what I have to show for it.



I spent 5 days with every single one of my children and grandchildren.
Under the same roof.
At the same time.
This is huge, people!

Hundred of pictures were snapped and texted and grammed.
To the point where these sweet and patient grandchildren were beginning to lose interest ...

And possibly getting a tad annoyed.

I received a number of lovely gifts for Christmas, but these were by far my favorites.

And how about you?

~ A Week of Thanks ~

 

 

 

Enough Said.