and now, for something other than quiet books!

Today I thought you might like to see a project that I did for the 'Crazy Quilt Quarterly' magazine, winter issue.  For some time I have had visions of a crazy quilted santa claus dancing about in my head and I finally acted upon it and this is the result...

His beard and his hat were done with crazy quilting and the face was appliqued using an image I found online.  

Hopefully you can see more of the details in the closeup.  I think you can likely click on the pictures to embiggen them more.

Today your quote is from Ediwn Osgood Grover...."Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows;  who shares his joys with those who are sad; whose hand is never closed against the needy; whose arm is ever outstretched to aid the weak; whose sympathy is quick and genuine in time of trouble; who recognizes a comrade and brother in every man he meets upon life's common road; who lives his life throughout the entire year in the Christmas spirit"

Would that we could all be like Santa Claus.

Finished book!!

The quiet book is finished!  I really don't think it should be possible to have so much fun making something, but this project certainly fits into that category.  I'm almost sorry that it's done!

The cover (above) has pictures of our grandson, son, and daughter-in-love.  The back cover (below) is a Mr. Potato Head, waving goodbye.  The pattern for him came from HERE.

The pages measure approximately 11" square which seems to be a good size overall.  If you ever plan on making one of these books, I would recommend not trying to sew the spine with your sewing machine....not that I would know that the needle would snap and leave the sharp point lurking within the confines of the book...why, no, I wouldn't know that.  I ended up hand stitching the spine using dental floss (and my handy dandy pair of pliers!).  

Almost done!

These are the final two pages for inside the quiet book (tomorrow I'll show you the covers).  

I decided to add something to the inside of the flap that opens to show the inside of the house so I added the lunch plate...just so he would have something to see when he opens it.

The truck below has a zipper across the top and inside are felt transportation pieces (boat, bus; truck, car, airplane, and train).  

This book has been so much fun to make and I know I could go on and make a lot more pages, but it would be totally unwieldy if I did!

Your quote for today is from Mother Teresa...."Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless"

A couple more

Today it will be a quick post, but thought I'd pop in to share two more pages in the quiet book with you...

This page is a barn, and the X's are flaps that open up

to reveal farm animals beneath...

And this page is just shapes that are

velcroed so he can remove and replace them...

Today's quote is from Barbara Bush...."To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there"

Another page

Here's another couple of pages in the quiet book...

The above page has textures that he can feel.

Below is a page idea I found on the 

internet and translated into my own

design.  

The airplane and the car move back

and forth on a ribbon.  

Today the quote is from Meister Eckhard...."If the only prayer you say in your whole life is "Thank you," that would suffice"

and another....

Here's another page for the quiet book...

I know it's hard to tell in this picture, 

but there is lace in all the windows.

The entire 'house' opens (in one piece...see the stitching along

the left side?) to reveal this...

Here's another one....

Here's another page for the quiet book...

This one is a simple colour-match page done in the shape of a ball.  I don't know if it shows up in the photo very well, but I embroidered the colour names on the underneath ball so he can not only match colours, but also match  shapes and learn the words at the same time.  It's pretty basic, but it's a good learning tool I think.

Today your quote is from John F. Kennedy...."Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.  And however undramatic the pursuit of peace, the pursuit must go on"

Beginning....

Over the weekend I started working on a new project which will be a Christmas present for our newest little grandson.  I made a quiet book for our older grandson when he was born and I just *have* to make another one because they're so much fun!  Time consuming, but fun.  

Here's the first page I did...

This one is fairly simple.  I found a little 'person' shape online HERE and created it out of felt.  I made a little felt shirt and pants which attach to the person with dome fasteners so they are removable.  The page was complete with a little quilt and a pillow.

Second page...

The tie-up shoes were also created from felt and real shoelaces.  I still have to finish the ends of the laces (a quick dip in some clear nail polish should do the trick.  

Over the next while I will share more of the pages as I create them.

Today your quote is from Ben Franklin.... "Take one thing with another, and the world is a pretty good sort of a world, and it is our duty to make the best of it, and be thankful"

A Christmas project

Here is another completed project as further proof that I really haven't been idle!

I had a special request to create an

advent calendar for #1 grandson

Close up 

This was created using a pre-printed panel.  

Today your quote is from Frank Outlaw....

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

A little bit of knitting, and a little you-know-what

Here's another bit of proof that I really haven't been idle...

These are three more hats I completed for #1 son, daughter-in-love and grandson.  The green one is a free pattern I found on Ravelry by M. Nishioka and is called 'Button-Tab Knit Hat'.  The grey & red striped one is the 'Double Rib Toddler Hat' by Torunn V. Espe and is also found on Ravelry.  The black one, also free on Ravelry, is from 'She Makes Hats' and is called the Sandoval Hat.  

Today your quote is from Mother Teresa - "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving"

Well, never let it be said!

Most of you know already that computer illiteracy reigns supreme at Chez Richardson and also that recently I had to start over with my computer.  Some of you may already know that I am also stubborn (I know, who...moi?).  I hate to say that some of the lack of pictures on this blog has been a result of my not being able to figure out how to get my camera and my computer to go off in the corner and play nicely.  They have been squabbling.  The discussion going on has been quite disturbing.  First the computer says nope, I don't wanna play on your swings.  And then the camera says well, if you don't want to play on my swings, then I don't want to play catch with YOU.  And so it's gone.  One side trying to best the other and poor little ol' me in the middle, trying to be a peacemaker.  

There has been infighting.  And swearing (not that I would EVER resort to such tactics!).  There has been removal of programs and installation of programs.  Finger crossing.  Muttering and (dare I say it) mumbling too!

End result of all that is to say that I think I have won.  

Maybe. 

 Perhaps.  

So...here goes nothing....

Well, will you lookit that!   It worked!!!!!  

Phew!  All this angst, just to show you something that I made over the past while.  This is a Christmas card that is currently winging its way to my cousin in Australia.  Hope she likes it!

Today the quote (and a fitting one, I might add) is from Steve Wozniak....  "Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window"

Still suffering from alas-ness-ess

Hah - bet THAT word made you stop and wonder didn't it?  And I know it's not a real word, but in an effort to make this blog at least somewhat interesting I thought I'd make you wonder about the state of my mind.  

Ahem.

Today your quote is another from an anonymous source.  I would love to give credit to the author, so if you know who is was, please let me know.

THE POPPY

Nature created a flower

With petals of brilliant red.

Who'd have thought such a beautiful flower

Would be used to remember the dead?

For when all the guns have stopped firing

And there's only the mud and the rain

God sends down his little red flowers

To cover the lads who remain

So remember every November

When we hold our remembrance day

Of the lads who lie neath the poppies

And the price they had to pay.

Alas

Yep.  You've probably guessed it already.  No pictures today - only mumblings.  I know.  What's this world coming to!

- In my search for quotes for you, I came across this wonderful poem, attributed to an unknown author.  

A POEM FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY

Why are they selling poppies, Mommy?
Selling poppies in town today.

The poppies, child, are flowers of love

For the men who marched away.

But why have they chosen a poppy, Mommy?

Why not a beautiful rose?

Because my child, men fought and died

In the fields where the poppies grow.

But why are the poppies so red, Mommy?

Why are the poppies so red?

Red is the colour of blood, my child,

The blood that our soldiers shed.

The heart of the poppy is black, Mommy,

Why does it have to be black?

Black, my child, is the symbol of grief,

For the men who never came back.

But why, Mommy, are you crying so?

Your tears are giving you pain.

My tears are my fears for you my child

For the world is forgetting again.

If you know the author of this poem, please let me know

so I can give proper credit.

A mixed bag today

Today I have a few things to share with you.  I can't show what I'm working on - at least not yet - so instead I can show you these...

First of all - I had been asked to share a photo of the in-progress vanilla gifts that will be given at Christmas time, so here you go...

Not all that exciting I know!  I will create some pretty labels before they get wrapped, but in the meantime they reside in the cupboard and get lightly shaken every day.  It will be interesting to see/smell/taste the different flavours.

The past week or so I've been busy creating some hats that will be heading out west to our #2 son, daughter-in-love and our wee grandson.  These were fun to make and I hope they like them!

The one on the left is knitted using a pattern  called 'Keep Me Warm' by Anne Gagnon that I found on Ravelry HERE.  The middle hat is also from Ravelry and called Ribs 'n Cables Beanie also by Anne Gagon and can be found HERE.  Both patterns are free.  The tiger is crocheted and made from a pattern I found HERE and is also a free pattern from 'Repeat Crafter Me'.    These should be going in the mail tomorrow.  Tonight I'll start on a set of hats for the other family members.  

Today I leave you with this quote from an anonymous source..."Blessed are those who spoil and snuggle, hug and hope, pray and pamper, for they shall be called Grandparents"