Lazy Sunday

Sometimes my cats are too cute for words when they curl up together for a snooze.

And just when you think they can't get any closer ...

Truly a winter wonderland

Freezing rain make travel treacherous, but it sure can be beautiful. Today the wooded area in my neighbourhood looked magical as the bright sun made the trees still coated in ice sparkle.

Grinch adjacent

Saying I'm a Grinch probably goes too far, but I'll be the first to admit I'm pretty low on holiday cheer. About the only Christmas tradition I wholly embrace - beyond the crazy good food that seems to be everywhere you turn - is mailing cards. Now that I can get behind because I'm always looking for a reason to dip into my card stash.

But when I saw this tutorial for tiny trees bunting, my heart grew three sizes that day. Rummaging through my scraps for something suitable, I found a bit of leftover red floral Hawaiian fabric - perfect!

Despite my Grinchy tendencies, I love my tiny trees bunting. And I think they'll stay up longer than the season. Now that the cold and snow and ice is here to stay for quite a long while, the fabric will remind me of my glorious Hawaiian escape last winter every time I'm bracing myself to head outdoors.

What you can't see in the photos are the kitty paw prints on the mirror from the cats checking out the bunting. I hope the twine doesn't prove too irresistible for them.

Couple more

Here's a case where pillowcases really benefit from topstitching. The cat fabric had just a splash of red in it, while both fabrics were predominantly blue. I think red stitching adds a nice touch.

That earlier tea towel is appearing again, also as wrapping for an ornament.

I far prefer to wrap a present in something useful than in wrapping paper, which is such a waste. And lovely fabric is always going to be nicer than wrapping paper.

Happy indoors

There are two creatures in my home not at all bothered by the wintery weather - my very much indoor cats. They're never interested in slipping out the front door because they know they've got a good thing going inside. All afternoon they've been snoozing on the couch, while I've been freezing outside like a dum-dum to walk the dog or shovel. Here I imagine Ariel was getting just a bit too warm curled up, so she stuck out one foot to cool off. I know I use that tactic when it's a bit too cozy under my duvet.

Oh, what a life.

Double duty

Two more tea towels made for Christmas presents. How amazing is the feather fabric?

I used it to wrap a present, tied with ribbon and a little Ikat elephant ornament made in Cambodia that I picked up at Ten Thousand Villages. If you're looking for unique ornaments while helping a good cause, it's a great place to go.

Big hairy deal

Well, it's official. Winter is here. Sure I can complain about the endless shovelling, but it's really my dog who's got it tough in the winter. Those big hairy paws sure do pick up a lot of snow.

You'd think a Russian breed would be better adapted to winter conditions, at least better than plunking her butt down in a drift periodically while on a walk to gnaw at the snow clumps stuck in her paws. Toe balls, I call them.

If you're looking for tasty meals to warm your belly on these cold, snowy days, I'd recommend either of these slow cooker recipes from Pinch of Yum. I made the chicken wild rice soup last weekend, and the queso chicken chili yesterday. So good and so easy! What's better than that?

Stack 'em high

I whipped up some pillowcases for Christmas presents. This time I topstitched a couple sets. Meh. I'm not sure the extra step is worth it. (As you can see by the set that didn't get it.)

I bought a half yard of each of these floral prints a while back on a trip with my dad to North Bay and Trenton - so bright but delicate and I love the doily-looking pattern. They became the cuff and I picked up a bright blue cotton for the body. They'll first stand in as stockings on Christmas Eve, with presents for my parents tucked inside.

While trying to exercise restraint at my favourite fabric shop as a CFF picked out fabric for her long Christmas crafting list, I saw this unicorn fabric and knew my middle sister would love it. Cuffs were made from co-ordinating star fabric.

'Tis the season

Now that December is here, the clock is ticking on Christmas crafting. Sadly, I am still a November birthday gift behind for a dear CFF. I'm gonna use the excuse that it was out of my hands when I sent it off to the quilter relatively early and she unfortunately had a backlog. Here's a sneak peek:

These cheery pillowcases became her consolation gift.

Of course my Christmas crafting will include a few pillowcase sets. Honest to Jebus, people have been really enthusiastic about the handmade pillowcases. It's not just me off my rocker about them. I whipped up these tea towels for a friend who is just as elegant as this fabric.

Now to get back to the craft room, for now Santa's workshop.