2012 finishes

I forgot to do this before the New Year turned. I managed to get 30 finishes last year. Most before the baby came. Babygirl will only be small so long and I would rather, when she remembers her small childhood, that she says, "My mother read me stories, even though I didn't understand what was going on, she acted them out for me," and "I remember her dancing with me in the living room in the evenings, and smiling at me,"  not, "I sat and watched my mom cross stitch." I can focus on that when she gets a little older. Maybe we can craft together, since I am still planning on finishing things and have a bunch of pretty craft ideas pinned to my Pinterest.

Anyway, here's the list:

5 November--cat freebie

1 September-Thomas-Kitty and Me


8 August-Spooky-Kitty and Me

2 August-August Itty Bitty Kitty Quilt--Val's Stuff

21 July--Bunnies-- Prairie Schooler

19 July--July Itty Bitty Kitty Quilt-- Val's Stuff

1 July--freebie--Jean Farish

15 June--Sharing the S--Sanman

4 June--June Itty Bitty Kitty Quilt--Val's Stuff

3 June--SNN kit-June 2008--UFO since 2008

28 May-Ice Dragon's Kingdom--Dragon Dreams--UFO since 2010

20 May--October floss tag--Heart's Content

17 May-The Rabbit Alphabet-JBW Designs

11 May--May Itty Bitty Kitty Quilt--Val's Stuff

9 May--Just a Little Flaky--Val's Stuff--JCS 2011

8 April--Merry Christmas--CCN--JCS 2011

7 April--April Itty Bitty Kitty Quilt--Val's Stuff

4 April--Hearts of America--Little House Needleworks-UFO since 2008

13 March--Star of Wonder--Fine-ally Finished-2011 JCS

10 March-Carrot Patch-Cosmic Handmade

4 March-March Square--Itty Bitty Kitty Quilt-Val's Stuff

18 February--Half Hour ornament--Lizzie*Kate--JCS 2011

15 February-Winter Forest-Little House Needleworks

11 February--Trim The Tree-Debbee's Designs-JCS 2011

3 February-February Square--Itty Bitty Kitty Quilt-Val's Stuff

29 January-Love and Joy-JBW Designs--JCS 2011

28 January--Fresh Fallen Snow--Little House Needleworks--JCS 2011

19 January--Spring Has Sprung--Brightneedle--UFO since ?

17 January-Yuletide--Plum Street Sampler-JCS 2011

14 January--Lucky Dog-JAB Co-UFO since 2008?

7 January-SNN kit--January 2006--UFO since 2006.

2 January--January square-Itty Bitty Kitty quilt-Val's Stuff.


I won't be mad if my 2013 list isn't as long. My photo albums are getting full.

You mean this old thing?

Someone Small was baptized last Sunday. I wanted to share because, as textile artists, I thought you might enjoy seeing her in her great-grandfather's christening gown. It is at least 106 years old, maybe older, and was worn by Left-brain's grandfather, his mother, him and all his siblings and cousins, and our niece and nephews. Think of all the beautiful ceremonies it has seen. It was sewn by my MIL's grandmother, out of beautiful batiste, embroidered (if it's not broiderie anglaise, it's something very close) and edged with hand-made lace, truly a work of art. She also wore her paternal great-grandmother's crucifix, tucked against her skin, and a crucifix her godmother gave her. My mom had a bib and slippers for her, so that she wouldn't ruin the pretty dress. I probably should have made something, but I made her, so maybe that was enough?

It was a beautiful service. I teared up, but managed not to start openly crying. Babygirl took it in stride, she had her pacifier in while she was being anointed with oil, and sucked quite contentedly on it as she was carried down the aisle by the same priest who married her father and I, to be introduced and the newest member of God's Church.

She did want to eat the food at her party, though. She was eyeballing everything, especially her baptism cake. Which had purple flowers on it, since purple is her signature color. It was a nice day, all in all.

The lost

has now been found. Rossana got her ornament last night.  You can not imagine how ecstatic I am. I was at the point of planning a re-stitch, and that alone inspired me with great dread, since I do not get much stitching time, and having to redo an ornament, let alone a design I already did, I was a little upset. At least now I can stitch for myself!

I have been going through the old freebie charts I have and pulled out a few to kit up and do, now that I am determined the sewing machine is coming out of the box. I am going to try something new, at least for me. I have so many pretty things, have been blessed to be able to have them, and it's ridiculous that so many of them end up in boxes, usused and underappreciated. All that sewing fabric that I have, I am going to try to match it up, color-blind, to the designs I have, then tweak the colors to match the fabric. They may not look good here for a while til I find my way, but what is the point of having things if they bring me no pleasure and are never used?

I have a recipe to share with you today, an easy one! Best friend Brea came up for Babygirl's baptism this past weekend (yes, Mummy got teary), and she said this is one of her family's favorites, perfect for a cold winter day! We told Left-brain it was chili, because he doesn't eat soup. He ate two bowls.

Southwestern Soup
1 can Rotel tomatoes (or diced tomatoes with chilis)
1 can regular diced tomatoes.
(Note on these: Brea used small cans, she said the recipe calls for two cans of Ro-tel, but she substituted regular tomatoes for the second can. I will check definite sizes when I go to Safeway next, but they were smaller. If you want bigger cans and can find them, use them, or if you want spicy, use two Ro-tels)
1 regular can tomato paste
1 can chili beans
1 can black beans
1 can shoepeg corn (you can probably substitute if your store doesn't have, we don't tattle in Crazyville)
1 pack mild taco seasoning (you can always add heat, but you can not replace a burned tongue)
1 pack dry ranch dressing mix
2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, diced (if you have a food processor attachment for the blender, use it. Much easier)
1 bag tortilla chips
1 bag Mexican-style cheese blend
a container of sour cream (optional)


Brown the ground beef in a pan. Saute the onions in a large pot with a little oil til they are somewhat translucent. Drain the ground beef, put it in the pot, add the canned stuff, the taco seasoning, and the ranch dressing, along with a can of water.

Let simmer for a while, until you're hungry. It should look a lot like chili, but it is not.

Serve with the tortilla chips and the cheese.

It made enough for us to eat, and I still froze some for another meal. I love low-effort recipes that make enough for two meals. It's like a little food bank account!