As a little girl, I’d watch my mom sew for hours at her machine making new clothes, dolls and quilts for our home. Often, it was new matching dresses for my sister and me to wear for an upcoming holiday that would allow family members to comment at “how cute” we looked in our matching attire. Mom careful picked out the perfect pattern for every dress she made and then measured each of us to make sure she’d get just the right amount of fabric. We’d gather at the kitchen counter and watch her cut out the pieces, and then became models as she’d fit us throughout the process making sure each step was just right.

One Easter, I remember mom using peach-colored fabric for our new dresses. The dresses came right below our knees and were edged with white eyelet around the wrists and neck. A pretty sash at the waist completed the look as we twirled in our new dresses, showing them off for everyone who glanced in our direction.

Mom’s handy sewing skills came from her mother, who taught her at a young age the importance of learning to sew. Combine that with my other grandma’s sewing skills and I was destined to become a sewer for life.

I learned at a young age how to sew a button and stitch a hem. As I grew older, my projects got more advanced, starting with a pillow, then a shirt and finally my own dresses. By the time I was about 13, I started quilting and first making traditional block quilts out of leftover fabric from other sewing projects. As I got more confident I tackled my first big quilt – a Double Irish Chain, following the book Irish Chain in a Day. It was a twin-sized quilt in pastel pink and aqua tones – the color of my room at the time. I was so excited about that quilt that I entered it in the county fair that summer through my 4-H club and earned a grand champion ribbon. I earned another grand champion ribbon for a pillow that I sewed. That first quilt encouraged me to make others throughout the years with some large enough to cover a bed, but most perfect for wall hangings and table runners.

A favorite columnist of mine who writes for the local newspaper wrote a column last November entitled “The quilter who dies with the most fabric wins.” I had to chuckle reading her words, because every quilter I know has their own stash of fabric leftover from projects. In my recent quilting project, I looked through the dresser now houses all of my own stash and I couldn’t help but remember each project that brought that piece of fabric into my collection. There are pieces from the quilt I made my nephew, the patriotic wall hanging for my mother and the bright shining star that graces a table runner for my in-laws.

My in-laws were here to visit this holiday season and like to settle in like they’re at home, which is the way we like it since we only see them a couple of times a year. The first evening they got here I heard my father-in-law say, “I tried to put some clothes in the dresser we usually use, but it’s full of fabric.” All I could do was laugh and defend the importance of my stash as a key to the memories from the projects I’ve made.

I’ve already started coming up with new sewing projects that involve fabric from my stash. Now I just have to pull out the machine and grab some thread.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

A new year feels like a clean slate, much like the feeling when you clear an Etch-a-Sketch and the screen is a blank canvas waiting for your next creation. It’s a time when people can start fresh and embark on new adventures in the lives. Some set resolutions (which have never worked for me!), while others look toward a new year to gain perspective on life.

2011 was an exciting year for me, with a new job that has offered endless incredible opportunities. I know 2012 will only get better as my goals will allow me to grow further and take on fun, new challenges. The hubby also had an exciting 2011, as he transitioned into a new industry and continues on his path through school. I’m excited for what the future will present to both of us.

At home, I’ve been able to reclaim my free time, and get back to the things I love to do. And 2012 will be no different, with a multitude of projects awaiting me, including painting the trim throughout the house, finishing a cross-stitch I started so long ago, getting to those photo albums and planting an even larger garden! (Shhhh, don’t tell the hubby! He already thinks I grew way too much zucchini.) Of course there will be many other projects that make their way across my to-do list in the coming year, but I’ll ready to tackle each one with energy and contentment. What does your to-do list hold for 2012?

Cheers to a new year!

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

There is nothing more magical to me during the Christmas season then to look at twinkling lights that shine brightly. I can spend hours driving throughout neighborhoods taking in the brilliant light displays. So in keeping with our annual tradition (that we only started last year!), we attended the Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Lights the night after Christmas. To tell you that this light display is something you must see is an understatement! I tell all my friends that it’s a holiday tradition that must be experienced. (Even my friend Melanie would agree!)

The Blossoms of Lights run nightly from December 2 through January 1, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the York Street location in Denver. They also have Trails of Lights at the Chatfield location. This urban winter wonderland is a feast for the eyes. Bundled up in layers of clothing, scarves and mittens, we wandered through the Botanic Gardens taking in the multitude of colors that shine from the trees, plants and sculptures. And with this year’s Christmas-time snow, the glow of the lights from under the blanket of snow was just breathtaking.

To keep you toasty, grab a cup of hot cocoa or cider to warm your inner soul. And for me, the experience isn’t quite complete without hot roasted almonds that fill the air with a cinnamon aroma. Enjoy!

The Ritters

Ice Carving

Japanese Gardens

After the Blossoms of Light, we drove by the Denver City & County Building on the way home. What a magical feast for the eyes!

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

One of my favorite Christmas treasures growing up were the angel chimes that filled the room with tinkling sounds from the tiny bells. I was mesmerized by the chimes as the heat from the candles made the angels twirl in circles blowing their trumpets, ringing the bells with each pass.

The angel chimes became a centerpiece for the holiday season, as I helped my mother set them up each Christmas. But it wasn’t until later in my life that I learned the angel chimes carried a rich family history.

According to my mother, my great-grandmother Myrtle Agnes (Gessner) Wolters sold these chimes to earn money. In fact, the set my mother owns is one my great-grandmother sold in the early 1900s. And even though they’re a little worn and have trouble standing upright (Mom says a little putty sometimes help!), these angel chimes are still a part of our holiday scene.

Angel chimes have a pretty unique history, growing in popularity throughout Europe before coming to North America. According to Wikipedia, the pre-World War II German-made chimes were made of tin and featured lithography. The original chimes were patent in Germany in 1905, but were discontinued in the late 1930s.

After the war, Swedish chimes made of brass became more popular. According to Angelchimes.com (which has all kinds of information about the chimes), Swedish production started in 1948 in Gefle, Sweden. For more than 60 years, Anderson & Boberg produced these tiny chimes until Asian markets started manufacturing smaller sets for a fraction of the price, pushing Anderson & Boberg to close. In 2010, a Turkish metal firm bought the Swedish factory equipment and trademark and resumed production of the angel chimes.

Today, you can still find angel chimes to purchase in the store, or online at AngelChimes.com. Years ago, my mother purchased me a set, which has now become a favorite among my Christmas treasures to share with future generations. There is just something magical about the tinkling sounds of those tiny bells that make you think of Christmas.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

When I set out to find an idea for this year’s ornament (read my journey), I came across several that made me giggle with delight! And while I won’t reveal any of them (because you’ll see them in future years!), I was completely charmed when my husband discovered this year’s ornament idea.

I subscribe to the Lowe’s Creative Ideas magazine – a free publication that comes every few months. With each arrival, I sit down and read it cover to cover, taking in the creative ideas I might be able to try in my own home.

You can only imagine my excitement when the Holiday 2011 magazine came a few months back. My husband had gotten the mail that day and when I got home from work that evening, he had already opened the page to the tiny tree ornament. “I think you should make this ornament this year,” he said with excitement. (I think he’s grown just as excited every year to see what creation I’ll come up with!)

This fun little tree is made from wood joining biscuits used in wood working projects. (However, my local Lowes store didn’t have the small ones. I found them at Home Depot.) I had so much fun making the ornaments this year because they were something different and so unique.

Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas! May your trees be decorated with all kinds of fun creations this year!

Day 14: 2011 Christmas Tree

Materials:

• Wood joining biscuit
• Wooden dowels
• Screw eyes
• Orange peel texture (spray can)
• Hot glue
• Twine
• Ribbon of your choice
• Tagboard

Instructions: From the tagboard, cut a 4.5-inch circle and cut in half. Make a cone from each piece and glue the edges together, leaving a small hole at the top. For the branches, glue biscuits to the one, working from the base up and overlapping. The first row along the bottom should hang off the end of the cone about half way. The top two layers should overlap slightly. Paint the tree. Spray the texture on the biscuits for snow. Cut the dowel to hang out slightly from the bottom. Attach a screw eye to the top of the dowel pin for the trunk. Thread the twine for the hanger. I glued the dowel into the top of the cone to hold it in place. Add a ribbon bow.

Be Sociable, Share!

•