Last Saturday the peeps got together for our annual Christmas party. We decided to do it after all the holiday busy-ness was over. This year we had an extra special reason for getting together when we did because our peep, Patti had a Big-O birthday this year and we wanted to make it extra special for her.
As I've done in the past, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves and chime in with comments. Go grab a cuppa. There's lots to look at here. The peep gifts are in no particular order and I'll sprinkle in birthday gifts I received too.
First up, this is what I made for all the peeps and for myself. Yes, I sewed eight of these! It's a cell phone charger holder. I saw this on Pinterest and I'm happy to report it was not a Pinterest fail as many things found on Pinterest are. LOL! If you'd like to make one, you can go to
this site and find the tutorial. It was really fun!
We are all going away together soon so I thought they might come in handy in the hotel. It's a neat way to keep your phone off the floor and counter top. I also included a Command Hook to use with it when they are at home. I don't think it would be a good idea to use this without a hook for daily use. Let's get on with the peep gifts!
This one was from Anna Mae. She had taped the gift card to the back of the little sign. We were all laughing at each other because as we were each reading our signs, we could see the gift card on the back of the other person's sign. Guess you had to be there.
A little bit about the gift card, it is to a
local chili parlor that we are all super fond of. Every time we get together for a guild meeting we usually end up at Skyline for lunch. I go there at least once a week. I love that place!
Some of the peeps brought my birthday presents too since they hadn't seen me since my birthday. This was Anna Mae's birthday gift to me. I absolutely adore this bag! It has everything I love...it's a bag, it has sewing stuff on it and it's lined in red polka dots! She said she found it at a new local boutique that features local artisans. Another thing I love, shopping small and local. All good things!
This one is from Christie. The towel is a birthday present and the pottery dish, note pad and pen are Christmas. Christie knows my love of bees! She picked up the dish when she and her DH were in Tennessee! So pretty! I have the perfect place to display the towel in my kitchen too.
This beautiful box and goodies are from Evie. Evie told us this was her "plan B" gift since the ornaments she stitched for us had a finishing mishap. Haven't we all had one of those?! Even so, I love all the little goodies that came in the box. The little round thing is an ORT dish. There was more chocolate but I ate some of them. LOL!
Here's a close up of the cute little red "monster." Evie took a trip to Japan for a family event and brought us all back one of these little cuties. She had a Japanese word for them but I forget what it was. I do remember that since mine is smiling that it's female and is supposed to be welcoming. Of course, those bees!!! I'm sure I'll find something to make with that fat quarter. Love!
Our friend Linda, who hosted us, stitched this one nine times! Can you believe?! She included a stand so we can sit these out and not put them away with the ornaments. The little stocking was our table favor and the bulb is our annual ORT receiver for the year. I'll show you some of Linda's sampler walls in a bit. Her house was decorated so lovely for the holidays.
These are from Marsha. She gave me the fabric bag as a birthday gift. She stitched one of these for all of us for our birthdays last year...yep, seven of them! She picked all bee fabric for me as she and I share a love of bees! I'm already using mine to hold my latest knitting project. More on that later.
The project bag, handmade needle minders and needle tubes were my Christmas presents. Marsha too had plans for stitched ornaments for all of us but had a death in the family right before the holiday and just wasn't feelin' it. No worries, I love everything and I'll make good use of it too.
This was from Meem. It's a tiny vase that can be suction cupped to a window. I plan to use mine to hold violas from the yard.
This is what Meem gave me for my birthday. She got it at the same boutique Anna Mae found my bag. The center of the necklace was colored by a young woman with Down's. Meem used to be a special ed teacher so she has a soft spot. I think it's really pretty.
Meem also knows I like to put tobasco sauce on my Skyline and thought I'd like the chocolate. Oh yeah!
Finally, this was from Patti. She said the chicken was a funny afterthought. They were cleaning out closets at her job and ran across a whole bunch of them. Rather than throw them out she rescued them for us peeps. Too funny! I love all the goodies she put in our bags. The markers, postcards to color, tissues and cute container. The best part was the strawberry!
Here's a closer look at the strawberry. Each of ours was different. She said she would have gotten bored stitching them all the same. They were finished by the fabulous, Faye of
Carolina Stitcher. She said she asked Faye not to put them on her blog because she knew several of us visit Faye. I guess now it's safe since we all have ours now. LOL! That brings me to the end of the gifts.
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Before I go, I want to share some pictures of Linda's sampler walls. She's been stitching a really long time and has lots of beautiful things to show for it. I asked her if she minded if I shared with you and she said it was okay. Enjoy!
Here's the kitchen where we exchanged our gifts after our meal. You can see the little stockings at each place setting. That long one near the door is "And They Sinned." Our peep, Patti started this one on the first!
This is the fireplace in the living room. I love these two Quakers. Christmas is Linda's holiday and she goes all out with the decorations! Every nook and cranny is decorated. I never tire of looking at all the wonderful things she has displayed.
This is the main sampler wall in the living room and one of the four trees she has in the house. Someday, I want to have a sampler wall. Love! Thank you for hosting us, Girlie! It was a great day!
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I am so fortunate to have such generous and lovely peeps as friends.
I don't know what I'd do without these women! We have become such a
tight group and we all know we are just a text, email or phone call away
if any one of us needs anything. And lately, we've all needed support in one way or another. I like to call it "friend therapy."
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Since this post has gotten lengthy, I think I'll save my latest sewing and knitting projects for the next post. Needless to say, my creativity has returned in a big way and I'm really enjoying myself. I also received some birthday gifts from blog friends. I'll share those next time too.
I hope you all enjoyed coming along with me on this recap of a wonderful day spent with my peeps. Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I hope you are all well and enjoying this new year.
More next time,
The Inspired Stitcher
