Christmas is around the Corner, and the Excitement is Already Here!

It didn't take me long to get into the Holiday spirit this year! Every day I've been trying to do a little decorating here, and a little decorating there. Hopefully by Sunday afternoon everything will be done, including my lights outside. So far I've taken down all my autumn things outside (except for the flag which I will do today) put up some garland around the outside of the house and winding up the inside staircase- I need to buy more bows though because last year mine became too weathered and found their way into the garbage. Tableclothes have been changed on all tables, and my dolls (I collect vinyl and porcelain dolls for those who didn't know) have gotten their outfits changed into their Christmas clothes. I also changed the living room around to make room for the Christmas tree, and place my stained glass lamp that Bob gave me for an early Christmas present into the corner where it can be safe (it was elsewhere, and the dogs broke a few panes and the top metal part when they were rough housing; Bob was able to fix it for me, after we took to a stained glass shop and they told us it would cost over 50 dollars to fix.) I was elated that Bob could fix it because I cried when it got broken, especially since Bob warned me not to put it where I did because it might get broken. I wanted to make sure it stayed safe this time. I don't have many new beautiful things, most of my things are either from yard sales, or major clearance so it was devastating when after less than a month of receiving it, it was broken, but no use crying over broken lamps, it is back to shining again! Yesterday I started making Samuel's stocking. I decided to make a quilted stocking for him. I used no pattern, just my imagination and it turned out fairly well (not as good as I hoped, because I goofed up, but better than it could have because of my goof!) I wanted to put good sides in when I stitched around the outside, so I could turn it inside out and it would be beautifully finished, but I accidentally put the good sides out- big goof! I ended up sewing around the edges again with a decorative zigzag stitch and trimming up the edges so that it looks countryish. I still have to put jingle bells on the toe, and around the top (I made it like an elf stocking) some rickrack, Samuel's name, and a tiny snowman on top by his name (both Samantha and Wayne have snowmen on their stockings, so I wanted to incorporate a snowman on Samuel's, but seeing as I used scrap fabric I had around the house that didn't have snowmen on it, a tiny snowman on the top corner will have to do the trick) Tonight we may be going to get a Christmas tree, depending on what time Bob gets out of work, if not I wanted to paint 2 more nightlights for my Christmas craft show tomorrow. Hopefully I will do better this time!