Guest Tablecloth Update

It’s been almost three years since the first embroidered name was added to my grandmother’s tablecloth-turned-guestbook.

But I pulled it out again last weekend when we had some neighbors over for coffee on Sunday afternoon.

And I’ve been embroidering the new names in spare moments throughout the week (e.g. while waiting in the preschool pickup line or watching Buck on netflix).

After all, I want it done and washed and ready for Thanksgiving when my family will all be here again. I wonder how much bigger those little hands have gotten.

Some people leave simple marks.

Some get more ornate.

And some add messages along with their name. (Oh, how I was tempted to use Viking purple on this Packers fan’s note!)

Those who come back after their first visit have options. They can sign again elsewhere.

Or they can add something to their original spot. (Note the three different colors?)

Or I can add something to their original spot for them. Either whatever strikes my fancy…

…or something that aligns with their interests.

Once I’m done with the names, using the same color floss, I also add a little note somewhere along the border, recording the date and event.

Hmm, looking at the photo above, I notice two things:

1. We sure eat raclette a lot when we have friends over. (Makes for an easy peasy dinner party when you don’t have to worry about cooking the food before the guests arrive.)
2. I need to get better about remembering to pull this out! There are so many times I forgot! Including two other times this week alone!

So if you ever come over to my house for a meal, and you don’t see this on the table under all the dishes, REMIND ME TO GO GET IT! : )

Wee Felt Friends

There was one more little piece of the Christmas gift for K & S each. What’s a pocket without something to go in it?

I got the idea after a friend sent me a link to a really cute fabric Memory Game.  And when I saw the blog’s header, how could I not click and see what other fabulous things it—Chez Beeper Bebe—had?

Beautiful stuff! Like these spelling bean bags (tutorial included) and these adorable little matchbox monsters…

 
 

…which inspired to me to make some little flower-tummied alien sisters.

I didn’t have any matchboxes handy, but figured they’d tuck nicely into the skirt pockets, along with a little note telling a bit about them.

Working on these reminded me of the felt Christmas ornaments I’d unearthed and finally finished last year. And reminded me how much I do love to sew up and embroider little stuff. Now I want to make a little spaceship for the alien sisters!

But I think sleep will have to take precedence. And unpacking my Thanksgiving trip suitcase that’s been on my sofa since Sunday. And pretty much all the rest of that thing called “my life” that’s quite full right now. Too bad.

Bird Embroidery: Done!

Thanks in part to my new Project Plan, my gift idea for a friend’s birthday was actually finished on time!

Oh, wait, would you rather see the front side? : )

I’ve loved this quote since I first read it:

A friend knows the song in my heart
and sings it to me when my memory fails.

And it reminds me of my friend Mo. So, she’s the orange and aqua bird.

I’m the red one.

And she “sings” into my life each day. Happy Birthday, Mo!