Snippets of Thanksgiving Week

Wow, it's hard to believe Thanksgiving is over!!

Our family gathered for some enjoyable down time and lots of good food!!

My sister-in-law, Dee, arrived on Tuesday from Minneapolis.  We did some Christmas shopping and took time to enjoy a hot dog - a must do in Chicago!

We had a great lunch at Franks 'N' Dawgs in Lincoln Park.

They make many of their dawgs in house 

and have a great selection of unusual combinations.

A great choice!!  

Plus it is right across the street from the Crate and Barrel Outlet.

A birthday celebration for Dee with Alison and Natalie joining us

at Ruxbin!  Sites of the wall decor!

The waiter knew Alison from her many previous visits

and we topped off our delicious meal with 

two complimentary desserts!

Toasted butternut squash ravioli to start out Turkey Day!

Fresh turkey on the Weber grill 

along with the traditional dish - Broccoli and Rice!!

Caramel Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Gelato!!

Time for a nap - what a stretch for Webster!

And a shooting adventure to Wheatfield on Saturday for Dennis and Alison.

Lots of fun with family!

Hope you had a great thanksgiving, too!!

Are You on My Gift List???

Since I enjoy sewing so much - 

and I have so much fabric in my house - 

I decided to do some sewing for Christmas gifts this year.

I found an updated pattern of and "old bag" 

and this is what I came up with.

First up is a red/aqua fabric group from Michael Miller Fabrics.

The lining is the same as the outside polka dot pocket.

The wide stripe works well for the ruffle.

This bag features fabric designed by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics.

There is a small swatch pinned to the upper right side and this is the lining.

I tried to sew different combinations/fabrics and this is home dec weight.

These are Laura Gunn's latest fabrics designed for Michael Miller Fabrics.

All of the fabrics are quilting weight so I added a woven interfacing to the lining.

The lining fabric is pinned to the left side of the bag.

I am wondering if my daughter, Natalie, might like this one!

OK, I think this one will be a favorite of my daughter, Alison.

This bag features Amy Butler Corduroy (Rowan Fabrics) for the outer bag

and quilting cottons for the ruffle and lining.

The lining swatch is pinned to the upper right of the bag.

I love the large prints and this is a favorite home dec weight

designed by Anna Maria Horner for Free Spirit Fabrics.

The lining fabric is the same as the ruffle - also by Anna Maria -

quilting cotton weight - a close second for Natalie.

And last, but not least, is this bag made with a laminate outer fabric 

designed by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics.

The swatch is hanging to the right and is delightfully fun!

Maybe my hairdresser, Amber, would like this one!

The laminate is really easy to sew on.

My sister-in-law, Dee, is coming for Thanksgiving 

and I am hoping she will find one she likes for her birthday on Wednesday.

Yes, it is fun to put the fabrics together, especially since all of them are from my quilt shop or fabric leftovers from samples I have sewn in the last few years.

Do you want to be on my gift list???  I am working on more projects,

Stay tuned!!