or the Ninja Chrismas decorators.

Look ma, no brains! We are decorating the house just the way you like it.

Who needs a ladder?  Behold the benefits of working out.

Not only can you hang by one arm while stringing the lights but you can scale the post too.

Or you can be like Brett and just stay on terra firma and watch your friend risk his neck.

I put on my Santa suit this morning and hit the workshop early.  (Yesterday I gave the elves the day off since it was my husband’s birthday!) But today it is back to the salt mines, nose to the grindstone and all that.

The project that I just finished was the nightgown.

This is the model that I had to work from.

And, except for the fabric, I think it is a pretty darn good match (if I do say so). 

I even attempted to duplicate the hairbow.  Now it is back to the sewing machine.  The other outfits are all in states of semi-completion. (I try to do similar things all at the same time especially when they call for the machine being threaded with the same color)

I was hired to play Santa and make some dresses for an American Girl doll.  This kind of thing plays right into my delight in little kids and the fact that I love Christmas.

The doll was the character Kitt and I chose to duplicate two of her dresses, one jumper and blouse, her nightgown and her coat.  Armed with only the pictures downloaded from the AG website I set to work pawing through my fabrics, trims and embellishments to find just the right things. 

This is my version of the above dress.   The fabric I used is an actual 1930 reproduction that I had in my stash.  Rather than fuss with the embroidery on the collar and drive up the cost of the whole garment I sewed a button shaped like cherries on it that duplicated the cherry print on the dress.

The barrette in the hair is just some leftover red ribbon folded to cover the hair clip and covered with a manufactured bow.  The belt is made with some leftover webbing and a couple of d-rings.

Not too bad for not wanting to spend and drive up the costs.  I think Santa and I are good collaborators.  Now onto the rest of the collection.

Outside my window…it is still dark, not even the sun has risen yet.  The weathermen are calling for a warmish day (warmish for December) in the mid 50′s with sun.  Sounds like a good day to do all my laundry from being away.

I am thinking…about babies and head wounds. Layn has a big bruise right between the eyes from falling against the bench in the kitchen and he, just now, avoided getting the top of his head gouged by the organ by a matter of millimeters.

I am thankful for….my family. My daughter, son and Melissa who steamed cleaned the carpet while I was gone. Matthew who taught me a lesson even as I was arriving home by running my car off the road (he’s fine but my car has a new dent to show for it). My wonderful husband who lives and loves unruffled and unshaken but the happenings in our lives.

From the kitchen…I foresee a pot of chicken noodle soup in the very near future.

I am wearing…sweats and a tee shirt.

I am creating…creating had been suspended last week but now I must get back to it in earnest. 

I am going….to take hubby to work, get some groceries and take my car to the mechanic to have two of the tires taken off the rims, cleaned up and resealed.  Since Matthew’s accident I have developed a slow leak and I suspect that he damaged the seals on that side.

I am reading….Plato’s Republic

I am hoping…for changes, small but significant changes.

I am hearing…MK and Melissa chatting in the kitchen, Layn talking to himself and playing with the dog, and someone’s eggs popping on the stove.

Around the house…it is home! There is comfort, familiarity, and love.

One of my favorite things…watching Layn dragging his “blankie” around with him everywhere he goes.

A few plans for the rest of the week….shopping, fixing, sewing, laundry, praying, cooking, and simply being the wife and mother that I was created to be.

Here is a picture thought that I am sharing with you…

My niece Catherine, Ryan, my niece Abby, and Adam.  This was taken at the reception that was given after my father’s funeral.  Dad would be pleased and proud to have been there and to witness the next generation.