Happy Birthday to me.

Today I am given the best gift of all and that is the gift of friendship.  We have bells and whistles these days ringing off our smart phones and IPads.  I think the eye lids first popped open with one of these whistles about three a.m.!  Facebook is just amazing.  I have had friends and family non-stop all day wishing me a Happy Birthday.  My neighbor even stopped in with a 9x10 inch sheet cake!  An Italian, Chocolate, ricotta delight! Oh my, it tastes so good.  How do I even begin to share my appreciation?  Facebook is a gift of time for me.  My high school buds have entered my life once again.  We are sharing and making memories that in the past have and will continue to bind a life time. Relatives that tell me my genetics and cultural history have true meaning.  I just want to say I appreciate each and every one of you in my life.  Each and every whistle brings a smile to my face and I just want to reach out and hug you all.  I know there is a Facebook cheat sheet to tell you when. But,  you did not have to take the time to say hello and you did.  Thank you all(each and every one of you) for making my day a truly special day.

Elf Slippers

Busy, busy, busy!  So much to do and not enough time.  You always begin these projects too late.  The Advent calendar needed to be done by the first of December so that is what I worked on along with preparations for the turkey.  Little dresses, scarfs and elf slippers came next.   This post is the elf slipper tutorial for those of you asking how these are done.  A quick and easy project and fun to do. When completed the little toes are wrapped in a blanket warm and cozy!

Use this  photo to begin with a pattern.  This size fits my grand-daughter(Age2)loosely.  The sole on the grid is 8 inches and the foot is about 9.5 inches. This size should fit most children age 2-5.  I tried them on the older girls that are age 61/2 and they were a little snug.  For the older girls I just increased the sole and the elf slipper foot by 1/2 inch. After cutting out the pattern made from a sheet of paper the fun begins.

Using green fleece you use the pattern to cut four foot pieces and two sole pieces per foot.  That's right 8 foot pieces and 4 foot pieces yield two slippers.  One for each foot!  If you fold your fleece you can cut two at a time to save energy and time.  Sounds like a lot, no?  The reason you need so many is they are lined.  I found some cotton batting left over from some quilts made in the past and sandwiched the batting between the sole and foot pieces of fleece.  You need a total of two fleece foot pieces and one sole piece for each foot.

The 6year old girls are twins and they have a strong need of ownership.  So, I used a machine embroidered motif.  Each ribbon a different color to identify whose is whose!

Sew the sandwiched sections together(right sides together) about 1/8 of an inch to enclose the cotton batting. Now sew(1/4 inch) the two sections of the foot together at the heel and along the top down to where the sole will be attached.  The above photo is a caution reminder on where to stop.  You want the sole of the foot to fit nicely around. Attach the sole to the foot bed right sides together.  Trim the pointy part of the toe and turn right side out.  I use a crochet hook to yield a real nice tip.  Last but not least attach the bell so you can hear those little feet having fun playing elves!

Oma's Elf Slippers!

This is my first post with google blogger.  It is Black Friday 2011.  A good day to sit and post as I would not want to be in a mall, on a street or in a car on this day.  I am older and I am wiser. No, certainly not a day to shop for me. It is also a good day to sit and rest after a week of cleaning, shopping and cooking.  Not to mention the clean up after a Turkey meal!  After digesting and absorbing my thoughts along with the food,  I am now ready to share.  At the beginning of the holiday I ponder on where is today's version on proper etiquette for invitations, napkins and traditions. This holiday is the same but different from years gone by.  The dining room is the size it has always been so why does it feel smaller?  The family has grown in size and we have lived a fortunate life.  Much to be thankful for.  Like so many others in our country all family members do not live local.  The comfort and cost of travel can be discouraging.  We are thankful when family can make it home and we have the occasion to share the meal.  We are greatful to share in all that is relative to our days.  The eye opening experience yesterday, the opportunity to see our newest grand-daughter in the womb of her mom on big screen TV!  Wow, new technologies never cease to amaze!  Tucked close to the heart is the sound of grand-childrens prayers and family members embracing and sharing.  Yes, these warm and close moments are what make all the work worth it.  No worries on etiquette here, just a simple family enjoying simple pleasures thankful to have the holiday of Thanksgiving!    
                                                       
                                                                                                                 Roberta