We found some shatter-resistant ornaments at Michael’s. Phoebe has been pulling them, one at a time, off the tree, chasing them around on the carpet, and rolling with them in the hall. Bertie is hanging out right next to the tree, sniffing it, and occasionally tasting it. She might have a little cold this week, which may be why she is doing more hanging out than chasing.

During the night, I am sure they will be swatting at the decorations. This is Josephine’s first Christmas tree too. She hasn’t been as interested as the kittens, even though she is almost a kitten herself. She will likely join in after dark. We have two fat bungee cords strapped around the table to keep that tree in place. We’ll see if that works!

In addition to helping me decorate the tree, Bertie helped my mom address cards this year. There is still baking to do. Bertie probably won’t be so interested in that part, but she does like to try to swipe people food, no surprise since Phoebe and Bertie came from a restaurant.

We did all our errands so we can stick close to home this weekend, and avoid all the last-minute shoppers. I will probably do some sewing, watch movies, and relax. This Hug Me Toad is one of the many art toys I made and sent out to new homes for the holidays. It is fun to think of my toys surprising people and making them smile. I hope you all have a very happy week!

I sewed up bugs with polka dots, flowers, and even pink camouflage.

Some of these are over in my Etsy toy shop.

Others are waiting under trees for Christmas morning, or maybe they’ve been discovered and unwrapped early. I made a pink fleece Hug Me Kitten too. She’s also a gift for someone this weekend.

I had some nice gifts of my own this week. My mom made me this beautiful cheesecake for my birthday.

We ate it with strawberries on top, after having Chinese food.

I received some fancy cookies, and this super box of 100% cotton Mettler thread. There is plenty of room for even more colors. It came with a nice selection, but I will add some more too.

A few purples, light blue, and bright light green, and I think I will have a color for just about any fabric.

Hancock Fabrics had a big sale on fleece this week, and so we went to look. I couldn’t resist getting some, even though I have lots of fleece. I wanted to add to my bright colors.

I prewashed all of it, and put it out to dry on the porch.

We had sleepy, gray weather this week, perfect for napping, and for sitting on the bed, doing my hand sewing. I was beaten to my favorite spot by cats. I kept trying to fit in around them.

I’ve made toys for as long as I can remember, but I wasn’t so sure of myself when I started making them for other people to collect. I can remember saying I didn’t know how to be sure something was cute, because I thought that everyone else’s taste would be different from my own, but I have been pleasantly surprised to find that my innocent, smiling creatures have appealed to so many.

I am, right now, tripping over fleece and boxes at every turn, trying to prepare for the holidays. I am still taking some custom orders, and will continue to until I think I can’t keep up. I will see how that goes. I can never predict. I’m starting to feel a little swamped right now, and the first two weeks of December tend to get booked up suddenly. I have more ready-made toys waiting to be detailed too.