2 big wins for Shall Pal

I feel totally blessed and invigorated this year. It is like the old Shall Pal has awaken, and she is ready to go! First off, we had a company Christmas party at the owner's home. And, man, it was awesome. I came away a winner. We won a $50 Applebee's gift card, which is totally cool and I got a beautiful handmade bag from one of the instructors. But...the big win was my award. Check out this bad boy.

Yeah, that's right. It is a plastic trophy with the title Rookie of the Year on it and my name. Totally hilarious, but truly meaningful. I mean, this is the first year ever they have had this award, and I was told my manners are unparalleled. I feel totally honored.

The next award I totally earned with all of my crazy alterations completed in class was the Alterations Crown.

Yeah, once again, that bad boy is plastic. But, how cool is that? My teacher said I won the Alterations Award for all of the awesome alterations I had completed, and that I had done more than anyone else in class.

You know, it's funny. Over the years, I have won plaques, awards, certificates and monetary gifts for my work. Somehow, this year, winning these two plastic awards meant more to me. (Okay, a monetary award means a lot, and it would still mean a lot, but besides the point.) It just shows how life changes and when you are doing what you love, how much you appreciate what you have.

Oh my goodness, the internet is back

Way too long without internet, but the good part is that I got so many Christmas gifts done. I was churning work out left and right. I mean working all hours of the night. I am really proud of myself for what I got completed. Here are a few pieces I made. More to come later, keeping my fingers crossed the internet is still working.

I made the men in my family these fleece vests. We had an awesome sale on fleece at the store at $1.99 a yard! Great deal, and really nice fleece. I was actually planning on making these months ago before we got the fleece in. Awesome how God works to give me the material needed at the best cost ever.

Here is another vest with the West Virginia basketball logos on them. I think it looks awesome on my dad and  brother! But,...

I am partial, and I think my hubby looks totally cool in his Pirates one. See, Bri came up with the idea of all the different logos. I have to give him credit on those, because they make the vests look completely legit. They look so good, my nephew Bo actually said they look really professional. To be quite honest, that was one of the best compliments I have ever received. I hope our children turn out as well as our nephews.

I made this knitted, drawstring bag for my mommy along with the hairclips made of buttons. She looks adorable, as usual.

I would just like to say that I married the right person. Look how goofy both of us are.

We had an incredibly wonderful Christmas with family and friends. I couldn't be more thankful. Now, I just can't wait to see my mother- and father-in-laws. I hope they can visit soon.

Sew, sew busy

Time is flying by, and the holidays are quickly approaching. I am trying to get as many Christmas gifts done as possible, but I have no idea how many I will get done in time. I am trying to tell myself that even if they don't get done by Christmas, people like getting gifts after the season. It will be like a surprise gift. Ha, whatever works!

Sew many alterations, and sew little time.

For one of my alterations, I needed to lengthen a skirt. Well, my classmate brought this skirt to me to help me get this alteration checked off my school requirements list. But, the skirt had no hem. It was simply serged at the bottom. So, my hubby gave me one of his t-shirts. I cut two strips, sewed them together, and rolled hem each edge before zigzagging it on the bottom. I wanted a nice full, cutesy ruffle. I know my girlfriend will look adorable in it.

This black skirt alteration was not so much fun. It came from a lady that dropped off a basket, whom we kindly refer to as the "basket lady," because every time we go into the basket and pull out an alteration, the basket grows with more work to do. Ha! I redid the invisible zipper, took in the side seams, redid the darts on both the skirt and lining. Finally, I topstitched the twill tape band it had.

Oh, this gem came in too long, and Shall Pal had to shorten it and reruffle the jersey bottom ruffle and zigzag the bad boy back together.

I liked this alteration. I did this for another girlfriend in class who doesn't like puffy, snow white sleeves on her shirts, he he. I took them off, repatterned them, cut and eased them back together. I had to redo the sleeve bands and reenforce the buttonholes. This one really turned out nicely.

And finally,....my Bobbers is loving our Christmas tree. He doesn't even want to leave it to get in his bed or eat, ha!

...and the Christmas sewing continues

I am feverishly working away on so many Christmas gifts. And, I am humbled by working on alterations at school. Whew, I can't wait to be done with both.

Chapman's Christmas tree is all dressed up.

I am totally stoked that our Christmas tree is up. We went and bought it off of a family in a lot very close to our apartment. My bro is here visiting and helped perfect the lighting. We have a small apartment, so it is a Charlie Brown tree. But, I ABSOLUTELY love it and the holidays!!!!

Just joshin' you. This is the beautiful tree located in Winter Park. We went and walked around outside this evening. Yeah, it was 70 degrees here tonight.
Here is our awesome tree.

It's just a little guy, but I am really enjoying it. I just love the holidays.
On an older note, I finally got my pictures to work of the birthday gifts I made my mom in September, he he.
First, here is the pair of golf shorts.

Next is a golf skirt.

She said they fit perfectly. Yeah, I am getting better at sizing.