yeah, i'd say she deserves this!

Every time I do a give-away, I can't believe how excited I get right before it's time to choose the winner.  I'm always dying to know who it is!  My heart pounds and my hands get sweaty.  For real.

This time there were 39 entries and I assigned each a number.  Then I went to random number generator dot com and let it do the work of choosing.

The winner this time is a very special young lady who we've known for about ten years.  We met her family during our paper chase for Holly eleven years ago.  We actually traveled together for our next adoptions, in 2005.  She and Lacy became fast friends.  So fast, in fact, that they traveled alone together to China last summer for three weeks to assist a missionary family there.

Alyssa, I'm so excited that you're the winner of my 2013 Christmas give-away!   (I guess you remember winning my first ever Christmas give-away back in 2007.)

For those who don't know the Crosses…Alyssa's parents are in China right now finishing up the adoption process for her two newest sisters, Allie and Adéye.  Alyssa has two older, grown brothers and now eight younger siblings.  Meanwhile, she's playing round up on the six younger siblings while Mom and Dad are away.  I'd be willing to bet she's been a bit….busy!  The Crosses are the only family that I personally know with MORE than ten kids. What a distinction!!

Congrats, Alyssa!  I think I may have to deliver this giveaway personally.  I've been wanting an excuse to come see all those cute kids!

Love,

a christmas cookie plate crumb catcher!

The Christmas give-away this year is finally ready.  Over the course of the past couple days, I completely changed my plan several times.  I won't bore you with the details there.  In the end, I decided to make this Christmas Cookie Plate Crumb Catcher.  Isn't that a cute name?  I keep wanting to call it a Crumb Cruncher, but I think those are the children.  This is a Crumb Catcher.  It sits under your plate of cookies on the counter or table.  It also would make a great candle mat.

The fabric I originally chose for the green squares was about 1/2" shy of being big enough.  That left me in a pickle.  This green matched, but I wasn't sure I wanted to add snowmen into the mix.   Hmmmm.  

Sure!  Why not?  

The pattern for this is a tutorial is on this great blog I found.  Here's the link for my quilting friends it if you'd like to stitch one up for yourself or someone you love!  It doesn't take much fabric and it works up very fast.

To complete the give-away, I'm tossing in a few goodies I picked up at Parson's General Store in Morehead, NC.  I could have gone crazy in that store. 

 Wait.  I did.

I planned the colors of the crumb catcher from this dish towel.  Just loved the bright, cheery stripes.  And there is a green checked dish cloth to go with it.  When the little birdhouse ornament caught my eye, I knew it was coming home with me.  I love the way the roof sparkles with glitter!  And the balsam Yankee candle is one of my favorite scents for the season.  I bought one to give away and one for me to burn at home!

Last, but definitely not least, are these stackable salt and pepper shakers in the shape of a tree and sleigh.  So fun!

Well, there it is folks.  Somebody is going to win all of it tonight.  I'll draw a name when I get home from a gingerbread house decorating party!  

If you haven't said you want in, you'd better hurry! 

Love,