Answer to What Was In The Box

If you read my previous post " What's In The Box"  you might be curious to know the answer.
First a little background. My wonderful husband is an avid fisherman. He's what I affectionately call a" blade of grass fisherman" ( I should probably trademark that term). He will get himself into all kinds of positions, balance on one foot on the top of a rock, climb down the rocky side of a cliff, stand on a blade of grass outstretched over the river,etc. all to get to the perfect fishing hole. Fishing does not slow down for my husband when the temperature drops below zero, that's actually just another opportunity to go fishing. He will drive to the frozen lake in a blizzard, drag his gear to the perfect spot, drill a hole and he is a happy fella. This year to make it easier to haul all of his gear I bought him ,drum roll please,.......... An ice fishing sled!  Taa Daaa, that's right I packed it in a big box wrapped with gold paper and tied with a bow. He was so thrilled with his surprise. Sorry no photos of him allowed, he reused to let me post the photos of him in his Christmas morning attire and with his wild and woolly hair, giggle.

I loved your guesses and the emails you sent. Thank you for always participating in my blog, it really does make me smile.

I hope you all received something special and maybe a surprise or two under your tree this year.

And The Winner Is

Thank you for participating in my Pretty Things Giveaway.
I hope you will always continue to visit my blog.
I enjoy your comments and your friendship so much.
I look forward to providing another giveaway for you in the future.
Please join me in congratulating the winner.

The random number generator was used to determine the winner.

Drum roll please...Congratulations to # 49 the fab blogger at

 the Red Head Riter.com

If you liked the prizes in this giveaway you can still own one of these lovely pieces by visiting my shop at etsy shop Polka Dots

I will have another giveaway when followers reach 1500. Please invite your friends to join us and follow along.

P.S. on an unrelated note...I just added google follow to my main website GO ASK KATIE  please stop by and help to get me started. wink, wink, nudge nudge...giggle, please

That Festive Feeling.

Everyone who reads my blog knows I've got the Christmas spirit....(Don't tell, but I try and have it all year long)

That glorious festive feeling that sends tingles from your head to your toes.
I'm spreading it like a virus to everyone I know.
I give it to family, to friends, to bloggers galore.
To strangers, to store greeters and I'll give even more.
I spread the Christmas spirit to everyone I meet.
I want them to feel it from their head to their feet.
The glorious love that abounds from within as I celebrate Christmas with you and my kin.

A little cheesy I know but I started and couldn't stop, giggle.

Merry Christmas from my home to yours.

                    See that package on the right. Stop by on Sunday for my next post.

Our living room is mostly cream and gold this year, not too many decorations. 

But enough to make it look like Christmas time.

 My Favorite angel comes out every year to rest in front of the fireplace

 The Dining room and family room are decorated mostly for our grandchildren.

Except for this handsome reindeer who rests on our dining table

Mr and Mrs Clause stand guard at the back door

Snow people are on display in the family room, up high and down low.

 There's even Mr Clause in our bathroom downstairs.

He'll cover his eyes when someone's in there.Wow, I'm rhyming a lot in this blog.

 There's more but you get the idea. We even have one of those rocking and singing reindeer. 

hee,hee....more rhyming

Cyber Monday Celebration

I'm on board for any shopping you do while wearing your favorite fuzzy slippers and sitting in a comfy chair. No makeup, hair in a ponytail and  fuzzy slippers on my feet I happily search the internet for the gifts on my list. Grinning from ear to ear knowing I'm not driving the car to the crowded mall on icy roads, or waiting with my blinker on in the parking lot for a parking spot makes me positively giddy. Hey, there's always that one car that sneaks in before I get to it anyway.

I find some amazing deals on the internet. Although my presents are always given with love, the cost is always a consideration and keeping my sanity in check is eased by shopping from the comfort of home.

I know I can't buy everything on the internet. But, lets face it, I rely on the cyber shopper to make a living. So I'm a happy supporter. Think of me on the corner holding one of those huge signs that says shop on the internet , visit Katherine's shops! My online shops Gifts By Katherine, Be Well Gifts,Blue Iris Gifts,shop Polka Dots and my Avon website are my full time job these days. So I say, shop, shop, shop! Find the deals, relax in your favorite chair, and spend your money wisely.

By the way if you shop at my online shops I always provide excellent customer service, and undying gratitude.






P.S.starting next week my blogs will focus on the upcoming holidays, recipes, crafts and more with the holiday theme.

Wordless Wednesday Pretty In Pearls

GiftsByKatherine

The Big Five Ohhh

That's right the big five oh (50)! Today is the day. AARP was on the ball and sent me my enrollment paperwork and temporary card on Saturday. Just in time for my birthday today. I read recently that I am in mid-life. Which sounds great to me. Mid does mean middle, which means half way. So, logically that means I can look forward to the big 100 in another fifty years, giggle.
I invite you to join me in my birthday celebration. I am offering a 10% discount on any purchase from any of my online shops all week ( ends Sunday at midnight. Just be sure to write "50" in the comment section at checkout. So come on along, get your holiday shopping started, and enjoy a birthday gift from me to you!

Gifts By Katherine

Blog Buttons and More

Blue Iris Gifts

shop Polka Dots

Be Well Gifts

Quilted Coasters A Sewing Project

I've been trying to come up with something fun for a hostess gift. I thought this was a nice idea. Everyone can use coasters!
What You Need
4 1/2-by-10-inch piece of fabric for each coaster
Cotton batting
Cotton thread to match or compliment your fabric
Sewing machine with a walking foot



Before You Start:  Wash, dry, and press the fabric.

Lets Make Them! Cut fabric: Cut one 4 1/2-by-10-inch piece of fabric for each coaster. (If you're making coasters from 1/4 yard of fabric, cut two 4 1/2-inch-deep strips from selvage to selvage, trim the selvages, and then cut each strip into four 10-inch lengths) Use 1/4-inch seam allowance throughout, unless otherwise noted.
Cut batting: Cut one 4-inch square of batting for each coaster.
Assemble coaster: Fold the fabric in half, right sides together, to form a 4 1/2-by-5-inch rectangle. Sew the two 5-inch sides closed so that only one side of the rectangle remains open. Trim the corners, and turn the fabric right side out. Tuck the batting smoothly inside the fabric. Fold the coaster's open edges to the inside, covering the batting with one fabric edge, and finger-press the folded edges in place. Make the corners as square as possible. Your piece should measure about 4 inches square.
Time To Quilt the coaster: Attach the walking foot to your sewing machine, and set your machine to the needle-down position in order to turn each corner cleanly as you quilt. (If your machine cannot be set this way, hand-turn your needle into the down position before lifting the presser foot to turn the coaster at the corners.) Start quilting at the outside edge, and sew in one continuous line to the center. Use the coaster's edge as a guide to make straight seams the first time around, and then continue using the outer seams as your guide as you work your way inward. Begin quilting about 1/8 inch from the edge on a side neighboring the open edge ( close the open edge when you quilt along that side). Sew a few stitches, then take a couple of backstitches to anchor the quilting. Stitch along the side of the coaster, consistently staying about 1/8 inch from the edge. At the first corner, stop sewing with your needle in the down position. Lift the presser foot, and rotate the coaster 90 degrees; lower the presser foot, and sew to the next corner. Repeat stitching along each side and turning the corner as instructed until you're on the fourth side, then stop sewing 1/4 inch before you reach the last corner. With your needle in the down position, lift the presser foot, and rotate the coaster 90 degrees; lower the presser foot, and sew 1/4 inch inside the previous stitching line to within 1/4 inch of the next corner. Repeat the process to form concentric rectangles of quilting until you reach the center of the piece. Finish the quilting with a few backstitches.

A little help please

I believe you all know how much I enjoy blogging and sharing with you. It is my continued intention to provide fun, creative and yummy blog posts. I am often overwhelmed by your friendship, participation and oh so sweet comments.Blogging brings me smiles, but blog readers bring me joy.

Today I am stepping a bit outside of my usual blog box to ask YOU for a little help.

Several of you know that I work from home because of health limitations(a little violin playing now, giggle). I try and earn money by selling things at my online Gift Shop and by selling Avon products online.
Yesterday I was informed that today it is my one year anniversary as an Avon Representative. I am considered a low performance sales representative. That stings! But it is the truth, I have 11 customers and about as many sales......

So I'm asking for a little help from you and I pray this will not make you uncomfortable or stop you from visiting Katherine's Corner.

Please click the image below if you'd like to make a purchase. Or please bookmark my Avon and Gift shop sites in your favorites for future shopping. I would really appreciate it!



Thank you... I now return you to my regular blog... up next Wordless Wednesday stop by tomorrow.

Shopping In Your Closet

Start your week off with a shopping trip in your closet and mix and match items you already own. Add some fun and affordable accessories from the wonderful selection at my online shop Gifts By Katherine  You'll find affordable accents for you , your home, and special occasions.


Thank you for allowing me a little promotion for my shop.

Avoid Holiday Shopping Madness

I'm home now, thank you to those of you who left such kind messages for the passing of my Father. Now it's time to get back to making a living.

Avoid Holiday shopping madness and receive a gift with $20 purchase at Blue Iris Gifts

Hugs for you all!!
Click the image to start your holiday shopping!