It’s Christmas Eve, and from one quilter to another, I thought now is as good a time as any to share my five favorite decorating and stress-relieving holiday tricks and tips this holiday season.
5. Embrace quirky.

When I decorated my home this season, I wanted to make sure friends and family would know they’d find like-minded company inside.
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4. Be inclusive! Make certain the pets participate in the holiday festivities too.

This costume was on sale–I’m pretty sure because it was too reminiscent of Thanksgiving with that Pilgrim belt.
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3. Make sure your pets are faced with edible temptation over the holidays–just like you–every single day.

Spray paint and hot glue some dog bones onto a wreath. Then hang the wreath in the dog kennel just out of reach from the dogs so that they look at it longingly all day long. (Wreath credit goes to Marilyn Barrow.)
2. Remember that the holidays can be for the birds, too!

With the owl craze over the last few years, don’t we all have some fabric owls lying around? I strung holiday lights in my wishing owl bird cage and installed a tiny Christmas tree, too. (Owls are by Lynn Krawczyk that appeared in Quilt Scene a few years ago.)
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1. If you are feeling a little blue at times over of the holidays, then my greatest advice to you is…GET THYSELF INTO THY STUDIO and surround yourself with all of your favorite (quilt-y) toys!
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Wherever you find yourself over the holiday break, I wish you a peaceful and festive time with friends and family. And, of course, I also hope you can find some time to stitch.
Hugs to all this holiday season,
Pokey
thanks – wonderful ideas. Yope you are enjoying your holiday in the desert.
I have a Chihuahua identical to the one in your picture (but, mine would eat the costume). He is a rescue that I managed to catch as he was running down a very busy street. I tried for months to find his owner but when he ran into a yard with the house windows all boarded up, I suspected the worst. No one ever claimed him despite all my efforts. From the very first night, he crawled under the covers with me and has been here for about 4 years now.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
oohhh…love the chair in the last photo
Charming and where did you get the chair? Have a wonderful holiday.
Have a very Merry Christmas Pokey! LOVE your new studio space. You have been very busy! Wishing you a happy and healthy new year too!
I plan to spend most of tomorrow in my sewing room, finishing up small projects, playing with books I haven’t looked at in years, and maybe even making a dress. Enjoy your holiday Pokey!
Merry Christmas, and thanks for all the wonderful joy you brought to the many homeless pets.
Love your decorations and your sewing room, very cozy. Edie H.
Merry Christmas Pokey to you and your family and your great holiday quirky tips!
Merry Christmas and LOVE to you Pokey! 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and your furry kids, Pokey!! Love the wreath…we have lots of shiny dogbone ornaments on our tree (great way to use scraps of bright silk and metallic thread :)). Here’s to a happy, healthy, creative new year and lots of great work for Friends for Life! Xo
Thank you! I needed this today. And, a very Merry Christmas to you, too!
Merry Christmas, love the fruitcake sign on the front porch!
Hi Pokey, Thanks for sharing your Christmas Cheer with us. I love the fruitcake sign too. My grandmother used to make them with dates and pecans and of course the soakings. I am in my studio working on 2 large art quilts that go on exhibit in 2 weeks. Will think of you while I sew bindings.