New Year's Eve Scrapbooking

Sorry, if you were expecting something more up-to-date. These are mine, my mother's and my grandmother's before scrapbooking became so popular. I have spent some time this morning looking through them, they are filled with things that make me smile and remember, as well as yellowed clippings written of the same things we face today...

I guess Rocky Balboa was right when he said only the clothes are different.
This is a page that really stood out. The article was by George Cantor, one of my favorite Detroit columnists. The last sentence of the article says "two men embraced on a golf course, everything else is just a sand trap".

My hope for 2010 is No Sand Traps for Anybody. Love and best wishes to everyone.

Another Emma doll

I just finished this doll, using some old vintage towels from my friend Joanne. I used the body pattern from Folkart by the Bay and embroidery thread hair, my favorite.

I'm thinking of the things I planned to finish up in 2009 but the list is too long. I hope you have some plans for 2010 already and that they will be creative and a blessing to your life. Do not forget the black-eyed peas to eat on New Years Day.

Ms. Flamingo, Pink of course....

One of the hockey moms had this gal with her at the rink. Her mom makes them. I was glad I had my camera with me. She has a lot of detail, even eyelashes, not to mention how hard it must have been to stuff all her curves or make a bikini from sequins.
Her legs were painted and covered with the lace and the shoes had high heels and sequin trim. She even had fingers. I think she's a hoot!!

It's a small price to pay...

We had a wonderful dinner cooked by PJ. And actually I may have a family picture coming soon. I can't believe it! Jeff was a one man clean-up crew, although some of us did offer to help. I love this sign in their kitchen.

The snow is falling this morning in Michigan, and Thank You, Thank You, that no one was bombed here at our airport on Christmas Day.

Happy Monday, don't forget to put the black eyed peas on your grocery list.

A father and child

I love this picture someone found online, I don't know them but I thought it was just a perfect expression of Christmas love and gratitude. Merry Christmas again to all of you.

My Christmas Post

We always called them telephone "posts", not poles.

Anyway this guy is made from one, Kynda brought him to me from Kentucky, real chainsaw art. He has lived on my front porch for 20 or so years, He has seen a lot, you can believe me.

To all of you I wish a merry Christmas. Thanks for being my friends.

And what is Christmas anyway? It is the birth of good and perfect and the only hope we will ever have.

Maggie

She is so nice to make, one of my favorites. Pattern for her is by Chestnut Junction. I don't sand my dolls as most do nowadays, I am just not good at it. I guess I wouldn't want to be sanded myself. Happy Saturday, a wimpy little snow in Michigan today.

Orange Slice Cookies

These are really easy and different and No Fat (unless you ice them, I like them plain).
A recipe from the Arcadia Methodist Church cookbook from the fifties. Contributed by Mrs. Gladys Newton, one of the fabulous Methodist Women I remember from that church.

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour, sifted with 1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup finely cut nuts
3/4 cup orange slice candy (cut in slivers, I use the scissors dipped in cold water to cut)

Mix well together, spread out on greased cookie sheet (I use 9 X 12 , as they spread as they start to bake, a larger pan makes them too thin.) Bake 400 degrees for about 12 minutes or until nice and brown. Cut in bars and ice with 1 Tbsp. butter, 2 Tbsp. orange juice and powdered sugar to spread.

Happy Friday everyone.

Christmas Cat

A pattern from Off-the-Beam. Just a couple of more things and I will be finished with the Christmas sewing. Aren't you glad?

Alas, it is Sold on Ebay

My friends here in Michigan and I have been watching this Christmas tree being auctioned on Ebay. It has sold so I guess it is okay for me to write something about it now. I'm sure it has gotten plenty of twitters.

Anyway you can check it out, a collection of artists collaborated and offered this. The winning bid was $887.77. You can look at some of the ornaments up close if you go to Item Number 110467416957.

Walker (my spaz cat) would have loved it!

Seriously, now.......

You expected a smile? Would you, if you had to sit on the lap of a giant red nosed thing with eyelashes and bling? John doesn't think so.

If you're in the area, you and the children might enjoy Taylor, Michigan's Reindeer Days at Heritage Park on Pardee.

Saturday at the Town Peddler

Jeff and PJ at the booth.
I think they like their new shirts.
Some new lights at the top make it look really Christmasy.

Glitzy Gurls

These are not exactly like the pattern but I guess I was in the mood to decorate and use some glitter. I usually make these at the last minute every Christmas, they are from a pattern by Walnut Ridge Primitives (2002) . They have very primitive things which I really like, it's interesting that their pattern gives instructions on mod-podging tissue paper onto the dress and then painting. I have done that but couldn't find any tissue paper that I liked so just made them plain. Hope you can see their rusty wire hair. Also I added the candy cane and star. You can do it.

Something for Fun Today

An email from Floyd


"Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.Great stories. But two things made me take it down.

First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard."

This Job can be really Stressful

Several years ago I made this Santa, he is really big but easy to make. The one I made went to live in Roscommon Michigan.

If you would like to make him, he is a pattern by Soft In The Head; all her patterns are very expressive and unusual. Happy Wednesday from a WINDY day in Michigan.

A Christmas Necklace

This is one of my treasures, made by a Michigan artist who worked in clay. She made all manner of things and we are lucky enough to own some of them. She is no longer with us except the spirit of her beautiful things. We would rarely find her at shows and she was usually sold out by the time the show opened, her husband was always with her and somehow most of her Santas look just like him.

Noel

Noel is going to the Town Peddler Mall to be with her friends. Her body is an old spring and her arms are grapevine wreath. She is the only one of her kind. Enjoy Monday, everyone.

Afghans by Stella.

Jackie and Stella at the craft show....
Stella with her afghans with perfect stitches and beautiful colors and patterns. For those of you who don't know Stella, she is only 96...and we love her!!!

Marietta

A little bear pattern by Sweet Meadows Farm, I used an old hanky for her dress and an old quilt square with rubber stamped message. She's getting a new pink bow for her hair. Today.

Wednesday Quilt Show

Last night we were looking through some old linens at PJ's. There was a piece of quilt that I gave her a long time ago, when we found and were given lots of nice pieces.

She said why don't you take it and use it and I said it's too nice....but it would make a really great Santa. Then take it, she said, but I argued "and get what for it?? 25 dollars? No, it's too nice."

To which she says "but it would make somebody happy."

I took it.

Yes to the Dress

It seemed a little fussy to me but she seems pleased......

My friend Joanne gives me all kinds of neat stuff to work with. This was a piece of old dresser scarf with some great lace. I kinda went nuts with it.

Happy Monday everyone.

A Shirt Tale

Kynda will really be surprised when she sees this post. After how many years did I promise to TRY this. I had put this project in my "flying bowl". (For anyone who doesn't follow Brian Andres, that's a bowl where you put things you agreed to do before you found out how difficult they would be.)

Anyhow, on the right is the shirt she bought at The Church of the Little Flower? craft show and enjoyed wearing it so much she went back for another, but the crafter was never there again.

Soooo, that's how I got the job and I am way out of my element, but on the left is my version. I have NEVER painted a shirt but it didn't take very long at all, after I got myself going. I hope she likes it, I stumbled through it with help from the internet.

A beautiful cold day it is in Michigan, happy Saturday.

Thanksgiving Garden

The strawberry plants have on their Christmas colors.
Beets anyone?
And the peas are blooming nicely, not making peas, but are healthy plants.
This was a walk in my garden at Thanksgiving. I also found a few raspberries but left them for the birds. I am thankful for my little garden.

New things at the Town Peddler

Lots of people were shopping today, and everything is decorated for Christmas even the antiques section which looked really nice.

Saturday Santa

He may have a right to look a little dazed after all he's been through. I think he might be my last Santa this year.

I made him from a pattern from Back Porch Pickins.blogspot.com. If you want to see some really beautiful dolls go there, she has it all figured out (the pizazz thing).

Annie and her Cats

This is a doll made from a Sweet Meadows Farm pattern. I have made several of these but usually pick black cats for her.

If you like Pumpkin Pie....

I am somewhat behind with the latest news reports, so when I heard there was a shortage of canned pumpkin this year, I was kinda surprised.

A can of pumpkin is something I take for granted, so I checked it out....

Heavy rains made it difficult for farmers to harvest the pumpkins and I guess the 2008 harvest wasn't so good either. Ohio based Nestle Baking Company Libby's brand accounts for 90 percent of the market . They do the canning at a facility in Morton, Illinois, near 5000 acres where the pumpkins are grown.

Next harvest is August 2010, I hope it's a good one for the great pumpkins. Happy Thursday, it's raining a little in Michigan.

Dixboro shopping

This is the outside of the Button Lady shop. Kynda has some great pictures on her blog of the inside of the shop . Go to www.canadagarden.blogspot.com to see them.

Don't go to the store unless you have some time because there is lots to see and hear from the Button Lady.
This is the entrance to Dixboro General Store . Shoppers are leaving the building ... and smiling....heading across the street to Moonwinks Cafe....

I like old window frames and shutters

I've used this old window frame as a quilt rack since I got this beautiful star quilt from Joanne.....
and yesterday I brought this old shutter home from my booth at Town Peddler. The little picture frames with easel backs fit nicely in the slats. I'm still working on the arrangements. Happy Tuesday.

My sentiments, exactly

The craft show was very nice. This little pillow went home with one of my favorite customers. It expresses my feelings so I am posting it.

We had a wonderful visit with Kynda and the Amtrak took her home safely.

My medical test was okay and we had lots of family time last week. (Our youngest member, John Michael, came over to visit, and we spent lots of time running to check Betsy's pictures on Facebook).

Kynda saw her first hockey game (Charlie's).

Mike came over and cleaned the leaves from my gutters, Yea!!!

We ate Thai food, Arabic food, Carabba's, even Wendy's. PJ made us a homecooked dinner and a banana cake. Kynda made the Apple Dumplings with crescent rolls and Mountain Dew( recipe is on her blog). We like cooking....and eating...

It was a very good week for me and I am so grateful for it....
Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. (that's a line from an old hymn). Thank you for visiting me this morning.

Angel for Christmas

This angel is made from a very old pattern by Patrice and Company (remember her?) I use it a lot as it always looks good with the old crochet and the french knot hair (I am not accomplished in embroidery like Kathleen but try a few stitches here and there). A friend gave me the little lamb to use with her .

Show is Saturday---Lindbergh School in Dearborn 224 North Waverly, 9:30 til 4:00.
We really look forward to seeing those we only see once a year, it is always such a nice time.

You need some old doilies angels

2009 Lindbergh Holiday Boutique
November 14, 2009 9:30 - 4:00
500 North Waverly, Dearborn, MI
(this is Cherry Hill-Telegraph area)

These girls are made from small dresser scarves. You wouldn't think you could get so much from a small rectangle but it somehow stretches to fit the need. I used old quilt hearts and some of my buttons to trim. Embroidery thread hair is easy and different and I think blends with the old stuff. I hope they are happy with their dresses.

Flowers from Vivianos

Saturday we did a florist shop hop. We added a visit to Christine's bakery in Shelby Township. This is a shortbread cookie that thinks it's a candy corn.

A Happy Friday

Today, the big ol' Amtrak will bring Kynda to visit us, we are going to have so much fun! The sun is shining and I am making soup (and dessert).

Little angel got put together last night at almost midnight, I went downstairs to feed my fish and she was calling to me. I never use moss hair but it was what she wanted, and her sign as well. Have a good weekend everyone!

Sunny Day Snowman

A Moonchild's Primitives pattern (she's from Paducah), I used some nice flannel shared with me by Barb and eyes are hand-dyed buttons from the quilt shop, Sew-What in Wyandotte. The trees are my extra idea and I love trim of coffee-dyed warm and natural.
Some rusty wire and dragon vine hold a little star and tag that I made.

I hope the sun is shining on you today.

A Fabulous New Blog

What You'll Find

Doors made into tables, lamps crafted from coffee pots, wash tubs turned into creative outdoor coolers, and best of all. . . the old is always made new! Nothing goes to waste at Flea Market to Fabulous. Any item will be given a new life. Let your imagination run wild!

Would everyone please give a look to this NEW BLOG. It's just getting started and it's going to be a lot of fun. Go to www.fleamarkettofab.blogspot.com.

Two Santas

This Santa is made from a pattern by Marie Campbell, I bought this pattern a long time ago and have searched many times for Marie, hoping to find her and her nice patterns. I think I will try again today. I love making him.


This one is a pattern by Country Cupboard. If you make dolls I am sure you are familiar with them. He actually should be an Uncle Sam but I changed his hat, either way he is easy to make and always turns out sassy.