Gnomey Gifts..

I am ready to do battle...I have a handbook to help me. My newest gnome is watching from the poinsettia. (Hand painted by Skyler)!

A Tree Skirt....

The pattern sat for a year or so, then it was started but not finished for quite a while. There probably should have been more stars and animals had we not cheated, but it was declared to be finished last(?) Christmas. I think there is enough there to tell the story.
Happy Thursday.

Thank you....

Just a note to say thank you for all your comments. You are such good friends.
We all visited at Sara's home with her husband, Floyd and her family that were there. I'm just sharing a little picture of something she had sitting by the fireplace. I don't know how many years ago it was that I made it, but her special favorites were always Americana.

Thank you again all.

Remembering Sara......

Sara came into my life about twenty five years ago when my daughter PJ and her son, Jeff married. She has been my friend and we are going to miss her. She loved her big family and her kitty and her many friends.

She was always painting....ceramics, pictures and clothing, jackets and Tees that we loved. The pictures are of a nativity set that she made. I think it is beautiful.

Tonight after everyone left for the visitation I unpacked it and set it up in PJ's antique cabinet. There was a star that I didn't know how to attach and some shepherds hooks that PJ will have to add. We will use something other than the doily but I wanted to post it tonight. A celebration of Sara's life will be this Saturday.

Love to you all, Peggy

Snowman Cartoon....

I love snowmen cartoons. Mary sent this one this morning in her emails. The only snow we have is that hanging around in the shade, just waiting for more flakes to join them. I hope you laugh.

Something to crochet....

I love this string of "popcorn" that Barb made for me. The "cranberries" are wooden beads.

If any of you would like to crochet this, maybe I can get Barb to give me the pattern to pass along. Happy Sunday.

Sweet Meadows Farm new pattern.....

I ordered this pattern from Sweet Meadows Farm . She has the actual dolls for sale on ebay. Aren't they Sweet!

There's no pattern for this guy. He must be 20 feet tall. He was outside the Festival of Trees at the Dearborn Performing Arts building.

And speaking of performing arts, we saw two rising stars yesterday, Sarah and Jennah, in 101 Dalmations! They had so many children who wanted to participate, there were two casts. Lots of proud families and friends (like us). Happy rainy Monday everyone.

Saturday make-over...

I hope I make you smile and say "I like your new dress". My old one was white with some embroidery on it but it was really in sad shape.

I hope your Saturday is a good one. Bye!

Thursday in Waltz....

I forgot to remind you all that Thursday was Thrift Store Thursday (you know, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday). I missed out on the shopping and spent the day with PJ and Jeff. It was Put-Everything-Back Day-After-Painting day there.

This is one of my favorite places with little doggie art from J. Parks in Springfield.

She has lots of bears...and pillows......

A mirror from Flea Market to Fabulous in Springfield and a tussy-mussy and wreath from The Farm. We never see dried flower arrangements here in Michigan and I love them especially those grown by Gail.

Some of you, my friends, have been concerned about my gnome that went missing. PJ you are busted!

My camera is doing weird stuff so my pictures are not the best but you get the idea. This is another mirror from Flea Market to Fabulous, along with a family crock and twig branches from The Farm...

Things for the weekend are Barbara's craft show at Lutheran High West and a PLAY!, 101 Dalmations, with stars from our church, Living Water. Happy first Friday in December 2011.

How do you like me now?

You do know that a lot can happen when you spend 11 months in an attic with a bunch of wild snowmen, angels and Christmas ornaments....It's enough to make your hair stand on end......

Well, I got a remake, but I'm not so sure about it! PJ said not to change me but something had to be done about the hair. I like the new twist on the scarf because it makes me look debonair (love that word) but I am seriously worried about that mistletoe in my hair. Doesn't it make me look a little sissy?

My socks originally came from the Value Village and no one remembers the name of my pattern because I am so old. I hope my attic companions will like my new look and not throw ornaments at me this year.

Happy Wednesday, blogging friends.

It's a Wonderful Life Tree...

We all liked this tree at the Festival with the old photos and angel wings.

It is raining cats and dogs this morning, not to mention high winds and flooded streets. A good day to stay home and watch the movie, or read, or sew...

Happy Tuesday. My computer is not liking the weather either.

The Toymaker....

This one was made probably pre-1990. He gets to be out all year at PJ's house. I think the pattern was from an old magazine which I didn't keep because I said I'm not doin' this again. I do like the ears and the shape of his eyebrows. The roving beard has held up really nicely.

He has little black felt shoes.

Since I got the pattern for Ernie from Olde Country Cupboard, I have been interested in elves. Yesterday we went to Ray Hunter Florist and there were lots of glitzy elves, but no Ernies. Now the Toymaker has an assistant and I am working on some more Ernies.

Attic Santa....

I am giving some old Santas an update. This guy was made in 1990 and I wish I had taken a "before" picture. He was losing his pants (altho that's the new style) and his bag was stuffed with old newspaper that I had fun reading. I looked to see what was playing at the MJR but there was no MJR then. Coleman Young was the mayor, Pete Waldmeier was a columnist, some of us will remember them. Night of the Living Dead was playing at the Allen Park Theater for $3.50 admission. Now it's a $1.50 and the big theaters are$ 5-$8.
I have some more of these to redo, who knows what I will find.
Just the top of this tree that was all pastels.
Happy Sunday everyone. It's church day!

Festival of Trees, Dearborn, Michigan....

Festival of Trees benefits Children's Hospital . I have lots of pictures but probably not as many as the skeletons of Northville. White bears were everywhere.
The Cat-in-the-Hat tree........
Lots of purples (and pink)...
Also lots of sticks, Barb observed. I said you haven't been keeping up with Kynda's blog or you would know about the sticks.

And a raffle for 4 p.m. on Sunday. There was also one for a money tree and many beautiful trees and prizes. Also lots of things for the children, face painting, art and Santa. Happy Saturday.

Allen Park Ice Arena Santa......

I would have thought they would have given him skates and a hockey stick. He seems to be watching everyone ignore him and I would swear that he changes positions. Rebecca gave him some attention with a hug and Vera too.

I hope you had turkey and some mistletoe.

Becca's Home....

from college, way up north in Michigan. Trying out new hair colors and wearing her TOMS shoes.... John is impatient for the hockey game to start. His very first one to see.

I would like the shoes but I'm not sure I will try the hair color.

Happy Sunday morning. I hope your family gets to come home for Thanksgiving too.

My favorite Apple...

Last week Lisa took me to Glei's Orchard in Hillsdale. I bought some Honey Crisps, a large bag of Spys, but these are my favorites. They are Mutsu/Shizuka, much better than Granny Smiths.
Also bought these pears and wish I could make some preserves like Mammy made. Does anyone make pear preserves anymore?

I had in mind to make something with apples for Blessed Hope tomorrow. PJ came up with this recipe for me. I tried it out last night and it's very good (and easy).

Super Duper Easy Apple Cake

1 yellow cake mix
1 T. ground cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
2 large apples, peeled, cored and finely diced (recipe calls for Granny Smith)

Make the cake mix according to the box directions, add the cinnamon and vanilla, and fold in the apples. Use a 10 inch tube pan and bake in a preheated 350 oven for 45-55 minutes. You can say it's homemade!

It might as well be spring....

Kathleen, Eggs in my Pocket, asks us what's blooming in your yard. This is what I found yesterday, November 13th.

Is this weird or what?

Thanks everyone for your comments on my craft show. The shoppers were enthusiastic and I think that's a good sign. See you tomorrow, Happy Monday.

Our Craft Show...

I bought some foam folding displays at Joann's to hang some of the big stuff on. I was afraid they would turn over but they did really well. They are lightweight to carry in which is nice.

The Crafty Lady, Barb, who doesn't like her picture taken and me and my coffee. Where is my assistant PJ who was such a help today?

The turkeys whined about the bears and the deer.


This is a really nice craft show with repeat customers and crafters who come back every year. They are just the nicest people and so are the Lindbergh School volunteers . Thanks everyone!

Christmas Red.....

De-Lite is a sculpy product you can buy at Michael's. It air dries. Try it sometime.

Seems everything I made is red, so we will see if anyone else is ready to go back to a traditional Christmas color.

You can't ever make anything as beautiful as this red. By the Master Gardener himself!

Today the rain is dripping on the leaves that need to come down and be raked up. I put them all on my garden, from the front yard, we tote them all to the backyard. Charlie has been helping me this year. We used the leaf vacuum and he said, this isn't as easy as it looks. And he is right.

Happy Wednesday everyone. Thanks for commenting on my Santas.

Three Santas...

Time is running out. My one lonely craft show is Saturday. The one of the far left can't wait to get out of this house. Ellie gave me the old quilt and I used a pattern by Sweet Meadows Farm.

Lindbergh School at 500 North Waverly, Dearborn, Michigan. 9:30 till 4. I sure hope that Bar-b-que man is there again this year, as well as all my friends that I only see this one day all year. It is the 39th year of this show. Barb and I won't tell how many of those years we have been there. Even when we had many shows, it has always been my favorite. I hope I will be hearing about yours, November is the month for bazaars and craft shows.

Made where?

Yesterday I returned a five dollar item to the close grocery store that gives our church a little dividend and is known for featuring "made in Michigan" products. I just needed something to hold some paper towels in the kitchen. After I got the thing up it was so flimsy it wouldn't have held a kleenex, so I took it back.

Turns out it was one of those fast sellers on the end of the aisle so watch out for those.
Also if you care about where your purchases are made, visit Sweet Meadows Farm blog and she will tell you all about bar codes. Plus you can see all her wonderful dolls.

My bird on a pumpkin has a coaster because he wouldn't stay upright. He just rolled away, so I put a jar ring inside. He likes it.

Happy Friday everyone. Barb and I are going to see "Big River" (again). At the Out of the Box theater in Wyandotte, at 7:30. If you can go, you will love the music. Also at 7:30 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.

Quick Fire Hydrangea......

If you have room in your garden for this one, it looks so beautiful this time of year. It is not showy and big like most, but its changing colors are worth it.

Thank you all so much for commenting on my pilgrim couple. Somehow their faces seem to say stuff, like I think he looks a little dubious and she looks like she thinks he is being silly. Or is it just me?

Yesterday was so beautiful I did some unnecessary things outside and it looks like we are having another day like that today. Divine Child craft show is this weekend so it will probably snow as it usually does for that. You also have one more weekend to see Big River at the Out of the Box theater in Wyandotte. Be there if you are in the area, it is a big hit! 7:30 pm, Fri. and Sat. 3 pm on Sunday.

November couple...

A new season and my lone pair of 2011 pilgrims. The pattern for these is from Sweet Meadows Farm.

I'm hoping November is good for all of us and for whatever comes we will be thankful.

Say goodbye to the skeletons....

Watching for flying objects....


The proposal, I'm sure she said yes.....

Silly old witch, couldn't she see the clock?....

That's it for the Northville skeletons. I wonder what they will come up with next year. Happy Halloween everyone!