Tolentreasures

How fun is this Christmas present? Well, at least for me it was! Mom was stumped as to what to get me, She haunts all these quilt shops all the time and tells me about all the wool that they have. I told her that I would always take wool. And this is what she came up with! Lucky for me, the shop had a half your age discount that day, and well um, let's just say, that Mom got a pretty good discount! I have a hard time cutting into "real" wool. Not so hard when it comes from the thrift shop. Like this... Two days before Christmas, found me sliding through Goodwill running my hands along the skirt racks. Sure love to find a nice wool skirt. There is so much wool in them, and they are easy to cut up. When, I saw this jacket. Typically, I don't buy jackets, but this was too good to pass up. Christmas week, I made these for each of the girls. They were in my mind for weeks, but there was just no time. They are candle mats, the candle sits on the bottom. Well, you get the

Before I get a sermon, I'll just tell you and confess. I didn't know where to put the nativity this year. I know, I know, all the words of wisdom that could go with that statement. All the little devotions, all the repercussions of making that statement, BUT, Hear me out. 1. Six grandchildren ages six and under. 2. The oldest two grandsons that have an affinity for anything that can be thrown, launched, pitched, batted or kicked. and 3. A manger that could double as a cat box, that JWS made in his younger woodworking days. Not your ordinary house cat size box, we are talking nothing short of a small cougar sized, so heavy that it actually needs a foundation, get your daily workout getting it out of the attic cat box. And so, The other morning I had a brainstorm. Early in the morning. and before JWS actually got a swallow of coffee, I pitched the idea to him. And later in the day he made that lovely frame for my nativity and now Baby Jesus has a wonderful place in our home again

Jumping for Joy! Doing the Happy Dance! Whatever you want to call it. My painting orders are DONE!  D O N E Done!  I knew that this stable was coming, Had no idea what it was going to look like... A gift for a little girl that is into everything horses. Her Mom had asked if I would paint it. Sure! Then it arrived! And it is BIG! Really BIG! These pics were taken in JWS's garage. Which sort of turned into Santa's workshop for a few days. I should have stood by it for the pics. For scale. It is sitting on an eight foot table and I had to stand and reach to get to the top of the roof. They are going to varnish it and finish the inside. Her initials are EC, so I made it personalized on the door. And this sled that has stumped me for some reason... is now also DONE! Let the holidays begin!  JWS even managed to fix the stove enough that we could have two burners to limp through Christmas. I'll be making food tonight for the party on Saturday!

Ok, I am showing you the mess first. And for all those little thumbnail pics that come up, yes, this is the BEFORE pic. Moving Sale I found this chest. $20 The drawers move in and out easily. Perfect for the Aforementioned Mess. But really rough and dirty. So I scrubbed. and painted. Way too bright! WAY, WAY too bright! So, I found more paint.... And made more of a mess. And then drybrushed white all over it. Still not exactly what I was after, but January is coming and I'll have more time, But for now... Semi-organization.

So those of you that have read the Green post below, will now get the REST of the story of yesterday. Up in the AM, finished these crocks for an order, after a lovely, brisk, freezing your butt off 3 mile walk in below freezing conditions. Honestly, are we going to do this all winter? Then pack up my painting gear, pick-up my MIL, drop off my MIL at dialysis, off to paint this. Some of you will remember the beginning of this a few weeks back. Still have lots to go, but done until after Christmas.  Making good time on that project, I thought that I would have enough time to take back the jacket to Wallyville and pick up the GREEN cell phone case at the Verizon Store BEFORE I picked up my MIL.  So the time line. 12:35 Park at the Verizon Store Walk in. Leave my phone, (Other issues also than just a case) Walk to Wallyville Bag in Hand. in the door get in line 12:40 Wait, you have to go to another line to get another paper. Get in that line. Wait Wait Wait. Until I have an anonymous b

So, I like green. Green pottery Green Osage Oranges Green on the edge of this yard sale find plate Green on the cabbage dish that Shelby hates. Green on a painting that I made. Green is adorable on this little guy. Green is perfect on this penny rug pillow. And this painted oil can. I love finding these green dishes. and This suitcase is a very special piece given to me by a very nice friend. I think of you, Kim, when I look at it. Green buttons on this Christmas pillow Green Christmas wall hanging my Mom made for me. Even green lights on the tree. A green flour sifter. And this box painted for me by Lesley. Even some green on this purse. And the ONE green item in my closet. and some green jewelry even. So you might say. Wow, you really like green, even your new carpet is green. You have lots of green. well a few weeks ago my PURPLE cell phone case broke. and JWS was going to town. I asked him to find another cell phone case for me. He SPECIAL ordered one for