SNOWMEN & OTHER DECORATIONS

Here are a few more Santa's hanging around----and a few snowmen. The snowman in the middle was made by Katie when she was 5 I think, as my Christmas present. The other 2 I made in 2007 and 2006. Dean gets out his wood scraps, sands and rounds the tops then we have a painting session at Sherri's to make the faces. Then she makes the hats and scarves out of fleece. If you cut the fleece a certain way, it will curl---to make the fringe. We are going to make pumpkins in a similar style this coming fall we've decided. Anyway, it's a fun family project. This year I made felt Santa's for close friends and family. They were time intensive but REALLY FUN to make!! If you click on any of these pictures, you can see them bigger. Dean made the cabinet the snowmen are in, and made the shelf and redid the mirror to my specifications!

The Holy family and old-fashioned angel is on top of one of my hutches. I love the simple look of it (since I have so much everywhere else!) Oh---the green felt stocking with the curled toe was my Christmas gift from Katie a couple of years ago. I had taught her the blanket-stitch, and she made me the stocking using that stitch. As you can see we try and make as many gifts as possible at Christmas. We always have. When our kids were small, Dean and I had a Christmas wreath business for the holidays to earn our Christmas money. I still miss the smell of the boughs and wreaths in our garage!! Merry Christmas every one. We are going to Sherri's tomorrow for the next 2 days. I hope every one has a blessed and joyful holiday.

CHRISTMAS ELVES/DROLLERIES

These are my Christmas Elves, also called Drolleries. I got them at Melody's Choices a few years ago and they don't carry them anymore. I think they are too expensive. I got these after Christmas at 50% off and I love how detailed they are. We love having them out, and of course the kids love them also. We have a LOT of Christmas stuff around the house and really enjoy it. What do you think of these little fellows? and of course there's mr & mrs. santa.......

SANTA'S AT OUR HOUSE

I used to paint before I started making cards. Here are a few that I painted over the years. The gourd was hard to paint on, but I really like it. Dean has started carving, and has carved a Santa I need to paint. I haven't done it in awhile----so I hope I can still do it. Anyway, we love the ones we have. HO HO HO

THIS YEAR'S MANGER SCENE

Bekah came over last night and set up the our manger. We never get it out until she comes over (see below posts). So this is it for this year. Isn't it lovely?

WHAT I AM MISSING......

.....is my son John & his lovely wife Rachael who won't be here this Christmas. They were here last year-----unfortunately I missed part of their visit b/c I was in hospital with appendicitis!! We will see them in May when John graduates from college in Missoula, Montana. He's my first born----and I miss him.

PLEASE NOTE

if you click on the manger scene you will see it bigger, and see the tiny little gold crocheted blanket on the baby Jesus. I had to make it because Bekah thought he was too cold when she was two.

THE MANGER

This is our manger. Dean made it many many years ago. A few years ago we remodeled it---it used to have a solid roof. I like this more "humble" look. The figures are Fontinini---I have a nice collection. When we lived in Florida they a had a year-round Christmas House, and I started collecting in 1990. I think I'm done, because we need a lot of space to spread it out. Bekah has arranged the Nativity since she was 2 years old, and that has now become our "tradition." This picture is from last year, because Bekah hasn't been over yet to put up it up this year. I'll try and post a picture when it's up. The first few years she did it, she had every figure's back to the viewer because they were ALL looking at the baby Jesus. Isn't that how it should be?

O CHRISTMAS TREE

OK---so I don't know how to edit the tree to turn it around....

Still, it's pretty, huh? We usually have 2 0r 3 trees. One is all blue, with blue balls, and silver tinsle, but since we have new kittens---we didn't want to tempt them with tinsle!! They are being soooo good, and listen so well, they have not climbed the tree, or even bothered the ornaments. We use a spray water gun---and it works!! I can even leave them alone now with the tree---no problems!

We love ornaments, and after all the years we've been married have accumulated a LOT! I went through a "Hallmark" phase (no more) and have a lot of those, plus we put on 100's of balls because I love them. And of course a lot of home-made ones from me, my children, and my grand-children and other people. So it's very full---but we like it that way It brings joy to my heart every time I see it. O Christmas tree----how lovely are thy (decorated) branches.....

HO HO HO

My friend Trish is blogging and putting pictures up of what's going on at her house around the holidays----I LOVE IT!! my daughter is posting pictures of Christmas's Past---and it's so put me in a holiday mood. Like Eloise------I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the Plaza er um Christmas!!

So I am going to put up some some pictures up of decorations around our house. We REALLY like to decorate-----for Halloween, and Christmas. Also we make a lot of our decorations. Both Dean & I are "handy" and he does wood-working & now carving. I paint on wood, knit, crochet, needlepoint, embroider, and craft!! We love it. So......you will be seeing a little of Christmas at our house over the next couple of weeks. I hope everyone is enjoying all the decorating and baking and "doing" around their homes as we prepare...........to celebrate the most important birthday of the year. This is our fireplace & mantle....

STAMPING

This is one of the Thanksgiving cards I made this year. I don't usually do Christmas cards, b/c I send too many----but I do make them for other holidays. I love these round scalloped cards and may order some more. I think there was a glich in the catalog tho---cause it said I was supposed to get 30, but only got 12 in the order??? Anyway, I may be able to make these cards myself. I have a "ker-chunker" machine, and hopefully it will take the dies from "stampin up."

I loved my friend Suzanne's pictures of the day we spent in Tulsa making cards and other projects. (Really good pics. Suzanne!!!)

Tomorrow I have a haircut appt. and a vet appt. to take the new kittens for booster shots. We are so in love with these little babies! They already come when we call them, and we have successfully (so far) taught them to leave the tree alone. I even left them alone to take a shower today, and so far they walk around it, but leave it alone. These are GREAT cats!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays-----remember it' the journey that counts!!