Dream on...

This lovely Dream sign is a Wendy Addison piece. made of glass glitter...my favorite medium. The tin types that grace each end are not family members of mine, but lovely just the same. The one on the right is a beautiful lady in her lacy gown. Not sure of the age, but appears to be the Civil War era.
Behind the Dream sign are my Witt grandparents, Archie and O'Delphia around the time of their marriage, abt 1930.
To the left is my beautiful mother. Look at that dimple. What a babe!
The photo to the left, partially hidden is of me and my children on my wedding day, 1995.
The tree topper in the center has bells hanging off of it with wire and glittery do dahs. It is probably from the 1920's. This was a yard sale find a few years ago. I took this photo using the museum mode on my camera and think it looks warm, while sparkly! Yummy! 

More mantel treasures

Here is a photo of myself with Tim and my children just before we were married 11 years ago. The baby picture of Noah, my grandson.
The little photo is nobody I know, but the clothes the couple are wearing are beautiful. This I found at a flea market this past weekend.
To the right is one of my creations. A cardboard hat box that was bright colored and not my taste. So I covered it with vintage sheet music, made the tube on the top, added the folded paper shape on top and the sides, the glass glitter star, and an old photo of my grandparents on the front. Then tinsel added. Sounds simple, but it was an all day project. A fun one though! I like to incorporate my family photos in my projects as much as I can.
The sheet music box to the left is a Bethany Lowe piece. I like to collect her designs. 

WINTER MANTEL

Here is the fireplace mantel decorated for Winter with a variety of treasures that I enjoy.
The lamp in the back side to the right was my grandfathers, he did his homework by the light it gave out. It burned kerosene back then. It is now electrified.
The glass domes hold white glitter covered houses. There are candlesticks with creamy white candles in them for a warm glow when they are lit.
Family photos in the old frames...so precious, especially the one of my grandson, Noah, in the vintage looking coat and hat, when he was about a year old.
I'll post some closeups of some of the other treasures. 

There's a Hole in The Roof, Dear Liza, Dear Liza

Here is the hole in the roof after the tree was removed. But now snow is on it's way so tarps will need to be put up to cover the hole. It is a little COOL in the house! Ah well, it's an adventure! Tim will be the one who does the work on the repair. I am guessing we will be moving out of that end of the house for a time. So much for having tea parties or Farm Girl Chapter meetings here. But we will rebuild more to suit our needs, so this is the plus side of this whole thing. Maybe I can finally have a closet that is bigger than a box! Next pictures of the guys trying to cover the hole! Stay tuned... 

A Christmas Tree Arrival a Few Weeks Too Late

Last night as I finished up the dinner dishes and headed to my office I heard a loud crash and felt a jolt. The sound of breaking glass sent me to the back of the house toward the back porch. I ran and opened the sliding door to get my husband as he was in the garage. Then I saw it...a tree laying over the back part of the garage and just over where my husband was. Thankfully he came to the door and said, "Where did it land?" He knew it was a tree down. I did not know. We quickly ran to check the front of the house and there it was...a tree had fallen onto our office and bedroom.
My first reaction was one of freaking out because my laptop was covered with about 20" of black, dirt like insulation. Since my life is in this thing I did not want to loose it. I have photos, my family tree, other genealogy data, a library of books and misc. matters of importance to me. Tim grabbed it and dumped it off. Later he blew it out with the airhose, using the compressor. So far it is working fine...abeit a little scuffed up from the ceiling hitting it.
As this was our office it was full of electronic equipment, including a brand new Epson photo printer and Magnavox pc/tv flat screen. That black insulation was everywhere covering books, photo albums, files, and misc goodies. I am a bit of a pack rat, although organized, a pack rat, it's true. So this room was pretty overloaded with my treasures.
A phone call was made and with in a short time there were a group of guys from our church care group here helping us clean up insulation and moving things out of the room. These guys did a great job. We now have stuff stacked all over the house. But things had to be moved as we had a prediction of snow coming. The snow was only spitting a bit, but there is another prediction of it for today.
First thing this morning the guys came to take the tree off of the roof. So it is now piles of logs in the yard. Tim and a crew are out there now trying to get it ready to cover with tarps. There is now a thick snow falling and everything is covered. So I hope it is not long before they get the house buttoned up. I may post a few more photos...as I took about 100 of them of this event.
The neatest thing about all of this is that I was about five seconds from sitting in my office chair, right where the tree came though and knocked the ceiling down...it certainly would have done much damage to me if not sending me to meet my maker. Which would be okay, but my children still need me, so the time for me to go is not yet. I had spent most of the day at that desk working on learning how to use my new printer. So the fact that I was not at my desk just at that moment is amazing. What I call "God's favor." 

Wire...Everyday Things, great book

This magnificient book was on my doorstep when I got home today after a day thrift shopping. Yeah! I first saw it in our local library a few years ago. I checked it out a couple of times because I enjoyed it so much. Decided I could not live without it and finally got around to locating it to buy for myself. I actually had it listed on "Want it now" on ebay...but never got any responses. My guess is that once you own it you won't want to sell it! So I had to bite the bullet and pay full price for it, plus shipping. I found it on the Alibris site, a place for out of print or hard to find books.
If you like industrial and useful things made of wire then you would probably enjoy this book. The authors are Slesin, Rozensztroch, Menard, Cliff, and De Chabaneix.
The book includes everything from primtive to fanciful and useful to decorative everyday things.
I stood it up on one of my antique ice cream parlour chairs for this picture. If you like wire...then I recommend this book.
Things I found at the thrift shops: vintage Christmas tins, a bag of oriental wind chimes (with little bells that I will take off to craft with), holly transfers, two unusual shaped jars for my studio, two glass hurricane lanterns (but as it turns out they are not the size I needed, so I'll find another use for them). 

Patriotic Gingerbread Man

This little guy was part of the table decoration for the December DAR meeting. One of the gals who made lunch made them. It is Christmas and patriotism all rolled into one little cookie. I put it on my patriotic tree right away and told my husband he could not eat it until after Christmas! So now that all of the decorations are put away he can eat it up.
He 

Well, our Christmas Day was spent going to the movies...since we only had one of our children home. We saw the Nativity Story. It was nicely done. Tyler took this photo of Tim and I outside of the movie theater. It was appropriate since it was after all Christmas Day! Hope this posts okay, as I've been having some problems posting and typing...so here goes...this is a test! The page keeps minimizing itself, crazy thing! 

Here I am with my four children...aren't they precious? This was taken the day after Thanksgiving when we were all together. Yes, I do have a flower in my mouth and I guess that is my sassy look. But Jesus is always looking watching over me...so you see Him? He both keeps me in line and blesses my life so much. My children are left to right, Zach, 22, Sarah, 28, Tyler, 26, Brennah, 23. Both Tyler and Brennah have birthdays in a couple of weeks.
Well, it is looking a little less like Christmas at my house, as I have spent the last two days taking it down...whew what a job. While I am at it I am also do some redecorating. Looking for a more simple look. I have too much stuff...so cleaning out is a good thing. I am packing up so many of my snowman collection and into the garage they go for my 2007 fall sale. Lots of collectibles heading to the garage as well...looking for a new home. I still have the big tree in the living room to take down...it is alot of work because of all of the vintage glass ornaments on it. I have to be very careful when handling them and packing them up for their rest until next Christmas. It takes me a full day to do this. Ugh!
I am ready to move my piano into the house...it has been patiently waiting in the garage. So as soon as Tim can build a ramp for Zach to push it up the stairs on, it will be in the back room. Now I just need to learn how to play it. As soon as it is in and Tim can give it a polishing I will post a pic of it. It is a treasure. Until next time...have a happy heart...how do you do that? Invite Jesus into it! 

Red hats, white fur top our heads

Here is my Christmas Family...all in Santa hats. A happy bunch we are. This was taken at Thanksgiving before my daughter, husband, and kids all went to Alaska. Not sure when we will all get together again. But it will be grand! Merry Christmas from all of us!

 

My two sons

Here I am with my two sons, Tyler and Zach, as we had an early Christmas celebration at Zach's home last night. He and his wife will be at the in laws for Christmas so we did up a big dinner and feasted together before they had to leave. Had a small gift exchange as well. It is so nice to have a good relationship with my children. I love having two sons and two daughters.
We will have another gathering on Christmas Eve...and feast some more and do a little more gifting. I think we are going to see The Nativity as well. We might even catch another movie while we are at it, since we have the time. I have no grandchildren here this year as they are in Alaska...so we will have to find other ways of entertainment. Will sure miss them little ones running around...they make Christmas so much fun!
Anyways...wanted to share my good looking sons with the world. I am so very proud of them. They have both faced some very tough times, but have been victorious with the help of Jesus Christ. A prayin' mamma helps, but God gets the glory! 

I love the Waltons Show. So when I saw this game on ebay just had to have it. It looks great under the Christmas tree. My children will probably think it is dorky...too dorky to play. But maybe I can get the grandchildren to play it with me.
I have to watch "The Homecoming," which is the Walton's Christmas movie, about three times each Christmas season. Nothing says Christmas like that movie. It is the best!
Just wanted to share my fun game with you all. 

Let's Go Shopping book

This sweet Little Golden Book was a house warming gift brought to me as the hostess of our Kindred Spirits Farm Girl Chapter Christmas Party which was held at my home today. It was given to me from my friend, Robin. She knows how much I want to have my Mercantile so she thought of me when she found this book.
It is full of drawings of old fashioned stores and people shopping in them. It is just adorable! It is now under my Christmas tree.
Isn't it special when people know you well enough to bring you just the right treasure?
She also brought me a decal of a general store so I can put it on an old box or something. So I will be on the lookout for just the right place for it.
I am so fortunate to have good friends. 

Snowy Tiered Stand Houses Vintage Churches

This scene on four tiers evokes a winter wonderland. The wooden tree with cotton batting as the snow hold a variety of churches. These churches were found at yard and rummage sales over the years.
They so so remind me of the Christmas's of my childhood when it seems every home had them as part of their Christmas decorations. They are so simple in design and mateials, but are so rich in meaning.
A few of these churches are newer as designers and production company's rush to bring all of us the Christmas's of an earlier time. I am so glad they are.
I've added both green and creamy white bottle brush trees in varing sizes to complete the look.
On the bottom tier there is a sled with a winter driver and white deer to pull it along snowy roads.
The snowman to the left of the wooden tree holds a snowflake towards the sky as if to say, "Let it snow."
The crock with the blue bird to the left comes from a great general store in Bird In Hand, Pennsylvania. We found it while on our travels back east this past fall. It is filled with fresh evergreens. 

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

My daughter, Brennah, and I made a batch of these a few years ago for one of my teas. The sheet music is from a very old, yes, even antique music book. The book was falling apart so I decided to use it...now I rethinking that. Not sure if I will use it in the future or not. I do have other old sheet music for projects. We used regular glitter around the edges for the glistening power...and it works. The few of these that are left I have used to hang along the front of my fireplace. I say they are "happy." 

Our Glistening Christmas Tree

This photo does not do justice to this tree. It glistens and sparkles like nothing I have ever seen. A few years ago I started collecting vintage glass ornaments...oh what fun I have had. I look for them everywhere...mostly yard sales has been my biggest source of discovery for these treasures.
I find that you need lots of garlands to fill in and add to the finished look. Plus when you drape them it gives a Victorian feel. Then putting the ornaments on as you would decorate the top of a wedding cake...with some positioning gives that desired fullness. But to top it off tinsel puts out the glistening shine. Plus it forgives the wholes here and there where an ornament could not fit. So the combination of all of these baubles together makes it a grand spectacle to behold!
The topper was found at a VFW sale and it is a beauty. It has bells hanging down from the sides. The bottom half is covered in that tiny wire they used to use. I think is it about 100 years old and in perfect condition.
I take some of the boxes of ornaments I have left over and place them under the tree to show them off. They look great sitting in the plain brown boxes with the old crisp tissue paper under them.
In the evening when the tiny lights on the tree are bouncing off of the tinsel it gives me goose bumps. I feel like a little girl again with the wonder of a Christmas tree to stare at. Oh if Christmas could last all year! 

Candy Cane Tree...yum yum

This tree 's theme is Candy Canes. It is so cheery and easy to love. All of the ornaments are either striped like candy canes or have red and white striped ribbon to hang them. Some of the candy canes are covered in mica snow...which makes them appear to be vintage. There are also candy canes made from vintage looking chenille stems...these are too cute and they are very reasonable in the country gift stores.
One of the garlands is of red beads and at every 3" a red and white striped ball that looks like candy. I also used old looking tin cookie cutters and mini molds on the tree, of course with striped ribbon for hanging. Many other ornaments cover the tree to add to the "sweet" look.
The tree sits in an old galvanized bucket, which adds to the charm!
In front of the tree is a red and white metal sign thats says "Candy Canes Sold Here." It is not old, but looks like it could be.
I found some candy cane striped candles and put them in old dessert mold tins. Ican't light them, of course, because they sit under the tree and that would make for some burnt candy canes! 

Primitive Snowman Tree

This tree started out as my primitive snowman tree and it does have primitive snowmen on it...but it is more than that. After my recent trip to the historical parts of our country...Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown,
Yorktown, Gettysburg, Washington DC, my patriotism has gone off like fireworks! I liked the idea of adding flags to all of my trees. Plus I have noticed that in many old photographs flags or draped patriotic fabrics are used. Flags are used for more than 4th of July...they seem to be used for many occasions in the old days. I love the way it looks. I love that it is so patriotic. I love that it is so historical. So this tree has flags, postcards of Abraham Lincoln, George Custer, and some Civil War Generals.
On many years I put up a large snowman tree. But it is a big job and it takes up so much room. This year I decided to opt for having room free for an extra table for people to sit at to eat. Now I can seat from 14-16 people with plenty of elbow room. There are six trees set up in this room. It is very festive!

 

Honkin' Stockin'

Well...this stockin' would take a few dollars to fill! About 4 years ago I made new stockings for the family using the same pattern. The one shown I made for myself from an old prim quilt.
What I had noticed the last time I made stockings in about 1986 was that they were too small to put much in them. I thought at the time I was clever because they were reversable. Oh well. Anyway, this time I wanted to make sure they were big enough to be practical. They work well for gettin' some pretty big things into. The one problem with them is that they are heavy when full...so the stocking holders do not hold them onto the fireplace. The stocking holders are pretty heavy duty as they are made from cast iron, but even so they do not work. I cannot put nails into the fireplace we have now as it a fancy one.
Maybe one day if I have large stone fireplace with a beam for the mantel I can use nails and hang them. As it is we are not really using the stockings anymore anyway...kids all grown up and doing their own kids stockings. But maybe we will go back to using them one day. I wanted to keep the tradition of stockings on Christmas Eve going but, we will only have one of my four even home for Christmas this year. It is hard to have your kids grown up and living away or going to the mates family for Christmas.
At any rate this stockin' is a beaut, I think. The lace is handmade...pretty huh? 

My grandma's clock chimmed every hour

Oh my did I get a wonderful surprise today. I was minding my own business...I think downloading pictures I had taken onto my laptop... when the door bell rang. Then I noticed the UPS truck out in front of my house. I got to the door and saw a very large, long box on the side of the porch. I thought...hummm...what has my husband ordered now? He gets things for his business from time to time here at the house. Oh, then I thought maybe it's the Walton's Mountain game I won on ebay. But this box was heavy and it had an address label that said it was from my sister in California. Well, I thought, she must have sent gifts for eveyone to my house. How nice!
So I opened the box and there was blue egg carton padding with styrofoam peanuts busting out. So as I am trying to pull what ever this is out of the box I feel something like wood...then it dawns on me what it is! It is my grandmother's clock! My sister is giving me the clock I have coveted for years. My father had recently given it to her, but she knew that I had wanted it.
Now there is a story behind this clock. First of all it had belonged to my parents when I was a baby. My dad's mother liked it so my dad basically gave to her for $5.00 unbeknownest to my mother...well I did not know this part until more recently. Over the last few years things have changed with my father and he no longer has much communication with his children other than my sister. So he gave her the clock. As things have changed I knew I would never own that clock...so I had put it out of my mind.
I remember this clock chiming on the hour every hour in grandma's house when I was a little girl. I would spend the night at her house and had very fond memories of the tick-tocking sound it made. Sadly, my father had left it out in the weather last winter, on a porch, but it did quite a bit of damage to it. So it needs work. There is mold on the face plate. My sister had it looked at and the expert said it would be $500.00 to get it back in shape. My husband can do any work on the wood parts, but the rest will have to be farmed out, I believe.
My grandmother died several years ago and this clock has been in storage...just waiting to be called home to my house! Now it is home.
I am so grateful to my sister for being so thoughtful, seeing how much I had wanted the clock and granting me this wonderful Christmas wish...WOW! I have had two great things happen this week. I do not if I can take anymore. My sister says I am due for them.
Well, as you can see by the photo the clock is in pieces, but it will be a priority to get it up and running and hanging in my home. Funny thing is that I was wondering through an antique store just yesterday and saw a beautiful clock I had admired before. The price had been marked down as the shop is going out of business, but the price was still $150. Not bad, but not a good time for buying a clock for myself right here at Christmas. Plus, I do not know if it worked. So I said to myself...I am going to find me an old clock, that is one thing I do not have in my house. (I have some from the 1950's, but they are not my taste) My thinking that maybe this summer when I am working on the ice cream truck (this is when I have more money for such things) I can find me a clock. I did not even have to wait until summer...it arrived today! Can you belive that? God's blessings are so amazing and timely.